New York, Nov 21 (ANI): Over 50 percent of Americans favour Senator Hillary Clinton as President elect Barack Obama's Secretary of State.

A new Gallup poll found 57 percent of Americans support President-elect Obama appointing Hillary secretary of state, while 30 percent oppose it, the Daily News reported.

Among Democrats, the potential nomination is even more popular, with nearly 8 in 10 hoping the former First Lady will become the nation's top diplomat.

If picked for the job, Hillary would become the third woman to serve as Secretary of State, following Madeleine Albright in President Bill Clinton's Administration and Condoleezza Rice in President Bush's Administration.

Clinton is the first First Lady in history to be elected to the Senate.

While she had strong appeal with women during her failed Democratic presidential bid, the poll found men and women are equally likely to favour her becoming Secretary of State.

The move won a thumbs up from 56 percent of men and 58 percent of women.

New Yorkers are also gung-ho about Clinton joining Obama's cabinet, even though the appointment means the state will lose her in the Senate.

According to a Marist Poll released on Thursday, 55 percent of registered New York voters want Obama to select Clinton, while 31 percent believe she should remain in the Senate.

If selected, 72 percent of New York voters said Clinton would do either an excellent or good job as secretary of state. And just 22 percent said Bill Clinton would hurt her in the new role.

According to sources, Clinton hasn't yet decided whether she will accept the job if Obama formally offers it to her.

On Thursday, Bill Clinton publicly promised to do whatever is necessary to satisfy Team Obama that his private business dealings and foundation work won't pose a conflict. (ANI)

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Mumbai, Oct 24 (ANI/Business Wire India): Sterlite Industries (India) Limited ("SIIL" or the "Company") announced its results for the second quarter ("Q2") and Half year ("H1") ended September 30.

Highlights

-- Attributable PAT up 18 per cent at Rs. 1,277 crore

-- Highest mined zinc production in any quarter

-- Refined zinc production at 122,000 tonnes, an increase of 30 per cent over the corresponding prior quarter

-- Significant reduction in unit production costs in Zinc and Copper businesses, despite rising energy costs

-- Lanjigarh bauxite mining project cleared by the Honorable Supreme Court of India

-- Commissioning of first phase of the Jharsuguda aluminium smelter progressing well; second power unit commissioned

-- All other expansion projects progressing well and on schedule

-- Strong balance sheet with net cash position of approximately Rs. 12,000 crore as at 30 September 2008. (ANI)

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London, Nov 21 (ANI): Michael Jackson has converted to Islam - and has changed his name to Mikaeel, according to reports.

According to the Sun, the 50-year-old singer wore traditional Islamic dress as he pledged his allegiance to the Koran at a friend's home in Los Angeles.

Mikaeel is the name of one of Allah's angels.

Jackson, who was raised a Jehovah's Witness, reportedly decided to convert after discussing religion with a music producer and songwriter on his new album - both of whom were converts to Islam, says reports.

"They began talking to him about their beliefs, and how they thought they had become better people after they converted. Michael soon began warming to the idea," a source said.

"An Imam was summoned from the mosque and Michael went through the shahada, which is the Muslim declaration of belief. Jacko rejected an alternative name, Mustafa - meaning "the chosen one," the source added.

Brit singer Yousef Islam, 60 - who was called Cat Stevens until he famously converted - turned up to help Jacko celebrate.

Meanwhile, Jackson is due to give evidence in court next week after being sued by Sheikh Abdulla bin Hamad Al Khalifa, second son of the King of Bahrain.

Sheikh Abdulla, who is seeking 7 million dollars, claims he helped support the cash-strapped Jackson in the aftermath of his child molestation trial.

Abdulla claims Jackson promised to pay back the money, while Jackson says he thought it was a gift. Jackson is expected to give evidence to a London court via video link from LA. (ANI)

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Sydney, Nov 21 (ANI): Former Australia cricket captain Allan Border has reportedly strongly criticised the practice of cricketers writing books, which, according to him, were nothing more than a medium to create controversies.

The comment comes in the wake of the recent controversy triggered by a book "Captain's Diary" written by Aussie captain, in which he said that former Indian Test Sunil Gavaskar was "no angel" when it came to on-ground controversies.

Besides Ponting's book, Border was reacting to the string of other books released and all the controversies they created in the recent past, reported The News.

First Adam Gilchrist released a book and accused Sachin Tendulkar of 'lying' in the context of the racism row; Ricky Ponting soon followed with his 'Captain's Diary' and had a few things to say about the Sydney Test match of last year; Andrew Symonds too had a few things to say about the "Monkeygate scandal", and more recently, New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori has come out with a book and said "Ponting was always spoiling for a fight".

"Aussies are aggressive in nature while playing but they play good and solid cricket. The team I led always got along well with the opponents. Players these days sensationalise certain moments of their careers in their books," the paper quoted Border as saying. (ANI)

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