(Lahore: 30th April) The election of Punjab Professors and Lecturers Association (PPLA) stirred great warmth and excitement here all around the province.
The PPLA elections are conducted after every four year in the Punjab, Pakistan. The college teachers working in the public sector participate in these elections. In these elections there were 3 major parties Ittehad e Asatza (Prof. Arif Group), Tanzeem e Asatza (Prof. Nazim H Group) and Prof. Zahid's Group. In the initial unofficial declared results Ittehad e Asatza with Flag symbol has shown victory. The entire panel of Flag at Govt. MAO College won with leading victory.
Tuesday 30 April 2013
Sunday 28 April 2013
Go behind the scenes with the European institutions
BRUSSELS: Enjoy a day of fun and Europe when the EU institutions open their doors to mark Europe Day in May. The European Parliament will be offering a varied programme for the whole family in Brussels and Luxembourg on 4 May and in Strasbourg on 19 May, so don't miss the chance to have fun and find out more about how the EU works and makes a difference to your life!
The Festival of Europe will feature concerts, brass bands, artistic events, fun activities, exhibitions, tours of the official buildings, interactive information stands, debates, a quiz, meetings and photo opportunities with MEPs. Children will also be able to enjoy themselves in the specially-designed kids corner. This year's open day will be all about you as 2013 is the European Year of Citizens.
Last year's open day was dedicated to active ageing and solidarity between the generations. The Parliament treated visitors to activities such as street-basketball, laughter-yoga or Tai Chi, chess, a children's village as well as a concert at Place du Luxembourg in Brussels.
All other EU institutions in Brussels, such as the Council and the Commission will also be open to the public on 4 May. Click on the link on the right to find out more about what we are preparing
The Festival of Europe will feature concerts, brass bands, artistic events, fun activities, exhibitions, tours of the official buildings, interactive information stands, debates, a quiz, meetings and photo opportunities with MEPs. Children will also be able to enjoy themselves in the specially-designed kids corner. This year's open day will be all about you as 2013 is the European Year of Citizens.
Last year's open day was dedicated to active ageing and solidarity between the generations. The Parliament treated visitors to activities such as street-basketball, laughter-yoga or Tai Chi, chess, a children's village as well as a concert at Place du Luxembourg in Brussels.
All other EU institutions in Brussels, such as the Council and the Commission will also be open to the public on 4 May. Click on the link on the right to find out more about what we are preparing
Bangladesh collapsed building owner arrested near border-police
DHAKA: The owner of a Bangladesh factory building that collapsed killing more than 370 people was arrested on Sunday attempting to flee to India, police said.
Mohammed Sohel Rana, a leader of the ruling Awami League's youth front, was arrested by the elite Rapid Action Battalion in the Bangladesh border town of Benapole, Dhaka District Police Chief Habibur Rahman told Reuters. REUTERS
Mohammed Sohel Rana, a leader of the ruling Awami League's youth front, was arrested by the elite Rapid Action Battalion in the Bangladesh border town of Benapole, Dhaka District Police Chief Habibur Rahman told Reuters. REUTERS
Altaf, Asfand, Zardari discuss election situation
LAHORE (Web Desk) - MQM Chief Altaf Hussain and ANP President Asfandyar Wali have discussed political situation in the context of upcoming elections in the country on telephone.
Altaf Hussain expressed concern over the wave of terrorism against liberal parties and discussed future strategy with ANP chief.
MQM chief also called President Asif Zardari to discuss the wave of terror attacks on the offices of PPP, ANP and MQM.
Many workers of the three parties have been killed during the past few days in series of attacks on rallies and election offices of these three parties.
Altaf Hussain earlier said that the upcoming elections would become controversial if all the parties were not given a level-playing field.
Altaf Hussain on Sunday telephoned the President of Awami National Party (ANP) Asfandyar Wali Khan and President Asif Ali Zardari, and discussed the overall political situation in the country.
They exchanged views on overall political, and law and order situation in the country ahead of general elections.
They expressed their grave concern over terrorist attacks on ANP and MQM offices. They expressed their resolve to launch a joint struggle against terrorism.
The ANP, MQM leaders and President Zardari said that the acts of terrorism were rising disproportionately in the three provinces of Pakistan spreading fear and panic as compared to Punjab.
“Whether only Punjab is Pakistan as it is the only province where electioneering was being carried out freely while the worst kind of terrorism was continuing in the remaining three provinces of the country,” they added.
They strongly condemned act of terrorism on the ANP, PPP and MQM and asked all the liberal parties to join hands against the terrorists.
Altaf Hussain expressed concern over the wave of terrorism against liberal parties and discussed future strategy with ANP chief.
MQM chief also called President Asif Zardari to discuss the wave of terror attacks on the offices of PPP, ANP and MQM.
Many workers of the three parties have been killed during the past few days in series of attacks on rallies and election offices of these three parties.
Altaf Hussain earlier said that the upcoming elections would become controversial if all the parties were not given a level-playing field.
Altaf Hussain on Sunday telephoned the President of Awami National Party (ANP) Asfandyar Wali Khan and President Asif Ali Zardari, and discussed the overall political situation in the country.
They exchanged views on overall political, and law and order situation in the country ahead of general elections.
They expressed their grave concern over terrorist attacks on ANP and MQM offices. They expressed their resolve to launch a joint struggle against terrorism.
The ANP, MQM leaders and President Zardari said that the acts of terrorism were rising disproportionately in the three provinces of Pakistan spreading fear and panic as compared to Punjab.
“Whether only Punjab is Pakistan as it is the only province where electioneering was being carried out freely while the worst kind of terrorism was continuing in the remaining three provinces of the country,” they added.
They strongly condemned act of terrorism on the ANP, PPP and MQM and asked all the liberal parties to join hands against the terrorists.
Hollande holds firm despite record low popularity
PARIS (AFP) - His government has been damaged by a major scandal, his country s economy is stagnant and his popularity at a record low, but French President Francois Hollande has vowed to "hold firm" and not to be "intimidated".
As the one-year anniversary of his election nears, opinion polls show the Socialist leader, perceived by some as indecisive and meek, has become deeply unpopular at a time of economic and social malaise in France.
"I became president at an exceptional time. Exceptional from an economic standpoint -- a long crisis, a recession in Europe, unemployment at a historic level," Hollande told AFP and other news agencies in an interview held days ago but only allowed out now.
He also pointed to France s military intervention in Mali to help push back Islamic extremists, as well as a rise in populism in the country and elsewhere in Europe.
"It is the duty of the president to hold firm and see further ahead, beyond storms of the moment," he added, referring to concern among the French and even members of his Socialist majority over the direction of his policies.
At the time of his election on May 6 last year, Hollande had promised to jump start the economy and create jobs by stimulating growth, but a year on, unemployment has reached record highs and growth is almost non-existent.
Many of his projects have also been met with opposition, such as a landmark gay marriage bill and proposed transparency and anti-fraud reforms following a scandal involving ex-budget minister Jerome Cahuzac, charged with tax fraud.
A survey by polling firm Ifop published in the Journal du Dimanche (JDD) newspaper last weekend showed Hollande is currently more unpopular than any other French president since 1958 when Ifop launched its leader popularity ratings.
Of the nearly 1,900 people questioned, 74 percent said they were unhappy with Hollande, citing his general record and image but also the Cahuzac scandal.
And on Sunday, another Ifop poll published in the JDD revealed more than three-quarters of respondents wanted a national unity government put in place.
Last month, a Socialist member of parliament caused shockwaves after he openly criticised Hollande, calling the current economic situation "very serious".
"When you re president of France... you take stock of the situation and you shift gears," Pascal Cherki said.
Hollande said that while he understood the French people were directing their anger at him as president, he thought accusations that he is indecisive were "totally inappropriate."
"You can criticise my decisions, think that I m going down the wrong path, say that I didn t go in the right direction, but if there is one thing I m sure of it is that for one year, I have made major choices for France," he said.
He pointed to measures unveiled in November implementing tax breaks for businesses worth up to 20 billion euros a year to try and address the flagging competitiveness at the heart of the country s economic malaise.
The French leader also highlighted labour law reforms that are being pushed through parliament, aiming to boost jobs and competitiveness by giving more flexibility to employers.
Of his critics, he said that he had "long understood that if I allowed comments to affect me, I could not go forward.
"As president, and I think that was true for all my predecessors, whoever they were, I have set myself a course of action, never be intimidated, follow one s path. And make sure it s the right one."
As the one-year anniversary of his election nears, opinion polls show the Socialist leader, perceived by some as indecisive and meek, has become deeply unpopular at a time of economic and social malaise in France.
"I became president at an exceptional time. Exceptional from an economic standpoint -- a long crisis, a recession in Europe, unemployment at a historic level," Hollande told AFP and other news agencies in an interview held days ago but only allowed out now.
He also pointed to France s military intervention in Mali to help push back Islamic extremists, as well as a rise in populism in the country and elsewhere in Europe.
"It is the duty of the president to hold firm and see further ahead, beyond storms of the moment," he added, referring to concern among the French and even members of his Socialist majority over the direction of his policies.
At the time of his election on May 6 last year, Hollande had promised to jump start the economy and create jobs by stimulating growth, but a year on, unemployment has reached record highs and growth is almost non-existent.
Many of his projects have also been met with opposition, such as a landmark gay marriage bill and proposed transparency and anti-fraud reforms following a scandal involving ex-budget minister Jerome Cahuzac, charged with tax fraud.
A survey by polling firm Ifop published in the Journal du Dimanche (JDD) newspaper last weekend showed Hollande is currently more unpopular than any other French president since 1958 when Ifop launched its leader popularity ratings.
Of the nearly 1,900 people questioned, 74 percent said they were unhappy with Hollande, citing his general record and image but also the Cahuzac scandal.
And on Sunday, another Ifop poll published in the JDD revealed more than three-quarters of respondents wanted a national unity government put in place.
Last month, a Socialist member of parliament caused shockwaves after he openly criticised Hollande, calling the current economic situation "very serious".
"When you re president of France... you take stock of the situation and you shift gears," Pascal Cherki said.
Hollande said that while he understood the French people were directing their anger at him as president, he thought accusations that he is indecisive were "totally inappropriate."
"You can criticise my decisions, think that I m going down the wrong path, say that I didn t go in the right direction, but if there is one thing I m sure of it is that for one year, I have made major choices for France," he said.
He pointed to measures unveiled in November implementing tax breaks for businesses worth up to 20 billion euros a year to try and address the flagging competitiveness at the heart of the country s economic malaise.
The French leader also highlighted labour law reforms that are being pushed through parliament, aiming to boost jobs and competitiveness by giving more flexibility to employers.
Of his critics, he said that he had "long understood that if I allowed comments to affect me, I could not go forward.
"As president, and I think that was true for all my predecessors, whoever they were, I have set myself a course of action, never be intimidated, follow one s path. And make sure it s the right one."
Morsi’s aides visit Iran to discuss Syria war
CAIRO (Reuters) - Senior aides to Egyptian President Mohamed Mursi made a rare visit to Tehran for talks with Iran on an Islamic initiative to seek a peaceful solution to Syria s civil war, the two sides said on Sunday.
Tehran is Syria s closest ally and has provided money, weapons, intelligence and training for President Bashar al-Assad s forces, while Egypt has given political support to the opposition Syrian National Coalition fighting to oust him.
Mursi s foreign affairs adviser Essam Haddad and his chief-of-staff Rifaa El-Tahtawy met Iranian officials in a follow-up to Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad s groundbreaking visit to Cairo in February for an Islamic summit.
An Iranian Foreign Ministry statement said they agreed on "the necessity of an action plan...to act on the Egyptian president s plan on the Syria crisis through an acceptable political solution which can help end the violence and help national reconciliation with the participation of the people of Syria".
Mursi included Iran, alongside Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Turkey, in a diplomatic "Islamic Quartet" of countries established last year to try to broker a solution in Syria.
The Egyptian leader proposed negotiations between Syrian government representatives not directly involved in repression and opposition leaders under regional or UN auspices on a transition of power.
However, the Saudis stayed away from the group in February in apparent irritation at the inclusion of the Iranians, and Syria has rejected foreign involvement in the national dialogue proposed by Assad.
The visiting Egyptian officials met Ahmadinejad and senior figures in Iran s foreign policy establishment, national security adviser Saeed Jalili, Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi and Ali Akbar Velayati, foreign policy adviser to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
"The relationship between Cairo and Tehran is extremely sensitive, and should be managed wisely. And this is what Egypt is doing," Haddad said on a television talk show broadcast on Saturday.
The two countries do not have full diplomatic relations, which were broken off after Egypt gave sanctuary to the deposed shah following Iran s 1979 Islamic revolution and signed a peace treaty with Israel in the same year.
Ties have thawed gradually since the 2011 uprising that toppled Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, but ultraconservative Sunni Salafists in Egypt protested against the launch of tourist flights with Iran, prompting the government to suspend the plan.
The Salafis contend that Iran is trying to spread Shi ite Islam in Sunni Muslim countries such as Egypt, a charge that Tehran denies.
Tehran is Syria s closest ally and has provided money, weapons, intelligence and training for President Bashar al-Assad s forces, while Egypt has given political support to the opposition Syrian National Coalition fighting to oust him.
Mursi s foreign affairs adviser Essam Haddad and his chief-of-staff Rifaa El-Tahtawy met Iranian officials in a follow-up to Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad s groundbreaking visit to Cairo in February for an Islamic summit.
An Iranian Foreign Ministry statement said they agreed on "the necessity of an action plan...to act on the Egyptian president s plan on the Syria crisis through an acceptable political solution which can help end the violence and help national reconciliation with the participation of the people of Syria".
Mursi included Iran, alongside Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Turkey, in a diplomatic "Islamic Quartet" of countries established last year to try to broker a solution in Syria.
The Egyptian leader proposed negotiations between Syrian government representatives not directly involved in repression and opposition leaders under regional or UN auspices on a transition of power.
However, the Saudis stayed away from the group in February in apparent irritation at the inclusion of the Iranians, and Syria has rejected foreign involvement in the national dialogue proposed by Assad.
The visiting Egyptian officials met Ahmadinejad and senior figures in Iran s foreign policy establishment, national security adviser Saeed Jalili, Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi and Ali Akbar Velayati, foreign policy adviser to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
"The relationship between Cairo and Tehran is extremely sensitive, and should be managed wisely. And this is what Egypt is doing," Haddad said on a television talk show broadcast on Saturday.
The two countries do not have full diplomatic relations, which were broken off after Egypt gave sanctuary to the deposed shah following Iran s 1979 Islamic revolution and signed a peace treaty with Israel in the same year.
Ties have thawed gradually since the 2011 uprising that toppled Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, but ultraconservative Sunni Salafists in Egypt protested against the launch of tourist flights with Iran, prompting the government to suspend the plan.
The Salafis contend that Iran is trying to spread Shi ite Islam in Sunni Muslim countries such as Egypt, a charge that Tehran denies.
Sunday 21 April 2013
The most radical elements are not in the majority now
French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius told the foreign affairs committee of EUropean Parliament in Strasberg that: "The most radical elements are not in the majority now" in the Syrian resistance but warned that they could gain control "if the conflict carries on."
"It is very difficult not to be pessimistic" about the "appalling" situation in Syria, said Mr Fabius, warning of the "absolute risk" that the regime could use chemical weapons. He supported lifting the EU embargo on arms supplies to the opposition, stressing that the decision, which should be taken by May, must guarantee that weapons are not "diverted".
MEPs insisted in the debate that EU humanitarian aid must reach those for whom it was really intended. They also appealed to Mr Fabius to cooperate more closely with the moderate Gulf states to ensure that radical Sunni forces did not gain ground in Syria and they pointed to the need to start preparing now for the post-Assad period.
On Mali, the French foreign minister said the decision to convert the Africa-led International Support Mission for Mali (MISMA) into a UN peace-keeping mission "should be adopted in the third week of April." A thousand French troops would remain in the country "to support the stabilisation mission if necessary, particularly against terrorist operations." Mr Fabius also stressed the importance of holding presidential elections in July and parliamentary elections "ideally, immediately afterwards."
MEPs were concerned that the dates for the withdrawal of French troops, the electoral process and the deployment of the UN mission coincided. They also insisted that all the aid pledged must be delivered and called for a comprehensive solution for the Sahel, to tackling the trafficking of drugs, people and weapons in the region.
"It is very difficult not to be pessimistic" about the "appalling" situation in Syria, said Mr Fabius, warning of the "absolute risk" that the regime could use chemical weapons. He supported lifting the EU embargo on arms supplies to the opposition, stressing that the decision, which should be taken by May, must guarantee that weapons are not "diverted".
MEPs insisted in the debate that EU humanitarian aid must reach those for whom it was really intended. They also appealed to Mr Fabius to cooperate more closely with the moderate Gulf states to ensure that radical Sunni forces did not gain ground in Syria and they pointed to the need to start preparing now for the post-Assad period.
On Mali, the French foreign minister said the decision to convert the Africa-led International Support Mission for Mali (MISMA) into a UN peace-keeping mission "should be adopted in the third week of April." A thousand French troops would remain in the country "to support the stabilisation mission if necessary, particularly against terrorist operations." Mr Fabius also stressed the importance of holding presidential elections in July and parliamentary elections "ideally, immediately afterwards."
MEPs were concerned that the dates for the withdrawal of French troops, the electoral process and the deployment of the UN mission coincided. They also insisted that all the aid pledged must be delivered and called for a comprehensive solution for the Sahel, to tackling the trafficking of drugs, people and weapons in the region.
Wax figure of Tendulkar unveiled at SCG
SYDNEY (AP) - Sachin Tendulkar has made an unscheduled appearance at the Sydney Cricket Ground as a life-sized wax figure of the Indian batsman was unveiled in front of a throng of cricket fans.
Local Indian fans, known as the Swami Army, cheered and sang Indian chants as the "Little Master" was unveiled at the SCG before becoming a permanent attraction at Sydney s Madame Tussauds wax museum.
The waxwork is the latest honor bestowed on Tendulkar in Australia. Late last year he received the Order of Australia for his contribution to international cricket.
Tendulkar, who turns 40 on Wednesday, is currently in India representing the Indian Premier League side the Delhi Daredevils. Speculation persists that Tendulkar to could soon retire from test cricket, ending a 23-year international career.
Local Indian fans, known as the Swami Army, cheered and sang Indian chants as the "Little Master" was unveiled at the SCG before becoming a permanent attraction at Sydney s Madame Tussauds wax museum.
The waxwork is the latest honor bestowed on Tendulkar in Australia. Late last year he received the Order of Australia for his contribution to international cricket.
Tendulkar, who turns 40 on Wednesday, is currently in India representing the Indian Premier League side the Delhi Daredevils. Speculation persists that Tendulkar to could soon retire from test cricket, ending a 23-year international career.
Artist captures dingy life of Australian troops in Afghanistan
SYDNEY (AFP) - Watching the solemn parade of special forces soldiers climb into their trucks, blessed by a priest, and drive into the grey Afghan night, Australian artist Ben Quilty wondered if they would ever return.
Quilty, winner of Australia s prestigious Archibald portrait prize, spent 24 days embedded with troops in Kandahar and Tarinkot as the nation s official war artist, sketching, photographing and filming life as a modern soldier.
It is an "often very mundane existence, spiked with these extremely horrific, terrifying moments all the time -- much more than we hear in the press, they re all engaged constantly," he told AFP.
"People say So tell me what it was like , and it s an impossible question to answer. (For the soldiers) after eight months of driving out there into the desert and being engaged by an enemy, being involved in deaths so directly, there s no answer."
The embed in 2011 led to a collection of works titled "After Afghanistan" that is currently touring Australia after being exhibited in Sydney s National Art School this month.
The portraits -- huge, thickly textured canvases of visceral flesh and dark tones -- show the human face behind the headlines about shootings, helicopter crashes and IED (improvised explosive device) strikes in Afghanistan.
Quilty said his journey to Afghanistan took him to the extremes of human experience, continuing his work s exploration of masculinity and what he described as its "self-indulgent" rites of passage.
He was invited on very short notice, given three days to accept the assignment and deployed six weeks later.
The pre-deployment training, which he described as "emotional preparation" for some of the worst possible outcomes, was in itself an inspiration.
"(It s) quite (a) confronting and very moving experience to sit in this big theatre in Sydney with all these quite often really young people who are listening to this stuff with very real reason -- they re going to Afghanistan."
Once deployed, Quilty said he tried to remain in the background, feeling out of place and way out of his depth as rockets sailed into Kandahar base at night and he lay "shit-scared" on a cot in an armoured shipping container.
The troops were intrigued by his presence, a welcome break from the monotony and adrenaline of their lives, and Quilty said he met "quiet, sensitive and normal" people.
The major question for Quilty, who shirks simplistic labels like "pacifist" or "anti-war" but was terrified as a young man about the prospect of conscription, was "why".
"They re 18 and they look like they can t even shave, (you want to ask) does your mum know what you re doing? What are you doing here? ".
Some were following the family tradition, others were attracted to the emphasis on fitness, physicality and hierarchy, or had flunked school and saw military service as more respected and better paid than learning a trade.
It was a sensitive topic -- they spoke freely about the sounds a wounded man made, about watching a comrade die or suffer horrific injuries, but the why was something they couldn t, or wouldn t explain.
"They ve just got to get through this experience," he said.
"A lot of them wanted to get out, but they don t talk about that, there s no way they want their friends to hear that. It s destructive, you ve got to keep your shit together for everyone."
The pressure can boil over -- once Quilty saw an all-in brawl break out over a hockey game in Kandahar and he was warned to stay away from the American quarters, where women walked around "wearing bra tops with M16s slung across their shoulders, the guys have tattoos and big chains and M16s and sidearms".
There were also profound moments: special forces soldiers doing a yoga class, farewelling a patrol with a priest s blessing of the trucks at 3:00 am.
"It s one of the most moving things I ve seen, the men climb in very quiet, very concentrated, and drive off into the desert," he said.
"Every time you see someone drive through those gates you wonder if they re going to come back."
Once back in Australia Quilty said he found it difficult to reconnect with the experience and asked some of the men and women if they would come to his rural studio and sit for him. Bleak, stirring tales emerged.
"It was impossible to make a bad painting of those people. They re unbelievably powerful subjects, broken sometimes," he said.
Several of the men have been diagnosed with post traumatic stress disorder; Quilty spoke to their psychiatrists to ensure he was doing the right thing by asking them to relive the events that scarred them so deeply.
"All of them said yes, it s been a really positive thing in an otherwise bleak year for these guys," he said.
Quilty was surprised by how philosophical the troops were: "The literature they re reading in Afghanistan predominantly is about the strategies of withdrawing from war and how wars end successfully," he said.
There was a particular conversation in the mess one evening that stayed with him.
"One of them said War follows politics and a much older man said No, you re wrong, politics follows war ," said Quilty.
"It s the extremity of human nature and there has to be participants, and they re it."
Quilty, winner of Australia s prestigious Archibald portrait prize, spent 24 days embedded with troops in Kandahar and Tarinkot as the nation s official war artist, sketching, photographing and filming life as a modern soldier.
It is an "often very mundane existence, spiked with these extremely horrific, terrifying moments all the time -- much more than we hear in the press, they re all engaged constantly," he told AFP.
"People say So tell me what it was like , and it s an impossible question to answer. (For the soldiers) after eight months of driving out there into the desert and being engaged by an enemy, being involved in deaths so directly, there s no answer."
The embed in 2011 led to a collection of works titled "After Afghanistan" that is currently touring Australia after being exhibited in Sydney s National Art School this month.
The portraits -- huge, thickly textured canvases of visceral flesh and dark tones -- show the human face behind the headlines about shootings, helicopter crashes and IED (improvised explosive device) strikes in Afghanistan.
Quilty said his journey to Afghanistan took him to the extremes of human experience, continuing his work s exploration of masculinity and what he described as its "self-indulgent" rites of passage.
He was invited on very short notice, given three days to accept the assignment and deployed six weeks later.
The pre-deployment training, which he described as "emotional preparation" for some of the worst possible outcomes, was in itself an inspiration.
"(It s) quite (a) confronting and very moving experience to sit in this big theatre in Sydney with all these quite often really young people who are listening to this stuff with very real reason -- they re going to Afghanistan."
Once deployed, Quilty said he tried to remain in the background, feeling out of place and way out of his depth as rockets sailed into Kandahar base at night and he lay "shit-scared" on a cot in an armoured shipping container.
The troops were intrigued by his presence, a welcome break from the monotony and adrenaline of their lives, and Quilty said he met "quiet, sensitive and normal" people.
The major question for Quilty, who shirks simplistic labels like "pacifist" or "anti-war" but was terrified as a young man about the prospect of conscription, was "why".
"They re 18 and they look like they can t even shave, (you want to ask) does your mum know what you re doing? What are you doing here? ".
Some were following the family tradition, others were attracted to the emphasis on fitness, physicality and hierarchy, or had flunked school and saw military service as more respected and better paid than learning a trade.
It was a sensitive topic -- they spoke freely about the sounds a wounded man made, about watching a comrade die or suffer horrific injuries, but the why was something they couldn t, or wouldn t explain.
"They ve just got to get through this experience," he said.
"A lot of them wanted to get out, but they don t talk about that, there s no way they want their friends to hear that. It s destructive, you ve got to keep your shit together for everyone."
The pressure can boil over -- once Quilty saw an all-in brawl break out over a hockey game in Kandahar and he was warned to stay away from the American quarters, where women walked around "wearing bra tops with M16s slung across their shoulders, the guys have tattoos and big chains and M16s and sidearms".
There were also profound moments: special forces soldiers doing a yoga class, farewelling a patrol with a priest s blessing of the trucks at 3:00 am.
"It s one of the most moving things I ve seen, the men climb in very quiet, very concentrated, and drive off into the desert," he said.
"Every time you see someone drive through those gates you wonder if they re going to come back."
Once back in Australia Quilty said he found it difficult to reconnect with the experience and asked some of the men and women if they would come to his rural studio and sit for him. Bleak, stirring tales emerged.
"It was impossible to make a bad painting of those people. They re unbelievably powerful subjects, broken sometimes," he said.
Several of the men have been diagnosed with post traumatic stress disorder; Quilty spoke to their psychiatrists to ensure he was doing the right thing by asking them to relive the events that scarred them so deeply.
"All of them said yes, it s been a really positive thing in an otherwise bleak year for these guys," he said.
Quilty was surprised by how philosophical the troops were: "The literature they re reading in Afghanistan predominantly is about the strategies of withdrawing from war and how wars end successfully," he said.
There was a particular conversation in the mess one evening that stayed with him.
"One of them said War follows politics and a much older man said No, you re wrong, politics follows war ," said Quilty.
"It s the extremity of human nature and there has to be participants, and they re it."
French protestors out to block gay marriage bill
PARIS : Thousands of opponents of a gay marriage bill thronged the streets of Paris on Sunday in a last-ditch bid to block the legislation, under the watchful eye of police after recent violence.
The demonstration came after days of sometimes vicious protests and several homophobic assaults in France, as parliament prepares to vote on -- and likely pass -- the bill Tuesday, making France the 14th country to legalise same-sex marriage.
The recent unrest has sparked concern over Sunday s mass demonstration -- particularly as supporters of the legislation are also poised to begin a rival protest in Paris. Both organisers and security forces are on high alert.
Many parents and their children were part of the procession, holding French flags and pink and blue banners, the colour of the "Manif pour tous" (Demo for All) group -- the spearhead of the movement against the bill, which would also legalise adoption by gay couples.
"We ve been to all the protests," said a 32-year-old mother who only gave her first name Camille, as she breast-fed her four-month-old son.
"We re here for children s rights. We don t want the state to be complicit in a child being deprived of a father or a mother," she said.
France s Interior Minister Manuel Valls, who was on site Sunday to support police forces, warned organisers last week that far-right extremists had infiltrated the opposition movement and were intent on provoking unrest.
"We want a peaceful demonstration and we reject all groups that directly target homosexual people," said Frigide Barjot, spokeswoman for the "Manif pour Tous" group.
She said she had called on "professional security services" to help out, adding that any excesses would be reported to specially designated people along the way, who would in turn report them to police.
And even before the start of the protest, one man carrying six canisters of teargas spotted by organisers was detained by police.
Tension over the imminent adoption of the law, which is going through a second reading in the lower house after already being approved in the French parliament s upper and lower houses, reached breaking point last week.
In Paris, opponents marched for three nights in a row from Wednesday to Friday, and a hard-core of activists, some wearing masks, clashed with police, who made more than 100 arrests during the week.
Two journalists were attacked during Wednesday s march, and cars along the route were vandalised.
In parliament s lower house, the National Assembly, a final debate on the legislation was marred by unprecedented scuffles between deputies.
Rights groups have also reported a rise in verbal and physical assaults against homosexuals, and two gay bars came under attack last week in different cities.
Opponents have accused the government of rushing the bill through its final legislative stages, and say President Francois Hollande has not listened to dissenting voices.
Opinion polls regularly show that while most French people support same-sex marriage, a majority oppose adoption by gay couples.
"A mayor to marry one mother and one father, not a pair of mothers nor a pair of fathers", "A child is not a right" read some of the banners seen in Sunday s procession.
Organisers say the protest was expected to include some 30,000 to 50,000 people, but numbers were not immediately confirmed.
While supporters of the legislation in France have been less vocal than opponents, they have also staged large-scale protests.
On Saturday, several hundred people marched in the northwestern city of Nantes to denounce what they said was a climate of fear created by a "fascist" wave of homophobia.
The bill is largely supported by the ruling Socialists, their allies in the Green Party and the Communists, and opposed by the main opposition UMP and other right-wing and centre-right parties.
It has proved hugely divisive in a country that is officially secular but predominantly Catholic. (AFP)
The demonstration came after days of sometimes vicious protests and several homophobic assaults in France, as parliament prepares to vote on -- and likely pass -- the bill Tuesday, making France the 14th country to legalise same-sex marriage.
The recent unrest has sparked concern over Sunday s mass demonstration -- particularly as supporters of the legislation are also poised to begin a rival protest in Paris. Both organisers and security forces are on high alert.
Many parents and their children were part of the procession, holding French flags and pink and blue banners, the colour of the "Manif pour tous" (Demo for All) group -- the spearhead of the movement against the bill, which would also legalise adoption by gay couples.
"We ve been to all the protests," said a 32-year-old mother who only gave her first name Camille, as she breast-fed her four-month-old son.
"We re here for children s rights. We don t want the state to be complicit in a child being deprived of a father or a mother," she said.
France s Interior Minister Manuel Valls, who was on site Sunday to support police forces, warned organisers last week that far-right extremists had infiltrated the opposition movement and were intent on provoking unrest.
"We want a peaceful demonstration and we reject all groups that directly target homosexual people," said Frigide Barjot, spokeswoman for the "Manif pour Tous" group.
She said she had called on "professional security services" to help out, adding that any excesses would be reported to specially designated people along the way, who would in turn report them to police.
And even before the start of the protest, one man carrying six canisters of teargas spotted by organisers was detained by police.
Tension over the imminent adoption of the law, which is going through a second reading in the lower house after already being approved in the French parliament s upper and lower houses, reached breaking point last week.
In Paris, opponents marched for three nights in a row from Wednesday to Friday, and a hard-core of activists, some wearing masks, clashed with police, who made more than 100 arrests during the week.
Two journalists were attacked during Wednesday s march, and cars along the route were vandalised.
In parliament s lower house, the National Assembly, a final debate on the legislation was marred by unprecedented scuffles between deputies.
Rights groups have also reported a rise in verbal and physical assaults against homosexuals, and two gay bars came under attack last week in different cities.
Opponents have accused the government of rushing the bill through its final legislative stages, and say President Francois Hollande has not listened to dissenting voices.
Opinion polls regularly show that while most French people support same-sex marriage, a majority oppose adoption by gay couples.
"A mayor to marry one mother and one father, not a pair of mothers nor a pair of fathers", "A child is not a right" read some of the banners seen in Sunday s procession.
Organisers say the protest was expected to include some 30,000 to 50,000 people, but numbers were not immediately confirmed.
While supporters of the legislation in France have been less vocal than opponents, they have also staged large-scale protests.
On Saturday, several hundred people marched in the northwestern city of Nantes to denounce what they said was a climate of fear created by a "fascist" wave of homophobia.
The bill is largely supported by the ruling Socialists, their allies in the Green Party and the Communists, and opposed by the main opposition UMP and other right-wing and centre-right parties.
It has proved hugely divisive in a country that is officially secular but predominantly Catholic. (AFP)
US most horrible violator of human rights: China
BEIJING (AFP) - China on Sunday accused the United States of human rights violations through military operations abroad and failing to protect its own citizens from gun violence, in a rejoinder to a US rights report.
BEIJING (AFP) - China on Sunday accused the United States of human rights violations through military operations abroad and failing to protect its own citizens from gun violence, in a rejoinder to a US rights report.
The report, released by China s cabinet, the State Council, said Washington has "turned a blind eye to its own woeful human rights situation", despite styling itself as "the world judge of human rights".
China -- which officially includes rising living standards in its definition of human rights -- released the report in response to a US report published on Friday that said China s rights record has worsened over the past year.
The US report highlighted a Chinese crackdown on ethnic minorities, including Tibetans, the detention of political dissidents, as well as the widespread surveillance of citizens by a huge domestic security apparatus.
China responded by blasting US surveillance of its own citizens, and said that political donations have damaged the country s democracy.
China s report, culled from a variety of sources, including US media, also accused US wars in Iraq and Afghanistan of causing "massive civilian casualties".
The report cited "astonishing" casualties that resulted from mass shootings at a movie theatre in the state of Colorado in July and at an elementary school in Connecticut in December.
"Americans are the most heavily armed people in the world per capita," the report said. It added that the United States had "serious" issues with discrimination of a sexual, racial and religious nature.
"Non-whites do not enjoy equal political, economic and social rights," the report said, claiming that "ethnic Americans are discriminated against in the job market".
The exchange of critical reports between the two nations on human rights has become an annual tradition, while relations between the world s two largest economies remain strained over issues including cyber-hacking and North Korea.
A copy of the report was published by China s official news agency Xinhua.
BEIJING (AFP) - China on Sunday accused the United States of human rights violations through military operations abroad and failing to protect its own citizens from gun violence, in a rejoinder to a US rights report.
The report, released by China s cabinet, the State Council, said Washington has "turned a blind eye to its own woeful human rights situation", despite styling itself as "the world judge of human rights".
China -- which officially includes rising living standards in its definition of human rights -- released the report in response to a US report published on Friday that said China s rights record has worsened over the past year.
The US report highlighted a Chinese crackdown on ethnic minorities, including Tibetans, the detention of political dissidents, as well as the widespread surveillance of citizens by a huge domestic security apparatus.
China responded by blasting US surveillance of its own citizens, and said that political donations have damaged the country s democracy.
China s report, culled from a variety of sources, including US media, also accused US wars in Iraq and Afghanistan of causing "massive civilian casualties".
The report cited "astonishing" casualties that resulted from mass shootings at a movie theatre in the state of Colorado in July and at an elementary school in Connecticut in December.
"Americans are the most heavily armed people in the world per capita," the report said. It added that the United States had "serious" issues with discrimination of a sexual, racial and religious nature.
"Non-whites do not enjoy equal political, economic and social rights," the report said, claiming that "ethnic Americans are discriminated against in the job market".
The exchange of critical reports between the two nations on human rights has become an annual tradition, while relations between the world s two largest economies remain strained over issues including cyber-hacking and North Korea.
A copy of the report was published by China s official news agency Xinhua.
US shares Iran threat with Isreal: Hagel
JERUSALEM (AP) - US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said Sunday the United States and Israel see "exactly the same" threat from Iran, but differ on when it may reach the point of requiring US or Israeli military action.
Hagel used his first visit to Israel as Pentagon chief to highlight his view that Israel must decide for itself whether and when to pre-emptively strike Iran.
"Israel will make the decision that Israel must make to protect itself, to defend itself," Hagel told reporters before arriving here on Sunday to begin a weeklong tour of the Middle East.
Hagel acknowledged that while Israel and the U.S. share a commitment to ensuring that Iran does not acquire a nuclear weapon, there "may well be some differences" between the two allies on the question of when Iran s leaders might decide to go for a bomb.
There is "no daylight at all" between Israel and the U.S. on the central goal of preventing a nuclear-armed Iran, he said.
But, Hagel added, "When you back down into the specifics of the timing of when and if Iran decides to pursue a nuclear weapon, there may well be some differences."
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu tends to see more urgency, reflecting in part the fact that certain Iranian technological advances toward a nuclear weapon could put the program beyond the ability of the Israeli military to destroy it with airstrikes. U.S. forces have greater reach.
The first thing Hagel did upon arrival in Jerusalem was take a guided tour of the Yad Vashem Holocaust history museum, participate in a ceremony at the Hall of Remembrance and write an inscription in the guest book at a memorial for the 1.5 million Jewish children who perished in the Holocaust.
"There is no more poignant, more touching, more effective way to tell the story than this reality, as painful as it is, but it is a reality," he said after completing his visit.
"It did happen, and we must prepare our future generations for a clear understanding that we must never allow this to happen again."
In an interview on an overnight flight from Washington, Hagel repeatedly emphasized Israel s right of self-defense and stressed that military force by implication, Israeli or American remains an option of last resort.
"In dealing with Iran, every option must be on the table," he said.
Hagel, 66, came under intense fire from Republican critics, prior to his February Senate confirmation hearing, for some of his past statements on Israel.
His critics painted him as insufficiently supportive of the Jewish state.
In choosing to make Israel one of his first overseas stops, Hagel sought to put that controversy behind him with serious words and a touch of humor.
The February confirmation hearing, which Republicans used to hammer him on Israel and other subjects, "was years ago," he deadpanned.
During his two-day visit to Israel, Hagel is expected to put the final touches on a U.S. arms deal that would provide Israel with missiles for its fighter aircraft, plus KC-135 refueling planes that could be used in a long-range strike on a country like Iran, as well as V-22 Osprey transport planes.
He called the proposed sale a "very clear signal" to Iran.
"The bottom line is, Iran is a threat a real threat," he said, not only for its nuclear ambitions and its stated goal of destroying Israel but also for its alleged sponsoring of terrorism.
Hagel said U.S. and international economic sanctions are "hurting Iran significantly," but he said they do not guarantee that Iranian leaders will be persuaded to stop what the West sees as their ambition to become a nuclear power.
Iran asserts that its nuclear program is designed entirely for non-military purposes.
Hagel suggested he holds hope that Iran s presidential election in June might change the trajectory of its nuclear drive.
He asserted that there is still time for diplomacy and international sanctions to resolve the Iran problem.
"These other tracks do have some time to continue to try to influence the outcome in Iran," he said.
In the interview en route to Tel Aviv, Hagel was asked whether the Obama administration has determined whether the Syrian government has used chemical weapons against opposition rebels.
He said intelligences analysts are still assessing the evidence and have not reached a conclusion.
Hagel used his first visit to Israel as Pentagon chief to highlight his view that Israel must decide for itself whether and when to pre-emptively strike Iran.
"Israel will make the decision that Israel must make to protect itself, to defend itself," Hagel told reporters before arriving here on Sunday to begin a weeklong tour of the Middle East.
Hagel acknowledged that while Israel and the U.S. share a commitment to ensuring that Iran does not acquire a nuclear weapon, there "may well be some differences" between the two allies on the question of when Iran s leaders might decide to go for a bomb.
There is "no daylight at all" between Israel and the U.S. on the central goal of preventing a nuclear-armed Iran, he said.
But, Hagel added, "When you back down into the specifics of the timing of when and if Iran decides to pursue a nuclear weapon, there may well be some differences."
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu tends to see more urgency, reflecting in part the fact that certain Iranian technological advances toward a nuclear weapon could put the program beyond the ability of the Israeli military to destroy it with airstrikes. U.S. forces have greater reach.
The first thing Hagel did upon arrival in Jerusalem was take a guided tour of the Yad Vashem Holocaust history museum, participate in a ceremony at the Hall of Remembrance and write an inscription in the guest book at a memorial for the 1.5 million Jewish children who perished in the Holocaust.
"There is no more poignant, more touching, more effective way to tell the story than this reality, as painful as it is, but it is a reality," he said after completing his visit.
"It did happen, and we must prepare our future generations for a clear understanding that we must never allow this to happen again."
In an interview on an overnight flight from Washington, Hagel repeatedly emphasized Israel s right of self-defense and stressed that military force by implication, Israeli or American remains an option of last resort.
"In dealing with Iran, every option must be on the table," he said.
Hagel, 66, came under intense fire from Republican critics, prior to his February Senate confirmation hearing, for some of his past statements on Israel.
His critics painted him as insufficiently supportive of the Jewish state.
In choosing to make Israel one of his first overseas stops, Hagel sought to put that controversy behind him with serious words and a touch of humor.
The February confirmation hearing, which Republicans used to hammer him on Israel and other subjects, "was years ago," he deadpanned.
During his two-day visit to Israel, Hagel is expected to put the final touches on a U.S. arms deal that would provide Israel with missiles for its fighter aircraft, plus KC-135 refueling planes that could be used in a long-range strike on a country like Iran, as well as V-22 Osprey transport planes.
He called the proposed sale a "very clear signal" to Iran.
"The bottom line is, Iran is a threat a real threat," he said, not only for its nuclear ambitions and its stated goal of destroying Israel but also for its alleged sponsoring of terrorism.
Hagel said U.S. and international economic sanctions are "hurting Iran significantly," but he said they do not guarantee that Iranian leaders will be persuaded to stop what the West sees as their ambition to become a nuclear power.
Iran asserts that its nuclear program is designed entirely for non-military purposes.
Hagel suggested he holds hope that Iran s presidential election in June might change the trajectory of its nuclear drive.
He asserted that there is still time for diplomacy and international sanctions to resolve the Iran problem.
"These other tracks do have some time to continue to try to influence the outcome in Iran," he said.
In the interview en route to Tel Aviv, Hagel was asked whether the Obama administration has determined whether the Syrian government has used chemical weapons against opposition rebels.
He said intelligences analysts are still assessing the evidence and have not reached a conclusion.
Syrian opposition warns Hezbollah to stay out
BEIRUT (AP) - The Syrian opposition called on Hezbollah to withdraw its fighters from the country immediately, as activists said regime troops supported by pro-government gunmen linked to the Lebanese Shiite militant group battled rebels Sunday for control of a string of villages near the Lebanon-Syria border.
The Syrian National Coalition the main Western-backed opposition group warned that Hezbollah involvement in Syria s civil war could lead to greater risks in the area, and urged the Lebanese government to "adopt the necessary measures to stop the aggression of Hezbollah" and to control the border to "prevent further risks and to protect civilians in the area."
The statement, posted on the Coalition s Facebook page, coincides with a surge in fighting around the contested town of Qusair in Syria s Homs province near the frontier with Lebanon.
Over the past two weeks, the Syrian military, supported by pro-regime militia backed by Hezbollah, has pushed to regain control of the border area a strategic region because it links Damascus with the Mediterranean coastal enclave that is the heartland of President Bashar Assad s Alawite sect, an offshoot of Shiite Islam.
It also points to the sectarian nature of the Syrian conflict, which pits a government dominated by the president s Alawite minority against a primarily Sunni Muslim rebellion, as well as fears that the civil war could drag in neighboring states.
The pro-regime gunmen are members of the Popular Committees, which were set up last year in Syria with Hezbollah s backing to protect Syrian villages inhabited by Lebanese Shiites, although rebels accuse the fighters of attacking opposition villages in the area and fighting alongside government forces.
While Hezbollah confirms backing the Popular Committees, it denies taking part in Syria s civil war.
The fighting along the border region has flared in recent weeks, and on Saturday government forces captured the villages of Radwaniyeh and Tel al-Nabi Mando. On Sunday, regime forces shelled the villages of Abu Houri, Saqarigh, Nahriyeh and Ein al-Tanour in the Qusair region, according to the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights activist group. It said at least four rebels were killed in the fighting.
The Syrian National Coalition the main Western-backed opposition group warned that Hezbollah involvement in Syria s civil war could lead to greater risks in the area, and urged the Lebanese government to "adopt the necessary measures to stop the aggression of Hezbollah" and to control the border to "prevent further risks and to protect civilians in the area."
The statement, posted on the Coalition s Facebook page, coincides with a surge in fighting around the contested town of Qusair in Syria s Homs province near the frontier with Lebanon.
Over the past two weeks, the Syrian military, supported by pro-regime militia backed by Hezbollah, has pushed to regain control of the border area a strategic region because it links Damascus with the Mediterranean coastal enclave that is the heartland of President Bashar Assad s Alawite sect, an offshoot of Shiite Islam.
It also points to the sectarian nature of the Syrian conflict, which pits a government dominated by the president s Alawite minority against a primarily Sunni Muslim rebellion, as well as fears that the civil war could drag in neighboring states.
The pro-regime gunmen are members of the Popular Committees, which were set up last year in Syria with Hezbollah s backing to protect Syrian villages inhabited by Lebanese Shiites, although rebels accuse the fighters of attacking opposition villages in the area and fighting alongside government forces.
While Hezbollah confirms backing the Popular Committees, it denies taking part in Syria s civil war.
The fighting along the border region has flared in recent weeks, and on Saturday government forces captured the villages of Radwaniyeh and Tel al-Nabi Mando. On Sunday, regime forces shelled the villages of Abu Houri, Saqarigh, Nahriyeh and Ein al-Tanour in the Qusair region, according to the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights activist group. It said at least four rebels were killed in the fighting.
'Targeting Musharraf can be highly risky'
ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) - President PML-Q Chaudhry Shujaat says the matter of Pervez Musharraf was very sensitive and must be handled carefully.
Talking to media persons here on Sunday Shujaat advised all those handling the Musharraf’s case should avoid steps that can lead to grave consequences.
“It is a very sensitive matter and any reckless decision can harm national interests and democracy.”
“Pakistan is facing a very delicate situation and we should think about the present instead of wrangling over the past matters,” Shujaat said.
He said it was not the issue of Pervez Musharraf alone but the question of national interest, he said.
“We will have to bury the past, otherwise we all will be the losers,” he said.
Talking to media persons here on Sunday Shujaat advised all those handling the Musharraf’s case should avoid steps that can lead to grave consequences.
“It is a very sensitive matter and any reckless decision can harm national interests and democracy.”
“Pakistan is facing a very delicate situation and we should think about the present instead of wrangling over the past matters,” Shujaat said.
He said it was not the issue of Pervez Musharraf alone but the question of national interest, he said.
“We will have to bury the past, otherwise we all will be the losers,” he said.
EU Policy towards Middle East
Imran Saqib: Brussels
This is important to know that what’s going on in the neighbor hood of Europe specially when no one imagine that what will happen in coming few years. We live in a world where the power of image and ability on gross root communication with each other in various means have a powerful impact and source of information to understand the situation.
I want to share some news with you and a bit discussion on that issues. I am sure that you are following the news are being published in the European papers in last couple of weeks.
One week ago there was a news that 12 Belgian youngsters are died in Syria during fight against Bashar al Asad, and one journalist of Belgian newspaper from Lebnan send news that several hundreds of europen youngesters are still fighting there.
The chief of Belgian intelligence Andre Vandoren mentioned in his interview to a local tv that normally we don’t know that who are they but they will be dangerous when they will come back.
And One of the Imam of a local mosque who looked into this case said that several of them are back. So danger is there.
One of my source informed me that minimum 5 thousand youngsters from only 5 European countries (UK, France, Germany, Holland and Belgium) got commando war training. Almost three weeks ago there was a news that from the house of an Algerian in Anderlecht here in Brussels police got heavy guns, grenades and other explosive material in one raid, we don’t know how many others have the same material at their houses. Still there are more news which are the sign of danger for the society.
One thing is important to know that all of them are born and brought up in Europe and most of them are kids of Arab parents.
We have to think…… that is this due to wrong policy of EU towards Arabs or there is some thing else in the bottom?
If we see in the Arab spring and European attitude, then we will see that it was started due to discrimination in education, jobs and other facilities, and now this is in its second faze. The first faze was ended after the change in Tunisia and Egypt. A friendly dictator for EU and US Ali Zain al Abdeen. He was a “good” dictator, when French President Mr. Sarkuzi asked him to send pera military forces to help him and said that we are good to do it, Mr. Zain al Abedeen was in the craft to Saudi Arabia and now there is religious extremist regime in power. Although in Egypt the movement was started in the middle of 2007 with strikes in the factories by labor unions for their basic rights in small cities and all that efforts bring this movement to Tehreer Squire.
The fall of Tunisian regime helped them and Muslim brotherhood enter into the seen strongly. US and EU tried their best to safe Mubarak but there was no way and at the end we lost Husni Mubarak and Ikhwan al Muslimeen came in power finally.
In the same time in Yemen, Bahrain Libya and Syria also started the demonstrations against the long lasting dictatorships. I have one more news concerning Libya, This is about the high level visit to Tripoli (Libya) by Cecilia Malmström, European Commissioner for Home Affairs, and Štefan Füle, European Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood policy was the culmination of increased dialogue and part of the new momentum in EU – Libya relations, marked by several positive developments:
They had an agreement with Libya and it was mentioned that
Commissioner Füle said: "I welcome agreeing on this cooperation agenda because this is an important first step to solve the challenges,
And what was the second step? That we all know. Hillary Clinton said couple months before the attack that Qadafi is a moderate and the best leader in the rigine, and what happened in few months that he was killed by French and NATO forces even he transferred billions in UK and US banks in the mean times. The forces killed 40 to 50 thousand people there and all infrastructure. All religious extremists were launched in Libya. Now we can see that extremism is increasing there, even they brutally killed the Ambassador of US. If we look at Bahrain, the 85% majority is against the regime but EU is supporting the regime. No one is helping the huge majority to get their rights for education, health jobs and proper place in politics. I met one MEP on this issue, he said that because Bahrain is one of the station of the oil and other trading ships goes to US from Persian Gulf so we don’t want no change, we will support the regime against the will of public. So one great Arab country is launching there Jehadies imported from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iraq, who are helping the government against public, there are lot of atrocities but no body is saying even one word to stop this.
In Syria again France and Great Britain supporting the extremists, with weapons, man power, moral and political help. The current news are the proof. Even the head of Al-Nusrah the largest opposition militant party has pledge allegiance to the leader of Al-Qaida Eyman ul Zawahri. So directly EU leaders are supporting Al-Qaida’s branch. Are we creating a new OBL in the state of Abu Mumahhad Al-Jawlani who is head of Al-Nsrah?
I belong to Pakistan and we are passing through the experience with this Taliban mind set physically. Pakistan is one of the producer of these Jehadis on behalf of USA and Saudia against Russia and communism.i
Even USA it self import Shekh Yasin a leader of Muslim Brother hood from Egypt when he was in Jail and establish a new mosque in Brookland and start recruitment of Jehadis for Afghan Jihad and they launched them in the field.
As after 9/11 when Pakistan allowed US and agree to give all support to crush these Jehadies…. they bite back to Pakistan and up till now there are almost 30000 innocent people have been killed by them in 11 years and no any institution is safe from them.
I don’t know that any European state is behind these Jehadis who are going there in Syria or any where else, but if yes….. then this is again a mistake like we did in Afghanistan so we should get ready to face the same reaction like Pakistan is facing and if there is no any involvement of state aliment then again this is related to the EU policy toward the middle east.
Secondly EU always support the economic sanctions of the countries which are ruling by disagreeable or contentious leader in the following of USA. We know that these sanctions never affect the rulers, general public is always victims of these sanctions. Food, energy sources, house holdings, travelling sources like oil for passenger crafts and their spare parts, even all type of economic sanctions effect on public directly and it create hatred against the sanction operators۔
European parliament published a statistical book “Muslims in Europe”, they mentioned that according the statics of UN that in 2040 the Muslim population of EU will be 55% of total. Most of them are Arabs. In this snerio we have to rethink about our policy. Instead of Economic sanction there should Political isolation, militant involvement should be replaced with table talk with taking care of their autonomy and fair deal should be placed instead of double standard policy. Other wise we are sowing thorns for our next generations for a short time benefit and producing new OBL’s and new terrorist groups that they can hit the prosperity and peace of the continent.
This is important to know that what’s going on in the neighbor hood of Europe specially when no one imagine that what will happen in coming few years. We live in a world where the power of image and ability on gross root communication with each other in various means have a powerful impact and source of information to understand the situation.
I want to share some news with you and a bit discussion on that issues. I am sure that you are following the news are being published in the European papers in last couple of weeks.
One week ago there was a news that 12 Belgian youngsters are died in Syria during fight against Bashar al Asad, and one journalist of Belgian newspaper from Lebnan send news that several hundreds of europen youngesters are still fighting there.
The chief of Belgian intelligence Andre Vandoren mentioned in his interview to a local tv that normally we don’t know that who are they but they will be dangerous when they will come back.
And One of the Imam of a local mosque who looked into this case said that several of them are back. So danger is there.
One of my source informed me that minimum 5 thousand youngsters from only 5 European countries (UK, France, Germany, Holland and Belgium) got commando war training. Almost three weeks ago there was a news that from the house of an Algerian in Anderlecht here in Brussels police got heavy guns, grenades and other explosive material in one raid, we don’t know how many others have the same material at their houses. Still there are more news which are the sign of danger for the society.
One thing is important to know that all of them are born and brought up in Europe and most of them are kids of Arab parents.
We have to think…… that is this due to wrong policy of EU towards Arabs or there is some thing else in the bottom?
If we see in the Arab spring and European attitude, then we will see that it was started due to discrimination in education, jobs and other facilities, and now this is in its second faze. The first faze was ended after the change in Tunisia and Egypt. A friendly dictator for EU and US Ali Zain al Abdeen. He was a “good” dictator, when French President Mr. Sarkuzi asked him to send pera military forces to help him and said that we are good to do it, Mr. Zain al Abedeen was in the craft to Saudi Arabia and now there is religious extremist regime in power. Although in Egypt the movement was started in the middle of 2007 with strikes in the factories by labor unions for their basic rights in small cities and all that efforts bring this movement to Tehreer Squire.
The fall of Tunisian regime helped them and Muslim brotherhood enter into the seen strongly. US and EU tried their best to safe Mubarak but there was no way and at the end we lost Husni Mubarak and Ikhwan al Muslimeen came in power finally.
In the same time in Yemen, Bahrain Libya and Syria also started the demonstrations against the long lasting dictatorships. I have one more news concerning Libya, This is about the high level visit to Tripoli (Libya) by Cecilia Malmström, European Commissioner for Home Affairs, and Štefan Füle, European Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood policy was the culmination of increased dialogue and part of the new momentum in EU – Libya relations, marked by several positive developments:
They had an agreement with Libya and it was mentioned that
- Good progress in the negotiations of the bilateral 'Framework Agreement', which will establish a very first official and legal relationship between the EU and Libya and open up many areas for working together.
- Opening an EU Office in Tripoli, that should become operational very soon, as a demonstration of EU's commitment to establishing a long-term relationship with Libya.
Commissioner Füle said: "I welcome agreeing on this cooperation agenda because this is an important first step to solve the challenges,
And what was the second step? That we all know. Hillary Clinton said couple months before the attack that Qadafi is a moderate and the best leader in the rigine, and what happened in few months that he was killed by French and NATO forces even he transferred billions in UK and US banks in the mean times. The forces killed 40 to 50 thousand people there and all infrastructure. All religious extremists were launched in Libya. Now we can see that extremism is increasing there, even they brutally killed the Ambassador of US. If we look at Bahrain, the 85% majority is against the regime but EU is supporting the regime. No one is helping the huge majority to get their rights for education, health jobs and proper place in politics. I met one MEP on this issue, he said that because Bahrain is one of the station of the oil and other trading ships goes to US from Persian Gulf so we don’t want no change, we will support the regime against the will of public. So one great Arab country is launching there Jehadies imported from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iraq, who are helping the government against public, there are lot of atrocities but no body is saying even one word to stop this.
In Syria again France and Great Britain supporting the extremists, with weapons, man power, moral and political help. The current news are the proof. Even the head of Al-Nusrah the largest opposition militant party has pledge allegiance to the leader of Al-Qaida Eyman ul Zawahri. So directly EU leaders are supporting Al-Qaida’s branch. Are we creating a new OBL in the state of Abu Mumahhad Al-Jawlani who is head of Al-Nsrah?
I belong to Pakistan and we are passing through the experience with this Taliban mind set physically. Pakistan is one of the producer of these Jehadis on behalf of USA and Saudia against Russia and communism.i
Even USA it self import Shekh Yasin a leader of Muslim Brother hood from Egypt when he was in Jail and establish a new mosque in Brookland and start recruitment of Jehadis for Afghan Jihad and they launched them in the field.
As after 9/11 when Pakistan allowed US and agree to give all support to crush these Jehadies…. they bite back to Pakistan and up till now there are almost 30000 innocent people have been killed by them in 11 years and no any institution is safe from them.
I don’t know that any European state is behind these Jehadis who are going there in Syria or any where else, but if yes….. then this is again a mistake like we did in Afghanistan so we should get ready to face the same reaction like Pakistan is facing and if there is no any involvement of state aliment then again this is related to the EU policy toward the middle east.
Secondly EU always support the economic sanctions of the countries which are ruling by disagreeable or contentious leader in the following of USA. We know that these sanctions never affect the rulers, general public is always victims of these sanctions. Food, energy sources, house holdings, travelling sources like oil for passenger crafts and their spare parts, even all type of economic sanctions effect on public directly and it create hatred against the sanction operators۔
European parliament published a statistical book “Muslims in Europe”, they mentioned that according the statics of UN that in 2040 the Muslim population of EU will be 55% of total. Most of them are Arabs. In this snerio we have to rethink about our policy. Instead of Economic sanction there should Political isolation, militant involvement should be replaced with table talk with taking care of their autonomy and fair deal should be placed instead of double standard policy. Other wise we are sowing thorns for our next generations for a short time benefit and producing new OBL’s and new terrorist groups that they can hit the prosperity and peace of the continent.
Friday 5 April 2013
Chairman Kashmir Council EU meets AJK President
ISLAMABAD: Chairman Kashmir Council EU, Ali Raza Syed met Azad Kashmir President Sardar Mohammad Yaqub Khan yesterday at Kashmir House Islamabad. Ali Raza Syed briefed the President on the Council’s activities in the context of Kashmir issue in Europe. He also presented a report in this regard to the President Sardar Yaqub.
President AJK hailed the efforts of Kashmir Council for raising Kashmir issue at Europe. However, the President also insisted on unity among the Kashmiris struggling for Kashmir issue abroad. He said, unity is need of time and the people should struggle well co-ordinately to raise the issue of Jammu and Kashmir at the international level.
Briefing about the activities of the Kashmir Council EU (Europe), Ali Raza Syed said, the Council so far raised the issue of Kashmir at the different forums through meetings, seminars, conferences at the different places including EU parliament and assemblies of the different countries including federal legislative body of Belgium and universities and colleges. Another member of Kashmir Council EU, Sardar Sadique was also present during the meeting.
Presenting a report on Kahsmir Council EU’s activities in Europe, Ali Raza Syed said, the council has raised the issue of unnamed mass graves in Indian Held Kashmir and demanded the International Criminal Court to send a team to investigate the issue and bring the culprits involved in the extra judicial killings to the justice.
Giving further detail about current movement, Ali Raza Syed said, recent Campaign of Kashmir Council EU for collection of ‘One Million Signatures’ from Europeans is currently on going with its extreme spirit and so far a large number of people in Belgium, Holland, France and UK signed the documents in favour of innocent Kashmiri people. The report on completion of one million signature would be presented at EU parliament.
President AJK hailed the efforts of Kashmir Council for raising Kashmir issue at Europe. However, the President also insisted on unity among the Kashmiris struggling for Kashmir issue abroad. He said, unity is need of time and the people should struggle well co-ordinately to raise the issue of Jammu and Kashmir at the international level.
Briefing about the activities of the Kashmir Council EU (Europe), Ali Raza Syed said, the Council so far raised the issue of Kashmir at the different forums through meetings, seminars, conferences at the different places including EU parliament and assemblies of the different countries including federal legislative body of Belgium and universities and colleges. Another member of Kashmir Council EU, Sardar Sadique was also present during the meeting.
Presenting a report on Kahsmir Council EU’s activities in Europe, Ali Raza Syed said, the council has raised the issue of unnamed mass graves in Indian Held Kashmir and demanded the International Criminal Court to send a team to investigate the issue and bring the culprits involved in the extra judicial killings to the justice.
Giving further detail about current movement, Ali Raza Syed said, recent Campaign of Kashmir Council EU for collection of ‘One Million Signatures’ from Europeans is currently on going with its extreme spirit and so far a large number of people in Belgium, Holland, France and UK signed the documents in favour of innocent Kashmiri people. The report on completion of one million signature would be presented at EU parliament.
Thursday 4 April 2013
Citizens' initiative: start up a legislative revolution
A year ago today a ground-breaking initiative was launched to enable ordinary people to directly ask the European Commission to come up with new European legislation on topics that are important to them. Since then the citizens' initiative has been used to raise issues ranging from protecting the environment to mobile phones rates and stopping experiments on animals. We talked to MEPs Zita Gurmai and Alain Lamassoure, who are in charge of this at the EP, to assess the first year.
Fourteen initiatives have been introduced so far. Some are about every day issues, such as the initiative for a monthly flat-rate for mobile phones in Europe or the one to set a speed limit of 30km per hour in urban areas. Others are more ambitious in scope, for example by calling for an end to all EU climate action until China, India and the US have signed a climate agreement.
Mr Lamassoure, a French member of the EPP group, was pleased with what he observed the first year: "I welcome the fact that most of the citizens' initiatives registered by the Commission have been proposed by ordinary people rather than by civil society groups. It shows that the sense of belonging to a European public space is growing."
However Zita Gurmai, a Hungarian member of the S&D group, said there was still room for improvement: "Collecting signatures should be made a lot easier, both for the organisers and the citizens. For this, we need a user-friendly software and platform, an affordable and safe way to maintain websites. It will be also important in the long run that mem
Fourteen initiatives have been introduced so far. Some are about every day issues, such as the initiative for a monthly flat-rate for mobile phones in Europe or the one to set a speed limit of 30km per hour in urban areas. Others are more ambitious in scope, for example by calling for an end to all EU climate action until China, India and the US have signed a climate agreement.
Mr Lamassoure, a French member of the EPP group, was pleased with what he observed the first year: "I welcome the fact that most of the citizens' initiatives registered by the Commission have been proposed by ordinary people rather than by civil society groups. It shows that the sense of belonging to a European public space is growing."
However Zita Gurmai, a Hungarian member of the S&D group, said there was still room for improvement: "Collecting signatures should be made a lot easier, both for the organisers and the citizens. For this, we need a user-friendly software and platform, an affordable and safe way to maintain websites. It will be also important in the long run that mem
EU set to run out of funds in 2013, says Budgets Committee Chair
The Commission proposal to settle only part of the EU's €16.2 billion debt rolled over from 2012 threatens the EU with insolvency later in 2013, said Budgets Committee chair Alain Lamassoure (EPP, FR) on Wednesday. The Commission, Parliament and Council agreed last year to settle all bills left over from 2012.
"It is thus confirmed: there is a threat that the EU will run out of funds before the end of 2013. This is forbidden by the treaties and the Parliament will not accept a deficit", said Mr Lamassoure after EU Commissioner Janusz Lewandowski's announcement of an amending budget worth €11.2 billion. Because the amending budget is insufficient to pay the bills, the €5 billion shortfall will have to be paid from the 2013 budget, which was not calculated to cover rolled-over bills.
"In these times when the EU's credibility is questioned, to pretend to be deciding on a seven-year budget when we are not even able to pay the current year's bills will not enhance our trustworthiness", Mr Lamassoure added.
The Budgets Committee will hear Mr Lewandowski's presentation of the amending budget on 15 April.
Mr Lamassoure recalled that the three institutions undertook in a joint declaration at the end of the 2013 budget negotiations to finish 2013 with a "clean sheet", by settling all unpaid bills incurred by member states for goods, works and services. 2013 is the final year of the EU's current multi-annual financial framework (MFF).
In a resolution voted on 13 March, Parliament rejected the EU member states' 7-8 February decision on the EU's next MFF. MEPs insisted that the EU's debts must be settled before negotiations on the long-term budget could be concluded.
Parliament will vote on the proposed amending budget after the Council has stated its position, so the ball is now in the Council's court.
"It is thus confirmed: there is a threat that the EU will run out of funds before the end of 2013. This is forbidden by the treaties and the Parliament will not accept a deficit", said Mr Lamassoure after EU Commissioner Janusz Lewandowski's announcement of an amending budget worth €11.2 billion. Because the amending budget is insufficient to pay the bills, the €5 billion shortfall will have to be paid from the 2013 budget, which was not calculated to cover rolled-over bills.
"In these times when the EU's credibility is questioned, to pretend to be deciding on a seven-year budget when we are not even able to pay the current year's bills will not enhance our trustworthiness", Mr Lamassoure added.
The Budgets Committee will hear Mr Lewandowski's presentation of the amending budget on 15 April.
Mr Lamassoure recalled that the three institutions undertook in a joint declaration at the end of the 2013 budget negotiations to finish 2013 with a "clean sheet", by settling all unpaid bills incurred by member states for goods, works and services. 2013 is the final year of the EU's current multi-annual financial framework (MFF).
In a resolution voted on 13 March, Parliament rejected the EU member states' 7-8 February decision on the EU's next MFF. MEPs insisted that the EU's debts must be settled before negotiations on the long-term budget could be concluded.
Parliament will vote on the proposed amending budget after the Council has stated its position, so the ball is now in the Council's court.
COAS holds meetings with Balochistan governor, CM
QUETTA (Dunya News) - Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani held meetings with Balochistan Governor Nawab Zulfiqar Ali Magsi and caretaker CM Nawab Ghous Baksh Barozai.
The security situation and smooth conduct of upcoming general elections were discussed in the meetings.
The COAS reiterated Pak Army s commitment to extend all possible assistance to the Election Commission of Pakistan for holding free, fair and peaceful elections.
The Provincial leadership was assured by COAS that Army will wholeheartedly welcome an all inclusive elections. COAS emphasized the need for participation by all political parties in the May elections. Army is prepared to extend all necessary support in this regard.
Earlier, Lieutenant General Muhammad Alam Khattak, Commander of the Southern Command, briefed the COAS regarding security situation and development projects being undertaken by the Army in Balochistan.
The security situation and smooth conduct of upcoming general elections were discussed in the meetings.
The COAS reiterated Pak Army s commitment to extend all possible assistance to the Election Commission of Pakistan for holding free, fair and peaceful elections.
The Provincial leadership was assured by COAS that Army will wholeheartedly welcome an all inclusive elections. COAS emphasized the need for participation by all political parties in the May elections. Army is prepared to extend all necessary support in this regard.
Earlier, Lieutenant General Muhammad Alam Khattak, Commander of the Southern Command, briefed the COAS regarding security situation and development projects being undertaken by the Army in Balochistan.
Pakistan to train on 'English' pitches
KARACHI (AFP) - Pakistan's cricket authorities Thursday ordered English-style pitches to help their struggling batsmen prepare for the Champions Trophy, to be played in England in June.
Pakistani batsmen had a woeful time on the fast and bouncy tracks in South Africa where they were whitewashed 3-0 in Tests and edged out 3-2 in the one-day series last month.
Teams from the sub-continent raised on slow, dry pitches have traditionally struggled in countries like England and South Africa, where conditions offer more help to quick bowlers.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) decided that after the South African debacle, in which the tourists were shot out for their lowest Test score of 49 in the first Test in Johannesburg, the team needed intense preparation for the eight-nation Champions Trophy to be held from June 6-23.
"The committee noted that during the South Africa tour batsmen struggled and considering the venue of the Champions Trophy it was decided that special pitches, which are close to the English conditions, would be prepared for the training camp," a PCB release said.
The 10-day camp will be held at Abbottabad, north of Islamabad, while legendary paceman Wasim Akram will lead a separate 10-day fast bowling clinic in Karachi. Wasim will later join the camp in Abbottabad for a few days, the PCB said.
Media reports said captain Misbah-ul Haq had suggested the team should prepare on fast pitches for the tournament, in which Pakistan face the West Indies, South Africa and arch-rivals India in the initial group stage.
Defending champions Australia, England, New Zealand and Sri Lanka make up the other group.
Pakistani batsmen had a woeful time on the fast and bouncy tracks in South Africa where they were whitewashed 3-0 in Tests and edged out 3-2 in the one-day series last month.
Teams from the sub-continent raised on slow, dry pitches have traditionally struggled in countries like England and South Africa, where conditions offer more help to quick bowlers.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) decided that after the South African debacle, in which the tourists were shot out for their lowest Test score of 49 in the first Test in Johannesburg, the team needed intense preparation for the eight-nation Champions Trophy to be held from June 6-23.
"The committee noted that during the South Africa tour batsmen struggled and considering the venue of the Champions Trophy it was decided that special pitches, which are close to the English conditions, would be prepared for the training camp," a PCB release said.
The 10-day camp will be held at Abbottabad, north of Islamabad, while legendary paceman Wasim Akram will lead a separate 10-day fast bowling clinic in Karachi. Wasim will later join the camp in Abbottabad for a few days, the PCB said.
Media reports said captain Misbah-ul Haq had suggested the team should prepare on fast pitches for the tournament, in which Pakistan face the West Indies, South Africa and arch-rivals India in the initial group stage.
Defending champions Australia, England, New Zealand and Sri Lanka make up the other group.
'Drunk' soldier drives tank into lamp post in Russia
A Russian soldier has some explaining to do after driving an army tank straight into a lamp post while allegedly under the influence.
The unidentified man is facing a court martial after crashing the armoured vehicle near an army training base in the Russian city of Ryazan last month while apparently drunk.
His antics were caught on a motorist’s dash cam at a set of traffic lights before the clip was uploaded to YouTube where it has racked up thousands of hits.
It shows the tank passing through a crossroads before suddenly coming to a sudden stop, much to the bemusement of a traffic officer watching the bizarre incident unfold.
After another sudden stop, the tank then ploughs straight into the lamp post before another soldier runs to their assistance.
Another group of Russian soldiers raised a few eyebrows last month after being filmed marching to theSpongeBob SquarePants theme song.
Several units have surprisingly taken a shine to the lovable bright yellow sponge, gleefully chanting his name while marching in unison.
The unidentified man is facing a court martial after crashing the armoured vehicle near an army training base in the Russian city of Ryazan last month while apparently drunk.
His antics were caught on a motorist’s dash cam at a set of traffic lights before the clip was uploaded to YouTube where it has racked up thousands of hits.
It shows the tank passing through a crossroads before suddenly coming to a sudden stop, much to the bemusement of a traffic officer watching the bizarre incident unfold.
After another sudden stop, the tank then ploughs straight into the lamp post before another soldier runs to their assistance.
Another group of Russian soldiers raised a few eyebrows last month after being filmed marching to theSpongeBob SquarePants theme song.
Several units have surprisingly taken a shine to the lovable bright yellow sponge, gleefully chanting his name while marching in unison.
Student enjoys life with fake funeral
At least that s what one 22-year-old recently learned there s nothing like dying to get a fresh perspective on life.
In a theatrical act of soul-searching, Chinese student, Zeng Jia, staged her own funeral in Wuhan, central China s Hubei province on March 30.
"I feel so good after coming out of the coffin," Zeng told China Daily.
The inspiration for the fictional funeral came from an epiphany she had about burial ceremonies after her grandfather s recent death.
"It struck me that people spend all that time and effort on someone when they are gone and they cannot appreciate it," she said.
According to the Daily Express, she hired a team of cosmetic artists to make her look dead, yet alive. Zeng laid in the coffin for an hour while mourners walked past paying their tributes, and no, they weren t rented.
Whether or not mourners were aware it was a pseudo-funeral, it was clear by the end of the wake when she jumped out of the coffin and delivered a speech.
In a theatrical act of soul-searching, Chinese student, Zeng Jia, staged her own funeral in Wuhan, central China s Hubei province on March 30.
"I feel so good after coming out of the coffin," Zeng told China Daily.
The inspiration for the fictional funeral came from an epiphany she had about burial ceremonies after her grandfather s recent death.
"It struck me that people spend all that time and effort on someone when they are gone and they cannot appreciate it," she said.
According to the Daily Express, she hired a team of cosmetic artists to make her look dead, yet alive. Zeng laid in the coffin for an hour while mourners walked past paying their tributes, and no, they weren t rented.
Whether or not mourners were aware it was a pseudo-funeral, it was clear by the end of the wake when she jumped out of the coffin and delivered a speech.
Aamir Khan likely to feature in Bombay Talkies
Bombay Talkies is an upcoming joint venture comprising four short films directed by four prominent Bollywood directors - Karan Johar, Zoya Akhtar, Anurag Kashyap and Dibarkar Banerjee.
"We are trying to do something with him for the film. But officially, he is not part of the film. By mid of April we would be in a better position to give out details regarding the same," producer Ashi Dua told PTI.
Reportedly, the 48-year-old actor will shoot for a special segment in the film.
Johar s film stars Rani Mukerji, Randeep Hooda and Saqib Saleem, brother of actress Huma Qureshi. Dibakar s film will have Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Sadashiv Amrapukar.
While Zoya s film has Ranvir Shorey and Katrina Kaif and Anurag Kashyap s film will have megastar Amitabh Bachchan.
It was earlier rumoured that Ranbir Kapoor would play Sutradhaar in the film but Ashi denied all such talks.
"We are trying to do something with him for the film. But officially, he is not part of the film. By mid of April we would be in a better position to give out details regarding the same," producer Ashi Dua told PTI.
Reportedly, the 48-year-old actor will shoot for a special segment in the film.
Johar s film stars Rani Mukerji, Randeep Hooda and Saqib Saleem, brother of actress Huma Qureshi. Dibakar s film will have Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Sadashiv Amrapukar.
While Zoya s film has Ranvir Shorey and Katrina Kaif and Anurag Kashyap s film will have megastar Amitabh Bachchan.
It was earlier rumoured that Ranbir Kapoor would play Sutradhaar in the film but Ashi denied all such talks.
Iran vows to enrich uranium despite pressure
ALMATY (AFP) - Iran will insist that its right to enrich uranium is recognised in talks this week with world powers on its disputed nuclear drive, Tehran s chief negotiator said Thursday.
"We think that they can open up tomorrow s (Friday s) talks with one phrase -- and that is to accept Iran s right, particularly its right to enrich," Saeed Jalili said in a speech at an Almaty university ahead of the negotiations in the Kazakh city.
"We hope that in Almaty, they do not repeat the bitter experience they have gone through in the 34 years of our revolution and that they make the right conclusion this spring," he said referring to the 1979 Islamic revolution that ousted the shah.
Jalili also appeared to downplay the chances of a one-on-one meeting with chief US negotiator Wendy Sherman -- talks Washington has been seeking for years.
"What our nation is expecting is for the US to correct its behaviour, and not in just words, and tomorrow in Almaty they are in for another test," said Jalili.
"Those who come to negotiations should come with logic and not threats, saying that all the options are on the table. This is contrary to common sense."
Iran and the so-called P5+1 nations -- the five permanent UN Security Council members and Germany -- will sit down in Almaty from Friday for their fifth round of negotiations in the past two years.
The last talks held at the same venue in February saw the six nations present Iran with a proposal that would ease some sanctions in exchange for concessions on uranium enrichment.
The P5+1 grouping is particularly concerned about Iran s enrichment to levels of up to 20 percent and the Fordo fortified bunker where such activity is conducted.
The powers also want Iran to ship out its existing stockpile of 20-percent enriched material.
Iran denies it is developing the atomic bomb and argues that it needs its nuclear programme for peaceful medical and energy needs.
"We think that they can open up tomorrow s (Friday s) talks with one phrase -- and that is to accept Iran s right, particularly its right to enrich," Saeed Jalili said in a speech at an Almaty university ahead of the negotiations in the Kazakh city.
"We hope that in Almaty, they do not repeat the bitter experience they have gone through in the 34 years of our revolution and that they make the right conclusion this spring," he said referring to the 1979 Islamic revolution that ousted the shah.
Jalili also appeared to downplay the chances of a one-on-one meeting with chief US negotiator Wendy Sherman -- talks Washington has been seeking for years.
"What our nation is expecting is for the US to correct its behaviour, and not in just words, and tomorrow in Almaty they are in for another test," said Jalili.
"Those who come to negotiations should come with logic and not threats, saying that all the options are on the table. This is contrary to common sense."
Iran and the so-called P5+1 nations -- the five permanent UN Security Council members and Germany -- will sit down in Almaty from Friday for their fifth round of negotiations in the past two years.
The last talks held at the same venue in February saw the six nations present Iran with a proposal that would ease some sanctions in exchange for concessions on uranium enrichment.
The P5+1 grouping is particularly concerned about Iran s enrichment to levels of up to 20 percent and the Fordo fortified bunker where such activity is conducted.
The powers also want Iran to ship out its existing stockpile of 20-percent enriched material.
Iran denies it is developing the atomic bomb and argues that it needs its nuclear programme for peaceful medical and energy needs.
Arab League 'lacks legitimacy', says Assad
DAMASCUS (AFP) - Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has lashed out at the Arab League and its decision to hand Syria s seat to the opposition, saying the body "lacks legitimacy," according to comments published on Thursday.
"The Arab League lacks legitimacy. It s a League that represents the Arab states, not the Arab people, so it can t grant or retract legitimacy," Assad said in extracts from an interview with Turkish media published on the presidency s Facebook page.
The Arab League last month granted the opposition rebel Syrian National Coalition grouping Syria s seat at the beginning during a session in Qatar attended by key rebel official and former Coalition chief Ahmed Moaz al-Khatib.
"Real legitimacy is not accorded by organisations or foreign officials or other country... legitimacy is that which is granted by the people," Assad said.
"All these theatrics have no value in our eyes," he added.
The interview, with Turkey s Ulusal television and Aydinlik newspaper, was conducted on Tuesday and will be aired in full on Friday, the presidency page said.
In extracts published on Wednesday, Assad accused Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan of not having said "a single word of truth since the beginning of the crisis in Syria."
Turkey is a key backer of the Syrian revolt that broke out in March 2011.
Damascus has regularly accused Ankara of financing, training and arming rebels fighting troops loyal to Assad. The UN says Turkey currently hosts more than 260,000 Syrian refugees.
The UN says more than 70,000 people have been killed in a spiralling war that broke out after the army unleashed a crackdown on a peaceful revolt which morphed into an armed revolt.
"The Arab League lacks legitimacy. It s a League that represents the Arab states, not the Arab people, so it can t grant or retract legitimacy," Assad said in extracts from an interview with Turkish media published on the presidency s Facebook page.
The Arab League last month granted the opposition rebel Syrian National Coalition grouping Syria s seat at the beginning during a session in Qatar attended by key rebel official and former Coalition chief Ahmed Moaz al-Khatib.
"Real legitimacy is not accorded by organisations or foreign officials or other country... legitimacy is that which is granted by the people," Assad said.
"All these theatrics have no value in our eyes," he added.
The interview, with Turkey s Ulusal television and Aydinlik newspaper, was conducted on Tuesday and will be aired in full on Friday, the presidency page said.
In extracts published on Wednesday, Assad accused Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan of not having said "a single word of truth since the beginning of the crisis in Syria."
Turkey is a key backer of the Syrian revolt that broke out in March 2011.
Damascus has regularly accused Ankara of financing, training and arming rebels fighting troops loyal to Assad. The UN says Turkey currently hosts more than 260,000 Syrian refugees.
The UN says more than 70,000 people have been killed in a spiralling war that broke out after the army unleashed a crackdown on a peaceful revolt which morphed into an armed revolt.
Sharif brothers' candidacy objected over scam
ISLAMABAD (Agencies): The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Thursday objected to the candidature of Nawaz Sharif and Shahbaz Sharif in the upcoming general elections over alleged scam of Hudaibiya Paper Mills, a senior NAB official said.
The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Punjab president and the former chief minister, along with his brother PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif, are accused in the Rs3,486 million loan default case.
They have been accused of accumulating money and assets beyond their declared means of income by misusing authority. The case was filed with the Attock NAB Court on March 27, 2000.
Abbas Sharif, Hussain Nawaz, Hamza Shahbaz, Shamim Akhtar, Sabiha Abbas, Maryam Safdar and Ishaq Dar are other accused in the case.
The bureau has conveyed its recommendations to the election commission in this regard.
The NAB had set up election cells to help the election commission in the scrutiny of candidates for the May 11 elections. The decision to establish the cells was taken at a meeting held on Feb 20.
The meeting, presided over by Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Fakharuddin G. Ebrahim, was attended by heads of NAB, Federal Bureau of Revenue (FBR), State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) and National Database Registration Authority (Nadra).
The meeting had decided that the ECP, with the help of relevant organisations, will identify tax-evaders, loan and utility bill defaulters and beneficiaries of written-off loans to prevent them from contesting polls.
The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Punjab president and the former chief minister, along with his brother PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif, are accused in the Rs3,486 million loan default case.
They have been accused of accumulating money and assets beyond their declared means of income by misusing authority. The case was filed with the Attock NAB Court on March 27, 2000.
Abbas Sharif, Hussain Nawaz, Hamza Shahbaz, Shamim Akhtar, Sabiha Abbas, Maryam Safdar and Ishaq Dar are other accused in the case.
The bureau has conveyed its recommendations to the election commission in this regard.
The NAB had set up election cells to help the election commission in the scrutiny of candidates for the May 11 elections. The decision to establish the cells was taken at a meeting held on Feb 20.
The meeting, presided over by Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Fakharuddin G. Ebrahim, was attended by heads of NAB, Federal Bureau of Revenue (FBR), State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) and National Database Registration Authority (Nadra).
The meeting had decided that the ECP, with the help of relevant organisations, will identify tax-evaders, loan and utility bill defaulters and beneficiaries of written-off loans to prevent them from contesting polls.
N Korea approves nuclear strike on United States
SEOUL : North Korea dramatically escalated its warlike rhetoric on Thursday, warning that it had authorised plans for nuclear strikes on targets in the United States.
"The moment of explosion is approaching fast," the North Korean military said, warning that war could break out "today or tomorrow".
Pyongyang s latest pronouncement came as Washington scrambled to reinforce its Pacific missile defences, preparing to send ground-based interceptors to Guam and dispatching two Aegis class destroyers to the region.
Tension was also high on the North s heavily-fortified border with South Korea, after Kim Jong-Un s isolated regime barred South Koreans from entering a Seoul-funded joint industrial park on its side of the frontier.
In a statement published by the state KCNA news agency, the Korean People s Army general staff warned Washington that US threats would be "smashed by... cutting-edge smaller, lighter and diversified nuclear strike means".
"The merciless operation of our revolutionary armed forces in this regard has been finally examined and ratified," the statement said.
Last month, North Korea threatened a "pre-emptive" nuclear strike against the United States, and last week its supreme army command ordered strategic rocket units to combat status.
But, while Pyongyang has successfully carried out test nuclear detonations, most experts think it is not yet capable of mounting a device on a ballistic missile capable of striking US bases or territory.
Mounting tension in the region could however trigger incidents on the tense and heavily-militarised border between North and South Korea.
There was no immediate American reaction to the North s latest statement, but US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said Pyongyang represented a "real and clear danger" to the United States and to its allies South Korea and Japan.
"They have nuclear capacity now, they have missile delivery capacity now," Hagel said after a strategy speech at the National Defense University. "We take those threats seriously, we have to take those threats seriously."
"We are doing everything we can, working with the Chinese and others, to defuse that situation on the peninsula. I hope the North will ratchet its very dangerous rhetoric down," he said.
The Pentagon said it would send ground-based THAAD interceptor batteries to protect US bases on the island of Guam, complementing two Aegis anti-missile destroyers already dispatched to the region.
The THAAD (Terminal High Altitude Area Defence) is a truck-mounted system that can pinpoint an enemy missile launch, track the projectile and launch an interceptor to bring it down.
Guam is a US island territory 3,380 kilometres (2,100 miles) southeast of North Korea in the Pacific and is home to 6,000 American military personnel, as well as bases for submarines and strategic bombers.
The new defensive measures came as Pyongyang stopped South Korean staff members from entering the Kaesong complex, a shared industrial zone funded by Seoul but 10 kilometres inside the North.
Pyongyang said the 861 South Koreans already in the zone could leave, but the move cut the last practical cooperation between the rival powers and was seen as a dramatic escalation in the crisis.
South Korea s defence ministry said it had contingency plans that included "military action" if the safety of its citizens in Kaesong was threatened.
China, the North s sole major ally, appealed for "calm" from all sides and Russia s Deputy Foreign Minister Igor Morgulov said he was worried that the situation could spiral out of control.
Describing the Kaesong ban as "very regrettable", South Korea s Unification Ministry urged the North to normalise access immediately.
"Otherwise," the ministry warned, "not only will inter-Korean relations be negatively affected but North Korea will invoke greater criticism and isolation from the international community."
It said 33 South Koreans had returned from Kaesong, with hundreds staying on to keep their companies running smoothly.
Around 53,000 North Koreans work at 120 South Korean plants at the complex, which was still operating normally Wednesday.
Tensions have soared on the Korean peninsula since December, when the North test launched a long-range rocket. In February, it upped the ante once again by conducting its third nuclear test.
Washington has deployed nuclear-capable US B-52s, B-2 stealth bombers and two US destroyers to South Korean air and sea space.
This week, the North warned it would reopen its mothballed Yongbyon reactor -- its source of weapons-grade plutonium.
The North shut down Yongbyon in July 2007 under a six-nation aid-for-disarmament accord.
Experts say it would take at least six months to get the reactor back up and running, after which it will be able to produce one bomb s worth of weapons-grade plutonium per year. (AFP)
"The moment of explosion is approaching fast," the North Korean military said, warning that war could break out "today or tomorrow".
Pyongyang s latest pronouncement came as Washington scrambled to reinforce its Pacific missile defences, preparing to send ground-based interceptors to Guam and dispatching two Aegis class destroyers to the region.
Tension was also high on the North s heavily-fortified border with South Korea, after Kim Jong-Un s isolated regime barred South Koreans from entering a Seoul-funded joint industrial park on its side of the frontier.
In a statement published by the state KCNA news agency, the Korean People s Army general staff warned Washington that US threats would be "smashed by... cutting-edge smaller, lighter and diversified nuclear strike means".
"The merciless operation of our revolutionary armed forces in this regard has been finally examined and ratified," the statement said.
Last month, North Korea threatened a "pre-emptive" nuclear strike against the United States, and last week its supreme army command ordered strategic rocket units to combat status.
But, while Pyongyang has successfully carried out test nuclear detonations, most experts think it is not yet capable of mounting a device on a ballistic missile capable of striking US bases or territory.
Mounting tension in the region could however trigger incidents on the tense and heavily-militarised border between North and South Korea.
There was no immediate American reaction to the North s latest statement, but US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said Pyongyang represented a "real and clear danger" to the United States and to its allies South Korea and Japan.
"They have nuclear capacity now, they have missile delivery capacity now," Hagel said after a strategy speech at the National Defense University. "We take those threats seriously, we have to take those threats seriously."
"We are doing everything we can, working with the Chinese and others, to defuse that situation on the peninsula. I hope the North will ratchet its very dangerous rhetoric down," he said.
The Pentagon said it would send ground-based THAAD interceptor batteries to protect US bases on the island of Guam, complementing two Aegis anti-missile destroyers already dispatched to the region.
The THAAD (Terminal High Altitude Area Defence) is a truck-mounted system that can pinpoint an enemy missile launch, track the projectile and launch an interceptor to bring it down.
Guam is a US island territory 3,380 kilometres (2,100 miles) southeast of North Korea in the Pacific and is home to 6,000 American military personnel, as well as bases for submarines and strategic bombers.
The new defensive measures came as Pyongyang stopped South Korean staff members from entering the Kaesong complex, a shared industrial zone funded by Seoul but 10 kilometres inside the North.
Pyongyang said the 861 South Koreans already in the zone could leave, but the move cut the last practical cooperation between the rival powers and was seen as a dramatic escalation in the crisis.
South Korea s defence ministry said it had contingency plans that included "military action" if the safety of its citizens in Kaesong was threatened.
China, the North s sole major ally, appealed for "calm" from all sides and Russia s Deputy Foreign Minister Igor Morgulov said he was worried that the situation could spiral out of control.
Describing the Kaesong ban as "very regrettable", South Korea s Unification Ministry urged the North to normalise access immediately.
"Otherwise," the ministry warned, "not only will inter-Korean relations be negatively affected but North Korea will invoke greater criticism and isolation from the international community."
It said 33 South Koreans had returned from Kaesong, with hundreds staying on to keep their companies running smoothly.
Around 53,000 North Koreans work at 120 South Korean plants at the complex, which was still operating normally Wednesday.
Tensions have soared on the Korean peninsula since December, when the North test launched a long-range rocket. In February, it upped the ante once again by conducting its third nuclear test.
Washington has deployed nuclear-capable US B-52s, B-2 stealth bombers and two US destroyers to South Korean air and sea space.
This week, the North warned it would reopen its mothballed Yongbyon reactor -- its source of weapons-grade plutonium.
The North shut down Yongbyon in July 2007 under a six-nation aid-for-disarmament accord.
Experts say it would take at least six months to get the reactor back up and running, after which it will be able to produce one bomb s worth of weapons-grade plutonium per year. (AFP)
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