ਹਿਊਸਟਨ, 28 ਅਪ੍ਰੈਲ (ਏਜੰਸੀਆਂ)-ਨਿੱਕੀ ਹੈਲੇ ਤੋਂ ਬਾਅਦ ਬੌਬੀ ਜਿੰਦਲ ਦੂਜੇ ਭਾਰਤੀ ਅਮਰੀਕੀ ਗਵਰਨਰ ਹਨ ਜਿਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੇ ਕਿਹਾ ਹੈ ਕਿ ਉਹ ਰਿਪਬਲਿਕਨ ਪਾਰਟੀ ਦੀ ਤਰਫੋਂ ਰਾਸ਼ਟਰਪਤੀ ਪਦ ਦੇ ਸੰਭਾਵੀ ਦਾਅਵੇਦਾਰ ਮਿਟ ਰੋਮਨੀ ਦੇ ਨਾਲ ਉੱਪ ਰਾਸ਼ਟਰਪਤੀ ਪਦ ਦੀ ਦੌੜ ਵਿਚ ਨਹੀਂ ਹਨ। ਜਿੰਦਲ ਨੂੰ ਹਾਲ ਵਿਚ ਹੀ ਲੁਸੀਆਨਾ ਦੇ ਗਵਰਨਰ ਪਦ ਦੇ ਦੂਜੇ ਕਾਰਜਕਾਲ ਲਈ ਫਿਰ ਤੋਂ ਚੁਣਿਆ ਗਿਆ ਹੈ। ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੇ ਕਿਹਾ ਕਿ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਮਿਟ ਰੋਮਨੀ ਦੇ ਉਪਰਾਸ਼ਟਰਪਤੀ ਉਮੀਦਵਾਰ ਦੇ ਤੌਰ 'ਤੇ ਖੜੇ ਹੋਣ ਵਿਚ ਕੋਈ ਦਿਲਚਸਪੀ ਨਹੀਂ ਹੈ।April 28, 2012
ਉਪ-ਰਾਸ਼ਟਰਪਤੀ ਪਦ ਦੀ ਦੌੜ ਵਿਚ ਨਹੀਂ-ਬੌਬੀ ਜਿੰਦਲ
ਹਿਊਸਟਨ, 28 ਅਪ੍ਰੈਲ (ਏਜੰਸੀਆਂ)-ਨਿੱਕੀ ਹੈਲੇ ਤੋਂ ਬਾਅਦ ਬੌਬੀ ਜਿੰਦਲ ਦੂਜੇ ਭਾਰਤੀ ਅਮਰੀਕੀ ਗਵਰਨਰ ਹਨ ਜਿਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੇ ਕਿਹਾ ਹੈ ਕਿ ਉਹ ਰਿਪਬਲਿਕਨ ਪਾਰਟੀ ਦੀ ਤਰਫੋਂ ਰਾਸ਼ਟਰਪਤੀ ਪਦ ਦੇ ਸੰਭਾਵੀ ਦਾਅਵੇਦਾਰ ਮਿਟ ਰੋਮਨੀ ਦੇ ਨਾਲ ਉੱਪ ਰਾਸ਼ਟਰਪਤੀ ਪਦ ਦੀ ਦੌੜ ਵਿਚ ਨਹੀਂ ਹਨ। ਜਿੰਦਲ ਨੂੰ ਹਾਲ ਵਿਚ ਹੀ ਲੁਸੀਆਨਾ ਦੇ ਗਵਰਨਰ ਪਦ ਦੇ ਦੂਜੇ ਕਾਰਜਕਾਲ ਲਈ ਫਿਰ ਤੋਂ ਚੁਣਿਆ ਗਿਆ ਹੈ। ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੇ ਕਿਹਾ ਕਿ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਮਿਟ ਰੋਮਨੀ ਦੇ ਉਪਰਾਸ਼ਟਰਪਤੀ ਉਮੀਦਵਾਰ ਦੇ ਤੌਰ 'ਤੇ ਖੜੇ ਹੋਣ ਵਿਚ ਕੋਈ ਦਿਲਚਸਪੀ ਨਹੀਂ ਹੈ।
ਬੀ. ਸੀ. ਦੀਆਂ ਸਿੱਖ ਸੰਸਥਾਵਾਂ ਨੇ ਸਰਕਾਰ ਕੋਲ ਨਿਯਮਾਂ 'ਚ ਸੋਧਾਂ ਲਈ ਆਵਾਜ਼ ਉਠਾਈ
ਬੀ. ਸੀ. ਦੇ ਵਿਧਾਇਕ ਲਿਬਰਲ ਕੈਸ਼ ਹੀਡ ਅਤੇ ਕਾਕਸ ਚੇਅਰ ਗੋਰਡਨ ਹੋਗ ਵਿਸ਼ਵ ਸਿੱਖ
ਸੰਸਥਾ ਦੇ ਸਮਾਗਮ 'ਚ ਹਾਜ਼ਰੀ ਲਵਾਉਂਦੇ ਹੋਏ।
PM inaugurates Bathinda refinery
Phullokhari (Bathinda) - The Prime Minister, who dedicated the country's 24th oil refinery - the Rs.21,500-crore Guru Gobind Singh refinery in Punjab's Bathinda district - to the nation on Saturday, said: "We need to rationalise prices and at the same time ensure that the poor and needy are shielded from the effects of such a rationalisation."
He said with imports accounting for about 80% of India's crude oil requirements, spiralling oil prices in the international markets had put a serious strain on the country's import bill.
He said in order to insulate the common man from the impact of rising oil prices, the government has been shouldering a sizeable portion of the burden by pricing diesel, kerosene and domestic LPG below their market prices.
State-owned oil companies have not raised diesel, domestic LPG and kerosene rates for almost a year despite a steep increase in the cost of raw material - crude oil.
Even in case of petrol, where the government had in June 2010 freed prices from its control, state-owned oil companies have not been able to raise prices because of political pressure.
Petrol, priced at Rs. 65.64 a litre in Delhi, is about Rs. 9 short of its cost.
Petrol, priced at Rs. 65.64 a litre in Delhi, is about Rs. 9 short of its cost.
'Refinery will boost growth'
Unveiling the plaque to formally inaugurate the 9 million-metric tonne capacity Guru Gobind Singh oil refinery in Bathinda district's Phulokhari village, the prime minister said it would propel Punjab's economic growth.
Spread across 2,400 acres, the refinery is located some 40 km from Bathdina city.
The PM said the project was a leap forward in Punjab's industrial development."Right from the beginning of the joint venture of the Rs. 21, 500 crore refinery, between Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) and Mittal Energy Investment Limited (MEL), the Congress-led UPA government has been closely monitoring the progress of the mega project," he said, in chaste Punjabi.
"After our government came to power at the Centre in 2004, we have been making all possible efforts to ensure the competition of the project well in time. I am happy to share that the central government kept all its promises to make the joint venture of the HPCL and MEL a success."
Dangerous - Do not drink Coka-Cola and eat MENTOS together...!!! Seeing is believing ?don't you think ?!!! Last week a little boy died in Brazil after eating MENTOS and drinking Coka-Cola together. One year before the same accident happened with another boy in Brazil .. Please check the experiment that has been done by mixing Coka-Cola (or Coka-Cola light are the same) with MENTOS........ So be careful !!
Chen Guangcheng 'safe' in US embassy
Blind campaigner evades about 100 guards to escape from six-year detention but fears grow for family and supporters
Blind Chinese activist Chen Guangcheng and friend and fellow activist Hu Jia taken at an undisclosed location this month. Chen, an inspirational figure in China's rights movement, slipped away from his well-guarded village this week. Photograph: AP
A blind Chinese rights activist who made a daring escape from extrajudicial detention was on Friday under the protection of the US embassy in Beijing, according to a friend, as concerns were growing about possible retribution against his family and supporters.
After more than six years of jail and house arrest, Chen Guangcheng was said to have fled under cover of darkness, evading eight checkpoints and close to 100 guards who have been watching his home in the Shandong province countryside.
A photograph released on Friday night shows him with a friend and fellow activist, Hu Jia, who said Chen was under US protection. "It is my understanding that Chen is in the safest place in China. That is the US embassy," said Hu.
If confirmed, the incident could overshadow a planned trip to Beijing next week by the US secretary of state, Hillary Clinton, and treasury secretary, Timothy Geithner.
It would be the second case this year of a high-profile figure seeking refuge at a US diplomatic office in China. In February, Chongqing police chief Wang Lijun fled to the US consulate in Chengdu claiming his life was threatened because of his investigation into the death of British businessman Neil Heywood.
That incident led to a 36-hour standoff during which Chinese security personnel surrounded the consulate until Wang was turned over to an official from Beijing.
The US government neither confirmed nor denied claims that Chen was seeking asylum. An embassy spokesman, Richard Buangan, told reporters that "he did not have any information at this time."The British embassy also said Chen's whereabouts were a mystery. "We have followed Chen Guangcheng's case over a long period of time and have made representations publicly and privately to Chinese authorities. We have seen today's reports and will be following events closely," said a spokesman.The mainstream Chinese media had not reported the escape, but in a video recording apparently made after his release, Chen issued an open call for the prime minister, Wen Jiabao, to investigate his case.
He said between 90 and 100 people were involved in his illegal detention, which included savage beatings that left his wife with broken bones and the harassment of his children. Those who tried to visit him – including lawyers, journalists and the actor Christian Bale – had been either roughed up or driven away.
The accusations throw a harsh light on a Chinese government already reeling from a corruption and wire-tapping scandal sparked by the death of Heywood.
Chen blamed his treatment on local officials and the Chinese state's obsession with maintaining stability at all costs. He said his greatest concern was that the authorities would carry out "insane retribution" on his family, several of whom have already been placed under arrest.
Chen confirmed reports about his maltreatment that have appeared online over the years. "The truth was even worse," he said."
Human rights campaigners expressed delight that Chen – whose case has drawn international attention – was no longer in the hands of the authorities, but concern about revenge attacks on his wife, child, brother and human rights activists who helped him gain liberty.
According to the US-based human rights group China Aid, Chen was "100% safe" in Beijing. But it said the activist He Peirong, one of the people who helped Chen flee, had been arrested at her home in Nanjing on Friday morning.
He, who is said to have been in close contact with the Chen family, had earlier told CNN that Chen's hands were trembling, but his spirits were high. She said he was injured in the escape.
It was not clear how Chen evaded the officials, police and plainclothes thugs who have been camped in and around his home in Linyi since his release from prison in 2010. But activists said it was not an individual, opportunistic bid for freedom.
"To escape from a place with so many guards must have taken a great deal of planning," said Phelim Kine, of Human Rights Watch.
Chen was believed to have used the cover of darkness, in which his blindness – he lost his sight at the age of five – gave him an advantage over his captors. He previously attempted to dig a tunnel.
"I would say the fact that he successfully escaped is a miracle," said Hu. "It's like a real Chinese version of The Shawshank Redemption. I heard he got through eight security checks."
If Chen is caught, he faces the risk of severe extra-legal punishment from his guards. Several people close to Chen have already been rounded up, prompting fears of retribution.
According to the NGO Human Rights in China, Chen's brother Chen Guangfu was taken away from Dongshigu village on Thursday. His nephew, Chen Kegui, was also in hiding after using a kitchen knife to defend his mother from intruders led by the village chief.
Local public-security bureaux were not picking up their phones.
"The wife [Yuan Weijing], children and mother are on the extreme edge of vulnerability," said Kine. "They have already been brutally victimised for merely trying to get outside the compound for food or medical attention, so it is quite likely that the plainclothes thugs will react quite brutally to his escape. It is our hope that all diplomatic missions will make strong representations for their safety."
Chen has suffered the wrath of officials in Shandong since 2005, when he exposed a programme of forced abortions to reach targets linked to China's one-child policy. Although he was released from a four-year jail term in September 2010, he and his family continued to suffer detention and beatings.
Associates say they fear for his health, which has deteriorated during his detention."I don't know if he is safe now and I am worried about him," said lawyer Teng Biao. "Chen was not given freedom after being released from prison and he was sick and did not have a chance to see a proper doctor. I am worried about him."
Evading almost 90 guards who have surrounded his village home for more than a year, Chen is said to have found refuge in a "safe" location in Beijing.
His revelations about the illegal detention – which included savage beatings that left family members with broken bones and harrassment of his children – throw a harsh light on a Chinese government that is already reeling from a corruption and wire-tapping scandal sparked by the death of British businessman Neil Heywood.
Looking gaunt, Chen blamed his treatment on local officials and the Chinese state's obsession with maintaining stability at all costs. He said his greatest concern was that the authorities would carry out "insane retribution" on his family, several of whom have already been placed under arrest.
Human rights campaigners expressed delight that Chen – whose protracted, illegal detention has drawn international attention – is no longer in the hands of the authorities, but there are concerns about revenge attacks on his wife, children, brother and human rights activists who helped him gain liberty.
"I have confirmed that Chen is now in Beijing. I would say the fact that he successfully escaped is a miracle," said Hu Jia, a prominent rights activist. "It's like a real Chinese version of The Shawshank Redemption. I heard he got through eight security checks."
In a video message, Chen confirmed he was beaten and said 90 to 100 local officials were involved in his detention. He expressed "extreme concern" about retaliation against his family. Chen confirmed reports about his maltreatment that have appeared over the years. "The truth was even worse," he said. "I formally made three requests to Premier Wen Jiabao. First, severely punish criminals. Second, look into this yourself, and third, send a special investigation team to find out the truth."
Chen is believed to have used the cover of darkness in which his blindness – he lost his sight at the age of five – gave him an advantage over his captors. He previously attempted to dig a tunnel without success.
It is not yet clear how Chen evaded the officials, police and plainclothes thugs who have been permanently camped in and around his home in Linyi since his release from prison in 2010. But activists said it was not an individual, opportunistic bid for freedom.
"This wasn't a sudden thing. In order to escape from a place with so many guards must have taken a great deal of planning," said Phelim Kine of Human Rights Watch.
Chen's exact whereabouts are unknown. Several sources said he was in a place that was safe from the scrutiny of security agencies, prompting speculation that he may have taken refuge in a foreign embassy or consulate. The US embassy has declined to comment on the case.
According to the US-based group China Aid, Chen was "100% safe" in Beijing. But the group said that the activist He Peirong, one of the people who helped Chen flee, was arrested at her home in Nanjing on Friday morning.
He, who is said to have been in close contact with the Chen family, had earlier told CNN that Chen's hands were trembling, but his spirits were high. She said he was injured in the escape.
If Chen is caught, he faces the risk of severe extra-legal punishment from his guards. Several people close to Chen have already been rounded up, prompting fears of retribution.
According to Human Rights in China, Chen's brother Chen Guangfu was taken away from Dongshigu village on Thursday evening. His nephew, Chen Kegui, is also in hiding after a bloody battle with a kitchen knife when he tried to defend his mother from intruders led by the village chief.
Local public security bureaus were not picking up their phones.
"The wife [Yuan Weijing], children and mother are on the extreme edge of vulnerability. They have already been brutally victimised for merely trying to get outside the compound for food or medical attention, so it is quite likely that the plainclothes thugs will react quite brutally to his escape. It is our hope that all diplomatic missions will make strong representations for their safety," said Kine.
Chen has suffered the wrath of Shandong officials since 2005, when he exposed a programme of forced abortions to reach targets linked to China's one-child policy. Although he was released from a four-year jail term in September 2010, he and his family have continued to suffer detention and beatings.
Until his safety and liberty are confirmed, associates say they fear for his health, which deteriorated during his detention.
"I don't know if he is safe now and I am worried about him," said the lawyer Teng Biao. "Chen was not given freedom after being released from prison and he was sick and did not have a chance to see a proper doctor. I am worried about him."
After more than six years of jail and house arrest, Chen Guangcheng was said to have fled under cover of darkness, evading eight checkpoints and close to 100 guards who have been watching his home in the Shandong province countryside.
A photograph released on Friday night shows him with a friend and fellow activist, Hu Jia, who said Chen was under US protection. "It is my understanding that Chen is in the safest place in China. That is the US embassy," said Hu.
If confirmed, the incident could overshadow a planned trip to Beijing next week by the US secretary of state, Hillary Clinton, and treasury secretary, Timothy Geithner.
It would be the second case this year of a high-profile figure seeking refuge at a US diplomatic office in China. In February, Chongqing police chief Wang Lijun fled to the US consulate in Chengdu claiming his life was threatened because of his investigation into the death of British businessman Neil Heywood.
That incident led to a 36-hour standoff during which Chinese security personnel surrounded the consulate until Wang was turned over to an official from Beijing.
The US government neither confirmed nor denied claims that Chen was seeking asylum. An embassy spokesman, Richard Buangan, told reporters that "he did not have any information at this time."The British embassy also said Chen's whereabouts were a mystery. "We have followed Chen Guangcheng's case over a long period of time and have made representations publicly and privately to Chinese authorities. We have seen today's reports and will be following events closely," said a spokesman.The mainstream Chinese media had not reported the escape, but in a video recording apparently made after his release, Chen issued an open call for the prime minister, Wen Jiabao, to investigate his case.
He said between 90 and 100 people were involved in his illegal detention, which included savage beatings that left his wife with broken bones and the harassment of his children. Those who tried to visit him – including lawyers, journalists and the actor Christian Bale – had been either roughed up or driven away.
The accusations throw a harsh light on a Chinese government already reeling from a corruption and wire-tapping scandal sparked by the death of Heywood.
Chen blamed his treatment on local officials and the Chinese state's obsession with maintaining stability at all costs. He said his greatest concern was that the authorities would carry out "insane retribution" on his family, several of whom have already been placed under arrest.
Chen confirmed reports about his maltreatment that have appeared online over the years. "The truth was even worse," he said."
Human rights campaigners expressed delight that Chen – whose case has drawn international attention – was no longer in the hands of the authorities, but concern about revenge attacks on his wife, child, brother and human rights activists who helped him gain liberty.
According to the US-based human rights group China Aid, Chen was "100% safe" in Beijing. But it said the activist He Peirong, one of the people who helped Chen flee, had been arrested at her home in Nanjing on Friday morning.
He, who is said to have been in close contact with the Chen family, had earlier told CNN that Chen's hands were trembling, but his spirits were high. She said he was injured in the escape.
It was not clear how Chen evaded the officials, police and plainclothes thugs who have been camped in and around his home in Linyi since his release from prison in 2010. But activists said it was not an individual, opportunistic bid for freedom.
"To escape from a place with so many guards must have taken a great deal of planning," said Phelim Kine, of Human Rights Watch.
Chen was believed to have used the cover of darkness, in which his blindness – he lost his sight at the age of five – gave him an advantage over his captors. He previously attempted to dig a tunnel.
"I would say the fact that he successfully escaped is a miracle," said Hu. "It's like a real Chinese version of The Shawshank Redemption. I heard he got through eight security checks."
If Chen is caught, he faces the risk of severe extra-legal punishment from his guards. Several people close to Chen have already been rounded up, prompting fears of retribution.
According to the NGO Human Rights in China, Chen's brother Chen Guangfu was taken away from Dongshigu village on Thursday. His nephew, Chen Kegui, was also in hiding after using a kitchen knife to defend his mother from intruders led by the village chief.
Local public-security bureaux were not picking up their phones.
"The wife [Yuan Weijing], children and mother are on the extreme edge of vulnerability," said Kine. "They have already been brutally victimised for merely trying to get outside the compound for food or medical attention, so it is quite likely that the plainclothes thugs will react quite brutally to his escape. It is our hope that all diplomatic missions will make strong representations for their safety."
Chen has suffered the wrath of officials in Shandong since 2005, when he exposed a programme of forced abortions to reach targets linked to China's one-child policy. Although he was released from a four-year jail term in September 2010, he and his family continued to suffer detention and beatings.
Associates say they fear for his health, which has deteriorated during his detention."I don't know if he is safe now and I am worried about him," said lawyer Teng Biao. "Chen was not given freedom after being released from prison and he was sick and did not have a chance to see a proper doctor. I am worried about him."
Chinese activist fears 'insane retribution' on family after escape
Blind rights activist Chen Guangcheng flees detention but expresses concern as authorities round up people who helped him
The blind Chinese rights activist, Chen Guangcheng has made a daring escape from his captors and put out a video exposing the abuse and beatings that his family suffered under house arrest.Evading almost 90 guards who have surrounded his village home for more than a year, Chen is said to have found refuge in a "safe" location in Beijing.
His revelations about the illegal detention – which included savage beatings that left family members with broken bones and harrassment of his children – throw a harsh light on a Chinese government that is already reeling from a corruption and wire-tapping scandal sparked by the death of British businessman Neil Heywood.
Looking gaunt, Chen blamed his treatment on local officials and the Chinese state's obsession with maintaining stability at all costs. He said his greatest concern was that the authorities would carry out "insane retribution" on his family, several of whom have already been placed under arrest.
Human rights campaigners expressed delight that Chen – whose protracted, illegal detention has drawn international attention – is no longer in the hands of the authorities, but there are concerns about revenge attacks on his wife, children, brother and human rights activists who helped him gain liberty.
"I have confirmed that Chen is now in Beijing. I would say the fact that he successfully escaped is a miracle," said Hu Jia, a prominent rights activist. "It's like a real Chinese version of The Shawshank Redemption. I heard he got through eight security checks."
In a video message, Chen confirmed he was beaten and said 90 to 100 local officials were involved in his detention. He expressed "extreme concern" about retaliation against his family. Chen confirmed reports about his maltreatment that have appeared over the years. "The truth was even worse," he said. "I formally made three requests to Premier Wen Jiabao. First, severely punish criminals. Second, look into this yourself, and third, send a special investigation team to find out the truth."
Chen is believed to have used the cover of darkness in which his blindness – he lost his sight at the age of five – gave him an advantage over his captors. He previously attempted to dig a tunnel without success.
It is not yet clear how Chen evaded the officials, police and plainclothes thugs who have been permanently camped in and around his home in Linyi since his release from prison in 2010. But activists said it was not an individual, opportunistic bid for freedom.
"This wasn't a sudden thing. In order to escape from a place with so many guards must have taken a great deal of planning," said Phelim Kine of Human Rights Watch.
Chen's exact whereabouts are unknown. Several sources said he was in a place that was safe from the scrutiny of security agencies, prompting speculation that he may have taken refuge in a foreign embassy or consulate. The US embassy has declined to comment on the case.
According to the US-based group China Aid, Chen was "100% safe" in Beijing. But the group said that the activist He Peirong, one of the people who helped Chen flee, was arrested at her home in Nanjing on Friday morning.
He, who is said to have been in close contact with the Chen family, had earlier told CNN that Chen's hands were trembling, but his spirits were high. She said he was injured in the escape.
If Chen is caught, he faces the risk of severe extra-legal punishment from his guards. Several people close to Chen have already been rounded up, prompting fears of retribution.
According to Human Rights in China, Chen's brother Chen Guangfu was taken away from Dongshigu village on Thursday evening. His nephew, Chen Kegui, is also in hiding after a bloody battle with a kitchen knife when he tried to defend his mother from intruders led by the village chief.
Local public security bureaus were not picking up their phones.
"The wife [Yuan Weijing], children and mother are on the extreme edge of vulnerability. They have already been brutally victimised for merely trying to get outside the compound for food or medical attention, so it is quite likely that the plainclothes thugs will react quite brutally to his escape. It is our hope that all diplomatic missions will make strong representations for their safety," said Kine.
Chen has suffered the wrath of Shandong officials since 2005, when he exposed a programme of forced abortions to reach targets linked to China's one-child policy. Although he was released from a four-year jail term in September 2010, he and his family have continued to suffer detention and beatings.
Until his safety and liberty are confirmed, associates say they fear for his health, which deteriorated during his detention.
"I don't know if he is safe now and I am worried about him," said the lawyer Teng Biao. "Chen was not given freedom after being released from prison and he was sick and did not have a chance to see a proper doctor. I am worried about him."
Pakistan deports Osama family to Saudi Arabia
Pakistani policemen escort a minivan carrying family members of slain Al-Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden, in Islamabad, as they leave for the airport before their departure to Saudia Arabia, on April 26, 2012.
Pakistan early Friday deported slain Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden’s three widows and 11 other family members to Saudi Arabia.
They had been in custody since the US special forces killed the Al Qaeda chief in a raid on his hideout in Pakistan‘s Abbotabad town in May last year.
The family members, including the widows – two Saudi Arabians and a Yemeni – were handed over to Saudi officials prior to their departure, Xinhua reported.
The Yemeni widow and her five children will be later sent to Yemen from Saudi Arabia.
A large contingent of police were deployed minutes before they left for the Benazir Bhutto International Airport from a house here where they had been held.
A Pakistani court April 2 had sentenced the widows to 45 days in prison on charges of illegally entering Pakistan. They had already served a month of their sentence prior to the verdict and a judge ordered their deportation on completion of the sentence.
The government had delayed their deportation due to incomplete travel documents.
London hostage crisis over, man arrested
The police say they've arrested the suspect at the centre of a three-hour siege which shut down part a busy part of Central London.
The capital's Metropolitan Police say the 49-year-old man is now in police custody and that building is being searched.
One eyewitness claimed on Friday that the man burst into the office of a training company saying he was ready to blow himself up.
Scotland Yard said in a statement that police were called to Tottenham Court Road, a busy central London avenue, just before noon. A negotiator was sent to the site, the statement said. Office supplies, including computer monitors, were being thrown from the building's fifth-floor window.
The area was cordoned off, nearby buildings were evacuated and a police sniper was stationed on a rooftop near the building.
"It's unclear if other people (are) in the building," police said in a statement, adding they aren't treating the incident as terror-related.
The Huffington Post, whose offices are just off Tottenham Court Road, said its building was among those evacuated. It quoted one witness as saying that a man had walked into her office 'strapped up in gasoline cylinders.'
'Basically he threatened to blow up the office,' Abby Baafi, 27, told the website. 'He said he doesn't care about his life, he doesn't care about anything, he's going to blow up everybody.'
Construction worker Martynas Vristiuk, 26, said he was out smoking a cigarette when a window above him was shattered and someone began throwing computer monitors into the street only 3 meters (yards) from where he was standing.
'He threw 10 computers,' Vristiuk told The Associated Press, adding that one was tossed onto a police car.
Fellow worker Dennis Gorsanenko, 23, said he was at a construction site adjacent the building in question when a police officer ordered everyone out. 'He said: 'There's a guy with a bomb on his belt.''
Baafi, whom The Huffington Post identified as an employee of the training company Advantage, said she recognized the man as a former customer.
'He's not quite stable, not mentally stable,' she said.
A phone message left with Advantage was not immediately returned.
One eyewitness claimed on Friday that the man burst into the office of a training company saying he was ready to blow himself up.
Scotland Yard said in a statement that police were called to Tottenham Court Road, a busy central London avenue, just before noon. A negotiator was sent to the site, the statement said. Office supplies, including computer monitors, were being thrown from the building's fifth-floor window.
The area was cordoned off, nearby buildings were evacuated and a police sniper was stationed on a rooftop near the building.
"It's unclear if other people (are) in the building," police said in a statement, adding they aren't treating the incident as terror-related.
The Huffington Post, whose offices are just off Tottenham Court Road, said its building was among those evacuated. It quoted one witness as saying that a man had walked into her office 'strapped up in gasoline cylinders.'
'Basically he threatened to blow up the office,' Abby Baafi, 27, told the website. 'He said he doesn't care about his life, he doesn't care about anything, he's going to blow up everybody.'
Construction worker Martynas Vristiuk, 26, said he was out smoking a cigarette when a window above him was shattered and someone began throwing computer monitors into the street only 3 meters (yards) from where he was standing.
'He threw 10 computers,' Vristiuk told The Associated Press, adding that one was tossed onto a police car.
Fellow worker Dennis Gorsanenko, 23, said he was at a construction site adjacent the building in question when a police officer ordered everyone out. 'He said: 'There's a guy with a bomb on his belt.''
Baafi, whom The Huffington Post identified as an employee of the training company Advantage, said she recognized the man as a former customer.
'He's not quite stable, not mentally stable,' she said.
A phone message left with Advantage was not immediately returned.
Italians pay Rs.1.7mn in damages, boat owner drops case
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| The marines were deployed as guards on an Italian oil tanker |
Italian authorities earlier Tuesday handed over two demand drafts of Rs.1 crore each to the Lok Adalat as compensation to families of the two fishermen, following an out of court settlement with them.
J. Freddy, owner of the fishing boat St. Antony, had Thursday filed an application in the Kerala High Court for permission to transfer this case to the Lok Adalat so that he could settle the case out of court, and this was allowed by the high court Friday.
In his petition filed soon after the Feb 15 shooting incident, Freddy had demanded that the Italian vessel Enrica Lexie should not be allowed to leave the Kochi waters unless he was compensated.
Since the past few days, Italian authorities were in touch with Freddy's counsel for paying compensation for his damaged boat. Both sides Friday appeared before the Lok Adalat, and Freddy collected the compensation of Rs.1.7 million and signed documents that he would not pursue the case.
Earlier, the high court bench slammed Freddy and families of the killed fishermen for going back on their original petition, and said once money changed hands everyone changed their stance and this does not augur well in criminal cases.
Ajesh Binki, 25, and Gelastine, 45, were apparently mistaken as pirates and shot dead by Italian Marines from aboard the cargo vessel Enrica Lexie Feb 15, off Alappuzha. Freddy was on board his fishing boat when the shooting took place.
The Marines, Latorre Massimillano and Salvatore Girone, were picked up from the vessel and sent by a court in Kollam to jail Feb 20 on murder charges. They are now lodged in the central prison in Thiruvananthapuram.
Italy pays damages over India fishermen shooting
3 dyas ago
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, India — The Italian government has paid compensation of $190,000 each to the families of two Indian fishermen allegedly shot dead by Italian marines in February, lawyers said on Tuesday.
The two marines, who are being held in custody in the southern Indian state of Kerala, were deployed as guards on an Italian oil tanker when they were accused of shooting dead the fishermen after mistaking them for pirates.
The Italians face murder charges in the Indian courts, and the cash settlement will not affect the criminal case lodged against them by the Kerala state government.
C. Unnikrishnan, a lawyer representing the widow of one of the fishermen, said the Italian government had paid 10 million rupees ($189,500) each to the families of Selestian Valentine, 45, and Ajesh Pinky, 24.
"We have settled the compensation case and signed the agreement to withdraw the (civil) cases with the consent of the High Court of Kerala," Unnikrishnan told AFP.
"The Italian marines will have to face prosecution in the criminal case pending against them," he added.
Italy has challenged the murder charges against Massimiliano Latorre and Salvatore Girone, and it has approached India's Supreme Court saying their detention is illegal.
Italy says the marines should be prosecuted in their home country because the shootings occurred on an Italian-flagged vessel in international waters, but India says they took place in waters under its jurisdiction.
The fate of the marines has threatened to erupt into a diplomatic row, with Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti last month warning his Indian counterpart Manmohan Singh against any prosecution.
Italy has expressed its regret over the shootings off the coast of Kerala but said the Indian fishing crew behaved aggressively and were repeatedly warned before shots were fired.
The fishing boat's owner said the marines fired without provocation.
Armed guards are increasingly deployed on cargo ships and tankers in the Indian Ocean to tackle the threat from Somali pirates, who often hold ships and crews hostage for months demanding multi-million dollar ransoms.
The Indian Supreme Court hearing into Italy's petition is expected to resume next week.
Sex scandal: 3 USA Secret Service agents sacked
Three Secret Service agents involved in the allegations of misconduct involving prostitutes ahead of President Barack Obama’s visit to Colombia have left the agency.
Two were supervisors, according to the Associated Press — one who was allowed to retire, and another who was "removed for cause". He has 30 days to appeal, and CNN reported on Wednesday that he plans to sue. The third agent, who who was not a surpervisor, resigned.
Eight agents remain under investigation, as do at least 10 US military personnel who were staying at the same hotel.
In an interview with the New York Times, the 24-year-old single mother who works as a high priced escort, said the men who approached her were “very discreet”. “They never told me they were with Obama.”
She told the newspaper that she and a girlfriend had been approached by a group of men in a club. After she and her friend had been bought two bottles of vodka, she agreed to return to the hotel room of one of the men. But in the morning, he failed to pay her $800—the amount upon which they agreed. Instead, she said, he offered her $30.
When she objected, he ordered her out of the room. Eventually, a Colombian policeman helped to argue her case with two other Americans from the club. When the escort lowered her demand to $250, they gave her the money. She said she learned the man had been a secret service agent when it made the news.
Two were supervisors, according to the Associated Press — one who was allowed to retire, and another who was "removed for cause". He has 30 days to appeal, and CNN reported on Wednesday that he plans to sue. The third agent, who who was not a surpervisor, resigned.
Eight agents remain under investigation, as do at least 10 US military personnel who were staying at the same hotel.
In an interview with the New York Times, the 24-year-old single mother who works as a high priced escort, said the men who approached her were “very discreet”. “They never told me they were with Obama.”
She told the newspaper that she and a girlfriend had been approached by a group of men in a club. After she and her friend had been bought two bottles of vodka, she agreed to return to the hotel room of one of the men. But in the morning, he failed to pay her $800—the amount upon which they agreed. Instead, she said, he offered her $30.
When she objected, he ordered her out of the room. Eventually, a Colombian policeman helped to argue her case with two other Americans from the club. When the escort lowered her demand to $250, they gave her the money. She said she learned the man had been a secret service agent when it made the news.
Egypt’s ‘Farewell Intercourse’ law allowing sex with dead wives sparks fury
Egypt’s new Islamist-dominated parliament is preparing to introduce a controversial law that would allow husbands to have sex with their deceased wives up to six hours after death. Known as the "farewell Intercourse" law, the measure is being championed as part of a raft of reforms introduced by the parliament that will also see the minimum age of marriage lowered to 14 for girls.
Egypt’s National Council for Women is campaigning against the changes, saying that ‘marginalising and undermining the status of women would negatively affect the country’s human development'.
Dr Mervat al-Talawi, head of the NCW, wrote to the Egyptian People’s assembly speaker Dr Saad al-Katatni addressing her concerns.
Egyptian journalist Amro Abdul Samea reported in the al Ahram newspaper that Talawi complained about the legislations, which are being introduced under ‘alleged religious interpretations’.
The subject of a husband having sex with his dead wife arose in May 2011 when Moroccan cleric Zamzami Abdul Bari said marriage remains valid even after death.
He also said that women have the right to have sex with her dead husband, alarabiya.net reported.
It seems the topic, which has sparked outrage, has now been picked up on by Egypt’s politicians.
TV anchor Jaber al Qarmouty slammed the notion of letting a husband have sex with his wife after her death under the so-called ‘Farewell Intercourse’ draft law.
“This is very serious. Could the panel that will draft the Egyptian constitution possibly discuss such issues? Did Abdul Samea see by his own eyes the text of the message sent by Talawi to Katatni?,” the Daily Mail quoted him as telling the website.
“This is unbelievable. It is a catastrophe to give the husband such a right! Has the Islamic trend reached that far? Is there really a draft law in this regard? Are there people thinking in this manner?” he added.
Egypt’s National Council for Women is campaigning against the changes, saying that ‘marginalising and undermining the status of women would negatively affect the country’s human development'.
Dr Mervat al-Talawi, head of the NCW, wrote to the Egyptian People’s assembly speaker Dr Saad al-Katatni addressing her concerns.
Egyptian journalist Amro Abdul Samea reported in the al Ahram newspaper that Talawi complained about the legislations, which are being introduced under ‘alleged religious interpretations’.
The subject of a husband having sex with his dead wife arose in May 2011 when Moroccan cleric Zamzami Abdul Bari said marriage remains valid even after death.
He also said that women have the right to have sex with her dead husband, alarabiya.net reported.
It seems the topic, which has sparked outrage, has now been picked up on by Egypt’s politicians.
TV anchor Jaber al Qarmouty slammed the notion of letting a husband have sex with his wife after her death under the so-called ‘Farewell Intercourse’ draft law.
“This is very serious. Could the panel that will draft the Egyptian constitution possibly discuss such issues? Did Abdul Samea see by his own eyes the text of the message sent by Talawi to Katatni?,” the Daily Mail quoted him as telling the website.
“This is unbelievable. It is a catastrophe to give the husband such a right! Has the Islamic trend reached that far? Is there really a draft law in this regard? Are there people thinking in this manner?” he added.
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