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Pakistan rules out sharing nukes with Saudis, anyone else

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Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry

Washington: Pakistan ruled out sharing its nuclear weapons with Saudi Arabia, insisting Thursday that the atomic arsenal would continue serving solely for the country’s national defence even as world powers and Iran near a possible nuclear agreement.

Closing a wide-ranging trip to Washington, Foreign Secretary Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry angrily rejected speculation that his country could sell or transfer nuclear arms or advanced technology as “unfounded and baseless”.

Pakistan has long been among the world’s greatest proliferation threats, having shared weapons technology with Iran, Libya and North Korea. And American and other intelligence services have been taking seriously the threat of Saudi Arabia or other Arab countries potentially seeking the Muslim country’s help in matching Iran’s nuclear capabilities, even if the US says there is no evidence of such action right now.

“Pakistan is not talking to Saudi Arabia on nuclear issues, period,” Chaudhry insisted. The arsenal, believed to be in excess of 100 weapons, is focused only on Pakistan’s threat perception from “the East” Chaudhry said, a clear reference to long-standing rival and fellow nuclear power India.

Chaudhry said his country has significantly cracked down in recent years on proliferation, improving its export controls and providing UN nuclear monitors with all necessary information. Pakistan also won’t allow any weapons to reach terrorists, he said.

Pakistan detonated its first nuclear weapons in 1998, shortly after India did. At the same time, the man regarded as the father of Pakistan’s nuclear program, A Q Khan, was shopping advanced technology to many of the world’s most distrusted governments.

He sold centrifuges for enriching bomb-making material to the Iranians, Libyans and North Koreans, and also shared designs for fitting warheads on ballistic missiles. He was forced into retirement in 2001. Concerns now centre on how the governments of the Middle East will respond if the US and other governments clinch a nuclear deal with Iran by the end of the month.

Such questions inevitably lead to Pakistan, the only Muslim country in the nuclear club and one with historically close ties to Saudi Arabia. Saudi officials, for their part, have repeatedly refused to rule out any steps to protect their country, saying they will not negotiate their faith or their security.

Foreign secretary’s US visit
Aizaz Chaudhry during his visit to Washington DC attended a meeting of the Working Group on Strategic Security, Stability and Non-proliferation (SSS&NP) and held meetings with several senior diplomatic and military officials for US-Pakistan strategic dialogue.

The US State Department said Wednesday the agenda included “international efforts to enhance nuclear security” as well as non-proliferation and export controls.

It described the discussions as “productive” and said the governments would work together to prevent the spread of weapons of mass destruction. Speaking to reporters, Chaudhry praised the progress thus far in the Iran nuclear talks.

He told reporters that a diplomatic success would have significant economic benefits for Pakistan, allowing it to complete a long-sought gas pipeline project with its neighbor to the west.

During a meeting at the Pentagon with US Defence Undersecretary Christine Wormuth, both sides discussed a wide range of issues related to bilateral defence cooperation. Continuing high level exchanges and regular dialogues between defence communities of Pakistan and the US was agreed upon and Chaudhry appreciated the United States’ support in assisting Pakistan in its counter-terrorism campaign.

Both sides also reviewed developments in the region and agreed on the need to further strengthen mutually beneficial security cooperation.

Continuing his busy schedule in Washington DC, the foreign secretary met with the US Undersecretary for Treasury Adam J Szubin. Undersecretary Szubin oversees the US policy on economic sanctions and countering terrorist financing.

Chaudhry briefed Undersecretary Szubin on various legislative and administrative steps taken by the government in the domain of anti-money laundering and countering terrorist financing. Sharing the key points of the Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s National Action Plan (NAP), the foreign secretary highlighted the various implementation measures, in particular, the steps taken towards countering financing for terrorism.

Undersecretary Szubin praised Pakistan’s dedication and sacrifices in the fight against terrorism and noted the significant success achieved by the ongoing military operations in Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata).

Undersecretary Szubin also appreciated the positive steps taken by the Pakistani government to meet international financial standards to monitor and interdict suspicious transactions.

Reviewing their collaboration in combating terrorism at the bilateral and multilateral levels, the two sides agreed to further intensify their cooperation.

Chaudhry also met Deputy Secretary of State, Tony Blinken in the Department of State today. The Foreign Secretary and the Deputy Secretary reviewed the state of bilateral relationship and expressed satisfaction over its growing momentum and positive trajectory.

The foreign minister apprised the deputy secretary on Pakistan’s effort to address the threat of terrorism. He underscored that the military operation, Zarb-i-Azb, was progressing well. He thanked the US for the cooperation extended in the post-operation relief and rehabilitation of temporarily dislocated peoples. The foreign secretary reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to a peaceful, stable and united Afghanistan.

Blinken lauded Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s efforts to reach out to Pakistan’s neighbours and hoped that his initiatives would help bring prosperity to the people of the region. He also noted the improved mutual trust and positive relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Separately, Chaudhry also held meeting with Dan Feldman, Special Representative on Afghanistan and Pakistan (SRAP). Both sides took stock of the recent developments in the region in wake of the visit of the SRAP to Pakistan last month.

(AP)

Press Statement from civil society organisations to communal violence affected Atali village, Ballabhgarh, Haryana

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Faridabad-Riots

Visit of civil society organizations at Atali village, Ballabhgarh, Haryana, today (5th June 2015)

Today a team consisting of members of PUCL, NAPM, Khudai Khidmatgar and Socialist Party visited the Atali village in Ballabhgarh District (Haryana) led by Justice Rajinder Sachar (Retd). Team met the Muslim residents who were attacked on 25th May, 2015, whose houses were burnt, belongings looted or destroyed and who had to flee from the village to save their lives and had taken shelter in a police station at Ballabhgarh till 3rd June. The team was happy to see that elders of the majority community had approached them and assured them of their co-operation in protecting them and support in building the ‘mosque’ and on their assurance, as well assurance of the administration, they have returned to the village from 3rd June, 2015. However since their houses were burnt and their belongings totally destroyed or looted by the anti-social elements, they have to rebuild their lives from scratch. The interim compensation at the rate of Rs.5000/- per family given to the victims by the administration is totally insufficient.

Besides the Muslim residents, the team members met SDM Dr. Priyanka Soni, some police officials including two ACPs who were present at the spot as well as members of the majority community of the village. Though the administration and the elders of the majority community asserted that they are committed to the building of the mosque, still there are some mischievous elements who, inspite of the court verdict against them and inspite of the compromise, seem to be unsatisfied and have again gone to the court of CJM, Faridabad, in appeal claiming that the land of the mosque belongs to the Panchayat and got a notice issued to the Mosque committee as well as the Panchayat. Matter is fixed tomorrow for hearing. However the team is surprised to note that though there are more than eight temples, there is no properly constructed mosque in the village and the Muslim residents have been offering their prayers in a make-shift tinshed for more than a century.

The team urges upon the Haryana Govt. that (i) the task of building the mosque must be given top priority and urgency, and proper protection be given to the mosque committee for this purpose; (ii) Adequate compensation be given to the victims of violence so that they are able to rehabilitate themselves in a dignified manner; (iii) that those responsible for violence should be immediately arrested and prosecuted and (iv) that due protection be given to the Muslim families and their properties.

The team members were Justice Rajinder Sachar, N.D.Pancholi, Prof. V.K.Tripathi, Vimal Bhai, Faisal Khan, Rizwan Ahmad, Farah Sakib and Abdul Malik.

[released by] N.D.Pancholi, President, PUCL (Delhi)

The Times Group’s ideal college girl must be “smoking hot, with a killer bod”

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Cannot be size 10.(Facebook/Campus Princess)

Cannot be size 10. (Facebook/Campus Princess)

by Shelly Walia, QZ

The Times Group—India’s largest media conglomerate and the owner of The Times of India newspaper—has come out with a list of crazily-worded requirements for a college beauty pageant that it runs.

Sample these: “If you’re size ten, well you need a dietitian.” Or: “If you prefer books my dear, good luck with your career.” And if a woman does not meet some of their requirements, she can still be eligible for the contest if she is “smoking hot, with a killer bod.”

These criteria appeared on Campus Princess’ Facebook page, on May 16, as part of its ongoing multiple-city auditions. This specific call for entry preceded the auditions in Bangalore.

Started in 2013, Campus Princess hunts for potential beauty queens among college students. Typically, these women must be between 18 and 27 years to be eligible for the contest, and studying at a recognised educational institution. Though the status of the women must be compulsorily unmarried, the application form allows a candidate to fill in other statuses, including married, divorced and widow.

The pageant describes itself as a “breeding ground” for young women, helping them realise “their dream of becoming a beauty queen.” It takes place twice a year—and is a precursor to the Times Group’s other two prominent pageants: Miss India and Miss Diva.

Ironically, this is what a spokesperson for Campus Princess had to say: “It was supposed to be taken in good humour. We at the organisation don’t really believe in objectification of women or stereotyping beauty.”

“That post basically spoke about the eligibility criteria which is in place, and as every contest has certain rules and regulations, even we have certain criteria in place,” he told Quartz. “These criteria are not something that we decide upon. These are international criteria, and decided by say a Miss World Organisation or a Miss Universe Organisation.”

The post was removed from Facebook on June 03 after Buzzfeed posted this article, criticising Campus Princess and its eligibility requirements.

“The reason we used that kind of language was because we deal with college students, and we were trying to stay in tandem with the kind of lingo that college kids typically use,” the spokesperson said. “So that was the reason why that kind of creative expression was used. But it didn’t go well. And we took it down right away.”

Tragic Explosion in Ghana Kills at Least 200

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This was the worst disaster in over a decade since the 2001 stampede at a stadium that left 120 people dead. | Photo: Reuters

This was the worst disaster in over a decade since the 2001 stampede at a stadium that left 120 people dead. | Photo: Reuters

by teleSUR

Hundreds sought shelter at a gas station that later exploded due to a fuel leak consequence of torrential rains that caused massive floods.  The death toll due to a massive explosion that occured Wednesday in Ghana’s capital Accra has risen to over 200, the Interior Ministry reported Friday.

Torrential rains caused huge floods, which in turn provoked a spillage at a gas station with the consequent explosion and flames, from which hundreds of people attempted to flee. Some drowned and many more died from causes directly related to the blast, officials told news media.

The fuel leak at the station caused also destroyed nearby buildings, local officials said.

President John Mahama told journalist Thursday the West African country would observe three days of mourning with flags flying at half-staff. He also pledged US12 million for rescue operations and for repairs of damaged infrastructure.

The U.S. news agency AP said that TV footage showed corpses being piled into the back of a pickup truck and other charred bodies trapped amid the debris. Floodwaters around the site hampered rescue and recovery efforts.

This was the worst disaster to strike the nation in more than a decade. In May 2001, 120 people died in a stampede at the national stadium during a football match.

Most of the victims had sought shelter from the floods at the state state-owned GOIL gas station, located near a busy downtown intersection. Hours later, people were engulfed in flames, while others died in the blast, authorities said.

The rains have left thousands homeless, while exposing the weaknesses of Accra’s infrastructure, as the government has failed to keep pace with the growing population and years of rapid economic expansion.

Witnesses said low-wage workers struggling home through the seasonal storm with roads closed and minivan buses not running were victims of the blast, the force of which gave few a chance to escape, according to Reuters.

“It was an explosive fire and so the people sheltering at the filling station did not have an opportunity to escape,” fire brigade spokesman Prince Billy Anaglate told reporters. Some victims were burned beyond recognition. Many were trapped and incinerated in the wreckage of cars and minivans on the station’s forecourt.

Four million US government workers hit by cyber breach

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FBI investigating cyberattack that is believed to have compromised data of current and former federal employees.

Since the intrusion, OPM said it had implemented additional security precautions for its networks [Reuters]

Since the intrusion, OPM said it had implemented additional security precautions for its networks [Reuters]

by Al Jazeera

The US government agency that collects personnel information for federal employees has said that a cybersecurity breach had compromised the data of up to four million people.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation said on Thursday that it has launched a probe and would hold the culprits accountable, Reuters reported.

“The FBI is working with our interagency partners to investigate this matter,” the bureau said in a statement.

“We take all potential threats to public and private sector systems seriously, and will continue to investigate and hold accountable those who pose a threat in cyberspace.”

The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) detected new malicious activity affecting its information systems in April and the Department of Homeland Security said it concluded at the beginning of May that the agency’s data had been compromised. The office handles employee records and security clearances.

“This would likely be the largest theft of US government data in the history of the United States,” Patty Culhane, Al Jazeera’s White House correspondent reporting from Washington, said.

“Basically, OPM is like the human resources department of the entire federal government. They also get security background checks for people who want to get security clearances,” she said.

“The big question remains exactly what information was stolen? Was it social security number, your federal ID or was it salary information. Right now OPM is not saying.”

A US law enforcement source told Reuters a “foreign entity or government” was believed to be behind the cyberattack. Authorities were looking into a possible Chinese connection, a source close to the matter said.

A Chinese embassy spokesman in Washington said hypothetical accusations were irresponsible and counterproductive.

“Jumping to conclusions and making [a] hypothetical accusation is not responsible,” and is “counterproductive”, Chinese embassy spokesman Zhu Haiquan said in emailed comments.

Security precautions

The OPM had previously been the victim of a cyberattack, as have various federal government computer systems at the state department, the US Postal Service and the White House.

Since the intrusion, OPM said it had implemented additional security precautions for its networks. It said it would notify the 4 million people affected and offer credit monitoring and identity theft services to the people affected.

“The last few months have seen a series of massive data breaches that have affected millions of Americans,” US Representative Adam Schiff, the ranking Democrat on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, said in a statement.

But he called the latest intrusion “among the most shocking because Americans may expect that federal computer networks are maintained with state of the art defences”.

It is thought that the ramifications of the data breach could potentially affect every federal agency.

Rahul Gandhi backs Greenpeace, meets activist Priya Pillai and others

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Rahul-Gandhi

New Delhi: Opening another front against the Narendra Modi Government, Rahul Gandhi on Thursday met members of civil society including Greenpeace activist Priya Pillai, who had a running feud with NDA dispensation and expressed solidarity with their struggle.

Opening another front against theNarendra Modi Government, Rahul Gandhi on Thursday met members of civil society including Greenpeace activist Priya Pillai, who had a running feud withNDA dispensation and expressed solidarity with their struggle.

“Rahul Gandhi expressed full solidarity with the people’s struggle to safeguard hard-won Constitutional freedoms.

“A wide cross-section of Civil Society Leaders met Rahul Gandhi on the issue of BJP Govt’s continuing attack on Freedom of Speech & Dissent,” the twitter handle of Rahul’s office said on the microblogging site after the meeting.

Pillai, a Greenpeace senior campaigner was “offloaded” at Delhi airport on January 11 from a flight to London where she was scheduled to make a presentation before British MPs regarding alleged human rights violation at Mahan in Madhya Pradesh.

The incident had happened a few months after the blocking of funds to Greenpeace by the Home Ministry. The issue had led to a huge controversy.

A joint press release by the members of the civil society said that they met Gandhi and expressed concern about “attack” by the government on their freedom and autonomy and right to dissent.

Besides Pillai, RTI activist Nikhil Dey from MKSS, Ravi Nair, South Asia Human Rights Documentation Centre, Tapan Bose, South Asia Forum For Human Rights, M J Vijayan, General Secretary, Programme for Social Action (PSA), Rajendra Ravi, National Alliance of People’s Movements and Jarjum Ete, President of All India Union of Forest Working People(AIUFWP) met the Congress Vice President.

In the interactive session, Gandhi assured the members of civil society that the Congress Party would be in the vanguard of defending and enhancing all the fundamental fights and directive principles enshrined in the Indian Constitution.

“He said that he shared the concerns raised by the delegation on democracy and dissent being curbed,” the release said.

Their meeting with Rahul is the first in a series of meetings with all political parties “not in alliance with the BJP-led NDA” and seeks to explore commonalities of how civil society across India can encourage a broad anti-authoritarian, pro-poor, pro-environment platform, the activists said.

The civil society members, many of whom alleged that from “draconian” changes in the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act and its authoritative misuse, to attack on Human rights defender and environmental activists, the

Modi led NDA regime is involved in “stifling” democratic dissent and subversion of constitutional rights.

They demanded that all Intelligence agencies should be brought under the purview of Parliament and the Comptroller and Auditor General.

The activists said that their meeting with the Congress Vice President addressed the urgent need to put the brakes on the rise of “Hindutva authoritarianism as exemplified by the BJP-RSS combine”.

The civil society members alleged that in the past one year, the NDA government has “targeted” the country’s robust civil society organisations.

“With an authoritarian government in place and a shrinking space for dissent, the members of civil organisations have called upon all political parties that are not a part of the BJP-led NDA to support them reclaim the space they deserve in a democracy,” they said.

They said that certain provisions of laws governing voluntary organisations (VOs) like the Societies Registration Act of 1860, the Indian Trusts Act (1882), the Charitable and Religious Trust Act (1920), Section 25 of the Indian Companies Act (1950), Foreign Contribution Regulation Act of 1976 (FCRA) and similar legislation need to be redrafted.

(Agencies)

Tamil Nadu to get Rs 5-crore bill from Karnataka for Jayalalithaa case

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Jayalalithaa

Bengaluru: The Karnataka government is sending over a bill of more than Rs. 5.11 crore to neighbour Tamil Nadu soon. That is what it has spent on conducting the trial of Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa and three others in a corruption case over the last 12 years.

“We will claim Rs. 5.11 crore plus money from Tamil Nadu government which was spent on handling the case in Bengaluru,” Law Minister TB Jayachandra of the Congress told reporters in Bengaluru on Thursday.

Mr Jayachandra said the state government would also bill Tamil Nadu for expenditure incurred on matters related to the Home department, including security cover for Ms Jayalalithaa, who returned as Tamil Nadu chief minister two weeks ago after the Karnataka High Court acquitted her, quashing her conviction by a Bangalore trial court in September last year.

“The home ministry is working on calculating expenses incurred on providing security to the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister,” Mr Jayachandra said.

Four days ago, the Karnataka government said it will file an appeal in the Supreme Court against the acquittal of Ms Jayalalithaa.

The Supreme Court had transferred the case to Bengaluru on November 18, 2003, after K Anbazhagan, a politician from the DMK, Ms Jayalalithaa’s arch rival, contended that a fair trial was not possible in Tamil Nadu with her Chief Minister.

In September last year, the trial court held Ms Jayalalithaa guilty of amassing wealth beyond her income. She was jailed for three weeks before being granted bail. The conviction forced the chief of Tamil Nadu’s ruling AIADMK to resign as chief minister.

She appealed in the Karnataka High Court, which acquitted Ms Jayalalithaa on May 11 in the 19-year-old case.

(Agencies)

Movie Review: 'What We Did on Our Holiday' is a roller coaster ride

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What We Did on Our Holiday

Producer: Norman Merry, Suzanne Reid, Ed Rubin, David M. Thompson and Dan Winch
Director: Andy Hamilton and Guy Jenkin
Star Cast: David Tennant, Rosemund Pike, Billy Connolly, Celia Imrie, Ben Millker, Emilia Jones, Amelia Bullmore, Annette Crosbie, Lewis Davie, Ben Presley, Jake D’Arcy, Bobby Smalldridge, Alexia Barlier and Ryan Hunter
Genre: Comedy
Verdict: Good

The director duo of Andy Hamilton and Guy Jenkin are more famous for having directed sitcoms and comedies like Outnumbered, Drop The Dead Monkey and Ballot Monkeys and now their latest offering is What We Did On Our Holiday, a rollercoaster ride albeit a hilarious take on petty squabbles of an extended family.

Plot: Doug and Abi are taking their 3 children on a trip to Scotland for a big family gathering. They are in the midst of a difficult divorce, and have asked the kids to keep it a secret from their extended family. But as the inevitable feuds kick in, a completely unexpected turn of events involving the children causes further tensions to rise to the surface. And with the repercussions that ensue, hilarious and emotional in equal measure, the family are forced to put aside their differences and work together or else risk losing what they hold most dear.

Aces: Kudos to the director duo Andy Hamilton and Guy Jenkin for coming up with such a heart warming movie and a special well deserving mention must also be made of the excellent job done by the entire cast including the bit role players too.

Minuses: The sub plots of the movie creates confusions galore.

Last Word: A lovely fable like feel good movie. Don’t miss it.

Movie Review: The Age of Adaline

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Age Of Adaline Start Again

Producer: Sidney Kimmel, Gary Lucchesi, Brett Ratner and Tom Rosenberg
Director: Lee Toland Krieger
Star Cast: Blake Lively, Michiel Huisman, Harrison Ford, Anthony Ingruber, Ellen Burstyn, Kathy Baker, Amanda Crew, Lynda Boyd, Anjali Jay, Richard Harmon, Mark Ghanimé, Barclay Hope, Chris William Martin, Lane Edwards and Peter J. Gray
Genre: Romantic Fantasy
Verdict: Very Good

Director Lee Toland Hrieger, after having several award winning movie outings like December Ends, The Vicious kind, Celeste, Jesse Forever etc, has now come up with an interestingly beautiful yet an unbelievable fare named The Age Of Adaline.

Plot: After miraculously remaining 29 years old for almost 8 decades, Adaline Bowman (Blake Lively) has lived a solitary existence, never allowing herself to get close to anyone who might reveal her secret. But a chance encounter with a charismatic philanthropist Ellis Jones (Michiel Huisman) reignites her passion for life and romance. When a weekend with his parents (Harrison Ford and Kathy Baker) threatens to uncover the truth, Adaline makes a decision that will change her life forever.

Aces: The brilliant & sensitive directorial treatment of Lee Toland Krieger and of course the par excellence performance of its principal actors like Blake Lively as Adaline, Michiel Huisman as Ellis, Harrison Ford as William and above all Anthony Ingruber as young William.

Minuses: it defies all logic of the ageing process

Last Word: A must watch movie.

BJP MP Vinay Katiyar rakes up Ayodhya issue

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Vinay Katiyar

Ayodhya: Raking up the Ram temple issue, BJP MP Vinay Katiyar who was the face of the Ayodhya movement of 1990s, on Wednesday said the Modi government should “move to resolve” the matter without waiting for the Supreme Court verdict.

He said the government should address the issue either through legislation or talks, fulfilling the BJP’s promise.

“Without waiting for the verdict of Supreme Court, the government should make a move to resolve the issue either through talks or by bringing a legislation,” Katiyar told PTI.

“The Ram Janmabhoomi issue is a burning issue and no government can ignore it, be it in a majority or not. It is a big issue, not only for ‘Ram Bhakts’. It is not a difficult task for the government to resolve it and if it wants, it can start negotiations and it will become easier,” he said.

Katiyar, now Rajya Sabha member, earlier represented Faizabad Lok Sabha constituency, under which Ayodhya falls.

He said that earlier there was no court verdict in “favour” of the Ram Janmabhoomi issue and now that it is there and hence it will be easier.

On the stand taken by the NDA, which cites lack of majority in Rajya Sabha for not going ahead, Katiyar said, “Let it be brought in Lok Sabha where the government has thumping majority and then place it in Rajya Sabha and people be apprised of what all the government has been doing to keep its promise of Ram Temple.

“This will clear doubts from the minds of the people about our intentions and also expose those who are indulging in propaganda that we are not serious over the issue,” he said.

The BJP leader, however, stressed that all problems can be resolved through dialogue, which he said should continue for the decades old dispute.

(PTI)

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