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South to get access to fuel, electricity
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Pak tried to acquire N-technology: Russia United States warns
North Korea against resolution violation
A manned aircraft powered by Panasonic's Oxyride dry cell batteries flies at Okegawa airport in Saitama, north of Tokyo, on Sunday. In collaboration with the Tokyo Institute of Technology, Panasonic succeeded in their world's first manned flight powered by 160 dry cell batteries. — Reuters photo
Punjab cricketer goes missing in UK
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South to get access to fuel, electricity St Petersburg, July 16 “The global nature of these challenges and the growing interdependence between producing, consuming and transiting countries require strengthened partnership between all stakeholders to enhance global energy security. “Neither global energy security, nor the millennium development goals can be fully achieved without sustainable access to fuel for 2.4 billion people and to electricity for the 1.6 billion people currently without such access in developing countries. They cannot be forgotten or marginalised,” the declaration signed by the G-8 leaders said at the end of the first session. The leaders of the USA, Russia, Britain, France, Canada, Italy, Germany and Japan comprising the G-8 agreed that development of transparent, efficient and competitive global energy markets is the best way to achieve objectives on this score in which governments and relevant international organisations also play an important role in addressing global energy challenges. The G-8 has also spoken for the development of nuclear energy under the non-proliferation mechanisms and other alternative sources, including renewable energy. The statement on energy was accompanied by a detailed action plan that focussed on seven main areas, including promotion of energy market transparency, stability and predictability in energy markets and making investment easier. It also adopted documents on combating infectious diseases, innovative education for the 21st century, as well as fighting corruption and protecting intellectual property. The G-8 leaders would be joined tomorrow by their colleagues from India, China, Brazil, Mexico, South Africa and Congo for “outreach” session at which all three issues were expected to be discussed at length. — PTI
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Hizbollah retaliates; attacks Israel, kills 8 Beirut, July 16 It was Hizbollah’s deadliest rocket strike on Israel and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said it would have “far-reaching” consequences for Lebanon. Hizbollah said the attack was retaliation for Israel’s killing of civilians and destruction of Lebanese infrastructure. Medics said 20 persons were also wounded in Haifa, Israel’s third-largest city, which was hit by about 20 rockets, including one that struck a railway station causing most of the casualties. Israel’s campaign in Lebanon, launched after Hizbollah captured two Israeli soldiers and killed eight on Wednesday, has killed 112 people, all but four of them civilians. It has drawn only a mild plea for restraint from the USA, which blames Hizbollah and its allies, Syria and Iran. President Bush, speaking at a G8 summit in Russia, characterised Israel’s actions as self-defense and did not back Lebanon’s pleas for an immediate ceasefire. “Our message to Israel is defend yourself but be mindful of the consequences, so we are urging restraint,” said Bush. Lebanon said Italy’s Prime Minister Romano Prodi had relayed Israeli conditions for a ceasefire. “Prodi told me that Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert informed him of two demands for a ceasefire - handing over the two captive Israeli soldiers and a Hizbollah pullback to behind the Litani river,” a government statement quoted Prime Minister Fouad Siniora as telling the cabinet. An Italian government source confirmed the demands and said Prodi was acting as a “go-between.” US blocks UN move
The USA earlier blocked any move by the U.N. Security Council to demand a ceasefire, saying the focus for diplomacy should be the G8 summit in St Petersburg. U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said she had told Olmert her country was deeply concerned about civilian casualties in Lebanon and hoped Israel would exercise restraint. But she said a ceasefire demanded by Siniora would not work unless it addressed the cause of the problem, which Washington says is Hizbollah violence supported by Syria and Iran.
— Reuters
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Pak tried to acquire N-technology: Russia Moscow, July 16 “Pakistani national Mohammad Aslam, acting as the representative of Tabani Corporation in Moscow, had tried to gain access and seek Russian weapons, strategic materials and dual-use products for Pakistan’s missile and nuclear weapon programme,” said a white paper on non-proliferation issued by Russia. Moscow has banned Aslam from entering into the country, it said. The white paper said the Russian secret services had foiled attempts by 30 foreign nationals and companies that were trying to illegally seek Russian missile and WMD technologies. President of the Final Analysis Inc and US citizen Neider Modanlo has been declared persona non grata for attempting to illegally procure missile and space related blueprints in Russia for passing on to Iran. The Russian secret services also suspended the activities of Iranian industrial house “Sanam” on the Russian soil for attempting to place orders for missile components with Russian NPO Trud company, disguised as “components for gas pumping turbine”, the white paper said. — PTI
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United States warns
North Korea against resolution violation
Washington, July 16 “We look forward to North Korea’s full, unconditional and immediate compliance with the resolution,” America’s Ambassador to the United Nations John Bolton said. Bolton’s remarks came after the 15-member council unanimously passed a resolution yesterday demanding that Pyongyang ceased its ballistic missile programme and asking nations to prevent the Stalinist regime’s import or export of missiles. The final go-ahead to the Resolution 1695 is said to have come from St. Petersburg where G-8 leaders are attending a summit. Meanwhile, North Korea’s top envoy to the United Nations condemned the Security Council resolution saying it was “unjustifiable and gangster-like”. North Korea “resolutely condemns the attempt of some countries to misuse the Security Council for political aim to isolate and put pressure on the DPRK and totally rejects the resolution,” Pyongyang’s Envoy Pak Gil Yon said. In St Petersburg, US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said, “It’s a remarkable resolution. I think North Korea will ultimately have no choice but to return to talks and pursue denuclearisation.”
— PTI, AFP
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World’s first
battery-powered aeroplane
Okegawa, July 16 The glider-like plane with a single-seat gondola and a 31 meter wingspan was powered by 160 AA "Oxyride" batteries which have been produced by Japan's Matsushita Electric Industrial Co. since April, 2004. It soared as high as 5.2 meters, stayed in the air for 59 seconds and covered a distance of 391 meters at a private airport owned by Honda Motor Co. "I was careful at take-off as it was very difficult," said Tomohiro Kamiya, a senior member at the Tokyo Institute of Technology, who piloted the plane.
— AFP |
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Punjab cricketer goes missing in UK London, July 16 The police in Middlesbrough in north England have stepped up their search for Dalbir Singh, 18, who arrived here recently on what is said to be his first trip outside India. He has been reported missing since Monday evening. Dalbir’s family in Punjab has been informed that he has gone missing. Dalbir is part of the ongoing two-week tour organised by the Saltburn Cricket Club, whose overseas professional, Nav Singh, hails from Punjab. Dalbir did not return to his team-mates after they had been dropped off in Middlesbrough town centre to do some shopping.
— IANS
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