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Nuclear Reactors
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Indian caught hidden in car speaker
Davidar suit settled out of court
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Nuclear Reactors
Beijing, July 7 A spokesperson for Zardari, who is currently again on a six-day visit to China, said Beijing has demonstrated yet again its strong support to Islamabad by categorically reiterating that it will go ahead with the construction of the two nuclear reactors. An agreement, which “goes along well with the international non-proliferation obligations of China and Pakistan”, was signed during Zardari’s last year visit here, President’s press secretary Farhatullah Babar was quoted as saying by Pakistan’s official APP news agency. His remarks came as Pakistan’s Ambassador to China, Masood Khan, said the issues relating to nuclear plants would certainly be on the agenda of Zardari’s talks with the Chinese leaders. “Our cooperation is transparent and will be under the IAEA safeguard,” Khan said. The news about China’s plans to build nuclear reactors for Pakistan was first carried by ‘China National Nuclear Corporation’ on its website in March this year. China notified the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) about its plan in this regard last month. On his arrival here last night, Zardari said: “We believe that China is a factor of stability in the region.” “This is my fifth visit to China since October 2008 and I have truly been inspired by the remarkable achievements of the Chinese people,” he said. Strengthening of cooperation with China is one of the key principles guiding Pakistan’s foreign policy, he said, adding that his visit is aimed at pushing forward the process of strategic engagement, enhancing economic and trade ties and bolstering people-to-people contacts to lend greater depth and a newer perspective to the bilateral relations. India and the United States have already conveyed their concerns to China over the Sino-Pak nuclear deal.
— PTI
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Lohan gets 90 days in jail
Los Angeles, July 7 The ‘Mean Girls’ star broke down after hearing the sentence, promising to comply with the rules. She defended her failure to attend weekly alcohol education classes and follow earlier orders by the judge, Los Angeles Times reported. But Revel ignored Lohan’s pleas and listed instances in which the actress had lied to the court and to authorities. “There were a number of instances of (Lohan) not taking things seriously. It’s like someone who cheats but doesn’t think it’s cheating if they don’t get caught,” Revel said. The case relates to two drunk-driving arrests in 2007. Lohan was sentenced to three years of probation but had to ask for a yearlong extension in October last year after she failed to complete her alcohol-education courses on time. The actress repeatedly violated the terms of her probation and failed to turn up for a mandatory court appearance in Beverly Hills earlier this year. Later, photos of her partying at the Cannes Film Festival surfaced, angering the judge. Lohan maintained that she could not attend because someone had stolen her passport. In May, an alcohol-monitoring bracelet was fitted on Lohan. “As far as I knew I was in compliance with my programmes. I wasn’t trying to get special treatment. I have to provide for myself. I have to work,” Lohan said. “Having said that, I did everything to balance my jobs and showing up. I’m not taking this as a joke. It’s my life. It’s my career. I take responsibility for my actions. I’ve tried to do the best I can. It’s been such a long haul. I don’t want you to think that I don’t respect you,” she said to the judge. Lohan is scheduled to surrender to authorities on July 20 and will be housed at the Century Regional Detention Facility in Lynwood, in a wing that is separate from the rest of the jail population.
— PTI
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Another ‘husband’ deserts and disappears
Toronto, July 7 When she headed for Pearson International Airport in her wheelchair -- polio in her childhood had crippled her -- to receive her spouse sponsored by her, she had no inkling that she had been cheated into a wedding. Her ‘husband’ from Punjab never emerged from the airport. He did have the courtesy to call her though and inform of the desertion. Like others before him, Ashpreet’s husband, armed with the Canadian immigration visa, took another international flight to a country that welcomes people with Canadian visa. Arshpreet works in a bank in Brampton in Ontario. She first got in touch with Manjit Sahi(30), over the telephone. Exchange of photographs and emails for two years convinced the 35-year-old Arshpreet that she had indeed found the love of her life in Manjit. She traveled to India in 2008 to get married. On return, she sponsored Manjit to get him in Canada. It took her all of two years and considerable expense to complete all formalities and convince Canadian immigration of her husband’s credentials. It’s a growing trend in which both men and women from Punjab are disappearing from airports on reaching Canada. Although there are strong and separate associations in Canada to prevent exploitation of both brides and bridegrooms by immigration seekers, the racket continues unabated. Early this year, the longest serving Indian-Canadian Member of House of Commons Gurbax Singh Malhi, strongly pleaded for some legislation to check misuse of the family or marriage clauses for immigration. Recently, Canadian Immigration and Citizenship Minister Jason Kenny also hinted at tightening the laws concerning immigration for spouses. The issue was also raised by some of the Punjabi Canadian MPs during their interaction with Indian Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh at the end of G20 summit in Toronto last month. Ruby Dhalla also took up the issue with the Deputy Chief Minister of Punjab Sukhbir Singh Badal for a law governing “fraudulent” marriages. Toronto Police and immigration authorities have made no progress in the Arshpreet case. All that she now wants is for other women to escape her harrowing experience.
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Iran prescribes hairdos for men
Tehran, July 7 Although the Ministry of Culture has yet to officially adopt the styles presented by the Veil and Modesty Festival, the private organisation said approval is pending. It would be the first such rules for men’s hair styles since 1979 Islamic revolution. “We introduced the hairstyles to the Culture Ministry,” said Jaleh Khodayar, head of the group, telling Iranian newspapers on Tuesday that it had been approved informally and an official statement would soon be made. The new hairstyles are aimed at confronting the “Western cultural invasion,” according to Khodayar, by promoting cuts based on the “law and culture” of the Iranian society. Khodayar said female hair styles will be introduced in future and the styles would be featured in foreign exhibitions in hopes of spreading them to other Muslim countries.
— AP
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Indian caught hidden in car speaker
Kuala Lumpur, July 7 The Indian national, according to Singapore daily ‘My Paper’, was caught last Friday after he agreed to pay a middleman 1500 Singapore dollars to be smuggled out of the country inside the back hatch of the car fitted with speakers. The driver, a Malaysian national, was to get 300 Singapore dollars for the work. The Malaysian driver of the car and his passenger, both 25, were to be paid 150 dollars each. The other man was a Bangladeshi national who was nabbed last Thursday after he agreed to pay a middleman 1,000 Singapore dollars.
— PTI
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Davidar suit settled out of court
Toronto, July 7 The Indian-born boss of Penguin Canada was sacked on June 8 following a sexual harassment complaint by Rundle. Initially, both Penguin and Davidar said he was leaving voluntarily. In her lawsuit, Rundle, former director of digital publishing and foreign rights at Penguin, had sought $523,000 from Penguin for sexual harassment for three years and then assault by Davidar at the Frankfurt Book Fair in October. The scandal ended quietly Tuesday with all the three parties settling the lawsuit and pledging not to divulge anything to the media. A Penguin spokesperson also confirmed that “everything has been settled” amicably. It was not known how much Penguin Canada and Davidar would pay Rundle.
— IANS
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