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Pak to build more N-power plants
Bodies of 96 Maoists recovered: army officer
UN intervention sought in Nepal
Pope’s followers rally for ‘sainthood now’
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Jindal on Homeland Security panel
Shi’ites protest against US forces
US tests missile defence system
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Pak to build more N-power plants
Mianwali, April 9 The project, with a gross production capacity of 340mw, will be jointly built by the China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) and the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) under the monitoring of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The plant using enriched uranium and light water will be the country's third nuclear power plant after the 137mw Karachi Nuclear Power Plant (Kanupp) and the 325mw Chashma Nuclear Power Plant (CHASNUPP), phase-I. Recalling the problems faced by Pakistan in the wake of the embargo imposed by the Canadian government on Kanupp soon after India had conducted nuclear tests in 1974, the adviser said Pakistani scientists had been able to efficiently run and manage the plant. He said an efficient and safe performance of CHASNUPP-1 demonstrated that the design, construction and nuclear power production capability of China was dependable. "The creation of an independent Pakistan Nuclear Regulatory Authority (PNRA) will be helpful in ensuring safety and integrity of nuclear power plants," he said. Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Ziang Chunxiang said his country wanted Pakistan to develop its socio-economic sector and CHASNUPP-II would greatly contribute in this regard. Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) chairman Pervez Butt said CHASNUPP-1 was being safely operated at 95 per cent capacity which was one of the highest in the world and this success had led to the launching of CHASNUPP-2 at the same site, which would be followed by more plants in coming years to meet the target of 8,800mw electricity set by the government for the commission. He said President Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz fully supported the development of a strong base for producing nuclear electricity. PAEC Member (power) Dr Javed Iqleem said that increasing oil prices had heightened the importance of nuclear power as it was more reliable. He said CHASNUPP-2 was a major milestone in the country's history. It will use pressurized water reactor technology and with the experience of CHASNUPP-I and improved design it will address the Pakistan Nuclear Regulatory Authority (PNRA) regulations based on IAEA's safety requirements. Briefing newsmen on the overall nuclear power situation, Dr Iqleem said till March 31, 2005, CHASNUPP-I had produced 7,852mkw of electricity and with the solution of problems in its teething period, the availability and capacity factor had increased steadily. For the last eight months, the capacity factor of CHASNUPP-I had been 95 per cent. Based on the concept of defence-in-depth, it was comparable with the best plants in the world, he said. In reply to a question, Dr Iqleem said Pakistan had produced its own fuel for Kanupp but would not produce it for CHASNUPP-2 because it was easily available from China. He said 38 to 40 per cent of the project funding would be made in Pakistani currency for acquiring material and services from local market. The ceremony was attended by CNNC Vice-President Wang Shoujun and Foreign Secretary Riaz Mohammed Khan. |
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Bodies of 96 Maoists recovered: army officer Kathmandu, April 9 “This is a big setback for the rebels,” said an Army officer speaking to the television crew from the clash site. The television showed pictures of dozens of bodies lined up on the ground, along with a large number of arms and ammunitions allegedly used by the rebels. Three security personnel had also been killed in the action since Thursday night, the official said.
— AFP
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UN intervention sought in Nepal
Kathmandu, April 9 In a joint statement, Nepali Congress President Girija Prasad Koirala, Nepali Congress (Democratic) President and sacked Prime Minister Sher Bahadur
Deuba, and Nepal Communist Party Acting General Secretary Jhalanath Khanal said an independent, impartial and credible monitoring mechanism was needed to effectively establish accountability for “human rights perpetrators” by addressing the problem of impunity. “The inhuman action and unrestricted use of force by both the government and the Maoists have severely jeopardised the right to life,” they said. The imposition of emergency rule has not only “jeopardised” fundamental rights of the people but also “further endangered” the independence and autonomy of judiciary, they claimed. All the organs of the independent judiciary “have been systematically paralysed,” they said in the joint statement.
— PTI |
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Pope’s followers rally for ‘sainthood now’
Vatican City, April 9 Roughly translated from Italian, it means ``Sainthood Now.'' ``We all saw them,'' Cardinal Theodore McCarrick of Washington said after the service. ``The message was clear. The people think he was a saint.'' Support for Pope John Paul's canonization ``is like a tidal wave,'' said Cardinal Adam Maida of Detroit. ``It's going to come.'' Vatican officials cautioned on Friday that their procedure for elevating the dead to saintly status is cumbersome and can last decades. Any short cuts, they said, would require a decision by Pope John Paul's successor, whom the cardinals expect to elect this month. But in the meantime a popular cult of sainthood is burgeoning around Pope John Paul just a week after his death. Vendors in Rome, using the Polish pontiff's given name, are selling T-shirt proclaiming ``Saint Karol.'' Makeshift shrines have sprung up near St. Peter's, attracting handwritten notes referring in Christ-like terms to his long battle against a host of infirmities. ``The people are way ahead of the church on this,'' Henri Guglielo, a parish priest from suburban Paris, said as he left the funeral Mass. Friday's pro-sainthood demonstration showed some signs of organization and looked strongest in a section of several thousand Polish pilgrims on the left side of the square. The ``Santo Subito'' banners were of identical size and lettering, varying only in color. Yet the movement itself is broad and apparently spontaneous, reflecting the globe-trotting pontiff's contact and enduring impact on millions of people during his 26-year reign. ``He is already a saint in our hearts,'' said Elena Ramos, a petite black-clad Filipina, who wiped away tears as she filed out of the square Friday. ``He always was.'' Seven time zones away in Mexico, 19-year-old high school student Heron Badillo was up at 3 a.m. to watch the funeral on television. Badillo met the pope 15 years ago when he landed in the city of Zacatecas and blessed the sickly boy by touching and kissing his forehead during an airport ceremony. In a telephone interview Friday from Zacatecas, Badillo said he strongly believes that the encounter cured him of leukemia after doctors had given up treating him. ``I felt an instantaneous emotion and a new breath filling my entire body,'' he said, adding that he is now free of illness. The Mexican Bishops Conference supports the teenager's testimony. Spokeswoman Marilu Esponda said the bishops plan to present it to the Vatican, along with medical records, as evidence of a ``miracle,'' even though that might not be enough to put the late pope on the road to sainthood.Candidates for sainthood must pass through two rigorous examinations of documents and eyewitness reports. The first process leads to beatification, or ``blessing'' by the church, the second to canonization as a saint. Candidates must have proven reputations for holiness and ``intercessionary'' powers to deliver favours from God, such as cure of a serious illness, to those who pray to them. Opening a formal case for beatification must wait at least five years after the candidate's death, according to the rules. But many Catholics would like to see that wait abolished for Pope John Paul, and some of those would rather that the next pope skip the examination stages and simply proclaim him a saint. — By arrangement with the Los Angeles Times-Washington Post |
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Jindal on Homeland Security panel
Phoenix, April 9 “Jindal’s leadership and experience will go far to ensure that our nation is protected against terrorist use of unconventional weapons,” Homeland Security Chairman Christopher Cox said, announcing the decision yesterday. Mr Jindal said the responsibilities of the committee were of great importance to the United States. There was no higher priority for the Federal Government than the continued protection of Americans and winning the war on terror. The sub-committee focuses on the nature of nuclear and bio-terrorism threat and ways to prevent such attacks. Mr Jindal has selected two Indian Americans as his new legislative director and counsel as a representative to his hometown. Ms Sapna Delacourt (nee Sapna Khatiwala) and Mr Nial Patel have been closely associated with Mr Jindal as volunteers during his gubernatorial campaign in Metairie, Louisiana.
— UNI |
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Shi’ites protest against US forces
Baghdad, April 9 Chanting “No, no to the occupiers”, thousands of supporters gathered in Shi’ite district of Sadr City to begin a planned peaceful march to Firdos Square, the central Baghdad spot where Saddam’s statue was brought down two years ago. Sadr’s supporters from across the country were already gathered at the square by mid-morning, waving Iraqi flags and calling out: “No America! No Saddam! Yes to Islam!”.
— Reuters |
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US tests missile defence system
Washington, April 9 The Missile Defense Agency said the air-launched ballistic missile was developed to replicate trajectories that hostile ballistic missiles could take in a real attack on the United States.
— AFP |
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