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Sri Lanka to get radar systems
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Mirwaiz calls for new ideas on Kashmir
Return of Shivaji sword sought
Cheema is USAID head of West Africa
Scientists debate Darwin’s theory
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Sri Lanka to get radar systems from India
Colombo, June 10 “Yes, certainly we will accept it,” Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar said at a joint press interaction with visiting External Affairs Minister K Natwar Singh after the meeting of the India-Sri Lanka Joint Commission here. He stated this when asked whether Colombo was going to accept New Delhi’s offer of radar systems. “Yes, this is very much under discussion,” Kadirgamar said, adding “we are looking at ways and means to see how this can be done”. The minister, however, declined to fix any timeframe for accepting it. The LTTE is suspected to have clandestinely built two air strips in the areas under its control. Mr Natwar Singh said a defence cooperation agreement between the two countries “is in the process of being finalised. Mr Natwar Singh said India had decided to train 450 Sri Lankan policemen. India would also provide a Rs 1-crore grant for funding a pilot project of 20 e-libraries in the island nation.
— PTI |
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Mirwaiz calls for new ideas on Kashmir
Karachi, June 10 Talking briefly to newsmen, All-Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) Chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq reiterated that new ideas and options should be explored and treated on merit for finding a solution to the Kashmir problem in which the United Nations had miserably failed over the past 57 years. “We don’t know what will be the final solution but relations with Pakistan would have a significant bearing on the outcome,” said Mirwaiz, adding that the people of Kashmir had always desired Pakistan to be strong and prosperous. He emphasised that the people and the government of Pakistan had always supported the struggle of the Kashmiris without making it conditional on the territory acceding to this country. He said his people would not succeed in achieving their objective without the support of the government and the people of Pakistan. He stressed the need for pushing forward the current India-Pakistan dialogue, but said the Kashmiris should be included in the process as soon as possible. Answering a question about Ali Geelani’s stance and his exclusion from the delegation, Mirwaiz said the APHC represented a joint struggle and one individual could not dictate terms. He said it was time for reinforcing unity of the Kashmiri people. Writing in the visitors’ book at the Quaid’s mazar, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq paid homage to the Quaid on behalf of the Kashmiri people and said their struggle would continue till the objectives of the struggle waged by Mohammad Ali Jinnah were achieved. Mr Bilal Ghani Lone wrote: “Salute to the great man and a great leader who created this nation.” The Kashmiri leaders also offered fateha at the graves of Liaquat Ali Khan and other leaders buried there. Later they visited the museum. During the visit, JKLF leader Yasin Malik was visibly overwhelmed by emotions and in a pensive mood he quietly sat down on the floor along the railings of the Quaid’s grave. |
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Return of Shivaji sword sought
London, June 10 The sword was presented as a "gift" to the Prince of Wales, Edwards VII, during his visit to India in November 1875 by the then Maharaja of Kolapore. In his petition presented to the Queen on the eve of her birthday, Mr Bhasker Ghorpade, a London-based Indian lawyer, said, "The Shivaji sword is India's major cultural heritage of historic importance and of emotional value to the people of the country and in particular the people of the Maharashtra." "If returned, the sword which is with the Queen in the Royal Collection, will be safely preserved by the authorities in India and can be viewed by millions of Indians and also by visitors to India," Mr Ghorpade said. —
PTI |
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Cheema is USAID head of West Africa
Washington, June 10 Cheema, who was sworn in at the USAID headquarters here, will oversee a programme totalling about $40 million in development and humanitarian assistance. Her department has been charged with implementing programmes promoting regional economic integration and trade, supporting the adoption of effective health policies, enhancing regional capacity to achieve food security, and improving conditions for peace and security. A senior foreign service officer, Cheema has served for over 15 years at USAID in four overseas posts. Her most recent post was in the role of Mission Director to Eritrea, where she has served since September 2001.
— IANS |
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Scientists debate Darwin’s theory
Quito (Ecuador), June 10 The Galapagos archipelago, about 1,000 km off Ecuador’s Pacific coast, is home to unique animal species that Darwin studied in 1835 and formed the basis for his work. The scientists gathered yesterday in Puerto
Baquerizo, on the eastern end of the island chain, and were to discuss advances, breakthroughs and limitations of the Darwin’s theory, according to Quito’s San Francisco University, which is sponsoring the event.
— AP |
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Big B invites Russian fan to visit Mumbai
Moscow, June 10 Thirty-year-old Alina Kovalyova from Volga town of Syzran is serving seven-year term for drug peddling to raise money to fulfil her dream of visiting India to see 'the only man in the world' she loves. A forty-minute documentary, "The Secrets of Bollywood," telecast last night on Russian state TV "Rossia" retold the tragic story of Alina, a former nurse, who landed in the jail for her love for the Big B. "My life can be divided in two parts. Before and after I saw the movie with Amitabh. I had a strong feeling that it was he and myself alone in the dark hall. He was speaking only to me, singing and dancing only for me," said Alina about her first encounter with Bachchan. "Alina, why you have done so. You should have somehow contacted me and I would have arranged for your India visit to meet me. I don't know how long you would be in jail, but after your release please try to contact me and I will arrange for your visit so that we could meet here in Mumbai," said a visibly moved Bachchan, in a video-taped reply for his ardent fan.— PTI |
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