The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

Putin protecting Syrian regime, doesn’t share US values: Obama

Washinton, September 15
US President Barack Obama today said America and Russia have different attitude towards the Assad regime, but acknowledged that the Moscow-brokered deal offers a chance to destroy Syria’s chemical weapons stockpile.

Russian President Vladimir Putin is “protecting” the Syrian regime of President Bashar al-Assad, Obama said.

Kerry assured Israel publicly the deal he reached with Russia’s Foreign Minister on Syria was capable of removing its deadly arsenal
HE said Russia had stated that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's regime had agreed to give an accounting of its chemical arsenal within a week

“I don't think that Putin has the same values that we do. And I think obviously by protecting Assad he has a different attitude about the Assad regime," Obama said in an interview.

“But what I’ve also said to him directly is that we both have an interest in preventing chaos, we both have an interest in preventing terrorism. The situation in Syria right now is untenable,” he said.

“As long as Assad’s in power, there is going to be some sort of conflict there, and that we should work together to try to find a way in which the interests of all the parties inside of Syria, the Alawites, the Sunnis, the Christians, that everybody is represented and that there is a way of bringing the temperature down so that horrible things that are happening inside the country are continuing to happen,” Obama said.

“I think there’s a way for Putin, despite me and him having a whole lot of differences, to play an important role in that. So I welcome him being involved.”

Obama also said he and new Iranian President Hassan Rouhani had exchanged letters about the situation in Syria and that the Iranians understand the US concern about a potential nuclear-armed Iran “is a far larger issue” for the US. — Agencies

France ‘determined’ to go after Assad

Paris: Sidelined from the US-Russia deal on chemical weapons, France is determined that demands for Assad to be tried for war crimes do not drop off the rapidly shifting global agenda. Publicly, it hailed the deal to eliminate Assad’s chemical arsenal by mid-2014. But privately there is disquiet about an accord that some fear could bestow renewed legitimacy on Assad. — AFP

27 dead in Afghan coal mine collapse

Kabul, September 15
A coal mine collapse has killed at least 27 miners in the north of Afghanistan, officials said today, with rescue efforts under way to save about 12 workers trapped underground.

Emergency teams rushed to the scene after the mine collapsed in a remote area of the Samangan province yesterday, and bodies were being brought out of the accident site.

“We have 27 miners who died while they were working in an underground mine in Abkhorak coal mine in Ruyi Du Ab district,” Mohammad Sediq Azizi, the Samangan governor's spokesman said.

“They were working in a coal mine when part of the mine collapsed on them. We are heading to the scene for further investigation,” Azizi said, adding that 20 other persons had been injured.

Mosadiqullah Muzafari, Samangan’s deputy security chief, said four rescue workers were badly injured and about 12 miners were still stuck underground.

Conditions in Afghan coal mines can be dangerously primitive, with miners working with old equipment and little in the way of ventilation or safety gear.

The US conducted an aerial mining survey of Afghanistan in 2006, building on data from the Soviet occupation of the 1980s, and found evidence of $1 trillion of minerals deposits in the country.

Such potential wealth offers a glimmer of hope to a country ravaged by decades of war and facing further turmoil as 87,000 international troops fighting Taliban insurgents head home by the end of next year.

The government is counting on commercial mining as a future source of much-needed income, and a new mining law is due to be passed soon to regulate the industry and encourage investment. But the legislation is stuck in parliament after long delays and disputes between competing ministries. — AFP

Bombings across Iraq kill 53

Baghdad, September 15
A wave of car bombings and other attacks in Iraq killed at least 53 persons in mostly Shiite-majority cities today, another bloody reminder of the government’s failure to stem the surge of violence that is feeding sectarian tensions.

No one has claimed responsibility for the blasts, which targeted commercial areas and parking lots in seven cities. But systematically organised waves of bombings are used out by Al-Qaida's local branch, known as the Islamic State of Iraq, to undermine confidence in the Shiite-led government.

Also, the head of the Baghdad provincial council escaped assassination when a car bomb tody hit his convoy. The bomb against the convoy of Riyadh al-Adhadh, the chief of the provincial council and a Sunni lawmaker belonging to the party of the national parliament speaker, killed three and wounded eight others, sources said.

Today’s deadliest attack was in the city of Hillah, 95 km south of Baghdad, where a car bomb explosion near an outdoor market and parking lot killed nine civilians and wounded 15 others, a police officer said.

More than 4,000 persons have been killed in attacks since April, according to United Nations figures.— AP

Colorado witnesses worst flood in 30 yrs

Los Angeles, September 15
More than 500 stranded victims of major flooding in the US state of Colorado braced for a new round of heavy rain today that is threatening to impede rescue efforts.

Officials noted that many of those unaccounted for may simply not be able to telephone loved ones because of flood damage to many phone towers.

New flash floods were expected to inundate the area, which thousands were forced to evacuate. A flash flood watch was in effect through the evening for the entire Denver metro area, as well as the northern Front Range Foothills and mountains.

A series of thunderstorms also struck the area. Raging floodwaters in the city of Boulder, already confirmed to have killed at least four persons, apparently claimed the life of a fifth yesterday — a 60-year-old woman swept away in the torrent.

The Larimer County Sheriff’ Office said on Twitter that the woman was "missing presumed dead," after floodwaters destroyed her house, and officials warned that the toll would likely climb further.

But some additional help was on the way, with President Barack Obama declaring a major disaster in Colorado and ordering federal aid to support state and local efforts. —AFP

Five Dead, many missing

With at least five persons dead, more than 500 stranded victims braced for a new round of heavy rain on Sunday that is threatening to impede rescue efforts

The floods are the worst to hit Colorado in over 30 years, and have prompted President Barack Obama to approve a federal disaster assistance request

Special to the tribune
Yoga & garlic a boon for high BP patients
Shyam Bhatia in London

The multiple benefits emanating from yoga and garlic consumption have been common place knowledge in India for centuries, but two new studies have further confirmed their positive effects on daily living.

The latest analysis of how yoga exercises can boost both physical and mental well being was carried out by scientists at Suwon Catholic University in South Korea who studied 41 women aged between 39 and 60 with a condition called metabolic syndrome.

Blood pressure levels dropped significantly among 20 women who completed a 12-week yoga course. There was little or no change for the 21 other women who did not take part in the course.

Equally important was the finding that the yoga participants also reported a significant improvement in their levels of (sexual) desire.

These findings are consistent with the belief of researchers who are convinced that yoga’s impact on breathing, balance and control can increase arousal by boosting blood flow and strengthening the health of blood vessels.

The results of the South Korean study have been published online in the Journal of Sexual Medicine, which says, “The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of yoga as a treatment for sexual dysfunction in women with metabolic syndrome. These findings suggest yoga may be an effective treatment for sexual dysfunction in women with metabolic syndrome as well as for metabolic risk factors,” according to researchers involved with the study.

Blood pressure can also be reduced by consuming garlic, according to a separate study published in the journal Complete Nutrition. But the key ingredient, allicin, is available in sufficient quantities only in raw or dried garlic that can also be taken in tablet form. Much of the allicin is destroyed during cooking.

Previous studies have also confirmed how blood pressure can be lowered by taking garlic tablets which relax blood vessels by producing nitric oxide and hydrogen sulphide.

Other previously published reports suggest that regular consumption of garlic can help the body fight off infections by stimulating the immune system. Back in 1993, the UK’s Royal College of Physicians further discovered a significant reduction in cholesterol levels among consumers of garlic. Eleven other separate studies have come to similar conclusions.

India committed to work for stable, peaceful Nepal

Kathmandu, September 15
Foreign Secretary Sujatha Singh today called on top Nepalese leadership and conveyed India’s commitment to working for a democratic, stable and peaceful Nepal ahead of the Constituent Assembly elections in November.

“As I have got feedback from different political leaders, whom I met here, I am hopeful that the elections will be held in November as per schedule,” she told reporters after wrapping up her first official visit to Nepal.

During a meeting with her Nepalese counterpart Arjun Bahadur Thapa, Sujatha Singh conveyed: “India’s support for the successful conduct of free and fair elections by the government of Nepal as scheduled.”

She also “reiterated the commitment of the government of India for the logistic support sought by the Nepalese government well in time for the elections.” The Nepalese government has sought security cooperation from India in the border areas during the elections.

“I conveyed India’s commitment to working with the people of Nepal for a democratic, stable, peaceful and prosperous Nepal,” Singh said.

The Indian Foreign Secretary arrived here yesterday on a two day visit since she assumed her office on August 1.

She held a high-level talks with Nepalese President Ram Baran Yadav and interim government chief Khil Raj Regmi during which issues surrounding the Constituent Assembly polls were discussed primarily, Foreign Ministry sources said here. — PTI

As I have got feedback from different political leaders, whom I met here, I am hopeful that the elections will be held in November as per schedule.
— Sujatha Singh, Foreign Secy

Japan halts last working N-reactor

Tokyo, September 15
Japan today began switching off its last operating nuclear reactor for an inspection, with no date scheduled for a restart amid strong public hostility towards atomic power.

The move will leave the world’s third largest economy without atomic energy for the second time since the Fukushima nuclear crisis erupted in March 2011.

Nuclear power supplied about one-third of the resource-poor nation’s electricity before a tsunami knocked out cooling systems and sparked meltdowns at Fukushima, causing tens of thousands to flee their homes.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has openly supported a return to the widespread use of atomic energy, but the public remains largely opposed on safety grounds.

Kansai Electric Power (KEPCO) today started gradually to take offline the No. 4 reactor at its Oi nuclear plant in the western prefecture of Fukui.

“The work started at 4:40pm (0740 GMT),” said a company spokesman. “The reactor will come to a complete stop early tomorrow (Monday).” Japan previously was without any nuclear energy in May 2012, when all of the country’s 50 commercial reactors stopped for checkups in the wake of the disaster. Utilities were unable immediately to restart them due to public opposition.

It was the first time in more than four decades that Japan had been without nuclear power.

Government officials and utilities voiced concern at the time that Japan could face major blackouts without nuclear power, particularly in the western region that relied heavily on nuclear energy.

Their fears proved unfounded but the government last year gave Kansai Electric approval to restart No 3 and No 4 reactors at the Oi plant, arguing that nuclear energy was necessary to meet increased electricity demand during the winter.

The reactors were reactivated in July 2012 and resumed full commercial operation the following month, but the No 3 reactor was shut down earlier this month for a scheduled inspection. The nation’s other reactors have remained idle.

Utilities this summer have submitted applications to restart their reactors with the Nuclear Regulation Authority, which has significantly upgraded safety standards since the Fukushima crisis.

The central government and utilities will seek the consent of local governments and communities hosting nuclear plants before any future restarts.

The No 3 reactor at the Ikata nuclear plant in Ehime prefecture in the southwestern Shikoku region may come back online early next year, the Sankei Shimbun newspaper said.

The Asahi Shimbun meanwhile said the reactor at Ikata might resume operation in “the coming winter”. Anti-nuclear campaigner Greenpeace Japan said the country must seize the opportunity of being without nuclear power to focus on promoting renewable energy.

Thirty months on from the Fukushima disaster, such is the level of public concern about nuclear safety that the government is struggling to come up with a long-term energy policy, a delay that is having a profound impact on the economy and underlining just how costly a nuclear-power-free future may be.

The country's nuclear reactors provided close to a third of the electricity to keep the $5 trillion economy going before the Fukushima disaster.— AFP/Reuters

No to atomic power

Kansai Electric Power Co's 1,180 MW Ohi No.4 reactor will be disconnected from the power grid late on Sunday and then shut for planned maintenance.

It is the only one of Japan's 50 reactors in operation after the nuclear industry came to a virtual halt following the March 2011 Fukushima disaster

Japan last went without nuclear power in May-June 2012, the first shutdown since 1970, a year after a massive earthquake and tsunami triggered reactor meltdowns and radiation leaks at the Fukushima facility

Anti-nuclear campaigner Greenpeace Japan said the country must seize the opportunity of being without nuclear power to focus on promoting renewable energy

Britain’s deputy PM opposes visa bond

London, September 15
The split within Britain's Conservative-led coalition government over the controversial £3,000 visa bond scheme, which would affect visitors from certain countries, including India, has been further exposed with deputy prime minister opposing the move.

Nick Clegg is the latest senior figure from the Liberal Democrat party to speak out against plans to charge £3,000 from foreigners belonging to certain "high risk" nations.

"I am absolutely not interested in a bond which becomes an indiscriminate way of clobbering people who want to come to this country," he told the BBC, adding that the bonds "are certainly not going to go ahead" on that basis.

He confirmed that the decision was yet to be finalised and that talks were still going on behind the scenes. "Of course in a coalition I can stop things," he added.

Earlier this week, his senior party colleague and UK business secretary Vince Cable had also attacked the plans and revealed that Clegg wanted the bond to be set at 1,000 pounds and be offered to visitors from "high risk" countries who have been refused a visa as a "discretionary tool" for immigration officers.

However, UK home secretary Theresa May wants has set the amount at 3,000 pounds, which will be refunded upon departure but forfeited if visitors overstay their visas. A pilot version of the scheme is scheduled to go ahead in November and is expected to affect countries like India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nigeria and Ghana. Indian ministerial circles had raised strong objections and sought full details on the application of the scheme. — PTI

India-B’desh border talks begin in Dhaka

Dhaka, September 15
Cross-border movement of criminals, and smuggling of firearms and narcotics are expected to dominate a crucial bi-annual border talks between India and Bangladesh that began here today.

“The formal talks has begun at the Border Guard Bangladesh headquarters...,” a spokesman of Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) said.

For the five-day Director-General level talks, a 20-member Indian delegation was led by Border Security Force (BSF) chief Subhash Joshi, while Bangladesh was represented by a 19-member team headed by Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB)’s Director-General Major General Aziz Ahmed.

Issues like cross-border movement of criminals, and smuggling of firearms and narcotics, including Phensidyle, heroin and Yaba, into Bangladesh are in our agenda to be discussed, a BGB official said. “The two sides would sign a Joint Record of Discussion during the conference,” the BDR spokesman said. — PTI