CANBERRA, Feb 14: Australia has blocked a visit by North Korean diplomats seeking to reopen an embassy in Canberra because of the reclusive state’s nuclear test this week, Foreign Minister Bob Carr said today.
North Korean officials had been due this weekend to look at possible embassy sites. Cash-strapped Pyongyang closed its mission in 2008 due to high costs.
North Korea conducted its third nuclear test on Tuesday in defiance of UN resolutions, drawing condemnation from around the world.
“We postponed the arrival of North Korean diplomats in Australia as a gesture following this detonation,” Carr told an oversight committee of parliament.
Australia, a close US ally, is one of few Western countries to have diplomatic ties with North Korea which opened a Canberra embassy in May 2002.
But Australia, a rotating U.N. Security Council member, has been strongly critical of the nuclear tests and has helped drive international calls for tougher sanctions.
Carr said Australia still planned to let North Korea reestablish a diplomatic presence in Canberra.
“We still adhere to the view that there’s value in having a North Korean diplomatic presence here,” Carr said. (AGENCIES)
Australia blocks North Koreans’ visit over nuclear test
Tear gas may have inflamed cabin where fugitive ex-LA cop believed dead
SAN BERNARDINO, Calif, Feb 14: Sheriff’s deputies who believed they had cornered a fugitive ex-cop in the mountains above Los Angeles did not purposely torch a cabin where a nine-day manhunt ended, but the deputies may have ignited the blaze by firing tear gas, officials said.
Former Los Angeles police officer Christopher Dorner, 33, was wanted in a killing spree targeting law enforcement officers that left four people dead. A man matching his description was surrounded inside a lodging nestled in the San Bernardino National Forest on Tuesday.
“We did not intentionally burn down that cabin to get Mr. Dorner out,” San Bernardino County Sheriff John McMahon said at an afternoon press conference yesterday.
Investigators had not yet formally identified charred remains found in the burned-out structure, although they are believed to be those of Dorner.
“The suspect that we were following … Matched his description,” McMahon said. “Our coroner’s division is working on trying to confirm the identity through forensics and we should know that at some point here soon,” he said.
Dorner lost his job with the Los Angeles Police Department in 2008 after a police board of inquiry found he lied in accusing a training officer of using excessive force against a homeless man. LAPD Chief Charlie Beck has opened a review of that case.
Last Wednesday, Dorner was named as the prime suspect in
A double slaying that occurred the weekend before, about 40 miles (64 km) south of Los Angeles in Irvine. Police say he killed a university security officer and his fiancDee, the 28-year-old daughter of a retired LAPD captain who represented Dorner in disciplinary action that led to his termination.
The search intensified last Thursday after he was accused of killing a Riverside policeman and wounding another officer in an ambush about 100 km east of Los Angeles.
Law enforcement converged later that day in the San Bernardino Mountains after a pickup truck identified as Dorner’s was found abandoned and burning in the snow near the ski resort community of Big Bear Lake northeast of Los Angeles.
The ensuing manhunt, stretching from the desert north of
The mountains to the Mexican border, was described by Beck as the region’s most extensive ever.
It ended on Tuesday following a shootout at the cabin that saw the slaying of San Bernardino Sheriff’s Deputy Jeremiah MacKay, 35, a married father of two young children, and the wounding of another deputy.
During a lull in the firefight, the cabin caught fire and was quickly engulfed in flames. It remained unclear yesterday how the blaze began.
(AGENCIES)
Department lacks necessary funds for sports promotion: Taj
Excelsior Sports Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 14: Minister for Medical Education and Youth Services and Sports, Taj Mohi-ud-Din today said he was keen on development of sports infrastructure in the State for which the State Government would seek all possible help from the Centre.
Interacting with the media persons in connection with the Jammu Marathon to be held on February 17, the Minister said that soon after he took over as the Minister incharge, he had directed that every middle and high school in the State should have playing teams in at least three disciplines of cricket, football and hockey, adding that the State has ample human resource in sports but the infrastructure needs to match with it.
When asked about various steps being taken by the Government to develop sports in the State, Taj said that he was still contemplating and had not taken a review of his department so far.
He, however, said that the department lacked necessary funds for the promotion of sports.
“There are not much funds in our plan for development of sports. We have around 6,000 employees and most of the funds are utilized in their salaries,” he said.
Taj, assured that he will “mobilize resources” and also said that he will ask the Central government for the necessary funding for various projects which the State is entitled to.
Meanwhile, Chairman Board of Development for Sports In India, Amit Sethi speaking on the occasion said that more than 10,000 participants, including Bollywood celebrities, are expected to run in the fourth edition of the Jammu Marathon, scheduled to be held here on Sunday.
“We are expecting 10 to 20,000 participants in the fourth edition of Jammu Marathon,” he said.
He further said that the event, which will feature Bollywood stars such as Raghuvir Yadav and Tia Bajpai, will carry a prize purse of about Rs 75,000, with the top athlete in both men and women’s category receiving a sum of Rs 21,000 each.
Runners-up in both the categories will get Rs 11,000 each while the second runners-up will receive a sum of Rs 5,100 each.
Sports Minister, while extending his support to the event said that the upcoming event will be dedicated to the women of India.
He assured organizers of all the possible support to make the event a success.
Taj also informed that the marathon will begin from the M A Stadium and will run across B C Road, Ambphalla, Kachi Chawni and other parts of the city before culminating at the Stadium.
The minister also informed that as a policy decision they have instructed all middle and high schools of the state to form various sports teams and have also told them to develop the playgrounds for children.
He said an Astroturf would be laid in Srinagar for which the tendering process has almost been completed, while an Indoor Sports Complex is being developed at Jammu.
Replying to a question as to why the salaries of the contractual coaches have not been released from last 15 months, the Minister claimed that the same have been released today and said that the more coaches will be employed soon.
On a question as to why Jammu and Kashmir State fails to implement the policies and decisions of the State Government with regard to promotion of sports, the Minister said that the decisions will be implemented in letter and spirit.
Secretary, J&K State Sports Council, Dileep Thusoo and the organizers of 4th Jammu Marathon were also present on the occasion.
Cultural Academy announces annual State Photography Awards
Excelsior Sports Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 14: The Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages has announced the State Photography Awards 2011.
The awards instituted in 2008 are conferred in three categories carrying a cash prize of Rs 15,000, 10,000, and 7,000 for 1st, 2nd and 3rd positions respectively. Apart from the three awards, four consolation prizes of Rs 1000 each are also given annually to the winners.
While making the announcement, Secretary J&K Academy of Art, Culture and Languages, Khalid Bashir Ahmad, said that as many as 89 entries were received by the Academy for the competition. Of these, he informed, the Adjudicating Committee selected 67 entries for the competition.
Disclosing the winners Khalid said that the first, second and third prizes have been bagged by Puja for her photo titled ‘Purity’, Channi Anand for his picture ‘In an Animal Conflict’ and Abrar Ali Wani for his image ‘Devotion’.
The consolation prizes were bagged by Maqsood Bhat, Mir Sarwar, Mushtaq Assad and Parveen
Kumar. All the four would get an equal amount of Rs 1000 as the prize money.
The Secretary Academy said that photo entries for the 4th edition of the competition were placed before an Adjudicating Committee which selected the eligible photos for the competition and on final evaluation the winners were chosen. He said that the Award winners would be given the prizes at a function to be held shortly.
Amit Sharma of PG Deptt claims Triple Jump gold
Excelsior Sports Correspondent
The silver in this category went to Dalip Gandotra of GGM Science College, while the bronze was clinched by Ankush Saini of Government Degree College, Kathua.
The results:
Men: 400 mts:
VikasSaini, GGM Science College, 1st; Yaseer Ayaz, NADC Phinter, 2nd; Ramneek Singh, GDC RS Pura, 3rd.
Discuss Throw :
Pankaj Kumar, PG Deptt, 1st; GouravPathania, PG Deptt, 2nd; Haneesh Manawa, Dogra Law College, 3rd
1500 mts Race :-
Rakesh Kumar, GDC Samba, 1st; Jagdev Singh, PG Deptt, 2nd; Sahil Sharma, GDC Bishnah, 3rd; Mohd Israr, PG Deptt, 4th
Women: Triple Jump :
Mamta Sharma, PGDeptt, 1st; AshuChambyal, GDC Samba, 2nd; Monica Chalotra, P G Deptt, 3rd
Discuss Throw :
Gulshan Begum, GWC Udhampur, 1st; Amarpreet Kour, PG Deptt, 2nd; SadafIqbal Khan, GCW Parade, 3rd.
The matches were officiated by Nirmal Singh, Ravish Vaid, Gagan Kumar, Narinder, Gurvachan Singh and students of BP Ed and MP Ed.
LPG home delivery
Sir,
This has reference to the advertisement regarding LPG home delivery published in this paper. We the LPG consumers expect that the LPG Distributors Association lives by what it has stated is the said advertisement.
It should not turn out be a play just to hoodwink public and the Government.
In the past the consumers have had a bitter experience of the home delivery system.
At times, a company would book a cylinder, but would never deliver the cylinder at door step.
The hapless consumer was asked to collect it from the Godown or the point fixed for distribution.
Now, after the Government directive, the consumers may not have to live on the whims and caprices of the distributors.
The move will certainly relive people especially women, and old persons from waiting in long queues in rain and heat to get a cylinder.
Besides, it should it be ensured that the filled cylinder weighs as per the weight specifications fixed by the agencies.
Yours etc….
Anil Goswami
Jammu
Rasool to share dressing room with Michael Clarke, signs for Pune Warriors
New Delhi, Feb 14:
All-rounder Pervez Rasool today became first cricketer from Jammu and Kashmir to bag an IPL contract, signing up with Pune Warriors for the 2013 season.
Rasool, who was a star performer for the Board President’s XI by grabbing seven Australian wickets, was being chased by at least three franchises but the 24-year-old signed on dotted lines for the Sahara Pariwar owned franchise.
“A few franchises approached me but it was Pune who approached me first. So it was an ethical decision to join them as they had shown interest much before the Australia match happened. I am very excited and it is an honour to play in the IPL and become the first cricketer from the valley to achieve this feat,” an excited Rasool said over phone from Bilaspur where the Jammu and Kashmir squad is based for Vijay Hazare Trophy.
According to IPL sources, Kings XI Punjab were chasing Rasool as Chandigarh based franchisee’s proximity to Jammu and Kashmir.
Since Rasool is an uncapped player, he will be getting Rs 20 lakh as per IPL norms.
“Pervez is an asset for us. He is a capable all-rounder and since we can have only four foreigners, his batting and off-break bowling makes him a good choice in the playing XI.
“Also the kind of exposure that he will be getting interacting with international cricketers will be phenomenal. Trust me, he can be a good player in the longer version too,” a franchise official stated.
Rasool is excited that he will be getting a chance to share the dressing room with Australian captain Michael Clarke.
“It is a dream come true for me that I will be interacting with Michael Clarke. Also having Yuvi Paaji (Yuvraj Singh) will be a bonus. I have just started my journey in top-flight cricket and this stint with Pune will only help me grow. I hope that I will be able soak in all the information that I can get from our coach Allan Donald,” he said.
On asked what this IPL contract meant for budding cricketers of his state, Rasool said, “I would like to convey a small message for all my well-wishers in Jammu and Kashmir. I would like to tell them that it was not only talent but hard-work that has helped me realise my dream. I believe, parents would now believe that someone can make a decent career out of cricket even from our State.”
His mentor Bishan Singh Bedi has never been a great supporter of IPL and probe Rasool on this, he laughed and said, “Bedi sir mujhse bahoot pyar karte hain (Bedi sir loves me a lot).” (PTI)
Atul accompanies Indian Chess Team to Moscow
Excelsior Sports Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 14: J&K Bank’s Chess Player, Atul Kumar Gupta, Officer in JK Bank accompanied Indian Chess Team as a coach for their participation in Moscow Open International Chess Festival held at Moscow, recently.
A record 1700 players drawn from over 30 Countries participated in the event.
According to a handout issued here, the tour was sponsored by Government of India.
It is pertinent to mention here that Atul is the only player of J&K State who has accompanied Indian Chess team as a coach.
Meanwhile, the Bank officials said that Atul’s participation in the event is a matter of great honour for J&K Bank and the State of Jammu and Kashmir.
Ban on incandescent lamps
Sir,
This has reference to the news item ‘Govt bans use of incandescent lamps’ DE Feb 13.
Better later than never. It is a well-intentioned more and needs to be implemented in letter and spirit. This will not save electricity but will also save the environment from getting warmer.
In the USA, this step was taken some five years ago and that shows how much they are concerned about saving electricity and environment. It is one of the steps towards improving power situation in the State. But a question arise: can over really overcome the present power situation in the State. The answer is no, unless we stop power pilferage which is going on unabetedly in the State. Though big fish enjoy power thefts, it is small fries which have to pay a heavy price. They are accountable. They are e-metered. They are fined humiliated and harassed. By targetting this section only, no improvement can be expected. It is therefore urgent that power reforms be initiated in the over all interest of the people of State. That is the way out of darkness.
Yours etc….
Kamal Sharma
Trikuta Nagar
UC MAS organises 3rd Graduation Ceremony
Excelsior Sports Correspondent
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 14: Little Champs Abacus Academy , Talab Tillo, affilated with UC MAS India Private Limited today organised 3rd Graduaton Ceremony of the 8th level students.
In the 8th level of the course, Shubam Jain and Siksha Handoo bagged first position, whereas second position was secured by Kshitij Jain and Nikshan jain. Manas Jain and Ritvik Gupta secured third position.
Other students who completed their graduation were Arham Jain, Akash Kakroo, Ashna Kesar and Simridhi Raina.
On this occasion, Rupesh Masson, Master franchisee J&K State along with Centre Head Rashmi aggarwal, presented trophies to the graduates.
While speaking centre head Rashmi Aggarwal said that the students completed the abacus mental arithmetic system in nearly two and a half year time.
Rashmi aggarwal said that their two year learning would help them in solving any calculation, multiplication or division very easily and that to without the use of calculator.
Rupesh Masson in his speach impressed upon the students to implement these skills so as to achieve sucess in every part of the life.
Earlier CI Kalpana Jain presented the welcome address, while vote of thanks was presented by CI Anjana Kumari.