GUANTANAMO BAY US NAVAL BASE, CUBA, May 6: Five Guantanamo prisoners accused of plotting the September 11 attacks refused to answer a US military judge’s questions in a chaotic court hearing in which defense lawyers sought to cast the war crimes tribunal as unfair.
Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, the confessed architect of the hijacked plane attacks in 2001, and his four co-defendants exercised their right to indefinitely delay entering a plea to murder and terrorism charges that carry the death penalty.
The disorderly 13-hour arraignment hearing in a top-security courtroom at the Guantanamo Bay US naval base in Cuba was marked by the defiance and outbursts of the defendants. The military tribunal was adjourned until June 12.
The judge, Army Colonel James Pohl, said it would be at least a year before the trial started.
The Islamist militants are accused of conspiring with Osama bin Laden, murder in violation of the laws of war, hijacking, terrorism and other charges stemming from the 2001 attacks that propelled the United States into a deadly, costly and ongoing global war against al Qaeda and its supporters.
Two defendants insisted that the charge sheet be read out and it took prosecutors two-and-a-half hours to read the portion describing the highjackings. But they did not read the appendix listing the names of all 2,976 people killed when the seized jetliners slammed into the twin towers of New York’s World Trade Center, the Pentagon and a Pennsylvania field.
A previous attempt to prosecute the four men in Guantanamo was halted when the Obama administration tried unsuccessfully to move the case into a New York federal court.
Saturday’s hearing was the first time the detainees had been seen in public in about three years. Mohammed, a 47-year-old Pakistani, looked haggard and his full, scraggly beard was tinted red with henna. He wore a white turban and white tunic.
As he and his co-defendants refused to answer Pohl’s questions, the exasperated judge struggled to keep the hearing on track. “SWhy is this so hard?” he asked at one point.
Defense attorney David Nevin said Mohammed refused to respond to the judge’s questions because “She is deeply concerned about the fairness of the proceeding” and had been tortured.
PRAYING IN COURT
Yemeni defendant Ramzi Binalshibh knelt on the courtroom floor and prayed as a row of burly guards kept a close watch.
Later he stood up shouting and seemed to be saying that the late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi was being held at Guantanamo. He said tricks were being played on the defendants inside the prison camp and “maybe they are going to kill us at the camp … And say that we are committing suicide.”
When Yemeni defendant Walid bin Attash refused to enter the courtroom, guards strapped him into a restraining chair and wheeled him in. They later brought him the prosthetic leg that replaced one he lost during a 1997 battle in Afghanistan.
(AGENCIES)
Victim’s brother wishes defendants “worst death possible”
12 killed in China expressway accidents
BEIJING, May 6: Twelve people were killed and 19 others injured in two back-to-back expressway accidents in southwest China today.
Three were killed and another two injured when a truck crashed into the rear end of a car in the early hours today on an expressway between Shantou to Kunming cities in Yunnan province, state news agency Xinhua reported.
In a separate accident, which happened 125 meters away from the previous one on the same expressway, nine were killed in a pile-up accident involving 11 vehicles.
The injured were rushed to local hospital for treatment. (PTI)
South Korean karaoke bar fire kills nine, injures 25
SEOUL, May 6: Nine people were people were killed, including three migrant workers, and 25 others injured when a fire swept through a karaoke bar in South Korea’s southern port city of Busan, police said today.
The fire broke out in one of the 28 rooms of the karaoke lounge on the third floor of a six-storey building late on Saturday. The victims included three Sri Lankan men.
(agencies)
Record number of Indian Americans in race for US Congress
WASHINGTON, May 6: A record number of Indian Americans—at least 12 — are in the fray for the November 2012 polls vying for a place in the House of Representative, reflecting the serious effort of this fastest growing ethnic community in the US to politically empower itself.
Cutting across party lines, these Indian-American candidates are spread all over the country – with two each from California and Michigan.
Congressman Hansen Clare, who is half Indian, is seeking re-election from Michigan, while another candidate Tulsi Gabbard, a Hindu, is receiving massive support from Indian- Americans.
The motivation and inspiration for these Indian-American candidates numbering at least a dozen comes from the phenomenal success of two rising stars of the Republican party, Nikki Haley (Governor of South Carolina) and Bobby Jindal (Governor of Louisiana).
However, majority of the Indian-American candidates are running for the Congress on a Democratic Party ticket.
Indian-Americans have been traditional supporter of the Democratic party, an indication of which comes from a recent survey according to which as many as 85 per cent of the Indian Americans favour re-election of President Barack Obama.
Among the Indian-American candidates seeking election for the US House of Representatives on a Democratic Party ticket are Upendra Chivukula from New Jersey, Raja Krishnamoorthi from Illinois, K P George from Texas, Ami Bera from California, Manan Trivedi from Pennsylvania, Syed Taj from Michigan and Vipin Verma from Florida.
Darshan Rauniyar from Washington, though from Nepal, is considered Indian-American by many.
Hansen Clarke and Tulsi Gabbard are also from the Democratic Party. (PTI)
Ajay, Kuldeep help Kashmir Club sail into semis
4th Ashok Sodhi Memorial T20 Tournament
Excelsior Sports Correspondent
JAMMU, May 5: Brilliant performances from wicket-keeper batsman Ajay Sharma and skipper Kuldeep Kumar helped Kashmir Cricket Club to sail into the semifinals of the ongoing 4th Ashok Sodhi Memorial T20 Cricket Tournament, being organized by Print and Electronic Cameramen Association, Jammu at Parade ground, here.
Earlier, electing to bat first after winning the toss, Kashmir Cricket Club set a challenging total of 131 runs for strong Challenger Cricket Club in the stipulated 20 overs. Though, speedster Rahil Singh and seam bowler Rakesh Koul plotted early collapse of Kashmir Cricket Club in first six overs by taking 4 wickets for just 20 runs, yet a splendid partnership of 53 runs between Ajay Sharma and Satish helped the team to set a challenging total of 131 runs. Ajay Sharma top scored with 38 runs off 46 including 3 fours and one six, while Satish contributed well-made 18 runs with 3 boundaries. Rahul Mussa and Muddasir chipped in quick-fire 17 and 15 runs respectively. For Challenger Club, Rahil Singh and Ashwani took 2 wickets each, while Rakesh Koul and Parveen Singh claimed one wicket each.
In reply, Challenger Club lost wickets at regular intervals and managed to score 92 runs for the loss of 9 wickets in 17.4 overs, thus losing the match by 39 runs as middle-order batsman Puneet Kumar received an injury and got retired hurt. Rakesh Koul was top scorer with 21 runs, while Manjeet Singh contributed 17 runs to the total. Kuldeep Kumar was the wrecker-in-chief for Kashmir Cricket Club, who scalped 4 important wickets by conceding just 11 runs in his 3.4 overs, while swing bowler Muddasir took 3 wickets by giving away 9 runs in 3 overs. Satish also claimed one wicket at a crucial juncture. Ajay Sharma was adjudged man of the match for his brilliant batting.
Meanwhile, in another match Cantt Cricket Club outplayed Bahu XI by 6 wickets to reach the quarterfinals.
Batting first, Bahu XI scored 121 runs in 20 overs with Mosin Ali (24), Tushar Gurung (23) and Nikhil Gurung (17) being the main contributors. Gourav and Pankaj took 2 wickets each for Cantt Club, while Khushvinder, Raj Kumar and Chander Kiran claimed one wicket each.
Cantt Club chased the required target in 13.3 overs by losing 4 wickets and won the match by 6 wickets. Sunil top scored with 40 runs including 8 boundaries, while Vijay Dogra contributed useful 34 runs and Parshotam chipped in 14 runs to the total. For Bahu XI, Tushar, Raju, Nasir and Shammi claimed one wicket each. Sunil was declared man of the match for fabulous batting display.
The matches were officiated by Sadiq Hussain Malik, Sham Singh Langeh, Vijay Kumar, Ajay Sharma and Pankaj Sasan.
President Chamber of Commerce, Y V Sharma was Chief Guest on the occasion, while vice president Sham Lal Langar and Kamal Rohmetra were guests of honour.
Young footballer Rohit signs for Mohd Sporting Club
Excelsior Sports Correspondent
JAMMU, May 5: Sheer-dint of hard work and extraordinary support from State’s football experts including ace footballer Arun Malhotra and football coaches MK Verma and Prem Singh, has helped youngster Rohit Kalsotra to make it to the Mohd Sporting Club, one of the leading Football Clubs of India.
The 11th class student of Dewan Badri Nath School, Talab Tillo, Rohit has signed Mohd Sporting Club last week with two year’s contract of Rs 6 lakh for the first year and Rs 8 lakh for the second one.
17 years old Rohit was picked for the club after participation in the week-long selection trials at Kolkata.
“Last year I was the member of under-16 India Camp held at Goa and I did fairly well during the seven months I spent there. I am hoping for a call for India under-19 Camp this year also”, said jubilant Rohit while lauding the role of Arun Malhotra for guiding, training and promoting him to make it to the higher levels.
In a chat with Excelsior Sports Correspondent, Rohit said that he had begun his soccer career from Young Star Club and then joined Vijay Club and received advanced knowledge of skills in SAI North Academy under the supervision of football coaches MK Verma and Prem Singh. He further said that his contract with the Mohd Sporting Club has fulfilled the dream of his trainer and mentor Arun Sharma, who leaves no stone unturned in making the J&K footballers to represent in leading professionals clubs of India.
KKR win battle of prestige against Pune
KOLKATA, May 5:
Kolkata Knight Riders prevailed in their prestige fight against Pune Warriors, defeating the Sourav Ganguly-led side by seven runs in a thrilling Indian Premier League match here today.
Dubbed as the ‘Battle Royale’ of this edition of IPL, Gautam Gambhir and his boys held their nerves as Pune batting again faltered at the death to slump to their fifth consecutive defeat.
The loss means Pune has put paid to any hopes whatsoever of making it to the play offs, while KKR have consolidated their second position in the standings with 15 points from 11 outings.
Chasing 151 for win, KKR restricted Pune to 143 for eight with Ganguly emerging as the top-scorer with 36 off 35 balls during which he hit four boundaries and a lone six.
Angelo Mathews (35) gave Ganguly good support from the other end as the duo stitched 73 runs for the sixth wicket to keep Pune in the hunt.
Earlier, KKR frittered away a rollicking start as Pune Warriors hit back in the last 10 overs to restrict the hosts to 150 for five at a jam-packed Eden Gardens.
Opting to bat, KKR skipper Gautam Gambhir (55 off 36 balls) played yet another captain’s knock with his third consecutive half-century and together with Brendon McCullum (42 off 43 balls) added 113 runs, their highest opening stand of the season.
The match lived up to its hype as fortunes kept on fluctuating till the last over when the asking rate got too high with 18 runs required off six deliveries.
KKR had the Warriors reeling at 55 for five at one stage before Ganguly and Mathews’ 73-run sixth wicket partnership which came off just 56 balls turned the match in the visitors favour. (PTI)
Brave India lose 1-2 to Olympic champions Germany
LONDON, May 5:
The India men’s hockey team put up a brave fight before going down 1-2 against reigning Olympic champions Germany to slump to their third consecutive defeat in the four-nation test event ahead of the upcoming London Olympics here today.
Erstwhile champions India kept the mighty Germans on their toes throughout the 70 minutes at the River Bank Arena here, but conceded a late goal to return winless from the league stages.
Contrary to the result, it was India who took the lead in the 15th minute through a field goal from striker Shivendra Singh.
Jolted by the goal, the Germans pressed hard and got the equaliser 12 minutes later through Christopher Wesley (27th) to go into the breather locked at 1-1.
In no mood to give an inch to the other team, both India and Germany played cautiously after the changeover but failed to break the deadlock till the 65th minute.
It took a blinder of a goal from Florian Fuchs to pocket the win for his side and secure Germany’s place in tomorrow’s final.
India had earlier lost 0-3 to Australia and 2-4 to hosts Great Britain in their opening two games.
The Indians will now face either Great Britain or Australia in the third-fourth place play-off game tomorrow. (PTI)
Finals of Guru Tegh Bahadur Hockey Tourney on May 8
Excelsior Sports Correspondent
JAMMU, May 5: After a gap of over one month, the finals of the 15th Guru Tegh Bahadur Hockey Tournament organised by Khalsa Hockey Club under the aegis of Hockey J&K will be played on May 8 at KK Hakku Stadium.
The final match will be played between Khalsa club and Gandhi Nagar Club on the said date at 5 pm.
It is to mention here that in the first semifinals played on March 30, Khalsa Club had drubbed Gobind club and made it to finals.
In the second semifinals, Gandhi Nagar Club had outplayed Ranjit Club and reached finals.
HSS Paloura drubs HSS Muthi in boys’ U-17 kabaddi final
Zonal Level Inter-School Tournaments
Excelsior Sports Correspondent
JAMMU, May 5: Government Higher Secondary School Paloura defeated Higher Secondary School Muthi by 12 points in the final and claimed the boys’ under-17 kabaddi title in the ongoing Zonal Level Inter-School Tournament at Government Girls Higher Secondary School Bakshi Nagar, here today.
In volleyball under-17 final, KC International trounced Model Academy Jammu by (2-0), while in volleyball under-14 final, Model Academy Jammu outplayed GHSS Bakshi Nagar by 2-0 sets. In kabaddi under-14 finals, MS Sarwal drubbed MS Kachi Chawani by 21 points. HSS Nowabad beat HSS Janipur by one turn and 16 points in kho-kho under-17 boys final, while in kho-kho under-14 boys, HS Rajpura scripted a narrow win over SOS by one point.
Meanwhile, in wrestling events, Jeevan Singh of SOS clinched gold in 42 kg category, while Bagh Hussain of Hari Singh HSS bagged silver. Anchal Singh of HSS Bakshi Nagar won gold in 50 kg category, while Manzoor Khan of HSS Muthi claimed silver in this category. In 56 kg, Hameed Khan of HSS Ghass Mandi bagged gold and Daler Khan of Hari Singh HSS won silver, while in 62 kg category, Mohd Hafiz of HSS Ghass Mandi and Ankaj Aithman of HSS Bakshi Nagar bagged gold and silver respectively.
The tournament was held under the supervision of Ram Kumar Sharma, zonal physical education officer.
Meanwhile in Dansal zone, HSS Nagrota outclassed Shiksha Niketan Nagrota by 6 points in kabaddi under-17 girls finals, while MS Nagrota defeated Green Field Public School by one point to lift the under-14 girls title. The kho-kho under-17 girls title went to HSS Kandoli Nagrota, while Saraswati Shiksha Niketan Nagrota remained runners-up.
The tournament was held under the supervision of Jeet Singh, zonal physical education officer.
Government Higher Secondary School Gandhi Nagar toppled SD Tarapuri HSS by 11 points to claim under-17 boys kho-kho title of Gandhi Nagar zone. Kabaddi under-17 title went to Higher Secondary School Channi Himmat, while HS Chowadi remained the runners-up team. MS Digyana Camp claimed the under-14 boys kabaddi title, while MS Channi Himmat stood second in this event.
The tournament was held under the supervision of zonal physical education officer, Kiran Jyoti and under the chairmanship of Tirth Ram, DYSSO Jammu.
MS Karloop defeated MS Akalpur by 18 points to win under-14 boys kabaddi title of Marh Zone at Government Higher Secondary School Domana, while under-17 boys kabaddi title went to HSS Gho Manasan, beating HSS Gajansoo by 3 points in a close contest. HSS Jhiri claimed under-17 kho-kho title, while under-14 kho-kho title went to MS Gho Manasan. Volleyball under-17 final was won by HRLD Burj, defeting HSS Marh in straight sets.
In wrestling under-14 category, Abhay Singh clinched gold in 30 kg, Yaqoob Khan in 42 kg, Shwkat Ali in 46 kg and Sahil Kumar in 50 kg, while in under-17 category, Sahil Sharma got gold in 40 kg, Rahul Sharma in 43 kg, Sunil Kumar in 45 kg, Mohd Rafiq in 48 kg, Murad Ali in 52 kg, Ranjeev Singh in 56 kg and Arjun Kumar in 65 kg.
The matches were held in presence of Principal HSS Domana, Govind Ram Sharma and lecturer physical education, Priti Pal Sharma.
At Bhalwal, Army Public Domana lifted under-17 girls volleyball and under-14 kabaddi titles, while HS Domana clinched under-17 girls kabaddi finals and MS Dhoomi claimed under-14 kabaddi title.
The tournament was held under the supervision of Bhim Singh, ZPEO Bhalwal.
In Akhnoor zone, under-14 and under-17 girls kho-kho titles went to MS Daskal and HS Kotli Tanda, while kabaddi unde-14 and under-17 titles were claimed by MS Daskal and HS Mera Mandrian respectively. The tournament was held under the overall supervision of ZPEO, Akhnoor Sher Singh.
In Miran Sahib zone, MS Kotli Fateh will lock horns with HS Simbal Camp in under-14 kabaddi summit clash, while in kho-kho under-14 years title clash, MS Kotli Fateh will take on HS Basti.