P5+1 and Iran talks in Vienna on July 2
22062014
The next round of talks between Iran and the P5+1 countries (comprising the US, China, Russia, France, Britain and Germany) would be held in Vienna on July 2, a top US diplomat has said.
“On July 2nd, we will be back in Vienna to begin the next round of negotiations. I expect that the pace and intensity of our meetings will somehow manage to increase, though I can’t quite imagine after this week how that will be, but they will,” Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs, Wendy Sherman, said on Friday as the latest round of discussions with Iran concluded in Vienna.
“We are at a very crucial moment in these negotiations. Our conversations this week have been very tough but constructive. We reviewed every element that we believe should be included in a comprehensive plan of action and had very intensive sessions focused on the very hard work of drafting text,” she said.
The goal remains to reach a comprehensive agreement that ensures Iran does not acquire a nuclear weapon and that its program is entirely peaceful, she said.
Noting that officials from the member nations would be working round the clock to meet the July 20 deadline to reach an agreement, she said the US and the rest of the P5+1 remained committed to a joint comprehensive plan of action that achieves this objective.
“What is still unclear is whether Iran is really ready and willing to take all of the steps necessary to assure the world that its nuclear program is and will remain exclusively peaceful. As we’ve noted before, Iran’s leaders have insisted from the outset that they don’t want and have never intended to develop a nuclear weapon,” she said.
“If that is indeed the case, then a good agreement is obtainable. Iran would be able to achieve comprehensive sanctions release over time,” She said. Sherman said it was critical that “we give this process every chance to succeed in exchange for taking verifiable steps that will provide assurance that their program is exclusively peaceful”.
According to a senior administration official, if the deal is not reached by July 20, as scheduled, the P5+1 countries would not mind in extending the deadline for a few days.
“What is most crucial and what is undeniable is that the P5+1 and the European Union are 100 per cent unified on the objectives here, and that is to ensure that Iran does not obtain a nuclear weapon and that the world is assured that their program is exclusively peaceful.
“And there is absolute unanimity on that objective. And because that is the paramount interest for every country sitting at the table, we have been able to maintain that unity,” the official said.
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Categories : Energy, Environment, Law, Media, Pact, Politics, Uncategorized, world News
Hollande, Merkel call on Putin
22062014
Hollande, Merkel call on Putin to promote Ukraine talks<
French President Francois Hollande and German Chancellor Angela Merkel called on Russian leader Vladimir Putin on Sunday to back talks between Kiev and rebels in eastern Ukraine
In a three-way telephone conversation, Hollande and Merkel “called on all sides in the conflict to cease hostilities and asked the Russian president to promote the resumption of negotiations,” the French president’s office said in a statement.
The statement said Hollande and Merkel had “taken note” of Putin’s statements after Ukraine’s new Western-backed President Petro Poroshenko announced a unilateral week-long ceasefire on Friday.
“They also reiterated the importance of ensuring full control of the Russian-Ukrainian border in order to avoid infiltrations of equipment and armed men,” the statement said.
Putin today called for Ukraine’s leadership and rebels to start genuine dialogue, saying Kiev should halt military operations and guarantee the rights of Russian speakers in the separatist east.
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Train to Vaishno Devi before Rail Budget
22062014
After missing several deadlines, Railways has finally got the mandatory safety clearance from the Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS) to commission the much-awaited train service to Katra, the base camp of Mata Vaishno Devi shrine, before the Rail Budget 2014-15.
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The 25-km long Udhampur-Katra rail section in Jammu and Kashmir is slated to be inaugurated by this month-end by Prime Minister Narendra Modi along with Railway Minister Sadananda Gowda.
The CRS had conducted the inspection of the Udhampur- Katra line, constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 1,050 crore, for three days from January 27.
There were certain issues raised by the CRS and the mandatory clearance was obtained this month after those were addressed, said a senior Railway Ministry official.
Although a date for opening of the Katra line is yet to be finalised, it will most probably be before the Rail Budget as all preparations for the inaugural run are almost complete, the official added.
The NDA government’s first Rail Budget is expected to be presented on July 9. Ahead of that exercise, railways has hiked passenger fares by 14.2 per cent.
There has been a trial run of the Udhampur- Katra service after it got the CRS clearance.
The 53km-long Jammu-Udhampur rail line is already operational and once the Udhampur-Katra line, which is a part of the Kashmir rail link project, is made operational, the trains will be able to come up to Katra directly.
That would enable pilgrims headed to the Vaishno Devi shrine to travel directly to the base camp at Katra.
Railways is considering extending Jammu Mail and Sampark Kranti trains up to Katra, besides introducing new trains, including Katra-Kalka Express, Delhi Sarai Rohilla-Udhampur Express, and Ahmedabad-Udhampur Express.
According to the official, there are demands from several zones for train services to Katra.
A set of local trains from Jammu to Katra and Pathankot to Katra are also likely to be introduced to cater to the rush of Mata Vaishno Devi pilgrims from Jammu and Pathankot to Katra.
An estimated 10 million devotees visit the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine every year.
The line to Katra has seven tunnels and over 30 small and big bridges.
Katra station has been completed with modern facilities, including tourist guide counter, cloak room, waiting hall, VIP lounge, escalators and lifts and parking space on either side.
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UGC: DU not to conduct admission under FYUP
22062014
UGC asks DU not to conduct admission under FYUP, warns of ‘consequences’
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Toughening its stand, University Grants Commission (UGC) on Sunday asked Delhi University and all its colleges to conduct admissions only under the three-year undergraduate programme and not under the controversial FYUP while warning of “consequences” if its direction is violated.
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The UGC direction for the coming academic session came a day after the Delhi University struck a defiant note, rejecting the Commission’s directive to scrap the controversial four-year undergraduate programme (FYUP).
“Under no circumstances shall the University of Delhi or any of the colleges under it admit students to the FYUP for academic year 2014-15,” the Commission said in a statement.
“And further that any deviation from this directive either by the University of Delhi or any of the colleges under it shall be deemed to be in contravention of the UGC Act, 1956 with its consequences,” it said.
Officials said disobeying the UGC direction could spell trouble for DU as it could stand to lose grants and degrees offered by the varsity could be de-recognised.
The UGC said that it would be ensured that students, who were admitted in 2013-14 in FYUP when it was introduced, are able to migrate to the three-year programme.
In the statement, the UGC said “admission for academic year 2014-15 at the undergraduate level in the general degree programmes (including the Honours programme in different subjects of Humanities, Science and Commerce) in various colleges under the University of Delhi shall only be to the 3-year undergraduate programme which was offered prior to the introduction of the FYUP”.
UGC has also decided to constitute a ten-member committee with representations from teachers, students and statutory bodies to advice DU for the implementation of the directive.
They would ensure that students, who were admitted in 2013-14 are able to migrate to the three-year programme, without any hassle and acquire necessary academic and other competencies during the next two academic years, it said.
The committee would comprise the vice chairman of UGC, president of DUTA and students’ body DUSU among others.
At its full commission meeting on June 13, UGC had asked DU to review the programme as it felt that it was in violation of the national policy on education which follows the 10-plus 2-plus 3 pattern.
DU, however, stood by the programme and in a reply to the commission has maintained that it has followed due procedure.
The varsity on Saturday said it had revised the programme to make it compliant with the National Policy on Education (NPE).
Delhi University Teachers Association (DUTA) along with several student organisations such as AISA, NSUI and ABVP has been demanding immediate roll back of the FYUP and the VC’s resignation.
BJP had during the elections promised to scrap the FYUP if it comes to power.
UGC is a statutory organisation responsible for co-ordination, determination and maintenance of standards of education as well of disbursal of funds for universities in the country.
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Germany in their 2-2 Group G draw with Ghana
22062014
Ghanna praiseworthy knock against German Kept hopes of Ghanna alive.
Germany and Ghana were forced to settle for a share of the points after their back-and-forth thriller in Fortaleza finished 2-2. All the goals came in the second-half of the Group G contest as strikers Miroslav Klose and Asamoah Gyan both equaled FIFA World Cup™ scoring records.
The Africans had the first chance of the game at the Estadio Castelao. Lively winger Christian Atsu raced up the right and crossed low and dangerously through the area, where Asamoah Gyan was only able to slam the ball over the bar with a sliding effort. Not long after, in the 13th minute, Kwadwo Asamoah stretched Manuel Neuer with a swinging shot from the edge of the box.
It soon became clear that Ghana would be a far tougher proposition for the Germans than Portugal were in their first game. The Africans’ speed and agility caused the Europeans problems throughout the first-half. But Thomas Muller, hat-trick hero from their opening game, continued to look dangerous in attack for the Mannschaft. Near the half-hour mark Sulley Muntari tested Neuer again with a pile-driver from well outside the area that had the German No1 scrambling to punch clear.
Mario Gotze had a snap-shot saved ten minutes from the break. Most of the German attacks up to then fizzled out before any serious danger was caused, slid away by a highly elastic Ghanaian central defensive pairing, who stretched and dove to keep the score-sheet clean.
German coach Joachim Low must have figured things out at the half, because it took his side only six second-half minutes to open the scoring. Gotze snuck in between the centre-backs and hit home a Muller cross from the right with his thigh. The early cross was the secret weapon to unlocking the Ghanaians.
Ghana’s response, however, was immediate and similar. An early cross from the right picked out Andre Ayew, who headed home brilliantly to the back post just seconds after seeing his side go behind. Ghana were suddenly in the mood and Gyan made it 2-1 to the Africans, tying the immortal Roger Milla of Cameroon as the top-scoring African in World Cup history. Muntari picked off a slack pass in midfield and laid on a righteous ball for the racing Gyan, who fired inside the back post to send the Ghanaian fans into ecstasy.
But the Germans weren’t done yet and second-half substitute Miroslav Klose slid home a flicked-on corner-kick in the 71st minute to level the score again. It was the striker’s 15th World Cup goal, bringing him level with Ronaldo as the top marksman in World Cup history. There were chances at either end as the clock wound down, but 2-2 it was to stay.
Miroslav Klose equalled Brazilian legend Ronaldo´s record of 15 World Cup goals with the equaliser for Germany in their 2-2 Group G draw with Ghana in Fortaleza on Saturday.
Mario Goetze had given Germany the lead before goals from Andre Ayew and Asamoah Gyan turned the game on its head and threatened to cause a major upset for the Black but Stars. Klose with goal .gave a lead.
Mario Goetze had given Germany the lead before goals from Andre Ayew and Asamoah Gyan turned the game on its head and threatened to cause a major upset for the Black but Stars. Klose with goal .gave a lead.
Boateng brothers failed in their efforts as Germany right-back Jerome missed the second half with a leg injury while Ghana´s Kevin-Prince made way for Jordan Ayew early in the second-half.
.Germans could be knocked from top of the group and must beat Jurgen Klinsmann´s Stars and Stripes in Recife on Thursday to be sure of reaching the knock-out stages.Having at times bossed the first half, and only been denied by two fantastic Manuel Neuer saves from Sulley Muntari and Christian Atsu, Ghana switched off at the start of the second.
Thomas Mueller picked out Goetze running into the box and the Bayern Munich midfielder stopped unconvincingly to head goalwards with the ball going straight down onto his knee before rebounding past Ghana goalkeeper Abdul-Fatawu Dauda, who like his two centre-backs had been ball-watching.
The lead lasted only three minutes before Harrison Afful crossed into the box and Ayew, on his 50th appearance for the Black Stars, climbed above Shkodran Mustafi and the static Per Mertesacker, playing his 100th game for Germany, to flick a header beyond Neuer.Nine minutes later things got even better for Ghana as Muntari dispossessed Germany captain Philipp Lahm in midfield and slid the ball through to Black Stars captain Gyan to smash the ball past Neuer.
The Black Stars broke out in some impressive dance moves in celebration wafter Gyan´s goal.
Ghana were running riot and Germany hanging on by their fingernails but an inspired substitution by coach Joachim Loew brought Klose into the fray to stab home from a yard out after Benedikt. Hoewedes flicked on Toni Kroos´s corner.Both sides had late chances to win the game as Jordan Ayew headed over with the German defence again all at sea.At the other end, only a superb Kwadwo Asamoah tackle denied Mueller before Ozil also went close, while Gyan pulled a late shot wide in a frantic finish.
.Germans could be knocked from top of the group and must beat Jurgen Klinsmann´s Stars and Stripes in Recife on Thursday to be sure of reaching the knock-out stages.Having at times bossed the first half, and only been denied by two fantastic Manuel Neuer saves from Sulley Muntari and Christian Atsu, Ghana switched off at the start of the second.
Thomas Mueller picked out Goetze running into the box and the Bayern Munich midfielder stopped unconvincingly to head goalwards with the ball going straight down onto his knee before rebounding past Ghana goalkeeper Abdul-Fatawu Dauda, who like his two centre-backs had been ball-watching.
The lead lasted only three minutes before Harrison Afful crossed into the box and Ayew, on his 50th appearance for the Black Stars, climbed above Shkodran Mustafi and the static Per Mertesacker, playing his 100th game for Germany, to flick a header beyond Neuer.Nine minutes later things got even better for Ghana as Muntari dispossessed Germany captain Philipp Lahm in midfield and slid the ball through to Black Stars captain Gyan to smash the ball past Neuer.
The Black Stars broke out in some impressive dance moves in celebration wafter Gyan´s goal.
Ghana were running riot and Germany hanging on by their fingernails but an inspired substitution by coach Joachim Loew brought Klose into the fray to stab home from a yard out after Benedikt. Hoewedes flicked on Toni Kroos´s corner.Both sides had late chances to win the game as Jordan Ayew headed over with the German defence again all at sea.At the other end, only a superb Kwadwo Asamoah tackle denied Mueller before Ozil also went close, while Gyan pulled a late shot wide in a frantic finish.
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Nigeria beat Bosnia 1-0
22062014
Bosnia-Hercegovina’s maiden appearance at a World Cup finals ended in disappointment as Peter Odemwingie’s goal condemned them to a 1-0 defeat by African champions Nigeria in Cuiaba and ensured they could not qualify for the second round.
Nigeria’s win, their first at a World Cup finals since 1998, leaves them as favourites to join Argentina in the second round.Argentina are on six points after beating Iran 1-0 earlier on Saturday to leave the Iranians on a point while the Nigerians are on four points.
Nigeria play Argentina in their final group game on Thursday the Africans have lost all three times they have previously played the South American side in the group stages, losing 1-0 on the last occasion in 2010.
Nigeria were a completely different team to the one that had barely got out of a Sunday morning stroll in the 0-0 draw with Iran.
Emmanuel Emineke always looked a threat and it was he who created the goal, as he burst down the right and engaged in a race for the ball with veteran Bosnian skipper Emir Spahic, who tried vainly to obstruct the Nigerian.
However, the central defender had completely misjudged the situation as Emineke went the opposite side and outpaced him to collect the ball before unselfishly squaring it to Peter Odemwingie, with the Stoke City striker tucking the ball away.
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