Russia drops move to ban sacred Hindu text

MOSCOW: A Russian court has upheld a decision to permit the publication of a sacred Hindu text whose initial ban sparked protests in India and threatened to strain Moscow's close ties with New Delhi.

A district court in the Siberian city of Tomsk said in a statement it had decided "to leave unchanged" a December lower court ruling stating that the "Bhagavad Gita" did not contain extremist material.

Prosecutors had been trying to ban the text's translation for months because it contained a prologue by Swami Prabhupada -- founder of the Hare Krishna movement that has had repeated run-ins with the law in post-Soviet Russia.

"This is a completely just, reasonable and -- most importantly -- legitimate decision," the movement's court representative Alexander Shakhov was quoted as saying by the Vesti news channel.

Prosecutors had asked for the ban in June after running a check on Hare Krishna's activities in the Siberian region. The Russian general prosecutor's office had also conduction national checks on the movement in 2004 and 2005.

The case threatened to create an unexpected roadblock in the traditionally close relations between Moscow and New Delhi.

Indian Foreign Minister SM Krishna described the prosecutors' attempted ban as the work of "ignorant and misdirected or motivated individuals" that attacked a text defining the "very soul of our great civilisation".

Russia's foreign ministry had initially defended the ban by noting that it only referred to the disputed preface rather than the ancient text itself.

National prosecutors then mounted a furious campaign to outlaw the text in Russia amid fears that the Hare Krishna might threaten the Russian Orthodox Church's dominant sway in certain regions of the country.

The Russian prosecutor general's office released an assessment at the end of February concluding that the translation "had a very, very distant relation to the ancient text".

But a group of prominent Russian scientists and the official human rights ombudsman this week called on President Dmitry Medvedev to ensure the protection of religious freedoms and make a special note of the case.

A controversial 1997 law requires religious groups that have not been active in Russia for at least 15 years to register with the authorities and strictly limits foreign missionary work.

Obama implores North Korea to 'pursue peace,' urges against nuclear weapons for Iran

President Barack Obama is warning North Korea and Iran that their options are few and their friends fewer as those nations refuse to back down from actions the world sees as menacing.

"By now it should be clear," Obama said, addressing North Korea from the South Korean capital only about 30 miles away. "Your provocations and pursuit of nuclear weapons have not achieved the security you seek, they have undermined it. Instead of the dignity you desire, you are more isolated."

Obama also met separately with leaders of the two nations -- Russia and China -- that have thwarted US diplomatic efforts on Syria, and to a lesser extent Iran. But the looming threat posed by nearby nuclear-equipped North Korea was the main event.

Seoul warned Monday that it might shoot down parts of a North Korean rocket if they violate South Korean territory, as worries about what Washington calls a long-range missile test overshadowed an international nuclear security summit. The summit of more than 50 nations opens with a dinner Monday.

In a direct challenge to North Korean leaders, Obama implored them "to have the courage to pursue peace."

Obama said the world has made progress in reducing the threat of nuclear material but cautioned "we're under no illusions."

He declared flatly that the United States has more nuclear weapons than it needs and can cut its arsenal without weakening its security or that of its allies. He pledged to keep trying to rid the world of nuclear weapons despite disagreements with Russia over the next phase of a largely successful disarmament program he sees as a hallmark of his presidency.

He also faces long if not impossible odds of winning Republican assent to new reductions in the US arsenal.

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev noted as much, telling Obama at what will be their last meeting that progress on hard political issues is difficult "in an election year."

As Obama spoke of peace, tensions were rising in the Korean peninsula. Seoul warned it might shoot down parts of a North Korean rocket carrying a satellite if it violates South Korean territory. The United States maintains the launch amounts to a test of North Korea's long-range rocketry.

In unusually personal terms, Obama said he spoke of his wish for further nuclear reductions as the president of the only nation ever to use nuclear weapons, as a commander whose country's nuclear codes are never far from his side, and as a protective father eager to erase the threat of nuclear annihilation.

Obama was meeting on the sidelines of the summit with Chinese President Hu Jintao, holding talks expected to focus on U.S. frustrations with China's slow progress in pushing North Korea to comply with international obligations.

In brief remarks ahead of that meeting, Obama says he is looking forward to a constructive meeting. Obama says he and Hu will also discuss Iran and Sudan.

Obama and Medvedev concluded their meeting with a frank acknowledgement of continued tensions between their countries on key issues, including Syria and missile defense.

Obama met later Monday with the leader of Kazakhstan, crediting President Nursultan Nazarbayev for his work in securing nuclear materials.

In remarks at Hankuk University, Obama aimed his most stern remarks to North Korea's leaders, saying the internationally isolated country needs to change its ways because continuing down the same path will lead to "more broken dreams" and "more isolation." His blunt remarks came a day after he visited the Demilitarized Zone between North and South Korea and described the experience as akin to witnessing a "time warp" of despair.

"Even as we have more work to do, we can already say with confidence that we have more nuclear weapons than we need," he said. "I firmly believe that we can ensure the security of the United States and our allies, maintain a strong deterrent against any threat, and still pursue further reductions in our nuclear arsenal."

Obama also reiterated his warning to Iran, which the U.S. and its allies contend is defying its international obligations by pursuing an illicit nuclear program.

"Iran's leaders must understand that there is no escaping the choice before it. Iran must act with the seriousness and sense of urgency that this moment demands," Obama said. "Iran must meet its obligations."

Facing down Iran and North Korea, Obama said a "new international norm" was emerging to deal with the two nations' intransigence. "Treaties are binding. Rules will be enforced. And violations will have consequences," Obama said. "Because we refuse to consign ourselves to a future where more and more regimes possess the world's most deadly weapons."

Obama said the U.S. was also moving forward with Russia to eliminate enough plutonium for about 17,000 nuclear weapons and turn it into electricity. And he heralded an earlier agreement with Russia to reduce nuclear arsenals under the New START Treaty, which Obama called "the most comprehensive arms control agreement in nearly two decades."

"When we're done, we'll have cut American and Russian deployed nuclear warheads to their lowest levels since the 1950s," he said.

Obama also prodded Russia in a new way, saying he would seek discussions with Moscow on an unprecedented front: reducing not only strategic nuclear warheads, but also tactical weapons and warheads in reserve. He said he planned to discuss that proposition with former leader Vladimir Putin, who will return to the presidency later this spring after winning an election held earlier this year, when they meet in May.

After his meeting with Medvedev, Obama said the U.S. and Russia have "more work to do" to bridge their differences, including their approach to violence in Syria. The U.S. has sharply criticized Russia for opposing U.N. Security Council action calling on Syria's president to leave power.

Despite their differences, Medvedev says the relationship between the U.S. and Russia has reached its "best level".

Tibetan in Delhi Sets Self Alight to Protest Chinese Leader’s Visit

A protest march in the capital took a fiery turn when a Tibetan exile self-immolated Monday afternoon.

“From head to toe, he was full of fire,” said Dorjee Tseten, the national director of Students for a Free Tibet, who  witnessed the act.

The exile, Jampa Yeshi, who is believed to be 26 years old, set himself on fire at Jantar Mantar, the site of frequent protests, at 12:25 p.m., shortly after a Tibetan rally made its way back from Ramlila Maidan, another popular ground for political demonstrations in New Delhi. The protesters were agitating against the India visit of Hu Jintao, the Chinese president, for the BRICS Summit, an economic meeting of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, later this week.

Leaders of Tibetan groups said Mr. Yeshi had not told anyone he planned to set himself on fire. “It’s not planned by any organization,” said Tenzin Norsang, joint secretary of the Tibetan Youth Congress, who was leading the protest. But, he said, “we appreciate his courage.”

Mr. Yeshi was rushed to Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital minutes after setting himself ablaze. Witnesses said that he was severely burned and that his scorched flesh was peeling off. Mr. Yeshi set himself afire behind one of the gates at Jantar Mantar and then streaked past the podium in a ball of fire and crumpled under a tree on the road in front of the protesters, they said. The police and Tibetan activists then rushed forward with clothes and water to douse the flames.

“He was shouting. I was in shock. There were women crying,” said Mr. Tseten. “It was very emotional. I don’t know what it would lead to in the coming days.”

Activists said that Mr. Yeshi, who left Tibet a couple of years ago, self-immolated while Inder Singh Namdhari, a minister in the lower house of Parliament, was speaking at the podium about the high number of self-immolations in Tibet.

Over the past year, about 30 Tibetans in Tibet have set themselves ablaze to protest Chinese rule in Tibetan areas. Of those, many of them monks and nuns, 22 have died.

In India, Mr. Yeshi, whose first name has also been spelled as Jamphel and Jamyang, is the third protester to self-immolate. In 1998, Thupten Ngodup self-immolated at the same spot, Jantar Mantar, and died later. Another protester suffered minor burns after setting himself alight outside the Chinese Embassy a few months ago.

“This is a call for the international community that Tibetans need their support,” said Mr. Tseten.

India is home to an estimated 120,000 Tibetans, including their spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama. On Monday, hundreds of Tibetan supporters thronged Jantar Mantar. After Mr. Yeshi set himself on fire, they proceeded to march toward the Chinese Embassy to protest Mr. Jintao’s impending visit and draw attention to the self-immolation crisis.

Protesters said they were not against the BRICS Summit, just Mr. Jintao’s attendance.

“What we want? We want freedom,”  the protesters chanted as they wound their way through the streets, waving Tibetan flags.

“Who’s the killer? Hu Jintao.”

Some protesters also held placards over their faces – with the words “Hu Jintao is unwelcome” and a picture of a bloody hand smacked on the Chinese president’s face – to stave off the afternoon heat.

The police, however, stopped the protesters before they reached the Chinese Embassy, saying they could not continue because of their proximity to the Indian Parliament, which was still in session. Demonstrators settled down on the pavement at the mouth of Sansad Marg as Mr. Norsang, the protest leader, negotiated with the police.

“We will go peacefully, sir,” said one protester to the police officers.

The police officers were losing patience.

“Go to Jantar Mantar or be prepared to face the hostility of the Indian police,” an officer told Mr. Norsang.

The protesters remained seated, with the police, in helmets and shields, lined up next to them.

Mr. Norsang said that the protesters were willing to be arrested if they were not allowed to go the Chinese Embassy but maintained that he was trying to hold a peaceful rally. He said the agitators would wait at the spot until they received permission but that they would definitely protest outside the embassy.

“Hu Jintao’s policy is responsible for self-immolations,” said Mr. Norsang. He’s “unwelcome here.”

The iron gate: SLC begins today, strict measures in place

KATHMANDU- This year’s School Leaving Certificate (SLC) examination is kicking off across the country on Thursday.

According to the Office of the Controller of Examination, 496,243 students are appearing in the examination for which 1,672 centres have been set up across the country. Of the total, 436,411 are regular examinees while 59,832 are exempted. Similarly, 8,140 students—7,794 regular and 346 exempted—are taking part in the exams from 89 open schools. This year, the highest number of students—32,860—appearing for the exam are from Kathmandu, while the least number of students —122—are from Manang.

A total of 47,242 personnel, including 1,672 superintendents, 2,395 assistant superintendents, 19,843 invigilators and 6,612 peons, have been deployed for the nine-day examination, Examination Controller Surya Gautam said.

The SLC Examination Board has decided to adopt tough measures in a bid to conduct fair exams. A board meeting chaired by Education Minister Gangalal Tuladhar last week decided to lodge public offence cases against parents who encourage their wards to adopt unfair means in the exams, while teachers, officials and security personnel involved in such practices will be booked. Speaking at an interaction, Tuladhar said anyone found breaching the norms of the exams will be liable to action. As per the Education Act, one adopting unfair means and breaching the exam code can be jailed for six months or fined up to Rs. 100,000 or both.

Nepal Electricity Authority has decided to reduce weekly load-shedding from 98 hours to 84 hours from Thursday in view of the School Leaving Certificate (SLC) exams that begin on Thursday. According to Chiranjivi Sharma, director at the Department of Systems Operation and Maintenance under the NEA, the power utility decided to reduce the power cut from the existing14 hours to 12 hours a day on an average for the SLC students for the next 10 days.

Deepening ties: China gives Rs 1.42bn military aid

KATHMANDU- In a symbolic gesture aimed at strengthening cooperation with the Nepal Army, China on Wednesday signed a bilateral agreement with the Nepal Army pledging assistance worth Rs. 1.42 billion (130 million RMB).

A memorandum of understanding to this effect was signed between the Chief of Army Staff (CoAS) Chhatra Man Singh Gurung and the visiting Chinese Army Chief Gen. Chen Bingde.

Chief of Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA),
General Chen Bingde (Left) meets his Nepali
counterpart General Chhatraman Singh Gurung
at the Nepal Army headquarters
on Wednesday, 23 March 2011.

China will provide medical equipment for the Birendra Sainik Hospital and logistics required for rescue operations worth 1.09 billion (100 million RMB) for the Nepal Army. The visit of the 15-member Chinese Army delegation at the invitation of the Nepali Army chief marks the highest-level of military exchange from China in recent years. China has said Gen. Chen’s visit will focus on deepening the military relationship between the two countries and ensure peace at the Tibet frontier.

The agreement, signed on the first day of the three-day official visit of the Chinese Army chief, also commits engineering equipment including heavy construction vehicles worth Rs. 327.6 million (30 million RMB) from China. Upon his arrival, the Chinese Army chief stressed the need of enhancing government and military-level relationship between the two countries.

“The Chinese government and the PLA (Chinese army) attach great importance to developing friendly relations of cooperation between our two countries and armed forces. To carry out mutually beneficial cooperation between China and Nepal not only serves the interests of both countries but also benefits the maintenance of peace, stability and development in the region,” said the visiting General at the Tribhuwan International Airport.

 “We are paying this visit for the purpose of further enhancing mutual understanding, promoting friendship, strengthening cooperation and propelling the China-Nepal Comprehensive Partnership of Cooperation featuring everlasting friendship to move ahead constantly,” he added.

This is the highest-level of military attention shown by China to Nepal in more than 11 years, according to a two-star General who attended the briefing with the visiting Army chief organised by the Army Headquarters.

“Given the security sensitiveness of Tibet and Nepal’s continued respect to the one-China policy, the Chinese side seems keen on increasing its assistance to Nepal Army and other security forces,” he said. “They have expressed desire to see a stable Nepal with social progress and economic prosperity.”

Before the meeting with his Nepali counterpart at the Army Headquarters, the Chinese Army Chief attended a wreath-laying ceremony at the Army Pavilion. The visiting delegation was briefed on the current role of the Nepal Army after his meeting with Gen. Gurung, where the Nepali Army chief reaffirmed commitment of the Nepal government towards the one-China policy.

The military delegation is scheduled to meet President Dr. Ram Baran Yadav, Prime Minister Jhala Nath Khanal and Defence Minister Bishnu Poudel on Thursday. “I am looking forward to exchanging in-depth views with leaders of the Nepalese government and its military and other issues of common interest. I am confident that with the thoughtful arrangement of our host, this visit will achieve its purpose and make a complete success,” the Chinese Army chief said in his arrival address.   

Wiki leaks: India read EU interventionist mode in Nepal, say US cables

NEW DELHI - Indian mandarins took a dim view of European Union’s approach in South Asia. They felt EU’s policies in India’s “backyard” were “obvious, shabby, shortsighted and full of contradictions,” naive, overly proactive, and possessing a “tendency to go overboard” when it comes to delicate issues.

A US embassy cable dated Nov. 5, 2004 detailing conversation between the US embassy Deputy Chief of Mission Robert O. Blake, Jr. and Indian Ministry for External Affairs (MEA) officials, reports a huge gulf between EU and India on South Asia. “The EU has supported or pursued policies which will not help South Asia in the long run. The EU instinct is to internationalise issues, such as Nepal and Kashmir, that India believes are better located in the bilateral realm,” the cable quoted Europe Director of Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Dammu Ravi as saying. The cable leaked by WikiLeaks shows that India did not like EU maneuverings to “internationalise the issues such as Nepal and Kashmir” terming the efforts as “interventionist, UN-tinged approach.”

“The EU has not yet realised that when it comes to South Asia, India understands the issues best,” he (Ravi) opined. 

According to the cable, “Ravi echoed Joint Secretary of Nepal and Bhutan desk—Ranjit Rae’s recent assessment that the EU has illustrated “its naivete on Nepal by pursuing an interventionist, UN-tinged approach.”

“Whether regarding Burma, Nepal, Bhutan, or Kashmir, MEA officials have expressed annoyance with the EU approach to South Asia, describing the EU as too obvious, shabby, shortsighted and full of contradictions as well as naive, overly proactive, and possessing a tendency to go overboard….” read the cable.  India also observed the division inside EU regarding the political developments in Nepal, according to the cable sent three months before the takeover of erstwhile King Gyanendra Shah in 2005.

“Ravi also underlined the lack of unity within the EU on Nepal, observing that some member states believe the best approach is to support the Monarchy, while others argue for military intervention. Europe should carefully choose its words because what they say could have extreme consequences,” stated the cable classified by DCM Blake.

It also showed India was furious over the take of EU regarding Bhutanese refugees in Nepal. “He (Ravi) also emphasised the Indian perception that the EU is unbalanced when dealing with Bhutanese refugees in Nepal. Encouraging the sides to talk is one thing, but the EU has a reputation for being partisan in favour of the refugees, he stated."

Muammar Gaddafi's presidential bolt-hole

A monument has been erected outside the building
bombed by the US in 1986

Bab al-Aziziya - Splendid Gate - the nerve-centre of Col Muammar Gaddafi's regime has long been a symbol of the Libyan leader's defiance.

At the heart of the sprawling presidential compound in downtown Tripoli is the shell of his former residence, partially destroyed by American laser-guided "smart" bombs in 1986.

Col Gaddafi claimed that his adopted baby daughter Hanna had been killed in the attack, ordered by former US President Ronald Reagan. The Libyans had been accused of the bombing of a West Berlin discotheque in which two American GIs were killed.

The iconic building has become a symbol of
Libyan national defiance

The building has not been rebuilt and has been renamed House of Resistance. In front of it stands a giant, gold, clenched fist crushing an American plane.

In the past few months, the iconic building has formed the backdrop for Col Gaddafi's televised addresses, as it did in 2001 when the Libyan leader spoke out angrily against the Lockerbie verdict.

And it is here that this week ordinary Libyans rallied in support of Col Gaddafi, scaling the monument and straddling the plane in front of the cameras of the invited media.

About a quarter of a mile away, nestling among the trees, stands Col Gaddafi's Bedouin-style tent, one of his homes for the past four decades. It was here, in 2004, that the then German Chancellor Gerhard Shroeder was entertained as he became the first German head of state to visit Libya.

Col Gaddafi doesn't stay long in one location and his current whereabouts is a mystery.

Last weekend, a three-story administration building about 50m (160ft) away from the tent was almost demolished in an air strike. Coalition officials insist their target was a command and control facility Col Gaddafi used to communicate with his troops.

It is reported that key military leaders and personnel are based in the compound. 

At the south-eastern side of the compound is a football pitch, probably used by the families that inhabit the rows of houses just inside the compound.  

"The streets with the low houses reminded me a bit of a refugee camp in Gaza," said one member of the team.

The houses are thought to be military accomodation. The team saw a small child peering out of one of them.

Beyond these houses is a lower wall and then an entrance into the compound's "inner sanctum". All visitors are security checked and have to pass through metal detectors.

A lot of soldiers inside the compound and some old, light anti-aircraft guns attached to the back of trucks.

Civilians spared' by Libya raids

Western aircraft have flown hundreds of sorties over Libya

The US chief of staff for the mission in Libya has insisted there have been no reports of civilian casualties caused by allied action.

Rear Admiral Gerard Hueber's comments come despite claims to the contrary by Muammar Gaddafi's government.

Earlier, British Air Vice Marshal Greg Bagwell said Col Gaddafi's air force "no longer exists as a fighting force".

Latest reports from Libya speak of an explosion at a military base in the Tajura region east of Tripoli.

There were also reports that government tanks had shelled the hospital in the rebel-held western city of Misrata.

Witnesses had earlier said the tanks encircling the city had pulled back from their positions under air assault from international forces.

And there is also said to have been fierce fighting between rebels and pro-Gaddafi forces in the strategic eastern town of Ajdabiya. Residents fleeing the town described shelling, gunfire and houses on fire.

 

Operational control

Rear Admiral Hueber was speaking to reporters by phone from the command ship USS Mount Whitney in the Mediterranean.

"We are putting pressure on Gaddafi's ground forces that are threatening cities," he said. Asked if that meant air strikes, he replied: "Yes."

He continued: "Our mission here is to protect the civilian populace and we choose our targets and plan our actions with that as a top priority."

He added that allied aircraft had flown 175 sorties in the last 24 hours - 113 of them by US aircraft.

His comments came as Nato members debated who should lead the intervention, with the US keen to hand over operational control to Nato.

AVM Bagwell said the allies could now operate "with near impunity" over the skies of Libya.

Speaking during a visit to RAF aircrew based at Gioia del Colle in southern Italy, he said they were now applying unrelenting pressure on the Libyan armed forces.

"We are watching over the innocent people of Libya and ensuring that we protect them from attack," he said. "We have the Libyan ground forces under constant observation and we attack them whenever they threaten civilians or attack population centres."

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has again urged Col Gaddafi to step down and leave Libya.

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has urged all sides in Libya to cease hostilities. "All those who violate international humanitarian and human rights law will be held fully accountable," his spokesman Martin Nesirky said.

Air Vice Marshall Greg Bagwell: "Their air force
no longer exists as a fighting force"

 

Naval blockade

Meanwhile, ships from Nato nations have started patrolling off the Libyan coast to enforce a UN arms embargo against Col Gaddafi's regime.

A spokesman for the Western military alliance, Canadian Brig Gen Pierre St Amand, said six vessels were taking part in the first day of patrols.

They aim to intercept and board ships suspected of ferrying arms to the Libyan government.

"If, after inspection, doubts remain as to the legitimacy of the cargo, the vessel will be diverted to a designated port for further inspection," said Gen St Amand.

Nato members have been holding talks about assuming responsibility for the no-fly zone over Libya, so far without agreement.

Turkey is an integral part of the naval blockade but has expressed concern about the alliance taking over command of the no-fly zone from the US.

US Defence Secretary Robert Gates is in the Egyptian capital Cairo for talks on both Libya and Egypt's hoped-for transition to democracy following the fall of Hosni Mubarak.

Dissidents' release draws line under Cuba crackdown

Members of the Ladies in White movement have
clashed with pro-government supporters

The Cuban government has freed the last two political prisoners detained during a major crackdown on opposition activists in 2003.

Felix Navarro, 57, was a teacher and political activist; 40-year-old Jose Ferrer a fisherman and member of one of the opposition movements. They were serving 25-year jail terms and considered prisoners of conscience by Amnesty International.

Both returned home early Wednesday morning.

"My dad is in great spirits, very upbeat, very happy, and prepared to pick up where he left off in 2003," his daughter Sayli Navarro said.

Their release means that all of the 75 leading intellectuals, opposition figures and activists detained during what became known as Cuba's "Black Spring" are now out of jail.

At the time there was widespread international condemnation at the mass arrests and long prison terms, with the European Union suspending all its co-operation programmes.

Some of the prisoners were later released on health grounds.

But the real breakthrough came in July last year, with an unprecedented, ground-breaking deal brokered by the Roman Catholic Church in which Cuba's President Raul Castro agreed to free the remaining 52.

Within months, the majority had left with their extended families for Spain. But the process stalled when a dozen of the men refused to go into exile, demanding to be allowed to return to their homes in Cuba.

Supporters of President Castro have held protests
outside the homes of dissidents

Now, at last, all 12 men are back with their families.

Some like Felix Navarro have indicated they intend to maintain their roles as critics of the government.

Angel Moya is another dissident who opted to remain in Cuba.

His wife, Berta Soler, is one of the leaders of the Ladies in White movement. These are wives and mothers of the 75 who campaigned for their release, marching peacefully every Sunday since their arrest hoping to keep the issue in the public eye.

"I am very content and nervous at the same time," Berta Soler said after her husband's release, adding that the protests would continue despite the fact that all their loved ones are now out of jail.

"It is very important that we fight, not only for the freedom of the 75, but also for other prisoners."

Just how many other political prisoners there are is hard to gauge.

The Cuban government has gone beyond its original pledge and allowed at least 60 other prisoners to go to Spain. Eleven more are due to leave shortly, including the last man listed as a Prisoner of Conscience by Amnesty International.

The majority, though, were jailed for what human rights groups describe as violent but politically motivated crimes such as attempting to hijack boats to flee to the US.

Elizardo Sanchez, head of the illegal but tolerated Cuban Human Rights Commission, estimates that there are about 50 such prisoners still behind bars. His list, though, includes those jailed for murder, bombings, and other serious crimes who are not generally recognised as political prisoners.

So why this change of heart by the government?

The political prisoner issue had become an unwelcome distraction for President Raul Castro as he prepared to push through some tough economic reforms, including cutting jobs and reducing subsidies.

The death in jail last year of the dissident hunger striker Orlando Zapata Tomayo refocused world attention on human rights in Cuba. The issue remained in the headlines after another dissident, Guillermo Farinas, began his own prolonged hunger strike.

It also emboldened the small and often divided opposition groups.

By turning to the Roman Catholic Church, President Castro was able to broker a "Cuban" solution without appearing to bow to outside pressure. The head of the Church here is Cuban-born Cardinal Jaime Ortega.

It is also an indication of the growing influence of the Church, which today is the only significant non-state grass roots organisation on this communist run island.

The US has welcomed the releases while criticising Havana's attempt to ship most of its high-profile critics into exile abroad.

The EU is due to consider in the coming months whether to fully normalise relations with Cuba.

Opposition in Cuba

Cuba remains a one party state and despite the releases, the authorities continue to harass opposition groups even though they appear to have little impact amongst ordinary Cubans.

Earlier this month saw the 8th anniversary of the 2003 crackdown. The remaining Ladies in White and some of the released prisoners met at the house of one of the organisers intending to hold a short march.

Instead the house was besieged by several hundred pro-government supporters chanting abuse and forcing them to stay indoors.

The Cuban government denies that it holds political prisoners and considers dissidents as mercenaries.

It likes to quote one of the confidential US diplomatic cables released by Wilikeaks allegedly written by the most senior US diplomat on the island, Jonathan Farrar. In it he complains of the dissident movement's preoccupation with money and obtaining resources from the US.

Perhaps more damning is Mr Farrar's assessment of the effectiveness of the opposition in Cuba, calling its leadership old, largely unknown and badly divided.

"We see very little evidence that the mainline dissident organisations have much resonance among ordinary Cubans," he wrote in his cable to Washington.

If there is one group which is starting to concern the communist authorities it is the small band of Cuban bloggers who tend to be young and with no prior political affiliation.

Blogs like Yoani Sanchez's Generation Y have won international acclaim and countless awards, yet she has never been allowed to travel abroad to collect them.

A recently leaked video of an interior ministry meeting shows officials being briefed on how the US is now allegedly encouraging dissent through social media such as Facebook and Twitter with the goal of toppling the government.

Cuba may have one of the lowest levels of internet access and mobile phone ownership in the Americas, but social media, it appears, is slowly starting to have an impact.

'Serious' cyber attack on EU bodies before summit

The EU has reported a "serious" cyber attack on the Commission and External Action Service on the eve of a summit in Brussels, a spokesman told.

Crucial decisions on the future structure of the EU, economic strategy and the ongoing war in Libya are to be discussed at the two-day talks.

Details were not given but other sources compared the attack to a recent assault on France's finance ministry.

"We're often hit by cyber attacks but this is a big one," one source said.

The European Commission has been assessing the scale of the current threat and, in order to prevent the "disclosure of unauthorised information", has shut down external access to e-mail and the institutions' intranet.

Staff have been asked to change their passwords.

'Serious cyber attack'

"The Commission and External Advisory Service are subject to a serious cyber attack," Antony Gravili, spokesman for the security and information technology commissioner.

"We are already taking urgent measures to tackle this. An inquiry's been launched. This isn't unusual as the commission is frequently targeted."

Mr Gravili added that he had no information the attack had been linked to the EU summit.

France's finance ministry came under a cyber attack in December that targeted files on the G20 summit held in Paris last month.

Confirming the attack, Budget Minister Francois Baroin said an investigation had been launched.

Paris Match magazine said a sustained cyber attack had sought documents related to the G20 and international economic affairs.

More than 150 of the French ministry's 170,000 computers were affected.

World Bank sees Japan slowdown as temporary

BEIJING — Japan's devastating earthquake and tsunami will depress growth briefly before reconstruction kicks off and gives the beleaguered economy a boost, the World Bank said in a report on Monday.

It was too early to make accurate estimates, the report noted, but added that Japan's experience of recovering from the 1995 Kobe earthquake bodes well for its ability to cope with the triple disaster of this month's earthquake, tsunami and nuclear crisis.

"If history is any guide, real GDP growth will be negatively affected through mid-2011. Growth should pick up in subsequent quarters as reconstruction efforts, which could last five years, accelerate," the World Bank said in a supplement to its semi-annual East Asia and Pacific Economic Update.

"A temporary growth slowdown in Japan will have a modest short-term impact on the region," the Washington-based lender added.

The World Bank did not offer its own forecast about the likely cost of Japan's disaster. Citing private estimates, it said the toll could range from $122 billion to $235 billion, or 2.5 to 4 percent of gross domestic product. The 1995 Kobe earthquake caused $100 billion in damage, or about 2 percent of GDP.

Private insurers are likely to bear a small portion of the cost, leaving most to be covered by households and the government, the World Bank said.

Looking at the impact on developing nations in East Asia, the World Bank outlined the potential transmission through trade and finance channels.

It noted that Japan accounted for about 9 percent of the region's total external trade. That means a 0.25-0.5 percentage point slowdown in Japanese real GDP growth would lead to a 0.75-1.5 percent drop in exports from developing East Asia, it said.

An additional trade complication could come from disruptions to East Asia's production chains. Energy costs might also rise as countries review their nuclear power plants, although that could benefit energy producers such as Indonesia, Malaysia and Vietnam, it said.

As for finance, one-fourth of developing East Asia's long-term debt is denominated in yen, so a one percent appreciation of the Japanese currency translates into a $250 million increase in annual debt servicing for the region, the World Bank said.

The disaster drove the yen up last week, on expectations that Japanese retail and corporate investors would start bringing money home for reconstruction efforts, prompting the Group of Seven rich nations to rein the currency in with its first coordinated currency market intervention since 2000.

Japan warns radioactive levels high around plant after blast

JAPAN- Japan's prime minister warned on Tuesday that radioactive levels had become high around an earthquake-stricken nuclear power plant after explosions at two reactors, adding that the risk of more radioactive leakage was rising.

Naoto Kan urged people within 30 km (18 miles) of the facility north of Tokyo to remain indoors.

The French embassy in the capital warned in an advisory that a low level of radioactive wind could reach Tokyo -- 240 km (150 miles) south of the plant -- in about 10 hours.

The reactor operator asked the U.S. military for help, while Kyodo news agency said radiation levels nine times normal levels had been briefly detected in Kanagawa near Tokyo.

"We are making every effort to prevent the leak from spreading. I know that people are very worried but I would like to ask you to act calmly," Kan said in an address to the nation.

As concern about the crippling economic impact of the double disaster mounted, Japanese stocks plunged 7.0 percent to their lowest level in nearly two years, compounding a drop of 7.6 percent the day before. The two-day fall has wiped around $500 billion off the market.

There have been a total of four explosions at the plant since it was damaged in last Friday's massive earthquake and tsunami.

Authorities had previously been trying to prevent meltdowns in three of the Fukishima Daiichi complex's nuclear reactors by flooding the chambers with sea water to cool them down.

The full extent of the destruction wreaked by last Friday's massive quake and tsunami that followed it was still becoming clear, as rescuers combed through the region north of Tokyo where officials say at least 10,000 people were killed.

"It's a scene from hell, absolutely nightmarish," said Patrick Fuller of the International Red Cross Federation from the northeastern coastal town of Otsuchi.

Kan has said Japan is facing its worst crisis since World War Two and, with the financial costs estimated at up to $180 billion, analysts said it could tip the world's third-biggest economy back into recession.

The U.S. Geological Survey upgraded the quake to magnitude 9.0, from 8.9, making it the world's fourth most powerful since 1900.

Car makers, shipbuilders and technology companies worldwide scrambled for supplies after the disaster shut factories in Japan and disrupted the global manufacturing chain.

BLAST DAMAGES ROOF, WORKERS TOLD TO LEAVE

The fear at the Fukushima plant is of a major radiation leak after the quake and tsunami knocked out cooling systems.

Jiji news agency said the first explosion on Tuesday damaged the roof and steam was rising from the complex. It also reported some workers had been told to leave the plant, a development one expert had warned beforehand could signal a worsening stage for the crisis.

The worst nuclear accident since the Chernobyl disaster in Ukraine in 1986 has drawn criticism that authorities were ill-prepared and revived debate in many countries about the safety of atomic power.

Switzerland put on hold some approvals for nuclear power plants and Germany said it was scrapping a plan to extend the life of its nuclear power stations. The White House said U.S. President Barack Obama remained committed to nuclear energy.

Whilst the Fukuskima plant's No.1 and No.3 reactors both suffered partial fuel rod meltdowns, operator Tokyo Electric Power Co (TEPCO) had earlier said the No.2 reactor was now the biggest concern.

A sudden drop in cooling water levels when a pump ran out of fuel had fully exposed the fuel rods for a time, an official said. This could lead to the rods melting down and a possible radioactive leak.

TEPCO had resumed pumping sea water into the reactor early on Tuesday.

U.S. warships and planes helping with relief efforts moved away from the coast temporarily because of low-level radiation. The U.S. Seventh Fleet described the move as precautionary.

South Korea, Hong Kong, Singapore and the Philippines said they would test Japanese food imports for radiation.

France's ASN nuclear safety authority said the accident could be classified as a level 5 or 6 on the international scale of 1 to 7, putting it on a par with the 1979 U.S. Three Mile Island meltdown, higher than the Japanese authorities' rating.

Japan's nuclear safety agency has rated the incidents in the No.1 and No.3 reactors as a 4, but has not yet rated the No. 2 reactor.

TOWNS FLATTENED

About 850,000 households in the north were still without electricity in near-freezing weather, Tohuku Electric Power Co. said, and the government said at least 1.5 million households lack running water. Tens of thousands of people were missing.

"The situation here is just beyond belief, almost everything has been flattened," said the Red Cross's Fuller in Otsuchi, a town all-but obliterated. "The government is saying that 9,500 people, more than half of the population, could have died and I do fear the worst."

Kyodo news agency reported that 2,000 bodies had been found on Monday in two coastal towns alone.

Whole villages and towns have been wiped off the map by Friday's wall of water, triggering an international humanitarian effort of epic proportions.

"When the tsunami struck, I was trying to evacuate people. I looked back, and then it was like the computer graphics scene I've seen from the movie Armageddon. I thought it was a dream . it was really like the end of the world," said Tsutomu Sato, 46, in Rikuzantakata, a town on the northeast coast.

In Tokyo, commuter trains shut down and trucks were unable to make deliveries as supermarket shelves ran empty.

Estimates of the economic impact are only now starting to emerge.

Hiromichi Shirakawa, chief economist for Japan at Credit Suisse, said in a note to clients that the economic loss will likely be around 14-15 trillion yen ($171-183 billion) just to the region hit by the quake and tsunami.

Even that would put it above the commonly accepted cost of the 1995 Kobe quake which killed 6,000 people.

The earthquake has forced many firms to suspend production and global companies -- from semiconductor makers to shipbuilders -- face disruptions to operations after the quake and tsunami destroyed vital infrastructure, damaged ports and knocked out factories.

"The earthquake could have great implications on the global economic front," said Andre Bakhos, director of market analytics at Lec Securities in New York. "If you shut down Japan, there could be a global recession."

Constitution drafting has gained momentum: CA Chair

CA chairman Subash Nemwang

KATHMANDU: With the sub-committee under the Constitutional Committee settling many disputed issues in constitution drafting, Constituent Assembly (CA) Chairman Subash Nemwang on Thursday said that the constitution drafting process has gained some momentum.

Speaking at a programme organized by the Ministry of Water Resources on the occasion of World Water Day in the capital, Nemwang informed that the meeting of the Constituent Assembly today will send the much-awaited report of the State Restructuring Commission (SRC) to the Constitutional Committee (CC) for perusal.

He expressed hope that constitution writing will begin as soon as discussion on the reports submitted by all the thematic committees of the Constituent Assembly is finished.

Stressing on the need to take the peace process and constitution drafting in a parallel manner, he complained that there has been no progress in the peace front since the Maoist combatants came under the Army Integration Special Committee.

The CA Chair further said that the constitution will be promulgated within the stipulated timeframe if the political parties become responsible towards their duties.

New Bank note policy revoked

 KATHMANDU: Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) has revoked its decision to stop the circulation of bank notes with former King’s pictures.

NRB revoked the decision Wednesday as per the instructions of the Commission for Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA).

CIAA had directed NRB not to implement the decision now as the policy was implemented without following the existing regulations.

CIAA has claimed, NRB did not publish a notice about the bank note policy in the gazette as required by law.

Maoist chairman Dahal off to Singapore

UPCN (Maoist) chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal left for Singapore Wednesday.

In Singapore, Dahal will attend an interaction programme organised by the Asia Pacific Foundation, a party source said.

Dahal, who left for Singapore by a Silk Air plane, will return home on Friday.

The Maoist strongman had visited the city state also in 2009 and 2010. Both the visits had drawn widespread media attention with some speculating about his separate meetings with senior Indian and Chinese officials to win their favour for his attempt to install a Maoist-led government.

Entertainment and Nightlife in Nepal

Nepal is an agricultural based society which means most of the locals go to bed early and get up with the rising sun – working like a dog and sleeping like a log but this does not mean that life goes to sleep too. The life is still wide awake and young to many who need to keep themselves fully entertained and you will find plenty of places to fulfill your desire. Most of the restaurants in the main tourist areas like Thamel close after 10 pm but a number of bars stay open until after midnight.

Note that the city laws in Kathmandu means all music needs to be put off by 10 pm and people on the streets should be on their way home. In this magnitude too, you still can be merry in the fascinating action packed Casinos or shake a leg or two in some discotheques.

People travel to Nepal for various reasons and one of the reasons for their travel especially for the South Asian people has been to play in the Casinos of Nepal and try their lady luck smiling upon them.

There are four Casinos in Kathmandu located in the premises of the city’s top hotels which offers 24 hours of non stop fun and games like baccarat, blackjack, flush, poker, pontoon, roulette, and other card games and slot machines. All the games are played in chips and they can be bought with US dollars or Indian rupees. You'll get free food and sometimes a disco if you put some money on the tables. Nepali's are officially forbidden from entering in Casinos.

To keep yourself amused from dawn to dusk, you can get yourself engaged in different things from a short trek, sight seeing, mountain flight, movies to dining in a nice and cozy restaurant that offers cultural programs and witness the diverse and fascinating ethnic and cultural traditions of Nepal. Enjoy your visit to Nepal all the more by visiting in the following entertainment places in Kathmandu:

Casino Nepal - Soaltee Compound, Tahachal, Ph. 4270244
Casino Anna - Hotel de L'Annapurna, Durbar Marg, Ph. 4228650
Casino Everest - Hotel Everest, New Baneshwor, Ph. 4488100,
Casino Royale - Hotel Yak & Yeti, Durbar Marg, Ph. 4225550

Culture Shows - Almost every restaurant and hotel that caters to the non-backpacking, up-scale market hotels, hosts a nightly culture show complete with local dances, music, songs and costumes. Usually starts at around 7.00 PM and costs about Rs 200 per person.

The Himalchuli Cultural Group is a Classical and Folk Dance group, which performs nightly, at 7.00 PM - 8.30 PM, at The Festival Restaurant and Bar in Lazimpat, (behind the Peace Zone English School) Ph. 4415280. The restaurant serves excellent Nepali and Newari cuisine.

In Pokhara many restaurants have a cultural dance show on every night. Sign boards outside the restaurants advertise what’s happening.

Local Bands, the Bar Scene and Dancing - Look for local bands in the cities of Kathmandu and Pokhara that may even get away with staying open past the 10pm curfew. Discos are becoming popular and dancing sometimes breaks out at local bars. Because of cultural attitudes toward men and women contact, local people general dance with the same sex. A general rule: if you see local women dressed in jeans, they've been cultured abroad or family ties extend outside the country.

There are several bars scattered around Thamel in Kathmandu, all close to each other. Each one has its own style so have a look in each one to choose which appeals to you.

Tom & Jerry Pub - upstairs, opposite to Pilgrims Book Store, has been open for along time, it's noisy and has pool tables. Close by on the same side of the road is the New Orleans Cafe - a popular place to eat good food and often has live bands. In the same area is the Jump Club - a popular bar with DJ and a small dance floor. Further north is the Tunnel Club - a popular top-floor place with very loud music and open late hours. Almost opposite is Sam's Bar - a small place with good music that opens after 5 PM.

A well known bar is the Rum Doodle Restaurant & Bar - it's a favorite meeting place for mountaineering expeditions, and you can eat here free for life, but only if you conquer Everest first! The Pub Maya, which is associated with Maya Cocktail Bar - has remained a favorite for along time. Close to Thamel Chowok is the Underground Bar, which always has its music up pretty high. Further along on Tridevi Marg, Studio 54 is currently popular.

Right near Yin Yang Restaurant is Paddy Foley's Irish Bar - a very popular place, especially on St. Patrick’s day!

Kathmandu has a couple of discos, popular with the more wealthy Nepalis. The Moon Sun Disco - at the Heritage Plaza in Kamaladi, Club X Zone near Durbar Marg. Both are open late every night but are probably not ideal for visiting tourists. If you want to dance bars in Thamel are a lot better.
Caution: with over 50 ethnic groups, drunken brawls are not uncommon whenever people are warmed up enough to cut-a-rug.

Movies - The only theaters in the country play popular Hindi movies from Bollywood, mostly without English subtitles. But catching a Hindi movie is worth it since understanding the language is not essential to enjoy these comedy-musical spectaculars. Recently, a few local venues have popped up serving English language movies that are about 6 months behind their market release.

A number of restaurants in Thamel offer pirated videos or laser discs on TV's, almost as soon as they are released at the cinemas in the west. These places usually require you to eat at the restaurant and the movie is included. You'll see the movies written up on chalk boards on the pavements.

Update: The Inter-Cultural Film Society - Starting in March 2000, this non-profit organization promises to "bring diverse feature films from different cultures around the globe ... for promotion of inter-cultural understanding”. Call Prem Basnet or Susi Groeli at: 4481659 or 5537551 for detail information.

There are films shown at the Russian Cultural Center in Kamal Pokhari. They are foreign language films with English subtitles.

Zero tolerance on corruption: Punish Sudan scam guilty, govt tells CIAA

KATHMANDU- The Cabinet has directed the CIAA to expedite   investigation into corruption cases—the Sudan scam and deforestation case—and take action against those responsible.

Nearly a year ago, the State Affairs Committee (SAC) under the Legislature-Parliament asked the anti-graft body to take action against those involved in the Sudan scam but nothing was done. A sum of Rs. 350 million was allegedly misused due to the involvement of the then home minister and chiefs of Nepal Police in purchasing Armed Personnel Carriers (APCs) three years ago.

The SAC had pointed its finger at former Home Minster Krishna Prasad Sitaula, Bam Dev Gautam, former Home Secretaries Umesh Mainali, former IGP Om Bikram Rana and incumbent police chief Ramesh Chandra Thakuri along with 48 senior police officers. Another case was filed at the CIAA against 16 District Forest Officers for their involvement in rampant deforestation in the Terai and Chure regions in August 2010.

Dibakar wanted to see my bare body: Payal Rohatgi

The issue of the casting couch in Bollywood seems to have reared its ugly head, if allegations by actress Payal Rohatgi are to be believed. The actress, who was seen in films like Plan, 36 China Town and Yeh Kya Ho Raha Hai, claims that she was propositioned by Director Dibakar Banerjee, to get a role in his much anticipated project, 'Shanghai'. In a case of reel to real life, Payal Rohatgi said that the Love, Sex and Dhokha director had reportedly dropped by her home and asked her to take her top off. She said, when she refused to do so, he nixed her from the film.
According to the version of events laid out by Payal, she had gotten in touch with the director after introducing herself to him through a message. They kept conversing and soon became friends, with the actress calling him her mentor.
Trouble in paradise apparently occurred when she talked to him about getting a role in the Emraan Hashmi – Abhay Deol starrer film. She was asked to give an audition for an emotionally tough role in the film. Later, Payal claims Dibakar dropped by her house.
Rohatgi said, “Dibakar commented I had gained weight. He asked me to lift my shirt and show him my stomach. I didn't like it. I told him I was in no mood for jokes. But he did not agree."
After that, according to the actress, their shared camaraderie seemed to have vanished in thin share. He did not return her calls and she got to know much later that the role had gone to someone else.
Meanwhile, the 'Khosla Ka Ghosla' director has a much different story to offer on the episode. He reportedly claims that the actress had contacted him because she wanted to do meaningful films, but after he asked her to give a screen test, she displayed different intentions through her messages.
Banerjee said, "I told her if I wanted to cheat on my wife, I would have had an extra marital affair with a non-star.” He clarified that he did not need to have a physical relationship with someone to cast them in his film.
The director reports that the duo spoke several times after the incident and he advised her on films.
Of the incident in particular, Banerjee said he did go to her house and talk about her weight, but not the way she reported the incident. He also agrees that she tried to contact him after the incident but her messages were angry and she had even called up his casting director in the middle of the night.
On a parting note, the director alleges that this entire incident is old hat for Payal, who has apparently sent messages of a particular nature to other directors as well.