Pakistan, on 25 April 2012, successfully test-fired an upgraded version of Shaheen-1 missile. The new upgraded Shaheen-1, with its even longer striking range and nuclear carrying capability, can hit its targets in India.
The missile test comes less than a week after India successfully test-fired inter-continental Agni-v missile capable of carrying a nuclear warhead as far as Beijing.
India's Agni-V with its range of 5000 kilometers, provides Indian missile defence technology with a defining edge over its arch rival Pakistan. The missile is also able to carry nuclear warheads as far as the Chinese capital as well as Shanghai.
The neighboring nations have a long history of conflict. After being liberated from the British rule in 1947, India and Pakistan have had three direct confrontations while there have been numerous indirect confrontations between the two countries.
Pakistan's missile armory, all christened after the name of Muslim invaders like Muhammmad Gori, Mahmood Ghaznavi, Ahmed Shah Abdali, Babar, includes short, medium and long range missiles. Pakistan, like India, is not a signatory to the NPT ( Nuclear Proliferation Treaty). The two countries have long been indulged in a bitter nuclear arms race as they keep conducting missile tests on a regular interval. Pakistan in 1998 had conducted the nuclear tests right after India which had hold five nuclear tests in May 1998. China, a conventional rival of India and a friend of Pakistan allegedly helped its ally to get the nuclear technology to counter India. Pakistan originally hit the road for nuclear programme in 1972 after the Bangladesh was carved out of it following the India-Pakistan war in 1971.The nuclear programme was atarted-off under the leadership of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto in response to the India's growing military might in the sub-comtinent.
Saturday, 26 May 2012
Supreme Court of Pakistan convicted Prime Minister Yusuf Raja Gilani for Contempt of Court
The Supreme Court of Pakistan convicted Pakistan Prime Minister Yusuf Raja Gilani for contempt of court for refusing to reopen corruption cases against President Asif Ali Zardari. Gilani, who is the first Pakistan prime minister to be held guilty for contempt, could have been jailed for six months but was awarded just a symbolic punishment of about 30 seconds.
Gilani, who was handpicked by Zardari in 2008 to be the Prime Minister of Pakistan, had declined to act on the court's order in the past to reopen corruption cases against Zardari, arguing that the president enjoys immunity under the Pakistani constitution.
Accused of corruption, Zardari had been granted immunity under the National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) in 2007 by then president Pervez Musharraf to facilitate his return home and, primarily that of his wife, former prime minister Benazir Bhutto.
The NRO that granted immunity to politicians and bureaucrats in corruption cases was struck down by the Supreme Court as void in 2009. The apex court warned the government of action if its ruling on the NRO was not implemented by 10 January, 2012. It also ordered the government to write a letter to the Swiss authorities to reopen cases against Zardari.
On 16 January 2012, the court issued Gilani a contempt notice for not acting against Zardari. Gilani was indicted for contempt of court on 13 February 2012.
Gilani, who was handpicked by Zardari in 2008 to be the Prime Minister of Pakistan, had declined to act on the court's order in the past to reopen corruption cases against Zardari, arguing that the president enjoys immunity under the Pakistani constitution.
Accused of corruption, Zardari had been granted immunity under the National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) in 2007 by then president Pervez Musharraf to facilitate his return home and, primarily that of his wife, former prime minister Benazir Bhutto.
The NRO that granted immunity to politicians and bureaucrats in corruption cases was struck down by the Supreme Court as void in 2009. The apex court warned the government of action if its ruling on the NRO was not implemented by 10 January, 2012. It also ordered the government to write a letter to the Swiss authorities to reopen cases against Zardari.
On 16 January 2012, the court issued Gilani a contempt notice for not acting against Zardari. Gilani was indicted for contempt of court on 13 February 2012.
Signing of a New Liberal Visa Regime with Pakistan approved by the Indian Cabinet
The Union Cabinet on 26 April 2012 in a meeting headed by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh approved the signing of a new liberal visa regime with Pakistan thereby paving way for easing travel restrictions and increasing people-to-people exchange. The Cabinet had given its approval to signing of the agreement that would allow common people from either country to visit at least three earmarked cities. India and Pakistan had decided to ease visa regulations during the meeting between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari in New Delhi on 8 April 2012.
As per the cabinet’s directive, businessmen are likely to be issued multi-entry non-police reporting visas and given access to at least five cities instead of three at present. The credentials of the businessmen for qualifying for such a visa will however be endorsed by the nodal chambers of commerce on both sides. From India, it will be Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) and from the Pakistani side, it will be Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI).
It was proposed under the new visa regime, that senior citizens would be exempt from police reporting on both sides.
Pakistan decided to allow bigger trucks and containers to carry goods into its territory. Earlier, only 10 wheeler capacity trucks were allowed. Post the easing of terms the number was increased to 22-wheeler capacity trucks. Also, it decided to allow containers with the opening of the new integrated check post (ICP) facility on the Attari-Wagah border. Pakistan’s initiative is likely to give a big boost to the trade between the two nations.
As per the cabinet’s directive, businessmen are likely to be issued multi-entry non-police reporting visas and given access to at least five cities instead of three at present. The credentials of the businessmen for qualifying for such a visa will however be endorsed by the nodal chambers of commerce on both sides. From India, it will be Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) and from the Pakistani side, it will be Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI).
It was proposed under the new visa regime, that senior citizens would be exempt from police reporting on both sides.
Pakistan decided to allow bigger trucks and containers to carry goods into its territory. Earlier, only 10 wheeler capacity trucks were allowed. Post the easing of terms the number was increased to 22-wheeler capacity trucks. Also, it decided to allow containers with the opening of the new integrated check post (ICP) facility on the Attari-Wagah border. Pakistan’s initiative is likely to give a big boost to the trade between the two nations.
Union Cabinet of India approved Proposal by Oman to hike the Gas Price
The Union Cabinet of India on 28 April 2012 approved the proposal by Oman to hike the gas price for an Indian fertilizer plant in the Gulf nation to 1.5 per million dollar metric British thermal unit (mmBtu), a move that will ensure uninterrupted supply of urea to the Indian market.
The proposal was moved by the Fertilizer Ministry as it required Cabinet's approval for a change in the agreement between the two countries.
Oman, as per a contrct signed between India and Oman in 2005, supplies gas to the Indian fertilizer plant Oman India Fertilizer Company (OMIFCO). Oman, according to the contract, was to provide gas to the Indian plant at 0.77 dollar per mmBtu for 15 years beginning 2005. The gulf nation, however, in the midway decided to increase gas rates to 3 dollar per mmBtu from 1 January 2012 giving global price hike as the reason.
Oman India Fertilizer Company (OMIFCO)
Oman India Fertilizer Company (OMIFCO), a joint venture of Oman's state-owned Oman Oil Co (OCC) and Indian co-operative firms KRIBHCO and IFFCO, produces about 2 million tonnes of urea a year at Sur for exports to India. IFFCO and KRIBHCO hold 25 per cent stake each in OMIFCO, while the balance is with Oman Oil Company.
The proposal was moved by the Fertilizer Ministry as it required Cabinet's approval for a change in the agreement between the two countries.
Oman, as per a contrct signed between India and Oman in 2005, supplies gas to the Indian fertilizer plant Oman India Fertilizer Company (OMIFCO). Oman, according to the contract, was to provide gas to the Indian plant at 0.77 dollar per mmBtu for 15 years beginning 2005. The gulf nation, however, in the midway decided to increase gas rates to 3 dollar per mmBtu from 1 January 2012 giving global price hike as the reason.
Oman India Fertilizer Company (OMIFCO)
Oman India Fertilizer Company (OMIFCO), a joint venture of Oman's state-owned Oman Oil Co (OCC) and Indian co-operative firms KRIBHCO and IFFCO, produces about 2 million tonnes of urea a year at Sur for exports to India. IFFCO and KRIBHCO hold 25 per cent stake each in OMIFCO, while the balance is with Oman Oil Company.
India to Export 2.1 million tonnes (mt) of Iron Ore to Steel Mills of Japan & South Korea
India on 30 April 2012 announced its decision to export 2.1 million tonnes (mt) of iron ore to steel mills of Japan and South Korea under a long-term agreement due to be signed in May 2012. The iron ore will be supplied to leading steel mills of Japan and Korea, including Posco, Kobe and Nippon Steel.
As approved by the cabinet in March 2012, the iron ore, having 64 per cent Fe content, or high grade lumps is to be sourced from NMDC's Chhattisgarh mines and will be exported through MMTC.
The supplies are slated to begin from July and the agreements are to be signed for three years. Prices are to be decided on a quarterly basis and the export quantity is to increase in the 2012-13 fiscal.
It is expected that the supply of iron ore, although in smaller quantities, had been a core element of India's bilateral ties with Japan and South Korea and would further strengthen the relations.
MMTC's earlier contract to supply iron ore for five years to Japanese and Korean steel mills had expired on 31 March 2011. Following the expiry, further contracts was put on hold as price negotiations had not taken place. As a result of the expiry of the contract, NMDC had managed to export only 1.6 lakh tonnes in the 2011-12 fiscal, too, to the Chinese firms on an ad-hoc basis.
As approved by the cabinet in March 2012, the iron ore, having 64 per cent Fe content, or high grade lumps is to be sourced from NMDC's Chhattisgarh mines and will be exported through MMTC.
The supplies are slated to begin from July and the agreements are to be signed for three years. Prices are to be decided on a quarterly basis and the export quantity is to increase in the 2012-13 fiscal.
It is expected that the supply of iron ore, although in smaller quantities, had been a core element of India's bilateral ties with Japan and South Korea and would further strengthen the relations.
MMTC's earlier contract to supply iron ore for five years to Japanese and Korean steel mills had expired on 31 March 2011. Following the expiry, further contracts was put on hold as price negotiations had not taken place. As a result of the expiry of the contract, NMDC had managed to export only 1.6 lakh tonnes in the 2011-12 fiscal, too, to the Chinese firms on an ad-hoc basis.
Aung San Suu Kyi sworn in As the Leader of Opposition in Myanmar
Aung San Suu Kyi took the oath of office to become an official member of Myanmar’s parliament on 2 May 2012. Suu Kyi, a Nobel Laureate, pro-democracy leader of Myanmar for the first time has held public office since launching her struggle against authoritarian rule nearly a quarter century ago.
With Suu Kyi assuming the charge of opposition leader in the parliament an all new era of political transformation dawned in Myanmar. But her National League for Democracy party don’t have enough seats in the lower house to claim actual say in the ruling-party dominated house. There are fears the presence of the opposition lawmakers could simply legitimize the regime without any change.
The 66-year-old Suu Kyi was held under house arrest for much of the past 20 years and was released in the wake of mounting pressure of the international community on the Junta government.
In the by-election held on 1 April 2012 National League for Democracy party led by Aung San Suu Kyi had won 43 of 45 seats on which elections were held. The military-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party is in the power in Myanmar. The party was declared victorious in the main elections held in 2010.
With Suu Kyi assuming the charge of opposition leader in the parliament an all new era of political transformation dawned in Myanmar. But her National League for Democracy party don’t have enough seats in the lower house to claim actual say in the ruling-party dominated house. There are fears the presence of the opposition lawmakers could simply legitimize the regime without any change.
The 66-year-old Suu Kyi was held under house arrest for much of the past 20 years and was released in the wake of mounting pressure of the international community on the Junta government.
In the by-election held on 1 April 2012 National League for Democracy party led by Aung San Suu Kyi had won 43 of 45 seats on which elections were held. The military-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party is in the power in Myanmar. The party was declared victorious in the main elections held in 2010.
Twenty People died in Church Attack in Nigerian City of Kano
20 people died and several others left injured in an attack on a Christian church in Nigeria on 29 April 2012. The attackers targeted a Christian church service at a university in Nigeria’s city of Kano.
No militant group claimed responsibility of the attack, but the role of, Boko Haram, a radical fundamentalist Islamic group, was suspected in the attack. The group has been carrying out a campaign of violence in the country. More than 180 people had died in Kano a few months back when the sect targeted its residents.
Nigeria, a west african nation, has a long history of struggle between the muslims and christians. People of both the religions exist in equally good number in Nigeria.
No militant group claimed responsibility of the attack, but the role of, Boko Haram, a radical fundamentalist Islamic group, was suspected in the attack. The group has been carrying out a campaign of violence in the country. More than 180 people had died in Kano a few months back when the sect targeted its residents.
Nigeria, a west african nation, has a long history of struggle between the muslims and christians. People of both the religions exist in equally good number in Nigeria.
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