Dy CM grieves over demise of Rohmetra

 JAMMU, JULY 5 –Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Tara Chand expressed deep sorrow and grief over the sad demise of eminent journalist and Editor-in- Chief of Daily Excelsior Mr. S.D. Rohmetra.

In a message of grief, Mr. Tara Chand expressed solidarity with the bereaved family and prayed for peace to the departed soul. He said with the demise of Mr. Rohmetra the State has lost one of the finest journalists and the void created is difficult to be filled.

The Deputy Chief Minister specially flew from Srinagar and attended the funeral of Mr. Rohmetra. He personally conveyed condolences to the family members.

'Dividing Hurriyat Conference further' tantamount to treachery: Shabir Shah

Hurriyat needs to be institutionalized, diversified

Separatist leadership should unite, rise against confiscating of properties

Hurriyat’s participation in elections impossible

Srinagar, July 5 (KNS): Senior Hurriyat Conference leader and Chairman Democratic Freedom Party Shabir Ahmad Shah, while ruling out further divisions in Hurriyat Conference said formation of a third faction will amount to treachery with the people of Kashmir.

“There is no question of dividing the Hurriyat further which I believe would amount to treason. Unity, not division among separatist leadership is the need of the hour”, Shah said in an interaction with KNS.

Shah stressed the need for Institutionalizing the Hurriyat Conference. “Except for the basic essence and preamble of the Hurriyat Conference, we need to bring large-scale about systemic changes in Hurriyat Conference to make the forum strong”, Shah said adding creation and activation of different units of Hurriyat Conferences is needed which can ensure division of work. Shah stressed that the Chairmanship of the Hurriyat Conference is not an issue under contention. “We need to set up a Majlise Mashawarat or Advisory Committee or Shoora, whatever we may call it”, said Shah. He said the Hurriyat Conference Chairman is hugely overburdened with work and responsibilities, which need to be shared by others.

Shah said the preamble of the Hurriyat Constitution can not be altered or amended. “Amendments can be made in the constitution to make Hurriyat a strong and divergent platform, however I am against touching the preamble of the constitution”, Shah said. “Those who are talking about an alternative to the solution of Kashmir issue under UN resolutions are free to voice their opinion, however we don’t agree with them”, he added.

Shah said Hurriyat Conference needs to be reorganized and reshaped. “Hurriyat needs to set up offices and units at different levels across the state to make it a more vibrant and inclusive platform”, he said.

The DFP Chairman called for revocation of show-cause notices issued by the Hurriyat Conference to Nayeem Ahmad Khan and Azam Inquilabi after they had openly opposed the statement made by former Hurriyat Chairman Abdul Gani Bhat with regard to UN resolutions. “They wanted action against the statement but were served show cause notices. These notices should be withdrawn”, he said.

Shah said since Bhat had openly made the statement, it needed public opposition. “A lot is said within organizations, but the statement was made publicly and needed a public response”, he said.

The senior Hurriyat leader called upon separatist leadership to unite against sealing and confiscating of properties of pro-freedom leaders by the authorities. ”Leadership should unite and rise against such designs of the government aimed at weakening the movement”, he said adding government can take such actions against every pro-freedom leader in order to intimidate them and weaken their resolve. 

Shabir Shah said the United Jehad Council has an important role to play in the freedom struggle. “UJC’s role very important, their sacrifices are highly valuable and cannot be forgotten”, he said adding the Hurriyat Conference believes in political means for achieving its goals.

Shah ruled out any possibility of the Hurriyat Conference fighting the 2014 Assembly elections in the state. “Even if the solution to Kashmir issue takes 200 more years, Hurriyat conference will not take part in elections in any way”, he said adding there will be no place for those people in the Hurriyat Conference who fight elections.

He held government agencies responsible for the attack carried out on him at Khanyar during his visit to the gutted shrine of Dastgeer Saheb (RA). “Certain agencies have succeeded in hiring people like they did when they hired the renegade militants to commit atrocities against people”, he said.

However, Shah said the Hurriyat Conference had made certain commitments and given assurances at the time of his joining the conglomerate, which have not been fulfilled till date. “Hurriyat has failed so far to reach out to people. We need to connect with people and understand their problems in their totality”, he said.

Shah hailed the contributions of the Mirwaiz family towards Kashmiri society. “Family of Mirwaiz Umer Farooq especially Moulvi Yousuf Shah and Mirwaiz Mohammad Farooq have immensely contributed to states’ social, political and educational development”, he said adding such contributions cannot be forgotten, (KNS)

PDP’s healing touch proved to be killing touch: Omar

“PDP sells dreams, creates over-romantic scenes to mislead public”

‘Hatching conspiracies, carrying false propaganda is PDP’s history’

Bijbehara, July 5 (KNS): Drawing comparison between his government and the PDP led dispensation, Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah Thursday said that the leadership of PDP sold dreams to people but his government firmly addressed the cherished desire of people on both political and development fronts.

“They (PDP) hyped the emotions of people by raising sentimental slogans but miserably failed when the occasion of delivery arose. They talked too much on burning issues but mumbled, fumbled and jumbled when they got the occasion to rise and strike”, he said remembering the people of the tall promises made by PDP leadership to the people about healing touch and political stability but doing nothing on ground when in power.

Addressing a mammoth public gathering at Veeri in Bijbehara Constituency of Anantnag district, the Chief Minister castigated PDP for its propagandist approach and said, “they forgot all their words made to people and indulged in conspiracies to stick to power by hook or crook. Their leader (Mufti Mohammad Sayed) once in a speech at Ganderbal told the gun wielding youth to drop guns as he had come as their representative to talk for them but every inch of Jammu and Kashmir and its every resident is witness how PDP and its leadership opposed the rehabilitation and repatriation policy for the youth who had crossed the LoC when this party was in government and a resolution supported by National Conference was tabled in Legislative Assembly”. He also cited the example of denying passports to the relatives of militants during the tenure of PDP adding that these people were placed in a blacklist by the then government and denied them passports for Haj purposes.

Omar Abdullah also referred to the killings of innocents during the PDP regime and said that the slogan of ‘healing touch’ actually proved to be mere a hoax to befool the people and grab power. “Your healing touch proved to be killing touch for the people”, he said and added that the leadership of PDP also hatched conspiracies against Indira-Sheikh Accord, Dr. Farooq Abdullah’s Government, against Kashmiri Pandits to dislodge Ghulam Mohammad Shah’s Government as also against its coalition partner (Congress) in 2008. “You always tried to derail democratic process. You brought Jagmohan as the Governor of Jammu and Kashmir to dislodge Dr. Farooq Abdullah’s Government”, he said and reminded the PDP of the killings of large number of innocents during the tenure of Jagmohan when Mufti Mohammad Sayed was Home Minister in the V.P. Singh’s Government.

 “My government not only approved and implemented rehabilitation and repatriation policy for the youth who had crossed over LoC but did not took to guns. We also discarded the blacklist maintained by the Police Department for stopping passports to the relatives of militants. PDP raised slogan about reduction of forces but we acted on ground and removed 40 bunkers from Srinagar city alone”, he said adding that his government put Jammu and Kashmir Police Force on front and other security forces on second line. “You talked of resolving Kashmir issue but slept over your tall promises in this regard”, he told PDP adding that it was his government who worked and facilitated process of political addressing of political issues of Jammu and Kashmir.

Ridiculing the behaviour of PDP leadership to indulge in false propaganda and emotional blackmailing, the Chief Minister said that by pointing finger on opponents this party wants to divert public attention from this party’s misdeeds, failures, commissions and omissions. He said political gimmickry and falsehood to create over-romantic drama scenes is the trait of PDP and its leadership but they are now exposed before general public.

 “PDP lost no occasion to put the State on fire, hatch conspiracy to dislodge government and mislead people to create law and order situation. The leadership of this party is always in search of chances to take advantage of, disturb peace, hamper development and shift blame to National Conference and the government”, he said and lauded the people for showing maturity and not falling prey to these tactics.

The Chief Minister said PDP is always on its heels to accuse and defame National Conference and its government and hatch conspiracies and propaganda against it. He said that grabbing power is only aim of this party. “You are now fully exposed before general public”, he told PDP leadership and predicted their miserable defeat and rejection in the hands of general masses in future.

Omar asked the National Conference workers and leaders to reach out to people in every area, make them aware of the people-friendly policies and historic initiatives initiated by the coalition government and blunt the false propaganda carried by PDP against the government.

Giving details of the development registered in Bijbehara Constituency presently represented by PDP Member in the Legislative Assembly, Omar Abdullah said that the facts and figures of development registered in this constituency should be eye-opener for this party leadership who carry boogie of false propaganda and misinformation against the coalition government.

Minister for Rural Development, Ali Mohammad Sagar, Minister for Social welfare, Sakina Itoo, Parliament Members, Mehboob Beg, Sharief-ud-Din Ghariq, G. N. Rattanpuri, Legislator, Dr. Mohammad Ashraf Veeri, and Provincial President, National Conference, Ali Mohammad Dar also spoke on the occasion.

Peace process threatened, Mufti calls for statesmanship, political direction

NC exploiting people with its duplicity: Baig

Srinagar, July 5 (KNS): Calling for a display of statesmanship in Indo Pak relationship Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed today said the Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh should intervene to prevent a diplomatic slide that could reverse the peace process built with tremendous effort. Addressing a public meeting at Beerwa in Budgam district here today he cautioned that the decade long peace effort could derail in absence of a political direction to the discourse that was dangerously poised once again to fall into narrow security narrative. Senior leader and former Deputy Chief Minister Muzaffar Hussain Baig, senior leader, Gh Nabi Lone Hanjura, District President Saifudin Bhat , MLA Dr Mohd Shafi Wani, Youth general secretary Nazir Ahmed Yatoo, Tanveer Ahmed , Gulzar Ahmed Baig, Habibullah Sheikh, Hussamudin Masoodi, Mater Gh Mohd and Ab Gani were also present and spoke on this occasion.

Mufti said relations between India and Pakistan had shown a steady improvement ever since the visit of Atal Behari Vajpayee to Kashmir from where he had responded to the yearning for peace he observed among the people here and set a new agenda of friendship. The UPA too strengthened this effort through path breaking initiatives like the opening of cross LOC routes for trade and travel during its first stint. But unfortunately the process seems once again to be following the familiar pre 2003 downward direction with incidents holding the process hostage, he said. “Unless this trend is arrested by a bold political intervention South Asia could once again be heading for a crisis with Jammu and Kashmir having to face its most disastrous consequences”, he added stressing “we have a direct stake in peace”. He however expressed hope that the foreign secretary’s conference in New Delhi would achieve more positive results than the recent home secretary’s conference in implementing J&K specific CBMs decided by the foreign ministers last year to expand the trade and travel facilities across the LOC.

Stressing the urgent need for building up on the gains of peace process Mufti said the situation could be retrieved only by seizing the opportunity to revive the resolution effort that the people of Jammu and Kashmir had been pushing for through peaceful and democratic means. “An amicable and peaceful resolution of the J&K issue is unavoidable for peace in this part of the world” he said. The surface calm prevailing in the state is fragile and it is tentative at best that is sustained mainly with unacceptable methods of silencing dissent, Mufti added.

Mufti said the situation in J&K demands that the national leadership rises above narrow considerations and carries forward the process that has been endorsed by a large peace constituency both in India and Pakistan has the peace loving people of the state on board. He said no one could deny complexities of Kashmir problem but the solution lies in recognizing them and moving forward on areas of possibilities that have by and large been identified. Unless that is done the state will continue to suffer and also pose a challenge to larger politico economic scenario in the region, Mufti said and pointed out that even a moment of grief in Kashmir is to be managed by imposing unending curfew and other harsh methods. He was referring to the imposition of curfew in Srinagar for five days and rounding up of youth in the wake of the unfortunate fire incident that destroyed the shrine of Dastgeer Sahib (RA) last week. He said the very atmosphere changes in Kashmir with any such incident which is the result of the larger political problem that is only compounded by inefficient governance.

Referring to the issues of governance the PDP patron said life of ordinary people had been rendered miserable by the government’s inability to carry forward the initiatives taken by the previous coalition. He said on the one hand corruption in high places is becoming a norm and on the other prices are skyrocketing with government acting as a mute spectator. The accountability and vigilance institutions have been made dysfunctional to facilitate the loot of resources. To make things worse power crisis has gripped entire state and in spite of a manifold increase in tariff during the last three years supply position has hit the worst levels since the last NC dispensation had made it a rare commodity he said.

Mufti said the PDP was a hard and healthy reality of Jammu and Kashmir and nobody could wish it away. He said the party would stand by the people and its principles in all circumstances to make democratic accountability a norm that has been missing in the state ever since independence. “The people of Jammu and Kashmir have now the alternatives to choose from and they cease to be hostages to any single individual or a party and that is the way to restore our self respect, dignity and political empowerment” he said. The PDP is striving for democratic institutions of governance to take firm roots so that the people get a responsible and responsive government no matter which party comes to power, he said.

Explaining various aspects of the political vision of PDP senior leader and former deputy chief minister Muzaffar Hussein Baig told the meeting it aimed at modernization of the state along with dignified resolution of its political problems. He said given the rich resources of the state he said there was no reason why it should not develop into a model for other states. “With just sixteen MLAs and three years in office the Mufti Sayeed government had made an impact no government since 1947 had been able to do. That period stands out both on resolution and development fronts” he added.

Baig said it was a pleasant development that the people particularly youth of the state had started getting impressed with the PDP agenda and aligning with it. “Self rule is a document of hope and it is natural that the youth who have been the worst victims of conflict strike an easy bond with our agenda” he said. He said it was unfortunate that the National Conference after having created a wedge between the state and rest of the country had itself struck bonds of friendship with whosoever ruled Delhi but used brutal methods to crush opposition to it at home. Youth were the worst victims of this duplicity and many generations of Kashmiris had suffered as a result, with NC itself enjoying power and luxuries he said.

He said that development works under the state and central sectors are victims of government lethargy, corruption and favoritism. Whatever works are taken up are driven by contractors close to government and some ministers. There is no development strategy for the government as was pointed out even by the Planning Commission of India. Annual Plan is still to be finalized. Plan funds are utilized by the CM almost as his secret fund to please his favorites. Malpractices in schemes like NAREGA have reached a level where the disbursements were stopped sometime back by GOI. ERA schemes have become a source of trouble rather than relief. Half of Jammu and Srinagar roads are dug up for three years for these schemes which seem to be never ending.

Budgam tailor’s son awarded PhD in Malaysia

Srinagar, July 5 (KNS): Hailing from a poor family of Panzan village in Chadoora Tehsil of central Kashmir’s Budgam district, Javed Ahmad Dar was recently awarded degree of doctorate at Malaysian capital Kaulalampur.

“The PhD was awarded to me during the World Business Congress on June 17 by Dr Tom Wu of USA at Kaulalampur in Malaysia”, Javed told KNS adding this was his dream for a long time. “This award has become possible more because of my parents who toiled hard to educate me than my own efforts”, he added. Javed’s father Ghulam Mohammad Dar is a tailor by profession.

The Congress was attended by delegates from more than 150 countries, which was presided over by the Thai Deputy Prime Minister. (KNS)

Excelsior Chief Editor Rohmetra no more

People, leaders across party lines offer condolences

Srinagar, July 5 (KNS):  Founder of leading Jammu based English newspaper daily Excelsior, S D Rohmetra, passed away today at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in New Delhi.

He died at 5.30 am in the morning.

He was Editor-in-Chief, Printer and Publisher of Daily Excelsior. He had also served as Bureau Chief of UNI from 1969 to 1993.

He had founded the Daily Excelsior in 1965 and took it to great heights making it a leading newspaper of Jammu and Kashmir. He was 72.

He is survived by his wife, Usha Rohmetra, sons and daughters-in-law—Kamal Rohmetra and Bhawna, Neeraj Rohmetra and Sapna and daughters and sons-in-law Prof Neelu Rohmetra and Sudhir Gupta and Prof Seema Rohmetra and Rajan Mengi.

He will be cremated at 6 pm at Shastri Nagar cremation ground on July 5, 2012.

Mufti, Mehooba condole demise of S D Rohmetra

Former Chief Minister and patron of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Mufti Mohammad Sayeed and president of party Mehbooba Mufti have expressed their deep shock and grief over the sad demise of veteran journalist and Editor in Chief of Daily Excelsior S D Rohmetra.

In their condolence message, PDP described late S D Rohmetra as icon of journalism in Jammu and Kashmir who had contributed a lot in the growth of English journalism in Jammu and Kashmir.

Lauding role of S D Rohmetra as a professional journalist, they said that late Rohmetra as a journalist had contributed a lot for the betterment of the society. PDP leaders conveyed their heartfelt condolences and sympathy to the bereaved family. PDP leaders also prayed the Almighty for eternal peace to the departed soul.

Meanwhile a condolence meeting was held at PDP office in which all senior leaders prayed for peace to the departed soul and courage to the bereaved family to bear the irreparable loss. A two minutes silence was also observed in the meeting for the peace to the departed soul.

Senior PDP leaders namely Thakur Balbir Singh, Ved Mahajan, Falail Singh and others this after noon attended the funeral of late Rohmetra at Shastri Nagar cremation ground.

 Soz conveys condolences

Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee Chief Saifuddin Soz has expressed deep hurt and anguish over the sad demise of Shri S. D. Rometra, a veteran journalist and Editor-in-Chief of Daily Excelsior.

He called Rohmetra a very competent and well versed person in the profession of journalism who wielded a powerful pen on events and use analysis on the social and political situations in the World. “I consider his death as a personal loss apart from a major loss to the fraternity of journalists in the state”, said Soz.

BOPEE held in suspicion, CET 2012, results fishy, scandalous

Srinagar, July5 (KNS): The CET 2012 results  Jammu and Kashmir   declared on   June 30 have come as a startling development for the meritorious and career conscious students of the state  who appeared in the examination with full confidence but could not make it  as there is more to  it than meets the eye.

Scores of agitated students called on this correspondent complaining that the entire process of selection is fishy and scandalous and challenged the veracity and accuracy of the selection list.  While having a glance at the selection list particularly  from  Anantnag area in South Kashmir  it becomes abundantly clear that the allegations leveled by  students carry much weight as results include such students whose performance in their Metric and +2 exams have remained quite below the mark. They are widely known to be underachievers. Reports suggest that the question papers have been put on virtual  sale and the sell out has benefited the highest bidders  who rolling in unimaginable riches.  Actually the credibility of BOPEE has been grievously damaged consequent upon the extension by two months tenure in favour of Mushtaq Ahmad Peer as Chairman BOPEE . obviously the extension has been granted in his favour on the recommendations of the vested interest who have facilitated his motives of minting money on the eve of his superannuation. By such extension, he was supposed to mint as much money as he could. Consequently the BOPEE has lost the sheen that it once enjoyed. Now money minting rules the roost here and everything is fishy and fake. It is pertinent to mention here that the cabinet had recently  appointed Prof R D Sharma, dean Academic, Jammu University as next chairman  but ironically  Peer was given extension of two months vide a decision taken in the same cabinet meeting.

It redounds to the credits of this news-paper that has along opposed any decision of the government for any extension to any government servant whosoever.

The CET 2012  results reveal that the merit has been  cruelly marred at the alter of material considerations and an unprecedented sell out putting a very big question mark on the sanctity of this institution. The case of one Mir Hina Saleem D/o Muhammad Saleem Mir resident of Chee Ananntnag under roll no. 123388 getting 36th rank is highly startling. She had previously failed even in her secondary school examination as a regular student, subsequently she passed it in third division as a private candidate and has paased her 12th examination in third attempt  Besides 4 candidates from a single village of Kanelwan Bijbehara stand selected while the village is known for big orchardists who are rolling in  money. The buzzword in the village is that they have purchased the seats merely on payment of hefty sums ranging from 10 to 20 lakhs each.

A  male candidate from  Damhal Ahmad Faraz 25th rank under roll no. 130256 and a female candidate Amira Shakeel  from Mahen secured 25th rank under no. 122222 despite the fact that both are  under achievers and their fathers are working in one department, one office under single roof.

 So much so the candidate Mir Wajid Majid under roll no. 131184 who secured first rank in CET is looked with suspicion as his sister Mir Danish Majid with 17th rank, his cousin brother Sadam Farooq from Munghal village of Anantnag 5th rank stand selected in what can be termed as fishy and foul process. the trio is reportedly connected with a network of  two more candidates  Hovura Zahoor having 111 rank and Sheikh Bargees Ismail having 36th rank  who are  kids of two famous doctors. It amounts to broad day dacoit and the manipulative complexion of whole process has manifestly come to the fore in which chaff has been selected and the grain has been left out.

It is a wide spread public perception that one Bashir Ahmad Ganai, a government teacher from village Chee Anantnag, is the actual broker and tout who is instrumental in the purchase and sale of the ranks. He is notorious for being a history sheeter and for issuing graduation and post graduation certificates to scores of people and enjoys the support of high ranking officers, politicians and police officers. Recently Ganai has managed the selection of two candidates from his native village as Junior Statistical Assistants and two physical education teachers through SSRB furnishing them certificates and degrees with high grades. Ganai’s close proximity with the authorities that be, has earned him huge assets and has purchased big chunk of land in the peripheries of Anantnag town.10-4-78- cbsc 1990 while he got himself selectes as teacher on 29-10 98.

Scores of students called on this correspondent to register their grievances disclosing that they have made their mind to protest against  this scandalous  process of BOPEE if their prayer for setting aside the CET results is no acceded to. They prayed that the Honorable High Court should take sumo tuo cognizance for declaring the CET list null and void.

Iran has never sought revenge on Europeans: Ahmadinejad

Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has reprimanded the European Union for its hostile policies against the Islamic Republic, saying the country has never sought to avenge Europe’s imposition of hardships.

The Iranian nation has taken the brunt of adversity from European countries as in the case of 'the eight-year [Iraqi] imposed war, but it has never sought revenge,' said President Ahmadinejad in a meeting with the new Portuguese ambassador to Iran, Mario Fernando Damash Nunes, on Wednesday. 

It is not clear what the European countries and EU will benefit from their enmity and opposition to Iran, added Ahmadinejad. 

We believe such a stance is imposed on European countries by leaders of hegemonic powers, the chief Iranian executive pointed out. 

He also stated that the current world order is nearing its end and emphasized the need for a replacement for the degenerating one that has nothing to present to humanity. 

The world needs a new order based on justice and respect that all nations would be able to participate in the global management in a constructive way, Ahmadinejad added.

He further noted that the international relations need to be built on friendship and mutual respect among governments and nations. 

The Portuguese ambassador submitted his credentials to the Iranian president and called for enhanced bilateral relations in areas of politics, culture, sports and academy. 

He expressed hope that the 27-nation EU would revisit its position on Iran, saying his respective country supports the rights of the Iranian people and their peace and security. 

On July 1, the European Union imposed new sanctions mainly against Iran’s oil and banking sectors which were approved by the EU foreign minister on January 23. 

The sanctions by the US and EU are meant to pressure the Islamic Republic over its nuclear energy program, which Washington, Israel and some of their allies claim includes a military aspect. 

Iran dismisses such allegations, arguing that as a committed signatory to the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and a member of the International Atomic Energy Agency, it has the right to use the nuclear technology for peaceful purposes. 

Benjamin Netanyahu involved in smuggling nuclear triggers: Report

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was involved in smuggling nuclear triggers out of the United States carried out by a network of front companies, a report says.

According to a Wednesday article posted on antiwar.com, the FBI partially declassified and released additional pages from a 1985-2002 investigation into how a network of front companies connected to the Israeli Ministry for Military Affairs illegally smuggled triggers used for nuclear weapons (krytrons) out of the United States. 

The FBI investigation reveals that Netanyahu worked at Heli Trading Company, the Israeli node of the network during the smuggling operations.

The Israeli premier was in contact with Richard Kelly Smyth, who at the time was president of the MILCO International Inc., a front company for the Israel-based Heli Trading Company, then owned by Hollywood producer Arnon Milchan. 

In April 2002, Smyth was sentenced to 40 months in prison and fined 20,000 dollars for trafficking krytrons, tiny electronic devices that are used in high-speed photography, strobe lighting and photocopying machines, but can also be used in nuclear triggers. 

Smyth was also indicted for selling about 800 krytrons to Heli Trading Company (also known as Milchan Limited). 

“Smyth and [Netanyahu] would meet in restaurants in Tel Aviv and in [Netanyahu’s] home and/or business,” the FBI report said. 

In March, the co-authors of the book Confidential: The Life of Secret Agent Turned Hollywood Tycoon Arnon Milchan issued a statement saying, “Hollywood mega-producer and former secret agent Arnon Milchan has been asked directly by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Shimon Peres to avoid any public discussion of the book Confidential, asserting that the matter is too sensitive at this time.”

China says will not attend ‘Friends of Syria’ meeting in Paris

The government of China has announced that it has no plan to take part in the so-called “Friends of Syria” conference which is scheduled to be held in the French capital, Paris, on Friday.

China’s Foreign Ministry spokesman, Liu Weimin, said on Thursday that his country has been invited to the event, but "(China) at present does not consider attending the meeting.” 

"We believe that it's a key phase now for resolving the Syrian issues politically," he added. 

The Paris meeting follows one in Tunisian capital, Tunis, in February and another in April in the Turkish port city of Istanbul. China was not present in any of those meetings. 

Russia, another veto-holding power at the UN Security Council, had already announced that it would not attend the conference, either. Moscow accuses the West of trying to distort a previous deal reached by world powers on Syria in the Geneva meeting. 

The participants of the Geneva meeting agreed that the transitional governing body in Syria “could include members of the present government and the opposition and other groups, and shall be formed on the basis of mutual consent,” the UN-envoy Kofi Annan said at a press conference after the meeting. 

The Geneva meeting on June 30 was attended by foreign ministers of the UN Security Council's five permanent members along with Turkey, Kuwait, Qatar, Iraq, plus representatives of the UN, the Arab League and the European Union. 

The so called "Friends of Syria" group has more than 60 members including the United States, France, Britain, Germany, along with Arab nations Saudi Arabia and Qatar. 

Syria has been experiencing unrest since mid-March 2011, which has so far claimed the lives of many people, including security forces. 

Surgeons remove 23-kg cancerous tumor from US woman

US surgeons have successfully removed a 23-kg cancerous tumor from a woman’s abdomen at the Riverview Medical Center in Red Bank, New Jersey.

"She was a skinny lady with a huge belly. I mean it looked like she was literally pregnant with triplets," said Dr. David Dupree, who led the surgery on the 65-year-old woman 

Identified only as Evelyn, the patient was a homemaker from nearby Union Beach, New Jersey, whose treatment was delayed for more than a month because of health insurance issues. 

"The reason she didn't go earlier was because she had no insurance," Dupree said. 

When Evelyn saw a doctor, she already weighed more than 170 pounds, her legs were swollen with trapped blood, she was badly dehydrated, and the malignant tumor was threatening her life. 

According to Dupree and his team, the tumor was caused by the fatty tissue around her large intestine, having engulfed many of her internal organs. 

The team sliced it away "millimeter by millimeter" over the course of the five-hour surgery, Reuters reported. 

Doctors say Evelyn still has to see an oncologist about her cancer, which may not have been completely eradicated and need chemotherapy or radiation therapy.