19 people killed, 28 missing in Chinese mine blast: Media reports.
SHANGHAI: Nineteen miners were killed and 28 are missing in China after a gas explosion in a coal shaft, the Xinhua news agency said on Thursday, marking one of the biggest disasters of the year in the accident-plagued industry.

Rescue teams from other mines had been sent to the Xiaojiawan Coal Mine in Sichuan province where 107 miners had been rescued after Wednesday's blast, it reported.

China's mines are the deadliest in the world because of lax enforcement of safety standards and a rush to feed demand from a robust economy. But the death toll from accidents has been falling, government statistics show.

The government work safety watchdog said that 1,973 miners were killed in coal mine accidents last year, according to state media. In 2010, 2,433 people were killed, down from a toll of 2,631 the previous year.

Xinhua said the Xiaojiawan mine was owned by Zhengjin Industry and Trade Co., Ltd. Police were questioning the owner.

19 people killed, 28 missing in Chinese mine blast: Media reports.
SHANGHAI: Nineteen miners were killed and 28 are missing in China after a gas explosion in a coal shaft, the Xinhua news agency said on Thursday, marking one of the biggest disasters of the year in the accident-plagued industry.

Rescue teams from other mines had been sent to the Xiaojiawan Coal Mine in Sichuan province where 107 miners had been rescued after Wednesday's blast, it reported.

China's mines are the deadliest in the world because of lax enforcement of safety standards and a rush to feed demand from a robust economy. But the death toll from accidents has been falling, government statistics show.

The government work safety watchdog said that 1,973 miners were killed in coal mine accidents last year, according to state media. In 2010, 2,433 people were killed, down from a toll of 2,631 the previous year.

Xinhua said the Xiaojiawan mine was owned by Zhengjin Industry and Trade Co., Ltd. Police were questioning the owner.

Judge, 2 others shot dead in a sectarian attack in Pakistan's Quetta.

ISLAMABAD: Unidentified gunmen shot dead a Shiite judge, his bodyguard and driver in a sectarian attack in Quetta city of southwest Pakistan on Thursday, officials said.Zulfiqar Naqvi, a sessions judge, was attacked as he came out of his home in Quetta, the capital of Balochistan, police officials said. They described the incident as a sectarian attack as the slain judge was a Shia.The judge was heading to work when the gunmen, waiting outside his home at Saryab Road, fired indiscriminately. Naqvi and the two other men were killed instantly, officials said.The attackers, who were riding a motorcycle, fled after the shooting. No group claimed responsibility for the attack. Banned extremist groups like the Lashkar-e-Jhanvi are usually blamed for such attacks. Quetta and other parts of Balochistan have witnessed a series of sectarian attacks over the past few years. Scores of people have died in these incidents. The Balochistan Bar Association condemned the killing of Naqvi and announced lawyers would boycott court proceedings across the province. The Tahafuz-e-Azadari Council, a leading Shia group, called for three days of mourning and appealed to the Chief Justice of Pakistan to take suo moto notice of the targeted killing.

Judge, 2 others shot dead in a sectarian attack in Pakistan's Quetta.

ISLAMABAD: Unidentified gunmen shot dead a Shiite judge, his bodyguard and driver in a sectarian attack in Quetta city of southwest Pakistan on Thursday, officials said.Zulfiqar Naqvi, a sessions judge, was attacked as he came out of his home in Quetta, the capital of Balochistan, police officials said. They described the incident as a sectarian attack as the slain judge was a Shia.The judge was heading to work when the gunmen, waiting outside his home at Saryab Road, fired indiscriminately. Naqvi and the two other men were killed instantly, officials said.The attackers, who were riding a motorcycle, fled after the shooting. No group claimed responsibility for the attack. Banned extremist groups like the Lashkar-e-Jhanvi are usually blamed for such attacks. Quetta and other parts of Balochistan have witnessed a series of sectarian attacks over the past few years. Scores of people have died in these incidents. The Balochistan Bar Association condemned the killing of Naqvi and announced lawyers would boycott court proceedings across the province. The Tahafuz-e-Azadari Council, a leading Shia group, called for three days of mourning and appealed to the Chief Justice of Pakistan to take suo moto notice of the targeted killing.

 Indian students stranded as UK cancels university licence.
LONDON: London Metropolitan University’s licence to admit Indian and other non-EU students has been revoked by Britain’s immigration authorities citing “serious and systemic failings” on the part of the varsity, stranding hundreds of students.

With the next academic year starting shortly (September), plans of many Indian students preparing to travel to study at the university were thrown into jeopardy, while current students will need to quickly make alternative plans.

“London Metropolitan University’s licence to sponsor non-EU students has been revoked after it failed to address serious and systemic failings that were identified by the UK Border Agency six months ago,” a UK Border Agency (UKBA) spokesman said.
A task force has been set up to help Indian and other non-EU students affected by the revocation, officials said.

The university has over 2,000 international students, including Indians.

Current Indian students who are in their second or third years of courses will need to transfer to another UK university to continue their courses.

If this is not possible, they will need to abandon their courses and return to India within 60 days, according to the rules.

The London Metropolitan University, which recruits heavily from India and has offices in New Delhi and Chennai, is the first British university to have its licence to admit non-EU students revoked under measures to curb student visa abuse.

Universities Minister David Willetts said: “It is important that genuine students who are affected through no fault of their own are offered prompt advice and help, including, if necessary, with finding other institutions at which to finish their studies“.

“We are tonight asking HEFCE (Higher Education Funding Council for England) and Universities UK to lead a task force, which will include UKBA and the NUS, to work with London Metropolitan University to support affected students and enable them to continue their studies in the UK. The task force will start work immediately,” he added.

“We have been working with them since then, but the latest audit revealed problems with 61 per cent of files randomly sampled,” the UKBA spokesman said.

“Allowing London Metropolitan University to continue to sponsor and teach international students was not an option.
These are problems with one university, not the whole sector.

British universities are among the best in the world, and Britain remains a top class destination for top class international students,” the spokesman said.

“We are doing everything possible, working with Universities UK, to assist genuine students that have been affected,” he added.

Calls to the University’s liason office in New Delhi were greeted with an automated message that the number could not be found.

 Indian students stranded as UK cancels university licence.
LONDON: London Metropolitan University’s licence to admit Indian and other non-EU students has been revoked by Britain’s immigration authorities citing “serious and systemic failings” on the part of the varsity, stranding hundreds of students.

With the next academic year starting shortly (September), plans of many Indian students preparing to travel to study at the university were thrown into jeopardy, while current students will need to quickly make alternative plans.

“London Metropolitan University’s licence to sponsor non-EU students has been revoked after it failed to address serious and systemic failings that were identified by the UK Border Agency six months ago,” a UK Border Agency (UKBA) spokesman said.
A task force has been set up to help Indian and other non-EU students affected by the revocation, officials said.

The university has over 2,000 international students, including Indians.

Current Indian students who are in their second or third years of courses will need to transfer to another UK university to continue their courses.

If this is not possible, they will need to abandon their courses and return to India within 60 days, according to the rules.

The London Metropolitan University, which recruits heavily from India and has offices in New Delhi and Chennai, is the first British university to have its licence to admit non-EU students revoked under measures to curb student visa abuse.

Universities Minister David Willetts said: “It is important that genuine students who are affected through no fault of their own are offered prompt advice and help, including, if necessary, with finding other institutions at which to finish their studies“.

“We are tonight asking HEFCE (Higher Education Funding Council for England) and Universities UK to lead a task force, which will include UKBA and the NUS, to work with London Metropolitan University to support affected students and enable them to continue their studies in the UK. The task force will start work immediately,” he added.

“We have been working with them since then, but the latest audit revealed problems with 61 per cent of files randomly sampled,” the UKBA spokesman said.

“Allowing London Metropolitan University to continue to sponsor and teach international students was not an option.
These are problems with one university, not the whole sector.

British universities are among the best in the world, and Britain remains a top class destination for top class international students,” the spokesman said.

“We are doing everything possible, working with Universities UK, to assist genuine students that have been affected,” he added.

Calls to the University’s liason office in New Delhi were greeted with an automated message that the number could not be found.

 Indian students stranded as UK cancels university licence.

 Indian students stranded as UK cancels university licence.

 PM Manmohan Singh meets Khamenei, Ahmadinejad.

Tags: Manmohan Singh, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Ahmad
TEHRAN: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Wednesday met Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad during which they discussed Tehran's controversial nuclear programme, Afghanistan, tense situation in Syria and other key bilateral issues, including boosting of trade and economic ties. Singh, who is here to attend 16th Summit of Non-Aligned Movement, met the President for nearly an hour and raised the issue of highly-tilted bilateral trade relations in favour of Iran and sought more access for Indian goods, including wheat and other items, government sources said. The two leaders also discussed the nuclear issue and India expressed hope on the progress of P5+1 dialogue, the sources said. "The Prime Minister hoped that recent negotiations will yield positive results in the interest of peace in the region," they said. Both leaders reviewed the state of bilateral relations and the importance that both countries attach to strengthening the bilateral relations. They agreed that there was great potential in strengthening economic relations and economic cooperation. "The Prime Minister raised the issue of the need for Iran to import more from India to address the trade imbalance. In this regard resumption of exports of Indian wheat to Tehran was stressed by the Prime Minister," sources said. They also agreed to 'facilitate trilateral and bilateral cooperation on Chabahar port, which could serve as an important port of trade and transit for Afghanistan and Cetral Asia'. In a special gesture, the Iranian President also hosted a banquet after the meetings for Singh, the lone leader in the NAM Summit to get this honour. A dinner for all the other participating leaders will be hosted by Iran tomorrow. In a rare meeting with a non-Muslim dignitary, Ayatollah Khamenei on Wednesday held discussions with Singh, with the former appreciating the progress made by India in recent years. During their exchanges on international and regional issues, Singh and Ahmadinejad discussed developments in Afghanistan, Syria and West Asia in general, the sources said. Agreeing on the need for regular economic consultations for development of Afghanistan, they also empahised the need for international cooperation to effectively combat the scourge of terrorism which poses a great threat to peace and security in the region, they said. The Prime Minister also conveyed to the President his best wishes to Iran on assuming NAM chair. The two leaders also exchanged views on NAM, particularly in the context of the importance of the movement in addressing concerns to the membership. During his 40-minute meeting with the Supreme leader, the two discussed situation in Afghanistan and Syria. "It was felt that there was a need for regular consultations between two countries," they said. India will set up a cultural centre in Iran. During the meeting, Singh thanked the Iranian government for its consent to open the centre. Highlighting the close relations of cultural and religion between people of two countries which made a good basis for future cooperation, the Iranian supreme leader said the people of Iran have a positive outlook towards India. Asserting that it was important and valuable for Iran to have a stable and powerful India, Khamenei believed that religious diversity of India should not harm India's national unity. They also agreed on the need to do more to advance bilateral relations including in the development of infrastructure projects which have a long-term impact. The back-to-back meetings with Iranian leaders assume significance in view of the US pushing India and other countries to curtail their engagement with Iran to press Tehran on its controversial nuclear programme. Iran is under four rounds of UN Security Council sanctions for turning down West's calls to give up its right of uranium enrichment. Also, the US and its allies have imposed severe sanctions on Tehran hoping to force it to a negotiating table.

 PM Manmohan Singh meets Khamenei, Ahmadinejad.

Tags: Manmohan Singh, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Ahmad
TEHRAN: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Wednesday met Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad during which they discussed Tehran's controversial nuclear programme, Afghanistan, tense situation in Syria and other key bilateral issues, including boosting of trade and economic ties. Singh, who is here to attend 16th Summit of Non-Aligned Movement, met the President for nearly an hour and raised the issue of highly-tilted bilateral trade relations in favour of Iran and sought more access for Indian goods, including wheat and other items, government sources said. The two leaders also discussed the nuclear issue and India expressed hope on the progress of P5+1 dialogue, the sources said. "The Prime Minister hoped that recent negotiations will yield positive results in the interest of peace in the region," they said. Both leaders reviewed the state of bilateral relations and the importance that both countries attach to strengthening the bilateral relations. They agreed that there was great potential in strengthening economic relations and economic cooperation. "The Prime Minister raised the issue of the need for Iran to import more from India to address the trade imbalance. In this regard resumption of exports of Indian wheat to Tehran was stressed by the Prime Minister," sources said. They also agreed to 'facilitate trilateral and bilateral cooperation on Chabahar port, which could serve as an important port of trade and transit for Afghanistan and Cetral Asia'. In a special gesture, the Iranian President also hosted a banquet after the meetings for Singh, the lone leader in the NAM Summit to get this honour. A dinner for all the other participating leaders will be hosted by Iran tomorrow. In a rare meeting with a non-Muslim dignitary, Ayatollah Khamenei on Wednesday held discussions with Singh, with the former appreciating the progress made by India in recent years. During their exchanges on international and regional issues, Singh and Ahmadinejad discussed developments in Afghanistan, Syria and West Asia in general, the sources said. Agreeing on the need for regular economic consultations for development of Afghanistan, they also empahised the need for international cooperation to effectively combat the scourge of terrorism which poses a great threat to peace and security in the region, they said. The Prime Minister also conveyed to the President his best wishes to Iran on assuming NAM chair. The two leaders also exchanged views on NAM, particularly in the context of the importance of the movement in addressing concerns to the membership. During his 40-minute meeting with the Supreme leader, the two discussed situation in Afghanistan and Syria. "It was felt that there was a need for regular consultations between two countries," they said. India will set up a cultural centre in Iran. During the meeting, Singh thanked the Iranian government for its consent to open the centre. Highlighting the close relations of cultural and religion between people of two countries which made a good basis for future cooperation, the Iranian supreme leader said the people of Iran have a positive outlook towards India. Asserting that it was important and valuable for Iran to have a stable and powerful India, Khamenei believed that religious diversity of India should not harm India's national unity. They also agreed on the need to do more to advance bilateral relations including in the development of infrastructure projects which have a long-term impact. The back-to-back meetings with Iranian leaders assume significance in view of the US pushing India and other countries to curtail their engagement with Iran to press Tehran on its controversial nuclear programme. Iran is under four rounds of UN Security Council sanctions for turning down West's calls to give up its right of uranium enrichment. Also, the US and its allies have imposed severe sanctions on Tehran hoping to force it to a negotiating table.