Kerry calls on Israelis, Palestinians to salvage peace talks

Secretary Kerry on Thursday said that only the Israelis and Palestinians can reconcile the gap in their positions, adding that success or failure ultimately depends on their willingness to find a compromise.

'You can facilitate, you can push, you can nudge, but the parties themselves have to make fundamental decisions to compromise,' Kerry said in Algiers. 'The leaders have to lead, and they have to see the moment when it's there,' he added.

The secretary of state is currently on a tour of North Africa, where he's focusing on strengthening regional security cooperation.

Kerry had originally set an April 29th deadline for the two sides to hammer out a final settlement. Having proven unable to reach a deal so far, they are now negotiating to extend the peace talks beyond the deadline.

'Unhelpful, unilateral actions'

On Wednesday, the Palestinian Authority applied for greater recognition at the UN, submitting applications to join 15 international conventions. The move came in response to Israel's failure to release a fourth batch of Palestinian prisoners last Saturday.

The Palestinians' UN envoy, Riyad Mansour, told a news conference on Wednesday that his government may apply to join additional conventions and organizations including the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague.

'The leadership will observe and see how things unfold, and it will decide accordingly the timing of the second batch and the third batch and so on and so forth, on the basis of interests of the Palestinian people,' Mansour said.

When the peace talks began last July, Israel agreed to release 100 Palestinian prisoners, while the Palestinians agreed to forgo any unilateral moves for greater international recognition. In 2012, the Palestinian Authority had won observer status at the UN, angering the US and Israel.

Meanwhile, Israel has continued to build new settlements in East Jerusalem and the West Bank.

White House spokesman Josh Earnest on Wednesday condemned what he called the 'unhelpful, unilateral actions that both parties have taken in recent days.'

Dzeko, Ramos & Dortmund's summer shortlist to replace Lewandowski

Jurgen Klopp's side will be left with a gaping hole in their frontline this summer and have a number of candidates to fill the void left by the Poland striker

SPECIAL REPORT
By Enis Koylu

Last week's 3-0 Champions League loss to Real Madrid gave Borussia Dortmund a grim glimpse of life after Robert Lewandowski. The Polish striker, who has already agreed to join rivals Bayern Munich this summer on a Bosman transfer, was suspended for the trip to the Santiago Bernabeu and was sorely missed as his side crashed to a disheartening defeat.

Marco Reus was shunted up to lead the line for BVB, made to play an unnatural role - and the effects were obvious. As Jurgen Klopp's side desperately searched for an away goal the coach sent on Julian Schieber, who was utterly unable to fill the void. 

SUMMER SHORTLIST BVB's options to replace Lewandowski
Club	Age	Contract	Goals
ADRIAN RAMOS
Hertha	28	2015	16
EDIN DZEKO
Man City	28	2015	21
CIRO IMMOBILE
Torino	24	2016	19
MICHY BATSHUAYI
Liege	20	2018	20
ALEKSANDAR MITROVIC
Anderlecht	19	2018	13

It leaves Dortmund at a crossroads ahead of next season. Lewandowski has become irreplaceble over the years as he has blossomed into one of the world's best strikers.

Club CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke has in the past hinted that Reus and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang could be moved up front permanently. "Both played as strikers at their old clubs," he said in December.

However, last week's result in Spain highlighted the need to spend big in the summer, so who are the candidates to fill Lewandowski's sizeable shoes?

The overwhelming favourite to become the next BVB striker is Hertha Berlin forward Adrian Ramos. The Colombian has been a revelation since the capital club returned to the Bundesliga, scoring 19 goals in his 26 games, including one as they came from behind to beat Dortmund back in December.

The 28-year-old's agent has already confirmed that his client is likely to move to Signal Iduna Park, saying: "There is a big chance that Adrian will join Dortmund." However, despite his heroics in front of goal this term, there is a sense that the Champions League quarter-finalists need more.

Even with Lewandowski, they have been unable to compete with Bayern in the long term and Ramos would be a significant downgrade, given he has no Champions League experience.

One name long linked with BVB is Manchester City striker Edin Dzeko. The Bosnian has been told that he can leave the Etihad Stadium in the summer and Dortmund are one of the clubs monitoring his situation. They will, however, have to see off competition from Inter, who are vocal admirers of the player.

He may lack Lewandowski's tireless running but is a seasoned performer, having won both the Bundesliga with Wolfsburg and the Premier League with City. He would be an expensive option both in terms of transfer fee and salary but is a proven goalscorer.

However, former Dortmund defender Christoph Metzelder has his doubts over whether Dzeko is the right man for Dortmund. "The name of Edin Dzeko gets mentioned often and he knows the Bundesliga perfectly," the ex-Germany international told Goal. "But he would surely be an expensive signing and there is the slight question mark over whether he is ready for Jurgen Klopp's intensive running style. 

"Adrian Ramos is the central player at Hertha and he also is their first defender. He gets the ball in every situation and he is able to control it. He is quick and a great finisher. For me, he fits the requirements. 

"But he is not on Lewandowski's level. Nevertheless, I think they will buy another centre forward. They need somebody else up front."

Another player who has reportedly caught Klopp's eye is Ciro Immobile of Torino, a striker who is co-owned by Juventus. The 24-year-old has scored 18 goals in 28 games for Giampiero Ventura's men and his agent has confirmed that BVB have been following the forward's form closely.

"Their interest shows how big my player is becoming," Marco Sommella said in February. "Dortmund are Champions League runners-up and they're now looking for someone who can replace a top player like Lewandowski."


Switching Sides | Lewandowski will join Bayern for free in the summer
Then, of course, there is the wildcard option. Dortmund plucked Lewandowski from Lech Poznan and moulded him into one of the best strikers in Europe and Klopp has spoken of his confidence of doing the same again, saying: "Robert has developed so much, but others can and will do that at this club."

To that end, they have been scouring the Belgian leagues to keep an eye on Michy Batshuayi, who is enjoying a breakthrough season with Standard Liege, and Anderlecht's 19-year-old Aleksandar Mitrovic, whose agent has claimed interest from Signal Iduna Park.

Though there would be convenient parallels with Lewandowski, who himself arrived at the club as an unknown, Dortmund are in a different place these days as Champions League regulars and Bundesliga contenders. 

To pluck a youngster, however talented, and expect him to fill in for the Pole single-handedly would be putting a lot of pressure on a young player's shoulders.

Whichever route Dortmund choose to go down when it comes to rebuilding this summer, they will have to think long and hard before making an investment. But, if they play their cards well, they may just be able to replace Lewandowski.

17 Senior Pakistani and Afghan Taliban leaders killed in Kunar airstrike

KABUL- At least 17 prominent Taliban leaders including the Taliban shadow governor were killed following an airstrike in eastern Kunar province of Afghanistan.

The Afghan intelligence - National Directorate of Security (NDS) following a statement said today that the latest intelligence report indicates that a gathering of the senior Pakistani and Afghan Taliban leaders was targeted in an airstrike on Monday evening. The statement further added that the meeting was organized by the Taliban shadow governor for Kunar in Shegal district, which was attended by senior Pakistani and Afghan Taliban leaders.

NDS released the following information regarding Taliban's casualties in Kunar airstrike: Noor Qasim Sabari, shadow governor of Taliban in Kunar; Qari Osman, Taliban's shadow district chief for Shegal; Qari Zubair, senior Talban leader; Qari Latif, senior Taliban leader; Qari Tari, senior Taliban leader; Mullah Bashir Gajar, Taliban leader responsible for major roadside bombings; Qari Nasir Gajar, Taliban's suicide attack coordinator; Qari Sherin, Taliban leader responsible for assassinating tribal elders and Mullah Imams. According to NDS, several Pakistani Taliban militants were killed during the airstrike and their dead bodies can be seen among those killed, however the exact number is not clear so far.

Civil-military relations coming to a boil

Temperature is rising in the country’s civil-military relations. Ever since assuming what is often described as the most powerful position in the country, Gen Raheel Sharif, the army chief, has ordinarily avoided issuing public statements. But on Monday, Gen Sharif caused a stir and sent ripples through the political landscape when he finally spoke. And he spoke loud and clear. “Pakistan Army upholds the sanctity of all institutions,” the army chief said while addressing Special Services Group commandoes at Ghazi Base in Tarbela, but warned the military “will resolutely preserve its own dignity and institutional pride.”
The statement portends a new turn in the relations between the civilian government and the military. It is too early to conclude that a tipping point has reached, but the delicate equilibrium is certainly shaken. The mantra of the cabinet ministers that the military and the civilian government are ‘on the same page’ has started to sound hollow.
Resentment has been bubbling across the military rank and file over the treason trial of Pervez Musharraf, the former military ruler. Serving and retired military officials continue to express their deep resentment over how a former army chief has been dubbed as a “traitor” ad nauseam in the local news media and by the political parties, especially the ruling political party, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz. The fulmination against Gen (r) Musharraf by the hawks of PML-N — Khawaja Saad Rafique and Khawaja Muhammad Asif— have touched the raw nerve of the military.
The level of unrest and unease within the ranks has reached such a level that Gen Sharif was forced to convey the military’s concerns in his most recent meeting with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. Officials say the army chief, who was handpicked by the prime minister, sat stiff during the latest meeting with tension hanging thick in the air.
The prime minister responded by directing his cabinet ministers to refrain from issuing public statements about the treason trial. Obviously, the gag order by Prime Minister Sharif hasn’t satisfied the military as Gen Sharif felt compelled to issue the statement yesterday. It was also telling that the army chief chose to express his and his troops’ reservations in front of the SSG commandoes as Gen (r) Musharraf was himself a commando and takes great pride in his association with the hardened soldiers.
Adding a further wedge to the civil-military equation is the growing perception that the political government is ceding too much ground to the militants as it forges ahead in its dialogue with Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan. Senior government officials also hint at the warnings that Taliban insurgents have given to the Sharif family as another important factor that has forced the civilian leadership to appear conciliatory and accommodating to the demands of militants.
It would be naive to imagine that Prime Minister Sharif was unaware of the perilous path he undertook when he announced to initiate treason proceedings against Gen (r) Musharraf. The prime minister was compelled politically, albeit by former chief justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry regarding the treason trial. Prime Minister Sharif is no stranger to acrimony with the military. His last two tenures were marked by deep strains and friction with the generals and eventually led to his sacking and subsequent exile.
The treason trial was always fraught with unintended consequences and political analysts had warned, right at the onset of the trial proceedings, of an impending turmoil.
The latest turn of events seems to be leading towards that dark alley. “Disquiet has developed in the military over Musharraf case and the talks with Taliban,” Hasan Askari Rizvi, a prominent defence and political analyst, said. “It can seriously undermine the civil-military relations. I expect a very difficult summer ahead,” Rizvi predicted.
–The writer is Resident Editor, The Nation in Islamabad.

7 Celebrities Ready to Take On the Ministry!

Yes, we’ve been hearing about the importance of your vote, the fact that it does count and the impact it can create. News rooms have been ‘buzzing’ with the thought that ‘India needs an answer’ to corruption, potholed roads, education, food, water and blah! But does it feel like you need more choice to vote for.

We’ve put up a quick and quirky list of seven celebrities who could be handed certain Government portfolios and positions and why they would most likely suit the bill! So while you ‘Rock your vote’; read this.  Statutory warning: If you love politics, leave your ‘intellectual self’ at home.  

All ministries need a Speaker of the Lok Sabha who among other things, maintains discipline and decorum in the house and can punish a member for their unruly behaviour by suspending them. Going by what we’ve seen, we clearly needed someone who can get people to ‘shut up’ when the time is right and hence, our natural choice is ‘Sonakshi Sinha’. Not only is she brave enough to face a ‘thappad’ herself, but one stern look from those oh-so-beautiful eyes will send the right message. Plus, having papa by her side saying ‘Khamosh’, will definitely add a feather to her cap. In the rare cases that this does not work, she can always borrow a ‘Bullet’ from her ‘Raja’. Problem solved. 

Next up, the ‘Ministry of Civil Aviation’ which has among other responsibilities is in charge for overseeing airport facilities, air traffic services and carriage of passengers and goods by air. Now before you jump to conclusions, let us assure you that there is no one better than Hrithik Roshan [a.k.a. Krrish] to handle this job. Why? For starters he is a superhero, looks superhot and definitely someone you’d like to have on a ‘vote for me’ poster campaign. Wait! That’s not it. The real reason is that he has first-hand experience [second only to Superman] in safely landing a plan after getting onto it mid-air and ensuring that all passengers are safe and sound. You bring us a minister who’s been there and done that, and we’ll consider. Until then it’s Hrithik all the way!

Then there is the ‘Heavy Industries & Public Enterprises Minister’ portfolio. Yes, we do have one. For the un-initiated, this is the Government arm that administers certain large enterprises and assists them in improving capacity, generate resources and reorient strategies. Well, it’s quite literally a heavy job to do and so, we’ve decided to award this to our very own‘Sunny Paaji’. From being an ‘Arjun’ for society in his very first few films to fighting for justice with his heavy ‘Dhai Kilo ka haath’ [Read as heavy hand],  who better than to take this up. Sunny, aap aage badho! We’ll nominate you.

There is absolutely no doubt in our mind on the next one i.e. The ‘Ministry of External Affairs’ which for lack of a better explanation is responsible for the conduct of India's relations with foreign countries and for our representation in the United Nations. While they also advise other Ministries and State Governments on foreign dealings, you clearly need someone here who people will listen to. Or be blown away by how awesome they look and simply agree to everything they propose. This portfolio hence goes to the one and only ‘Katrina Kaif’. Three reasons; one - she’s from ‘the phoren’, two – she has relevant experience in ‘affairs’ with Indians and three – just look at her! How can you not want to listen and agree to anything she says? Huh?

While it’s no surprise that the ‘Ministry of Culture’ (Read: संस्कृति मंत्रालय) is charged with preservation and promotion of art and culture, they also have a set ‘Sanskriti Darpan’ that outlines tours that one can take to understand our culture and heritage. No brainer though! This one goes to‘Alok Nath’ the epitome of ‘Sanskar’ and tradition in Hindi movies. While you think of the last Alok Nath joke you’ve heard, let us tell you that he is clearly the most Sanskari [we’ve heard] man alive in Bollywood and while he may not want to take this portfolio up for all the lame jokes we’ve cracked, let’s just hand this over to him shall we? 

When you start hunting for the next ‘Defence Minster’, you have to choose carefully. Not only are you in-charge of the safety of our country but your portfolio also has the largest budget. Plus you need to be someone who understands big guns and is not afraid to use them! We’d like no one else except ‘Deepika Padukone’ to take on this role you see. After playing ‘Goliyon ki raasleela’, shooting threats in ‘Chennai Express’ and having shown her dark side in ‘Cocktail’, this is one lady you do not mess with. People around the world, please note, Deepika is our new Defence minister. If you want more reasons, we have one. She’s quite the bomb herself!

We have the ministry and now it’s time to choose someone who leads this dynamic team. To be the ‘Prime Minister’ you need someone who is brave, stands for what is right and lives up to commitments you make. Someone who is ‘Ready’ to say ‘ek baar jo commitment kar di to main apne aap ki bhi nahin sunta’ and then, actually backs that up with an action oriented approach. Knows the fine line between being funny & diplomatic [we could use some] and being ‘Dabaang’ when needed. There you have it - Salman Khan. Daring, dashing and ready to voice his point of view while ensuring that he is actually being heard by the world, he is our favourite for this lead role. Jai Ho! 

There you have it. Our recommendations for some real time change! Got more to add to this list? Tell us who and better, tell us why too!

top 10 young emerging universities of the world/

Education is what makes us different from our predecessors and that is exactly why it is a critical decision when it comes to selecting the institution where you want to study. The institution can and does play a vital role in determining just how far you will groom intellectually. Keeping all this in mind, we have decided to bring to you a list of top 10 engineering universities which, when compared to old universities are relatively newly established. To be exact; we are talking about universities which have been established in the last 50 years and are excelling in global rankings.

Go ahead, browse through the list and see what these young universities have to offer to their students.

10. University of Antwerp

First off, we have the University of Antwerp which was established at Belgium back in 1971. It is ranked 185 in the QS World University Rankings 2013/2014. The university has a score of 34.5 when it comes to teaching.  The university has 620 tenured professors while 2,478 tenured researchers. It has a score of 100 when it comes to industry income (entrepreneurship) and a score of 33.2 when it comes to research.

9. Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona

Next stop is at Spain where we have Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona that was established in 1968 and enjoys the rank number of 177. The university has a score of 30.6 when it comes to teaching with a total of 3,514 research and teaching staff at its disposal. The university has a score of 28 when it comes to research (a total of 57.07 million Euros were spent during 2012-2013). The industry income of university has a score of 39.1 with 53 spin off companies that were established during 2012-2013.

8. The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Next stop we have the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, which was established in 1994. The university enjoys a position of 161 as per QS World University Rankings. The university has a score of 28.4 when it comes to teaching with 1,250 academic staff. It has an industry income score of 40.3 and a research score of 35.7 with 2,769 projects which are underway since 2011-2012.

7. Maastricht University

Next stop is at Netherlands where we have Maastricht University that enjoys a position of 122. The university was established back in 1967. The university enjoys a score of 33.1 when it comes to teaching with total of 1,815 academic staff. The university has a score of 47.1 in research and a score 98.2 in industrial income.

6. Pohang University of Science and Technology: POSTECH

Next stop is South Korea where we have the Pohang University of Science and Technology. The university was established back in 1986 and enjoys a ranking number of 106. The university has a teaching score of 54.2 with 411 faculty members while, 788 researchers prove why the research score is 49.0. The industry income score stands at 100.

5. City University of Hong Kong

Next stop is Hong Kong where we have the City University of Hong Kong. The university was established in 1984 and currently enjoys the position of 104 as per QS World University Rankings. It has a score of 30.9 when it comes to teaching with a total of 806 academic staff. The research score is 33.5 with ample research centers in the unversity. The university has an industry income score of 55.7.

4. Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)

Next stop is again at South Korea where we have the famous Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology. The university was established in 1971 and ranks in at 60th position as per QS World University Rankings. It has a teaching score of 65.6. The university has a research score of 60 with only contracted research projects in 2012 measuring in at 1,809. The industry income score is at 100.

3. Nanyang Technological University (NTU)

The next stop is in Singapore where we have Nanyan Technological University (NTU), which was established in 1991. Its QS World University Rankings position is 41st. The university has a teaching score of 37.7, an industry income score of 100 while research score is 54.3.

2. Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST)

The second last on our list is Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST). This university is ranked at 34th position as per QS World University Rankings. The university has a total of 174 faculties for engineering and has a score of 52.4 in teaching and a score of 59.7 when it comes to research. The university has an industry income score of 58.5.

1. National University of Sciences of Technology, Pakistan

The first on our list is the National University of Sciences and Technology located in Pakistan. The university was established in 1991. Why this university is ranked at number one in our list? To put it simply although the university was established in 1991, the main campus upon which its ranking is based was established in 2008.The campus was built on a whole sector in the capital city of Pakistan; Islamabad. NUST’s ranking, as per QS World University Rankings, is among the top 500 universities of the world.  NUST has managed to reach top 500 in shortest time when compared to other universities of its size. The university allows entrepreneurial opportunities for its students who are allowed to bring their ideas to the forum and are then provided with a portal to industry. The university is rapidly building links with more and more industries in Pakistan and abroad to facilitate its students.  The university is the leading university when it comes to research and faculty in Pakistan and has made a name for itself in quite a short span of time. The university has also been awarded the “International Quality Award” at 2014 Asia Pacific Quality Network Conference and Annual General Meeting held in Vietnam.

Peaches Geldof found dead aged 25

Peaches Geldof: 'the wildest, funniest, cleverest, wittiest and the most bonkers of all of us,' said her father Bob. Photograph: Dave J Hogan/Getty Images

The Geldof family was struggling to come to terms with the latest chapter in its tragic history after the sudden death of Peaches Geldof, aged just 25, at her home in Kent on Monday.

"We are beyond pain," her father, Bob Geldof, said as he confirmed the news.

The journalist and model was pronounced dead by a crew from South East Coast ambulance service after they were called to her home near Wrotham at 1.35pm on Monday "following a report of concern for the welfare of a woman". The news broke 24 hours after Geldof, who had 169,000 followers on Twitter, posted a picture of herself as a toddler being held by her mother, the TV presenter Paula Yates who died from an accidental heroin overdose in September 2000. She captioned it simply: "Me and my mum".

A spokesperson for Kent police said on Monday night: "At this stage, the death is being treated as an unexplained sudden death. Officers are working to establish the circumstances around the death."

Her father, the musician and campaigner Bob Geldof, issued a statement on behalf of his family, which he described as "fractured so often, but never broken".

"Peaches has died," he said. "We are beyond pain. She was the wildest, funniest, cleverest, wittiest and the most bonkers of all of us. Writing 'was' destroys me afresh. What a beautiful child. How is this possible that we will not see her again? How is that bearable? We loved her and will cherish her forever. How sad that sentence is."

Peaches Geldof with her husband Thomas Cohen at the London premiere of the final Twilight film in November 2012. Photograph: Stuart Wilson/Getty Images

Peaches Honeyblossom Michelle Charlotte Angel Vanessa Geldof was married to Thomas Cohen, a 23-year-old musician, who she wed at the same church in Davington, Kent, where her parents married 26 years earlier. It was also where her mother's funeral was held in 2000. They had two young sons, Astala, one, and Phaedra, who will turn one this month.

"Tom and her sons, Astala and Phaedra, will always belong in our family," Bob Geldof continued, before signing off on behalf of himself and his partner, Jeanne Marine, Peaches' older sister Fifi Trixibelle, her younger sister Pixie and her younger half-sister, Tiger Geldof, whose father, the INXS frontman Michael Hutchence, killed himself in a Sydney hotel room in 1997.

In a separate statement, Cohen said: "My beloved wife Peaches was adored by myself and her two sons, Astala and Phaedra, and I shall bring them up with their mother in their hearts every day. We shall love her forever."

Her most recent appearences included attending a fashion show for Tesco, taking part in a challenge for Sport Relief with her dog Parper and backing a fundraising campaign for Cancer Research UK. The news of her death was received with shock by colleagues in the entertainment industry. The TV presenter Phillip Schofield said he was "utterly stunned" at "the dreadful loss of a really lovely woman". Myleene Klass tweeted: "The news of beautiful Peaches is utterly devastating. God bless her babies".