Indian Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee stepped down Tuesday, leaving behind a faltering economy and a plunging rupee as he set his sights on the country's presidency. The 77-year-old veteran politician leaves office at a time of growing criticism of his stewardship of Asia's third-largest economy, which has slowed dramatically at a time of stubbornly high inflation.
His last full day as finance minister Monday coincided with the announcement of measures to boost the rupee, which has lost nearly a quarter of its value in the past year and hit a record low of 57.32 against the dollar last week.
The steps included raising the limit on foreign investment in government bonds by $5 billion to $20 billion, but the markets were underwhelmed and both the Indian currency and Mumbai's Sensex index fell on the announcement.
"I know that not every decision I have taken might have been right, but they were taken in the interest of the people," Mukherjee told reporters before handing in his formal resignation to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
Singh has yet to announce who will take over the finance ministry, and there has been widespread speculation that he will keep the portfolio for himself.
India's once-booming economy is suffering from slowing industrial growth, troublesome fiscal and current account deficits and a stalled reform agenda.
The economy grew just 5.3 percent in January to March, its slowest quarterly expansion in nine years.
A politician whose popularity cuts across party lines, Mukherjee was selected last month as the ruling coalition's nominee to succeed Patil as president.
"Today, I stand ready to embark on a new journey," Mukherjee said, adding that he felt "honoured and humbled" by his nomination.
"Standing on the brink of such an honour, I also feel a pinch of sentiment at the thought of leaving behind my life as a political activist spanning over four decades," he said.
Although the president is India's titular head of state, real executive power resides with the prime minister and the cabinet.
Indian presidents are selected by an electoral college comprising MPs from both houses of parliament and state legislatures.
The election will be held on July 19.
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Saturday, June 30, 2012
Decapitated Belgian trekker found in Nepal
Nepalese police Tuesday launched a murder investigation after the body of a Belgian woman was found decapitated in a popular trekking spot in the Himalayas. Debbie Maveau, 23, had been missing for 10 days before her badly decomposed body was found on June 14 beneath a hiking trail in the Langtang National Park, on the Tibetan border, police said.
"Her head was around 13 inches from the rest of her body," local inspector Bhakta Sunuwar told AFP, adding police had no leads on the culprit and were trying to establish if she had been killed by someone she met before the trek.
Sunuwar said robbery and rape were unlikely motives since her underwear had not been removed and her camera and 8,000 rupees ($93) in cash were not taken.
"People are not cooperating with the investigation. Everyone in the area says they have not seen her," he added.
"We found that she had travelled to Dhunche from Kathmandu by bus but none of the drivers in the area confirmed that they had seen her."
A growing number of assaults in Nepal's Himalayan national parks have led to a US Embassy warning against trekking alone in the region.
American Lena Sessions, 23, was hiking solo in December in Langtang when she was threatened with sexual assault by a masked man with a knife, but managed to escape. The incident came a week after a South Korean woman was assaulted nearby.
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"Her head was around 13 inches from the rest of her body," local inspector Bhakta Sunuwar told AFP, adding police had no leads on the culprit and were trying to establish if she had been killed by someone she met before the trek.
Sunuwar said robbery and rape were unlikely motives since her underwear had not been removed and her camera and 8,000 rupees ($93) in cash were not taken.
"People are not cooperating with the investigation. Everyone in the area says they have not seen her," he added.
"We found that she had travelled to Dhunche from Kathmandu by bus but none of the drivers in the area confirmed that they had seen her."
A growing number of assaults in Nepal's Himalayan national parks have led to a US Embassy warning against trekking alone in the region.
American Lena Sessions, 23, was hiking solo in December in Langtang when she was threatened with sexual assault by a masked man with a knife, but managed to escape. The incident came a week after a South Korean woman was assaulted nearby.
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US drone strike 'kills at least five' in Pakistan
A US drone strike targeting a militant compound in Pakistan's northwestern tribal district killed at least five militants late Tuesday, security officials said. The unmanned aircraft fired two missiles on the compound in the Shawal area, some 50 kilometres southwest of Miranshah, the main town of North Waziristan tribal district, near the Afghan border.
The area is considered to be a hub of Taliban and Al-Qaeda activity.
"At least five militants have been killed and three have been wounded. The compound was completely destroyed," a senior security official based in Peshawar city told AFP.
All those killed were fighters linked with local warlord Hafiz Gul Bahadur, another security official based in Miranshah told AFP.
Bahadur, who is allied with Afghan Taliban, is accused of fighting US-led troops across the border.
He last week imposed a ban on anti-polio vaccination teams in protest at US drone strikes, officials said.
Local officials told AFP on Tuesday that they had so far failed to convince him to allow the vaccinations.
Bahadur said the ban would remain until the US stops drone attacks in the tribal region.
But Washington considers Pakistan's semi-autonomous northwestern tribal belt the main hub of Taliban and Al-Qaeda militants plotting attacks on the West and in Afghanistan.
Islamabad is understood to have approved the strikes on Al-Qaeda and Taliban targets in the past. But the government has become increasingly energetic in its public opposition as relations with Washington have nosedived.
US officials consider the attacks a vital weapon in the war against Islamist extremists, despite concerns from rights activists over civilian casualties.
The London-based Bureau of Investigative Journalism has said that under President Barack Obama one drone strike has hit Pakistan on average every four days.
It said most of the 2,292 to 2,863 people reported to have died were low-ranking militants, but that only 126 fighters had been named.
It said it had credible reports of between 385 and 775 civilians being killed, including 164 to 168 children.
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The area is considered to be a hub of Taliban and Al-Qaeda activity.
"At least five militants have been killed and three have been wounded. The compound was completely destroyed," a senior security official based in Peshawar city told AFP.
All those killed were fighters linked with local warlord Hafiz Gul Bahadur, another security official based in Miranshah told AFP.
Bahadur, who is allied with Afghan Taliban, is accused of fighting US-led troops across the border.
He last week imposed a ban on anti-polio vaccination teams in protest at US drone strikes, officials said.
Local officials told AFP on Tuesday that they had so far failed to convince him to allow the vaccinations.
Bahadur said the ban would remain until the US stops drone attacks in the tribal region.
But Washington considers Pakistan's semi-autonomous northwestern tribal belt the main hub of Taliban and Al-Qaeda militants plotting attacks on the West and in Afghanistan.
Islamabad is understood to have approved the strikes on Al-Qaeda and Taliban targets in the past. But the government has become increasingly energetic in its public opposition as relations with Washington have nosedived.
US officials consider the attacks a vital weapon in the war against Islamist extremists, despite concerns from rights activists over civilian casualties.
The London-based Bureau of Investigative Journalism has said that under President Barack Obama one drone strike has hit Pakistan on average every four days.
It said most of the 2,292 to 2,863 people reported to have died were low-ranking militants, but that only 126 fighters had been named.
It said it had credible reports of between 385 and 775 civilians being killed, including 164 to 168 children.
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Giroud agrees Arsenal deal
Montpellier forward Olivier Giroud has agreed to join Arsenal on a long-term contract, the English Premier League club announced Tuesday. The 25-year-old France striker completed a medical before agreeing terms at the club's training ground on Monday evening. The completion of the transfer is now just the subject of "formal processes", according to Arsenal.
Giroud, whose contract with Arsenal will commence on July 1, told the club's website: "I am delighted to be here at Arsenal and to be part of one of the great teams in English football.
"It's a huge satisfaction to join this great club and it's been a dream since I was young to play in the Premier League."
Giroud said the style of football Arsenal, who finished third in the English top-flight last season, play under French manager Arsene Wenger had been a major factor in his decision.
"I was attracted by the philosophy of football and Arsene Wenger's 'touch' at this club," he said.
"I have always admired Arsenal with its great history and reputation, and I now hope to achieve great things here. I'm very proud to be a Gunner and I will give my best for all the Arsenal fans."
Wenger said: "We are delighted to have secured the signing of Olivier Giroud. He has a very good physical presence and is exceptional in the air, with a great work ethic.
"We are excited about Olivier joining us and he will add an additional dimension to our attacking options next season."
Giroud arrives in north London from French champions Montpellier, where 21 goals in 36 league appearances made him the French league's joint top goalscorer last season and also earned him a place in the Ligue 1 Team of the Year.
Giroud, who enjoyed a two-year spell at the Stade de la Mosson and broke into the national team in November 2011, flew to London after representing France at Euro 2012 where they exited to Spain in the quarter-finals.
The Chambery-born player spent his formative years in France's lower leagues, developing his game with Grenoble and at Tours FC where he played alongside Arsenal's Laurent Koscielny for a season before being awarded the Ligue 2 Player of the Year award in 2009/10.
"He has proved that he is capable of performing at the top level with club and country, and we saw what a big influence he was in Montpellier's championship-winning side last season," said Wenger.
"We all look forward to Olivier joining us and seeing him play in an Arsenal shirt," Wenger added.
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Giroud, whose contract with Arsenal will commence on July 1, told the club's website: "I am delighted to be here at Arsenal and to be part of one of the great teams in English football.
"It's a huge satisfaction to join this great club and it's been a dream since I was young to play in the Premier League."
Giroud said the style of football Arsenal, who finished third in the English top-flight last season, play under French manager Arsene Wenger had been a major factor in his decision.
"I was attracted by the philosophy of football and Arsene Wenger's 'touch' at this club," he said.
"I have always admired Arsenal with its great history and reputation, and I now hope to achieve great things here. I'm very proud to be a Gunner and I will give my best for all the Arsenal fans."
Wenger said: "We are delighted to have secured the signing of Olivier Giroud. He has a very good physical presence and is exceptional in the air, with a great work ethic.
"We are excited about Olivier joining us and he will add an additional dimension to our attacking options next season."
Giroud arrives in north London from French champions Montpellier, where 21 goals in 36 league appearances made him the French league's joint top goalscorer last season and also earned him a place in the Ligue 1 Team of the Year.
Giroud, who enjoyed a two-year spell at the Stade de la Mosson and broke into the national team in November 2011, flew to London after representing France at Euro 2012 where they exited to Spain in the quarter-finals.
The Chambery-born player spent his formative years in France's lower leagues, developing his game with Grenoble and at Tours FC where he played alongside Arsenal's Laurent Koscielny for a season before being awarded the Ligue 2 Player of the Year award in 2009/10.
"He has proved that he is capable of performing at the top level with club and country, and we saw what a big influence he was in Montpellier's championship-winning side last season," said Wenger.
"We all look forward to Olivier joining us and seeing him play in an Arsenal shirt," Wenger added.
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Pirlo says Germany afraid of Italy
Italian playmaker Andrea Pirlo believes Euro 2012 semi-final opponents Germany are running scared ahead of their clash with Italy in Warsaw on Thursday. Germany have never beaten Italy in a competitive match, losing three times and drawing as many in World Cup finals and European Championships.
They also met in a World Cup qualifier in 1962 with the game ending in a draw.
And Pirlo, 33, believes that history will give Italy the edge.
"Germany are definitely scared of us, they know we can create difficulties for them given what's happened in the past and they will have to be careful to avoid a repeat of what happened in 2006," said the Juventus midfielder.
The two sides met at the same stage of the World Cup in Germany six years ago and Italy won 2-0 - Pirlo's stunning pass setting up their first in the final stages of extra-time - before going on to beat France on penalties in the final.
Italy also triumphed over West Germany in the 1970 World Cup semi-final and the final in 1982.
While Italy came into the tournament in the midst of a crisis of form and confidence as well as surrounded by ugly match-fixing headlines, they have steadily improved during the competition.
And Pirlo believes they just need to continue playing the same way and success will come.
"We'll play in the same way because it's the only way we know. We'll try to have possession and make the most of our strengths.
"Germany play differently to England, they play (rather than just defend) and can create chances but we're ready, we've come here to win the Euros.
"We're strong in every department but it's not just been in this competition, it was the same in other years.
"It will be a great game and worthy of a semi-final."
Italy have always played after Germany throughout the tournament meaning they had the chance to watch their opponents' matches and Pirlo has been impressed with Mesut Ozil.
"We've seen all their games because they played before us so we were all in front of the television.
"They're a great team, in the last 20 years they've reached six semi-finals, they always go far.
"They're a great team but we've studied them.
"They have many great players but Ozil is very important both for Germany and Real Madrid.
"He's a great player and has proved that on the pitch."
That Italy have come this far is intriguing for a pair of reasons.
The first being their poor form in friendlies before the competition as they had lost three games in a row, including a 3-0 defeat to Russia on June 1 in Zurich.
The second reason being the Calcioscommesse football-betting scandal back home.
The last two times Italy have won a major international competition, the World Cups in 1982 and 2006, they did so following domestic match-fixing scandals.
Few people gave them a chance of going all the way when they turned up in Poland but history is on the brink of repeating itself.
And Pirlo says the team always felt they were capable of achieving great things.
"That defeat to Russia did us good, it put our feet on the ground and we understood that we had a lot of work to do to have a good Euros," he said.
"As soon as we got here we realised that we could do well, we've got the right spirit and desire, we take one game after another and we're always improving.
"Now we're in the last four but we still haven't done anything."
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They also met in a World Cup qualifier in 1962 with the game ending in a draw.
And Pirlo, 33, believes that history will give Italy the edge.
"Germany are definitely scared of us, they know we can create difficulties for them given what's happened in the past and they will have to be careful to avoid a repeat of what happened in 2006," said the Juventus midfielder.
The two sides met at the same stage of the World Cup in Germany six years ago and Italy won 2-0 - Pirlo's stunning pass setting up their first in the final stages of extra-time - before going on to beat France on penalties in the final.
Italy also triumphed over West Germany in the 1970 World Cup semi-final and the final in 1982.
While Italy came into the tournament in the midst of a crisis of form and confidence as well as surrounded by ugly match-fixing headlines, they have steadily improved during the competition.
And Pirlo believes they just need to continue playing the same way and success will come.
"We'll play in the same way because it's the only way we know. We'll try to have possession and make the most of our strengths.
"Germany play differently to England, they play (rather than just defend) and can create chances but we're ready, we've come here to win the Euros.
"We're strong in every department but it's not just been in this competition, it was the same in other years.
"It will be a great game and worthy of a semi-final."
Italy have always played after Germany throughout the tournament meaning they had the chance to watch their opponents' matches and Pirlo has been impressed with Mesut Ozil.
"We've seen all their games because they played before us so we were all in front of the television.
"They're a great team, in the last 20 years they've reached six semi-finals, they always go far.
"They're a great team but we've studied them.
"They have many great players but Ozil is very important both for Germany and Real Madrid.
"He's a great player and has proved that on the pitch."
That Italy have come this far is intriguing for a pair of reasons.
The first being their poor form in friendlies before the competition as they had lost three games in a row, including a 3-0 defeat to Russia on June 1 in Zurich.
The second reason being the Calcioscommesse football-betting scandal back home.
The last two times Italy have won a major international competition, the World Cups in 1982 and 2006, they did so following domestic match-fixing scandals.
Few people gave them a chance of going all the way when they turned up in Poland but history is on the brink of repeating itself.
And Pirlo says the team always felt they were capable of achieving great things.
"That defeat to Russia did us good, it put our feet on the ground and we understood that we had a lot of work to do to have a good Euros," he said.
"As soon as we got here we realised that we could do well, we've got the right spirit and desire, we take one game after another and we're always improving.
"Now we're in the last four but we still haven't done anything."
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Spain play Barca game minus Messi
Eight goals in four games - albeit half of those against Ireland - and Spain are moving on towards their date with destiny as they target an unprecedented third straight major title. Spain have had to deal with a certain amount of criticism as against Italy and Croatia they found it hard to serve up caviar football, particularly with coach Vicente Del Bosque's predilection for economising on the strikers.
Yet the Furia Roja are now at the business end of the tournament and have a reputation to live up to as the pass masters of the modern game.
The Spanish share that philosophy with Barcelona, though of course the key difference in personnel is the absence in Del Bosque's side of Argentina's Leo Messi.
Del Bosque has, like Barca, tried the false number nine route with Cesc Fabregas - but the Barcelona definition of that role is somewhat different given that Messi is the man with the attacking licence to roam.
To be fair to Fabregas he has scored twice here - but at Barca he naturally can leave Messi in the free role. The Catalans have the luxury of being able to call on both men to pull the strings.
Del Bosque says that, if Spain were to look for a Messi figure, then it would not even be Fabregas - who in any case rejects the comparison.
"David Silva is the Spanish Messi," Del Bosque said recently - although he has not called upon the Manchester City man to assume any kind of similar role, rather moving him further right than where he performs for his club.
Silva assumed the false nine responsibilities and scored twice in a qualifier against Scotland last October.
At Barcelona, meanwhile, coach Pep Guardiola used Fabregas with success for a time at the start of last season but then moved him back again as Messi generally began to run riot on the way to 50 league goals - a club record.
Del Bosque sees Fabregas as a point man for the rest of his stellar midfield, whether the point be slightly further forward or slightly further back whereas he will choose Torres when it coms to using space or playing on the counter.
Fabregas himself said after the quarter-final win over France that he should not be compared with Messi.
"I have never compared myself with Messi - that would be silly. I play where the boss puts me and that is that.
"I also think we shouldn't really be talking about Messi as he isn't here first of all and in any case is a very different player to me.
"We are talking about the best player in the history of football," said Fabregas of his clubmate.
He added: "I hope nobody expects me to beat five players and score."
According to teammate Xabi Alonso, himself a midfielder of the deeper-lying variety yet who also assumes goalscoring responsibilities - noting his brace against the French - the debate is not really a topic in the camp.
"There has never been an internal debate. We are all very confident and sure as to how we should play. that's how we have come so far and we shall continue in that vein," said the Real Madrid star.
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Yet the Furia Roja are now at the business end of the tournament and have a reputation to live up to as the pass masters of the modern game.
The Spanish share that philosophy with Barcelona, though of course the key difference in personnel is the absence in Del Bosque's side of Argentina's Leo Messi.
Del Bosque has, like Barca, tried the false number nine route with Cesc Fabregas - but the Barcelona definition of that role is somewhat different given that Messi is the man with the attacking licence to roam.
To be fair to Fabregas he has scored twice here - but at Barca he naturally can leave Messi in the free role. The Catalans have the luxury of being able to call on both men to pull the strings.
Del Bosque says that, if Spain were to look for a Messi figure, then it would not even be Fabregas - who in any case rejects the comparison.
"David Silva is the Spanish Messi," Del Bosque said recently - although he has not called upon the Manchester City man to assume any kind of similar role, rather moving him further right than where he performs for his club.
Silva assumed the false nine responsibilities and scored twice in a qualifier against Scotland last October.
At Barcelona, meanwhile, coach Pep Guardiola used Fabregas with success for a time at the start of last season but then moved him back again as Messi generally began to run riot on the way to 50 league goals - a club record.
Del Bosque sees Fabregas as a point man for the rest of his stellar midfield, whether the point be slightly further forward or slightly further back whereas he will choose Torres when it coms to using space or playing on the counter.
Fabregas himself said after the quarter-final win over France that he should not be compared with Messi.
"I have never compared myself with Messi - that would be silly. I play where the boss puts me and that is that.
"I also think we shouldn't really be talking about Messi as he isn't here first of all and in any case is a very different player to me.
"We are talking about the best player in the history of football," said Fabregas of his clubmate.
He added: "I hope nobody expects me to beat five players and score."
According to teammate Xabi Alonso, himself a midfielder of the deeper-lying variety yet who also assumes goalscoring responsibilities - noting his brace against the French - the debate is not really a topic in the camp.
"There has never been an internal debate. We are all very confident and sure as to how we should play. that's how we have come so far and we shall continue in that vein," said the Real Madrid star.
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Nadal, Murray win as Aussies suffer Wimbledon slump
Two-time winner Rafael Nadal and British hope Andy Murray reached the Wimbledon second round on Tuesday, but Australia's men slumped to their country's worst performance since 1938. Nadal, fresh from a record-breaking seventh French Open win, enjoyed a 7-6 (7/0), 6-2, 6-3 victory over Brazil's Thomaz Bellucci despite having trailed 4-0 in the first set.
"It's always tough to make the change from clay to grass, especially when over the last couple of months I played almost every match on tour. Physically you start having some troubles," admitted Nadal, the 2008 and 2010 champion.
"I'm very happy to be back on probably the best court in the world and winning in three sets is good for me."
Fourth seed Murray, a semi-finalist for the last three years, had the last laugh as he silenced Nikolay Davydenko's taunts with an easy 6-1, 6-1 6-4 win.
The Russian had claimed players laughed at the Briton, believing he regularly exaggerates his injuries.
"I'm desperate to get the tournament going because there's a lot of talk from a lot of people," said Murray.
Serena Williams, the 2002, 2003, 2009 and 2010 champion, reached the second round with a 6-2, 6-4 win over Barbora Zahlavova Strycova of the Czech Republic.
The American sixth seed triumphed on the same Court Two where sister Venus had on Monday suffered her first opening round loss at Wimbledon since 1997.
"It always has some sort of an effect," said Serena of her sister's loss. "I always want to play even better if she's out of the tournament."
Defending champion Petra Kvitova overcame early nerves to progress 6-4, 6-4 against Akgul Amanmuradova of Uzbekistan, but the 22-year-old Czech fourth seed did it the hard way, having trailed 3-0 and 4-1 in the first set.
World number two Victoria Azarenka eased through, seeing off America's Irina Falconi 6-1, 6-4.
Lleyton Hewitt's 10th anniversary party of his 2002 title was gatecrashed by French fifth seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga who cruised to a 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 win, handing the Australian his earliest exit at the All England Club since 2003.
His loss also meant that there will be no Australian man in the second round for the first time since 1938 after compatriots Bernard Tomic, a quarter-finalist last year and seeded 20, Matthew Ebdon and Marinko Matosevic were also beaten.
It is a depressing statistic for a country which has won 21 Wimbledon men's titles.
The injury-plagued Hewitt, 31, whose ranking has plummeted to 202 after undergoing radical surgery to cut bone out of his big toe, refused to entertain any notion that the problems of Australian tennis mirrored a decline in the country's sporting prowess in general.
"I reckon we'll go all right at the Olympics," he said.
American hopes, which were so badly bruised by the opening day exits of five-time champion Venus and big-serving John Isner, were earlier boosted by Mardy Fish and Bryan Baker.
Fish made a winning return to tennis in his first match following an operation to address a frightening heart scare.
The world number 12 beat Spain's Ruben Ramirez-Hidalgo 7-6 (7/3), 7-5 7-6 (7/1), but later felt unwell and pulled out of a mandatory post-match press conference.
Baker, who lost six years of his career to an assortment of injuries and underwent five operations, clinched a first ever win at Wimbledon, beating Portugal's Rui Machado 7-6 (7/2), 6-4, 6-0.
Juan Martin Del Potro, the ninth seeded Argentine and 2009 US Open winner, also went through, beating Dutchman Robin Haase 6-4, 3-6, 7-6 (7/3), 7-5.
Rain brought an early end to the second day with three-time runner-up Andy Roddick a set and a break up on Britain's Jamie Baker.
Spanish seventh seed David Ferrer was two sets up against Germany's Dustin Brown while Austria's Jurgen Melzer was just a point away from beating Swiss 25th seed Stanislas Wawrinka.
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"It's always tough to make the change from clay to grass, especially when over the last couple of months I played almost every match on tour. Physically you start having some troubles," admitted Nadal, the 2008 and 2010 champion.
"I'm very happy to be back on probably the best court in the world and winning in three sets is good for me."
Fourth seed Murray, a semi-finalist for the last three years, had the last laugh as he silenced Nikolay Davydenko's taunts with an easy 6-1, 6-1 6-4 win.
The Russian had claimed players laughed at the Briton, believing he regularly exaggerates his injuries.
"I'm desperate to get the tournament going because there's a lot of talk from a lot of people," said Murray.
Serena Williams, the 2002, 2003, 2009 and 2010 champion, reached the second round with a 6-2, 6-4 win over Barbora Zahlavova Strycova of the Czech Republic.
The American sixth seed triumphed on the same Court Two where sister Venus had on Monday suffered her first opening round loss at Wimbledon since 1997.
"It always has some sort of an effect," said Serena of her sister's loss. "I always want to play even better if she's out of the tournament."
Defending champion Petra Kvitova overcame early nerves to progress 6-4, 6-4 against Akgul Amanmuradova of Uzbekistan, but the 22-year-old Czech fourth seed did it the hard way, having trailed 3-0 and 4-1 in the first set.
World number two Victoria Azarenka eased through, seeing off America's Irina Falconi 6-1, 6-4.
Lleyton Hewitt's 10th anniversary party of his 2002 title was gatecrashed by French fifth seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga who cruised to a 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 win, handing the Australian his earliest exit at the All England Club since 2003.
His loss also meant that there will be no Australian man in the second round for the first time since 1938 after compatriots Bernard Tomic, a quarter-finalist last year and seeded 20, Matthew Ebdon and Marinko Matosevic were also beaten.
It is a depressing statistic for a country which has won 21 Wimbledon men's titles.
The injury-plagued Hewitt, 31, whose ranking has plummeted to 202 after undergoing radical surgery to cut bone out of his big toe, refused to entertain any notion that the problems of Australian tennis mirrored a decline in the country's sporting prowess in general.
"I reckon we'll go all right at the Olympics," he said.
American hopes, which were so badly bruised by the opening day exits of five-time champion Venus and big-serving John Isner, were earlier boosted by Mardy Fish and Bryan Baker.
Fish made a winning return to tennis in his first match following an operation to address a frightening heart scare.
The world number 12 beat Spain's Ruben Ramirez-Hidalgo 7-6 (7/3), 7-5 7-6 (7/1), but later felt unwell and pulled out of a mandatory post-match press conference.
Baker, who lost six years of his career to an assortment of injuries and underwent five operations, clinched a first ever win at Wimbledon, beating Portugal's Rui Machado 7-6 (7/2), 6-4, 6-0.
Juan Martin Del Potro, the ninth seeded Argentine and 2009 US Open winner, also went through, beating Dutchman Robin Haase 6-4, 3-6, 7-6 (7/3), 7-5.
Rain brought an early end to the second day with three-time runner-up Andy Roddick a set and a break up on Britain's Jamie Baker.
Spanish seventh seed David Ferrer was two sets up against Germany's Dustin Brown while Austria's Jurgen Melzer was just a point away from beating Swiss 25th seed Stanislas Wawrinka.
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Indian president defends record death row pardons
India's outgoing president has defended herself against media criticism that she went on a "mercy overdrive" during her term by granting clemency to nearly three dozen convicts on death row. Pratibha Patil, who became India's first woman president in 2007 and leaves office next month, commuted 35 death sentences to life imprisonment during her five years in the post -- more than any other head of state before her.
The Indian media has generally been critical of her record on the issue, questioning why clemency was deemed appropriate in some cases involving murder, rape and child abduction.
"President Pratibha Patil goes on mercy overdrive," was the verdict of the Times of India, while the Mail Today questioned her motives.
"In her apparent overzealousness to come across as the apostle of mercy, she appears to have glossed over some gruesome details," it said.
In a statement issued by her office late Monday, Patil defended her choices, insisting she "took well considered decisions" after taking the advice of the home minister.
"A queer pitch has been created as though many brutal criminals have been shown mercy and released," the statement said. "The President is discharging a constitutional obligation and not doling out generosity."
India has hundreds of condemned convicts awaiting execution, including the killers of former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi, and Pakistani national Mohammed Ajmal Kasab, the sole surviving gunman from the 2008 Mumbai attacks.
A complex and lengthy appeal process means those sentenced to capital punishment often sit on death row for many years. In most cases the death penalty is commuted to life imprisonment.
India's last execution was in 2004, when a former security guard was hanged for the rape and murder of a 14-year-old schoolgirl.
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The Indian media has generally been critical of her record on the issue, questioning why clemency was deemed appropriate in some cases involving murder, rape and child abduction.
"President Pratibha Patil goes on mercy overdrive," was the verdict of the Times of India, while the Mail Today questioned her motives.
"In her apparent overzealousness to come across as the apostle of mercy, she appears to have glossed over some gruesome details," it said.
In a statement issued by her office late Monday, Patil defended her choices, insisting she "took well considered decisions" after taking the advice of the home minister.
"A queer pitch has been created as though many brutal criminals have been shown mercy and released," the statement said. "The President is discharging a constitutional obligation and not doling out generosity."
India has hundreds of condemned convicts awaiting execution, including the killers of former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi, and Pakistani national Mohammed Ajmal Kasab, the sole surviving gunman from the 2008 Mumbai attacks.
A complex and lengthy appeal process means those sentenced to capital punishment often sit on death row for many years. In most cases the death penalty is commuted to life imprisonment.
India's last execution was in 2004, when a former security guard was hanged for the rape and murder of a 14-year-old schoolgirl.
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Former President Nasheed warns against vote delay
Mohamed Nasheed, the former President of the Maldives who says he was ousted in a coup, is appealing for new elections to be held this year, warning that a delay would have dire consequences. The former political prisoner became the first democratically elected president of the Indian Ocean archipelago in 2008 elections but says he was forced to resign in a mutiny after anti-government protests in February.
On a visit to Washington, the 45-year-old called for elections within the year to prevent a strengthening of anti-democratic forces in the nation of 330,000 people.
"If they don't take place in 2012, I have my doubts," Nasheed told AFP in an interview.
"If we give them enough time to entrench themselves, they could do many things. They could skew the field in such a manner where an election cannot happen," he said.
However, the new administration of President Mohamed Waheed has ruled out snap polls and said that the earliest elections could be held under the Maldivian constitution was July 2013.
Nasheed was in Washington speaking to officials, scholars and activists. He met Monday with Robert Blake and Michael Posner, the top State Department officials handling South Asia and human rights respectively, a spokeswoman said.
Nasheed plans to run as the nominee of his Maldivian Democratic Party in the next election. He says that he quit under duress in February after around 300 soldiers seized control in the island capital Male.
Nasheed has charged that Islamic radicals, local businessmen and holdouts from veteran strongman Maumoon Abdul Gayoom's regime were involved in the plot.
"The issue is that the people of the Maldives must be governed by an elected leader that they choose, not through brute force, not through a regime that has come into governance through brute force," Nasheed said.
"We feel that during the last three and a half years in government we've been able to deliver to the people, and I'm sure that they want us back again," he said.
Nasheed warned that his opponents would be able to rescind freedom of assembly and expression in Maldives "and in fact the whole political infrastructure that we were able to build in the last five years."
As Nasheed left office, protesters entered the Maldives' National Museum and smashed up Buddhist statues that they considered idolatrous. The vandalism destroyed much of the Buddhist heritage of Maldives, where Islam is the state religion.
Waheed has said that Nasheed resigned voluntarily and accused him of creating chaos. Waheed said that unrest has cost the atoll nation an estimated 180 million rufiyaa ($11.8 million).
As president, Nasheed became known as a champion of action to fight climate change amid fears that his low-lying nation will disappear as rising temperatures melt the planet's ice.
Nasheed's campaign is at the center of a new documentary, "The Island President," which was completed shortly before his removal from office.
Nasheed's successor Waheed flew to Brazil for this month's Rio+20 summit on the environment and announced that the archipelago would become the world's biggest marine reserve to protect its fish and biodiversity.
"Any preservation is good either done by a coup government or not," Nasheed said.
"Anything good is good, but the Maldives has always been a marine reserve. There's nothing to do about it."
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On a visit to Washington, the 45-year-old called for elections within the year to prevent a strengthening of anti-democratic forces in the nation of 330,000 people.
"If they don't take place in 2012, I have my doubts," Nasheed told AFP in an interview.
"If we give them enough time to entrench themselves, they could do many things. They could skew the field in such a manner where an election cannot happen," he said.
However, the new administration of President Mohamed Waheed has ruled out snap polls and said that the earliest elections could be held under the Maldivian constitution was July 2013.
Nasheed was in Washington speaking to officials, scholars and activists. He met Monday with Robert Blake and Michael Posner, the top State Department officials handling South Asia and human rights respectively, a spokeswoman said.
Nasheed plans to run as the nominee of his Maldivian Democratic Party in the next election. He says that he quit under duress in February after around 300 soldiers seized control in the island capital Male.
Nasheed has charged that Islamic radicals, local businessmen and holdouts from veteran strongman Maumoon Abdul Gayoom's regime were involved in the plot.
"The issue is that the people of the Maldives must be governed by an elected leader that they choose, not through brute force, not through a regime that has come into governance through brute force," Nasheed said.
"We feel that during the last three and a half years in government we've been able to deliver to the people, and I'm sure that they want us back again," he said.
Nasheed warned that his opponents would be able to rescind freedom of assembly and expression in Maldives "and in fact the whole political infrastructure that we were able to build in the last five years."
As Nasheed left office, protesters entered the Maldives' National Museum and smashed up Buddhist statues that they considered idolatrous. The vandalism destroyed much of the Buddhist heritage of Maldives, where Islam is the state religion.
Waheed has said that Nasheed resigned voluntarily and accused him of creating chaos. Waheed said that unrest has cost the atoll nation an estimated 180 million rufiyaa ($11.8 million).
As president, Nasheed became known as a champion of action to fight climate change amid fears that his low-lying nation will disappear as rising temperatures melt the planet's ice.
Nasheed's campaign is at the center of a new documentary, "The Island President," which was completed shortly before his removal from office.
Nasheed's successor Waheed flew to Brazil for this month's Rio+20 summit on the environment and announced that the archipelago would become the world's biggest marine reserve to protect its fish and biodiversity.
"Any preservation is good either done by a coup government or not," Nasheed said.
"Anything good is good, but the Maldives has always been a marine reserve. There's nothing to do about it."
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US condemns Sudan crackdown on protests
A crackdown on protestors will not solve Sudan's political and economic crises, a US official said, condemning the assault and detention of protestors. "Sudan's economic crisis cannot be solved by arresting and mistreating protesters," said State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland.
"There have been reports of protestors being beaten, imprisoned and severely mistreated while in government custody. We call for the immediate release of those detained for peaceful protest," she added in a statement.
Peaceful protest is quickly turning violent in the East African nation. For almost two weeks, demonstrators in groups of 100 or 200 have burned tires and blocked roads in a growing call for regime change, which has been inevitably met by police tear gas.
The protests began as a student demonstration outside the University of Khartoum on June 16 against a sharp rise in food and fuel prices.
But they quickly spread to include a cross-section of the population in numerous locations throughout the capital, and several other parts of Sudan.
The United States joins Britain in its call for the "immediate release of those detained while engaged in peaceful protest."
The US State Department also addressed Sudan's multiple domestic and international imbroglios.
"Engaging in armed conflict in Southern Kordofan and Blue Nile and failing to reach agreement with South Sudan on oil, trade and other means of economic cooperation only deepen Sudan's economic crisis," Nuland said.
An Egyptian national and a correspondent for international news wire Bloomberg was deported by Sudanese authorities Tuesday after reporting the widening protest movement.
Protests by tens of thousands in 1964 and 1985 helped bring about the downfall of the Sudanese regimes then in office.
President Omar al-Bashir, an army officer who seized power in June 1989, called the latest protests small-scale and not comparable to the "Arab Spring" uprising against regional powers over the past year.
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"There have been reports of protestors being beaten, imprisoned and severely mistreated while in government custody. We call for the immediate release of those detained for peaceful protest," she added in a statement.
Peaceful protest is quickly turning violent in the East African nation. For almost two weeks, demonstrators in groups of 100 or 200 have burned tires and blocked roads in a growing call for regime change, which has been inevitably met by police tear gas.
The protests began as a student demonstration outside the University of Khartoum on June 16 against a sharp rise in food and fuel prices.
But they quickly spread to include a cross-section of the population in numerous locations throughout the capital, and several other parts of Sudan.
The United States joins Britain in its call for the "immediate release of those detained while engaged in peaceful protest."
The US State Department also addressed Sudan's multiple domestic and international imbroglios.
"Engaging in armed conflict in Southern Kordofan and Blue Nile and failing to reach agreement with South Sudan on oil, trade and other means of economic cooperation only deepen Sudan's economic crisis," Nuland said.
An Egyptian national and a correspondent for international news wire Bloomberg was deported by Sudanese authorities Tuesday after reporting the widening protest movement.
Protests by tens of thousands in 1964 and 1985 helped bring about the downfall of the Sudanese regimes then in office.
President Omar al-Bashir, an army officer who seized power in June 1989, called the latest protests small-scale and not comparable to the "Arab Spring" uprising against regional powers over the past year.
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Maldivians on travel ban over Midhshah's death released on bail
A Sri Lankan Court has lifted the travel ban on the six Maldivians and a woman from Madagascar held from leaving the country following the death of Mohamed Midhshah, 37 who plunged to his death from the eighteenth floor of JAIC Hilton Hotel on June 14. Sri Lankan Police Spokesperson Sanjeewa Mellawatte detailed last night that the seven people had been released on a bail of RS1.5 million (MVR170,000) while conditioning their mandatory presence for the next hearing of the trial.
“All were released as a brother of one was willing to take responsibility for all of them. He is resident here in Sri Lanka. As the travel ban had been lifted by the court, all their passports have been duly returned,†Sanjeewa added.
Sanjeewa also revealed that the two Sri Lankan women present in the room where Midhshah fell had also been released on bail. The two women held over allegations of prostitution would be required to pay RS50,000 each as bail, he added.
Spokesperson detailed that the preliminarily postmortem report had been submitted, but added that a way to proceed with the case would only be decided once the final report is received.
Sanjeewa further said that the final report is expected to be received in one and a half months and the next hearing would be held after the final report is ready.
According to the present schedule, the next hearing on the trial of Midhshah’s death would be held on September 10 where all of the seven people must be present, he said.
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“All were released as a brother of one was willing to take responsibility for all of them. He is resident here in Sri Lanka. As the travel ban had been lifted by the court, all their passports have been duly returned,†Sanjeewa added.
Sanjeewa also revealed that the two Sri Lankan women present in the room where Midhshah fell had also been released on bail. The two women held over allegations of prostitution would be required to pay RS50,000 each as bail, he added.
Spokesperson detailed that the preliminarily postmortem report had been submitted, but added that a way to proceed with the case would only be decided once the final report is received.
Sanjeewa further said that the final report is expected to be received in one and a half months and the next hearing would be held after the final report is ready.
According to the present schedule, the next hearing on the trial of Midhshah’s death would be held on September 10 where all of the seven people must be present, he said.
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Google teaching computers to mimic human brain
Google said it was dabbling with getting computers to simulate the learning process of the human brain as one of the unusual projects for researchers in its X Lab. Computers programmed with algorithms intended to mimic neural connections "learned" to recognize cats after being shown a sampling of YouTube videos, Google fellow Jeff Dean and visiting faculty Andrew Ng said in a blog post.
"Our hypothesis was that it would learn to recognize common objects in those videos," the researchers said.
"Indeed, to our amusement, one of our artificial neurons learned to respond strongly to pictures of... cats," they continued.
"Remember that this network had never been told what a cat was, nor was it given even a single image labeled as a cat."
The computer, essentially, discovered for itself what a cat looked like, according to Dean and Ng.
The computations were spread across an "artificial neural network" of 16,000 processors and a billion connections in Google data centers.
The small-scale "newborn brain" was shown YouTube images for a week to see what it would learn.
"It 'discovered' what a cat looked like by itself from only unlabeled YouTube stills," the researchers said.
"That's what we mean by self-taught learning."
Google researchers are building a larger model and are working on ways to apply the artificial neural network approach to improve technology for speech recognition and natural language modeling, according to Dean and Ng.
"Someday this could make the tools you use every day work better, faster, and smarter," they said.
Dean and Ng conceded that there is a long road ahead, since an adult human brain has around 100 trillion connections.
Google X Lab headed by company co-founder Sergey Brin is known for its work on innovations such as a self-driving car and "Terminator" film style glasses that provide Internet information about what is being seen.
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"Our hypothesis was that it would learn to recognize common objects in those videos," the researchers said.
"Indeed, to our amusement, one of our artificial neurons learned to respond strongly to pictures of... cats," they continued.
"Remember that this network had never been told what a cat was, nor was it given even a single image labeled as a cat."
The computer, essentially, discovered for itself what a cat looked like, according to Dean and Ng.
The computations were spread across an "artificial neural network" of 16,000 processors and a billion connections in Google data centers.
The small-scale "newborn brain" was shown YouTube images for a week to see what it would learn.
"It 'discovered' what a cat looked like by itself from only unlabeled YouTube stills," the researchers said.
"That's what we mean by self-taught learning."
Google researchers are building a larger model and are working on ways to apply the artificial neural network approach to improve technology for speech recognition and natural language modeling, according to Dean and Ng.
"Someday this could make the tools you use every day work better, faster, and smarter," they said.
Dean and Ng conceded that there is a long road ahead, since an adult human brain has around 100 trillion connections.
Google X Lab headed by company co-founder Sergey Brin is known for its work on innovations such as a self-driving car and "Terminator" film style glasses that provide Internet information about what is being seen.
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'Avengers' third highest grossing film of all time
Comic book superhero blockbuster "The Avengers" was set Tuesday to become the third highest-grossing film in box office history, behind "Avatar" and "Titanic." Directed by cult favorite Joss Whedon, the Walt Disney Studios high-thrills action adventure made in collaboration with Marvel Comics earned $7 million over the weekend, for a total of $598 million since its release in early May.
And it was expected to cross the $600 million US box office threshold on Tuesday, Disney said in a statement.
Its global total, meanwhile, is now an estimated $1,438.3 million.
"The Avengers" starring Samuel L. Jackson, Robert Downey Jr., Jeremy Renner, Scarlett Johansson and Mark Ruffalo was made for an estimated $220 million.
Released first abroad in April, it brings together a team of superheroes, which include Iron Man, the Incredible Hulk, Captain America and Thor, to help save the Earth from mythical prankster Loki and an alien army.
It opened in North America on May 4 with a staggering $207.4 million in ticket sales -- the biggest domestic weekend debut of all time -- and has been shattering domestic box office records ever since including the industry's all-time second weekend record with $103 million.
It was also the fastest film to reach $200 million, in three days.
The movie's success will help mitigate Disney's $200 million loss on the sci-fi fantasy film "John Carter" in March, which prompted the departure of Walt Disney Studios boss Rich Ross.
Only 12 films have grossed $1 billion at the global box office. Five of them are Disney films: "The Avengers", two "Pirates of the Caribbean" chestnuts, Tim Burton's "Alice in Wonderland" and, in collaboration with Pixar, "Toy Story 3".
The two greatest money-making movies were Canadian James Cameron's "Avatar" ($2.78 billion) and his "Titanic" ($2.19 billion).
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And it was expected to cross the $600 million US box office threshold on Tuesday, Disney said in a statement.
Its global total, meanwhile, is now an estimated $1,438.3 million.
"The Avengers" starring Samuel L. Jackson, Robert Downey Jr., Jeremy Renner, Scarlett Johansson and Mark Ruffalo was made for an estimated $220 million.
Released first abroad in April, it brings together a team of superheroes, which include Iron Man, the Incredible Hulk, Captain America and Thor, to help save the Earth from mythical prankster Loki and an alien army.
It opened in North America on May 4 with a staggering $207.4 million in ticket sales -- the biggest domestic weekend debut of all time -- and has been shattering domestic box office records ever since including the industry's all-time second weekend record with $103 million.
It was also the fastest film to reach $200 million, in three days.
The movie's success will help mitigate Disney's $200 million loss on the sci-fi fantasy film "John Carter" in March, which prompted the departure of Walt Disney Studios boss Rich Ross.
Only 12 films have grossed $1 billion at the global box office. Five of them are Disney films: "The Avengers", two "Pirates of the Caribbean" chestnuts, Tim Burton's "Alice in Wonderland" and, in collaboration with Pixar, "Toy Story 3".
The two greatest money-making movies were Canadian James Cameron's "Avatar" ($2.78 billion) and his "Titanic" ($2.19 billion).
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27 million problem drug users worldwide: UN
Some 27 million people worldwide are problem drug users, with almost one percent every year dying from narcotics abuse, while cannabis remains the most popular drug, a UN report showed Tuesday. "Heroin, cocaine and other drugs continue to kill around 200,000 people a year, shattering families and bringing misery to thousands of other people, insecurity and the spread of HIV," director Yury Fedotov said as he presented the 2012 World Drug Report of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).
Global production and use of illegal drugs remained relatively stable last year, the report found.
However, this masked shifts in trafficking and consumption that were "significant and also worrying... because they are proof of the resilience and adaptability of illicit drug suppliers and users," the UNODC warned.
Cannabis remained the most widely used drug with up to 224 million users worldwide, although production figures were hard to obtain, the agency said.
Europe was the biggest market for cannabis resin, most of it coming from Morocco, although Afghanistan is becoming a major supplier and domestic production in Europe is also rising, the UNODC said.
"Most European Union member states (are) reporting the cultivation of cannabis herb to be a phenomenon that appears to be on the increase," the report added, noting the increasing involvement of organised crime.
Opium production in Afghanistan, the world's biggest producer with 90 percent of the global share, meanwhile jumped by 61 percent in 2011 to 5,800 tonnes from 3,600 tonnes in 2010, when the crop was hit by disease.
In Southeast Asia as well, cultivating opium was increasingly popular, expanding by 16 percent in 2011, with Myanmar still the second largest producer behind Afghanistan.
Only a small share of this made it to Europe and North America, where opiate use was stable or dropping. Instead, 70 percent of users were in Africa and Asia, the report found.
Cocaine use too was stagnating or falling in Europe and North America, but this was offset by growing use in South America and Australia, as well as parts of Africa and Asia.
Synthetic drugs -- including methamphetamine and "ecstasy" pills -- were meanwhile on the increase, with a recent hike in seizures pointing to the drugs' continued popularity, the UNODC said.
Some 230 million people, or five percent of the global population aged 15-64, used illegal drugs at least once in 2010, the last year for which data was available, the report found.
As growth in use shifts increasingly from developed to developing countries, UNODC director Yuri Fedotov appealed for more help to newly-affected nations, ill-equipped to fight this problem.
Drug use has also been spilling more into countries along trafficking routes, such as Iran or parts of western and central Africa, the office noted.
Besides the health effects, the UNODC estimated the financial cost of drug use at about $200 billion to $250 billion (160 billion-200 billion euros) to cover drug treatment worldwide, a far cry from the sums currently provided.
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Global production and use of illegal drugs remained relatively stable last year, the report found.
However, this masked shifts in trafficking and consumption that were "significant and also worrying... because they are proof of the resilience and adaptability of illicit drug suppliers and users," the UNODC warned.
Cannabis remained the most widely used drug with up to 224 million users worldwide, although production figures were hard to obtain, the agency said.
Europe was the biggest market for cannabis resin, most of it coming from Morocco, although Afghanistan is becoming a major supplier and domestic production in Europe is also rising, the UNODC said.
"Most European Union member states (are) reporting the cultivation of cannabis herb to be a phenomenon that appears to be on the increase," the report added, noting the increasing involvement of organised crime.
Opium production in Afghanistan, the world's biggest producer with 90 percent of the global share, meanwhile jumped by 61 percent in 2011 to 5,800 tonnes from 3,600 tonnes in 2010, when the crop was hit by disease.
In Southeast Asia as well, cultivating opium was increasingly popular, expanding by 16 percent in 2011, with Myanmar still the second largest producer behind Afghanistan.
Only a small share of this made it to Europe and North America, where opiate use was stable or dropping. Instead, 70 percent of users were in Africa and Asia, the report found.
Cocaine use too was stagnating or falling in Europe and North America, but this was offset by growing use in South America and Australia, as well as parts of Africa and Asia.
Synthetic drugs -- including methamphetamine and "ecstasy" pills -- were meanwhile on the increase, with a recent hike in seizures pointing to the drugs' continued popularity, the UNODC said.
Some 230 million people, or five percent of the global population aged 15-64, used illegal drugs at least once in 2010, the last year for which data was available, the report found.
As growth in use shifts increasingly from developed to developing countries, UNODC director Yuri Fedotov appealed for more help to newly-affected nations, ill-equipped to fight this problem.
Drug use has also been spilling more into countries along trafficking routes, such as Iran or parts of western and central Africa, the office noted.
Besides the health effects, the UNODC estimated the financial cost of drug use at about $200 billion to $250 billion (160 billion-200 billion euros) to cover drug treatment worldwide, a far cry from the sums currently provided.
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Counter-punching Portugal prepare Spain ambush
Having swept past France to reach the Euro 2012 semi-finals, Spain can expect a more exacting ordeal on Wednesday when they face a Portugal team who beat them 4-0 in their last meeting. Spain have largely held the upper hand against their Iberian rivals, losing just nine times in 37 encounters, and they edged Portugal 1-0 in the last 16 en route to their triumph at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
However, Portugal claimed emphatic revenge less than five months later with a four-goal victory in Lisbon that condemned the reigning world and European champions to their heaviest defeat in 47 years.
The teams have changed little since. Nine members of Portugal's likely starting line-up at Donbass Arena in Donetsk on Wednesday featured in the game, while Spain are expected to start with eight of the same players.
Cristiano Ronaldo terrorised the Spanish back line at Estadio da Luz two years ago and would have claimed one of the finest goals of his career had Nani not headed his goal-bound shot over the line from an offside position.
The 27-year-old is not short of scores to settle against a team who can call upon five of his Real Madrid colleagues.
After match-winning performances against the Netherlands and the Czech Republic, he is finally making his mark at a major tournament and Spain's ability to keep him quiet will be pivotal.
"We will be taking special care of Cristiano Ronaldo," promised Spain coach Vicente del Bosque, whose players successfully muzzled the Portugal captain in their encounter at the last World Cup.
"It won't be an individual (marking) thing. There will be permanent support (from midfield), as there was two years ago."
The match should provide an intriguing clash of styles, with Spain likely to dominate possession while Portugal await opportunities to spring forward on the counter-attack.
Spain have lost only three times in 47 competitive matches and are closing in on an unprecedented treble of major honours, but Portugal midfielder Custodio says his side have faith in their own ability.
"We know that they are a great team, but we will look to beat them by playing to our strengths," he said.
"We'll fight to the end for a place in the final. Will this be Portugal's year? I hope so."
For the first time at the tournament, Portugal coach Paulo Bento will be obliged to change his starting line-up due to the thigh injury sustained by striker Helder Postiga in Thursday's 1-0 win over the Czech Republic.
Besiktas' Hugo Almeida is set to deputise, although 20-year-old Benfica striker Nelson Oliveira is also in contention, while defenders Pepe and Fabio Coentrao are both fit after sitting out training on Saturday to rest injuries.
Spain reported no new injuries after their victory over France, but Del Bosque must decide whether to persevere with Cesc Fabregas in the 'false nine' role or restore Fernando Torres to his starting XI.
While Spain are gunning to become the first team to win three consecutive major international tournaments, Portugal are aiming to reach a first final since their heartbreaking loss to Greece as hosts of Euro 2004.
The two sides' records in semi-finals are sharply contrasting.
Spain have never been beaten at this stage of an international competition, but Portugal have won only once in five attempts.
Even the great Eusebio succumbed to the country's semi-final jinx, with a late penalty not enough to prevent Portugal losing 2-1 to England at the 1966 World Cup.
The 70-year-old will not be present on Wednesday after being taken ill at Portugal's team hotel and going to hospital, where while being given the all-clear he will remain till Thursday.
Victory for Portugal would be the perfect get well gift.
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However, Portugal claimed emphatic revenge less than five months later with a four-goal victory in Lisbon that condemned the reigning world and European champions to their heaviest defeat in 47 years.
The teams have changed little since. Nine members of Portugal's likely starting line-up at Donbass Arena in Donetsk on Wednesday featured in the game, while Spain are expected to start with eight of the same players.
Cristiano Ronaldo terrorised the Spanish back line at Estadio da Luz two years ago and would have claimed one of the finest goals of his career had Nani not headed his goal-bound shot over the line from an offside position.
The 27-year-old is not short of scores to settle against a team who can call upon five of his Real Madrid colleagues.
After match-winning performances against the Netherlands and the Czech Republic, he is finally making his mark at a major tournament and Spain's ability to keep him quiet will be pivotal.
"We will be taking special care of Cristiano Ronaldo," promised Spain coach Vicente del Bosque, whose players successfully muzzled the Portugal captain in their encounter at the last World Cup.
"It won't be an individual (marking) thing. There will be permanent support (from midfield), as there was two years ago."
The match should provide an intriguing clash of styles, with Spain likely to dominate possession while Portugal await opportunities to spring forward on the counter-attack.
Spain have lost only three times in 47 competitive matches and are closing in on an unprecedented treble of major honours, but Portugal midfielder Custodio says his side have faith in their own ability.
"We know that they are a great team, but we will look to beat them by playing to our strengths," he said.
"We'll fight to the end for a place in the final. Will this be Portugal's year? I hope so."
For the first time at the tournament, Portugal coach Paulo Bento will be obliged to change his starting line-up due to the thigh injury sustained by striker Helder Postiga in Thursday's 1-0 win over the Czech Republic.
Besiktas' Hugo Almeida is set to deputise, although 20-year-old Benfica striker Nelson Oliveira is also in contention, while defenders Pepe and Fabio Coentrao are both fit after sitting out training on Saturday to rest injuries.
Spain reported no new injuries after their victory over France, but Del Bosque must decide whether to persevere with Cesc Fabregas in the 'false nine' role or restore Fernando Torres to his starting XI.
While Spain are gunning to become the first team to win three consecutive major international tournaments, Portugal are aiming to reach a first final since their heartbreaking loss to Greece as hosts of Euro 2004.
The two sides' records in semi-finals are sharply contrasting.
Spain have never been beaten at this stage of an international competition, but Portugal have won only once in five attempts.
Even the great Eusebio succumbed to the country's semi-final jinx, with a late penalty not enough to prevent Portugal losing 2-1 to England at the 1966 World Cup.
The 70-year-old will not be present on Wednesday after being taken ill at Portugal's team hotel and going to hospital, where while being given the all-clear he will remain till Thursday.
Victory for Portugal would be the perfect get well gift.
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Assad says Syria 'in a state of war'
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad on Tuesday said his country was in a state of war and ordered his new cabinet to crush the anti-regime uprising as Turkey vowed to retaliate the downing of one of its jets. Rebel forces and Syrian army units, meanwhile, engaged in deadly combat around elite Republican Guard posts in the suburbs of Damascus, as 116 people were killed across the country, a monitoring group said.
Amid mounting tensions in the anti-regime uprising now in its 16th month, Assad admitted that Syria is in a "real situation of war."
"When one is in a state of war, all our policies and capabilities must be used to secure victory," he told the new cabinet, the official SANA news agency reported.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said Tuesday's death toll comprised 68 civilians, 41 soldiers and seven rebels.
"Violent clashes are taking place around positions of the Republican Guard in Qudsaya and Al-Hama," just miles away from central Damascus, Observatory head Rami Abdel Rahman told AFP in Beirut.
He said it was the first time that artillery was used "so close to the capital."
The United States said a "desperate" Assad was slowly losing his grip on power, citing defections and fighting raging increasingly close to Damascus, and offered new support to its NATO ally Turkey after Syrian forces shot down one of its fighter planes last week.
"Clearly, Bashar al-Assad has been slowly -- too slowly -- losing his grip over his country," White House spokesman Jay Carney said on Air Force One as President Barack Obama flew to a campaign event in Atlanta.
"I would note that recent high-level military defections to Jordan and Turkey are another testament to the regime's loss of control over the situation in Syria."
"It is clear, however, that Assad is desperate to hang on to power at all cost, as evidenced by his continued use of air power and Shabiha gangs," Carney said, refering to the pro-regime militia in Syria.
Washington also pushed back on Russia's insistence that Iran should take part in a planned international conference on Syria in Geneva on Saturday.
"It is better to involve Iran in the settlement (of the Syrian crisis)," Russian President Vladimir Putin told a news conference in Jordan on Tuesday. "In any case it would complicate the process (if Iran is ignored)."
In Ankara, meanwhile, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said his country had changed its rules of engagement and would now treat any Syrian security threat as a military target after Friday's incident.
The shooting of the Phantom F-4 fighter jet has split Moscow and the West, with NATO condemning Syria and voicing its solidarity with member state Turkey while Russia saying the incident should not be seen as intentional.
"We believe it is important that the incident is not viewed as a provocation or an intentional action, and that it does not lead to destabilising the situation," the Russian foreign ministry said.
Erdogan raised the heat on the Assad regime by accusing it of shooting down the jet while it was in international airspace, without warning.
"This is a hostile act... a heinous attack," Erdogan said.
"Turkey will exercise its rights, born out of international law, with determination, and take the necessary steps by determining the time, place and method by itself."
Erdogan, once a close ally of Assad, has become one of the Syrian leader's biggest critics and his reaction to the downing of the jet is his fiercest outburst to date.
Erdogan admitted the Turkish plane had violated Syrian airspace but said it was only for a short time and "by mistake," insisting that it was not in Syrian airspace when it was shot down.
Damascus has defended the downing of the jet, saying it was a response to "a gross violation" of its sovereignty.
After a request from Turkey, NATO's secretary-general Anders Fogh Rasmussen hosted talks with ambassadors of the alliance's 28 members in Brussels.
"Allies have expressed their strong support and solidarity with Turkey," Rasmussen said after the 90-minute meeting.
"We consider this act to be unacceptable and condemn it in the strongest terms.
"It is another example of the Syrian authorities' disregard for international norms, peace and security, and human life," he said as the jet's two-man crew remain missing.
"Let me make this clear. The security of the alliance is indivisible. We stand together with Turkey in the spirit of strong solidarity."
Turkey requested the consultations under Article 4 of NATO's founding treaty, enabling any of the allies to call for talks should they consider their territorial integrity, political independence or security to be under threat.
But NATO has so far been notably reluctant to get sucked into the conflict in Syria.
The former chief of the main opposition Syrian National Council, Burhan Ghalioun, meanwhile, told AFP he visited Syria for a few hours on Tuesday to "boost the morale" of rebels.
Ghalioun, a senior SNC executive board member, spoke to AFP in Beirut by telephone after his first visit to Syria in more than two years, and said he entered the country secretly and had "discussions with revolutionaries."
"The visit was also a bit to offer compassion to our people who have been killed, massacred and slaughtered" by regime forces, he added.
Meanwhile Amnesty International said on Tuesday three medics were tortured and killed in Syria a week after their arrest in the city of Aleppo in what it said was an "appalling disregard" for the profession.
All three men were students at Aleppo University -- Basel Aslan and Musab Barad were fourth-year medical students and Hazem Batikh was a second-year English literature student and a first-aid medic, Amnesty said.
"The discovery of the charred and mutilated bodies of three young medical workers a week after their arrest in Aleppo city is yet further evidence of the Syrian government forces' appalling disregard for the sanctity of the role of medical workers," a statement said.
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Amid mounting tensions in the anti-regime uprising now in its 16th month, Assad admitted that Syria is in a "real situation of war."
"When one is in a state of war, all our policies and capabilities must be used to secure victory," he told the new cabinet, the official SANA news agency reported.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said Tuesday's death toll comprised 68 civilians, 41 soldiers and seven rebels.
"Violent clashes are taking place around positions of the Republican Guard in Qudsaya and Al-Hama," just miles away from central Damascus, Observatory head Rami Abdel Rahman told AFP in Beirut.
He said it was the first time that artillery was used "so close to the capital."
The United States said a "desperate" Assad was slowly losing his grip on power, citing defections and fighting raging increasingly close to Damascus, and offered new support to its NATO ally Turkey after Syrian forces shot down one of its fighter planes last week.
"Clearly, Bashar al-Assad has been slowly -- too slowly -- losing his grip over his country," White House spokesman Jay Carney said on Air Force One as President Barack Obama flew to a campaign event in Atlanta.
"I would note that recent high-level military defections to Jordan and Turkey are another testament to the regime's loss of control over the situation in Syria."
"It is clear, however, that Assad is desperate to hang on to power at all cost, as evidenced by his continued use of air power and Shabiha gangs," Carney said, refering to the pro-regime militia in Syria.
Washington also pushed back on Russia's insistence that Iran should take part in a planned international conference on Syria in Geneva on Saturday.
"It is better to involve Iran in the settlement (of the Syrian crisis)," Russian President Vladimir Putin told a news conference in Jordan on Tuesday. "In any case it would complicate the process (if Iran is ignored)."
In Ankara, meanwhile, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said his country had changed its rules of engagement and would now treat any Syrian security threat as a military target after Friday's incident.
The shooting of the Phantom F-4 fighter jet has split Moscow and the West, with NATO condemning Syria and voicing its solidarity with member state Turkey while Russia saying the incident should not be seen as intentional.
"We believe it is important that the incident is not viewed as a provocation or an intentional action, and that it does not lead to destabilising the situation," the Russian foreign ministry said.
Erdogan raised the heat on the Assad regime by accusing it of shooting down the jet while it was in international airspace, without warning.
"This is a hostile act... a heinous attack," Erdogan said.
"Turkey will exercise its rights, born out of international law, with determination, and take the necessary steps by determining the time, place and method by itself."
Erdogan, once a close ally of Assad, has become one of the Syrian leader's biggest critics and his reaction to the downing of the jet is his fiercest outburst to date.
Erdogan admitted the Turkish plane had violated Syrian airspace but said it was only for a short time and "by mistake," insisting that it was not in Syrian airspace when it was shot down.
Damascus has defended the downing of the jet, saying it was a response to "a gross violation" of its sovereignty.
After a request from Turkey, NATO's secretary-general Anders Fogh Rasmussen hosted talks with ambassadors of the alliance's 28 members in Brussels.
"Allies have expressed their strong support and solidarity with Turkey," Rasmussen said after the 90-minute meeting.
"We consider this act to be unacceptable and condemn it in the strongest terms.
"It is another example of the Syrian authorities' disregard for international norms, peace and security, and human life," he said as the jet's two-man crew remain missing.
"Let me make this clear. The security of the alliance is indivisible. We stand together with Turkey in the spirit of strong solidarity."
Turkey requested the consultations under Article 4 of NATO's founding treaty, enabling any of the allies to call for talks should they consider their territorial integrity, political independence or security to be under threat.
But NATO has so far been notably reluctant to get sucked into the conflict in Syria.
The former chief of the main opposition Syrian National Council, Burhan Ghalioun, meanwhile, told AFP he visited Syria for a few hours on Tuesday to "boost the morale" of rebels.
Ghalioun, a senior SNC executive board member, spoke to AFP in Beirut by telephone after his first visit to Syria in more than two years, and said he entered the country secretly and had "discussions with revolutionaries."
"The visit was also a bit to offer compassion to our people who have been killed, massacred and slaughtered" by regime forces, he added.
Meanwhile Amnesty International said on Tuesday three medics were tortured and killed in Syria a week after their arrest in the city of Aleppo in what it said was an "appalling disregard" for the profession.
All three men were students at Aleppo University -- Basel Aslan and Musab Barad were fourth-year medical students and Hazem Batikh was a second-year English literature student and a first-aid medic, Amnesty said.
"The discovery of the charred and mutilated bodies of three young medical workers a week after their arrest in Aleppo city is yet further evidence of the Syrian government forces' appalling disregard for the sanctity of the role of medical workers," a statement said.
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Two arrested over baby's death in Sh. Feydhoo
Police have arrested the grandmother and stepfather of the 15 year old girl over the murder of her extramarital child who was found buried in a bathroom in Shaviyani Atoll Feydhoo. Haveeru learned that the two people are being detained at Shaviyani atoll police station. Feydhoo council stated that the girl has been transferred to the atoll hospital after being treated in the island hospital. She gave birth to the full term baby at her own residence.
Police revealed that the doctor who examined the baby girl had pronounced her dead even when she was exhumed at 6.30 yesterday evening.
Some people wishing to remain anonymous who spoke from the island told Haveeru that the grandmother and stepfather contacted another woman from the family to get the contact of the ambulance after they failed to help the girl through her delivery. Word got out through her and the island council was informed of the events.
Councilor Hussain Solih said that her stepfather and mother had tried to prevent the councilors and some islanders who gathered near the house from entering the residence after reporting the incident to the police.
“Some people heard whimpers at the time. When she visited (at the time of her delivery) it is said that the baby was crowning. She was told that it was nothing and that the girl was having loose motion†an person from the island told Haveeru. “We all knew that they were trying to deliver the child, so we waited outside encircling the residence. After a few moments, some even heard the baby cry,†he said.
The police arrived after being informed by the island council but there was no evidence of a birth. The blood was cleaned off and the placenta had been hidden as well. Police found the baby’s body after digging around and searching the premises as the girl’s mother and stepfather had denied the allegations, another person told Haveeru.
“The body was kept uncovered and was buried in a shallow grave†an official working in the island’s health sector told Haveeru.
Haveeru has also learned that four people were arrested after some clashes between the police in riot gear and the people who gathered near the residence as word spread that the stepfather was accused of murdering the new born girl.
Deputy President of the island council Ibrahim Naushad was among the arrested for obstruction of police duty. He was later released this afternoon.
Some people from the island told Haveeru that the girl had dropped out of school during the first term of this year as she got pregnant out of wedlock. The island council stated that her pregnancy issue had been filed at the police and the gender ministry. The council member also said that there were documents submitted to the police from the previous island office before the establishment of the council which indicated that the girl had been subjected to sexual exploitation by several local residents.
“She delivered the child as the Gender Ministry and the police were investigating the case,†council member stated.
It is being said that she had been impregnated by her stepfather. Some people point out the reasons why he has been accused.
“Some islanders had reported the case of her step father to the police on six separate occasions to the police and gender department. The cases were investigated by the police and gender department as well. The people of the island are aware of the step father’s sexual relations with the minor, some had made several observations of the same,†a person said.
Some islanders claim that she had been subjected to sexual exploitation by her stepfather as well as his friends who come by to visit. Two years ago, some islanders assaulted a man from Kulhudhuffushi after discovering that he had sexually abused the girl while living in her residence at the time.
The island council strongly condemned the Gender Department for not protecting her through isolation. The council stated that it is the duty of the Gender Ministry to relocate the girl as her residence was not a safe environment for her. It also stressed that it was a result of the negligence from the police and the Gender Ministry. Tweet Bookmark Print Badge the Comments! Give badges to the best comments you see! You will get four badges a day 1 Comments To have full access to the interactive features available in Haveeru Online please register or sign in. or Post a Comment More Loading comments... Please wait
Police revealed that the doctor who examined the baby girl had pronounced her dead even when she was exhumed at 6.30 yesterday evening.
Some people wishing to remain anonymous who spoke from the island told Haveeru that the grandmother and stepfather contacted another woman from the family to get the contact of the ambulance after they failed to help the girl through her delivery. Word got out through her and the island council was informed of the events.
Councilor Hussain Solih said that her stepfather and mother had tried to prevent the councilors and some islanders who gathered near the house from entering the residence after reporting the incident to the police.
“Some people heard whimpers at the time. When she visited (at the time of her delivery) it is said that the baby was crowning. She was told that it was nothing and that the girl was having loose motion†an person from the island told Haveeru. “We all knew that they were trying to deliver the child, so we waited outside encircling the residence. After a few moments, some even heard the baby cry,†he said.
The police arrived after being informed by the island council but there was no evidence of a birth. The blood was cleaned off and the placenta had been hidden as well. Police found the baby’s body after digging around and searching the premises as the girl’s mother and stepfather had denied the allegations, another person told Haveeru.
“The body was kept uncovered and was buried in a shallow grave†an official working in the island’s health sector told Haveeru.
Haveeru has also learned that four people were arrested after some clashes between the police in riot gear and the people who gathered near the residence as word spread that the stepfather was accused of murdering the new born girl.
Deputy President of the island council Ibrahim Naushad was among the arrested for obstruction of police duty. He was later released this afternoon.
Some people from the island told Haveeru that the girl had dropped out of school during the first term of this year as she got pregnant out of wedlock. The island council stated that her pregnancy issue had been filed at the police and the gender ministry. The council member also said that there were documents submitted to the police from the previous island office before the establishment of the council which indicated that the girl had been subjected to sexual exploitation by several local residents.
“She delivered the child as the Gender Ministry and the police were investigating the case,†council member stated.
It is being said that she had been impregnated by her stepfather. Some people point out the reasons why he has been accused.
“Some islanders had reported the case of her step father to the police on six separate occasions to the police and gender department. The cases were investigated by the police and gender department as well. The people of the island are aware of the step father’s sexual relations with the minor, some had made several observations of the same,†a person said.
Some islanders claim that she had been subjected to sexual exploitation by her stepfather as well as his friends who come by to visit. Two years ago, some islanders assaulted a man from Kulhudhuffushi after discovering that he had sexually abused the girl while living in her residence at the time.
The island council strongly condemned the Gender Department for not protecting her through isolation. The council stated that it is the duty of the Gender Ministry to relocate the girl as her residence was not a safe environment for her. It also stressed that it was a result of the negligence from the police and the Gender Ministry. Tweet Bookmark Print Badge the Comments! Give badges to the best comments you see! You will get four badges a day 1 Comments To have full access to the interactive features available in Haveeru Online please register or sign in. or Post a Comment More Loading comments... Please wait
Supreme Court dismisses High Court case for illegally reconstituting Judges bench
Supreme Court has dismissed the decisions of the High Court Judges bench in the case of the border control system establishment issue filed by the Anti Corruption Commission (ACC) against the Immigration Department as the bench had been reconstituted to continue the case. Supreme Court ‘Mandamus order’ stated that the civil court order which stated that the ACC cannot order to stop the border control system project was to be appealed with a judges’ bench appointed by the Chief Judge on April 12, 2012. The judges’ bench had been revised later on May 3, 2012 and its Chief Judge Ahmed Shareef was dismissed from the bench. It also stated that the procedure was not followed as stated in the judicature act of the Maldives. Hence the Supreme Court ordered the High Court to dismiss the decisions made after it had reconstituted the bench and to proceed with the case after reassessment.
The Supreme Court order stated that the responsibilities assigned to the Chief Judge of the High Court under any other Law, the responsibilities of the Chief Judge of the High Court include constituting the panel of High Court Judges to oversee cases and decide on the judges to preside over these proceedings according to 30(a) of the judicature act of the Maldives. The Supreme Court stated that the High Court Chief Judge was not present in the island while another Judge who had been left in charge had taken his place and had reconstituted the bench. It is known that Judge Yusuf Hussain had been left in charge of the court at the time.
Supreme Court stated that dismissing Judges legally elected through its procedure from a Judges’ bench without plausible cause or upon legal terms and without prior notice is a violation of the judicature act of the Maldives.
“(Supreme Court) orders the High Court trial (number) to be revised and the trials and decisions made by the Judges’ bench appointed on April 12, 2012, after the reconstitution of the Judges’ bench on May 3, 2012, to be dismissed†it stated.
The court had conducted about four hearings after its reconstitution. The reconstituted bench had also kept the Deputy Solicitor General Ahmed Usham from representing the state as he was a member of the tender evaluation board of the border control system.
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The Supreme Court order stated that the responsibilities assigned to the Chief Judge of the High Court under any other Law, the responsibilities of the Chief Judge of the High Court include constituting the panel of High Court Judges to oversee cases and decide on the judges to preside over these proceedings according to 30(a) of the judicature act of the Maldives. The Supreme Court stated that the High Court Chief Judge was not present in the island while another Judge who had been left in charge had taken his place and had reconstituted the bench. It is known that Judge Yusuf Hussain had been left in charge of the court at the time.
Supreme Court stated that dismissing Judges legally elected through its procedure from a Judges’ bench without plausible cause or upon legal terms and without prior notice is a violation of the judicature act of the Maldives.
“(Supreme Court) orders the High Court trial (number) to be revised and the trials and decisions made by the Judges’ bench appointed on April 12, 2012, after the reconstitution of the Judges’ bench on May 3, 2012, to be dismissed†it stated.
The court had conducted about four hearings after its reconstitution. The reconstituted bench had also kept the Deputy Solicitor General Ahmed Usham from representing the state as he was a member of the tender evaluation board of the border control system.
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Housing Minister condemns extending Usfasgandu lease to MDP
Housing Minister Dr Mohamed Muizzu has condemned Male City Council extending the lease of the Usfasgandu area to opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) by a further three months. The area had been leased by the council which is constituted of an MDP majority till the June 19, 2012, following which MDP had requested the lease be extended for six more months to which the council has obliged and the lease extended till September of this year.
The Minister said that the council cannot extend the lease while the case regarding the Usfasgandu area is progressing in the court and that a decision will be taken regarding this issue after discussions with the Attorney General (AG) and other relevant authorities.
Male City Council stated that they had extended the lease accordingly on MDP’s request via a unanimous decision, but did not reveal any further details of the decision making process.
The council had previously claimed that following the expiry of the lease of Usfasgandu to MDP, the area will no longer be leased for any activities.
The Housing Ministry had submitted a complaint to the Home Ministry claiming that the council leasing the Usfasgandu area to MDP for an extended period is an exploitation of the agreement made between both parties, which had been forwarded by the Home Ministry to the Police. However dismantling of the MDP camp set up at the area was halted following a Civil Court order.
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The Minister said that the council cannot extend the lease while the case regarding the Usfasgandu area is progressing in the court and that a decision will be taken regarding this issue after discussions with the Attorney General (AG) and other relevant authorities.
Male City Council stated that they had extended the lease accordingly on MDP’s request via a unanimous decision, but did not reveal any further details of the decision making process.
The council had previously claimed that following the expiry of the lease of Usfasgandu to MDP, the area will no longer be leased for any activities.
The Housing Ministry had submitted a complaint to the Home Ministry claiming that the council leasing the Usfasgandu area to MDP for an extended period is an exploitation of the agreement made between both parties, which had been forwarded by the Home Ministry to the Police. However dismantling of the MDP camp set up at the area was halted following a Civil Court order.
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Business Registration Bill returned to Committee
The Business Registration Bill sent back to the Parliament without ratification by President Mohamed Waheed Hassan Manik, has been resubmitted to the Parliament's Economic Committee for further assessment. The letter sent by President Waheed returning the bill that had been passed by the Parliament on April 23 stated that “it had been returned after consideration of potential legal and socio-economic ramifications that could arise when the law comes into effect.â€
President had proposed amendments and removals of some Articles in the Business Registration bill. To that end, Waheed’s letter detailed that while Article 3 (e) of the Bill stipulates that “of the services to be provided for the people of the islands excluding the capital Male, necessary arrangements must be made for the provision of the services specified by the Registrar,†the type of services that must be provided is unclear.
While the Bill states that a branch of a foreign company can be registered in the Maldives, the Company Act fails to specify a process for registering a branch of a foreign company. Hence, President Waheed requested the removal of Article 5 (b) of the bill. In addition, President also requested the amendments of other Articles relevant to the registration of a foreign company branch in the Maldives.
President’s letter further noted that while the bill specified the areas foreigners would be allowed to operate businesses, the Bill fails to specify the term “foreigners.â€
All MPs who debated on the Bill during the Parliament session today had highlighted its significance.
Maamigili constituency MP Gasim Ibrahim noted that the Bill had issues that required contemplation and stressed that as the Maldives introduces a taxation system, businesses must be registered.
Opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) lawmakers expressed concern for the contradicting statements by some MPs who had supported the Bill earlier. MDP claimed that the Bill drafted and submitted to the Parliament under the economic package of the MDP government, was designed for the benefit and to facilitate local businesses and foreign investments.
The Business Registration Bill had been sent to the Committee for further assessment by the absolute majority of the 72 MPs present.
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President had proposed amendments and removals of some Articles in the Business Registration bill. To that end, Waheed’s letter detailed that while Article 3 (e) of the Bill stipulates that “of the services to be provided for the people of the islands excluding the capital Male, necessary arrangements must be made for the provision of the services specified by the Registrar,†the type of services that must be provided is unclear.
While the Bill states that a branch of a foreign company can be registered in the Maldives, the Company Act fails to specify a process for registering a branch of a foreign company. Hence, President Waheed requested the removal of Article 5 (b) of the bill. In addition, President also requested the amendments of other Articles relevant to the registration of a foreign company branch in the Maldives.
President’s letter further noted that while the bill specified the areas foreigners would be allowed to operate businesses, the Bill fails to specify the term “foreigners.â€
All MPs who debated on the Bill during the Parliament session today had highlighted its significance.
Maamigili constituency MP Gasim Ibrahim noted that the Bill had issues that required contemplation and stressed that as the Maldives introduces a taxation system, businesses must be registered.
Opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) lawmakers expressed concern for the contradicting statements by some MPs who had supported the Bill earlier. MDP claimed that the Bill drafted and submitted to the Parliament under the economic package of the MDP government, was designed for the benefit and to facilitate local businesses and foreign investments.
The Business Registration Bill had been sent to the Committee for further assessment by the absolute majority of the 72 MPs present.
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Joint Parliamentary Group created excluding DRP
Pro-government political parties have created a Joint Parliamentary Group (JPG) excluding the Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party (DRP) and have appointed members to important positions in the JPG. Leader of the Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) and Mulaku constituency MP Abdulla Yamin was elected the leader of the JPG, while Gemanafushi constituency MP Ilham Ahmed was elected Deputy Leader along with Dhivehi Qaumee Party (DQP) member and Vilufushi constituency MP Riyaz Rasheed.
JPG also appointed five other members as whips. They are PPM’s members Nilandhoo constituency MP Abdul Muhsin Hameed, Maavashu constituency MP Abdul Azeez Jama Abu Bakr, Ungoofaaru constituency MP Dr Afrashim Ali, Vaikaradhoo constituency MP Ali Arif and member of Adhalath Party (AP) and Faresmaathodaa constituency MP Ibrahim Muhthalib.
Riyaz Rasheed said today that prior to the fall of former President Mohamed Nasheed’s administration on February 7, a joint parliamentary group had existed as well within the then opposition, but the reason behind re-establishing the joint parliamentary group is to become more active as a group given the recent changes in the political environment.
He also added that following the creation of the JPG, PPM will no longer hold separate parliamentary group meetings but that PPM will from now on discuss issues at JPG meetings.
“The whole Joint Parliamentary Group will discuss matters and then decide on what to do. Separate parliamentary group meetings will not be held by PPM from now on,†he said.
When asked why DRP was not included in the JPG Riyaz said that “they have joined MDP†(Maldivian Democratic Party).
“So why invite them to join us. They vote against the government on matters submitted to the parliament against the government. They had and still are conspiring with MDP,†said Riyaz who has been a constant source of criticism for DRP.
The JPG is currently comprised of PPM, DQP and Jumhoory Party (JP) and several MPs with no political party affiliation.
Though Riyaz claims that DRP has been conspiring with MDP, last week during a DRP meeting in Haa Dhaal atoll Naifaru DRP’s leader Ahmed Thasmeen Ali said that though political rivals assume DRP is liaising with MDP that it is a “blatant lieâ€.
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JPG also appointed five other members as whips. They are PPM’s members Nilandhoo constituency MP Abdul Muhsin Hameed, Maavashu constituency MP Abdul Azeez Jama Abu Bakr, Ungoofaaru constituency MP Dr Afrashim Ali, Vaikaradhoo constituency MP Ali Arif and member of Adhalath Party (AP) and Faresmaathodaa constituency MP Ibrahim Muhthalib.
Riyaz Rasheed said today that prior to the fall of former President Mohamed Nasheed’s administration on February 7, a joint parliamentary group had existed as well within the then opposition, but the reason behind re-establishing the joint parliamentary group is to become more active as a group given the recent changes in the political environment.
He also added that following the creation of the JPG, PPM will no longer hold separate parliamentary group meetings but that PPM will from now on discuss issues at JPG meetings.
“The whole Joint Parliamentary Group will discuss matters and then decide on what to do. Separate parliamentary group meetings will not be held by PPM from now on,†he said.
When asked why DRP was not included in the JPG Riyaz said that “they have joined MDP†(Maldivian Democratic Party).
“So why invite them to join us. They vote against the government on matters submitted to the parliament against the government. They had and still are conspiring with MDP,†said Riyaz who has been a constant source of criticism for DRP.
The JPG is currently comprised of PPM, DQP and Jumhoory Party (JP) and several MPs with no political party affiliation.
Though Riyaz claims that DRP has been conspiring with MDP, last week during a DRP meeting in Haa Dhaal atoll Naifaru DRP’s leader Ahmed Thasmeen Ali said that though political rivals assume DRP is liaising with MDP that it is a “blatant lieâ€.
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Woman face charges for withholding information on weapon used in Muheeth's murder
State has filed charges against a woman for allegedly attempting to withhold information about the murder weapon, believed to be used in the brutal stabbing murder of Abdul 'Bobby' Muheeth of Galolhu Veyru in February. The accused Aminath Rasheeda of Henveiru Fehifaih Koalhi has been charged with “stymieing the duties of the Police.â€
An official of the Prosecutor General’s (PG) Office revealed that Aminath Rasheeda had been summoned for the police investigation on a court order. Official added that the accused had blatantly denied knowledge of the murder weapon and attempted to withhold evidence in an ongoing murder investigation.
A hearing on the case had been scheduled at the Criminal Court earlier, but was cancelled after the accused failed to appear in court on time.
Article 72 of the Police Act classifies obstruction of police duties as a criminal offence. However, the Article fails to specify the penalty for the offence.
However, Article 75 states that for any offence entailed in the Act that does not specify a penalty, would carry a fine of no more than MVR12,000 or six months in prison or will be fined along with a prison sentence.
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An official of the Prosecutor General’s (PG) Office revealed that Aminath Rasheeda had been summoned for the police investigation on a court order. Official added that the accused had blatantly denied knowledge of the murder weapon and attempted to withhold evidence in an ongoing murder investigation.
A hearing on the case had been scheduled at the Criminal Court earlier, but was cancelled after the accused failed to appear in court on time.
Article 72 of the Police Act classifies obstruction of police duties as a criminal offence. However, the Article fails to specify the penalty for the offence.
However, Article 75 states that for any offence entailed in the Act that does not specify a penalty, would carry a fine of no more than MVR12,000 or six months in prison or will be fined along with a prison sentence.
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MDP access to Usfasgandu extended by three months
The period of issue of the Usfasgandu area to opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) to carry out its political activities has been extended by a further three months. Male city Mayor Maizaan Ali Manik revealed that the decision to extend the period of issue was taken by the majority members of the Male City Council which has MDP majority.
“The period of issue had expired on June 19. Following a request by the MDP to extend the period of issue, the Council had decided to facilitate the request,†Mayor detailed.
After the extension, the period of issue will expire in September.
Housing Ministry and the City Council have clashed over the issue of Usfasgandu to MDP previously. The Ministry has stressed that the Council had issued the area to MDP in violation of the agreement that entrusted such land plots to the Council.
Police on May 29, had attempted to dismantle the Usfasgandu area following a Criminal Court sanctioned search for alleged criminal offences. However, the Civil Court had halted the process after MDP filed the case in court.
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“The period of issue had expired on June 19. Following a request by the MDP to extend the period of issue, the Council had decided to facilitate the request,†Mayor detailed.
After the extension, the period of issue will expire in September.
Housing Ministry and the City Council have clashed over the issue of Usfasgandu to MDP previously. The Ministry has stressed that the Council had issued the area to MDP in violation of the agreement that entrusted such land plots to the Council.
Police on May 29, had attempted to dismantle the Usfasgandu area following a Criminal Court sanctioned search for alleged criminal offences. However, the Civil Court had halted the process after MDP filed the case in court.
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Ousted Paraguay leader to make case at summit
Paraguay's ousted president Fernando Lugo said Monday he would take his case to a summit of South American leaders this week as the country's Supreme Court rejected an appeal of his dismissal. Lugo had filed a petition challenging his speedy impeachment and ouster last week saying he had been denied due process as guaranteed by the constitution.
But a three-judge panel of the top court rejected the appeal without comment, apparently closing a key legal avenue to the former president even as other Latin American presidents rallied behind his cause.
"It is important to underscore that the former president publicly agreed" to step aside, with all of the "consequences" such a move brings, the court ruled.
Lugo said he would attend a summit of Mercosur -- South America's biggest trading bloc -- in the Argentine city of Mendoza Thursday and Friday to explain himself.
New President Federico Franco meanwhile was barred from participating in the summit after the group decided to suspend Paraguay's membership.
"We asked Argentine President Cristina Kirchner to have a presence at this meeting so we could explain in detail what has happened here over the past week," Lugo told a press conference.
The ousted 61-year-old, who had less than nine months to serve and was not seeking re-election as president of one of Latin America's poorest countries, told AFP he also planned to attend an upcoming meeting of the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR).
UNASUR said it is preparing to meet Friday in Mendoza to discuss the situation.
The Organization of American States (OAS) originally planned to meet Wednesday on Paraguay, but moved up the meeting by a day to Tuesday.
The United States, which is a member of the OAS, has voiced concern over the speed of Lugo's impeachment, but said it has not determined whether it was a coup.
Brazil, Paraguay's top trading partner, which has denounced the president's ouster, was seen as potentially playing key role in reaching a resolution.
Franco, meanwhile, swore in a new cabinet, most of whose members were drawn from Paraguay's traditional Liberal and Colorado parties.
The suspension of Paraguay's government from Mercosur was adopted on Sunday by the group's full members and associate states -- Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela.
The statement expressed the group's "most energetic condemnation of the rupture of the democratic order that occurred in the Republic of Paraguay, for not having respected due process."
Lugo was hauled before the Senate on Friday to face charges that he had poorly managed a land dispute that erupted in an armed clash June 15 between police and squatters.
Six police officers and 11 landless peasants were killed in an exchange of gunfire that erupted when police tried to evict the squatters from land owned by a wealthy opponent of Lugo.
The Senate voted 39-4 on Friday to impeach Lugo, who initially accepted the verdict and stepped down.
Oil-rich Venezuela, whose membership of Mercosur has been blocked by Paraguay, recalled its ambassador to Asuncion and halted oil shipments, with President Hugo Chavez saying he would do nothing to support the "coup."
Chavez likened the turn of events in Paraguay to the coup that toppled Honduran president Manuel Zelaya in June 2009, plunging the Central American country into an 18-month-long constitutional crisis.
"For us, the president of Paraguay is still Fernando Lugo. We do not recognize this new government," Chavez said in Caracas.
Argentina, which has also condemned the move as a thinly-veiled "coup," has also pulled its ambassador from the country, as has Ecuador. Other nations were recalling their envoys for consultations.
Ecuadoran President Rafael Correa said his country would propose a return to "democratic order" in Paraguay. "We cannot gloss over this legalistic nonsense," he added.
But a foreign policy adviser to the Brazilian government, Marco Aurelio Garcia, told the state-run Agencia Brasil that neither Brazil nor the other Mercosur states would intervene in Paraguay's internal affairs.
Garcia said it was time "to let the crisis in Paraguay decant to see how it comes out."
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But a three-judge panel of the top court rejected the appeal without comment, apparently closing a key legal avenue to the former president even as other Latin American presidents rallied behind his cause.
"It is important to underscore that the former president publicly agreed" to step aside, with all of the "consequences" such a move brings, the court ruled.
Lugo said he would attend a summit of Mercosur -- South America's biggest trading bloc -- in the Argentine city of Mendoza Thursday and Friday to explain himself.
New President Federico Franco meanwhile was barred from participating in the summit after the group decided to suspend Paraguay's membership.
"We asked Argentine President Cristina Kirchner to have a presence at this meeting so we could explain in detail what has happened here over the past week," Lugo told a press conference.
The ousted 61-year-old, who had less than nine months to serve and was not seeking re-election as president of one of Latin America's poorest countries, told AFP he also planned to attend an upcoming meeting of the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR).
UNASUR said it is preparing to meet Friday in Mendoza to discuss the situation.
The Organization of American States (OAS) originally planned to meet Wednesday on Paraguay, but moved up the meeting by a day to Tuesday.
The United States, which is a member of the OAS, has voiced concern over the speed of Lugo's impeachment, but said it has not determined whether it was a coup.
Brazil, Paraguay's top trading partner, which has denounced the president's ouster, was seen as potentially playing key role in reaching a resolution.
Franco, meanwhile, swore in a new cabinet, most of whose members were drawn from Paraguay's traditional Liberal and Colorado parties.
The suspension of Paraguay's government from Mercosur was adopted on Sunday by the group's full members and associate states -- Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela.
The statement expressed the group's "most energetic condemnation of the rupture of the democratic order that occurred in the Republic of Paraguay, for not having respected due process."
Lugo was hauled before the Senate on Friday to face charges that he had poorly managed a land dispute that erupted in an armed clash June 15 between police and squatters.
Six police officers and 11 landless peasants were killed in an exchange of gunfire that erupted when police tried to evict the squatters from land owned by a wealthy opponent of Lugo.
The Senate voted 39-4 on Friday to impeach Lugo, who initially accepted the verdict and stepped down.
Oil-rich Venezuela, whose membership of Mercosur has been blocked by Paraguay, recalled its ambassador to Asuncion and halted oil shipments, with President Hugo Chavez saying he would do nothing to support the "coup."
Chavez likened the turn of events in Paraguay to the coup that toppled Honduran president Manuel Zelaya in June 2009, plunging the Central American country into an 18-month-long constitutional crisis.
"For us, the president of Paraguay is still Fernando Lugo. We do not recognize this new government," Chavez said in Caracas.
Argentina, which has also condemned the move as a thinly-veiled "coup," has also pulled its ambassador from the country, as has Ecuador. Other nations were recalling their envoys for consultations.
Ecuadoran President Rafael Correa said his country would propose a return to "democratic order" in Paraguay. "We cannot gloss over this legalistic nonsense," he added.
But a foreign policy adviser to the Brazilian government, Marco Aurelio Garcia, told the state-run Agencia Brasil that neither Brazil nor the other Mercosur states would intervene in Paraguay's internal affairs.
Garcia said it was time "to let the crisis in Paraguay decant to see how it comes out."
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Immolations expression of freedom: Tibet's exiled PM
Tibet's exiled political leader Lobsang Sangay on Tuesday said a spate of self-immolations in China was a strong message being sent by oppressed and desperate people who want to assert their freedom. The Harvard scholar, who was elected prime minister in April 2011, added he hoped a leadership transition in Beijing this year would bring a "new perspective" on Tibet.
More than 30 people have set themselves on fire in Tibetan-inhabited areas of China since the start of March 2011 in protest at what they say is religious and cultural repression by the Chinese authorities.
"It means the situation is not bearable," Sangay, 43, told the Sydney Morning Herald on a visit to Australia.
"It's not just that it's a desperate act, but also a political act," he said.
"Peaceful protests, peaceful rallies are not allowed. The statements they leave behind consistently say they want freedom.
"The self-immolations are somehow an assertion of freedom -- 'you can restrain my freedom but I can choose to die as I want'."
China blames spiritual leader the Dalai Lama for inciting the self-immolations in a bid to split Tibet from the rest of the nation, and insists Tibetans now have better lives due to Chinese investment.
In an address to the National Press Club, Sangay said the spark for self-immolations was 2008 anti-government riots in Lhasa -- unrest that subsequently spread to other Tibetan-inhabited areas of China.
"Since then, instead of responding positively or liberally, unfortunately the Chinese government has clamped down more," he said, adding that the Tibetan capital was essentially closed to the outside world.
"The military walk up and down the streets and there has been an intensifying of the campaign to demonise the Dalai Lama," he said.
"How would you feel if you revered someone and you were asked to denounce him by standing on his picture or badmouthing him?
"These are the reasons why Tibetans are taking these drastic actions."
Most of the self-immolations have occurred since Sangay was elected, four months before he took office to assume political duties being relinquished by the Dalai Lama at the head of the India-based exiled government.
Asked if this showed that Tibetans feel more hopelessness as the Dalai Lama restricts his political activism, or whether it was an effort to push Sangay to take a harder line against China, he replied: "It's too early to tell."
Sangay added: "We have repeatedly asked them not to take drastic actions, including self-immolation, but they continue to do so."
Despite China's consistently hardline stance on Tibet, the exiled minister said he was hopeful that change could occur with a new leadership.
"Given the past 50 years of experience, we haven't had much reason for optimism, but as a human being I remain hopeful about the new leadership led by Xi Jinping," he said.
Chinese President Hu Jintao, Premier Wen and five other leaders are due to relinquish their positions on the nine-man Standing Committee at a congress later this year that will also announce their replacements.
Vice President Xi and Vice Premier Li Keqiang are expected to be the only current members of the standing committee who will stay on -- replacing Hu and Wen respectively.
"Hopefully with new people, there will be a new perspective on Tibet and hopefully we'll have better days ahead," said Sangay.
But Xi has previously appeared to dash the hopes of anyone hoping for a change of course from China's leadership.
In a speech last year he vowed to fight "separatist activities" in the region and said Beijing should "smash any attempt to undermine stability in Tibet".
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More than 30 people have set themselves on fire in Tibetan-inhabited areas of China since the start of March 2011 in protest at what they say is religious and cultural repression by the Chinese authorities.
"It means the situation is not bearable," Sangay, 43, told the Sydney Morning Herald on a visit to Australia.
"It's not just that it's a desperate act, but also a political act," he said.
"Peaceful protests, peaceful rallies are not allowed. The statements they leave behind consistently say they want freedom.
"The self-immolations are somehow an assertion of freedom -- 'you can restrain my freedom but I can choose to die as I want'."
China blames spiritual leader the Dalai Lama for inciting the self-immolations in a bid to split Tibet from the rest of the nation, and insists Tibetans now have better lives due to Chinese investment.
In an address to the National Press Club, Sangay said the spark for self-immolations was 2008 anti-government riots in Lhasa -- unrest that subsequently spread to other Tibetan-inhabited areas of China.
"Since then, instead of responding positively or liberally, unfortunately the Chinese government has clamped down more," he said, adding that the Tibetan capital was essentially closed to the outside world.
"The military walk up and down the streets and there has been an intensifying of the campaign to demonise the Dalai Lama," he said.
"How would you feel if you revered someone and you were asked to denounce him by standing on his picture or badmouthing him?
"These are the reasons why Tibetans are taking these drastic actions."
Most of the self-immolations have occurred since Sangay was elected, four months before he took office to assume political duties being relinquished by the Dalai Lama at the head of the India-based exiled government.
Asked if this showed that Tibetans feel more hopelessness as the Dalai Lama restricts his political activism, or whether it was an effort to push Sangay to take a harder line against China, he replied: "It's too early to tell."
Sangay added: "We have repeatedly asked them not to take drastic actions, including self-immolation, but they continue to do so."
Despite China's consistently hardline stance on Tibet, the exiled minister said he was hopeful that change could occur with a new leadership.
"Given the past 50 years of experience, we haven't had much reason for optimism, but as a human being I remain hopeful about the new leadership led by Xi Jinping," he said.
Chinese President Hu Jintao, Premier Wen and five other leaders are due to relinquish their positions on the nine-man Standing Committee at a congress later this year that will also announce their replacements.
Vice President Xi and Vice Premier Li Keqiang are expected to be the only current members of the standing committee who will stay on -- replacing Hu and Wen respectively.
"Hopefully with new people, there will be a new perspective on Tibet and hopefully we'll have better days ahead," said Sangay.
But Xi has previously appeared to dash the hopes of anyone hoping for a change of course from China's leadership.
In a speech last year he vowed to fight "separatist activities" in the region and said Beijing should "smash any attempt to undermine stability in Tibet".
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Briton laughed as he shot Indian student dead, court hears
A gunman "laughed and ran off" after killing an Indian student who was spending the Christmas holidays with friends in England, a prosecutor said as his trial opened on Monday. Kiaran Stapleton, 21, who has already admitted killing 23-year-old Anuj Bidve, shot the student in the early hours of December 26 last year in Salford, northwest England.
"Anuj Bidve immediately fell to the ground, fatally injured," prosecutor Brian Cummings said as the trial opened at Manchester Crown Court.
"The gunman smirked or laughed and ran off."
Bidve, who was studying at Lancaster University in northwest England, was shot once in the head as he walked through Salford with friends, and died a short time later in hospital.
He had arrived in Britain last September from the Indian city of Pune and was working towards a post-graduate qualification in micro-electronics.
His parents Subhash and Yogini flew from Pune to Britain to attend the trial. They watched from the front row of the public gallery, out of sight of Stapleton, who sat in the dock surrounded by four prison officers.
The court heard that Stapleton and his friend Ryan Holden encountered the group of Indian and Pakistani friends in the street at about 1:30 am.
Stapleton crossed the road and asked them what the time was.
One of the group answered and Stapleton, who gave his name as "Psycho Stapleton" at an earlier hearing, suddenly pulled out a gun and shot Bidve, before fleeing with Holden.
Holden was arrested on December 28, a day before Stapleton, but his status has since been changed from suspect to prosecution witness.
On the night Bidve died, Stapleton was angry after being told that his ex-girlfriend Chelsea Holden -- Ryan Holden's cousin -- had slept with another man while they were still a couple, the court heard.
The defence are expected to call expert psychiatric evidence in the trial, which is set to last up to four weeks.
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"Anuj Bidve immediately fell to the ground, fatally injured," prosecutor Brian Cummings said as the trial opened at Manchester Crown Court.
"The gunman smirked or laughed and ran off."
Bidve, who was studying at Lancaster University in northwest England, was shot once in the head as he walked through Salford with friends, and died a short time later in hospital.
He had arrived in Britain last September from the Indian city of Pune and was working towards a post-graduate qualification in micro-electronics.
His parents Subhash and Yogini flew from Pune to Britain to attend the trial. They watched from the front row of the public gallery, out of sight of Stapleton, who sat in the dock surrounded by four prison officers.
The court heard that Stapleton and his friend Ryan Holden encountered the group of Indian and Pakistani friends in the street at about 1:30 am.
Stapleton crossed the road and asked them what the time was.
One of the group answered and Stapleton, who gave his name as "Psycho Stapleton" at an earlier hearing, suddenly pulled out a gun and shot Bidve, before fleeing with Holden.
Holden was arrested on December 28, a day before Stapleton, but his status has since been changed from suspect to prosecution witness.
On the night Bidve died, Stapleton was angry after being told that his ex-girlfriend Chelsea Holden -- Ryan Holden's cousin -- had slept with another man while they were still a couple, the court heard.
The defence are expected to call expert psychiatric evidence in the trial, which is set to last up to four weeks.
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