Top diplomats from the United States and Russia failed to overcome their differences on the future of Syria Friday, just hours before crunch multi-nation talks were to take place in Geneva. After a nearly three-hour meeting in Saint Petersburg, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and her Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov showed just a glimmer of hope that a deal could be done to help end the bloodshed.
Describing the meeting, a senior US official said there remained areas of "difficulty and difference" between Russia and the United States over the political future of the war-ridden nation.
But both powers agreed to continue talks in Geneva on Saturday, where they will be joined by other permanent members of the UN Security Council and a handful of regional powers.
"Out of respect to (international peace envoy) Kofi Annan, they agreed we should all go to Geneva tomorrow to try to produce a result," the US diplomat said.
Clinton had threatened to boycott the meeting if Russia did not agree to Annan's plan for political transition, which included an opaque but unmistakable call for Bashar al-Assad and his government to be replaced by a government of national unity.
Buoyed by the removal of that US threat, Lavrov voiced optimism that Saturday's talks could bring a shift toward peace after 16 months of fighting.
Russia's top diplomat said he had now "detected a shift" in Washington's approach.
"There were no ultimatums. Not a word was said about the document now being discussed in Geneva being completely untouchable."
"I can confidently say that we have a very good chance tomorrow in Geneva to find a common denominator and mark a path forward," he told reporters.
Russia -- long an ally of Syria -- has argued that foreign powers should not dictate terms to Syria and has provided its old ally with weapons.
Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister Gennady Gatilov early on Saturday tweeted that experts in Geneva had thus far failed to agree to the wording of a final document on Syria because "the Western partners want to determine the political process themselves."
UN-Arab League envoy Annan said "external powers" have encouraged violence in Syria as he issued a new plea for unity ahead of the key international meeting on the conflict on Saturday.
"Many external powers are deeply involved. Despite formal unity behind the six-point plan, mutual mistrust has made them work at cross-purposes," Annan said in a commentary for the Washington Post published Friday.
Meanwhile fighting has only intensified in recent weeks and rights monitors said more than 230 people -- most of them civilians -- had been killed across the strategic Middle East country since Thursday.
Regime forces pounded the Damascus suburb of Douma and the central city of Homs on Friday, after one of the bloodiest days of the Syrian uprising in which more than 180 people were thought to have been killed.
Other demonstrations calling for the ouster of President Assad took place in Aleppo, Daraa, Deir Ezzor, Idlib, Homs and Latakia provinces.
Meanwhile Turkey has sent tanks, troops and missile batteries toward the Syrian border, after Syria shot down a Turkish jet last Friday.
Turkish state-run television showed dozens of military vehicles reportedly heading for the border, in a convoy that included air defence systems.
The head of the rebels' Free Syrian Army told AFP that 2,500 Syrian soldiers were "massing 15 kilometres or slightly more (10 miles) from the Turkish border" on Friday.
A Syrian foreign ministry spokesman did not deny the report when contacted by AFP while stressing there were "no hostile intentions from the Syrian side."
The United States and regional powers such as Turkey are under pressure not only from Russia but also members of the rebel resistance themselves.
The Syrian National Council has expressed grave reservations about any transition process that reserves a role for Assad.
French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius was to hold Paris talks with rebel council chief Abdel Basset Sayda in hopes of persuading him to take a more accommodating line.
The London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said some 4,700 of the more than 15,800 people killed since the uprising broke out had died since the UN-backed ceasefire brokered by Annan entered force.
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Sunday, July 1, 2012
Egypt's Morsi in Tahrir tribute to people before oath
Islamist Mohamed Morsi praised Egypt's Muslims and Christians alike Friday and symbolically swore himself in as the country's first elected civilian president, playing up people power before a huge throng at Tahrir Square. Crowds had packed the square from early in the day for the president-elect's appearance on the eve of his official swearing-in.
Morsi, who won a run-off election earlier this month, was received with applause by the tens of thousands of people gathered in the birthplace of the revolt that overthrew his predecessor Hosni Mubarak last year.
He promised a "civilian state" and praised "the square of the revolution, the square of freedom," in what he called an address to "the free world, Arabs, Muslims... the Muslims of Egypt, Christians of Egypt."
Morsi symbolically swore himself in before the crowd, saying: "I swear to preserve the republican system... and to preserve the independence" of Egypt.
"I am one of you. I fear only God," he told the crowd, hailing "the square of the revolution, the square of liberty -- Tahrir Square."
Before his triumphant arrival, chants against the ruling military which took over on Mubarak's overthrow rang out as people gathered from mid-morning under a searing sun.
In his speech Morsi, whose election has raised concerns among Egypt's sizeable Coptic Christian community, served Washington with advance warning that his politics will be markedly different from those of his ousted predecessor.
He said he would work to secure freedom for Omar Abdul Rahman, a blind Egyptian cleric jailed for life over the 1993 World Trade Centre bombing.
"I will do everything in my power to secure freedom for... detainees, including Sheikh Omar Abdul Rahman," Morsi said in his address to the hub of the 2011 revolution.
Abdul Rahman was convicted in 1995 for his role in the World Trade Centre bombing, plotting to bomb other New York targets including the United Nations, and a plan to assassinate Mubarak.
After taking the oath, Morsi will have to contend with the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces, led by Mubarak's longtime defence minister Field Marshal Hussein Tantawi, that will retain broad powers after it formally hands over.
He also threw down the gauntlet to the SCAF, while addressing the people directly.
"You are the source of power and legitimacy... there is no place for anyone or any institution... above this will," a defiant Morsi said. "I renounce none of the prerogatives of president."
Earlier demonstrators chanted anti-military slogans including: "Down with the power of the military" and "Field marshal, tell us the truth -- is Morsi your president or not?"
The liberal Wafd newspaper reported that Tantawi will remain defence minister in the new government.
-- Differences over power transfer --
The Muslim Brotherhood, from which Morsi resigned after winning the presidency, had called for a huge demonstration in Tahrir on Friday, under the slogan "Day of the transfer of power."
The presidency has announced that Morsi will be sworn in Saturday before the Constitutional Court, after differences with the army over the transfer of power.
Morsi "will go at 11 am (0900 GMT) Saturday to the Constitutional Court to take the oath before the Court's general assembly," said a statement released by state news agency MENA.
Traditionally the president takes the oath in parliament, but Egypt's top court has ordered the disbanding of the Islamist-dominated legislature.
The military subsequently assumed legislative powers and also formed a powerful national security council headed by the president but dominated by generals.
By agreeing to be sworn in by the Constitutional Court, Morsi is effectively acknowledging the court's decision to dissolve parliament.
The SCAF also reserves the right to appoint a new constituent assembly should the one elected by parliament be disbanded by a court decision expected on September 1, even though though the Brotherhood insists that only parliament can appoint the assembly.
Media reports said Morsi was consulting a cross-section of Egyptian society before appointing a premier and a cabinet of mostly technocrats.
In a meeting with Egyptian newspaper editors reported by most dailies on Friday, Morsi pledged there would be "no Islamisation of state institutions" during his presidency.
Morsi has already met Tantawi, as well as a delegation from the Sunni body Al-Azhar, and another representing Egypt's Coptic church.
Amnesty International on Friday urged Morsi to break the cycle of abuse under Mubarak and put Egypt on the path to the rule of law and respect for human rights.
"Egyptians have heard many promises that their demands would be listened to and that things would change, but so far their hopes have largely been frustrated," said Salil Shetty, Amnesty's secretary general. Tweet Bookmark Print Badge the Comments! Give badges to the best comments you see! You will get four badges a day 0 Comments To have full access to the interactive features available in Haveeru Online please register or sign in. or Post a Comment Loading comments... Please wait
Morsi, who won a run-off election earlier this month, was received with applause by the tens of thousands of people gathered in the birthplace of the revolt that overthrew his predecessor Hosni Mubarak last year.
He promised a "civilian state" and praised "the square of the revolution, the square of freedom," in what he called an address to "the free world, Arabs, Muslims... the Muslims of Egypt, Christians of Egypt."
Morsi symbolically swore himself in before the crowd, saying: "I swear to preserve the republican system... and to preserve the independence" of Egypt.
"I am one of you. I fear only God," he told the crowd, hailing "the square of the revolution, the square of liberty -- Tahrir Square."
Before his triumphant arrival, chants against the ruling military which took over on Mubarak's overthrow rang out as people gathered from mid-morning under a searing sun.
In his speech Morsi, whose election has raised concerns among Egypt's sizeable Coptic Christian community, served Washington with advance warning that his politics will be markedly different from those of his ousted predecessor.
He said he would work to secure freedom for Omar Abdul Rahman, a blind Egyptian cleric jailed for life over the 1993 World Trade Centre bombing.
"I will do everything in my power to secure freedom for... detainees, including Sheikh Omar Abdul Rahman," Morsi said in his address to the hub of the 2011 revolution.
Abdul Rahman was convicted in 1995 for his role in the World Trade Centre bombing, plotting to bomb other New York targets including the United Nations, and a plan to assassinate Mubarak.
After taking the oath, Morsi will have to contend with the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces, led by Mubarak's longtime defence minister Field Marshal Hussein Tantawi, that will retain broad powers after it formally hands over.
He also threw down the gauntlet to the SCAF, while addressing the people directly.
"You are the source of power and legitimacy... there is no place for anyone or any institution... above this will," a defiant Morsi said. "I renounce none of the prerogatives of president."
Earlier demonstrators chanted anti-military slogans including: "Down with the power of the military" and "Field marshal, tell us the truth -- is Morsi your president or not?"
The liberal Wafd newspaper reported that Tantawi will remain defence minister in the new government.
-- Differences over power transfer --
The Muslim Brotherhood, from which Morsi resigned after winning the presidency, had called for a huge demonstration in Tahrir on Friday, under the slogan "Day of the transfer of power."
The presidency has announced that Morsi will be sworn in Saturday before the Constitutional Court, after differences with the army over the transfer of power.
Morsi "will go at 11 am (0900 GMT) Saturday to the Constitutional Court to take the oath before the Court's general assembly," said a statement released by state news agency MENA.
Traditionally the president takes the oath in parliament, but Egypt's top court has ordered the disbanding of the Islamist-dominated legislature.
The military subsequently assumed legislative powers and also formed a powerful national security council headed by the president but dominated by generals.
By agreeing to be sworn in by the Constitutional Court, Morsi is effectively acknowledging the court's decision to dissolve parliament.
The SCAF also reserves the right to appoint a new constituent assembly should the one elected by parliament be disbanded by a court decision expected on September 1, even though though the Brotherhood insists that only parliament can appoint the assembly.
Media reports said Morsi was consulting a cross-section of Egyptian society before appointing a premier and a cabinet of mostly technocrats.
In a meeting with Egyptian newspaper editors reported by most dailies on Friday, Morsi pledged there would be "no Islamisation of state institutions" during his presidency.
Morsi has already met Tantawi, as well as a delegation from the Sunni body Al-Azhar, and another representing Egypt's Coptic church.
Amnesty International on Friday urged Morsi to break the cycle of abuse under Mubarak and put Egypt on the path to the rule of law and respect for human rights.
"Egyptians have heard many promises that their demands would be listened to and that things would change, but so far their hopes have largely been frustrated," said Salil Shetty, Amnesty's secretary general. Tweet Bookmark Print Badge the Comments! Give badges to the best comments you see! You will get four badges a day 0 Comments To have full access to the interactive features available in Haveeru Online please register or sign in. or Post a Comment Loading comments... Please wait
Border Control System project has not been resumed: Immigration
Immigration Department in a statement has refuted the allegations made by Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) that Nexbis Limited assigned with the establishment of a border control system, had recommenced the project prior to the Supreme Court ruling that annulled the High Court's temporary stay order A prominent official of ACC revealed to Haveeru that subsequent to information on the recommencement of the project by Nexbis, a request to halt the project had been filed at the High Court yesterday.
ACC official further detailed that the Supreme Court’s ‘Mandamus’ order had annulled only the rulings and decisions of the High Court in relation to the case, but had not specified that the documentation presented in court were void.
Following the report of the ACC’s claims on Haveeru yesterday, Immigration Department stressed that such baseless reports were adversely affecting its employees psychologically.
“This department wants to inform the people that the claims are unfounded and assure that no actions of that nature had been taken. Furthermore, under the authority of the Controller of Immigration, the claims have been forwarded and a request has been made to the Maldives Police Service to launch an investigation into the case,†Immigration Department’s statement read.
The lucrative MVR500 million border control system project case had been litigated after the failure to cease work on the project despite several orders from the ACC to halt the project on allegations of corruption over its awarding.
The Civil Court had ruled that the ACC had no authority to order the halt of the project. Following which, the ACC had made an appeal at the High Court. Tweet Bookmark Print Badge the Comments! Give badges to the best comments you see! You will get four badges a day 0 Comments To have full access to the interactive features available in Haveeru Online please register or sign in. or Post a Comment Loading comments... Please wait
ACC official further detailed that the Supreme Court’s ‘Mandamus’ order had annulled only the rulings and decisions of the High Court in relation to the case, but had not specified that the documentation presented in court were void.
Following the report of the ACC’s claims on Haveeru yesterday, Immigration Department stressed that such baseless reports were adversely affecting its employees psychologically.
“This department wants to inform the people that the claims are unfounded and assure that no actions of that nature had been taken. Furthermore, under the authority of the Controller of Immigration, the claims have been forwarded and a request has been made to the Maldives Police Service to launch an investigation into the case,†Immigration Department’s statement read.
The lucrative MVR500 million border control system project case had been litigated after the failure to cease work on the project despite several orders from the ACC to halt the project on allegations of corruption over its awarding.
The Civil Court had ruled that the ACC had no authority to order the halt of the project. Following which, the ACC had made an appeal at the High Court. Tweet Bookmark Print Badge the Comments! Give badges to the best comments you see! You will get four badges a day 0 Comments To have full access to the interactive features available in Haveeru Online please register or sign in. or Post a Comment Loading comments... Please wait
Youth empowerment, much needed positive change
Google the term 'Maldives' and what you find is a brief history of this small chain of geographically isolated islands a few meters above sea level which is under the constant threat of global climate change. Most websites and links related to Maldives guide you to a ‘paradise on earth’ for tourists in search of holiday destinations and for those seeking information on us.
However, the Maldives is not just strictly ‘pristine white sandy beaches and beautiful coral reefs’, it also has its issues like every other nation in the world. It is home to over 320,000 citizens with atolls spreading over 90,000 square kilometer area.
Male, the capital of Maldives, is one of the most densely populated cities in the world. The political turmoil within the nation has paved way for the authorities assigned to ‘protect and serve’ to unintentionally lose their focus on the pressing concerns and ‘cut some slack’ on their duties toward keeping the nation a safer place for its residents.
It is a shame that our so called ‘educated’ society keeps pointing fingers, rather than working toward solving the issues within our society. Numerous awareness campaigns are being held at a nationwide scale within the Maldives by several government bodies as well as Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) to instill a positive thinking in our minds in an attempt to help fight the soaring crime rates within the nation and to resolve the social issues at hand. It is high time that the society ‘woke up’ from this deep slumber and quit pressing the ‘snooze’ on its alarm.
Empowering youth groups had long been a challenge to authorities, as well as NGOs trying to help communities achieve sustainable development goals. This had partly been due to the lack of funding and resources at their disposal as well as the difference in the quality of education in the islands compared to its capital city.
Crime rates are increasing by the day, while authorities are busy at ‘what they do best’. There have been a couple of tragic incidents that has sparked nationwide controversy and has led some among us to overcome our fear and to resist these inhumane aggressions. One of the most controversial issues was the brutal stabbing and murder of an innocent teen Abdul ‘Bobby’ Muheeth.
Muheeth’s family organized a moment of silence on June 7, 2012, to mourn in his remembrance and to raise awareness among the community that the time has come for the society to stand up against these violent attacks and for the community to play its role. Some media channels also assisted in the coverage of this event as the role of the media is partly to encourage the community in beneficial and positive change.
NGOs do a lot of work in assisting communities to deal with many social issues. Advocating the Rights of Children (ARC) is to promote its cause, through the this year’s annual Dhiraagu Broad Band Road Race on Friday, June 29, 2012, with participants carrying the slogan “I stand against domestic violence and child abuseâ€.
Some of the youth groups within our society are also engaged in commendable projects to raise awareness in our society, one of which is from a recently formed group of young people, Dhi Youth Movement (DYM) who prepared a video and uploaded it to YouTube to create awareness among the society about the negative impact of drugs. The video is being shared through the social networks, twitter and Facebook.
“DYM is about giving the youth a mean of expressing themselves. The video was created by a group of youth who have interest in both the social cause and in video production. With assistance from experts in the field, the video was made in less than a week. The focus group of the video is the younger generation who are most vulnerable to go in to drugs, it gives a preventive message. No matter how ‘Salhi’ (awesome) it is, one should always say no, right from the beginning,†Co-founder of DYM, Ibrahim Nawaf said.
Although the video wasn’t released on the international day against drug abuse and illicit trafficking, the group believes that the video would have a huge impact. DYM also believes that small efforts can also have huge impacts and that it would continuously work together with the youth in tackling the biggest issues facing the society.
It is a good sign that our youth are engaged in useful and beneficial activities to our society. Authorities need to facilitate more activities and make future plans in order to help our youth disperse their youthful exuberance in a positive manner.
DYM campaign to combat drugs
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However, the Maldives is not just strictly ‘pristine white sandy beaches and beautiful coral reefs’, it also has its issues like every other nation in the world. It is home to over 320,000 citizens with atolls spreading over 90,000 square kilometer area.
Male, the capital of Maldives, is one of the most densely populated cities in the world. The political turmoil within the nation has paved way for the authorities assigned to ‘protect and serve’ to unintentionally lose their focus on the pressing concerns and ‘cut some slack’ on their duties toward keeping the nation a safer place for its residents.
It is a shame that our so called ‘educated’ society keeps pointing fingers, rather than working toward solving the issues within our society. Numerous awareness campaigns are being held at a nationwide scale within the Maldives by several government bodies as well as Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) to instill a positive thinking in our minds in an attempt to help fight the soaring crime rates within the nation and to resolve the social issues at hand. It is high time that the society ‘woke up’ from this deep slumber and quit pressing the ‘snooze’ on its alarm.
Empowering youth groups had long been a challenge to authorities, as well as NGOs trying to help communities achieve sustainable development goals. This had partly been due to the lack of funding and resources at their disposal as well as the difference in the quality of education in the islands compared to its capital city.
Crime rates are increasing by the day, while authorities are busy at ‘what they do best’. There have been a couple of tragic incidents that has sparked nationwide controversy and has led some among us to overcome our fear and to resist these inhumane aggressions. One of the most controversial issues was the brutal stabbing and murder of an innocent teen Abdul ‘Bobby’ Muheeth.
Muheeth’s family organized a moment of silence on June 7, 2012, to mourn in his remembrance and to raise awareness among the community that the time has come for the society to stand up against these violent attacks and for the community to play its role. Some media channels also assisted in the coverage of this event as the role of the media is partly to encourage the community in beneficial and positive change.
NGOs do a lot of work in assisting communities to deal with many social issues. Advocating the Rights of Children (ARC) is to promote its cause, through the this year’s annual Dhiraagu Broad Band Road Race on Friday, June 29, 2012, with participants carrying the slogan “I stand against domestic violence and child abuseâ€.
Some of the youth groups within our society are also engaged in commendable projects to raise awareness in our society, one of which is from a recently formed group of young people, Dhi Youth Movement (DYM) who prepared a video and uploaded it to YouTube to create awareness among the society about the negative impact of drugs. The video is being shared through the social networks, twitter and Facebook.
“DYM is about giving the youth a mean of expressing themselves. The video was created by a group of youth who have interest in both the social cause and in video production. With assistance from experts in the field, the video was made in less than a week. The focus group of the video is the younger generation who are most vulnerable to go in to drugs, it gives a preventive message. No matter how ‘Salhi’ (awesome) it is, one should always say no, right from the beginning,†Co-founder of DYM, Ibrahim Nawaf said.
Although the video wasn’t released on the international day against drug abuse and illicit trafficking, the group believes that the video would have a huge impact. DYM also believes that small efforts can also have huge impacts and that it would continuously work together with the youth in tackling the biggest issues facing the society.
It is a good sign that our youth are engaged in useful and beneficial activities to our society. Authorities need to facilitate more activities and make future plans in order to help our youth disperse their youthful exuberance in a positive manner.
DYM campaign to combat drugs
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Pakistan car blast kills 11, including nine Shiites
A powerful remote-controlled car bomb targeting a bus killed at least 11 people including nine Shiite pilgrims in Pakistan's insurgency-torn southwest on Thursday, police said. The incident took place in the Hazar Ganji area on the outskirts of Quetta city, the capital of the oil and gas rich Baluchistan province bordering Iran and Afghanistan.
"A bus carrying Pakistani Shiite Muslims was coming to Quetta from Iran when a car bomb exploded near it, killing 11 people including nine Shiite pilgrims and two escorting policemen," senior local police official, Hamid Shakeel, told AFP."The victims included two female pilgrims.
"It was a remote controlled blast. The bomb was planted in a car and exploded as the bus passed by it," he said, adding that more than 20 people were injured in the attack.
He said the engine of the car was found about 50 feet away from the site of the explosion.
Two other senior police officials confirmed the explosion and casualties.
Manzoor Ahmed, a bomb disposal squad official, said the improvised explosive device weighed more than 30 kilograms.
The attack comes a day after a bomb planted under a tea stall at a railway station in southwestern Pakistan killed seven people, including a child, and wounded more than a dozen others.
Baluchistan has become an increasing flashpoint for sectarian violence between Pakistan's majority Sunni Muslims and minority Shiites, who account for around a fifth of the country's 167 million population.
Baluchistan is also rife with Islamist militancy and a regional insurgency waged by separatists who rose up in 2004 demanding political autonomy and a greater share of profits from the region's wealth of natural resources.
This month, UN human rights chief Navi Pillay voiced concern about "very grave" rights violations during Pakistani military operations.
It is one of the most deprived regions of Pakistan despite its wealth in resources, and human rights activists have accused the military of mass arrests and extra-judicial executions in its bid to put down the separatist insurgency.
Around 5,000 people have been killed in outbreaks of sectarian violence between Sunni and Shiite militant groups in Pakistan since the late 1980s.
Much of Pakistan, a key US ally in the war on Al-Qaeda and the 10-year fight against the Taliban in neighbouring Afghanistan, suffers from near daily Islamist militant violence. Tweet Bookmark Print Badge the Comments! Give badges to the best comments you see! You will get four badges a day 0 Comments To have full access to the interactive features available in Haveeru Online please register or sign in. or Post a Comment Loading comments... Please wait
"A bus carrying Pakistani Shiite Muslims was coming to Quetta from Iran when a car bomb exploded near it, killing 11 people including nine Shiite pilgrims and two escorting policemen," senior local police official, Hamid Shakeel, told AFP."The victims included two female pilgrims.
"It was a remote controlled blast. The bomb was planted in a car and exploded as the bus passed by it," he said, adding that more than 20 people were injured in the attack.
He said the engine of the car was found about 50 feet away from the site of the explosion.
Two other senior police officials confirmed the explosion and casualties.
Manzoor Ahmed, a bomb disposal squad official, said the improvised explosive device weighed more than 30 kilograms.
The attack comes a day after a bomb planted under a tea stall at a railway station in southwestern Pakistan killed seven people, including a child, and wounded more than a dozen others.
Baluchistan has become an increasing flashpoint for sectarian violence between Pakistan's majority Sunni Muslims and minority Shiites, who account for around a fifth of the country's 167 million population.
Baluchistan is also rife with Islamist militancy and a regional insurgency waged by separatists who rose up in 2004 demanding political autonomy and a greater share of profits from the region's wealth of natural resources.
This month, UN human rights chief Navi Pillay voiced concern about "very grave" rights violations during Pakistani military operations.
It is one of the most deprived regions of Pakistan despite its wealth in resources, and human rights activists have accused the military of mass arrests and extra-judicial executions in its bid to put down the separatist insurgency.
Around 5,000 people have been killed in outbreaks of sectarian violence between Sunni and Shiite militant groups in Pakistan since the late 1980s.
Much of Pakistan, a key US ally in the war on Al-Qaeda and the 10-year fight against the Taliban in neighbouring Afghanistan, suffers from near daily Islamist militant violence. Tweet Bookmark Print Badge the Comments! Give badges to the best comments you see! You will get four badges a day 0 Comments To have full access to the interactive features available in Haveeru Online please register or sign in. or Post a Comment Loading comments... Please wait
Saturday, June 30, 2012
Indian finance minister quits to run for president
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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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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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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