Last Updated, 31 January, 2006 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Putin's 5th annual press conference is a marathon
Russia's President Vladimir Putin is giving his fifth annual press conference to domestic and foreign journalists at the Kremlin in Moscow. It is of particular interest this year as Russia is currently president of theG8 group of major industrialised nations. Doubts have been expressed in some quarters about Russia's suitability to belong to an organisation built around free-market economics and democracy. Putin took a swipe at those critics: "We are a nation whose economy and society is in full-blooded development, and we understand better than any other G8 member the problems facing developing countries. So, the participation of Russia in the G8 is completely natural. Moreover, who can imagine discussions on global security and nuclear issues without the participation of the world's biggest nuclear power?" Putin spoke briefly on domestic economic issues before taking questions from the floor and said he was, on the whole, satisfied at his government's performance last year. Returning to nuclear issues, he outlined Russia's ideas on defusing the impasse with Iran: "We intend to create a entire network of nuclear cycle centres to reprocess uranium that will be open to all nations that want to participate in a common project to develop nuclear energy. Access will be without discrimination to all, including our Iranian partners". In the nuclear crisis with Iran the Russian offer for the moment appears to be the only avenue open that will head off confrontation. However, Iran continues to insist it wants control of its own fuel cycle, and the relevant technology. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Israel likely to freeze Palestinian tax payments
In a potential body blow to the cash-strapped Palestinian Authority, Israel said it expects to suspend monthly tax payments after the shock election victory of Islamic militants Hamas. Israeli Foreign ministry spokesman Mark Regev said: "The review, at the moment, is ongoing. But pending a final decision, and a final decision hasn't been reached, I think it's fair to presume that Israel will not be automatically transferring funds to the Palestinian Authority." Under the Oslo Peace Accord, Israel collects customs revenue on behalf of the Palestinians and hands it over to the Authority. The next automatic payment of about 36 million euros is due on Wednesday. Following a meeting of the quartet of major powers trying to broker peace in the Middle East, United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan said on Tuesday: "The quartet concluded that it was inevitable that future assistance to any new government would be reviewed by donors against that government's commitment to the principles of non-violence, recognition of Israel and the acceptance of previous agreements and obligations, including the road map." Hamas has rejected as "blackmail" the quartet's demands it renounces violence against Israel or risk losing money. A spokesman said the decision punished the Palestinian people for using what he described as their freedom of choice in a democratic and fair election. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ World powers want Iran referred to Security Council
The five permanent members of the UN Security Council have agreed that Iran should be referred to the international body over its nuclear programme. After lengthy talks in London, the foreign ministers of China, Russia, the US, France and Britain decided to call on the UN nuclear watchdog the IAEA to transfer Iran's case to the Security Council. However, in an apparent concession to Moscow, which does not want any immediate steps taken against Tehran, it was agreed there would be no action until a report by the watchdog in March. Coinciding with the meeting, exiled Iranians living in Britain held a demonstration in London to call on the international community to contain the Iranian government, shouting "They are terrorists, they must go!". Western nations suspect Iran of planning to use its
nuclear technology to develop atomic bombs. Tehran insists its programme
is meant only for peaceful purposes and says moves to send its case
the Security Council are not legally justified. In Iran, thousands
of demonstrators gathered outside a major uranium plant in the central
city of Isfahan to protest against growing international pressure
on their country's nuclear programme. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Last Updated, 30 January, 2006 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Roof collapse kills dozens in Poland
A roof on an exhibition hall has collapsed killing at least 60 people. A number of foreigners and children are said to be among the dead. Rescue workers are still struggling to free dozens more pinned under the rubble in freezing conditions. Hot air is being blown into the collapsed structure to increase the chances of survival for those trapped. Around 140 people are being treated for injuries. The accident happended when the metal roof of the modern building came down during a gathering of hundreds of pigeon enthusiasts from across Europe. The exhibition hall is located in Chorzow, a town near the southern city of Katowice. Poland is experiencing its coldest winter in several decades and like other parts of Europe, temperatures have fallen to as low as minus 30 Celsius. Authorities say the weight of snow on the roof caused the collapse, but the building's manager told Polish television that snow had been regularly cleared from the roof. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Georgian gas supplies set to resume
Georgia's energy crisis looks set to end today. Russia says wrecked pipelines have now been repaired and services will resume immediately. Georgian authorities have also secured new gas supplies from Iran. But it might take days for the gas flow to reach Georgians, who are trying to keep warm with makeshift wood-burning stoves or parrafin and oil heaters. Georgia was left without gas after unexplained explosions last Sunday at a pipeline in Russia. The blasts also cut a major power line and on Thursday high winds severed another cable leaving the country without electricity. Tbilisi has accused Moscow of deliberately blowing up the gas pipeline and then delaying its repair in order to put pressure on the country's pro-Western government. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Last Updated, 29 January, 2006 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Finnish presidential race too close to call
Millions of Finns are going to the polls for a second time this month to elect a president. It is a run-off after a first round in which no candidate obtained more than the 50 percent needed to win outright. The contest is between the incumbent Social Democrat leader, Tarja Halonen and her conservative challenger, Sauli Niinisto and polls show the outcome is too close to call. Halonen has history on her side however. An incumbent president hasn't lost a re-election bid since 1937 and the Social Democrats have had an unbroken hold on the office for the past 24-years. The election campaign was dominated by foreign policy issues, particularly neutral Finland's relationship with Nato. Both Halonen and Niinisto say a referendum will decide whether the country should join. Both candidates also broadly support Finland's EU membership. The president's decision making power is limited to foreign and security policy, yet the head of state can still influence a variety of issues as an opinion leader. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Last Updated, 28 January, 2006 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Extreme cold causes more deaths
Extreme cold weather continues to claim lives and cause transport chaos across Europe. The wave of polar conditions is moving from east to west and has already claimed numerous lives in eastern states. Most of the victims were the homeless and vulnerable. Road accidents are also pushing up the casualty list. In Spain five women were killed when a bus overturned near the Mediterranean city of Alicante. They were among a group of widows on an outing. All forms of transport have been effected. Several airports were was closed for a time or hit by delays and cancellations. Northern Italy is among the western European regions enduring the worst. Civic authorities there have declared extreme weather alerts and people are being urged not to use their cars if possible. Switzerland, more used than most to these kinds of conditions, has experienced its biggest snowfall in 20 years. Almost a metre of snow fell in some southern parts of the country overnight. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Last Updated, 27 January, 2006 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Hamas claims victory in Palestinian parliamentary vote
The militant group Hamas has claimed victory in the Palestinian parliamentary election - a result that could reshape Middle East politics and which many fear could jeopardise hopes of resuming peace talks. Palestinian prime minister Ahmed Qurei has announced he is stepping down: "I think Hamas should form a new government," he said. "The president should ask them to form a new government. For me personally, I have sent my resignation to the president to enable him to chose a new prime minister." According to initial results, Hamas has picked up more than 70 seats in the 132-seat parliament, winning an outright majority. Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri said: "In the light of these results Hamas will begin consultation with political parties, president Mahmoud Abbas and with Fatah brothers, to determine the shape of political partnership in the future." Hamas' victory comes as a blow for Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas. He has said his Fatah party will refuse to join any coalition government formed by the Islamist group. Both Israel and Washington have said they refuse to deal with the group unless it renounces violence. The European Commission has said it would work with any Palestinian government that used peaceful means. Hamas, which is committed to Israel's destruction, has vowed to maintain its agenda of resistance, although it has largely observed a truce for the past year. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Last Updated, 26 January, 2006 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ High turnout in Palestinian poll
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Last Updated, 25 January, 2006 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Pipeline attack cuts gas supplies to Georgia
Russian authorities say two explosions on a pipeline which cut supplies to neighbouring Georgia were caused by bombs. Two sections of the pipeline, which runs through Russia's North Ossettia region to the Georgian capital, Tblisi, were badly damaged in the blasts. The incident could not have come at a worse time for Georgia. Both it and neighbour Armenia are facing an energy crisis as unusually cold weather grips the region. Georgia is entirely dependent on Russia for its gas supplies. Russian officials said repairs could take two to three days to complete.
Five days of mourning in Kosovo for Rugova
Thousands of ethnic Albanians have lit candles and laid flowers in the centre of Pristina in memory of Kosovo's president Ibrahim Rugova who has died of lung cancer.Five days of mourning have been declared for the 61-year-old who led his people for nearly two decades in a struggle for separation from Serbia. "It couldn't be a worse time. He's left us when we need him most, but what can we do," said one resident. Another said: "He was a man of peace and freedom, but he was unlucky and did not live to see an independent Kosovo. Let's hope our politicians will follow his path." Another resident said: "It's so sad, and the only thing I could do tonight was come here and light a candle for his spirit. He meant so much to us." President Rugova is due to be buried on Wednesday in Pristina.Before then, mourners will get the chance to pay their last respects at the parliament's headquarters.The assembly is also set to hold a commemorative session later today. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Last Updated, 24 January, 2006 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Danes on first name terms with Prince Christian
The baby prince second in line to the throne of Denmark has been christened at a ceremony in the capital Copenhagen. After weeks of speculation, the child's name was revealed for the first time: Chistian Valdemar Henri John. Some 300 royals, government officials and other dignitaries attended the event at the Chapel in Chritianborg Palace to celebrate the son of Denmark's Crown Prince Frederik and Australian-born Princess Mary. The name Christian came as no surprise as it keeps in line with royal tradition: Danish kings' names have alternated between Frederik and Christian for nearly five centuries. The child has eight godparents including Norway's Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Palestinian security forces vote early
Palestinian security forces are having their say ahead of legislative elections in the West Bank and Gaza next week. They are casting their ballots early to free them for duty on Wednesday, the day of the main poll in the territories and Arab East Jerusalem. The issue of security is itself high on the election agenda as internal Palestinian tensions have given rise to clashes, particularly in Gaza. The militant group Hamas is standing for the first time in the election for seats in the 132-member parliament. It appears set to make ground on the Fatah movement of President Mahmoud Abbas.Hamas, which is dedicted to the destruction of Israel, has grown in popularity amid allegations of corruption in Fatah and the ruling elite. Security forces voting today are expected largely to support Fatah, though Hamas has made a big campaign push to sway opinion among officers. Both Israel and the US have opposed the participation of Hamas in the election. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Last Updated, 23 January, 2006 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Deadline passes for US reporter held in Iraq
In Iraq, a deadline set by the kidnappers of American journalist Jill Carroll has passed with no word on her fate. The reporter's captors said on Tuesday they would kill her unless Iraqi female detainees were freed within 72 hours. The hostage's father has appeared on Arabic television, pleading for his daughter's release. Among those joining the appeal are French Muslim leaders at the Grand Mosque of Paris. Journalist and former hostage Florence Aubenas also spoke out. "She's a journalist there to do her job," said Aubenas. "The captors asked me why I was there and can I prove I'm a journalist. Obviously you have no proof but your word. I hope they believe her, just as they believed me." Influential Sunni Arab leader, Adnan Dulaimi, has also called for the release of Carroll, a freelance reporter for the Christian Science Monitor newspaper. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Last Updated, 22 January, 2006 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Victory confirmed for Iraq's Shi'ite Islamists
Shi'ite Islamists in Iraq are celebrating after final results confirmed their victory in elections last month. The Shi'ite Islamist Alliance won 128 seats in the poll, just short of a majority. The results now pave the way for talks on a national unity government with Kurd, Sunni and secular politicians. However, head of the Sunni National Dialogue Front, Salih Mutliq, said he hoped the line-up would not depend on results he says are "fraudulent". The Kurdish bloc won 53 seats and former prime minister Iyad Allawi's secular list won 25. The two main Sunni groups won 44 and 11 seats respectively. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Pope attempted assassin Ali Agca re-arrested
The man who tried to assassinate Pope John Paul II is being sent back to jail. It comes after the Turkish Supreme Court overturned the decision made last week to release Mehmet Ali Agca. The Turkish Justice Ministry had appealed against the ruling to set him free. Agca's motives for shooting and seriously injuring the Pope back in 1981 remain a mystery, although there are claims he was a hired hitman working for communist secret services. He was captured immediately and spent 19 years in prison in Italy before being pardoned at the behest of the Pope at the turn of the millennium. Agca was then extradited back to Turkey to serve a sentence for murdering a newspaper editor in 1979. The Pope met his would-be killer in person two years after the shooting and forgave him. His time served in Italy was initially deducted from his life sentence in Turkey, but the appeal saw Turkey's top judges overturn that. That is likely to please many Turks, who vocally opposed the decision to let him walk free. It is reported Agca has already been arrested. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
Last Updated, 21 January, 2006 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ UK minister pledges action amid "sex offenders in schools" scandal
As she fights for her political life amid a row over sex offenders in schools, Britain's education minister has told parliament she deeply regrets the worry and concern caused by the affair. Ruth Kelly gave details of a government review to the House of Commons."The review I set in place has identified 10 cases since 1997," she said. "In each case the recommendations, after expert evidence, were that these individuals posed no threat to children. "As a result, these individuals were issued with a grave warning with a requirement for disclosure if they applied for a job in a school." Ruth Kelly has faced calls to resign since the scandal broke around a school in eastern England earlier this month. It was revealed that a former senior official in her department allowed a teacher, who had a police caution for downloading child pornography, to work there. Judged not to be a risk, Paul Reeve was forced to resign after concerns were raised. Other cases followed and Ruth Kelly admitted what she called a "small number" of registered sex offenders had been allowed to work in schools. Today she announced that all those convicted or cautioned of sex offences on youngsters will be barred from teaching. She also promised a complete overhaul of the system for checking those fit to work with children. The minister aims to demonstrate that the safety of youngsters is the main concern. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Last Updated, 20 January, 2006 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Cold snap bites in Russia
It is so cold in Moscow that some traffic lights are not working, cash machines have broken down, and steel tramlines have become so brittle they have snapped. Even Russians are not used to this, with temperatures down to minus 35 degrees celsius. Newspapers are full of helpful tips, like putting goose fat on your cheeks to ward-off frostbite. The energy firms are feeling the pinch as Russians use more power than ever. State gas giant Gazprom has reportedly had to cut back supplies to Italy and Hungary as it struggles to meet demand. "At the moment our capabilities on extraction and supply of gas are at maximum capacity. The daily extraction of gas from underground storage facilities has hit a historic high," said Gazprom spokesman Sergei Kupriyanov. In western Russia at least 24 people have died from the cold in last few days. But that has not stopped some hardy souls from celebrating the Russian Orthodox Epiphany by symbolically washing away their sins in icy water. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ EU and US reject Tehran's offer of nuclear compromise
The diplomatic standoff between Iran and the West over its nuclear programme continues, with the US and Europe rejecting Tehran's suggestions that a compromise can be reached. Iranain President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has told the West to use what he described as "a little logic" as discussions continue over whether to refer his country to the UN Security Council. The French have told Tehran that it must suspend all nuclear activity before any negotiations can resume. US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has been holding talks with EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana: "I think it's up to the Iranians to demonstrate that they're not just talking, that they're serious- I think the EU, as far as France, has already responded concerning whether or not they think it would make any sense to have discussions with the Iranians at this point, and my understanding is they believe it would not," Rice said. Solana added: "I think the position now is what we have said, and what the secretary has said again, which is to have the decision, to call for an extra-ordinary meeting in Vienna of the (IAEA) agency, and then to refer the dossier to the Security Council." Russia and China are reluctant to support a move that would take the Iranians to the Security Council and eventually apply sanctions. Iran insists its nuclear programme is for peaceful purposes only. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Last Updated, 19 January, 2006 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Prodi fires a broadside at Berlusconi
Although still three months away, Italy's general election campaign is hotting up.Known for being an opportunity for the blunt exchange of views between candidates, the campaigning is as usual causing political fireworks. One of the main bones of contention is the change of electoral system pushed through by the current government.It is something which Romano Prodi, leader of the opposition centre-left coalition criticised in an interview with Euronews. "With the former majority system, governments lasted out their mandate.It means that even if I don't like the government of Mr Berlusconi (I see it as the worst ever) but at least it has lasted the course.But now they are returning us to the instability of proportional representation.Well, for me I have responded to this in a political way by pushing for the creation of a new party from the old coalition.Even now we have decided to do this but we will see it through and formalise the new party after April's election.I think politically this will be a significant move." Once the head of the European Union Commission, Romano Prodi is a staunch supporter of the bloc.Although returning once more to domestic politics, he sees the future of Italy and the Union as being inextricably linked. "Once we had politicians from the great European countries who built their polical careers on the progress of Europe. But now the European Union has reached an impasse so we must try to return to European principals.If I win the election I promise to do this, obviously within the contraints of Italy's influence in the union.I think that Angela Merkel will also do this. And in 2007 France will hold elections and I know that country will also focuss on the Union. It means that once again we can return to the principlal foundations of a working Europe." ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Hamas pressure saps Fatah's electoral appeal
The militant Palestinian movement Hamas is sounding confident about its chances in the January 25 parliamentary elections. Wednesday saw more large rallies in Gaza and the West Bank, and prime minister and leader of the Palestinian's traditional political party Fatah, Mahmoud Abbas, said he hoped Hamas would moderate its views if it entered a coalition There was little of that on display as far as talking with their enemies was concerned for Hamas's Mahmoud al-Zahar speaking in Khan Younis. "There would be no negotiation with Israel now, not tomorrow, not ever", he said. Abbas's comment seems to indicate he expects Hamas to gain in power, and near Nablus too the party was claiming inroads into Fatah territory thanks to an anti-corruption and incompetance campaign in which no mention is being made of the struggle with Israel. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Teachers, doctors and businessmen are among 33 people arrested by Spanish police today, suspected of buying images of child pornography on the Internet. The operation covered a large swathe of the country - targeting those who purchased and distributed the pictures. Police say the websites were highly organised, with designated pages for boys, girls and adolescents. The investigation spread beyond Spain's borders. Police worked with their counterparts in the US as the sites belonged to companies there and also in Belarus. For Spanish Interior Minister Jose Antonio Alonso such police work is essential. He said it was a defence of children, who represent the country's future. This is the ninth such operation in Spain in the past year. Child porn customers were tracked down through Internet payments for the images. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Last Updated, 18 January, 2006 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Russia speaks out against Iran sanctions
There are divisions on the detail of how to deal with Iran. That is the picture emerging after yesterday's top-level meeting in London to discuss the escalating nuclear crisis. Western officials painted a largely positive picture of the talks - highlighting common ground between the permanent veto-wielding members of the UN Security Council. But one of those nations, Russia, has today spoken out against sanctions, which Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said were not the best way of persuading Tehran to heed international concerns. Earlier a top German diplomat said disagreements remain and comments from China also revealed a continuing lack of consensus, with Beijing making clear it does not favour UN sanctions either. The need for "peaceful, diplomatic negotiations" was evoked by Kong Quan, the Chinese foreign ministry spokesman. Today's comments by China and Russia deal a blow to the bid by Washington and its European Union allies to have Iran referred to the Security Council. Yesterday as he met the UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan in New York, EU Foreign Policy Chief Javier Solana expressed confidence that Beijing and Moscow would back such a measure. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Israeli troops shoot Hamas leader
Israeli troops have killed a senior Palestinian militant in a shoot-out in the West Bank. Thabet Ayyadeh was leader of the Hamas military wing in Tulkarm. Palestinian militants have scaled back attacks recently in a declared state of calm, ahead of elections this month when Hamas is expected to do well. The group accuses Israel of trying to provoke bloodshed by shattering the relative calm in killing the 24-year-old leader. Further south, the city of Hebron has seen fierce violence pitting Israeli against Israeli. The predominantly Palestinian city is home to a small Jewish enclave that has now been declared a closed military zone. This comes after hundreds of protesters flooded the city last week, fighting police over the eviction of eight Jewish families illegally squatting in Palestinian shops. The army is now trying to remove the protesters and is warning that those who attacked security forces would be severely punished. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Last Updated, 17 January, 2006 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Austria loses legal battle but artwork stays in country
Austria may have lost the ownership of five Art Nouveau masterpieces in a prolonged legal battle - but they are to stay in the country. A court has ordered the return of the paintings by Gustav Klimt, one of the nation's most celebrated artists, to Maria Altmann. She has made clear she hopes to keep the works in her native land. "I would like to keep the two portraits in Austria," she said. "I would like the landscape paintings, whoever
buys them, to be seen in a museum and not go to private buyers." The 89-year-old also escaped Hitler's regime and now lives in the US. The legal dispute has lasted for seven years. The court's decision paves the way for one of the largest post-war restitution settlements in Austria. Experts value the works, that include portraits of Altmann's
aunt Adele, at more than 100 million euros. Altmann's uncle left everything
in his will to his nephews and nieces. Maria Altmann is his only surviving
heir. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Last Updated, 16 January, 2006 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Thousands demonstrate in Italy to defend women's and gay rights
Another protestor said he had come to fight the intervention of the Church in state affairs. Protestors were also demonstrating in favour of the abortion pill which allows women to have a non-surgical termination in the early stages of pregnancy. The Church wants the medication abolished, and some fear politicians eager to win Catholic votes could try to ban it. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Iran says it will not stop nuclear activity
But the US, Britain, France and Germany say Iran has consistently breached its commitments and failed to show its nuclear activities are peaceful, and have threatened to refer Tehran to the United Nations Security Council. Ahmadinejad also lashed out at Israel once again, accusing those who back the Jewish state of being war criminals. It is the latest in a series of anti-Semitic remarks, which German Chancellor Angela Merkel, on her first trip to the White House, said the West, and Germany in particular, could not ignore. She and president George W Bush have pledged to seek a common approach on Iran. For now, the case has been referred to the UN's nuclear watchdog the International Atomic Energy Agency. It remains unclear what kind of sanctions might be considered but a senior German politician has warned imposing economic sanctions would be "a very dangerous path" to take. Asked whether Iran would play the "oil weapon" and hold back its rich reserves from the world market, Ahmadinejad replied: "Those who use harsh language against Iran need Iran ten times more than we need them." ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Severe misure di precauzione sono state prese da tutti i paesi confinanti.
In Russia è stata avviata una campagna di vaccinazione sui volatili. I test evidenziano che gli uccelli vaccinati sviluppano gli anticorpi necessari per superare o non prendere l'influenza.Mosca, ha annunciato il direttore dell'accademia della medicina di Russia, potrebbe lanciare la produzione di un vaccino già nella prossima primavera. In Turchia di pari passo con l'abbattimento di massa
dei volatili, è iniziata la campagna informativa del governo
per dare utili indicazioni igieniche per evitare di contrarre il virus.
However, of the 18 confirmed cases in the country, three have been discharged from hospital. In Russia, the agriculture ministry says it has developed an effective vaccine for chicken against the most deadly strain of bird flu, referred to as H5N1. It could go into production by April. With the culling of thousands of wild and farm birds underway, Turkish authorities have been meeting to discuss measures to help the poultry industry. Officials have found some farmers reluctant to hand over their birds because they fear they will not receive compensation. Ankara has also launched a public information film to raise awareness about the virus. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Last Updated, 15 January, 2006 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Stardust space probe returns to earth
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Last Updated, 14 January, 2006 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Al Qaeda second-in-command not killed in attack says Pakistan
Al Qaeda number two Ayman al-Zawahri was not present at the site of a US airstrike in Pakistan according to a senior official. There had been speculation Zawahri might have been killed in the attack early on Friday morning on the village of Damadola near the Afghan border. It is believed the assault was carried out by a CIA-operated unmanned drone. A number of buildings were hit. At least 18 villagers are reported to have been killed. Pakistan says an investigation is underway. Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden and Egyptian-born Zawahri have eluded capture since US-led forces toppled Afghanistan's Taliban regime in 2001 following the September 11th attacks - authorities believe they could be hiding along the rugged border between Afghanistan and Pakistan. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ European countries knew about CIA prisons says Swiss senator
The man leading an investigation into alleged CIA prisons in Europe has said European countries knew about their existence. Swiss deputy Dick Marty who is leading the probe on behalf of the European human rights watchdog the Council of Europe has accused his country and others of being hypocritical. He says the problem does not only concern Romania and Poland which have both been identified as possible sites of secret US-run prisons and have denied any involvement. "It's the whole of Europe which has kept quiet about the affair," he says. "There are those who do the dirty work abroad, but there are also those who know when they should close their eyes when that dirty work is being done," he added. Marty's comments coincide with the publication in a Swiss newspaper of a secret fax from Egypt on alleged CIA prisons in eastern Europe. The scandal on the supposed network of detention centres erupted following an article in the Washington Post last November, and has sent shockwaves through Europe. Marty has also accused the United States of violating international human rights laws and criticised his own country and Europe for what he calls their passive attitude towards such policies. Washington has refused to confirm or deny the allegations over secret prisons, and has denied using or condoning torture. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Pressure mounts on UK education minister
Britain's Education minister, Ruth Kelly, is coming under more pressure after details of a second case of a sex offender being allowed to work in schools emerged. A 59 year old man, who was convicted of indecent assault on a child in 1980, had been working as a substitute teacher in schools in the north east of England. Kelly has faced calls to resign over an earlier case in which a former senior official in her department judged a teacher who had a police caution for downloading child pornography posed no risk. The official, who now works at the Foreign Office, said he had acted on the advice and evidence available to him. Paul Reeve, a phsyical education teacher went on to work at a secondary school in eastern England until he was interviewed by police. Kelly has said she will tighten child protection laws. The government has launched a review into cases where registered sex offenders have been allowed work with children. A government spokesman said there had been only been a small number of cases. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Last Updated, 13 January, 2006 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Pope's would-be killer freed from jail
Agca was a known criminal with connections to far-right paramilitaries in Turkey when he tried to kill Pope John Paul in May 1981. The late pontiff was seriously wounded. Sentenced to life imprisonment in Italy, Agca served 19 years in jail there before being pardoned at the Pope's behest in 2000. He was then extradited to his native Turkey to serve an unconnected jail sentence for robbery and murder. Freed today after a court ruled his term for these offences had reached an end, Agca was taken to a military recruitment centre for medical checks. His lawyers say the army wants to claim him for missed military service - a legal obligation for Turkish men.
Romania confronts possible first human case of bird flu
Romania has been on alert as the virus spreads westwards across neighbouring Turkey, where two people are known to have died of the disease and many more are thought to have been infected. Countries to the east of Turkey have also taken action. Georgia has tightened controls on goods crossing the border and Iran has decided to cull poultry within 15 kilometres of the Turkish frontier. The European Union has banned imports of live birds and risky poultry products such as fresh meat and untreated feathers from affected areas. In Turkey and neighbouring countries, authorities have tried to increase awareness of the importance of hygiene when handling birds. So far there is no evidence that the potentially lethal H5N1 strain of the virus can jump from one human to another but the World Health Organisation says that threat is growing. Experts have been discussing the risks of a global pandemic that could kill millions at a conference in Tokyo, organised by the WHO. They say governments should intensify preventive measures. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Last Updated, 12 January, 2006 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Likud in trouble ahead of Israeli election
He insisted that four cabinet ministers - including foreign minister Silvan Shalom - resign from the government to allow Likud to concentrate on its election campaign and build itself as an alternative to Sharon's new party, Kadima. Three of the ministers have now resigned, but all initially resisted Netanyahu's deadline, saying they would go at a time of their own choosing. The problems highlight what critics call Netanyahu's authoritarian personality and Likud's fractiousness. Opinion polls suggest it will slide to third place in the elections behind Kadima and Labour. Unless Ariel Sharon recovers, Kadima deputy leader Ehud Olmert is set to take the party to a landslide victory, winning up to 45 seats, according to opinion polls. It is not yet clear what role veteran peacemaker Shimon Peres will play. He has reportedly been offered any portfolio he wants by Olmert and observers say the foreign ministry is the obvious option. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Last Updated, 11 January, 2006 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Turkey struggles to contain deadly bird flu outbreak
There are no signs that the bird flu virus spreading in Turkey is being passed among humans, according to the World Health Organisation. But that has proved cold comfort to locals in Dogubayazit, the poor eastern part of the country where the virus broke out. Dozens of people have been protesting calling for better protection. Turkey's Health Minister, Recep Akdag, has urged people to stay away from poultry and to keep their children away from the birds too. He says a total of fourteen people have so far tested positive for the virus, including three dead children. The latest diagnoses have been made in villages in the Ankara region, the farthest west that any case of bird flu in humans has been reported. But there is confusion over how quickly the virus is spreading because a team of doctors from the WHO has only confirmed four human cases. The mission leader says the best way of checking its growth is to control the disease in animals. Despite the risks, poor villagers in many areas have resisted turning in their animals, preferring to eat sick poultry. Others have disposed of dead birds by throwing them down drinking wells, doubling the chances of the outbreak spreading. Human cases had been confined to east Asia until the virus was identified in Turkey last week. Bird flu is known to have killed 76 people since the latest outbreak emerged in late 2003. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Positive signs for Sharon, but still early days
There are encouraging signs of a partial recovery for Ariel Sharon. The Israeliprime minister is moving some of his limbs slightly and can feel pain. That is the assessment from Hadassah hospital in Jerusalem. Director Shlomo Mor Yossef told journalists: "There is some very small movement in his right hand and his right leg. These signs, together with the slight elevation of his blood pressure in reaction to pain, show that there is activity in his brain." Doctor Felix Umansky, who operated on the prime minister, added: "It is the beginning of a long period of waiting for Mr Sharon, and we need to be very cautious about his prospects." Doctors estimate it will take several days to lift the prime minister out of his artifically-induced coma by reducing the anaesthetic in his body. They will be testing his reactions at every stage of the procedure to assess the extent of the brain damage he has sustained. His condition remains critical but stable. Experts say he has a good chance of surviving, but it is unlikely he will return to politics. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Sharon missed at Israeli cabinet meeting
As far as Israel's acting prime minister is concerned, it was business as usual at the weekly cabinet meeting although the absence of Ariel Sharon was all too evident. Ehud Olmert promised to run matters as Sharon would have wished. At a press conference in which he avoided the issue of the prime minister's health, Olmert told reporters he hoped his tenure would be short and Sharon would return quickly. With parliamentary elections looming in late March the question of whether veteran allies like Olmert can replace Sharon as head of his new Kadima party hangs in the air. Kadima had been riding high in opinion polls but political analysts say the field could now be wide open, with the place that had been occupied by the prime minister now symbolically as well as physically empty. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Iran raises hackles with nuclear programme
Iran's confirmation that it has resumed research on nuclear fuel this week has drawn angry criticism from the West. Europe and the US have threatened to refer Tehran to the UN Secruity Council for possible sanctions if it continues. Mohammed El Baradei heads the International Atomic Energy Agency said: "I am running out of patience, the international community is running out of patience. The credibility of the verification process is at stake." He is asking Iran to prove its programme is for peaceful purposes, and be open with the rest of the world. "My understanding is that they want to go for mechanical testing of some centrifuges that does not involve nuclear materials," El Baradei added. Germany, which together with Britain and France has been leading attempts to persuade Tehran to abandon uranium enrichement. German foreign minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier complained that resuming enrichement activities "would breach the agreements that we made in Paris with France, Great Britain and Iran itself. That cannot be left without consequences. We will discuss it with our colleagues from France and Great Britain this week, by Thursday at the latest." Iran denies it is trying to make nuclear weapons, and insists it only wants to enrich uranium to the levels needed to generate electricity. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Last Updated, 10 January, 2006 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 'Serial killer' Fourniret extradited to France Self-confessed 'serial killer' Michel Fourniret has been extradited from Belgium to his home country of France where he will stand trial for murdering at least seven women. The 65-year-old, who has been dubbed the Ogre of the Ardennes, is said to have a fascination with virgins, and moved repeatedly across the border to escape prosecution. The case has seen justice authorities in both countries work closely together. But the trial is in France. "We've already had extraditions," said a Belgian prosecutor. "But here we're handing over everything. It's not a first in Europe, I think it's been done elsewhere, but it's a fresh step in terms of integrating European justice." Fourniret was arrested in June 2003 after trying and failing to abduct a 13-year-old girl. His wife has already been extradited to France to face charges of helping her husband murder at least three women. "It's the first time that an extradition has needed so much security and for traffic to be re-routed," commented a Belgian policeman. A small van was needed to carry all the paperwork. Investigators are keeping their files open too - Fourniret's suspected of killing up to 20 people in France and Belgium since 1987. He has said France should reinstate the death penalty to give his victims' families justice.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Last Updated, 9 January, 2006 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Sharon remains in critical but stable condition
Ariel Sharon remains in a critical but stable condition according to doctors at Jerusalem's Hadassah Hospital early on Sunday. The Israeli leader has undergone three rounds of surgery since being rushed to hospital on Wednesday after suffering a major stroke. Despite there being a chance he will survive, experts are certain the ageing prime minister will have suffered brain damage. Doctors are expected to decide today whether to bring him out of a medically-induced coma so they can assess the extent of brain damage. Sharon already suffered a minor stroke in December but returned to work within days - a decision many have since questioned. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ UK centrist party leader Charles Kennedy quits
The head of one of Britain's main opposition political parties has resigned. Liberal Democrat Charles Kennedy said he would not stand in a forthcoming leadership election. "I am announcing today that when nominations do open for the leadership of the party, I shall not be putting my name forward," he said. "I am standing down as leader with immediate effect." The 46-year-old has been under increasing pressure since acknowledging a drink problem on Thursday. He spoke out shortly before a TV station was due to run an exposé. Matters came to a head when 25 of the party's 62 members of parliament signed a statement saying they would not serve under him beyond the weekend. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Last Updated, 8 January, 2006 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Turkish authorities struggle to contain birdflu epidemic
Turkish authorities are struggling to contain a bird flu epidemic among poultry which has spread to humans claiming the lives of three children. At least two of them fell victim to the virulent H5N1 strain. Mass culling is underway in the east of the country where the initial outbreaks were recorded in order to stop the virus which spreads quickly among chicken, killing them in a day. After the eastern provinces of Erzincan and Bitlis, birdflu has now hit Bursa in the west. Turkish doctors gathered for a meeting in Istanbul said the spread of the disease to humans was inevitable as contact with poultry is part of daily life for many people in Turkey who live with the animals in their homes. The children who died had been seen playing with the heads of chicken slaughtered in the cull. Prime minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has urged people not to hide poultry to escape the culls and has promised compensation, but many farmers say it isn'tenough and that the government is reacting too late. Experts fear the virus could mutate into a form of easily-transmitted
human flu which could spark a global pandemic. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Last Updated, 7 January, 2006 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Italian hostages in Yemen freed
A Yemeni government official said mediation efforts had worked, although there is one report that some of the hostage-takers have been arrested. It is unclear if the authorities have bowed to the tribes' demands for some of their members to be released from prison. The tribesmen had threatened to kill the five Italians if an attempt was made to free them by force. This was the fourth kidnapping of Westerners in less than two months. Last Saturday five German hostages were released unharmed. In Sanaa people took to the streets earlier this week to express their anger over the wave of kidnappings. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Sharon's health takes turn for the worse
Ariel Sharon has been rushed back into the operating room after undergoing a brain scan. The director of Jerusalem's Hadassah hospital confirmed Israeli media reports that the prime minister is having surgery to stem further bleeding. It is the 77 year-old's third separate operation. "Predicting the future at this time is impossible," said Dr Shlomo Mor-Yosef. There was no change in his health overnight. This morning doctors ran a new round of tests to evaluate the damage he may have sustained. Sharon is in a medically induced coma after suffering a severe stroke and a brain haemorrhage on Wednesday night. Medics say they will probably keep him sedated at least until Sunday to give him the best chance of survival. If he pulls through, it is highly unlikely he will have retained enough of his mental faculties to continue in politics. Sharon's illness comes as Israel prepares for a general election in March. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Last Updated, 6 January, 2006 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Sharon's departure casts shadow over peace hopes
A Christmas Day cabinet meeting last month began like every other get together. But it had only been a week since Sharon was treated for a minor stroke. This time, however, it seems a return for the prime minister is most unlikely - leaving the country lurching towards political uncertainty. A year ago, Sharon lived up to his reputation as a political heavyweight when he pushed his Gaza pullout plan through parliament. Having occupied the territory for 38-years, his plan sent shockwaves across Israel. Accustomed to stinging criticism, Sharon survived the worst of the storm. However, his Likud party did not escape unharmed. The end game began in earnest when Sharon took an even bigger risk by seeking parliament's dissolution to call for an election. A few hours after getting the President's approval, Sharon announced his departure from Likud and the creation of Kadima, a centrist party. The new group got off to a dream start. Kadima took an early lead in opinion polls, buoyed by Sharon's enormous popularity as well as his reputation for fulfilling his promises. Some polls predicted it would take a third of seats in parliament. For many Israelis, the party's very existence was evidence of Sharon's success in convincing others that Israel needs to compromise on some of its most sacred principles. Sharon never named a successor so his disappearance leaves Kadima in search of a new leader. His deputy, Ehud Olmert, is the front-runner. But he is expected to face a strong challenge from Justice Minister Tzipi Livni and Defence Minister Shaul Mofaz. It is thought former premier, Shimon Peres, may also fancy his chances. But doubts remain over all of their power bases and their ability to forge new alliances, making it unclear whether Kadima can survive. If Israel does not maintain its shift towards the political centre-ground the biggest winners come election time may be those at the extreme of Israeli politics. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Last Updated, 5 January, 2006 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Third Turkish child dies from bird flu
The children are the only human victims of the disease outside China and southeast Asia. The family live in close proximity to chickens, and it is reported that they had cooked and eaten infected poultry. For the moment bird flu is difficult for humans to catch, but there are fears the most deadly strain could mutate, triggering a global pandemic. The outbreak was in a farm near the town of Dogubayazit, close to the borders with Armenia and Iran. A mass culling operation is underway in surrounding areas. Extra supplies of the Tamiflu drug have been sent to the region - it is considered to be the best treatment for the disease, for which no vaccine exists. A total of 23 people are being treated for suspected bird flu at the hospital in the main town of Van. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Last Updated, 4 January, 2006 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Russia accuses Ukraine of "stealing" gas bound for western Europe
Russian gas monopoly Gazprom is claiming that Ukraine stole more than 21 million euros' worth of gas bound for Europe yesterday. Ukraine denies siphoning off gas but says if temperatures fall below freezing it will do so as payment for transit fees. Several European countries are concerned their gas supplies could be hit following Russia's decision to cut imports to Ukraine. Moscow acted after Kiev refused to sign a new contract that would have quadrupled current prices. Western Europe imports 25 percent of its gas from Russia and most of that is delivered by pipelines running across Ukraine. Kiev sees the Russian move as an attempt to undermine its pro-Western government. President Viktor Yushchenko is trying to take the ex-Soviet state into the European Union and the NATO military alliance. EU governments are convening a meeting of their gas industry experts in Brussels on Wednesday to discuss the crisis. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Last Updated, 3 January, 2006 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ European countries relying on gas reserves
Following Gazprom's decision to cut gas supplies to Ukraine, Croatia says its natural gas imports from Russia have fallen more than 30 percent and there will only be enough gas for everyone for the next two weeks. Slovakia says its supplies have also dropped by 30 percent, and it is too soon to say what the effect will be. Poland's economy minister, Piotr Wozniak, said his country has also been hit, but it should have enough gas reserves. He said: "There is no threat to reduce gas supplies to individual customers. This is similar to what happened in February 2004 when Russia cut off gas to Belarus." There is also a 40 percent drop in Russian gas to Hungary, but that country's economy minister, Janos Koka, is also stressing that reserves should last for several months. "The gas supply to Hungary is assured because we have reserves to last for several months," he said. "Neither homes nor industrial consumers asels on Wednesday." Budapest says it has been forced to cut gas transit to Serbia and Bosnia by 40 percent. Austria says its Russian supply is down by about a third but it has reserves to tap into. Germany says it has enough stored gas to last up tre in danger. I will discuss the situation in Bruso 75 days. Italy and France say they are watching the situation closely, but for now there are no problems. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Last Updated, 2 January, 2006 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Italian tourists the latest to be abducted in Yemen
Five italian tourists have been abducted in eastern Yemen. Its understood three women being held were freed, but refused to go unless their two male companions were also released. Tourists are often targeted by tribal groups who use them to bargain with. They are usually freed after negotiations. In the last few weeks, two Swiss and two Austrian tourists have been taken and later freed. The Italians are thought to have been seized from their vehicle in the eastern province of Marib, 170 kilometres from the capital, Sanaa. The latest kidnapping comes a day after five German hostages were freed by tribesmen who had held them for three days. Juergen Chrobog, a former government minister, was abducted with his wife and three adult sons. Chrobog arrived back in Germany on Sunday evening after being held since December 24th. He told reporters that the tribesmen who took them hostage wanted to get arrested tribal members out of prison. It is not known if their demands were met. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Last Updated, 1 January, 2006 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Three British hostages released in the Gaza Strip have left the territory.
A previously-unknown group freed aid worker Kate Burton and her parents yesterday while demanding that the UK and Europe put pressure on Israel to end the "no-go zone" it imposed in the Gaza Strip, among other issues. In a video released to media, the group threatened to kidnap EU monitors of next month's Palestinian election if their demands were not met. Kate and her parents Hugh and Helen were taken to Israel in a British diplomatic vehicle overnight. The trio had been seized in the chaotic southern town of Rafah on Wednesday. Gaza's seen a rash of kidnappings since Israel withdrew from the coastal strip in September after 38 years of occupation. The political demands and Islamist tone of the Burtons' captors were a marked departure from previous abductions in Gaza, where the perpetrators tend to be seeking jobs or the release of prisoners. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Russia rejects Kiev's plea to postpone gas prise rise
Russia's state-controlled gas monopoly has rejected an appeal from Ukraine to freeze a planned steep price rise. Gazprom told Prime Minister Viktor Yushchenko that supplies would be cut off from January 1 unless Kiev accepted a fourfold increase. Yushchenko said that the proposed price of 230 US dollars was unacceptable - not just because it was high but because it was what he described as economically unjustified, complaining that several countries paid less yet were further away from Russia. Moscow has said it could no longer subsidise gas for Ukraine and that Kiev must pay a market rate based on average European prices. Gazprom CEO Alexsei Miller said that if Ukraine did not sign a contract before the New Year then at 10am Russian time on January 1 supplies would be cut off. "The action will be precise and resolute," he added. But a quarter of Europe's gas comes from Russia and nearly all of that is piped across Ukrainian territory. In 2003, Germany bought nearly 40 per cent of its supplies from Gazprom and Austria almosnarios. Alleviating the problem to a degree, Kiev has signed
a deal with Turkmenistan that covers more than half its gas needs
for 2006. t two thirds. A clearly-nervous EU has called a meeting for January 4 to discuss worst case sce ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
