Bahrain gets go-ahead for grand prix as rights activists condemn F1 decision
June 3, 2011 No Comment
FIA chiefs reinstate Bahrain grand prix after original race was postponed because of clashes between protesters and regime Bahrain was granted permission to stage the most coveted event on its calendar – the Formula One Grand Prix – in a move that has drawn condemnation from rights groups angered by a three-month crackdown against anti-regime protesters. The event, to be held in October, was originally scheduled for March but was postponed as clashes intensified between the country’s majority Shia population and security forces who were heavily backed by the militaries of Saudi Arabia and the Gulf states. Public pressure on organisers to not reschedule the race had been intense, with a Facebook campaign calling for a cancellation drawing 320,000 signatures. At least one quarter of staff from the Grand Prix’s organising committee, Bahrain International Circuit – all of them Shia – were sacked in April after being accused of taking part in anti-government demonstrations. Formula One boss Bernie Ecclestone had earlier indicated that staging the race in Bahrain would be difficult if widespread allegations of discrimination and torture against civilians were proven. Sports teams had lobbied Ecclestone and Formula One executives not to hold the event, citing numerous human rights violations. The sport’s organising body, the FIA, said yesterday: “After considering all the factors and taking into consideration all stakeholders’ concerns, the World Motor Sport Council unanimously agreed to reinstate the Bahrain Grand Prix … this decision reflects the spirit of reconciliation in Bahrain, which is evident from the strong support the race receives from the government and all major parties in Bahrain, including the largest opposition group, all of whom endorse the Formula One grand prix and motorsport in the country. The decision has enraged human rights activists. Alex Wilks, the Avaaz campaign director whose online poll to ban the race was backed by hundreds of thousands of people including former world champion Damon Hill, said: “Formula One’s decision is a kick in the teeth for the Bahraini people. The race will happen in a country where government troops continue to shoot and arrest peaceful protesters. “Money has trumped human rights and good judgment, so now Formula One, plus Red Bull, McLaren, Ferrari and every other team will be directly linked with a bloody crackdown that’s ruined the lives of hundreds of innocent people.” Amnesty International yesterday claimed serious human rights abuses continue to be committed in Bahrain. It said more than 2,000 people had been suspended or sacked from public and private sector jobs because they had been involved in protests. Zayad R al-Zayani, the chairman of the Bahrain International Circuit, hailed the FIA decision. “This is welcome news for all of Bahrain. As a country we have faced a difficult time, but stability has returned; with businesses operating close to normal, the State of National Safety lifted and countries removing travel restrictions. “Importantly, it will also offer a significant boost to the economy. The Grand Prix attracts 100,000 visitors, supports 3,000 jobs and generates around $500m of economic benefit. Its positive effect will be felt throughout the country.” Three months of martial law imposed by the ruling monarchy was lifted this week, but recriminations from the anti-regime protests that have paralysed the kingdom are still being played out. Some of those arrested are still being tried in secret by a powerful judicial body set up under emergency laws. Several dozen doctors and nurses remain under arrest. And Bahrain’s Human Rights Watch claims the number of people detained could top 1,000. Clashes have continued in the four days since martial law was lifted, though not on the same scale as the running battles seen in mid-February and March. Security forces again fired rubber bullets and bird shot at demonstrators in several parts of Manama on Friday. Authorities have been pursuing Shia opposition supporters who staged street marches to demand greater freedoms, equal rights and an elected government in the island kingdom. As the violence intensified, the calls for reform became calls for an overthrow of the 200-year-old Sunni dynasty, which demonstrators say actively discriminates against the country’s majority Shia population. The kingdom accused Iran of inciting the demonstrations and invited in Saudi forces under heavy pressure from Riyadh to help quell dissent. The Formula One Teams’ Association – which represents 11 of the marques, with Hispania Racing the exception – is to look into the FIA decision. A McLaren spokesperson said: “All FOTA teams, of which McLaren is one, acknowledge the decision made by the FIA World Motor Sport Council today. That decision is likely to be discussed internally within FOTA, and a more detailed joint position may be defined after those discussions have taken place.” Hill, the 1996 world champion, and Max Mosley, the former FIA president, have both called for the Bahrain race to be abandoned, while Red Bull’s Mark Webber is the only driver to speak out against the country hosting the race. Formula One Bahrain Middle East Motor sport Paul Weaver Martin Chulov guardian.co.uk
Continue reading …Bahrain gets go-ahead for grand prix as rights activists condemn F1 decision
June 3, 2011 No CommentFIA chiefs reinstate Bahrain grand prix after original race was postponed because of clashes between protesters and regime Bahrain was granted permission to stage the most coveted event on its calendar – the Formula One Grand Prix – in a move that has drawn condemnation from rights groups angered by a three-month crackdown against anti-regime protesters. The event, to be held in October, was originally scheduled for March but was postponed as clashes intensified between the country’s majority Shia population and security forces who were heavily backed by the militaries of Saudi Arabia and the Gulf states. Public pressure on organisers to not reschedule the race had been intense, with a Facebook campaign calling for a cancellation drawing 320,000 signatures. At least one quarter of staff from the Grand Prix’s organising committee, Bahrain International Circuit – all of them Shia – were sacked in April after being accused of taking part in anti-government demonstrations. Formula One boss Bernie Ecclestone had earlier indicated that staging the race in Bahrain would be difficult if widespread allegations of discrimination and torture against civilians were proven. Sports teams had lobbied Ecclestone and Formula One executives not to hold the event, citing numerous human rights violations. The sport’s organising body, the FIA, said yesterday: “After considering all the factors and taking into consideration all stakeholders’ concerns, the World Motor Sport Council unanimously agreed to reinstate the Bahrain Grand Prix … this decision reflects the spirit of reconciliation in Bahrain, which is evident from the strong support the race receives from the government and all major parties in Bahrain, including the largest opposition group, all of whom endorse the Formula One grand prix and motorsport in the country. The decision has enraged human rights activists. Alex Wilks, the Avaaz campaign director whose online poll to ban the race was backed by hundreds of thousands of people including former world champion Damon Hill, said: “Formula One’s decision is a kick in the teeth for the Bahraini people. The race will happen in a country where government troops continue to shoot and arrest peaceful protesters. “Money has trumped human rights and good judgment, so now Formula One, plus Red Bull, McLaren, Ferrari and every other team will be directly linked with a bloody crackdown that’s ruined the lives of hundreds of innocent people.” Amnesty International yesterday claimed serious human rights abuses continue to be committed in Bahrain. It said more than 2,000 people had been suspended or sacked from public and private sector jobs because they had been involved in protests. Zayad R al-Zayani, the chairman of the Bahrain International Circuit, hailed the FIA decision. “This is welcome news for all of Bahrain. As a country we have faced a difficult time, but stability has returned; with businesses operating close to normal, the State of National Safety lifted and countries removing travel restrictions. “Importantly, it will also offer a significant boost to the economy. The Grand Prix attracts 100,000 visitors, supports 3,000 jobs and generates around $500m of economic benefit. Its positive effect will be felt throughout the country.” Three months of martial law imposed by the ruling monarchy was lifted this week, but recriminations from the anti-regime protests that have paralysed the kingdom are still being played out. Some of those arrested are still being tried in secret by a powerful judicial body set up under emergency laws. Several dozen doctors and nurses remain under arrest. And Bahrain’s Human Rights Watch claims the number of people detained could top 1,000. Clashes have continued in the four days since martial law was lifted, though not on the same scale as the running battles seen in mid-February and March. Security forces again fired rubber bullets and bird shot at demonstrators in several parts of Manama on Friday. Authorities have been pursuing Shia opposition supporters who staged street marches to demand greater freedoms, equal rights and an elected government in the island kingdom. As the violence intensified, the calls for reform became calls for an overthrow of the 200-year-old Sunni dynasty, which demonstrators say actively discriminates against the country’s majority Shia population. The kingdom accused Iran of inciting the demonstrations and invited in Saudi forces under heavy pressure from Riyadh to help quell dissent. The Formula One Teams’ Association – which represents 11 of the marques, with Hispania Racing the exception – is to look into the FIA decision. A McLaren spokesperson said: “All FOTA teams, of which McLaren is one, acknowledge the decision made by the FIA World Motor Sport Council today. That decision is likely to be discussed internally within FOTA, and a more detailed joint position may be defined after those discussions have taken place.” Hill, the 1996 world champion, and Max Mosley, the former FIA president, have both called for the Bahrain race to be abandoned, while Red Bull’s Mark Webber is the only driver to speak out against the country hosting the race. Formula One Bahrain Middle East Motor sport Paul Weaver Martin Chulov guardian.co.uk
Continue reading …
As Nato continues strikes on Tripoli, US expresses concerns for the safety of Iman al-Obeidi A Libyan woman who claimed she was gang-raped by Muammar Gaddafi’s troops has been deported from Qatar, where she sought refuge, and is now in the rebel stronghold of Benghazi, a UN official has said. Her expulsion casts light on one of the most widely covered alleged abuses by Gaddafi’s forces. Meanwhile Nato continued its relentless nightly bombing raids on Libyan military and security bases, backing rebels who are trying to unseat the Libyan dictator after a four-decade rule. A series of at least 10 strikes hit targets in and around the Libyan capital early on Friday. The attacks targeted military barracks close to Gaddafi’s sprawling compound in central Tripoli, a police station and a military base, according to a government official speaking on condition of anonymity. He said it was not immediately clear if there were any casualties. The US government expressed concern for the safety of the Libyan woman, Iman al-Obeidi. In March, al-Obeidi rushed into Tripoli’s Rixos hotel where all foreign correspondents are forced to stay while covering the part of Libya under Gaddafi’s control, and shouted out her story of being stopped at a checkpoint, dragged away and gang-raped by soldiers. As she spoke, and as photographers and reporters recorded her words, government minders whose job is to escort reporters around the area, dragged her away. She disappeared for several days, then turned up in Tunisia and later Qatar. Little was heard from her until Thursday, when she was suddenly expelled from Qatar and ended up in Benghazi, the Libyan rebels’ de facto capital. No explanation was forthcoming from Qatar. Rebel spokesman Jalal el-Gallal said al-Obeidi arrived in Benghazi by plane. “She’s welcome to stay, this is her country,” el-Gallal told the Associated Press. The UN refugee agency’s Sybella Wilkes said al-Obeidi should have been allowed to stay in Qatar, and her deportation runs contrary to international law. Al-Obeidi “is a recognized refugee, and we don’t consider there is any good reason for her deportation,” Wilkes told AP. US state department spokesman Mark Toner said the US was “monitoring the situation” and working to ensure al-Obeidi’s safety. “We’re going to work to make sure that she’s kept safe, first and foremost, and that she finds appropriate asylum,” Toner told reporters in Washington on Thursday. Libyan authorities have alternately labeled her a drunk, a prostitute and a thief. Al-Obeidi has maintained that she was targeted by Gaddafi’s troops because she is from Benghazi, the rebel stronghold. Human rights violations are one aspect of the rebels’ complaints against the Gaddafi regime. This week a report by a UN body said it found evidence of war crimes and crimes against humanity by Gaddafi’s government, and also charged that the rebels have committed abuses. Four of the early morning blasts on Friday shook and rattled the city, targeting an area where military barracks are located, said the government official. Those barracks, which had been hit in the past, are close to the sprawling compound of the Libyan leader. The blasts shook windows of the hotel where reporters stay in Tripoli. The official said it wasn’t immediately clear if there were any casualties. Six earlier strikes targeted a police station and a military base outside of Tripoli in the areas of Hera and Aziziya, said the official. The strikes appeared to be the heaviest to hit Tripoli since South African president Jacob Zuma visited Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi in the capital last week in an effort to find a peaceful resolution to the country’s crisis. Libya Iman al-Obeidi Muammar Gaddafi Arab and Middle East unrest Qatar Middle East Africa guardian.co.uk
Continue reading …
Poll suggests beleaguered economy weighed down by onerous €78bn bailout will be the latest surrendered by a leftwing leader Portugal goes to the polls on Sunday under the yoke of a painful €78bn bailout and with socialist prime minister José Sócrates set to become yet another leftwing casualty of Europe’s economic crisis. Polls this week showed the opposition centre-right Social Democrats (PSD) of Pedro Passos Coelho between five and eight points ahead as Portuguese voters choose a government to see them through dire economic times. Passos Coelho is expected to seek the support of the rightwing Democratic Social Centre (CDS) party to form a government if predictions that the two parties will jointly win almost 50% of votes prove true. If Socrates is ejected the 27-member European Union will be left with five left-led governments: in Spain, Greece, Slovenia, Austria and Cyprus. Spain’s socialists suffered a 10 percentage point defeat in municipal elections last month, suggesting they will also lose power at a general election due by March. That could leave just four leftwingers, representing 4% of the EU’s half a billion citizens, at the helm of the member states. Europe’s pronounced tilt to the right is most noticeable in its approach to both the economic crisis and immigration, as well as in a tendency to shift power towards the European council and away from the European commission, according to the analysis of José Ignacio Torreblanca of the European Council on Foreign Relations. “The right blames the crisis on government deficits, while the left sees the origins in the private sector and the markets,” he said. The handling of the bailouts of Portugal, Greece and Ireland and their accompanying austerity plans reflected both the right’s power in Europe and its insistence that government indebtedness is to blame, Torreblanca said. Both Sócrates and Passos Coelho have accepted the basic conditions imposed by the EU and the International Monetary Fund for the country’s €78bn bailout. These require major cuts to public spending on health, education and pensions in a country with faltering growth and 11% percent unemployment – and a credit rating that is the second worst in Europe after Greece. Sócrates has accused Passos Coelho of a “radical agenda” to curb free healthcare and schooling. A recent Bank of Portugal report warned of “particularly severe” economic hardship over the next two years with an “unprecedented” drop in family income. A strike by drivers that prevented rail commuters getting into Lisbon and Oporto on Friday morning is part of a growing undercurrent of resentment amongst public employees, who stand to suffer most from the austerity measures. Alvaro Santos Pereira, a university economist and blogger, warned that Portugal could only pay back its loans if it grew at more than 3% a year, redistributed the debt contained in private-public partnerships and cut its deficit to zero. “If these conditions are not met I fear that, unhappily, a restructuring of Portugal’s debt will become inevitable,” he said. A snap election had to be called precisely because Sócrates failed to get further austerity measures through parliament. Portugal Europe European Union Giles Tremlett guardian.co.uk
Continue reading …Happy Friday, NBers! Plenty of great material in today's all-new episiode of NewsBusted. Take a look below the break, and then subscribe to our YouTube channel (oh, and have you checked out MRC TV yet?). Enjoy! Topics in today's show: — Canada succeeding fiscally — Egyptians form new Nazi Party — Europe still coping with volcano eruption — Census: 50m Hispanics in US — Matthews: is Ryan plan a GOP 'death certificate?' — Facebook CEO only eats animals he kills — Lindsay Lohan on house arrest — NBC picks up 'Playboy Club' Starring: Jodi Miller Production: Dialog New Media
Continue reading …
Supermodel said she was ‘shocked’ by campaign comparing her to a Dairy Milk Bliss bar Confectionery giant Cadbury is to issue a formal apology to Naomi Campbell after the supermodel claimed an advert comparing her to one of its chocolate bars was racist. The advert for Cadbury’s Bliss range of Dairy Milk chocolate bars used the strapline “Move over Naomi, there’s a new diva in town”. Campbell said she was “shocked” by the ad, intended as a tongue-in-cheek play on Campbell’s reputation for diva-style tantrums and behaviour. “It’s upsetting to be described as chocolate, not just for me but for all black women and black people,” she said. “I do not find any humour in this. It is insulting and hurtful.” Cadbury is expected to publish a statement on its UK website today in an attempt to draw a line under the row. Campaigning group Operation Black vote called the ad an “insult” to black women , while the supermodel’s mother Valerie said she was “deeply upset by this racist advert” . “This is the 21st century, not the 1950s,” she added. “Shame on Cadbury.” The ad was one of 15 developed by Fallon, the agency behind Cadbury’s famous drumming gorilla TV campaign . Cadbury, now part of the Kraft empire, pulled the ads and initially issued a statement saying it was “never our intention to cause offence” and it had positioned the campaign as a “light-hearted take on the social pretensions of Cadbury Dairy Milk Bliss”. However pressure has continued to mount on Cadbury for not issuing a full formal apology to Campbell . A spokeswoman for Cadbury confirmed that a statement would be published on its website today. •
Continue reading …
But acquittals raise new questions about Babar Ahmad case because Met has already paid him £60,000 damages Four specialist police officers have been found not guilty of violently assaulting a British Muslim man during an early morning raid on his home. Babar Ahmad, 34, a terrorism suspect who remains in detention, had claimed he was punched, kicked and strangled by officers from one of the Met’s territorial support units during an arrest at his home in December 2003. But a jury at Southwark crown court has found police constables Mark Jones, Roderick James-Bowen and Nigel Cowley and detective constable John Donohue not guilty of assault occasioning actual bodily harm. The acquittals follow a civil case in 2009 in which the Met conceded Ahmad had been the subject of a “a serious, gratuitous and prolonged” attack – and paid him £60,000 in damages. The jury in the trial was not told about the civil case and the not guilty verdicts will put further pressure on the Met to explain exactly what happened during the arrest. Ahmad was arrested at his home in south-west London in December 2003. He claimed officers had stamped on his feet and repeatedly punched him in the head before he was forced into the Muslim prayer position while they shouted: “Where is your God now? Pray to him.” But during the trial officers denied the claims, saying Ahmad had battled like a “caged tiger” during his arrest, which came 11 months after detective constable Stephen Oake was murdered in Crumpsall, Manchester, by a terrorist suspect named Kamel Bourgass. On the morning of the operation police chiefs had briefed the arresting officers that Ahmad should be considered as dangerous as Bourgass. They said they feared he would resist. James-Bowen was the first officer into Ahmad’s bedroom and told the court the terrorist suspect had adopted a “fighting stance” and looked around for a samurai sword. Barrister Richard Atchley, acting for James-Bowen, said Ahmad had fought like a “caged tiger” during his arrest. Neil Saunders, representing Jones, said Ahmad’s account of the events of his arrest was a lie because his key allegations did not tally with a recording made by an MI5 bug that had been hidden in his home. He said the recording, played to the jury, did not include any screams of agony and that no officers could be heard mocking Ahmad’s faith by forcing him into a Muslim prayer position and asking: “Where is your God now?” During the trial Ahmad admitted travelling to Bosnia three or four times to fight during the bloody 1992-1995 war but insisted he was not the “al-Qaida superman” he was described as at the police briefing. The conclusion of the case means it is possible to report that two of the officers found not guilty – Jones and James-Bowen – had 40 separate allegations of assault against them between 1993 and 2007, the majority involving black or Asian men. The Met said that all the allegations of assault against Jones and James-Bowen had been found to be unsubstantiated following inquiries. They included a complaint from a man detained during a drug search in 2007 who, Ahmad’s lawyers told the high court, accused Jones of forcing him into the back of a TSG van before placing him on his knees, grabbing his throat and spraying teargas into his face. In another incident a “black male” arrested for non-payment of fines and driving without a licence or insurance claimed he was assaulted by Jones and another officer. The document submitted to the high court read: “In van repeatedly assaulted – kicks to the face, stamps on his head whilst handcuffed.” The victim said afterwards he “felt like he might die” and complained of “vomiting and blood coming out of his ears, black swollen eye, lip busted hands very swollen”. In a separate case Jones was acquitted following a trial of racially assaulting two teenage boys who had accused him of taking them into the back of a police van and shouting abuse about their ethnic backgrounds in front of his colleagues. The Independent Police Complaints Commission supervised an investigation into Ahmad’s arrest carried out by the Met but no officer was disciplined as a result. Asked about the string of allegations against the officers involved, the Met said that all but one had been found to be unsubstantiated following inquiries. During the civil hearing police said they had lost several large mail sacks detailing at least 30 of the complaints against officers involved in the attack. It also emerged that other crucial documents had been mislaid, including the officers’ contemporaneous notebooks and a taped recording of an interview with the senior officer in the case. The Met is expected to publish findings of a review into the case shortly and will carry out a misconduct hearing into the allegations surrounding the arrest. Ahmad has been in detention since he was rearrested in 2004 after a request from the US government over claims that he helped raise money to fund terrorist campaigns. Metropolitan police Police UK security and terrorism Matthew Taylor guardian.co.uk
Continue reading …
Cowell’s lawyers report offence of ‘malicious communication’ after blogger alleges finalist Ronan Parke groomed for stardom Simon Cowell has called in police over claims that his ITV1 series Britain’s Got Talent is fixed. Cowell’s lawyers reported an offence of “malicious communication” after an anonymous internet blogger alleged that Ronan Parke, the favourite to win the current series of the hit show, had been groomed for stardom after being spotted by talent scouts two years ago. The blogger claimed the 12-year-old, who is in tomorrow’s final, had been known to Cowell’s company, Syco, already has a management deal and had been specifically moulded to appeal to the show’s audience. Syco and Sony Music said they would take legal action to “prevent further publication of these unfounded allegations”. Syco said in a statement: “There has been speculation on the internet that Britain’s Got Talent finalist Ronan Parke was known to and worked with Syco/Sony Music before entering the show. There is no truth in this story whatsoever. “Ronan first came to Syco/Sony’s attention when he entered this year’s competition. “Syco/Sony Music will not hesitate to take whatever legal action is appropriate to prevent further publication of these unfounded allegations.” Lawyers acting for Cowell made the complaint at a police station in west London on Thursday. It is not yet known if officers will take any action. A Scotland Yard spokesman said: “An allegation of malicious communications was made to Kensington and Chelsea police on Thursday June 2. “The allegation is being considered.” The schoolboy won the viewers’ vote on Monday, putting him straight through to the Saturday show. Ronan’s mother Maggie also dismissed the claims that he was auditioned by talent scouts who had spotted him performing at a birthday party for family friend Bryan Gunn, the former Norwich City goalkeeper. “It’s laughable, to be perfectly honest with you, and it couldn’t be further from the truth,” she told BBC Radio Norfolk. “There’s no foundation in it whatsoever.” The allegations come at the end of a difficult few weeks for Cowell in which Cheryl Cole was axed from the US version of The X Factor and Dannii Minogue quit as a judge on the UK version of the show. It was later confirmed that Cole would not be returning to the UK show either. The resulting media coverage will have done nothing to dent ratings for the show, with the first live semi-final this week watched by an average of 10.9 million viewers, marginally up on last year’s equivalent show, peaking with 13 million. • To contact the MediaGuardian news desk email editor@mediaguardian.co.uk or phone 020 3353 3857. For all other inquiries please call the main Guardian switchboard on 020 3353 2000. If you are writing a comment for publication, please mark clearly “for publication”. • To get the latest media news to your desktop or mobile, follow MediaGuardian on Twitter and Facebook Simon Cowell Britain’s Got Talent Television Entertainment John Plunkett guardian.co.uk
Continue reading …
piper Palin pushing reporters this is great Piper pipes up Sarah Palin And Family Visit The Liberty Bell May 31, 2011 sohali2012 says: Piper Palin , not so shy – CNN Political Ticker – CNN.com Blogs http://t.co/DaHS2K7 via @cnn This is a good one. Future star in the making.
Continue reading …