Worst violence in months sees demonstrators and defected army faction clash with republican guard Yemeni forces have opened fire on demonstrators in three major cities, killing at least 18 and wounding hundreds in one of the fiercest bouts of violence witnessed in nearly three months of popular unrest aimed at toppling President Ali Abdullah Saleh. The clashes between a defected faction of Yemen’s army and the republican guard, have raised fears that Yemen may be reaching a critical juncture as public fury continues to mount at the president’s refusal to step down. Violence broke out in the capital when a throng of 2,000 protesters tore away from the main sit-in area at Sana’a University and surged en masse towards the cabinet building in downtown Sana’a with shouts of “God is great” and “Allah rid us of this tyrant”. As they neared their destination they were halted by republican guards who, after trying to disperse them with tear gas and water cannons, began firing live rounds at the crowd. Soldiers positioned on the balconies and roofs of nearby houses rained bullets down on the angry mob of protesters, who responded by hurling chunks of broken-off paving slabs. The standoff, which lasted for around four hours, climaxed when soldiers loyal to a defected general, Major Ali Mohsin, arrived in pickup trucks and began returning fire at Saleh’s troops. It was the first time the two sides have clashed in the capital since Mohsin declared his support for the opposition in late March. Local press reported that a lieutenant colonel, Yahya Muhammad al-Ansi, belonging to the rebel general’s first armoured division, was killed in the clashes. Women and children were amongst those caught up in the ensuing mayhem. Bushra Al-Surabi, a prominent female activist, apparently suffered from a bullet wound to the leg. A doctor presiding over a bloodied corpse in the corner of a nearby mosque-turned-field-hospital said he counted nine other bodies and that hundreds of others were suffering from bullet wounds. In the industrial city of Taiz, another centre of popular resistance, two teenage protesters were shot dead by snipers while trying to scale a government building. Protesters retaliated by torching a police building and blockading a number of ministerial offices. In the Red Sea port city of Hudaida, another protester was killed when security forces opened fire on marchers trying to occupy the city mayor’s office, witnesses said. With protests entering their consecutive third month and Saleh backing away from a Gulf-brokered initiative which would see him exchange power for immunity, Yemen’s youthful protesters have began tightening the bolts on their embattled president. In the past days the country has been brought to a standstill by nationwide strikes as well as blockades of roads and ports. A planned march on the presidential palace is expected on Friday. “Yemen is at a dangerous juncture,” says Gregory Johnsen, a Yemen analyst from Princeton University. “Every attempt at mediation, including a recently flawed approach by the GCC [Gulf Co-operation Council], has failed, as Saleh stalls and equivocates on public pledges, hoping to somehow survive in power.” The shootings suggest that Saleh may have given the army the green light to fire on protesters. “Yemeni Oil-Free blood is apparently invisible to the International Community,” said Ibrahim Mothana, a protest leader at Change square. “When will the west condemn this?” Analysts fear that failure to address Yemen’s swelling unrest, particularly its rising unemployment, may benefit al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula– an organisation which is already capitalising on lapsed security and an increasingly stretched army. “The last time al-Qaeda had this much time and space in which to operate, it put together the 2009 Christmas Day attack, which narrowly missed bringing down an airliner over Detroit,” said Johnsen. Yemen Protest Middle East Arab and Middle East unrest Tom Finn guardian.co.uk
Continue reading …The stealth chopper that didn’t make it back from the Osama bin Laden raid is giving Pakistan a little diplomatic revenge. Pakistani officials made a point to tell ABC News they might let China “take a look” at the super-secret helicopter, which had to be left behind after a rough…
Continue reading …Today, a happier story from Mount Everest : A 51-year-old Nepalese climber nicknamed the “Super Sherpa” reached the summit for the 21st time, beating his own record. Apa Sherpa and five others climbed all night in conditions organizers called “perfect,” as part of the annual Eco Everest campaign to raise awareness…
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• Celtic manager attacked by fan from Tynecastle’s main stand • Mjallby says Lennon was badly shaken but unhurt Celtic’s manager, Neil Lennon, was attacked by a supporter during his team’s Scottish Premier League victory at Hearts last night in the latest incident involving the Northern Irishman this season. Lennon, around whom security levels are tight after threats to his life in recent months, was targeted after Celtic’s second goal in their 3-0 win. A man, who sprinted from Tynecastle’s main stand, grabbed hold of Lennon on the touchline before being wrestled to the ground by a combination of the Celtic coaching team, stewards and police. Lennon kicked out at his attacker while the man, who was led away by police, lay on the turf. Celtic’s manager was unhurt but visibly affected by an incident that continues a turbulent 2011 for him and Scottish football. In January a package containing bullets and addressed to him was intercepted in Northern Ireland. Two months later he was involved in a furious touchline row with the Rangers assistant manager, Ally McCoist, at the end of an Old Firm derby; a political summit was held partly as a consequence of that fracas. Since last month Lennon has been under 24-hour security after a viable explosive device intended for him was halted in the post but last night marked the first time he has come into direct danger when carrying out his work. Condemnation instantly arrived from across Scottish football. “It was an utter disgrace,” said the Celtic coach Johan Mjallby, who took care of post-match media duties on Lennon’s behalf. “It was shocking and I have never seen anything like it at this level. This is a dark day for Scottish football. You never know what the guy could have had in his hand.” Lennon’s assailant was arrested and is due in court. Mjallby recalled the moment the man came into view. “I saw it out of the corner of my eye, that someone was beside the dugout. [Celtic's coach] Alan Thompson was the first to react and to get hold of the guy. Neil was surprised and shocked. He is OK but shaken.” Hearts, who are certain to face sanctions from the Scottish football authorities, vowed to co-operate with whatever investigations take place into the volatile encounter. Immediately after the attack on Lennon a section of the Celtic support fought with the police. Hearts said in a statement: “An investigation into events which took place in the second half of tonight’s game against Celtic is now under way. Hearts is a club which prides itself on its ‘football for all’ policy and these sorts of actions have no place in the game of football. We will give our full support to the stewards and police authorities in the ensuing investigation into the events at tonight’s match.” Both teams had players sent off during a Celtic win which keeps alive Lennon’s faint hopes of winning the Scottish Premier League championship in his first full season in charge. Stewart Regan, chief executive of the Scottish Football Association, and his counterpart Neil Doncaster at the Scottish Premier League issued immediate responses to the ugly touchline scenes. “The SPL deplores the actions of the individual involved,” said Doncaster. “This type of behaviour has no place in Scottish football. “The SPL will undertake a full investigation and will be reviewing reports from the SPL match delegate, match officials, the police and the clubs.” Regan said: “Clearly this behaviour from supporters is wholly unacceptable. “The safety of players, club officials and match officials is paramount on or around the field of play, and this clear breach of security is a matter I will be discussing with SPL chief executive Neil Doncaster tomorrow.” As after the Old Firm game in March, Scotland’s first minister, Alex Salmond, felt obliged to express concern: “This sort of behaviour is utterly unacceptable.” A Lothian and Borders police spokesman said: “A number of incidents took place during this match including some violent disorder. “Lothian and Borders Police will fully investigate all of the incidents that occurred at the match this evening and will work closely with both football clubs and the SPL.” Neil Lennon Celtic Hearts Ewan Murray guardian.co.uk
Continue reading …• Celtic manager attacked by fan from Tynecastle’s main stand • Mjallby says Lennon was badly shaken but unhurt Celtic’s manager, Neil Lennon, was attacked by a supporter during his team’s Scottish Premier League victory at Hearts last night in the latest incident involving the Northern Irishman this season. Lennon, around whom security levels are tight after threats to his life in recent months, was targeted after Celtic’s second goal in their 3-0 win. A man, who sprinted from Tynecastle’s main stand, grabbed hold of Lennon on the touchline before being wrestled to the ground by a combination of the Celtic coaching team, stewards and police. Lennon kicked out at his attacker while the man, who was led away by police, lay on the turf. Celtic’s manager was unhurt but visibly affected by an incident that continues a turbulent 2011 for him and Scottish football. In January a package containing bullets and addressed to him was intercepted in Northern Ireland. Two months later he was involved in a furious touchline row with the Rangers assistant manager, Ally McCoist, at the end of an Old Firm derby; a political summit was held partly as a consequence of that fracas. Since last month Lennon has been under 24-hour security after a viable explosive device intended for him was halted in the post but last night marked the first time he has come into direct danger when carrying out his work. Condemnation instantly arrived from across Scottish football. “It was an utter disgrace,” said the Celtic coach Johan Mjallby, who took care of post-match media duties on Lennon’s behalf. “It was shocking and I have never seen anything like it at this level. This is a dark day for Scottish football. You never know what the guy could have had in his hand.” Lennon’s assailant was arrested and is due in court. Mjallby recalled the moment the man came into view. “I saw it out of the corner of my eye, that someone was beside the dugout. [Celtic's coach] Alan Thompson was the first to react and to get hold of the guy. Neil was surprised and shocked. He is OK but shaken.” Hearts, who are certain to face sanctions from the Scottish football authorities, vowed to co-operate with whatever investigations take place into the volatile encounter. Immediately after the attack on Lennon a section of the Celtic support fought with the police. Hearts said in a statement: “An investigation into events which took place in the second half of tonight’s game against Celtic is now under way. Hearts is a club which prides itself on its ‘football for all’ policy and these sorts of actions have no place in the game of football. We will give our full support to the stewards and police authorities in the ensuing investigation into the events at tonight’s match.” Both teams had players sent off during a Celtic win which keeps alive Lennon’s faint hopes of winning the Scottish Premier League championship in his first full season in charge. Stewart Regan, chief executive of the Scottish Football Association, and his counterpart Neil Doncaster at the Scottish Premier League issued immediate responses to the ugly touchline scenes. “The SPL deplores the actions of the individual involved,” said Doncaster. “This type of behaviour has no place in Scottish football. “The SPL will undertake a full investigation and will be reviewing reports from the SPL match delegate, match officials, the police and the clubs.” Regan said: “Clearly this behaviour from supporters is wholly unacceptable. “The safety of players, club officials and match officials is paramount on or around the field of play, and this clear breach of security is a matter I will be discussing with SPL chief executive Neil Doncaster tomorrow.” As after the Old Firm game in March, Scotland’s first minister, Alex Salmond, felt obliged to express concern: “This sort of behaviour is utterly unacceptable.” A Lothian and Borders police spokesman said: “A number of incidents took place during this match including some violent disorder. “Lothian and Borders Police will fully investigate all of the incidents that occurred at the match this evening and will work closely with both football clubs and the SPL.” Neil Lennon Celtic Hearts Ewan Murray guardian.co.uk
Continue reading …The big question in Washington: Now that Osama bin Laden is dead, what do we do about Afghanistan? Senators John Kerry, a Democrat, and Richard Lugar, a Republican, both said yesterday that we must reassess the nearly decade-old conflict and work toward, as Kerry said, “the smallest footprint necessary.” But…
Continue reading …More than 300 troops and extra police with search and rescue teams were being drafted into the city, where 10 died An earthquake struck the south-eastern Spanish city of Lorca on Wednesday, killing at least 10 people and injuring dozens amid scenes of chaos caused by the country’s worst quake for half a century. Falling bell towers, walls and masonry brought panic to the streets of a small city that lies in an area known for minor earthquakes, but where residents could not recall such an intense quake in living memory. The earthquake was magnitude 5.1 and came at 6.47pm local time, almost two hours after a 4.4 magnitude quake had already caused considerable damage and forced many people out of their homes into the city’s streets. The quake was felt in the neighbouring provinces of Almería, Granada and Albacete, but the worst of the damage was done in Lorca, in the province of Murcia, where people were staying outside as aftershocks struck. Up to 10,000 people were expected to camp out at the city’s fairground. More than 300 troops and extra police with search and rescue teams were being drafted into the city to look for the dead and injured and clear away the rubble. City mayor Francisco Jódar called for water, blankets, food and mattresses to be brought in from neighbouring towns. “People don’t dare go back into their homes. I can’t tell them to go home and spend the night there as I can’t promise them that there will not be another quake,” he said. A reporter broadcasting live for state television station TVE narrowly escaped being hit by the facade of a church’s falling bell tower . A 13th-century tower in the city’s castle was also reported to have been seriously damaged by the force of the quake. Patients had to be evacuated from the city hospital, which was damaged. TV pictures and news photographs appeared to show at least one building that had fallen across a city street, along with images of cars crushed by falling rubble, fallen walls and large cracks in buildings. “I felt a tremendously strong movement, followed by a lot of noise, and I was really frightened,” resident Juani Avellanada told El País. Another resident, Juana Ruíz, told the newspaper her house had split open with the quake and “all the furniture fell over.” Spain’s last major quake was in 1956, when 12 people died in the province of Granada. Natural disasters and extreme weather Spain Europe Giles Tremlett guardian.co.uk
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Personal, handwritten journal and collection of computer files reveal his hand at work in every recent major al-Qaida threat Osama bin Laden kept pressing followers to find new ways to strike at the US while he was in hiding and his terror organisation was becoming battered and fragmented, officials have said, citing his private journal and other documents recovered in last week’s raid. Bin Laden suggested that they attack smaller cities and target trains as well as planes. Above all, he urged them to kill as many Americans as possible in a single attack. Though he was out of the public eye and al-Qaida seemed to be weakening, Bin Laden never yielded control of the worldwide organisation, US officials have said. His personal, handwritten journal and large collection of computer files reveal his hand at work in every recent major al-Qaida threat, including plots in Europe last year that had travellers and embassies on high alert, two officials said. Analysts are continuing to review the documents. The information shatters the government’s conventional thinking about Bin Laden, who had been regarded mostly an inspirational figurehead whose years in hiding made him too marginalised to maintain operational control of the organisation he founded. Bin Laden was in reality communicating from his walled compound in Pakistan with al-Qaida’s offshoots, including the Yemen branch that has emerged as the leading threat to the United States, the documents indicate. Though there is no evidence yet that he was directly behind the attempted Christmas Day 2009 bombing of a Detroit-bound airliner or the nearly-successful attack on cargo planes heading for Chicago and Philadelphia, it is now clear that they bear some of Bin Laden’s hallmarks. Don’t limit attacks to New York, he said in his writings. Consider other areas such as Los Angeles or smaller cities. Spread out the targets. In one particularly macabre bit of mathematics, Bin Laden’s writings show him musing over just how many Americans he must kill to force the US to withdraw from the Arab world. He concludes that small attacks had not been enough. He tells his disciples that only a body count of thousands, something on the scale of the 9/11 attacks, would shift US policy. He also schemed about ways to sow political dissent in Washington and play political figures against one another, officials said. The communications were in missives sent via plug-in computer storage devices called flash drives. The devices were ferried to Bin Laden’s compound by couriers, a process that is slow but exceptionally difficult to track. Intelligence officials have not identified any new planned targets or plots in their initial analysis of the 100 or so flash drives and five computers that an assault team of Navy Seals hauled away after killing Bin Laden. Last week, the FBI and Homeland Security Department warned law enforcement officials nationwide to be on alert for possible attacks against trains, though officials said there was no specific plot. Officials have not yet seen any indication that Bin Laden had the ability to co-ordinate timings of attacks across the various al-Qaida affiliates in Pakistan, Yemen, Algeria, Iraq and Somalia, and it is also unclear how much the affiliate groups relied on his guidance. The Yemen group, for instance, has embraced the smaller-scale attacks that Bin Laden’s writings indicate he regarded as unsuccessful. The Yemen branch had already surpassed his central operation as al-Qaida’s leading fundraising, propaganda and operational arm. Al-Qaida has not named Bin Laden’s successor, but all indications point to his No2, Ayman al-Zawahri. The question is whether Zawahri, or anyone, has the ability to keep so many disparate groups under the al-Qaida banner. The groups in Somalia and Algeria, for instance, have very different goals focused on local grievances. Without Bin Laden to serve as their shepherd, it is possible al-Qaida will further fragment. Osama bin Laden United States Global terrorism guardian.co.uk
Continue reading …A former Wall Street titan was convicted today of making a fortune by coaxing a crew of corporate tipsters to give him an illegal edge on trades in technology and other stocks. Prosecutors called it the largest insider trading case ever involving hedge funds. Sri Lanka-born Raj Rajaratnam was convicted…
Continue reading …As NATO steps up its airstrikes in Libya, rebels in Misrata are reporting major battlefield victories, saying they’ve driven Moammar Gadhafi’s troops both out of the city and out of the nearby airport they’d been holed up in. A rebel spokesman tells Voice of America that the pro-government troops are…
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