• Chris Huhne urges ‘progressive majority’ to vote yes for AV • Energy secretary says ‘Unite to avoid Thatcher excesses’ Tensions inside the coalition government are at new heights after a Liberal Democrat cabinet minister called on voters to form an anti-Tory alliance in Thursday’s referendum on electoral reform in order to deprive the Conservatives of power. In an extraordinary intervention, Chris Huhne, the energy secretary, has shattered any remaining semblance of cabinet unity by insisting that the referendum is an opportunity for the country’s “progressive majority” to back change and avoid a repeat of the “worst excesses of the Thatcher government”. In a joint article in the Observer , signed by Labour’s shadow business secretary, John Denham, and the leader of the Green party, Caroline Lucas, Huhne and the others argue that the Conservatives were able to monopolise power for much of the 20th century because of an “unfair” first-past-the-post system. “Britain consistently votes as a centre-left country, and yet the Conservatives have dominated our politics for two-thirds of the time since 1900,” the three say. “On only two occasions in that long century – 1900 and 1931 – have the Tories won a majority of the votes. No wonder David Cameron says the current system has ‘served us well’.” They add: “For those who weren’t well served by the Tory 20th century, fair votes matter. They matter for the millions of voters who suffered the worst excesses of the Thatcher government despite more than 54% repeatedly voting against her.” The remarks from Huhne amount to a declaration of war by one of Nick Clegg’s most senior ministers on the Tories’ record in government under Margaret Thatcher – but also an attack on a political philosophy the trio suggest still drives Cameron’s party. They will provoke fury in Conservative ranks, particularly among rightwing Tories who already resent the Lib Dems’ presence in the coalition and their influence over policy. On Thursday, after a campaign that has turned increasingly bitter as the Lib Dem hopes of a yes vote have faded, people will be asked whether they want to ditch the current first-past-the-post system – under which the candidate with most votes wins – in favour of the alternative vote (AV). Under AV, if no candidate receives more than 50% of the votes, the one with the least votes is eliminated and their second preferences are distributed among the rest. This process continues until one candidate has a clear majority. Cameron opposes change while the Lib Dems strongly back it, arguing that under AV any MP would have to have the support of at least half of the voters to be elected. The referendum was a central Lib Dem demand in coalition negotiations with the Tories following last year’s general election. Recent polls suggest, however, that the no campaign is ahead, although pollsters admit the result is difficult to call because turnout is expected to be low and many people remain undecided. In an interview with the Observer’ s chief political commentator, Andrew Rawnsley, Clegg accuses the no campaign, backed by Cameron, of spreading “ludicrous bilge” about AV with the deliberate intention of misleading the public. Blaming the prime minister and the chancellor, George Osborne, Clegg says that both men “became very worried that the right of the Conservative party would react very badly if AV wasn’t defeated and they basically decided to throw the kitchen sink at the referendum”. As comedian Eddie Izzard begins a three-day national tour to promote AV, the Labour leader, Ed Miliband, will also renew his call to voters to back AV. “I urge people who are making up their minds to vote for a system which will make for a more accountable House of Commons, fairer votes and a change in our political culture.” Miliband will argue that the Tories, having failed to gain a Commons majority last May, lack an “electoral mandate” for savage spending cuts and radical plans for the NHS, and will urge voters to reject them in Thursday’s council elections and polls for the devolved assemblies. “This week people are being given a chance to deliver a verdict on a year of a Conservative-led government and the willing participation of the Liberal Democrats within it,” the Labour leader will say in a speech on Monday. “Labour has changed as a party since the last election. There is further to go, but we are a party people are coming towards, not turning away from. Thursday is a chance for people to vote for what they value by electing Labour councillors, MSPs and Welsh assembly members.” The Yes to AV campaign will reveal figures on Sunday showing that MPs who enjoy jobs for life in “safe seats” delivered under first-past-the-post earn almost twice as much in outside earnings as those in more marginal seats. Huhne, Denham and Lucas also lump the Tories together with the British National party as opponents of AV. Liberal-Conservative coalition AV referendum Chris Huhne Caroline Lucas John Denham Liberal Democrats Conservatives Alternative vote Toby Helm guardian.co.uk
Continue reading …The duke is going back to work next week, so no honeymoon for now. Prince William and Kate Middleton—or the duke and duchess of Cambridge—flew off from London in a helicopter today for a private weekend somewhere in the UK, reports the Daily Mirror . But the couple won’t…
Continue reading …It was a “case of David versus Goliath,” as hospitals took on tobacco companies in Missouri, a hospital lawyer says—and Goliath won. A jury decided yesterday that tobacco companies aren’t liable for money spent on patients with tobacco-related illnesses who can’t pay their bills, reports the St. Louis Post-Dispatch…
Continue reading …It’s been a long time since the last human residents left Biosphere 2 but there’s still plenty of life inside the sealed terrarium in the Arizona desert, the AP finds. The 7.2-million-square-foot facility, set up 20 years ago to see whether humans could create self-sustaining space colonies, is now…
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Mosque in Deraa comes under fire as groups opposing President Assad call for army to lead transition to democracy The Syrian regime of Bashar al-Assad sent fresh troopson Saturday to pound the besieged southern city of Deraa, as a new opposition group appealed to the army to help the transition to democracy. Tanks and armoured personnel carriers entered the city and troops opened fire in streets close to the Omari mosque as Syria’s government continued to crush dissent in the city, which has been at the centre of the six-week uprising. Activists said that houses in the Karak district of the city were damaged by shelling which started at 5am local time on Saturday, the sixth day of a sustained siege on the city. “They are trying to break the will of the protesters and residents while also arresting any leaders,” said Rami Nakhle, a Beirut-based Syrian cyber-activist. Funerals were also taking place after human rights organisations said more than 70 people were confirmed dead in protests on Friday, bringing the total death toll to above 500. Elsewhere on Saturday five people were reported shot dead in the coastal city of Latakia while 11 of 50 women who protested in central Damascus were arrested. Meanwhile, reports of army defections continued to surface as witnesse s said many soldiers had fled service in Deraa, hiding in residents’ houses. This followed unconfirmed reports from the city last week of clashes between the 4th and 5th Brigades. The Observer could not independently confirm the reports, which have trickled out of the city since the start of the crackdown almost a month ago. Emboldened by the rumours, a group of protesters and activists have appealed to the army to take charge and ensure a transition to democracy. A group calling itself the National Initiative for Change issued a statement saying: “The best option is for the leadership of the regime to lead a transition to democracy. The only institution that has the capability to lead the transition period would be the military.” But most commentators believe calling on the army is wishful thinking. “We may see some splintering of the army, but it is impossible that the whole institution will change sides,” said one local analyst who asked not to be named. As President Assad fails to heed calls for reform, late on Friday the US froze the assets of three senior officials, including Maher, Bashar’s younger brother who heads the elite 4th Brigade. Maher is not believed to have many assets in the US. The new sanctions, already in force on other members, such as Assad’s cousin Rami Makhlouf, are not likely to have significant impact. Many more protesters would need to take to the streets to challenge the army’s might, a diplomat in the capital said: “They are using a lot of troops in Deraa. The regime can control the situation now, but if many more towns came out, the army may be stretched.” Reports out of Deraa paint a devastating picture as communications remain cut and supplies run low. Witnesses said surrounding villagers trying to provide food and medicine are being prevented from entering the city. Unconfirmed reports said six people had been killed yesterday, bringing the likely death toll to well over 100. Residents also reported that the son of Ahmed al-Sayasna, the imam of Omari mosque, a hub for the protesters, had been killed. Sayasna is in hiding, accused by the government of inciting protests. The EU is also preparing to freeze trade deals with Syria and put an embargo on the sale of weapons that might be used for internal repression. It has so far stopped short of the US move of freezing assets, but the EU foreign policy chief, Baroness Ashton, said in a statement that the 27-member bloc will “urgently consider further appropriate and targeted measures”. The move is the latest attempt to increase pressure following a special session of the UN Human Rights Council on Friday, which voted in favour of a resolution condemning the crackdown and endorsed a US-backed call for investigations. Syrian officials have rejected international moves as illegitimate interference as the government continues to insist it is fighting a war against gangs and Islamist terrorists. Syria’s ambassador to the UN in Geneva, Faisal al-Hamwi, described the council’s session as “an excuse to return to the days of colonialism”. Protesters have renewed calls for daily nationwide demonstrations to call for the breaking of the siege on Deraa and the Damascus suburb of Douma, where communications are also cut and houses have been raided. Katherine Marsh is the pseudonym for a journalist living in Damascus Syria Bashar Al-Assad Arab and Middle East unrest Middle East Katherine Marsh guardian.co.uk
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Mosque in Deraa comes under fire as groups opposing President Assad call for army to lead transition to democracy The Syrian regime of Bashar al-Assad sent fresh troopson Saturday to pound the besieged southern city of Deraa, as a new opposition group appealed to the army to help the transition to democracy. Tanks and armoured personnel carriers entered the city and troops opened fire in streets close to the Omari mosque as Syria’s government continued to crush dissent in the city, which has been at the centre of the six-week uprising. Activists said that houses in the Karak district of the city were damaged by shelling which started at 5am local time on Saturday, the sixth day of a sustained siege on the city. “They are trying to break the will of the protesters and residents while also arresting any leaders,” said Rami Nakhle, a Beirut-based Syrian cyber-activist. Funerals were also taking place after human rights organisations said more than 70 people were confirmed dead in protests on Friday, bringing the total death toll to above 500. Elsewhere on Saturday five people were reported shot dead in the coastal city of Latakia while 11 of 50 women who protested in central Damascus were arrested. Meanwhile, reports of army defections continued to surface as witnesse s said many soldiers had fled service in Deraa, hiding in residents’ houses. This followed unconfirmed reports from the city last week of clashes between the 4th and 5th Brigades. The Observer could not independently confirm the reports, which have trickled out of the city since the start of the crackdown almost a month ago. Emboldened by the rumours, a group of protesters and activists have appealed to the army to take charge and ensure a transition to democracy. A group calling itself the National Initiative for Change issued a statement saying: “The best option is for the leadership of the regime to lead a transition to democracy. The only institution that has the capability to lead the transition period would be the military.” But most commentators believe calling on the army is wishful thinking. “We may see some splintering of the army, but it is impossible that the whole institution will change sides,” said one local analyst who asked not to be named. As President Assad fails to heed calls for reform, late on Friday the US froze the assets of three senior officials, including Maher, Bashar’s younger brother who heads the elite 4th Brigade. Maher is not believed to have many assets in the US. The new sanctions, already in force on other members, such as Assad’s cousin Rami Makhlouf, are not likely to have significant impact. Many more protesters would need to take to the streets to challenge the army’s might, a diplomat in the capital said: “They are using a lot of troops in Deraa. The regime can control the situation now, but if many more towns came out, the army may be stretched.” Reports out of Deraa paint a devastating picture as communications remain cut and supplies run low. Witnesses said surrounding villagers trying to provide food and medicine are being prevented from entering the city. Unconfirmed reports said six people had been killed yesterday, bringing the likely death toll to well over 100. Residents also reported that the son of Ahmed al-Sayasna, the imam of Omari mosque, a hub for the protesters, had been killed. Sayasna is in hiding, accused by the government of inciting protests. The EU is also preparing to freeze trade deals with Syria and put an embargo on the sale of weapons that might be used for internal repression. It has so far stopped short of the US move of freezing assets, but the EU foreign policy chief, Baroness Ashton, said in a statement that the 27-member bloc will “urgently consider further appropriate and targeted measures”. The move is the latest attempt to increase pressure following a special session of the UN Human Rights Council on Friday, which voted in favour of a resolution condemning the crackdown and endorsed a US-backed call for investigations. Syrian officials have rejected international moves as illegitimate interference as the government continues to insist it is fighting a war against gangs and Islamist terrorists. Syria’s ambassador to the UN in Geneva, Faisal al-Hamwi, described the council’s session as “an excuse to return to the days of colonialism”. Protesters have renewed calls for daily nationwide demonstrations to call for the breaking of the siege on Deraa and the Damascus suburb of Douma, where communications are also cut and houses have been raided. Katherine Marsh is the pseudonym for a journalist living in Damascus Syria Bashar Al-Assad Arab and Middle East unrest Middle East Katherine Marsh guardian.co.uk
Continue reading …Mosque in Deraa comes under fire as groups opposing President Assad call for army to lead transition to democracy The Syrian regime of Bashar al-Assad sent fresh troopson Saturday to pound the besieged southern city of Deraa, as a new opposition group appealed to the army to help the transition to democracy. Tanks and armoured personnel carriers entered the city and troops opened fire in streets close to the Omari mosque as Syria’s government continued to crush dissent in the city, which has been at the centre of the six-week uprising. Activists said that houses in the Karak district of the city were damaged by shelling which started at 5am local time on Saturday, the sixth day of a sustained siege on the city. “They are trying to break the will of the protesters and residents while also arresting any leaders,” said Rami Nakhle, a Beirut-based Syrian cyber-activist. Funerals were also taking place after human rights organisations said more than 70 people were confirmed dead in protests on Friday, bringing the total death toll to above 500. Elsewhere on Saturday five people were reported shot dead in the coastal city of Latakia while 11 of 50 women who protested in central Damascus were arrested. Meanwhile, reports of army defections continued to surface as witnesse s said many soldiers had fled service in Deraa, hiding in residents’ houses. This followed unconfirmed reports from the city last week of clashes between the 4th and 5th Brigades. The Observer could not independently confirm the reports, which have trickled out of the city since the start of the crackdown almost a month ago. Emboldened by the rumours, a group of protesters and activists have appealed to the army to take charge and ensure a transition to democracy. A group calling itself the National Initiative for Change issued a statement saying: “The best option is for the leadership of the regime to lead a transition to democracy. The only institution that has the capability to lead the transition period would be the military.” But most commentators believe calling on the army is wishful thinking. “We may see some splintering of the army, but it is impossible that the whole institution will change sides,” said one local analyst who asked not to be named. As President Assad fails to heed calls for reform, late on Friday the US froze the assets of three senior officials, including Maher, Bashar’s younger brother who heads the elite 4th Brigade. Maher is not believed to have many assets in the US. The new sanctions, already in force on other members, such as Assad’s cousin Rami Makhlouf, are not likely to have significant impact. Many more protesters would need to take to the streets to challenge the army’s might, a diplomat in the capital said: “They are using a lot of troops in Deraa. The regime can control the situation now, but if many more towns came out, the army may be stretched.” Reports out of Deraa paint a devastating picture as communications remain cut and supplies run low. Witnesses said surrounding villagers trying to provide food and medicine are being prevented from entering the city. Unconfirmed reports said six people had been killed yesterday, bringing the likely death toll to well over 100. Residents also reported that the son of Ahmed al-Sayasna, the imam of Omari mosque, a hub for the protesters, had been killed. Sayasna is in hiding, accused by the government of inciting protests. The EU is also preparing to freeze trade deals with Syria and put an embargo on the sale of weapons that might be used for internal repression. It has so far stopped short of the US move of freezing assets, but the EU foreign policy chief, Baroness Ashton, said in a statement that the 27-member bloc will “urgently consider further appropriate and targeted measures”. The move is the latest attempt to increase pressure following a special session of the UN Human Rights Council on Friday, which voted in favour of a resolution condemning the crackdown and endorsed a US-backed call for investigations. Syrian officials have rejected international moves as illegitimate interference as the government continues to insist it is fighting a war against gangs and Islamist terrorists. Syria’s ambassador to the UN in Geneva, Faisal al-Hamwi, described the council’s session as “an excuse to return to the days of colonialism”. Protesters have renewed calls for daily nationwide demonstrations to call for the breaking of the siege on Deraa and the Damascus suburb of Douma, where communications are also cut and houses have been raided. Katherine Marsh is the pseudonym for a journalist living in Damascus Syria Bashar Al-Assad Arab and Middle East unrest Middle East Katherine Marsh guardian.co.uk
Continue reading …Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi called for a ceasefire and negotiations with NATO powers in a live speech on state TV early Saturday, just as NATO bombs struck a government complex in the Libyan capital. The targeted compound included the state television building and a Libyan official alleged the strikes were…
Continue reading …The NFL locked its players out again on Friday night after a legal victory in its battle with players over the future of the business, capping one of the most chaotic weeks in football history. An appeals court granted the league’s request to reinstate the lockout and issued a temporary…
Continue reading …Reports of snipers on roof and tanks moving into area after heavy shelling of restive city’s old quarter Syrian security forces have stormed a mosque in the opposition stronghold of Deraa after heavy shelling of the city’s old quarter, according to residents. One said snipers had taken up positions on the roof of the Omari mosque and that government forces appeared to be back in control for the first time since attacking the city earlier in the week. Tanks were reported to have moved into the area. Troops and heavy armoured vehicles first swept into Deraa on Monday. The city, in the south of the country, has become a focal point of the six-week uprising against President Bashar al-Assad. “Since dawn, we’ve been hearing a heavy exchange of gunfire that is echoing across the city and you do not know what’s happening,” Abu Tareq, a local man, told Reuters by phone. “I saw more than 15 tanks that had entered from the Damascus highway heading in the direction of the old city.” Another resident, Abu Ahmad, also told Reuters that tanks had stormed the old city: “It looks like they [the security forces] want to finish their campaign today. From the new tank deployments, it looks as though they are intensifying their operations.” On Friday, thousands of Syrians defied their government’s bloody attempts to suppress protest, braving gunfire to demonstrate in Damascus and at other locations around the country. Soldiers in Deraa are believed to have killed 19 people on Friday when they fired on protesters who were trying to enter the city from nearby villages in a show of solidarity. Syrian rights groups put Friday’s death toll at 62, pushing the number of deaths since the uprising began to more than 500. The British foreign minister, William Hague, has welcomed the EU’s decision to launch an arms embargo against Syria and to review all EU co-operation with the country “I am extremely concerned by ongoing violence and repression in Syria,” he said. “Yesterday, we once again saw a violent response to protests following Friday prayers, leading to the deaths of many innocent people. There are credible reports that over 500 people have been killed in recent weeks. The Syrian government has failed to heed repeated calls by the international community for restraint.” He also welcomed a resolution passed on Friday by the UN human rights council condemning Syria’s conduct and launching a fact-finding mission to investigate human rights abuses. Syria Arab and Middle East unrest Bashar Al-Assad Middle East Ben Quinn guardian.co.uk
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