Thousands demonstrate in Deraa as frustration mounts at Bashir al-Assad’s failure to deliver reforms Security forces fired shots and used teargas to disperse up to 4,000 protesters in the volatile Syrian city of Deraa on Monday as frustration mounted at the slow pace of promised reforms. Despite the widespread presence of security forces, protesters appeared to consolidate their positions in Deraa in the deep south and in the northern port city of Latakia, which are the two main fronts in the challenge to the Syrian regime. According to human rights activists, more than 150 people have been killed in 11 days of unrest, which have seen protesters calling for increased freedoms. Syria’s president, Bashar al-Assad, who has not been sighted during the protests, is expected to deliver a speech within days. The government has pledged to lift an almost five decade old emergency law, which – among other things – severely limits citizens’ rights to demonstrate. That and other reforms are yet to be implemented. A witness said demonstrators in Deraa had converged on a main square chanting “no to emergency laws”. Speaking on Lebanese Hezbollah’s al-Manar television, the vice-president, Farouq al-Sharaa, a reform-minded member of the government from Deraa, said president Bashar al-Assad would announce decisions that will “please the people” in the next 48 hours. On Sunday, Turkey’s prime minister, Recep Tayyip Ergdogan, said he had urged Assad to “listen to the voice of the people”, while US secretary of state Hillary Clinton said both parties in the US Congress believed Assad was a “reformer”. In the past few years, Turkey and Syria have enjoyed good relations, with Syria seeking Turkish support as a counterweight to US support for Israel. Syrian activists expressed anger at Clinton’s comments and a lack of trust that reforms would be introduced. The government has announced small reforms and pledges of bigger changes but so far no concrete proposals to enhance freedoms have been made. “There are so many conflicting messages,” said a civil rights activist in Damascus. “The government said there would not be violence any more and that there is a decision to lift emergency law, but they are still arresting so many people and blaming unrest on outside interference. They need to address the problems as they are and put solutions soon if they really want to rally unity.” Other activists said they did not believe any reforms would be made, while some claimed any reforms would not be enough. “Serious reforms won’t be made because they would involve sacrificing people in the narrow circle around Assad,” said Ziad Malki, a Syrian activist exiled in Switzerland. He pointed to Rami Makhlouf, the cousin of the president who has been a target of protesters’ ire over allegations that his interests have been acquired through corruption. “Bashar al-Assad could be a very nice person, but it doesn’t matter: we want a democratically elected president,” said Ausama Monajed, a Syrian activist in the UK who has been circulating a daily email of information on the continuing unrest. The differing views highlight the lack of clarity about the demands of the various protesters and activists. Political organising has been almost impossible in the country, causing many activists and opposition figures to go into exile. There is also confusion about those responsible for the deaths of protesters in Latakia on Friday and Saturday. The government claimed gangs carried out the violence but some activists said the gunmen were controlled by the government. Syria Middle East Arab and Middle East unrest Protest guardian.co.uk
Continue reading …How did the US Army’s self-proclaimed ” kill team ” get away with murdering unarmed Afghan civilians for so long, with little to no intervention by officers? That’s the question Hurt Locker screenwriter Mark Boal addresses in a lengthy Rolling Stone article on the murders and the cover-ups, in which no officers…
Continue reading …Rebel forces appeared to regain their momentum yesterday, capturing at least three important towns and two major oil refineries in a march that brought them just outside Gadhafi’s hometown of Sirte, the Washington Post and New York Times report. In Benghazi, rebels celebrated as rumors spread that Sirte had already…
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Uncertainty over upheaval in Middle East prompts deputy prime minister to head delegation of businesses and universities Nick Clegg is to push for stronger ties with Latin America as officials said events in the Middle East have made the region an unpredictable partner for the UK. The deputy prime minister will lead a delegation of British businessmen and the vice-chancellors of six universities to Mexico as he seeks to win international business for the UK’s university sector. Mexico is the world’s 14th largest economy but officials believe it will move up to seventh place before the end of the decade. Clegg is this week taking the lead in what has been described by officials as a “year-long charm offensive” and is visiting Mexico where he will address the country’s senate in Spanish. Diplomats said he will be the first UK politician to address the senate, despite not being a head of state, and will meet Mexican president Felipe Calderón. Clegg will extol the virtues of UK industries to Latin America and will promote the UK’s education sector, the funding of which dented his standing so badly when he went back on a pre-election promise not to raise university fees. The government believes its education industry is a British success story and hopes to promote it as one that should set up satellite operations abroad in countries such as Mexico. Clegg will be accompanied by the vice-chancellor of the university in his Sheffield constituency, as well as ones from Aberdeen, Strathclyde and Southampton. The universities minister, David Willetts, and foreign office minister, Jeremy Browne, will also go on the trip. Clegg leaves the UK for Latin America after his last attempt at making the trip was cancelled to enable him to stay and vote through the government’s plans for a referendum on the alternative vote. Foreign office officials have been trying to get him to go abroad, saying there is international interest in the coalition that was formed in the UK last May. There is also a debate within the Foreign Office over the strategic direction the UK should take in the light of the uprisings in the Middle East, with question marks raised about whether Britain can continue to rely on the region for trade. An official from the government’s trade promotion body, UK Trade & Investment, said: “One or two of our traditional markets are proving a tad more difficult so if we could get more from Latin America, [that would help].”This year William Hague will open more embassies in Latin America, and there will be an emphasis on “political economy” as the UK seeks to capitalise on its standing in Mexico where officials say it is respected for its role in international affairs. Mexico is said to have looked to the UK for diplomatic guidance during the negotiations surrounding the situation in Libya, as well as have an interest in how British politics works. Mexican politicians regularly watch prime minister’s questions. Writing in Mexican daily newspaper, Reforma, Clegg said: “Mexico and the UK are open societies. That is why I am here, leading a delegation of UK government ministers and top businesspeople to Mexico City. Ours are like-minded nations: plural, democratic and internationalist in spirit. We recognise that, in an increasingly interconnected world, our prosperity and security depend ever more on one another. And, in that world, such an affinity is not to be squandered.” Clegg will say it is odd that while there were deep bilateral relationships in the 19th century, when the UK helped Mexico build its infrastructure, now the UK and Mexico don’t trade intensively – the UK is the fifth-largest trading nation in the world while Mexico is the “trade star” of Latin America. “The World Bank has declared Mexico the easiest Latin American nation within which to do business. In Europe, the OECD has said the same about the UK. Yet the UK makes up less than 1% of Mexico’s imports. We have allowed ourselves to be overtaken by our competitors – Germany, Spain, the Netherlands too. Brazil’s exports to the UK are now more than double Mexico’s. These are missed opportunities we should not be willing to accept.” His trip will see new targets set for bilateral trade and the creation of a top-level forum of businessmen from both countries. “And this isn’t just about trade. There is a great deal we can learn from each other in order to generate lasting prosperity for our nations. During the recent economic crisis, for example, Mexican banks were better capitalised than their British counterparts. Having learnt from the Tequila Crisis of the 1990s, Mexico demonstrated great resilience in the face of global recession. As we look to reform our banking sector at home, there are important parallels we can draw. Clegg will also meet US vice-president Joe Biden in Washington on Wednesday. International trade Nick Clegg Mexico University funding Allegra Stratton guardian.co.uk
Continue reading …Uncertainty over upheaval in Middle East prompts deputy prime minister to head delegation of businesses and universities Nick Clegg is to push for stronger ties with Latin America as officials said events in the Middle East have made the region an unpredictable partner for the UK. The deputy prime minister will lead a delegation of British businessmen and the vice-chancellors of six universities to Mexico as he seeks to win international business for the UK’s university sector. Mexico is the world’s 14th largest economy but officials believe it will move up to seventh place before the end of the decade. Clegg is this week taking the lead in what has been described by officials as a “year-long charm offensive” and is visiting Mexico where he will address the country’s senate in Spanish. Diplomats said he will be the first UK politician to address the senate, despite not being a head of state, and will meet Mexican president Felipe Calderón. Clegg will extol the virtues of UK industries to Latin America and will promote the UK’s education sector, the funding of which dented his standing so badly when he went back on a pre-election promise not to raise university fees. The government believes its education industry is a British success story and hopes to promote it as one that should set up satellite operations abroad in countries such as Mexico. Clegg will be accompanied by the vice-chancellor of the university in his Sheffield constituency, as well as ones from Aberdeen, Strathclyde and Southampton. The universities minister, David Willetts, and foreign office minister, Jeremy Browne, will also go on the trip. Clegg leaves the UK for Latin America after his last attempt at making the trip was cancelled to enable him to stay and vote through the government’s plans for a referendum on the alternative vote. Foreign office officials have been trying to get him to go abroad, saying there is international interest in the coalition that was formed in the UK last May. There is also a debate within the Foreign Office over the strategic direction the UK should take in the light of the uprisings in the Middle East, with question marks raised about whether Britain can continue to rely on the region for trade. An official from the government’s trade promotion body, UK Trade & Investment, said: “One or two of our traditional markets are proving a tad more difficult so if we could get more from Latin America, [that would help].”This year William Hague will open more embassies in Latin America, and there will be an emphasis on “political economy” as the UK seeks to capitalise on its standing in Mexico where officials say it is respected for its role in international affairs. Mexico is said to have looked to the UK for diplomatic guidance during the negotiations surrounding the situation in Libya, as well as have an interest in how British politics works. Mexican politicians regularly watch prime minister’s questions. Writing in Mexican daily newspaper, Reforma, Clegg said: “Mexico and the UK are open societies. That is why I am here, leading a delegation of UK government ministers and top businesspeople to Mexico City. Ours are like-minded nations: plural, democratic and internationalist in spirit. We recognise that, in an increasingly interconnected world, our prosperity and security depend ever more on one another. And, in that world, such an affinity is not to be squandered.” Clegg will say it is odd that while there were deep bilateral relationships in the 19th century, when the UK helped Mexico build its infrastructure, now the UK and Mexico don’t trade intensively – the UK is the fifth-largest trading nation in the world while Mexico is the “trade star” of Latin America. “The World Bank has declared Mexico the easiest Latin American nation within which to do business. In Europe, the OECD has said the same about the UK. Yet the UK makes up less than 1% of Mexico’s imports. We have allowed ourselves to be overtaken by our competitors – Germany, Spain, the Netherlands too. Brazil’s exports to the UK are now more than double Mexico’s. These are missed opportunities we should not be willing to accept.” His trip will see new targets set for bilateral trade and the creation of a top-level forum of businessmen from both countries. “And this isn’t just about trade. There is a great deal we can learn from each other in order to generate lasting prosperity for our nations. During the recent economic crisis, for example, Mexican banks were better capitalised than their British counterparts. Having learnt from the Tequila Crisis of the 1990s, Mexico demonstrated great resilience in the face of global recession. As we look to reform our banking sector at home, there are important parallels we can draw. Clegg will also meet US vice-president Joe Biden in Washington on Wednesday. International trade Nick Clegg Mexico University funding Allegra Stratton guardian.co.uk
Continue reading …Last year, Americans voted in a wave of governors who vowed to cut spending—but now that leaders are actually doing so, their constituents seem to be having second thoughts. One poll finds just 30% approve of the performance of GOP Ohio Gov. John Kasich, who earlier this month outlined…
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UK Uncut activists say Met promised to show Fortnum & Mason protesters to safety – and then arrested them Campaigners for the tax-avoidance protest group UK Uncut have claimed senior police officers “tricked” them into a mass arrest after a peaceful protest inside Fortnum & Mason’s in London on Saturday. Activists say they were given repeated assurances by a chief inspector from the Metropolitan police that they would be shown to safety after the protest, which she described as non-violent and sensible. However, when protesters left the luxury Piccadilly store on police instruction, they were kettled, handcuffed and taken into custody. Their claims are backed up by footage, obtained by the Guardian , showing that, rather than being asked to leave, the protesters inside the luxury food retailer were told they were being kept inside for their own safety. In the video, shot by observers for the legal volunteer group Green & Black Cross, a police officer can be seen telling protesters they would be directed towards “the safest parts” once they had left the building. In all, 201 arrests were made during protests in London on Saturday, at which shops, banks and hotels were attacked by demonstrators who had broken away from the main, union-organised march down Whitehall to Hyde Park. A total of 149 people have been charged with offences, including 138 charged with aggravated trespass in connection with the Fortnum & Mason protest. The video also shows the officer agreeing with protesters that a breach of the peace had occurred outside the store, but not inside, and that Uncut protesters were being held inside so they did not become “wrapped up” in that disorder. “As people leave, they’re going to be asked to go left,” she can be heard telling protesters. “They’re just going into a safe environment because there’s some disorder [outside] … so we’re trying to keep it sterile, safe, so people can get away to the tube station. “People here are non-violent. It’s sensible – we don’t want them getting involved in stuff that makes it difficult for them,” adds the police officer in the footage. Another officer also assured the protesters no one would be kettled if they left the building. A spokesman for the Metropolitan police said it would be inappropriate to discuss the matter while proceedings are active. One Uncut activist, Jack Winstanley, who was held in a cell in Plaistow for 17 hours, said: “I feel totally betrayed by the police. They communicated the message fairly clear that we’d be released. And our protest had been totally peaceful. We then walked out into a kettle with police with riot helmets on. Not only could we not get home, we got arrested one by one.” Winstanley, a 26-year-old graphic designer from Brighton, said the Fortnum protest had been just like other UK Uncut protests. “It was creative and fun and exciting. There was a bit of cheering [and] whooping when people put up banners, and then things settled down and people were reading books and chatting and some people were talking to the staff about why we were there.” Several of those arrested said they had clothes and phones removed to be used as evidence. Another Uncut activist, who was arrested for 20 hours and preferred to be known only as Jim, said: “There was this policewoman, and she spoke to the legal observers and said that all we had to do is turn left and we’d be free to go. “But when we got out, they began arresting us. People in the crowd told a second female officer: ‘You’ve lied to us. You said we could leave and now you’re arresting everyone.’ She replied: ‘Yes, you’re free to leave – to the police station. You’re going to be arrested.’” “Because we were at a peaceful protest, which had been the same as all UK Uncut actions to date, it really shocked me that they would arrest all 150 protesters. I feel tricked. Perhaps I shouldn’t expect the police to tell me the truth,” he said. Also in the video is a 24-year-old female legal observer Jules Martin, who says customers in Fortnum & Mason are able to go about their business. Afterwards, she said: “The protesters never interfered with customers who wanted to browse. According to my notes, the cafe at the back was still open with waiters still moving about until after 5pm.” UK Uncut London Protest Police Shiv Malik guardian.co.uk
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Detectives checking dental records after recovering human remains from field in Oxfordshire Detectives investigating the murder of Sian O’Callaghan are hoping to identify a second body found as part of the inquiry. They are checking dental records to find a match with remains of a young woman found in a farmer’s field in Oxfordshire. If the records do not help, officers will try to obtain a sample of DNA from the bones, a process that could take several weeks. Meanwhile, taxi driver Chris Halliwell remains behind bars on remand after appearing before Swindon magistrates charged with O’Callaghan’s murder. Halliwell faced an angry crowd inside and outside court that shouted insults and threats. Just before the hearing, the venue was switched to different courtroom so that Halliwell could be held in a dock with a roof on it, amid concern that missiles could be thrown. A packed public gallery was warned not to disrupt the hearing by the chair of the bench, Angus MacPherson. But as Halliwell was led from the dock, insults were hurled at him and one person shouted: “If we ever get hold of you we will kill you.” Outside, about 100 people had gathered. One man shouted: “Judge, give him bail. We will look after him.” Another yelled: “There is £150,000 on your head.” As the police van containing Halliwell was driven away, five or six onlookers banged on the side of the vehicle and chased it down the street. Halliwell, 47, wore a dark suit and striped shirt for his three-minute appearance. He spoke only to confirm his name, address, age and the identity of his lawyer. The clerk of the court said Halliwell was charged with murdering O’Callaghan between 18 and 25 March. He clasped his hands in front of him as the court head that a routine bail hearing will take place on Wednesday. O’Callaghan’s father, Mick O’Callaghan, later paid tribute to a “bright, bubbly, caring and friendly” daughter. Speaking in public for the first time since her body was found near a roadside in Oxfordshire, he described the family’s pain as “raw and overwhelming”. Sitting with Sian’s older brother, Liam, he said he was speaking for the whole family, including his wife Elaine and Sian’s partner, Kevin Reape. “As a family we wanted to express a few words about our beautiful daughter, a wonderful sister to Liam, Lora and Aiden and loving girlfriend to Kevin,” he said. “Sian was a bubbly, friendly, caring and loving girl. She was instantly likable, beautiful and considerate. “Although our pain at this time is raw and overwhelming, our memories of Sian will be a comfort to us in the dark days ahead.” He thanked the police, family, friends, the media and residents of Swindon for their help and support. “We would also like to thank the community in Swindon for their overwhelming kindness and support,” he said. “The sheer numbers of people involved in the searches, the vigils, flowers, lantern lighting and murals to Sian are incredibly touching and beautiful. Thank you.” O’Callaghan, a 22-year-old office administrator, disappeared in the early hours of Saturday 19 March after a night out with friends at the Suju nightclub in Swindon. Her body was found close to the Uffington White Horse in Oxfordshire, about 12 miles east of the town, on Thursday. Police are appealing again for information from people who saw anything in the Ramsbury area, near Marlborough, 12 miles south of Swindon, from 3am on Saturday – the night she went missing. The work to identify the second body found near the village of Eastleach in Gloucestershire, 15 miles north of Swindon, is continuing. The remains, believed to be those of a woman aged between 23 and 30, were discovered on Saturday and police believe she disappeared between 2003 and 2005. A police source said officers are checking dental records to try to establish her identity. If they can find a match they may know the identity today. If not the process could be a much longer one. Crime Police Steven Morris guardian.co.uk
Continue reading …The name Harry Wesley Coover Jr., who died Saturday at the age of 94, might not ring a bell, but you’ve almost certainly heard of his most famous invention: Super Glue. Coover first stumbled upon the adhesive (formal name: cyanoacrylates) while working on clear plastic gun-sights during World War II;…
Continue reading …As his legal troubles drag on, Silvio Berlusconi is weighing in: In a rare move, he showed up at a Milan hearing today in his tax fraud case, the AP reports. When asked if he would attend other hearings as well, Berlusconi said, “I will go to those when I…
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