All Trends

Normalization Efforts in Egypt

2012-02-18T06:16:00.000-08:00

The efforts made to Egypt normal again have suffered many setbacks after a two-week violent anti-government protests.

Banks have been opened again while schools and stock exchanges are still closed. Recently, a government building has been prevented from opening by angry protesters. Protesters are still on the streets and in the Tahrir Square and they wow that they can only leave after Hosni Mubarak resigns.

Even some of the protesters spend the night under the army vehicles. The army has been ordered not to use any kind of force against the public. The talks between the opposition and government was no useful to calm down the protesters. Many concessions were offered by the government, but opposition side did not find them enough. Last week, Obama also asked for a transition in Egypt.

Essam Sharaf Visits Tahrir Square

2012-02-18T06:15:00.003-08:00

Egypt’s new PM-designate Essam Sharaf told thousands of protesters on the Tahrir Square and he told them that he would do his best to meet all the expectations of his citizens. Essam Sharaf, the former Minister of Transportation, was appointed by the military forces on Thursday.

At the beginning of his speech, he saluted the martrys of the countr’s revolution. He told the crowd he had come “to draw legitimacy” from them. He was escorted by the police force. All along his speech, he was chhered up by the protesters and he was carried by the protesters on their shoulders.

“I am here to draw my legitimacy from you. You are the ones to whom legitimacy belongs. I have been entrusted with a heavy mission and need patience, will and resolve,” Sharaf said.

Saleh Asks: Are You the President of the World?

2012-02-18T06:15:00.001-08:00

As Barack Obama accused the Arab leaders of their insensitivity and their responses and attititudes towards the regional unrest, Yemen’s President Ali Abdullah Saleh criticised Obama and asked him whether he was the president of the world.
Saleh was against the demands of the Washington that leaders should show restraint in handling the protests and demonstrations in the country.

“Every day we hear a statement from Obama saying ‘Egypt you can’t do this, Tunisia don’t do that’,”

“What do you have to do with Egypt? Or with Oman? … Are you president of the United States, or president of the world?”

On the other hand, Saleh is trying to form a unity government on Monday. But, it was rejected by the opposition.

“I will satisfy all of their demands, so far as it is within the power and capability of the state to do so,” he said.

A Facebook Friendly Toolbar By Bing

2012-02-18T06:14:00.001-08:00

Another toolbar by Microsoft has been released recently. Bing Bar 7 has been linked with Facebook. Microsoft thinks that it can do much more better with the new Bing toolbar. Bing Bar 7 works only with Internet Explorer.

The new Bing Bar 7 brings many applications on top of your browser. Especially, a Facebook application has been placed there. So, just a simple click will get you to your Facebook profile. You can easily check your Facebook feed. You can see your news feed and friend requests. The new Bing Bar 7 also allows you to check the news, financial information, weather condition and many more.
It is also possible to odd the applets that you do not want to use. So, you can add the necessary applets for yourself and use them as you like. And right in the middle of the toolbar is the Bing search field.

Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh: I will quit in 2013′

2012-02-18T06:11:00.003-08:00

Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh said that he will not extend his presidency as his term is to finish in 2013. Mr. Saleh has benn in power for thirty years.
For the first time, he came to power in 1978 as the President of North Yemen. While speaking in the parliament and consultative council, he said his plans regarding of moving aside. He was also focus of the protests and he spoke ahead of the civil society organized protests. What Yemen suffers is the 40% unemployment rate, high inflation, increasing food prices and high levels of malnutrition.

Emma Bunton Engaged to Jade Jones Emma Bunton Engaged to Jade Jones

2012-02-18T06:11:00.001-08:00

Jade Jones and his long-term girlfriend Emma Bunton have got engaged. The former Baby Spice announced it on Dancing on Ice program. Emma said : “I am a very happy lady.” Emma and Jade have been together for 12 years.In 2007, they had their first son, Beau

PKK Kills 13 Turkish Soldiers

2012-02-18T06:10:00.004-08:00

The outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) killed 13 soldiers and wounded seven others in a clash that marked the most violent attack since PKK ended a cease-fire in February.

The Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan immediately called a meeting in Ankara with army and intelligence chiefs. He also had meetings with interior minister İdris Naim Sahin and the head of the paramilitary gendarmerie.
Erdoğan and Chief of General Staff Işık Koşaner put off their programs to attend a meeting with National Intelligence Organization (MİT) head Hakan Fidan at the Prime Ministry to deal with the latest deadly attack.
The government dispatched deputy Prime Minister Bekir Bozdağ and Interior Minister İdris Naim Şahin to Diyarbakır to investigate the incident in detail. The ministers will travel to Diyarbakır on Friday.
It was reported that two of the wounded soldiers are in critical condition.

World’s Newest Nation: South Sudan

2012-02-18T06:10:00.002-08:00

South Sudan became the world’s newest nation early Saturday. It officially broke away from Sudan after two civil wars over five decades that killed more than two million people.

Residents of the new nation – the Republic of South Sudan – danced in the streets and chanted the name of the world’s newest president, Salva Kiir.South Sudan became independendent at 12:01 a.m. Saturday, the culmination of a January independence vote guaranteed in a 2005 peace deal that ended the most recent north-south war. Saturday’s early morning celebrations were joyful for the freedom gained but tinged with the memories of family members lost. Chol Allen, a 32-year-old minister, escaped Sudan in 2003 and finally settled in Memphis, Tennessee. He returned to Juba two months ago for the midnight party, though he plans to go back to the US. “I came here for this moment,” he said. “We were all born into war. All of us,” he said while pointing at a crowded pick-up truck of youngsters. “This generation will see the hope of the newborn nation.” Later Saturday, world leaders will attend a celebratory ceremony. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon already has arrived in South Sudan. Former US Secretary of State Colin Powell is also expected attend, as will Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir, whose country already has recognized South Sudan.

Housing Construction Approved in Gaza

2012-02-18T06:10:00.000-08:00

In the Gaza Strip, the new housing construction has been approved by Israel military authorities. Since many years, this is the largest housing project to be done in the area.

The Israel military authorities have declared that they have approved the building of 1.200 houses. In addition to these 1.200 houses, they also approved the building of 18 schools.

Most of the border crossings into the Gaza is controlled by ısrael forces. Israel has banned the entrance of construction materials into the Gaza since the year of 2007, when Hamas militants seized the control of the area. Israel is worried that these construction materials could be used by Hamas militants for military purposes against Israel.

Roadside bomb kills 13 Afghan civilians

2012-02-18T06:09:00.003-08:00

Thirteen Afghan civilians, including children, were killed and thirty three civilians wounded as their passenger bus was hit by a roadside bomb on Thursday in west of Afghanistan, police said on Friday.

The bomb in Khash Rod district of western Nimroz province is said to have been planted by the Taliban, according to provincial police chief Abdul Jabar Purdeli. In the year of 2010, violence throughout Afghanistan hit its worst levels since the Taliban were toppled by U.S.-backed Afghan forces in late 2001. Military deaths hit record levels in 2010.

Freed French Hostages Back Again Freed French Hostages Back Again

2012-02-18T06:09:00.001-08:00

On Thursday, two French journalists held for 547 days in Afghanistan arrived home back again, stepping into the arms of relatives and friends after they landed at an airbase near Paris.

“This is the moment that we had dreamed about, imagined, fantasized about,” said Herve Ghesquiere, one of the two journalists for France 3 Television.
They said that they had been optimistic they would be freed throughout their ordeal.
Ghesquiere, co-worker Stephane Taponier and their interpreter Reza Din were captured on December 30, 2009 and they were held for 547 days.

Egyptians Yearn for Reforms

2012-02-18T06:08:00.005-08:00

Hundreds of thousands of Egyptian people are gathering together for rallies to ask for just for the victims of the former totalitaran regime. All they demand is a clear plan of the transition to democracy.

The epicenter of the uprising, Tahrir Square, welcomes thousands of Egyptian people.
“Retribution from the killers of the martyrs,” said one of the protesters. And he added that nothing has changed since the fall of Hosni Mubarak.

Senior Haqqani Militant Killed in Afghanistan Senior Haqqani Militant Killed in Afghanistan Senior Haqqani Militant Killed in Afghanistan

2012-02-18T06:08:00.003-08:00

Nato forces in Afghanistan say they have killed a senior militant in relation with the involvement in the attack on the Intercontinental Hotel in Kabul.

Ismail Jan died in an air strike in the eastern province of Paktia on Wednesday, the alliance said.
According to the reports, he is one of the top commanders in the Haqqani network, which is linked to the Taliban and al-Qaeda.
Nato and Afghan intelligence believe that Haqqani members helped in the organization of the hotel attack, which left 22 people dead.

12 more Protesters Jailed in Oman

2012-02-18T06:08:00.001-08:00

An Omani court jailed 12 more protesters from the city of Sohar for up to three and a half years, a local newspaper said on Wednesday, bringing the total number of people sentenced for taking part in the unrest to 80.

The usually tranquil Gulf Arab sultanate was hit by months of protests in February, following uprisings that toppled rulers in Egypt and Tunisia. Omanis, however, focused their demands on higher salaries, many more jobs and an end to graft rather than a change of government. The court sentenced two of the protesters to three and half years in jail for “producing explosives and throwing them at security forces” . Five other people were sentenced to two and half years and the rest to one year. Last month the public prosecutor said 13 protesters were given prison sentences of up to five years for protesting in Sohar.

Assad is to resign on Tuesday

2012-02-17T16:12:00.001-08:00

On Tuesday, the Syrian leader Bashar Assad is planning to resign, as reported in the Syrian state television. An announcement on television said that President Assad accepts the government’s resignation.
This decision was taken after the two weeks long heavy democracy protests that prevailed all the country.

Today, Bashar Assad was expected to address the nation in a speech which may include a decision to do away with emergency laws. It is the first time that Assad has been facing the gravest challenge to his 11-year rule after protests in the south spread to many parts of the country.

At first, protesters wanted more freedom, but later on they demanded the downfall of the regime and resignation of the government. The calls echo those during the uprisings that toppled the leaders of Tunisia and Egypt and also have motivated the rebels fighting Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi.

On the other hand, all gatherings and demonstrations are banned in Syria, other than those sponsored by the government.

Taliban vows attacks on West

2012-02-17T16:11:00.004-08:00

Pakistan’s Taliban, a close ally of al-Qaeda, vows to carry out a series of attacks against American, British and French targets to avenge the death of Osama bin Laden.

“Soon, you will see attacks against America and NATO countries, and our first priorities in Europe will be France and Britain,” deputy Pakistani Taliban leader Wali-ur-Rehman said in a videotape.
“We selected 10 targets to avenge the death of bin Laden,” added he.

Sudan President Visits China After 1 Day Delay

2012-02-17T16:11:00.002-08:00

Sudan’s president Omar al-Bashir arrived in Beijing for talks with Chinese officials on Tuesday, a day after his plane was forced to turn back over Turkmenistan due to flight itinerary problems.

China is a major economic partner for Sudan, and Beijing extended the invitation to Sudan President in spite of an international warrant accusing him of war crimes.

Sudan’s Foreign Ministry said President’s flight from the Iranian capital Tehran was delayed. The delay forced the rescheduling of a meeting with Chinese President Hu Jintao.
The reasons behind the delay was not clearly explained, but apparently there was confusion over the flight plan .

Al-Bashir is wanted by the International Criminal Court for allegedly orchestrating atrocities in Sudan’s Darfur region on the first such warrant against a sitting head of state. But, the Sudanese leader rejects the charges, and China, which has major oil investments in Sudan, has expressed concerns the indictment of al-Bashir could further destabilize the region.

UN: At least 121 women raped in Congo

2012-02-17T16:11:00.000-08:00

United Nations human rights investigators have confirmed that at least one hundred and twenty one women were raped by Congolese troops who attacked and looted villages in the lawless east last month, a UN spokesman said on Friday.

Those large-scale rapes were reported to the team in interviews with victims, police and medical staff, he said. “(UN human rights staff) in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has confirmed that mass rape, pillaging, and cruel and degrading treatment were committed in Nakiele, by soldiers of the armed forces,” spokesman Rupert Colville told a news briefing. Referring to the interviews, he also added: “According to their statements, those soldiers raped 121 women, stole 157 goats and looted other goods including some $90,000 in cash and gold.” A spokesman for Congo’s government has said that Colonel Kifaru Niragiye may have been behind the rapes after he and around 100 men deserted from a training camp where they were due to be integrated into the army. The UN refugee agency said on June 24 that up to 170 women had been raped — the largest reported mass rape in the turbulent central African country in nearly a year.

International Criminal Court issues arrest warrant for Gaddafi

2012-02-17T16:10:00.005-08:00

On Monday, the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for Libyan leader Colonel Muammar Gaddafi, and rebels trying to oust him said their forces had advanced to within 80 kilometers area (50 miles) of the capital Tripoli.

The court also approved the arressts of his son Saif al-Islam and Libyan intelligence chief Abdullah al-Senussi. The International Criminal Court prosecutors allege they were involved in the killing of protesters who rose up in February against Gaddafi’s 41-year rule.
Gaddafi has “absolute, ultimate and unquestioned control” over Libya’s state apparatus and its security forces, presiding judge Sanji Mmasenono Monageng said in reading out the ruling.
On the other hand, Gaddafi’s government denies targeting civilians, accusing NATO jets staging air strikes on behalf of rebels of doing so.

Turkey’s Democracy Model for Middle East

2012-02-17T16:10:00.003-08:00

US Ambassador to Turkey Francis J. Ricciardone has said, referring to events in the Middle East, that the US considers Turkey’s democracy a model as part of American policy to promote democracy in every part of the world.

“Everyone can take lessons from Turkey’s experience,” Ricciardone told reporters in Turkish ahead of a US Independence Day reception in the south part of Turkey.
When asked about the unrest in Syria, Ricciardone said the US is acting hand-in-hand with the Turkish government on this issue and urged the Syrian officials and authorities to make serious reforms.
“Syria’s case is different from that of Libya, Egypt, Iraq and Iran. Everybody, each community, needs to finds its own path to democracy. We will support them if those communities, those states, choose that path,” he also added

Bomb at Iraq’s Governor House

2012-02-17T16:10:00.001-08:00

Officials have declared that 21 people were killed on Tuesday as a car bomb exploded outside a local governor’s house in central Iraq’s Diwaniya city, the latest attack on a provincial government building.

“A car bomb targeted one of the entrances to the governor’s house and the initial death toll is 21 killed at a guard’s checkpoint,” said Fadhel Mawat, a spokesman for the provincial council.

A source at a hospital in the city Diwaniya, 150 km (95 miles) south of Baghdad, said at least 20 people had been killed and more than 30 wounded in the attack.

Plane Crashes in Northern Afghanistan

2012-02-17T16:09:00.001-08:00

A cargo aircraft chartered by foreign military troops crashed in northern Afghanistan on Tuesday, but it was not immediately clear if there were any casualties, Afghan provincial officials said on Wednesday.

The plane was not an aircraft belonging to the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force, a spokesman for this force said. Abdul Baseer Salangi, the provincial governor of Parwan, said a cargo aircraft chartered by foreign troops had crashed in a mountainous area of Siagerd district.

“There was a big explosion when the aircraft hit the mountains late last night,” Abdul Haleem, the district chief of Siagerd, said.

Sarkozy: One Millon Troops to Leave Afghanistan

2012-02-17T16:08:00.003-08:00

French President Nicolas Sarkozy said on Tuesday that France will pull out 1,000 troops from Afghanistan by the beginning of 2013, as it speeds up its withdrawal with the USA.

Sarkozy, on an unannounced five-hour visit to meet Afghan President Hamid Karzai, said rest of the soldiers would be based in Kapisa province. France has approximately four thousands soldiers in Afghanistan. “We will pull out a quarter of our contingent, which is about 1,000 soldiers, between now and the end of 2012,” Sarkozy said in a speech to French troops at a base near Kabul. Sarkozy’s visit followed a trip by U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta at the weekend and comes after the United States and France said in June that they would pull soldiers out earlier than expected from the nearly decade-old military campaign against Taliban insurgents.

Police fire teargas at protesting youths in Egypt Police fire teargas at protesting youths in Egypt

2012-02-17T16:08:00.001-08:00

On Wednesday, many Egyptian young people came together in Cairo’s central Tahrir Square. They threw stones and demanded that trials of former senior officials proceed more swiftly. The Egyptian police forces fired teargas at those protesting youths.

Clashes broke out late on Tuesday in a nearby place of Cairo where families of some of the more than 800 people killed in the uprising that led to Hosni Mubarak’s overthrow in February had gathered to honour those killed ones.
“The people are angry that the court cases against top officials keep getting delayed,” Ahmed Abdel Hamid, 26, a bakery employee, said at the scene. He clutched stones in his hands.
“We want the fall of the regime,” some people chanted in the Tahrir Square.

14 Libyan Diplomats Out of France

2012-02-17T16:06:00.005-08:00

On Friday, France ordered 14 Libyan diplomats to leave France within 48 hours. The 14 “ex-diplomats” worked for Libya’s embassy before it was closed a month ago.

As known, France has recognized Libya’s opposition movement, and has been a major supporter and backer of a NATO-led military mission aimed to protect civilians from an onslaught by Gaddafi’s forces.