Reporter Buzz

ip_database.php

2012-10-17T01:50:00.002-07:00

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South Africa: research shootings Marikana mine begins

2012-10-01T02:11:00.003-07:00

BBC (Image)

A judicial commission of inquiry into the fatal shootings August 34 striking miners in the mine Marikana has opened.

The survey was created by South African President Jacob Zuma.

The investigation will determine the roles played by the police, the administration of platinum mine, Lonmin, unions and government.

Also be seen in the death of 10 workers in the other months before the day of the massacre on 16 August.
The commission, which consists of a three-member panel, headed by former Supreme Court of Appeals Judge Ian Farlam, is expected to complete its review within four months.

video evidenceMust submit its final report within one month of completing their investigation.

A total of 46 people died in violent protests that took place during the weeks of unrest in the platinum mine. However, only 44 deaths are investigating two deaths that are beyond the scope of the investigation.

The 16 August killings were the deadliest police action since the end of apartheid in 1994.

The trial was held in the Civic Centre Rustenburg, near the site of the shooting and 62 miles (100 km) northwest of Johannesburg.

There are plans to install giant screens Marikana near the scene of the shooting, to allow family and friends to follow the proceedings closely.

BBC's Milton Nkosi in Johannesburg, says that the video footage of police shooting at striking miners, who shocked the world, can be used as evidence during the hearing.

Last month, the striking miners in the mine Marikana agreed to return to work after accepting a pay rise of up to 22%.

But tens of thousands of miners others have refused to work in a wave of strikes throughout southern Africa since the violence at the mine.The case against the doctors has drawn international condemnation and has been seen as a test of the government's commitment to reform.

Bahrain court rejects appeal of physicians

2012-10-01T02:09:00.002-07:00

BBC (Images)

Bahrain's highest court has upheld the prison sentences given to nine doctors for their alleged involvement in pro-democracy protests last year, officials said.

The Court of Cassation dismissed an appeal against their convictions for public incitement to hatred and contempt and participating in illegal gatherings.

Dr. Ali al-ekri was sentenced to five years and eight others received between one and three years.
Nine more doctors had their convictions overturned in June and two are hiding.

The case against the doctors has drawn international condemnation and has been seen as a test of the government's commitment to reform.

Injured Nadal vows only to return when fully fit

2012-10-01T02:06:00.002-07:00

Rafael Nadal said in an interview published Tuesday that he has not picked up a racket since Wimbledon limping for almost three months and return to competition once he is fully fit.

"I'm in no condition to go to the court at the time. I have not touched a racket, but I'm working hard every day," he was quoted as saying in an interview with four European newspapers, including French sports daily L 'Equipe.

Nadal has been on the bench after his shock second round exit at Wimbledon to unheralded Czech player Lukas Rosol in late June and has been receiving treatment for a torn tendon in his left knee.

The 26-year-old, whose injury has led him to miss the London Olympics, the Masters Series events in Toronto and Cincinnati and the U.S. Open, said he has been swimming every day for keep fit and is also working in the gym.

On September 5, Spanish Tennis Federation doctor Angel Ruiz-Cotorro discarded surgery, raising hopes that it might make a change last Davis Cup in Spain against the Czech Republic in November.

But Nadal seemed to pour cold water on a quick return when asked when he would be seen later on the court, told reporters: "I do not know.

"The situation is very clear in my mind. First I have to take care of myself completely and return to full fitness before deciding when and where to play again.'ll Just come back when I'm 100 percent.

"I never want to pitch again with permanent doubts about my fitness."

Nadal, the former world number one, has had repeated injury layoffs in recent years due to knee problems, which have much of the tension in his very physical style of play.

The player said he was approaching his recovery in stride but admitted there were "difficult times", including missing the Olympics and the honor of carrying the flag of Spain in the opening ceremony.

"I was very, very low for a couple of weeks. Losing a Grand Slam is tough, but it occurs every four years. I hope with all my heart to be in the Games in Rio (2016). That's one of my goals, "he added.

Merkel warns against hasty action amid euro worries

2012-10-01T01:58:00.002-07:00

German customers crowd in front of a shop offering its summer sales in Berlin. Chancellor Angela Merkel has warned the eurozone should not rush headlong into a banking union, amid signs Germany is being sucked into the abyss and fresh worries over Greece and Spain.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel has warned the eurozone should not rush headlong into a banking union, amid signs Germany is being sucked into the abyss and fresh worries over Greece and Spain.

International Monetary Fund Managing Director Christine Lagarde has warned that delays in implementing Greece's bailout programme, including privatisations, had increased the country'sfinancing shortfall.
Tue, Sep 25 2012 CDT
by Richard Carter
BERLIN (AFP)
Chancellor Angela Merkel warned on Tuesday the eurozone should not rush headlong into a banking union, amid signs Germany is being sucked into the abyss and fresh worries over Greece and Spain.
Speaking at a conference in Berlin, Merkel rebuffed demands -- notably from the European Commission and France -- to create as soon as possible an EU bank supervisor which would eventually come to the aid of struggling banks.
"I support stronger bank supervision in the eurozone," she told the German Federation of Industry (BDI) in Berlin.
"But European surveillance must also be more binding -- I can't talk about the direct recapitalisation of banks in other countries if I have not yet created the right to intervene," she said to applause.
"That means (the approach must be) step-by-step and in the correct order and not hasty and not just so we can say 'we have something'," added the chancellor.
EU leaders agreed in June that the bloc's rescue funds could directly recapitalise struggling banks but only when a broad Europe-wide supervisor under the leadership of the European Central Bank had been established.
But a fresh crack in European unity has emerged, as Berlin sees a thorough approach as more important than haste whereas French President Francois Hollande said at the weekend it should happen "the earlier the better."
Merkel's comments came amid new evidence that her own economy, the most powerful in Europe, was increasingly being affected by the crisis and she cautioned that even Germany could not stay immune from the pain forever.
German consumer confidence is stagnating, market research company GfK said in a Tuesday poll, a day after the closely watched Ifo business survey declined for the fifth month in a row to the lowest level since February 2010.
"Germany is not an island but as a strong exporting nation ... (it) cannot decouple from the developments in the world and European economies," she warned as poor consumer and business confidence data have sparked recession fears.
"We have the duty to do as much as possible for domestic demand in Germany so that we can give ... a significant growth push to the eurozone," Merkel said.
Meanwhile, bond auctions in struggling Spain and Italy also gave little grounds for cheer, as borrowing costs in both countries rose as they issued new debt.
And French industrialists are also deeply gloomy about their business prospects, official data showed on Tuesday, putting their confidence at the lowest since 2010.
The downbeat data pushed most European markets into the red in morning trading, with France and Italy the worst hit, down close to half a percentage point.
Asian markets were mixed overnight, with Tokyo edging slightly higher but Sydney, Seoul and Shanghai all losing ground on fears that the spectre of the eurozone debt crisis had still not been exorcised.
Also weighing on markets were fresh problems in Greece, the origin of the crisis, as Greek unions prepared to bring the country to a standstill with strike action and a new warning from the IMF about the nation's dire finances.
International Monetary Fund chief Christine Lagarde warned on Monday that delays in implementing Greece's bailout programme, including privatisations, had increased the country's financing shortfall.
"As a result of the major delay in privatisation (...) and the limited revenue collection, there's a financing gap, especially if factoring in more time," Lagarde told an audience in Washington.
"We don't only need 11.5 billion euros of cuts; we need a series of cuts and additional revenues in order to fill in the fiscal gap," she said.
Lagarde was on Wednesday to hold talks with Merkel, part of a flurry of diplomatic activity after EU President Herman Van Rompuy warned against getting lulled into a false sense of security amid calmer markets.
Merkel and ECB chief Mario Draghi, arguably the two most influential players in the bloc's battle against the near three-year debt crisis, were to meet in Berlin later on Tuesday.
No public statement was expected after either meeting.
Meanwhile, the finance ministers of three of the most credit-worthy eurozone states, Germany, Finland and the Netherlands, meet in Helsinki to thrash out the best way to put out the flames that have tipped the bloc into recession.
Agence France-Presse
AFP journalists cover wars, conflicts, politics, science, health, the environment, technology, fashion, entertainment, the offbeat, sports and a whole lot more in text, photographs, video, graphics and online.

Team of the week

2012-08-28T04:12:00.000-07:00

Updated: August 28, 2012

Ben Hamer - Charlton

Goalkeeper Hamer played a key role as Championship newcomers Charlton claimed their first clean sheet of the season in a goalless draw at home to Hull City. The shot-stopper made some crucial saves, including a quick-thinking double block when he pushed out Jay Simpson's effort before denying Sone Aluko's follow-up from six yards with a superb reaction stop in the 89th minute.

Lloyd Doyley - Watford

Watford secured their first clean sheet of the campaign as they beat visiting Birmingham City 2-0 and Hornets stalwart Doyley kept things tight on the right of Gianfranco Zola's backline. The 29-year-old did well to contain the threat of highly-rated Blues youngster Nathan Redmond, who was kept subdued on the wing.

Miguel Llera - Sheffield Wednesday

Promoted Wednesday remain unbeaten on their return to the Championship and Llera helped them maintain that record with his unlikely heroics against Millwall at Hillsborough. The Spanish centre-back grabbed an equaliser in the 68th minute before leaving it late to snatch a stoppage-time winner, sealing the Owls' 3-2 triumph.

Craig Cathcart - Blackpool

Cathcart contributed a solid display for the Seasiders as they romped to a 6-0 triumph at home to Ipswich. The central defender helped keep things solid at the back as the Pool collected their second clean sheet of the campaign and also showed his prowess getting forward, climbing to meet Thomas Ince's cross from the right and heading it past Tractor Boys goalkeeper Scott Loach.

Wayne Bridge - Brighton

The Seagulls also enjoyed an emphatic home win as they thrashed Barnsley 5-1 and Bridge helped them to victory with an impressive display, capped by his first goal in almost nine years. The left-back's strike came in just the 14th minute as Brighton took control, with the defender smashing home a long-range effort.

Jermaine Johnson - Sheffield Wednesday

Owls winger Johnson continued to thrive on his side's return to the second tier as he opened the scoring in the victory over Millwall. The Jamaica international, who already had a goal and an assist to his name before Saturday's win, was in fine form throughout the Hillsborough clash and scored an exquisite opening goal. Johnson picked up the ball 30 yards out, charged at goal, evaded a defender and drove a stunning shot home.

Lewis McGugan - Nottingham Forest

Forest man McGugan earns a spot in our line-up after scoring arguably the division's goal of the weekend against Bolton during the 2-2 draw at the Reebok Stadium. The young midfielder's thunderbolt came in the 15th minute when, teed up around 30 yards from goal, he powered an absolute piledriver into the top corner.

Martyn Woolford - Bristol City

Robins midfielder Woolford netted a double as his side claimed a dramatic 4-2 win over visiting Cardiff. The 26-year-old claimed his first after bursting into the box to beat David Marshall with a tidy finish into the bottom corner, while his second came as he netted a rebounded Sam Baldock effort, taking his tally up to three goals in two games.

Thomas Ince - Blackpool

Youngster Ince once again grabbed the headlines for Blackpool after inspiring their romp to victory over Ipswich. He was the stand-out player in a dominant Seasiders display, scoring a double while also laying on the other four strikes to take both his goal and assists tallies this season to four. Ian Holloway's side are the only team in the Championship with a 100 per cent record after three games and Ince has been influential to their bright start.

Luciano Becchio - Leeds United

Leeds bounced back from a disheartening defeat by Blackpool in midweek with a 2-1 victory at Peterborough and Becchio was on target with both goals. Manager Neil Warnock had been particularly scathing of Becchio and his fellow forwards for their role in the Pool loss and the striker was quick to respond, applying the finish to balls from Luke Varney and Ross McCormack with ease as he took his goal tally this season to three.

Ashley Barnes - Brighton

Brighton's biggest ever win at the AMEX Stadium was largely down to young frontman Barnes, who was a threat to Barnsley's beleaguered backline throughout. The striker got things rolling with a fourth-minute opener and completed a brace late on, while also laying on both of strike partner Craig Mackail-Smith's two goals.

Clijsters clash for Robson

2012-08-28T04:09:00.000-07:00

British No.3 comes through in straight sets

Laura Robson will take on Kim Clijsters in the second round of the US Open after coming through a tight tussle Samantha Crawford at Flushing Meadows.

The 18-year-old was not at her best but won the points that mattered in a 6-3 7-6 (8/6) victory - with a clash with three-time champion Clijsters, who is playing in her final professional tournament, her reward.

Robson was playing in a grand slam as a direct entrant on ranking for the first time and found herself in the unusual position of being the senior player.

American Crawford, 17, came through qualifying and is ranked only 393rd compared to Robson's 89, so this was a great opportunity for the British No.3 to reach the second round for the second successive year.

The pair have similar games, hitting plenty of winners but also making a lot of errors, but it was Robson who was just the steadier in the opening set.

Robson had the better of three straight breaks to lead 5-3 and then held to take the set, but quickly found herself down a break in the second.

Smashed

Robson hit back to level at 3-3 and from there both players held serve to take the set into a tie-break.

Robson donated the first set point to her opponent with a double fault, and Crawford should have taken it but smashed the ball straight back to her opponent after the British player's return had flown up in the air off her frame, and then dumped a volley long.

The American certainly possesses a lot of power but Robson traded well to bring up her first match point and took it when her opponent drilled a return wide.

Robson said: "She was really tough. I'd never seen her play before. For the first few games I was just trying to stick with her basically because she seemed to rip every shot that I hit.

"She definitely played like she had no pressure on her. It was an interesting match but I thought I played okay. She's taller than me so she felt older."

Barton doubts Marseille move

2012-08-28T04:07:00.000-07:00

QPR midfielder back training with the youngsters

Queens Park Rangers midfielder Joey Barton doubts a move to Marseille is now going to happen before the close of the transfer window.

Barton is currently serving a 12-game suspension as a result of his sending-off against former club Manchester City on the final day of last season and has no long-term future at Loftus Road.

He has been stripped of the captaincy, not been given a squad number and recently trained with Football League new boys Fleetwood Town.

A move to French giants Marseille had been mooted and Barton had initially been keen on exploring the option of a switch to Stade Velodrome.

However, the 29-year-old is now back training with QPR's youngsters after expressing his disappointment that a deal with Marseille looks unlikely.

Barton wrote on Twitter: "Doesn't look like this Marseille thing is gonna happen now. 'Whatever doesn't kill you make you stronger' #heartbroken"

Sky Sports revealed on Monday that QPR are ready to offer Barton, who has three years left on his contract, a free transfer in order to facilitate a move.

It now remains to be seen whether a deal will materialise for Barton, who scored three goals in 31 Premier League appearances last season after joining QPR from Newcastle United.

Israeli army cleared in Rachel Corrie death

2012-08-28T03:42:00.000-07:00

An Israeli court has ruled in a civil case that the Israel army was not at fault in the bulldozer death of American pro-Palestinian activist Rachel Corrie nearly 10 years ago.

Corrie was 23 years old when she went to the town of Rafah in the Gaza Strip as part of a group of activists from the International Solidarity Movement (ISM).

Al Jazeera's Cal Perry reports from Haifa.

WEBCAST: Strong Earthquake Hits El Savador

2012-08-27T01:53:00.000-07:00

Also, Isaac hits the Keys; emergency declared in 3 states.

Thai girl inspires Buddhist nun programme

2012-08-27T01:42:00.000-07:00

It is common practice for Buddhist boys to become monks as part of their adult development. Not many women, however, are ordained as Buddhist nuns and even fewer girls are allowed to join religious orders. Yet one young girl's calling in Thailand is making a difference. Al Jazeera's Florence Looi reports from Bangkok.

Neil Armstrong: A quiet hero who left his mark on history

2012-08-26T00:23:00.000-07:00

Look tonight at the moon. And think of Neil Armstrong, reluctant hero, the quiet man whose footsteps still rest upon the moon and in history.

2012 Armstrong passed away at age 82 following complications resulting from cardiovascular procedures.

Armstrong was a pilot first and foremost, and with the dust flying, craters looming and fuel running low on July 20, 1969, he never wavered. As everyone else on Earth held their breath on that day, his heartbeat never changed as he and co-pilot Buzz Aldrin made the first piloted landing upon the moon.

"Tranquility Base here. The Eagle has landed," Armstrong informed mission controllers at NASA's Johnson Space Center, with the restrained aplomb that marked his life. Two and a half hours later with the words, "That's one small step for (a) man. One giant leap for mankind," he stepped upon the moon for the first time.

PHOTOS: Neil Armstrong's life and career
STORY: Neil Armstrong, first man on the moon, dies
INTERACTIVE: Florida Today Storify shows social media condolences

Armstrong, 82, died Saturday after surgery earlier this month for blocked arteries. A fighter pilot in the Korean War, a test pilot and an engineering professor, he will also be remembered as the astronaut who fulfilled the goal that President John F. Kennedy set out — to put a man on the moon by end of the 1960's — and the first among equals in the pantheon of astronauts from the moon race.

"Neil was among the greatest of American heroes — not just of his time, but of all time,"President Obama said in a statement. "When he and his fellow crew members lifted off aboard Apollo 11 in 1969, they carried with them the aspirations of an entire nation."

Armstrong became the symbol of the dream not just of one country but of a whole world to reach beyond our own planet . "Even though we were farther away from earth than two humans had ever been, we were not alone," Aldrin said in a statement on Saturday. "Virtually the entire world took that memorable journey with us. I know I am joined by millions of others in mourning the passing of a true American hero and the best pilot I ever knew."

Armstrong flew dangerous mission attacking bridges during the Korean War, piloted the experimental X-15 rocket plane that ascended to the edges of space and once returned to the office after ejecting from a crashed test lunar lander, famously to complete paperwork.

"A lot of people couldn't figure out Armstrong," the author Tom Wolfe wrote in his novelization of the space race, The Right Stuff. Maybe that was because there was nothing to figure out, he was exactly who he said he was, a pilot and an engineer.

"He had nerves of steel. If anyone ever had the 'Right Stuff', it was Neil Armstrong," says space historian Roger Launius of the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C. "But he was a dignified, quiet man. He could have had the world at his feet but he went back to teaching, that was what was important to him."

Armstrong taught engineering at University of Cincinnati from 1971 to 1979, after retiring from NASA. He served on the presidential commission that investigated the 1986 loss of the space shuttle Challenger, living quietly in Ohio until recent years, when he spoke out against NASA's current plans to not pursue a return to moon landings and to rely upon private spacecraft.

"He wasn't political in his concerns. He was speaking out from his experience ," say John Logsdon, author of John F. Kennedy and the Race to the Moon. "He avoided the public spotlight as the first man on the moon. But his name will be famous forever. He is gone but his footprints are still up there and will be remembered centuries from now."

West Brom vs. Liverpool: Reds' Dud in League Opener a Sign for Concern

2012-08-18T11:00:00.000-07:00

Liverpool’s 2012-13 English Premier League campaign got off to worrisome start as West Bromwich Albion ran the team off the field in a 3-0 rout at the Hawthorns.

The first half was an evenly contested affair, with new Reds’ boss Brendan Rodgers showing that his team could indeed keep the ball on the ground and play the possession-oriented tactics his boys at Swansea City executed so well last season. This part of plan turned out to be successful, with Liverpool keeping the ball for 61 percent of the match.

But the first sign of trouble came just before the halftime whistle, when Zoltan Gera’s wonderful volley screamed past Pepe Reina into the top corner of the net. West Brom took momentum into the locker room, and the Reds were never able to regain control.

In the 58th minute, Daniel Agger was sent off for bringing down Shane Long from behind after the Sunderland striker was through on goal. There was not an alarming amount of contact on the play, but Long was certainly in a threatening position. A red card seemed awfully harsh for the challenge.

Long was unable to extend the Baggies’ lead due to a dreadful effort from the penalty spot. The miss offered Liverpool an opportunity to seize some momentum, tighten up at the back and hope to catch the West Brom defense off-guard to tie the match. This did not happen and Agger’s absence would prove fatal for the Reds.

Sloppy play from Martin Skrtel allowed Long to dispossess the Liverpool center half in his own penalty area in the 63rd minute. The Irish striker then went to ground courtesy of Skrtel’s desperately outstretched leg, and referee Phil Dowd awarded West Brom another penalty. This time, Peter Odemwingie was called upon and he clinically converted the opportunity.

If Liverpool hopes to be a top team in this year’s Premiership, it must prove that it can show resiliency when the match takes a turn against them. There will be games when the strikers miss a frustrating amount of chances, and this will certainly not be the last time this season where Liverpool have a controversial call go against them. That is the nature of Premier League football.

These are the moments when discipline at the back and intelligent play from the midfielders is of paramount importance.

But in this match, Liverpool simply folded.

Luck continued to favor West Brom in the 77th, as Youssuf Mulumbu’s shot was deflected directly to Liam Ridgewell, who chipped the ball onto Romelu Lukaku’s head for the deathblow.

A certain amount of good fortune played in to the Baggies’ victory, but this does not make the Reds’ defeat any less disappointing. The team failed to finish quality opportunities and was unable to respond to a situation where the ball was not bouncing their way.

Going forward, Liverpool can certainly improve its play. There were positive signs from the match, as the team dominated possession and created many opportunities.

But the worries for this side include sharpness in the attacking third, and focus from the defenders.

This is a terrible way for Rodgers to start his career as the Liverpool manager, and if he is unable to turn the team’s form around quickly, it will be another long season for the Reds.

Eid al-Fitr recipes to share at the dinner table

2012-08-18T04:02:00.000-07:00

Eid al-Fitr is about eating as much as Ramadan is about fasting.

Eid (pronounced EED) marks the end of Ramadan, a month-long observance for Muslims to appreciate what God has given them, and to worship their faith collectively.

Most observers will celebrate the holiday this weekend (on Saturday or Sunday), and that got me thinking about my first Eid food memory.

I was 8 when I first contributed a dish for Eid. I was obsessed with “Too Hot Tamales,” a show on Food Network. I drew inspiration from a frittata recipe of chefs Mary Sue Miliken and Susan Feniger. But even back then, I knew how to draw on my Bengali roots as well, adding threads of fiery green Thai chili peppers and unrelenting chunks of white onion suspended in the well-cooked egg. (My parents like their eggs cooked to a deep, crispy brown. None of that fluffy stuff.)

I was proud of that culinary accomplishment. Consequently, for Eid I have always found room to dice the garlic for nan, fry pakoras to a perfect golden color and stir rice pudding to keep it from congealing in the kitchen. I explain to folks less familiar with the holiday that the day is not as solemn as Ramadan. It’s lovely, meant to be shared with people who are dear to you. It’s full of fancy clothes, presents, and, yes, food.

Now that I live in Washington and most of my family still lives in Queens, N.Y., I can’t always make it home for the holiday. It’s especially tricky when Eid falls midweek and I can’t properly plan ahead to travel. In an attempt to make sure I get to celebrate the day and share the flavors I grew up, I’ll make a meal for whomever I’m with — family or friends. It’s the perfect excuse to wake up the palate and try something new.

I found recipes in The Post’s Recipe Finder database that evoke familiar flavors and tastes I grew up eating on Eid. Some are more traditional, others not so much. But any of them can work for a day that’s as cultural as it is religious.

Dates are an integral part of Ramadan and Eid. My mom taught us to break our fast with a date first because the prophet Mohammed used to break his that way as well. So when I spied this preparation that combines dates with sweet vermicelli, I was sold. It reminds me of exactly what I used to love to eat hot or cold, for breakfast and dessert. The recipe is also a perfect secret weapon to have at your disposal; you can add golden raisins for extra tang or sweetness, or slivered almonds for a contrasting crunch.

Another classic is chai, or cha, as I grew up calling it. While you can find chai at Starbucks and in prepackaged syrups at grocery stores, making your own will yield a chai with much deeper flavor. This recipe calls for the usual suspects: cardamom and ginger. I like to bump up the flavor with cinnamon and clove to bring out the flavors of the upcoming fall season.

One of my mom’s (and much of the world’s) go-to dishes is chicken, which she dresses with a mixture of cinnamon, ginger, garlic, glove, cumin, bay leaf, chili powder, yogurt, olive oil, and salt and pepper to taste. She sears the seasoned, skin-on chicken legs and thighs over medium-high heat on the stove.

When she’s busy (read: feeling lazy), she’ll use a premixed blend of seasoning purchased at the Patel Brothers supermarket or any ethnic market in their Queens neighborhood. After browning the chicken for 30 minutes, she pops it in a 350-degree oven for about 45 minutes.

The result: comfort food we all know, yet it’s unique and bright. The tangy yogurt balances the chicken’s spicy heat and keeps the meat moist. She serves it with pulau, our version of a fried rice cooked in ghee or nan.

Source:
Haque is a Web producer for the Style section.

British soldier killed on sentry duty in Afghanistan

2012-08-18T03:59:00.000-07:00

A soldier from 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards has been killed in Afghanistan while on sentry duty.

The soldier was serving in the Nahr-e Saraj district of Helmand Province when he was killed by "enemy action" on Friday, according to the Ministry of Defence.

The death brings the total number of British troops killed in Afghanistan since 2001 to 425.

Under MoD policy, the soldier will not be named for at least 24 hours but his family and next of kin have been informed.

A spokesman for the MoD said: "It is with great sadness I must inform you that a soldier from the 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards has been killed whilst on sentry duty in the Nahr-e Saraj district of Helmand province.

"The thoughts and prayers of everyone in the Task Force are with his family and friends at this very difficult time."

Three British soldiers have now been killed in Helmand this month and all were expected to return home to the UK in next few weeks.

Last week Lieutenant Andrew Chesterman, a member of the 3rd battalion The Rifles, was killed while leading a vehicle patrol in the Nad'Ali district of central Helmand after the lead vehicle was damaged by an improvised explosive device.

His death came just weeks before he was due to return home at the end of his six-month tour.
The following day a soldier from 26 Engineer Regiment, Royal Engineers, was killed by enemy action in the same district while carrying out a construction task.

The long awaited withdrawal from Afghanistan is due to begin next month and an increase in the number of attacks against members of the International Security and Assistance Force has been predicted, especially in the south of the country.

Source: Telegraph.UK

US drone kills 6 militants in Pakistan: officials

2012-08-18T03:54:00.000-07:00

A US drone attack on Saturday killed at least six militants in a remote Pakistani tribal town near the Afghan border as local people celebrated the Muslim festival of Eid ul-Fitr, security officials said.

The attack was the first since Pakistan's spymaster, Lieutenant General Zaheer ul Islam, held talks with his CIA counterpart in Washington earlier in August in which drone strikes were said to have been discussed.

The drone fired two missiles on a compound in Shuwedar village in Shawal district of the troubled North Waziristan region, considered a stronghold of Taliban and al-Qaeda linked militants.

"US drones fired two missiles into a militant compound. Six bodies have been recovered from the compound so far," a security official told AFP.

Residents and local intelligence officials confirmed the attack and the casualties. The missiles also destroyed a car parked at the compound, they said.

The attack came as people in the deeply religious region were celebrating the Muslim festival of Eid ul-Fitr, they said.

It was the third drone attack since the start of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan.

It was not immediately clear if the missiles targeted any senior militant leader.

Attacks by unmanned American aircraft are deeply unpopular in Pakistan, which says they violate its sovereignty and fan anti-US sentiment, but US officials are said to believe the attacks are too important to give up.

The al-Qaeda-linked Haqqani network in North Waziristan, blamed for some of the deadliest attacks in Afghanistan, is one of the thorniest issues between Islamabad and Washington.

Washington has long demanded that Pakistan take action against the Haqqanis, whom the United States accused of attacking the US embassy in Kabul in September 2011 and acting like the "veritable arm" of Pakistani intelligence.

Pakistan has in turn demanded that Afghan and US forces do more to stop Pakistani Taliban crossing the Afghan border to relaunch attacks on its forces.

Many in Pakistan accuse the Americans of demanding a Pakistani offensive to mask their own failings in the 10-year war in Afghanistan.

Washington regards Pakistan's semi-autonomous northwestern tribal belt as the main hub of Taliban and al-Qaeda militants plotting attacks on the West and in Afghanistan.

The latest attack, which came after a lull of about three weeks, was in the same region where a drone strike on June 4 killed 15 militants, including senior al-Qaeda figure Abu Yahya al-Libi.

There has been a dramatic increase in US drone strikes in Pakistan since May, when a NATO summit in Chicago could not strike a deal to end a six-month blockade on convoys transporting supplies to coalition forces in Afghanistan.

On July 3 however, Islamabad agreed to end the blockade after the United States apologised for the deaths of 24 Pakistani soldiers in botched air strikes last November.

Islam's trip to Washington this month signalled a thaw in relations beset by crisis since US troops killed Osama bin Laden near Islamabad in May 2011.

In protest at US drone attacks, local Taliban and Pakistani warlord Hafiz Gul Bahadur have banned vaccinations in North and South Waziristan, putting 240,000 children in the region at risk.

They have condemned the immunisation campaign as a cover for espionage. In May, a Pakistani doctor was jailed for 33 years after helping the CIA find bin Laden using a hepatitis vaccination programme as a cover.

Inside Story - South Africa's mine shooting: Who is to blame?

2012-08-18T03:48:00.001-07:00

Police who shot and killed 34 striking miners say they fired in self-defence. But what was behind this brutal police crackdown and how will it play out politically in South Africa? Guests: Patrick Craven, David Wilson, and Zweli Mnisi.

China eyes African Barrick Gold stake

2012-08-18T03:44:00.000-07:00

China's state-owned miner, China National Gold, has held preliminary talks to buy a stake in African Barrick Gold (ABG), one of Africa's largest gold miners.

Demand for gold in China has surged and it is expected to become the world's biggest market for the metal this year.

African Barrack has large reserves but has struggled to meet production targets.

Barrick Gold, the parent of ABG, said the talks were at an "early stage".

"There can be no certainty that these discussions will result in the acquisition of all or part of Barrick's holding in ABG," Barrick Gold said in a statement.

Risk v reward

ABG's production levels have been falling in recent years.

Last year, the company produced almost 688,000 ounces of gold. That was down from 701,000 ounces in 2010 and 716,000 ounces the year before.

At the same time, its cost of production has gone up. According to the firm, it cost it $692 (£440) to produce an ounce of gold last year, a jump of more than 20% from 2010.

The firm has also been hurt by issues such as power cuts as well as theft of fuel.

As a result, its shares have taken a hit, falling almost 30% in the past one year.

Analysts said that given these issues, the miner was a risky bet for potential suitors.

"African Barrick has always looked like it offered good value albeit at a high risk, and if the potential acquirer can get the asset and is comfortable with the risk, you will be able to get a reasonable set of assets for a good price," said Hunter Hillcoat an analyst with Investec.

Source: BBC.UK

Robin van Persie in £24m move to Man Utd from Arsenal

2012-08-18T03:40:00.000-07:00

Robin van Persie has completed his £24m move from Arsenal to Manchester United.

The Dutch striker, 29, has signed a four-year deal and could make his debut at Everton on Monday.
He said: "It's an honour to sign for Manchester United.

"I am looking forward to following in the footsteps of so many great strikers, bringing my experience and playing my part to help the team compete for the biggest trophies in the game. I can't wait to get started."

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson said: "The boy wanted to come. He turned down various clubs. If he hadn't told Arsenal he wanted to go to Manchester United, the transfer wouldn't have happened.

"Robin is a world-class striker with a proven record in England and in European football.

"His talents need no introduction to our fans. He has scored a number of goals against us in some classic battles with his former club. His movement, finishing and all-round ability are outstanding.

"We never thought we could get Van Persie. If you go back six months ago, I couldn't see us getting him.

"I thought Arsenal are not going to let him go. When I read he had refused a new contract, that is when we acted. It has been a long haul."

And Ferguson revealed he enjoyed negotiating with Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger.

"I can't elaborate but it was amicable," said the Scot. "Arsene knew the boy wanted to leave. He knew he wanted to join us. That made it a bit easier but not in terms of trying to reduce the fee.

"[Wenger] could run a poker school in Govan. He got a great price but we are also happy the matter is concluded.

"From the starting position when we first started negotiating, Arsene has done well."

Van Persie said there were "no hard feelings" against his former club "It's just uncertain elements that we had a different view on. That's life. No-one is angry at me and I'm not angry at them," he said.

"It is always difficult to find the perfect match but I feel this is the perfect match.

"Manchester United breathes football. If you look at all the players from Manchester United, the stadium, the manager - my choice was made very soon in my mind."

Van Persie announced in July he would not extend his existing Arsenal deal, which was due to expire in June 2013.

It is understood Arsenal were willing to make Van Persie their highest paid player ever, but never actually offered him a new contract.

Juventus and Manchester City also bid for the striker, but it is understood that of the three, United were the only side Van Persie would have considered joining.

Wenger admits he was frustrated to see Van Persie leave but said he could do little to stop him going.
"I have regrets. We have lost a good player because of a simple reason," he said.

"He only had one year left on on his contract and he wanted to go.

"We lost a good player, a world-class player - I don't deny that. But it is a massive challenge to replace him and therefore we have to be even more of a team and work even more together to compensate."

United will pay £22.5m, with a further £1.5m one-off bonus to follow if they win a Premier League or Champions League title in the next four years.

The Netherlands international scored 44 goals in 57 games for club and country last season.

Van Persie was named Professional Footballers' Association and Football Writers' player of the year, but scored only once as the Netherlands were eliminated at the group stage of Euro 2012.

Source: BBC.UK

Arsenal's Alex Song closes in on Barcelona move

2012-08-18T03:34:00.000-07:00

Arsenal midfielder Alex Song is closing in on a move to Spanish giants Barcelona and the deal could be completed this weekend.

The 24-year-old will not feature in Saturday's opening Premier League match against Sunderland.

However manager Arsene Wenger has lined up Real Madrid midfielder Nuri Sahin on a season-long loan as a replacement.

When asked about the possibility of more signings, and the departure of Song, Wenger said: "Both can happen."

The two clubs will hold further negotiations at the weekend.

Song, who has two years left to run on his contract, is one of Wenger's longest-serving players, having joined Arsenal as a 17-year-old from French side Bastia in 2005.

He initially joined on a one-year loan deal, with a £2.75m fee agreed to make the move permanent.

Song has gone on to make more than 200 appearances for Arsenal, including 34 in the Premier League last season.

With Abou Diaby and Jack Wilshere both close to a return to full match fitness, Wenger is happy with the options available to him in midfield.

"Midfield is an area where we have much more freedom to make decisions," he said.

Wenger has brought in strikers Olivier Giroud and Lukas Podolski this summer but Robin van Persie, who scored 30 goals in the Premier League for Arsenal last season, has joined Manchester United.

The Arsenal boss accepts the sale of Van Persie could be a gamble, but is confident his side has the quality to compete at the top of the table.

"We have lost world-class players before and we have always survived," he said.

"We wanted to keep Robin van Persie. The reality is when the player doesn't want to stay, you have two ways - you either force him to stay, or you accept the reality and let him go. I've chosen the second solution.

"I know it's a massive challenge and a massive gamble I took, but I feel that we have the quality to deal with the problem we have."

Source: BBC.UK

Rio Ferdinand fined for Ashley Cole 'choc ice' tweet

2012-08-18T03:31:00.000-07:00

Manchester United's Rio Ferdinand has been found guilty of improper conduct and fined £45,000 by the Football Association for comments on Twitter.

An independent commission concluded Ferdinand's response to a tweet describing Chelsea's Ashley Cole as a "choc ice" did not make him a racist.

But it was ruled the centre-half had brought the game into disrepute.

"The commission found that the breach included a reference to ethnic origin, colour or race," read an FA statement.

Ferdinand was also warned as to his future conduct. Manchester United have decided not to appeal against the decision.

The United defender tweeted: "I hear you fella! Choc ice is classic hahahahahaha!!" in response to a message from @carltonEbanks which stated: "Looks like Ashley Cole's going to be their choc ice. Then again he's always been a sell out. Shame on him."

The term relates to the black and white nature of a choc ice and can imply someone is being black on the outside and white on the inside.

The tweet appeared on Ferdinand's timeline after Chelsea and England left-back Cole appeared in court as a defence witness for team-mate John Terry, who was cleared of racially abusing Ferdinand's younger brother, Anton, in a game against QPR on 23 October last year.

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson said: "They (the FA) want to close the door on this kind of thing.

"What surprises me is that other players have been twittering for ages and have never been challenged by the FA.

"His (Ferdinand's) status in the game has caused that and who he plays for is maybe another issue."

In bringing their charge, the FA made it clear they did not feel Ferdinand was a racist, rather that he had acted improperly.

In a statement outlining their decision, the commission said: "The Football Association clearly states that this is not an allegation that Mr Ferdinand is a racist, concedes that he is not a racist but contends that his conduct in endorsing @carltonEbanks tweet in a public forum is a term of abuse and brought the game into disrepute."

Ferdinand conceded the tweet was insulting, although he insisted in the hearing he was not expressing a racist view.

The commission's report continued: "Mr Ferdinand stated the words 'choc ice' was a reference to race... but also means the person is fake.

"He accepted that the words of the tweet were insulting and conceded that the term could only be used when referring to a black or mixed race person and not a person with white skin.

"Mr Ferdinand therefore admitted that the term 'choc ice' referred to Mr Cole's colour, ethnic origin or race.

"The charge is proven and the breach of FA Rule E3 was aggravated by reference to Mr Cole's colour, ethnic origin or race."

The hearing did accept there were mitigating factors taken into consideration before they decided on their punishment.

"A number of factors have to be considered in determining the penalty," the statement read.

"This is Mr Ferdinand's first offence. He has a clear disciplinary record. He was the Football Association's 'Poster boy' and role model to other professional footballers in the use of Twitter and has a track record in fronting anti-racism campaigns in football.

"It was in response to a tweet rather than an original tweet."

A representative for Cole released a statement soon after Ferdinand's tweet to emphasis he still viewed the Manchester United defender as a friend.

"Ashley Cole wishes to make it clear that he and Rio Ferdinand are good friends and he has no intention of making any sort of complaint," it read.

"Ashley appreciates that Tweeting is so quick it often results in offhand and stray comments."

Since Ferdinand's tweet Terry has been charged with improper conduct by the FA for the alleged comments he made to Anton Ferdinand, a charge he has vowed to contest.

Terry, 31, is alleged to have used "abusive and/or insulting words and/or behaviour" during the game.

Source: BBC.UK

Danny Cipriani 'in touch' with England head coach

2012-08-18T03:25:00.000-07:00

Danny Cipriani is aiming to return to the England team following encouraging talks with coach Stuart Lancaster.

The fly-half is hoping a good season for new club Sale could propel him back into the national side.

Cipriani, 24, has not played for England since 2008 but has been in contact with Lancaster.

"To make the effort to stay in touch, I appreciate that, " he told BBC Sport. "It shows they are still looking at you and thinking about you".

He added: "Any player who is not playing for England, or is playing for England, wants to stay involved or get into the side and I am no different to any young England player.
"For me it is about having a good season."

New Sale coach Bryan Redpath has urged the former Wasps number 10 to work hard and be "brutally honest" in assessing his performances for Sale as part of his attempt to regain his England place.

"There are a lot of people waiting for Danny to fail," he said.

"We have to sit down and be brutally honest with each other every week.

"He has come in, trained hard and fitted in well with the players.

"That is all he has to do 12 months of the year and if he does that, he will get his rewards on and off the pitch."

Cipriani, who joined Sale following a stint in Australia with Super 15 side Melbourne Rebels, could make his debut in a friendly against Glasgow on Saturday.

Kevin Pietersen returns to action with Surrey in the CB40

2012-08-18T03:23:00.000-07:00

Kevin Pietersen will make his first appearance since being dropped by England when Surrey face his old club Hampshire in the CB40 on Sunday.

The batsman was left out of the team for the Lord's Test against South Africa following unrest in the England dressing room.

He later admitted sending "provocative" texts to some of his friends in the South Africa squad.
"He is available. He will be in the squad," a Surrey spokesman said.

Pietersen scored 234 not out in his last appearance for Surrey in a drawn County Championship match against Lancashire on 11 July.

Source: BBC.uk

Ranbir Kapoor Sweats It Out On The Football Field - Bollywood Scoop

2012-08-18T03:16:00.000-07:00

Ranbir Kapoor leaves his acting skills aside for some time and takes time out to practice football for a charitable football match to be held in September. Watch the video to know more.

What Are the Benefits of Barbell Exercises? : Exercising at the Gym

2012-08-18T03:13:00.000-07:00

Barbell exercises come with a variety of different health and fitness benefits if they're performed properly. Find out about the benefits of barbell exercises with help from a professional personal trainer in this free video clip.

Expert: Billy Beck III
Filmmaker: Billy Beck III

Series Description: Going to the best gym in the world won't do you any good if you don't know how to properly utilize all of the equipment. Get tips on how to make the most of your time at the gym with help from a professional personal trainer in this free video series.