Mortar Attacks Before Ukraine Peace Talks

Argentina's Kirchner Faces Iran Bomb Probe

Written By Unknown on Sabtu, 14 Februari 2015 | 16.15

Argentine President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner has been formally accused of trying to cover up Iranian involvement in a deadly bombing.

The allegations were first aired by prosecutor Alberto Nisman, before he was found dead from a gunshot wound last month.

His death - which roused suspicion despite being labelled suicide - came a day before he was due to give evidence to Congress over the Argentine Jewish Mutual Association bombing, which killed 85.

Mr Nisman claimed the President protected Iranian officials from prosecution over the 1994 bombing in exchange for oil.

Federal Prosecutor Gerardo Pollicita has now decided to go ahead with the probe.

"An investigation will be initiated with an eye toward substantiating ... the accusations and whether those responsible can be held criminally responsible," he said.

Three prosecutors and a coordinator have been named to take over the case.

They have already endorsed Mr Nisman's conclusions, accusing Mrs Kirchner, Foreign Minister Hector Timerman and others of a cover-up.

A judge will now decide whether to call Mrs Kirchner to make a statement.

The 61-year-old has presidential immunity which can only be removed with a two-thirds majority in Congress.

Mrs Kirchner's cabinet chief, Jorge Capitanich, has accused the courts of trying to stage a "judicial coup" against the embattled leader.

The government says "no action on the part of government officials was designed to dis-incriminate Iranian citizens".

The bombing at the Buenos Aires Jewish center, known as AMIA, was the deadliest such attack in Argentina's history.

An initial investigation ended with no convictions.

In 2006 Mr Nisman was named to reopen the case.

He accused Iran of ordering the attack via Hezbollah and requested arrest warrants for five officials.

Four days before he was found dead he filed a report accusing Mrs Kirchner and Mr Timerman of colluding to shield the Iranians.

16.15 | 0 komentar | Read More

Boko Haram Fight Intensifies In West Africa

By Alex Crawford, Special Correspondent, Fotokol

The battle against Boko Haram is intensifying in the run-up to the delayed Nigerian elections.

The terror group appears to be mounting more attacks especially on neighboring border towns along the country's frontier.

Authorities who put back the elections by six weeks because of the threat from the extremist group, have vowed to crush all Boko Haram camps between now and polling day on March 28.

A five-Nation group of West African countries are now involved in the fight. Nigeria has been joined by Cameroon, Niger, Chad and Benin.

The Sky News team of myself, cameraman Garwen McLuckie and producer Nick Ludlam gained rare access to Cameroon's elite Rapid Intervention Battalion - known as BIR - and joined their troops in the far north of the country.

We travelled with them to the town of Fotokol, which continues to be the focus of fighting.

Parts of Fotokol have been torn apart - with rows of stalls, homes and vehicles torched. Survivors talk of men being sprayed with bullets as they rose from praying in one of the mosques.

We saw the walls of the mosque, peppered with holes. One of those who carried the bodies out said 37 men were killed there.

Fotokol is just one of the towns on the border with Nigeria to be invaded and terrorised by the Boko Haram extremist group - and its inhabitants are traumatised.

One inhabitant told us he had been too scared to leave his household since the attack five days earlier. Nine members of his household had been killed shortly after early morning prayers.

The stakes are high for the Cameroon military posted along the frontier with their much richer, bigger, more powerful Nigerian neighbour.

They have now been bolstered by troops from Chad, but the battle with the militants is just as fierce. And if they fail, the consequences are devastating - as Fotokol found out.

As we arrived in the area, more Chadian troops were preparing to advance into Nigeria, telling us there was a battle still raging over the bridge separating Cameroon from their neighbour.

One Chadian soldier who spoke to us told us the fighting was "very dangerous and hard".

"We don't even have time to sleep," he said.

"The fighting goes on through the night even."

The Cameroon soldiers are fiercely dedicated to their task.

"We will not let Boko Haram enter our country," said one commander.

"That will not happen. If I go, then someone else will take my place. There is no other option."

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Gallery: Profile Of Boko Haram Leader

Abubakar Shekau is the leader of Boko Haram. He took control of the Islamist group after the death of founder Mohammed Yusuf in 2009

Little is known about him, although he was born in Shekau village in the northeastern state of Yobe and is now thought to be in his early 40s

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Ukraine: Fresh Bombing Endangers Peace Deal

Ukraine's president has warned that fresh shelling in the east of the country is putting the impending ceasefire in danger.

At least 11 people have been killed and dozens wounded in the last 24 hours, but a ceasefire agreed on Thursday is due to come into force at 10pm UK time.

A shell landed in a school yard in the eastern Ukrainian town of Artemivsk controlled by the government forces on Friday, killing one child and two adults.

Meanwhile, Ukraine and Russian-backed rebels fought fiercely across the east of the country despite the new peace deal brokered by Germany and France in Minsk.

And Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko said: "We have city of Artemivsk which is situated about 30km from the touchline, absolutely not anything involved in the military operation.

"And in the same way like in Kramatorsk, the Russian multiple rocket launch system Grad, or Smerch, just killed, confirmed killed three civilians.

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Gallery: Ukraine Crisis Continues

Germany, France, Russia and Ukraine agreed a deal on Thursday that offers a "glimmer of hope" for an end to fighting in eastern Ukraine after marathon overnight talks

Ukraine's President Petro Poroshenko (L) addresses journalists as he takes part in peace talks on resolving the Ukrainian crisis in Minsk

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Tempers Flare Over One Key Word At Euro Talks

Written By Unknown on Jumat, 13 Februari 2015 | 16.15

Even without a tie, the new Greek leader seemed comfortable and relaxed as he entered the ugly concrete box where Brussels summitry is conducted.

It's the first time he's met all 27 of his EU peers since Syriza's convincing win in last month's Greek elections.

But a few hours ago, the atmosphere between the Eurozone's finance ministers was anything but cordial.

A source present at the Eurogroup negotiations told Sky News that an argument flared over a single word, but one which has become central to the entire stand-off.

The new government in Athens argues the current bailout conditions are stifling growth and causing a humanitarian crisis.

They are trying to get some money to tide them over this summer while they enter complex negotiations over a third of the most stringent demands made by the lenders.

The Greek delegation led by Yanis Varoufakis had insisted that any written conclusions over what they term a "bridging loan" for Greece - after the rescue package expires in a fortnight - should contain the word "amended".

To the Germans, and some of the other hardliners, that inferred Greece's creditors had been convinced to disburse cash under less onerous conditions.

When he read this, German finance minister Wolfgang Schauble became visibly irritated, insisting the word be changed to "extended".

The Greeks refused to budge and the evening hit the buffers.

After fruitless attempts to find a compromise, Mr Schauble concluded that a compromise would be impossible, according to our source.

Today's summit was hoping to hear some good news about Greece, but it looks as though a new form of words will have to be sought before the next group of ministers meeting next Monday.

16.15 | 0 komentar | Read More

Russia Warned Over Ukraine Truce Failure

Russia has been warned sanctions will be ramped up if the truce to end the Ukraine conflict is not fully implemented.

The ceasefire is due to come into force on Sunday following 16-hour talks between Russia, Ukraine, France and Germany.

Previous ceasefires have failed to hold and German Chancellor Angela Merkel described the agreement as "a glimmer of hope - no more, no less".

Russia is already enduring financial and diplomatic sanctions for its alleged role in helping separatists who control parts of eastern Ukraine.

And Mrs Merkel warned: "We hold open the possibility, if these new agreements are not implemented, that we must take further measures."

EU officials have been asked to prepare extra sanctions in case the ceasefire collapses, Mrs Merkel added.

European Council President Donald Tusk said previously agreed sanctions against 19 Russian and Ukrainian individuals and nine entities would still come into force next week.

"Our trust in the goodwill of (Russian) President Putin is limited, this is why we have to maintain our decision on sanctions," he said.

The terms of the ceasefire include a withdrawal of heavy weapons, Ukraine taking control of its Russian border, the granting of special status to rebel regions and addressing the humanitarian crisis created by the 10-month conflict.

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko admitted to having doubts.

"It was very difficult negotiation and we expect a not easy implementation process," he said.

Soon after the ceasefire was announced, Kiev complained of a new mass influx of Russian armour into rebel-held areas.

The US labelled the agreement, which was brokered in Belarus, as "potentially significant", but also expressed concern about the situation on the ground.

"The United States is particularly concerned about the escalation of fighting today, which is inconsistent with the spirit of the accord," the White House said in a statement.

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Gallery: Ukraine Crisis: Fighting Increases (February 11)

Local residents look at the remains of a rocket shell on a street in the town of Kramatorsk, eastern Ukraine

Seven civilians have been killed and 26 wounded in rocket strikes on the town of Kramatorsk

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Greek Crisis: Merkel Offers Olive Branch

Germany has relaxed its fierce opposition to an easing of the bailout demands faced by Greece, though there are no signs a new deal is imminent.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel offered an olive branch at a summit of EU leaders in Brussels after the country's biggest creditor had previously ruled out writing off debt or allowing a relaxation of austerity.

She told reporters: "Europe always has been geared towards finding compromises. Compromises are agreed when the advantages outweigh the disadvantages. Germany is ready for this."

The new Greek government - led by prime minister Alexis Tsipras - rose to power on the back of anger at the rescue deal among Greeks that it was killing off any chance of economic recovery.

Its economy is around 25% smaller than it was before the crisis and poverty and unemployment have swelled, with the youth jobless rate above 60%.

Merkel has been the key cheerleader for austerity, fearing that any relaxation of the €240bn bailout's terms would send a signal to other heavily indebted nations that they could divert from reforms.

It was confirmed on Thursday that technical discussions had begun ahead of another meeting of eurozone finance ministers on Monday after talks broke down between them on Wednesday.

Hope that a deal can be reached to support Greek economic recovery and avoid the possibility of a default and exit from the single currency helped support Greek stocks on Thursday following days of volatility.

News of German support for compromise extended the rally on Friday, with some banks enjoying gains of more than 17%.

Tsipras expressed his hope that a "mutually acceptable" debt deal could be secured as early as next week.

He said: "The Greek delegation will take part in these meetings with crystal clear proposals and we will try and convince, not blackmail, our partners about our proposals.

"Our program will respect European rules .... we will keep balanced budget, respect the fiscal rules of the EU.

"We don't want to go back to era of deficits."

Tsipras said his government will propose a set of reforms particularly dealing with the "shortcomings of the Greek state" such as corruption and tax evasion.

The Greek government sees compromise as the way forward but it has ruled out extending the current bailout programme and its associated austerity.

It wants to negotiate a so-called bridge to tide Greece over for the summer until such time as a more permanent deal can be arranged.

16.15 | 0 komentar | Read More

Long Way To Go Before There's A Ukraine Deal

Written By Unknown on Kamis, 12 Februari 2015 | 16.15

It may seem strange but a precursor to a ceasefire is often a spike in the actual fighting on the battlefield and that is exactly what is happening in eastern Ukraine.

Both the government and rebel forces are engaged in what are effectively land grabs as the expectation of some type of deal being reached in Minsk draws nearer.

There may of course be no deal or not one that lasts too long, so it sort of makes sense for the protagonists to go at each other "hammer and tongs" as the countdown begins.

If you are sheltering in a Soviet-era block of flats while grad rockets land in your neighbourhood it might not feel like it makes any sense at all.

There has been a ceasefire deal of course. It was agreed in September last year and brought around a period of some stability rather than an actual end to the fighting. Both sides took the opportunity to strengthen their positions though and as the year began the hostilities grew more intense and finally flared into the current state of war once again.

The key question is whether the leaders of Ukraine, France, Germany and, of course, Russia can come up with a renewed plan acceptable to everyone.

In essence, the formula for the peace deal would be an immediate ceasefire; after that its starts getting more tricky.

A wide demilitarised zone on both sides of the front line and monitored by international observers is being proposed with a similar observer corp on the proper Ukrainian/Russian border.

Heavy weapons would be withdrawn by both sides and prisoners exchanged in the ensuing peace.

Ukraine would maintain its territorial integrity but the Kiev government would give greater autonomy to the local governments of Donetsk and Luhansk.

All of the above agreements would be acceptable to all sides as well as the countries watching in. The problem is that the details aren't just sticking points - they could be game changers.

To begin with, exactly where is the demilitarised zone and the "border" with western Ukraine? Since the September treaty, the rebels have taken more ground and want to keep it. Ukraine wants it back.

What constitutes heavy weapons and will some of the rebels' suspiciously new bits of kit return across the border to Russia from whence it came?

What about those rebels who everyone acknowledges are Russian? Sent by the Kremlin or not, Ukraine says they have to go home.

What will be the status of the newly empowered rebel-held regions? Ukraine wants to remain the government of the whole country. The rebels and Russia, to all intents and purposes, want these areas to be autonomous although remaining within Ukraine to act as a veto for any future attempts by Kiev to strengthen its ties to Europe.

What happens to Crimea is probably way too toxic for these talks and will probably be set aside and put in the "just don't go there" bin for now.

So if all these issues have been addressed and everyone sticks to their side of the bargain a permanent peace is imminent.

However, I wouldn't bet on it.

Both sides have said they will strengthen their positions and prepare for a greater escalation in the war if no deal is reached. Regardless, one must expect them to strengthen their positions and prepare for war anyway; it just might be further back than the current front lines.

What the local population can hope for is a ceasefire and a return to a sort of peace. Most agree that they want the fighting to stop and it all to go away. While many support the Kiev side, many also distrust Kiev, won't forgive attacks by government troops on their towns and are fearful of revenge by the substantial right-wing militias that make up Ukraine's "Civil Defence" forces.

A year on, Ukraine remains bitterly divided and riven with complex ideological, social and geographical problems.

A Minsk deal won't solve these problems but it might halt the killing; for a while.

16.15 | 0 komentar | Read More

Korean Air Executive Jailed Over 'Nut Rage'

By Mark Stone, Asia Correspondent

A court in South Korea has sentenced the daughter of the boss of Korean Air to a year in prison after she threw a tantrum over a packet of airline nuts.

Heather Cho was the Executive Vice President of Korean Air until she was forced to resign in December following an incident on a Korean Air flight from New York to Seoul.

Cho had ordered the plane to return to its gate so the Chief Steward could be removed after she had been offered her first-class snack in a plastic packet rather than in a dish.

The 40 -year-old has been convicted of obstructing aviation safety after making an unauthorised demand for the plane to return to the gate. She was cleared of charges relating to allegations that she had tried to bribe the victims in the case.

One of the three judges said that the incident would never have occurred if Cho had shown consideration for other human beings, had not treated them as slaves, and had been conscious of public perception.

The incident happened in a three-minute period as the plane was backing away from the gate in preparation for take-off. CCTV footage from the gate at JFK airport, played in court, shows the Korean Air plane pulling back from the stand.

After backing up for 25 seconds, the plane stops and remains stationary for three minutes before moving back up to the gate.

Inside the first class cabin, Heather Cho had been offered her nuts by stewardess Kim Do-hee. Angry that they had been presented to her in their packet, Cho remonstrated with the stewardess.

The chief steward of the flight, Park Chang-Jin, attempted to resolves the situation but he too was given a dressing down by Cho.

Mr Park told the court: "[Cho] was like a beast that found its prey, gritting its teeth as she became abusive, not listening to what I had to say at all".

"I don't think Cho showed an ounce of conscience, treating powerless people like myself like feudal slaves, forcing us to sacrifice and treating it as if it was the natural thing to do," the chief steward told the court in evidence.

As the plane sat on the tarmac metres from the gate, Cho ordered that Mr Park bring her a tablet computer containing the airlines protocol so that she could prove to him that he had violated airline procedure in the distribution of nuts to first class passengers.

The computer was produced but Mr Park was unable to remember the password. It is alleged that Ms Cho then began to hit Mr Park and ordered that he be removed from the flight. The Captain returned the plane to the gate and Mr Park was removed.

The incident has sparked a wider debate within South Korea about abuse of power and nepotism within the country's so-called 'Chaebols' – family-owned conglomerates who dominate South Korean business. Cho's father, Cho Yang-ho, the airline's chairman was convicted of tax evasion in 2000 and given a suspended sentence before being issued with a presidential pardon.

There have been numerous other cases involving 'Chaebols' which together have prompted suggestions that they act above the law and lack proper checks and balances.

In 2008, Samsung's Chairman, Lee Kun-hee was given a three year suspended sentence for financial wrongdoing. He too was given a presidential pardon.

16.15 | 0 komentar | Read More

Leaders Struggle To Reach Deal On Ukraine

Leaders of Russia, Ukraine, France and Germany are struggling to reach a deal after all-night talks aimed at ending the fighting in eastern Ukraine.

There has apparently been little progress at the summit in the Belarusian capital Minsk.

Ukraine's President Petro Poroshenko has said conditions laid down by Russia are unacceptable.

He is said to be unhappy with a Russian proposal on the demarcation line which separates rebels and Ukrainian forces.

Another sticking point is Moscow's position on the future status of territory held by the pro-Russian separatists.

The arrival at the talks of two leaders of the rebel-held Donetsk and Luhansk regions had raised hopes of an agreement.

But they are refusing to sign a deal unless Kiev agrees to withdraw its troops from the key railway town of Debeltseve.

"No agreement yet. The separatists do not want to sign. They demand the retreat of the Ukrainian army from Debaltseve," a source at the talks has been quoted as saying.

The discussions involve Mr Petroshenko, Russian President Vladimir Putin, French President Francois Hollande and German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

Earlier they were reported to be close to an agreement to end the 10-month conflict, which has cost more than 5,300 lives.

Ukrainian presidential aide Valeriy Chaly said a "battle of nerves" was under way as dawn approached.

"We've got another 5-6 hours of work. At least," he said on Facebook after talks had already been going on for seven hours.

Mr Poroshenko has said the talks are crucial in deciding whether the situation will de-escalate or spiral "out of control".

The negotiations opened with a brief handshake between Mr Poroshenko and Mr Putin, who were meeting for the first time since October.

A source told AFP the leaders were hoping to sign a joint statement calling for the fulfilment of an earlier failed peace plan signed by Kiev and the rebels last year.

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Gallery: Ukraine Crisis: Fighting Increases (February 11)

Local residents look at the remains of a rocket shell on a street in the town of Kramatorsk, eastern Ukraine

Seven civilians have been killed and 26 wounded in rocket strikes on the town of Kramatorsk

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16.15 | 0 komentar | Read More

Brits And Americans Ordered Out Of Yemen

Written By Unknown on Rabu, 11 Februari 2015 | 16.15

Britain has shut its embassy in Yemen and advised any citizens to leave immediately after the country was taken over by Shia rebels

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office said diplomatic staff were being withdrawn from the capital Sana'a because they were judged to be at "increased risk".

The US also said it had closed its embassy and evacuated staff.

Last week Houthi militiamen announced on TV that they had dissolved Yemen's parliament and were forming a five-member presidential council to replace Abd-Rabu Mansour Hadi for an interim two-year period.

Minister for the Middle East Tobias Ellwood said: "The security situation in Yemen has continued to deteriorate over recent days.

"Regrettably we now judge that our embassy staff and premises are at increased risk.

"We have therefore decided to withdraw diplomatic staff and temporarily suspend the operations of the British embassy in Sana'a.

"Our ambassador and diplomatic staff have left Yemen this morning and will return to the UK.

"British nationals who remain in Yemen despite our longstanding and consistent message to leave the country should leave immediately.

"We continue to believe that a stable, united, democratic and prosperous Yemen is the best future for the country.

"We will continue to work internationally to help Yemen achieve a legitimate, transparent political transition in which all Yemenis are represented."

The crisis in the country escalated last month when the rebels kidnapped the president's chief of staff and stormed his palace - prompting Mr Hadi's resignation.

He and a number of his ministers have been under house arrest, while UN-organised talks between the country's political factions broke down this week amid claims of threats from the rebels.

US officials said the closure of their embassy would not affect counter-terrorism operations against al Qaeda's Yemen branch.

The terror group, known as al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, claimed responsibility for the deadly attack on Charlie Hebdo magazine in Paris and one of the attackers, Said Kouachi, is believed to have trained in Yemen camps.

16.15 | 0 komentar | Read More

Mortar Attacks Before Ukraine Peace Talks

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Four people have been killed in mortar attacks on a bus station and a metals plant in the rebel-held Ukrainian city of Donetsk, as peace talks were due to begin in Belarus.

"A bus driver died as a result of mortar fire at a bus station in the centre of Donetsk," a spokesman for the pro-Russian separatists told AFP.

An employee of the metals plant said three people including two guards had lost their lives during an attack on the smelter.

Elsewhere, 19 Ukrainian soldiers have been killed and 78 wounded in rebel attacks near the key railway town of Debaltseve, a military spokesman said.

In a statement on his website, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko revealed he made an impromptu visit to the war-torn eastern region early on Wednesday.

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Gallery: Ukraine Crisis: Fighting Intensifies

A destroyed Ukrainian Army tank outside Uglegorsk, 6km (4m) southwest of Debaltseve

Pro-Russian separatists' ammunition and an armoured vehicle in Uglegorsk. The EU has put fresh sanctions against Moscow on hold ahead of further talks to thrash out a lasting peace deal

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A pro-Russian separatist fighter. President Barack Obama said the United States had no desire to "weaken" Russia, but the West had to impose a penalty for Moscow's aggression in Ukraine

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Part of a Ukrainian Army tank destroyed in fighting

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Pro-Russian separatist fighters ride on the top of an armoured vehicle

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He stopped in the city of Kramatorsk, some 50km (30m) from the front line, where Kiev says 16 people were killed and 48 wounded in a rocket strike on Tuesday.

"We demand an unconditional peace," Mr Poroshenko said. "We demand a cease-fire, a withdrawal of all foreign troops, and closing of the border... We will find a compromise within the country."

In a telephone call on the eve of the talks, President Barack Obama urged his Russian counterpart to reach a deal to end the Ukraine conflict, which has cost more than 5,300 lives since April.

The White House said afterwards Mr Obama warned Vladimir Putin the "costs for Russia will rise" if a peaceful solution is not found.

"If Russia continues its aggressive actions in Ukraine, including by sending troops, weapons, and financing to support the separatists, the costs for Russia will rise," a statement said.

The Kremlin said the two leaders highlighted the need for a political solution to the "internal" conflict in Ukraine, and noted the importance of safeguarding the rights of all inhabitants, including Russian-speakers in the east.

The summit in the Belarus capital follows last week's discussions between Mr Putin and Mr Poroshenko, led by Germany and France.

Mr Putin is scheduled to meet Mr Poroshenko and the leaders of France and Germany, who have called on the warring parties to refrain from hostilities that could derail the peace initiative.

Today's talks are expected to focus on withdrawing heavy weapons, creating a demilitarised zone in eastern Ukraine and starting a dialogue between Kiev and the rebels.

French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius said on Monday "quite a number of problems remain" and the aim was to find a genuine accord, "not just one on paper".

Mr Obama has come under increasing pressure to provide military aid to Ukraine amid claims Russia has been arming the rebels with heavy weaponry - claims denied by Moscow.

After meeting German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Washington on Monday, Mr Obama said he had ordered his team to see "whether there are additional things we can do to help Ukraine bolster its defences in the face of Russian aggression".

Britain has said it will keep its decision not to arm Ukraine under review as it "could not allow" its armed forces to "collapse".

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Written By Unknown on Selasa, 10 Februari 2015 | 16.15

Kremlin: Don't Issue Ultimatums To Putin

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Vladimir Putin will not be spoken to in the language of ultimatums, a Russian radio station has quoted the Kremlin as saying.

Reports suggest German Chancellor Angela Merkel had given him until Wednesday to agree a peace plan over Ukraine or face new sanctions.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told Govorit Moskva radio: "Nobody has ever talked to the president in the tone of an ultimatum - and could not do so even if they wanted to."

The warning came as Mrs Merkel met US President Barack Obama to discuss the peace initiative, while the White House considers supplying weapons to Kiev.

The President said Russia was trying to redraw borders behind the "barrel of a gun" and that diplomacy remained the priority in the crisis.

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Gallery: Ukraine Fighting: Latest Pictures

Ukrainian servicemen unload Grad rockets from a truck before launching them towards pro-Russian separatist forces outside Debaltseve, eastern Ukraine

At least nine Ukrainian soldiers have been killed and 26 wounded in fighting with Russian-backed separatists in Ukraine's eastern regions in the past 24 hours

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Ukraine's military say fighting has been particularly intense around the town of Debaltseve, a major rail and road junction northeast of the city of Donetsk

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Regional police chief Vyacheslav Abroskin said seven civilians had been killed by shelling in Debaltseve and another frontline town of Avdiivka

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The leaders of Ukraine, Germany, France and Russia are preparing for a summit in the Belarussian capital of Minsk on Wednesday, aiming to end the 10-month conflict, which has killed more than 5,000 people.

Mr Putin hosted Mrs Merkel and the French leader Francois Hollande for talks in the Kremlin on Friday and the Wall Street Journal had reported that Mrs Merkel had given Mr Putin until Wednesday to agree to a Franco-German peace plan.

Meanwhile, the European Union has approved new visa bans and asset freezes on more Ukrainian separatists and Russians but has suspended the new sanctions until 16 February to give peace talks a chance, according to French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius.

He said: "The principle of the sanctions will be kept but their implementation will depend on the situation on the ground.

"We will assess the situation again next Monday."

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Written By Unknown on Senin, 09 Februari 2015 | 16.15

Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott has survived a challenge to his leadership after his ruling Liberal Party voted down a motion to unseat him after weeks of infighting.

In a secret party room ballot, a vote to declare the positions of party leader and deputy leader vacant was defeated by 61 votes to 39, a party official said.

Liberal Party MP Luke Simpkins had called for the motion amid what he called growing dissatisfaction with Mr Abbott's leadership.

In a televised statement following the vote, Mr Abbott insisted the turmoil was over and called for unity within the conservative party and the country.

"The Liberal Party has dealt with the spill motion and now this matter is behind us," he said.

"We think that when you elect a government, when you elect a prime minister, you deserve to keep that government and that prime minister until you have a chance to change your mind."

But the large number of votes against Mr Abbott indicate a lack of support so damaging as to potentially render him a lame duck.

Rod Tiffen, an emeritus professor of political science at the University of Sydney, said: "It does suggest to me continuing instability, because 40% of your party has just expressed no confidence in you.

"I think that it means leadership speculation will be on the agenda in Australian politics until it's resolved by Abbott's exit, really."

Mr Abbott has faced a torrent of criticism in recent weeks over policy decisions ranging from his handling of the economy to awarding an Australian knighthood to the Queen's 93-year-old husband, Prince Philip.

The former trainee Catholic priest went into office with a comfortable majority in September 2013 - but, after less than 18 months in power, his popularity has plummeted.

16.15 | 0 komentar | Read More

Plight Of Refugees Fleeing Terror Of Boko Haram

By Alex Crawford, Sky's special correspondent in Manoua, northern Cameroon

The terror of Boko Haram has forced a six-week delay for Nigeria's presidential elections - but few Nigerians who have escaped the extremists believe their power will be curbed in that time.

Safety has come at a heavy price for tens of thousands of Nigerians who have run away from the Islamic militant group and are now sheltering in neighbouring Cameroon.

They scratch around for food and complain bitterly at the shortage of water in the huge refugee camp north of Manoua which is now their home.

There are rows and rows of tents made of plastic sheeting supplied by the UN refugee agency UNHCR which now house families - but there are also large numbers of fragile one-room stick homes.

Halima Adam and her five children live in one of them.

Tears roll down her cheeks as she tells Sky News how the militant fighters murdered her husband and she fled for her life, over the border to Cameroon.

A free and fair election in her homeland is not her first priority right now. Surviving is.

"I'm hungry," cries her 12-year-old daughter Aisha. Her three-year-old sister asks her mother: "Maybe they've come to give us food or water?" She's talking about the foreigners in their shack - us.

But along with the tens of thousands like her, she will not be able to vote in the upcoming Nigerian elections.

The polls have been delayed for six weeks until March 28 in the hope that the danger of Boko Haram can be more adequately contained.

But few believe that is the sole reason for the vote delay or that the militants who have grown increasingly powerful in northern Nigeria, can be cowed in that time.

Many sceptics believe the set-back to the voting could have more to do with the increasingly close race between the current President Goodluck Jonathan, who is seeking re-election, and his rival, Muhammedu Buhari.

Certainly many of the refugees we spoke to in the huge camp (31,222 registered refugees but locals say the more accurate figure is 47,000+) insist they feel let down by their government and the Nigerian army.

"The military have sold us to the Boko Haram fighters," said Yohanna Ayamesi, one of the refugees.

"They're just playing with Boko Haram. There were 30 of us and the militants killed 27. I'm just one of three who survived. The powerful Nigerian army can't take on Boko Haram. They are working with them. They have sold out the poor of Nigeria."

His view is replicated through much of the camp and in northern Nigeria.

The attacks by Boko Haram appear to be every more frequent and deadly.

The extremist group wants to create its own caliphate across Western Africa much like Islamic State in Syria and Iraq - and the violence is spilling more and more often across the Nigerian borders and into her neighbours' backyards.

Cameroon and Niger have both suffered Boko Haram attacks within the past week alone. Niger had two attacks within three days.

The decision by the five West African nations of Cameroon, Nigeria, Niger, Benin and Chad have agreed to pool resources and deploy a combined force of 8,750 troops into the area by probably as early as next month.

But the idea that they will be able to curb the militant group's activities within the next six weeks before the new election date, is seen as hopelessly optimistic by most civilians.

16.15 | 0 komentar | Read More

Egypt: 25 Killed In Riot Before Football Match

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A riot outside a major football match in Egypt has killed at least 25 people, authorities have said.

The violence preceded a game between Egyptian Premier League clubs Zamalek and ENPPI at the Air Defense Stadium east of Cairo.

Anonymous security officials said some people died during a stampede, while others were killed in clashes with police.

They claimed Zamalek fans tried to get into the game without tickets, sparking clashes.

However, a group of Zamalek fans known as the White Knights posted on Facebook that violence started because the authorities only opened one narrow, barbed-wire door to let them in.

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Gallery: Clashes Leave 25 Dead Before Football Match In Egypt

At least 25 people have been killed in clashes between police and football fans in Egypt

Security officials said fans of Zamalek tried to get into the game without tickets, which sparked the violence

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Zamalek fans said on their group's official Facebook page that the violence started because the authorities only opened one narrow, barbed-wire door to let them in

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Some of the victims are reported to have died during a stampede, while others were killed in clashes with police. Continue through for more pictures

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The group later posted pictures it claimed were of dead fans and the names of 22 people it said had been killed.

One witness said: "We were inside the stadium when the clashes began outside.

"There was a police car on fire and they were shooting birdshot and tear gas.

"The people fled into the desert to escape."

At least another 25 people were wounded.

The match continued despite the trouble, sparking further anger among fans.

The league has now been suspended indefinitely, while the state prosecutor has ordered an investigation.

Previous troubles meant supporters have only recently been allowed at matches again.

The Interior Ministry planned to let only 10,000 fans into the ground, which has a capacity of approximately 30,000.

The deadliest football riot in Egyptian history happened three years ago during a match between Port Said's al Masry and Cairo's al Ahly.

A total of 74 people, most of them al Ahly fans, were killed.

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