Kremlin: Don't Issue Ultimatums To Putin

Written By Unknown on Selasa, 10 Februari 2015 | 16.15

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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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Written By Unknown on Minggu, 08 Februari 2015 | 16.15

At least 34 people have been killed and 50 injured in three bomb attacks in Baghdad.

The blasts came hours before the government was due to lift a decade-old night-time curfew on the Iraqi capital.

In one of the deadliest attacks to hit the capital in months a suicide bomber detonated his explosive belt inside a restaurant in the Shi'ite neighbourhood of New Baghdad leaving 22 dead

Ten people were also killed when two bombs ripped through the Sharqa market district, and another bomb killed two people in the Shi'ite section of Abu Sheir in the Dura neighbourhood, police said.

No-one has claimed responsibility for the attacks though suicide bombings in Iraq are almost exclusively carried out by Sunni extremists, including Islamic State militants.

Interior ministry spokesman Brigadier General Saad Maan said he did not believe the attacks were linked to the decision to end the curfew, announced on Thursday.

As attacks are usually carried out during the day or early evening when most people are out, the curfew has little impact on bomb attacks.

Some Baghdad residents welcomed the decision to lift the curfew for the increased freedom of movement it brings, but others are worried it could allow criminals and militias to step up attacks.

The move to "demilitarise" four neighbourhoods in Baghdad announced at the same time is part of a campaign to normalise life in the city and persuade residents they no longer face a threat from Islamic State.

The militant group seized large parts of the north and west of the country last year and have threatened to move on to the capital.

However the city has remained relatively calm and attacks by extremists have fallen considerably since the sectarian blood-letting of 2006 and 2007.

There has been some form of curfew in Baghdad since the US-led invasion to topple Saddam Hussein in 2003.

The present curfew, which will end at midnight on Saturday, has been in place for more than seven years.

16.15 | 0 komentar | Read More

Ukraine Crisis: Putin To Discuss Peace Plan

Russian President Vladimir Putin is to discuss a peace plan for eastern Ukraine in a phone call with the leaders of Germany, France and Ukraine later.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Francois Hollande are leading diplomatic efforts to halt the bloody conflict, which has claimed the lives of more than 5,000 people since April.

There are also fears of a growing humanitarian crisis in the country.

At a security conference in Munich on Saturday, Mrs Merkel said the bid to end the fighting was "uncertain but worth trying", while Mr Hollande also warned it was "one of the last chances for peace".

The plan is understood to centre on a failed peace deal agreed in Minsk last September.

However, territorial gains made by pro-Russian rebels since then raises doubts over whether they will respect the pact in its existing form.

Mr Hollande said the agreement could include a demilitarised zone and greater autonomy for the separatist eastern region.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, also in Munich, said there were "good grounds for optimism" that the talks could secure a deal.

The diplomatic push comes against an escalation in violence between the separatists and Ukrainian forces in the east of the country.

In the latest fighting, the Ukrainian military said the pro-Russian separatists had increased shelling of government forces and appeared to be amassing for new offensives on the key railway town of Debaltseve and the coastal city of Mariupol.

However, Mrs Merkel has rejected sending arms to Kiev, which is being considered by US President Barack Obama.

Arguing this would not help end the crisis, she said: "I understand the debate but I believe that more weapons will not lead to the progress Ukraine needs. I really doubt that."

But her stance has led to a sharp rebuke from hawks in Washington, who have accused Berlin of turning its back on an ally.

Republican US Senator John McCain said: "The Ukrainians are being slaughtered and we're sending them blankets and meals. Blankets don't do well against Russian tanks."

NATO's top military commander has also said sending weapons should not be ruled out.

US Air Force General Philip Breedlove told reporters at the Munich conference: "I don't think we should preclude out of hand the possibility of the military option."

US Vice President Joe Biden has backed the Franco-German peace bid but made clear the White House stood ready to provide Ukraine with the means to defend itself.

He told the Munich summit: "Too many times President Putin has promised peace and delivered tanks, troops and weapons."

Addressing the conference, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko brandished several passports taken from Russian soldiers in what he claimed was proof of Moscow's "presence" in his country.

Russia has consistently denied backing the rebels.

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Prince Charles: Youth Extremism 'Alarming'

The Prince of Wales has voiced concern over the "alarming" radicalisation of young people in the UK.

In a radio interview Prince Charles said the extent to which young people are becoming radicalised is one of the "greatest worries".

He said it was particularly concerning "in a country like ours where you know the values we hold dear".

"You think that the people who have come here, born here, go to school here, would abide by those values and outlooks," the Prince told BBC Radio 2's The Sunday Hour.

His comments came as he kicked off a six-day tour of the Middle East.

The Prince of Wales landed in Jordan late on Saturday, where he is due to hold talks with King Abdullah II.

Jordan has carried out three consecutive days of airstrikes on Islamic State targets after the terrorist group released a video showing 26-year-old Jordanian pilot Moaz al Kasabeh being burned to death.

Prince Charles said preventing the radicalisation of Muslim youth was a "great challenge" and something that could not be swept "under the carpet".

He expressed particular concern over the threat posed by young Muslims coming into contact with extremists online, describing it as "frightening".

"I can see I suppose to a certain extent, some aspect of this radicalisation is a search for adventure and excitement at a particular age," he said, adding that he had tried to create alternative paths for young people through his work with The Princes Trust charity.

The Prince's tour will also see him travel to Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.

16.15 | 0 komentar | Read More

Family Of IS Hostage Hopeful She Is Still Alive

Written By Unknown on Sabtu, 07 Februari 2015 | 16.15

The family of US hostage Kayla Jean Mueller say they are hopeful she is still alive despite Islamic State claims that she was killed in a Jordanian airstrike.

In a statement released by a family representative, Ms Mueller's parents Marsha and Carl Mueller made a personal appeal to IS.

"You told us that you treated Kayla as your guest, as your guest her safety and well-being remains your responsibility," they said, addressing "those in positions of responsibility for holding Kayla".

The statement asked IS to contact the family privately.

According to the Site Intelligence Group which monitors extremists, IS said the 26-year-old aid worker died on Friday after Jordanian warplanes struck the building where she was being held.

The terrorist group said no IS fighters died in the raids in their de facto capital of Raqqa, Syria.

It released images showing a damaged building it said had been targeted in airstrikes, but no photos to back their claims Ms Mueller had been killed.

The White House, State Department and Pentagon have said they can't confirm the unsubstantiated report.

"We are obviously deeply concerned by these reports," said Bernadette Meehan, spokeswoman for the White House National Security Council, in a statement.

"We have not at this time seen any evidence that corroborates ISIL's claim."

Jordan has also dismissed the IS claim as "criminal propaganda", but said its jets did carry out a second consecutive day of strikes on IS sites on Friday.

It has stepped up its operations against IS since the militants burned to death a captured Jordanian pilot.

Ms Mueller, of Prescott, Arizona, disappeared in August 2013 in the northern Syrian city of Aleppo.

A media blackout on her abduction was broken by President Barack Obama on Sunday, when he confirmed IS still had at least one US hostage.

He said the US was "deploying all the assets that we can" to find Ms Mueller.

Her name had not been made public due to fears for her safety.

The group has already executed three American hostages: James Foley, Peter Kassig and Steven Sotloff.

Two British hostages, David Haines and Alan Henning, and two Japanese hostages, Kenjo Goto and Haruna Yukawa, have also been killed.

British reporter John Cantlie is still being held captive.

16.15 | 0 komentar | Read More

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