Best leave it, Tone, it's a domestic. The Sweeney-style outlook of the police to domestic violence in 1970s Britain is now notorious. It was a "Don't get involved" attitude because "They'll sort it out" and "We've got real villains to catch". ("Oi, you slag, you're nicked!" etc. Yes, didn't we kids of the 70s just love Regan and Carter? Well, I know I did ... that theme tune, the chunky Ford Consul hoving into view, all the fighting/shouting/drinking/fast driving...) But attitude-wise, things in the UK are ... better now, but not perfect. Two women a week dying because of domestic violence is not perfection. Amnesty and others in the End Violence Against Women coalition have been pressing the government to establish an integrated strategy to join up and properly finance work to stop violence against women in Britain. No more women "falling between the gaps" - paperwork not passed between social workers and the police, ambulance medics not talking to hospital casualty doctors etc. Action is long overdue and there are rumours that the government is set to announce something very soon ....
Best leave it, Tone, it's a domestic. The Sweeney-style outlook of the police to domestic violence in 1970s Britain is now notorious. It was a "Don't get involved" attitude because "They'll sort it out" and "We've got real villains to catch". ("Oi, you slag, you're nicked!" etc. Yes, didn't we kids of the 70s just love Regan and Carter? Well, I know I did ... that theme tune, the chunky Ford Consul hoving into view, all the fighting/shouting/drinking/fast driving...)
But attitude-wise, things in the UK are ... better now, but not perfect. Two women a week dying because of domestic violence is not perfection.
Amnesty and others in the End Violence Against Women coalition have been pressing the government to establish an integrated strategy to join up and properly finance work to stop violence against women in Britain. No more women "falling between the gaps" - paperwork not passed between social workers and the police, ambulance medics not talking to hospital casualty doctors etc. Action is long overdue and there are rumours that the government is set to announce something very soon ....
Fifteen current and former Afghan ministers are under investigation over allegations of corruption that have plagued the government of President Hamid Karzai, Afghanistan's attorney general's office said today.In his inaugural address last week for his second term as president, Karzai vowed a crackdown on corruption. International leaders, who have threatened to hold back troops and development aid unless he cleans up venality in his government, are watching closely to see if he keeps his promise."We are investigating allegations against 15 ministers - three of them in the current cabinet and the rest of them former ministers," said Fazel Ahmad Faqiryar, the deputy attorney general.
Fifteen current and former Afghan ministers are under investigation over allegations of corruption that have plagued the government of President Hamid Karzai, Afghanistan's attorney general's office said today.
In his inaugural address last week for his second term as president, Karzai vowed a crackdown on corruption. International leaders, who have threatened to hold back troops and development aid unless he cleans up venality in his government, are watching closely to see if he keeps his promise.
"We are investigating allegations against 15 ministers - three of them in the current cabinet and the rest of them former ministers," said Fazel Ahmad Faqiryar, the deputy attorney general.
Barack Obama is expected to send 34,000 more US troops to Afghanistan when he unveils his long-awaited strategy for the Afghan conflict next Tuesday, US media reports said today.The Politico website said the US president would make a prime time address to the American people to announce his plans for what he has described as "a war of necessity".Just as significant as the number of troops, however, will be pointers to a US exit strategy - something that will be closely watched by the British government, which is under public pressure to withdraw 9,000 UK troops from Afghanistan.
Barack Obama is expected to send 34,000 more US troops to Afghanistan when he unveils his long-awaited strategy for the Afghan conflict next Tuesday, US media reports said today.
The Politico website said the US president would make a prime time address to the American people to announce his plans for what he has described as "a war of necessity".
Just as significant as the number of troops, however, will be pointers to a US exit strategy - something that will be closely watched by the British government, which is under public pressure to withdraw 9,000 UK troops from Afghanistan.
Die hören sollen, sie hören nicht mehr, Vernichtet ist das ganze Heer, Mit dreizehntausend der Zug begann, Einer kam heim aus Afghanistan.
The US special envoy to Afghanistan and Pakistan, Richard Holbrooke, spoke to SPIEGEL about Washington's goals in Afghanistan, President Obama's new war strategy and the prospects of handing over responsibility to the government in Kabul. SPIEGEL: You were part of President Johnson's Vietnam team, you even wrote some parts of the Pentagon Papers, which uncovered the real history of the Vietnam War. What have you learnt from that experience and can you draw it in your current job? Richard Holbrooke: I was a very young man when I worked on Vietnam between 1963 and 1969. I worked in the field and in the Johnson White House, as well as being a member of the negotiating team in Paris. I watched people confront great decisions, and from that close observation, I think I learned how to approach such difficult moments and try to analyze them. SPIEGEL: With that experience in the back of your mind, do you think it really pays for the United States to fight wars in far-off and unstable lands, especially those that have acquired a reputation for being a "graveyard of empires?" Holbrooke: Of course it's difficult to fight in Afghanistan. But it's necessary because of 9/11. That is the core difference between Afghanistan and Vietnam. We're not in Afghanistan to build a perfect democracy. We know these were not perfect elections. But we must go ahead, we must help the Afghans strengthen their own capabilities. We're not there to take over the country, we're there to help the Afghans build their own capacity so that their security forces can replace the international forces over an acceptable period of time.
The US special envoy to Afghanistan and Pakistan, Richard Holbrooke, spoke to SPIEGEL about Washington's goals in Afghanistan, President Obama's new war strategy and the prospects of handing over responsibility to the government in Kabul.
SPIEGEL: You were part of President Johnson's Vietnam team, you even wrote some parts of the Pentagon Papers, which uncovered the real history of the Vietnam War. What have you learnt from that experience and can you draw it in your current job?
Richard Holbrooke: I was a very young man when I worked on Vietnam between 1963 and 1969. I worked in the field and in the Johnson White House, as well as being a member of the negotiating team in Paris. I watched people confront great decisions, and from that close observation, I think I learned how to approach such difficult moments and try to analyze them.
SPIEGEL: With that experience in the back of your mind, do you think it really pays for the United States to fight wars in far-off and unstable lands, especially those that have acquired a reputation for being a "graveyard of empires?"
Holbrooke: Of course it's difficult to fight in Afghanistan. But it's necessary because of 9/11. That is the core difference between Afghanistan and Vietnam. We're not in Afghanistan to build a perfect democracy. We know these were not perfect elections. But we must go ahead, we must help the Afghans strengthen their own capabilities. We're not there to take over the country, we're there to help the Afghans build their own capacity so that their security forces can replace the international forces over an acceptable period of time.
The findings of an inquiry into the controversial destruction of a mosque by Hindu mobs that triggered bloody religious riots in the early 1990s has been tabled in the Indian parliament amid noisy disruptions from opposition members. The cabinet approved the report in an emergency meeting earlier on Tuesday morning, India's NDTV reported, a day after the so-called Liberhan report was apparently leaked to a national newspaper.
The findings of an inquiry into the controversial destruction of a mosque by Hindu mobs that triggered bloody religious riots in the early 1990s has been tabled in the Indian parliament amid noisy disruptions from opposition members.
The cabinet approved the report in an emergency meeting earlier on Tuesday morning, India's NDTV reported, a day after the so-called Liberhan report was apparently leaked to a national newspaper.
South Africa has deported an Israeli airline official following allegations that Israel's secret police, Shin Bet, have been operating in Johannesburg's international airport. The official was employed by the Israeli embassy in South Africa and had a diplomatic passport, Israel's Ynet news reported on its website. The deportation stemmed from an investigation by local television news show, Carte Blanche, into Jonathan Garb, a former El Al Israeli airline guard, who was aggrieved over the alleged non-payment of a bonus by his former employer.
South Africa has deported an Israeli airline official following allegations that Israel's secret police, Shin Bet, have been operating in Johannesburg's international airport.
The official was employed by the Israeli embassy in South Africa and had a diplomatic passport, Israel's Ynet news reported on its website.
The deportation stemmed from an investigation by local television news show, Carte Blanche, into Jonathan Garb, a former El Al Israeli airline guard, who was aggrieved over the alleged non-payment of a bonus by his former employer.
An estimated 33.4 million people around the world are infected with the Aids virus, but many are living longer due to the availability of HIV drugs, a UN report has said. The report by the World Health Organisation and the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/Aids (UNaids) was issued in Shanghai on Tuesday. While the figure represents an increase from 33 million in 2007, the report suggested that was likely caused by more infected people getting access to HIV drugs.
An estimated 33.4 million people around the world are infected with the Aids virus, but many are living longer due to the availability of HIV drugs, a UN report has said.
The report by the World Health Organisation and the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/Aids (UNaids) was issued in Shanghai on Tuesday.
While the figure represents an increase from 33 million in 2007, the report suggested that was likely caused by more infected people getting access to HIV drugs.
Two Congolese men accused of directing an attack on a village, during which at least 200 people were killed, women raped and child soldiers allegedly recruited, have gone on trial in The Hague.Germain Katanga and Mathieu Ngudjolo Chui appeared at the International Criminal Court on Tuesday, facing charges of seven counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity.
The UN says that six aid organisations have halted their work in Chad because of the risk of their staff being abducted or killed. Elisabeth Byrs, a UN spokeswoman, said on Friday that the aid groups include the international Red Cross and French group Doctors Without Borders. The announcement comes after Laurent Maurice, a Red Cross worker, was kidnapped on Monday and a Chadian aid worker was recently killed.
The UN says that six aid organisations have halted their work in Chad because of the risk of their staff being abducted or killed.
Elisabeth Byrs, a UN spokeswoman, said on Friday that the aid groups include the international Red Cross and French group Doctors Without Borders.
The announcement comes after Laurent Maurice, a Red Cross worker, was kidnapped on Monday and a Chadian aid worker was recently killed.
King Abdullah of Jordan has dissolved parliament and ordered a general election to be held two years ahead of schedule.The decision on Tuesday to send home the country's 110 parliamentarians followed reports in the media accusing politicians of incompetently handling legislation and, in some cases, corruption. The royal decree instructed the civil service to organise a snap election that will replace the two-year old parliament, which dominated by independent and tribal MPs loyal to the king.
King Abdullah of Jordan has dissolved parliament and ordered a general election to be held two years ahead of schedule.The decision on Tuesday to send home the country's 110 parliamentarians followed reports in the media accusing politicians of incompetently handling legislation and, in some cases, corruption.
The royal decree instructed the civil service to organise a snap election that will replace the two-year old parliament, which dominated by independent and tribal MPs loyal to the king.
A Somali woman has been stoned to death for committing what a judge has said was adultery. The 20-year-old divorcee was executed on Tuesday after confessing to having had sex with a 29-year-old unmarried man. Sheikh Ibrahim Abdirahman, the judge for a court created by the rebel group al-Shabab, says the woman was killed in front of a crowd of some 200 people near the town of Wajid.
A Somali woman has been stoned to death for committing what a judge has said was adultery.
The 20-year-old divorcee was executed on Tuesday after confessing to having had sex with a 29-year-old unmarried man.
Sheikh Ibrahim Abdirahman, the judge for a court created by the rebel group al-Shabab, says the woman was killed in front of a crowd of some 200 people near the town of Wajid.
Whether, in the long run, NATO is helping by easing the pain now but dragging it out with this slow atrition or whether the Taliban would burn themselves out, as in Iran, within a generation, if left alone is something worth considering. NATO might have done a good thing if it had really given a shit about the Afghan people back in 2001/2, but we evidently didn't then and we really don't now.
Cromwell said it really "you have been here too longfor all the good that you have been doing. In the name of God, Go." keep to the Fen Causeway
When is NATO invading the US to stop executions there?
I'd have thought that was a resonable claim not requiring citation.
The rise of the Soviet-backed People's Democratic Party of Afghanistan in 1978 brought large-scale literacy programs for men and women, again alongside the abolition of bride price and other reforms beneficial to women. During this period leading up the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan, reforms in areas such as education stirred resentment among religious and tribal leaders in the rural areas. Although full implementation of these reforms were limited by political exigencies, women were able to experience expanded access to education and also the opportunity to actively participate as university faculty staff.
Prisoner exchanges have been part of the terms of trade of the Middle East conflict for the past 60 years. If the reports, rumours and speculation of the last few days turn out to be correct, the deal swapping Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit for hundreds of jailed Palestinians could turn out to be one of the most significant ever.Hard facts about the negotiations are few and far between. But Hamas delegations from Gaza, including military men, have been in Cairo talking to Egyptian intelligence and are said to be heading for Damascus to consult the Islamist movement's exiled political leadership; the presence of discreet German intermediaries and rare public comments by Israel all suggest an agreement may be imminent.
Prisoner exchanges have been part of the terms of trade of the Middle East conflict for the past 60 years. If the reports, rumours and speculation of the last few days turn out to be correct, the deal swapping Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit for hundreds of jailed Palestinians could turn out to be one of the most significant ever.
Hard facts about the negotiations are few and far between. But Hamas delegations from Gaza, including military men, have been in Cairo talking to Egyptian intelligence and are said to be heading for Damascus to consult the Islamist movement's exiled political leadership; the presence of discreet German intermediaries and rare public comments by Israel all suggest an agreement may be imminent.
Periódico Diagonal : Una visión distinta de los 'piratas' somalíes "Ce qui vient au monde pour ne rien troubler ne mérite ni égards ni patience." René Char
No, I'm not referring to Saudi Arabia or the Middle East.
This is South America, no less:
The United States is massively building up its potential for nuclear and non-nuclear strikes in Latin America and the Caribbean by acquiring unprecedented freedom of action in seven new military, naval and air bases in Colombia. The development - and the reaction of Latin American leaders to it - is further exacerbating America's already fractured relationship with much of the continent.
The USAF is awaiting Barack Obama's signature on a bill, already passed by the US Congress, to devote $46m to works at the base.
WASHINGTON -- The Obama administration has decided not to sign an international convention banning land mines.State Department spokesman Ian Kelly said Tuesday that the administration recently completed a review and decided not to change the Bush-era policy."We decided that our land mine policy remains in effect," he said.More than 150 countries have agreed to the Mine Ban Treaty's provisions to end the production, use, stockpiling and trade in mines. Besides the United States, holdouts include: China, India, Pakistan, Myanmar and Russia.
WASHINGTON -- The Obama administration has decided not to sign an international convention banning land mines.
State Department spokesman Ian Kelly said Tuesday that the administration recently completed a review and decided not to change the Bush-era policy.
"We decided that our land mine policy remains in effect," he said.
More than 150 countries have agreed to the Mine Ban Treaty's provisions to end the production, use, stockpiling and trade in mines. Besides the United States, holdouts include: China, India, Pakistan, Myanmar and Russia.
5 consortiums to bid for Saudi Mecca railway - Transportation - ArabianBusiness.com
Five contracts for the final phase of the Haramain project will cover laying tracks, installing signals and communications, providing the rolling stock, and operation and maintenance, Hoqail said.Each consortium is led by a Saudi team and comprises a rolling stock provider, signalling and communication provider, and worldwide experienced operation and maintenance provider.They have until January, 31 to submit their bids, Hoqail said. "We don't know the cost of the whole project yet."Earlier this year, Saudi signed a 6.5 billion riyal ($1.73 billion) deal with a group led by Al-Rajhi Group to conduct the civil works linked to Haramain and a 142 million riyal contract with British firm Foster and Partners to design four stations for the rail link.
A new forecast by Gilad Malach, a researcher at the Metzilah Center for Zionist, Jewish, Liberal and Humanist Thought, finds that if the annual rate of natural increase among Haredim stays at 5 percent, by 2050 they will comprise 37 percent of Israeli Jews - assuming that non-Haredim will want to remain here to support them. This is not science fiction. It's exactly what occurred in Jerusalem in the past generation. Why are we talking about the ultra-Orthodox birthrate? And why is it a problem? Because when it comes to the economy and national defense, Israeli society is supporting the Haredim. This was difficult but doable in the 1980s, when the Haredim were only 4 percent of the population. It is impossible now, when they are about 10 percent. It is liable to bring down Israel's economy and society in 20 years, turning Israel into a third-world country with an atrophied economy and increasing disrespect for human rights. In the most pessimistic scenarios it could lead to a partition of the state, or to civil war. It has happened in other places. It could happen here.
Why are we talking about the ultra-Orthodox birthrate? And why is it a problem? Because when it comes to the economy and national defense, Israeli society is supporting the Haredim. This was difficult but doable in the 1980s, when the Haredim were only 4 percent of the population. It is impossible now, when they are about 10 percent.
It is liable to bring down Israel's economy and society in 20 years, turning Israel into a third-world country with an atrophied economy and increasing disrespect for human rights. In the most pessimistic scenarios it could lead to a partition of the state, or to civil war. It has happened in other places. It could happen here.
President Barack Obama has tapped a former top aide of his predecessor George W. Bush to a key post on a board overseeing government-sponsored international broadcasting. Dana Perino, the first Republican woman to serve as White House press secretary, was appointed late Wednesday to the Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG).
Dana Perino, the first Republican woman to serve as White House press secretary, was appointed late Wednesday to the Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG).
We did not have a terrorist attack on our country during President Bush's term.
