Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo has declared a state of emergency in Ekiti State, following the impeachment of the local governor for corruption. Mr Obasanjo said he was taking action because the governor's sacking had been unconstitutional, and to prevent Ekiti descending into chaos. Both the chief justice and the attorney-general have said Ayo Fayose's sacking was illegal. Political tension is rising in Nigeria, ahead of elections next year. Mr Fayose has denied reports that he had fled the country, saying he was in hiding because he feared for his life but remained governor. His deputy Biodun Olujimi, who was also impeached, says she is now acting governor, although the state assembly has installed former speaker Friday Aderemi. ... http://news.bbc.co.uk censor News |
Editor - 13:11:00 10-19-06 |
Lebanon mines 'continue to kill' |
Landmines and cluster munitions are continuing to kill and injure between three and four civilians in Lebanon each day, a campaign group has said. Landmine Action is calling for an international ban on the weapons. The UN estimates that there may be as many as one million unexploded cluster bomblets in south Lebanon, fired by Israel during the month-long conflict. US-based group Human Rights Watch says Hezbollah also used cluster bombs, a claim rejected by a Hezbollah MP. Hassan Hoballah told the BBC the accusations were false. "We did not use these bombs. We don't have them. And we reject the use of these bombs anywhere in the world because they hurt civilians, especially when dropped on residential areas. Our stance is consistent. It can never change," he said. ... http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/6065574.stm
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Editor - 13:07:00 10-19-06 |
U.S. Says Baghad Attacks 'Disheartening' U.S. military spokesman says efforts to curb violence in Baghdad has not met expectations |
The two-month-old U.S.-Iraqi bid to crush violence in the Iraqi capital has not met "overall expectations," as attacks in Baghdad rose by 22 percent in the first three weeks of Ramadan, the U.S. military spokesman said Thursday.The spike in bloodshed during the Islamic holy month of fasting was "disheartening" and the Americans were working with Iraqi authorities to "refocus" security measures, Maj. Gen. William B. Caldwell said."In Baghdad, Operation Together Forward has made a difference in the focus areas but has not met our overall expectations in sustaining a reduction in the level of violence," Caldwell said at a weekly news briefing.The gloomy assessment of the operation, which began Aug. 7 with the deployment of an extra 12,000 U.S. and Iraqi troops, was issued at a time of perceived tension between the United States and the nearly five-month-old government of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki.... http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/10/19/ap/world/mainD8KRPP801.shtml
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Editor - 10:40:00 10-19-06 |
Portuguese to hold abortion vote |
MPs in Portugal have agreed that the country should hold a new referendum on whether to legalise abortion. Currently abortions are only legal in Portugal if a woman has been raped, if her life is in danger, or if the baby has serious abnormalities. But the governing Socialist Party is proposing that women should be allowed to choose an abortion up to the 10th week of pregnancy. The public vote is expected to be set for January. It was proposed by the governing Socialists, and backed by the main opposition centre-right Social Democrats and the far-left Left Block. The Communist party voted against, while the Christian Democrats abstained. ... http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/6067200.stm
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Editor - 10:37:00 10-19-06 |
Guvinator, part two - the sequel Schwarzenegger shuns Bush and looks set for second term as governor |
The moment came towards the end of the uncompromisingly boring debate between Arnold Schwarzenegger, the governor, and the Democrat challenger, Phil Angelides. Mr Schwarzenegger, in the only televised debate of this election, had just listened to a lengthy answer from the challenger about some obscure point of policy.“I feel a bit like I’m having dinner with Uncle Teddy at Thanksgiving,” said the former movie star. The audience hooted. This was Arnold, their Arnold, being cheeky and charming, poking fun at himself, at America, at the political process. And this was Arnold doing what he does best: selling Arnold.... http://www.guardian.co.uk/usa/story/0,,1926647,00.html?gusrc=rss&feed=12
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Editor - 10:36:00 10-19-06 |
Assassination attempts on Afghan leaders spike Taliban adopts tactics seen in Iraq in bid to undermine government |
First a Taliban suicide bomber killed a provincial governor. Then a gunman murdered a Women’s Ministry director. A police chief, intelligence director and top administrator from the same eastern district were killed. Bombs targeted but missed two more governors elsewhere. And the latest target — a provincial councilman — was slain in Kandahar this week. Hewing closely to a strategy used by Iraqi insurgents, Taliban militants are increasingly targeting top government officials in Afghanistan, which has seen a spike in assassinations and attempted killings the last six weeks. The attacks are forcing officials to travel with more bodyguards and to set up more checkpoints. Some government employees have stopped going to work, fearing for their lives. “The Taliban can’t fight in a big group, so now they’ve moved on to these targeted assassinations,” said Naimatullah Khan, deputy chief of the council in southern Kandahar province, whose colleague was killed last weekend... http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15332540/
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Editor - 10:26:00 10-19-06 |
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