Uttar Pradesh government presents state budget for 2014-15
20 06 2014
Uttar Pradesh government presents state budget for 2014-15 with focus on rural development and employment pic.twitter.com/80sKJ0NuNz
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Iraqi militants seize former chemical weapons factory
20 06 2014
Sunni radicals in Iraq, who have overrun a swathe of territory
north of Baghdad in a lightning offensive, have taken control of one of
Saddam Hussein´s former chemical weapons factories, a US official said
Thursday.“We are aware that the ISIL has occupied the Al Muthanna complex,” State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said in a statement. But she said she didn´t think the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) militants would be able to produce usable chemical weapons there, because any materials remaining are old and unwieldy.
The complex, located just 45 miles (72 kilometers) northwest of Baghdad, began producing mustard gas and other nerve agents, including Sarin, in the early 1980s soon after Hussein took power, according to a CIA factsheet. The program expanded to its height during the Iran-Iraq war later that decade, and produced 209 and 394 tons of Sarin in 1987 and 1988 respectively. But the CIA writes that the facility shut down after the first Gulf war, when UN resolutions “proscribed Iraq´s ability to produce chemical weapons.
“In the early 1990s, the site was used to oversee efforts to destroy Iraq´s chemical weapons stockpile. Psaki said, “We remain concerned about the seizure of any military site by the ISIL. “However, she said, “we do not believe that the complex contains (chemical weapons) materials of military value and it would be very difficult, if not impossible to safely move the materials.
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JD(U) wins in RS bypoll in Bihar
20 06 2014
JD(U) candidates, diplomat-turned- politician Pavan Kumar Varma and
Gulam Rasool Balyawi, have managed to win their seats in the Rajya
Sabha bye-elections overcoming cross voting by party MLAs in favour of
BJP-backed Independents, thanks to help from RJD and some other parties.
Varma and Balyawi defeated Independents Anil Sharma and Sabir Ali,
Assembly Secretary Hareram Mukhiya told reporters in Patna on Thursday.
Varma secured 122 votes against Anil Sharma’s 108, while for the other seat, JD(U)’s Gulam Rasool Balyawi bagged 123 votes against Sabir Ali’s 107, he said.
There was cross-voting by members from JD(U), RJD and Congress. JD(U) candidates should have got 143 votes on the basis of strength of 116 MLAs of the party, besides 20 of RJD, 4 of Congress, 2 Independents and 1 CPI.
Speaker Udai Narayan Choudhary from JD(U) did not vote. RJD MLA Kedar Singh did not vote as he was absconding in some criminal case.
The two Independents, real estate baron Anil Sharma and Sabir Ali, bagged 17 and 16 votes of JD(U) dissidents, because of cross voting by two members each from RJD and Congress.
Varma secured 122 votes against Anil Sharma’s 108, while for the other seat, JD(U)’s Gulam Rasool Balyawi bagged 123 votes against Sabir Ali’s 107, he said.
There was cross-voting by members from JD(U), RJD and Congress. JD(U) candidates should have got 143 votes on the basis of strength of 116 MLAs of the party, besides 20 of RJD, 4 of Congress, 2 Independents and 1 CPI.
Speaker Udai Narayan Choudhary from JD(U) did not vote. RJD MLA Kedar Singh did not vote as he was absconding in some criminal case.
The two Independents, real estate baron Anil Sharma and Sabir Ali, bagged 17 and 16 votes of JD(U) dissidents, because of cross voting by two members each from RJD and Congress.
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Categories : Education, Politics, Uncategorized
Kerry expected to travel to Iraq ‘soon
20 06 2014
WASHINGTON: US Secretary of State John Kerry is expected to travel to Iraq “soon,” congressional sources said Thursday.
There was no further information about when Kerry might visit the country amid a militant offensive.
President Barack Obama earlier announced a new diplomatic initiative saying he was dispatching the top US diplomat this weekend for talks in the Middle East and Europe.
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World Cup 2014
20 06 2014
Uruguay’s Suarez double goal beat England
Uruguay beat England 2-1
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| Uruguay’s
Luis Suarez celebrates for his second goal during a Group D match
between Uruguay and England of 2014 FIFA World Cup at the Arena de Sao
Paulo Stadium in Sao Paulo, Brazil, June 19, 2014.Uruguay won 2-1 over
England on Thursday.(Xinhua/Li Ga)<SAO PAULO, Brazil, June 19
Luis Suarez, who recovered from injury and returned to starting
line-up, scored twice to help Uruguay beat England 2-1 in their World
Cup Group D second round here on Thursday.Suarez, 27, was elected the
Man of the Match. He said after the match that his family, teammates and
coaches gave him great support during his recovery.”I feel so great
today and I will keep my form in the upcoming matches,” he said.
Uruguay coach Oscar Tabarez said, “Suarez is a wonderful player. We admire him.” “My players did well in concentration today and played actively,” Tabarez said. During the tight match, Wayne Rooney scored his first World Cup goal and his 40th for England, taking him joint-fourth on his country’s all-time goalscorers list – level with Michael Owen. Uruguay and England, both losing in the first round of World Cup Group D, fought closely to survive the Group of Death, also containing Italy and Costa Rica. Liverpool forward Suarez haunted his Liverpool teammates in the 39th minute when the ball was spread to forward Edinson Cavani on the Uruguay left. Cavani chipped a delicate ball in to the onrushing Suarez, who nodded superbly past England keeper Joe Hart. In the 75th minute, England defender Glen Johnson made great progress down the right and played the ball across the penalty area. It bounced across to the Rooney who touched home with his left foot. It was elation for Uruguay and heartbreak for England in the 85th minute when Suarez broke through a static Three Lions defense, smashing home past Hart. The two-man striking force, Suarez and Cavani, played the key role in Uruguay’s win. When the tireless Cavani crafted, grafted and combined well with Suarez for the opening goal, it was the work of two world-class attackers with an experience of multiple games together at the highest level. Suarez’s low crosses, from play or corners, troubled his opponents far more than the flurry of first-half corners which England pitched high into the Uruguay box. Twice Joe Hart was caught out at the near post. Uruguay defender and Captain Diego Godin was booked on 14 minutes. Uruguay are now on five cards (4 yellow and 1 red) at Brazil 2014, most of all teams. Tabarez said, “We haven’t survived the group yet. The match against Italy will be very tough.” England coach Roy Hodgson said that his team will fight to the end and play all out in the game against Costa Rica. Suarez’s brilliant form put England on the brink of an early World Cup exit. But in theory, England are still alive in the World Cup. If Italy top the group with three wins, and England beat Costa Rica in the third round, England, Uruguay and Costa Rica will share the same three points from three matches. According to the FIFA rule on this World Cup, the survivors of the teams with same points will be decided by goal difference firstly. Colombia tames Ivory CoastColombia beat Cote d’Ivoire 2-1 in their World Cup  RIO DE JANEIRO: Colombia maintained South America´s strong start to the World Cup on Thursday, downing the Ivory Coast 2-1 to stay on course for a place in the last 16. A day after Chile eliminated defending champions Spain, Colombia produced a fine attacking display to down the powerful Ivorians in Group C. Second-half goals from Monaco starlet James Rodriguez and Juan Quintero fired Colombia into a 2-0 lead before Roma striker Gervinho pulled one back at Brasilia´s National Stadium. Colombia beat Cote d’Ivoire 2-1 in their World Cup Group C match here on Thursday.Colombia, who defeated Greece 3-0 in their opening match, are now favored to enter the last 16.James Rodriguez and Juan Fernando Quintero gave Colomiba a 2-0 lead through goals in the 64th and 70th minute. Gervinho made it 2-1 for Cote d’Ivoire with a superb individual goal.Colombia, making their first appearance at the finals since 1998, will qualify for the second round if the match later on Thursday between Japan and Greece ends in a draw.Cote d’Ivoire, who beat Japan 2-1 in the first match, are still to qulify for the knockout stage. They will meet Greece in the last match. Japan fail to crack 10-man Greece Japan hold Greece to goalless draw NATAL, Brazil, June 19 — Ten-man Greece held Japan to a goalless draw in a largely forgettable World Cup Group C clash on Thursday that kept both sides in with a chance of making the knockout phase. Japan held goalless by Greece in their lethargic Brazil World Cup Group C match here on Thursday after squandering numerous scoring chances here on Thursday. The Greek skipper Katsouranis was out after picking up his second yellow card in the 38th minute as he slid in and mistimed his challenge on Japan’s captain Hasebe. However Japan still found difficult to score though they had a 68% ball possession advantage in the do-or-die match.With Japan losing its opener 2-1 to Cote d’Ivoire and Greece getting thumped 3-0 by Colombia, both teams desperately need a win to stay in contention to qualify for the last 16 knockout stage of football’s biggest international tournament.In another match in Group C, Colombia beat Cote d’Ivoire 2-1 and with the goalless draw between Japan and< |
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Centre is holding consultations on Kasturirangan Committee report
20 06 2014
Union
Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar has said that the Centre is
holding consultations with 7 states over Kasturirangan Committee report
on the Western Ghats and a formula will be evolved after wider
consultations. He told media persons at the Kochi Airport last night
that the government wants to protect environment, while ensuring
development in the region.
Mr Javadekar said, the government’s policy is very clear; it wants development without damaging the environment. Mr. Javadekar will inaugurate the Trissur Edition of Malayalam newspaper ‘Janmabhoomi’ today.
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Afghan election result on July 2: Abdullah call fraudulent elections
20 06 2014
Afghan presidential candidate Abdullah Abdullah on Thursday
termed the performances of election commissions as illegal, saying the
commissions’decisions would be unacceptable. “Since we have doubt over
the impartiality of the election commission and demanded the suspension
of the job of Ziaul Haq Omarkhil, chief of election commission
secretariat, but our demand has been ignored and that is why today I am
announcing that the performances and the decisions of the election
commission won’t be acceptable for us,” Abdullah told a press conference
here. However, he warned that fraudulent elections will take the
country towards a crisis and in that case the president and the election
commissions would be held responsible.
Abdullah accused the election commission of intentionally siding with his rival Ghani Ahmadzai, saying “I am hopeful that the country won’t go towards crisis.” Abdullah who secured 45 percent of some 7 million votes in the first round of April 5 presidential elections against his rival Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai, who obtained 31.6 percent of votes in the race, in a similar press conference on Wednesday urged the election commission to immediately stop vote counting. The election commission, however, overlooked the demand and continued tallying on Thursday. Afghanistan’s presidential runoff took place on June 14 amid Taliban threats and tight security.
More than 270 people, including 41 civilians, had been killed on the runoff day across the country while a dozen others had their fingers chopped off by militants as punishment for voting in the presidential runoff.
Abdullah on Thursday also said that the international community which has been supporting Afghanistan and financed the election process has to take a responsible stance with the election process. The preliminary results of the runoff polls will be announced on July 2 and the final results to come out on July 22, according to the election commission. Meanwhile, Afghan newspapers in their editorials on Thursday warned that people not to tolerate discrediting their ballots.
“Now, it is the Independent Election Commission (IEC) and the political officials to respect the people’s rights and fulfill their responsibilities honestly,” the Daily Outlook said in its editorial, warning that they will be held accountable in case of further tension.
Another paper, the Daily Afghanistan, stressed for transparency in the election process.
“The country would move towards crisis if the election commission fails to restore its credibility,” the paper warned.
“Both the presidential candidates, the election commissions and those at the helm of affairs should do their best to prevent the country from plunging into crisis,” the paper added.
Abdullah accused the election commission of intentionally siding with his rival Ghani Ahmadzai, saying “I am hopeful that the country won’t go towards crisis.” Abdullah who secured 45 percent of some 7 million votes in the first round of April 5 presidential elections against his rival Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai, who obtained 31.6 percent of votes in the race, in a similar press conference on Wednesday urged the election commission to immediately stop vote counting. The election commission, however, overlooked the demand and continued tallying on Thursday. Afghanistan’s presidential runoff took place on June 14 amid Taliban threats and tight security.
More than 270 people, including 41 civilians, had been killed on the runoff day across the country while a dozen others had their fingers chopped off by militants as punishment for voting in the presidential runoff.
Abdullah on Thursday also said that the international community which has been supporting Afghanistan and financed the election process has to take a responsible stance with the election process. The preliminary results of the runoff polls will be announced on July 2 and the final results to come out on July 22, according to the election commission. Meanwhile, Afghan newspapers in their editorials on Thursday warned that people not to tolerate discrediting their ballots.
“Now, it is the Independent Election Commission (IEC) and the political officials to respect the people’s rights and fulfill their responsibilities honestly,” the Daily Outlook said in its editorial, warning that they will be held accountable in case of further tension.
Another paper, the Daily Afghanistan, stressed for transparency in the election process.
“The country would move towards crisis if the election commission fails to restore its credibility,” the paper warned.
“Both the presidential candidates, the election commissions and those at the helm of affairs should do their best to prevent the country from plunging into crisis,” the paper added.
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Iraq crisis not affect crude : Pradhan
20 06 2014
Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has said that the violence in Iraq will not affect supply of crude oil to India from that country. He said, crude supplies to India from Iraq come from the Basra oilfields which are situated well away from the conflict zone in the north-eastern part of Iraq and loading of ships continued normally.
Mr Pradhan yesterday reviewed availability of petroleum products in the country in light of the week-long conflict that has threatened to push Iraq into civil war. Mr Pradhan asked oil firms to prepare a contingency plan for the short and medium term by tying up supplies from other sources in case oil from Iraq is disrupted. India bought 25.1 million tonnes of crude oil from Iraq in 2013-14 fiscal.
These imports included those by PSU and private refiners like Reliance Industries. An equal amount is planned to be imported in current year.
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Categories : Business, CSR, Education, Uncategorized
Modi likely to visit Japan
20 06 2014|
Modi likely to visit Japan after the budget session of the Parliament.
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Prime
Minister’s expected visit to Japan next month has been deferred till
after the Budget session of Parliament ends in early August. The
decision has been taken in view of the Budget Session. The Prime
Minister was expected to visit Japan during early July, given the strong
strategic, economic and cultural foundations of the bilateral
relationship. After Bhutan visit, Prime Minister’s Japan visit will be
the first major bilateral visit after taking charge.
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Iraqi military keeping insurgents at bay
20 06 2014
Top
US officials turned on Iraq’s leader, blaming his “sectarian” policies
for the country’s crisis as Washington on Thursday weighed calls for air
strikes on Sunni militants bearing down on Baghdad.
The sharp criticism of Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki came as he
scrambled to repel an insurgent onslaught that has seen an entire
province and parts of three others fall out of government control in an
offensive that could threaten Iraq’s very existence.The militants’ swift
advance has sparked international alarm and the United Nations has
warned that the crisis was “life-threatening for Iraq”.
Hundreds of thousands of Iraqis have been displaced in the nine days of fighting and an unknown number killed, while dozens of Indians and Turks have been kidnapped.
With President Barack Obama mulling a request by Baghdad for air strikes on the advancing militants, US officials castigated Maliki, publicly echoing long-held criticisms among his domestic opponents of sectarianism.
US Vice President Joe Biden urged greater political inclusion in Iraq in phone calls with Maliki and other Iraqi officials, the White House said. Biden “stressed the need for national unity in responding to the ISIL threat against all Iraqi communities,” in calls with Maliki, Iraqi Council of Representatives Speaker Osama al-Nujaifi, and President of the Iraqi Kurdistan Region Masoud Barzani, it said.
The top-ranking military officer, General Martin Dempsey, and former US commander David Petraeus both also rounded on the premier. “There is very little that could have been done to overcome the degree to which the government of Iraq had failed its people,” Dempsey said.
Petraeus warned at a conference in London that Washington risked becoming an “air force for Shiite militias” and supporting “one side of what could be a sectarian civil war” if political reconciliation were not agreed.
The remarks came after Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari told reporters in Saudi Arabia that Baghdad had asked Washington “to conduct air strikes against terrorist groups”. Zebari acknowledged “the need for drastic political solutions.”
Washington has deployed an aircraft carrier to the Gulf and sent military personnel to bolster security at its Baghdad embassy, but Obama insists a return to combat in Iraq is not in the cards.
Iraqi government forces are reportedly keeping Sunni Islamist insurgents at bay across the country following intensified counterattacks.The militants are expanding their influence in southern Iraq after taking control of the country’s second largest city of Mosul in the north. Sporadic fighting continues between government forces and the insurgents in southern cities.
An Iraqi military spokesperson said on Thursday that government troops had attacked militants from the air and ground at an oil refinery plant in the northern city of Baiji. The official said the troops killed about 70 insurgents and forced them to withdraw from the plant. Insurgents have been advancing toward the capital, Baghdad.
Iraqi officials say government forces have pushed back insurgents from the city of Baquba, near the capital, and the western city of Fallujah. Fighting in the 2 cities has reportedly come to a halt. Government forces have stepped up air raids on areas controlled by insurgents, apparently stalling their advance. On Thursday, government troops provided firearm training to volunteer fighters in the southern city of Basra in an effort to increase security.
In response to Iraq military assistance, US President Barack Obama has announced that he is sending 300 military advisers to Iraq to help local forces fight the militants. Addressing a press conference in Washington, Mr Obama said the United States is ready for targeted and precise military action against Islamists in Iraq, if and when the situation on the ground requires.
Our West Asia correspondent reports that in the first clear indication that the US is open for a targeted and precise military action against jihadist militants in Iraq, President Obama said he is prepared for such an eventuality. He said that American combat troops are not going to be fighting on the ground in Iraq again. President Obama also emphasized the need for a political solution to the crisis in Iraq. He urged the Iraqi Government to take urgent steps to heal the sectarian rift.
In the meantime, US has begun flying F-18 attack aircraft from the aircraft carrier George H.W. Bush on missions over Iraq to conduct surveillance of the insurgents. The carrier moved into the Persian gulf close to Iraq a week ago.
Hundreds of thousands of Iraqis have been displaced in the nine days of fighting and an unknown number killed, while dozens of Indians and Turks have been kidnapped.
With President Barack Obama mulling a request by Baghdad for air strikes on the advancing militants, US officials castigated Maliki, publicly echoing long-held criticisms among his domestic opponents of sectarianism.
US Vice President Joe Biden urged greater political inclusion in Iraq in phone calls with Maliki and other Iraqi officials, the White House said. Biden “stressed the need for national unity in responding to the ISIL threat against all Iraqi communities,” in calls with Maliki, Iraqi Council of Representatives Speaker Osama al-Nujaifi, and President of the Iraqi Kurdistan Region Masoud Barzani, it said.
The top-ranking military officer, General Martin Dempsey, and former US commander David Petraeus both also rounded on the premier. “There is very little that could have been done to overcome the degree to which the government of Iraq had failed its people,” Dempsey said.
Petraeus warned at a conference in London that Washington risked becoming an “air force for Shiite militias” and supporting “one side of what could be a sectarian civil war” if political reconciliation were not agreed.
The remarks came after Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari told reporters in Saudi Arabia that Baghdad had asked Washington “to conduct air strikes against terrorist groups”. Zebari acknowledged “the need for drastic political solutions.”
Washington has deployed an aircraft carrier to the Gulf and sent military personnel to bolster security at its Baghdad embassy, but Obama insists a return to combat in Iraq is not in the cards.
Iraqi government forces are reportedly keeping Sunni Islamist insurgents at bay across the country following intensified counterattacks.The militants are expanding their influence in southern Iraq after taking control of the country’s second largest city of Mosul in the north. Sporadic fighting continues between government forces and the insurgents in southern cities.
An Iraqi military spokesperson said on Thursday that government troops had attacked militants from the air and ground at an oil refinery plant in the northern city of Baiji. The official said the troops killed about 70 insurgents and forced them to withdraw from the plant. Insurgents have been advancing toward the capital, Baghdad.
Iraqi officials say government forces have pushed back insurgents from the city of Baquba, near the capital, and the western city of Fallujah. Fighting in the 2 cities has reportedly come to a halt. Government forces have stepped up air raids on areas controlled by insurgents, apparently stalling their advance. On Thursday, government troops provided firearm training to volunteer fighters in the southern city of Basra in an effort to increase security.
In response to Iraq military assistance, US President Barack Obama has announced that he is sending 300 military advisers to Iraq to help local forces fight the militants. Addressing a press conference in Washington, Mr Obama said the United States is ready for targeted and precise military action against Islamists in Iraq, if and when the situation on the ground requires.
Our West Asia correspondent reports that in the first clear indication that the US is open for a targeted and precise military action against jihadist militants in Iraq, President Obama said he is prepared for such an eventuality. He said that American combat troops are not going to be fighting on the ground in Iraq again. President Obama also emphasized the need for a political solution to the crisis in Iraq. He urged the Iraqi Government to take urgent steps to heal the sectarian rift.
In the meantime, US has begun flying F-18 attack aircraft from the aircraft carrier George H.W. Bush on missions over Iraq to conduct surveillance of the insurgents. The carrier moved into the Persian gulf close to Iraq a week ago.
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Categories : Legal, Media, Politics, Uncategorized, world News
Poroshenko, Putin talksUkraine truce plan
20 06 2014
Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko called for Russia’s support
for a truce in eastern Ukraine.Poroshenko and Russian President Vladimir
Putin talked over the phone on Thursday about the fighting between
Ukrainian troops and pro-Russian separatists in the region. Ukrainian
presidential office said Poroshenko explained the peace plan he proposed
earlier and its schedule. .
Ukrainian President .Poroshenko announced a 14-point peace plan to deescalate tensions and asked Russia for support.
In a meeting with Kiev-installed leaders of protest-struck Donetsk and Lugansk regions, the newly elected Ukrainian leader Petro Poroshenko outlined his vision for stabilizing the eastern part of the country amid an extensive “counter-terrorism operation.”
The plan includes a ceasefire. Poroshenko reportedly stressed the need to free hostages and put the border under the joint management of Ukraine and Russia. Poroshenko had urged Putin to support the plan.
Further highlighted the need to amend the constitution, a presidential press release reads, to decentralize the powers of the state. “The President voluntarily renounces the ability to appoint governors and heads of regional state administrations,” and has agreed to hold early local elections, the presidential press service said.
Poroshenko noted that the relevant draft amendments of the law will be sent to the Venice Commission. “Our goal is not war, our goal is peace,” he stressed.
The office of the Russian President said Putin has called for an immediate halt to the Ukrainian military operations in eastern Ukraine. It also said Putin expressed hope that the Ukrainian government will address the demands of ethnic Russians in the region.
These residents are demanding the right to use the Russian language and they also want expanded autonomy.
Western nations are calling on Russia to exert its influence over separatist militants.Media agencies
Ukrainian President .Poroshenko announced a 14-point peace plan to deescalate tensions and asked Russia for support.
In a meeting with Kiev-installed leaders of protest-struck Donetsk and Lugansk regions, the newly elected Ukrainian leader Petro Poroshenko outlined his vision for stabilizing the eastern part of the country amid an extensive “counter-terrorism operation.”
The plan includes a ceasefire. Poroshenko reportedly stressed the need to free hostages and put the border under the joint management of Ukraine and Russia. Poroshenko had urged Putin to support the plan.
Further highlighted the need to amend the constitution, a presidential press release reads, to decentralize the powers of the state. “The President voluntarily renounces the ability to appoint governors and heads of regional state administrations,” and has agreed to hold early local elections, the presidential press service said.
Poroshenko noted that the relevant draft amendments of the law will be sent to the Venice Commission. “Our goal is not war, our goal is peace,” he stressed.
The office of the Russian President said Putin has called for an immediate halt to the Ukrainian military operations in eastern Ukraine. It also said Putin expressed hope that the Ukrainian government will address the demands of ethnic Russians in the region.
These residents are demanding the right to use the Russian language and they also want expanded autonomy.
Western nations are calling on Russia to exert its influence over separatist militants.Media agencies
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US to send military advisors to Iraq
20 06 2014Obama issued a statement on Thursday to outline US responses to the Iraqi situation. Earlier in the day, he met at the White House with his national security team, including Secretary of State John Kerry and Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel.
Obama said the US will also increase its intelligence efforts in Iraq and create joint operations centers in Baghdad and northern Iraq. Obama said US forces will not be returning to combat in Iraq. But he said the US will be prepared to take targeted and precise military action if and when it determines that the situation on the ground requires it.
The president stressed that he will continue to consult with Congress before making such a decision.
Obama noted that the US will work to stabilize the situation by promoting diplomatic efforts with leaders of Iraq and neighboring countries. He said he will send Secretary Kerry to the Middle East and Europe starting this weekend to discuss the turmoil in Iraq.
Obama said Iraqi leaders must rise above their differences and come together around a political plan for their country’s future. He called for the government of Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki to govern with a more inclusive agenda.
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Li Keqiang in Athens
19 06 2014
Posted on June 19, 2014
Li Keqiang in Athens Thursday for an official visit, his first trip to Greece since taking office in 2013.
Li is scheduled to meet with top Greek leaders, including President Karolos Papoulias, Prime Minister Antonis Samaras and Parliament Speaker Evangelos Vasileios Meimarakis.
During the visit, both countries are expected to sign more than 20 cooperation agreements and business contracts on trade, investment, finance, shipping, technology, culture and quality inspection, according to Chinese Ambassador to Greece Zou Xiaoli.
As a highlight of Li’s visit, the two prime ministers will jointly inspect the Piraeus Container Terminal (PCT) near Athens, part of which is operated China’s state-owned shipping giant COSCO under a 35-year lease signed in 2009.
The premier will also address a forum on maritime cooperation between China and Greece, and deliver a speech to expound China’s views on maritime issues.
Li’s visit will further consolidate bilateral traditional friendship, deepen political trust and expand win-win cooperation in diversified fields, said Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Wang Chao.
Greece is the second leg of Li’s two-nation Europe trip, which has taken him to Britain, where he witnessed the signing of a set of cooperation deals worth over 30 billion U.S. dollars.
Li will conclude his visit on Saturday.
Li is scheduled to meet with top Greek leaders, including President Karolos Papoulias, Prime Minister Antonis Samaras and Parliament Speaker Evangelos Vasileios Meimarakis.
During the visit, both countries are expected to sign more than 20 cooperation agreements and business contracts on trade, investment, finance, shipping, technology, culture and quality inspection, according to Chinese Ambassador to Greece Zou Xiaoli.
As a highlight of Li’s visit, the two prime ministers will jointly inspect the Piraeus Container Terminal (PCT) near Athens, part of which is operated China’s state-owned shipping giant COSCO under a 35-year lease signed in 2009.
The premier will also address a forum on maritime cooperation between China and Greece, and deliver a speech to expound China’s views on maritime issues.
Li’s visit will further consolidate bilateral traditional friendship, deepen political trust and expand win-win cooperation in diversified fields, said Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Wang Chao.
Greece is the second leg of Li’s two-nation Europe trip, which has taken him to Britain, where he witnessed the signing of a set of cooperation deals worth over 30 billion U.S. dollars.
Li will conclude his visit on Saturday.
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Iraq requests US strikes
19 06 2014
Posted on June 19, 2014
Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari told reporters in Saudi Arabia
that Baghdad had asked Washington “to conduct air strikes against
terrorist groups”.Zebari acknowledged “the need for drastic political
solutions.”Washington has deployed an aircraft carrier to the Gulf and
sent military personnel to bolster security at its Baghdad embassy, but
Obama insists a return to combat in Iraq is not in the cards. The United
States spent billions of dollars over several years training and arming
Iraqi security forces after disbanding the Sunni-led army following the
2003 invasion that ousted dictator Saddam Hussein.
But the security forces wilted when faced with the militant offensive on June 9 which saw insurgents quickly capture Mosul, a city of some two million people, and then parts of Salaheddin, Kirkuk and Diyala provinces.
Some abandoned their vehicles and uniforms when faced with the insurgents, which are led by ISIL fighters but also include Saddam loyalists. The Sunni fighters have been led by the powerful Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, but also include a wide coalition of other Sunni Arab militant groups, as well as loyalists of executed dictator Saddam Hussein. Though the alliance has made significant territorial gains, the wildly divergent ideologies of its constituent groups means it may struggle to survive over time, analysts say.
And while they struggled in the early part of the offensive, Iraq´s security forces appear to be performing better in recent days, managing to make advances in certain areas, though militants have made their own gains elsewhere.
US officials turned on Iraq´s leader, blaming his “sectarian” policies for the country´s crisis as Washington Thursday weighed calls for air strikes on Sunni militants bearing down on Baghdad.
The sharp criticism of Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki came as he scrambled to repel an insurgent onslaught that has seen an entire province and parts of three others fall out of government control in an offensive that could threaten Iraq´s very existence.
The militants´ swift advance has sparked international alarm and the United Nations has warned that the crisis was “life-threatening for Iraq”.
Hundreds of thousands of Iraqis have been displaced in the nine days of fighting and an unknown number killed, while dozens of Indians and Turks have been kidnapped.
With President Barack Obama mulling a request by Baghdad for air strikes on the advancing militants, US officials castigated Maliki, publicly echoing long-held criticisms among his domestic opponents of sectarianism.
US Vice President Joe Biden urged greater political inclusion in Iraq in phone calls with Maliki and other Iraqi officials, the White House said.
Biden “stressed the need for national unity in responding to the ISIL threat against all Iraqi communities,” in calls with Maliki, Iraqi Council of Representatives Speaker Osama al-Nujaifi, and President of the Iraqi Kurdistan Region Masoud Barzani, it said.
The top-ranking military officer, General Martin Dempsey, and former US commander David Petraeus both also rounded on the premier.
“There is very little that could have been done to overcome the degree to which the government of Iraq had failed its people,” Dempsey said.
Petraeus warned at a conference in London that Washington risked becoming an “air force for Shiite militias” and supporting “one side of what could be a sectarian civil war” if political reconciliation were not agreed.
But the security forces wilted when faced with the militant offensive on June 9 which saw insurgents quickly capture Mosul, a city of some two million people, and then parts of Salaheddin, Kirkuk and Diyala provinces.
Some abandoned their vehicles and uniforms when faced with the insurgents, which are led by ISIL fighters but also include Saddam loyalists. The Sunni fighters have been led by the powerful Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, but also include a wide coalition of other Sunni Arab militant groups, as well as loyalists of executed dictator Saddam Hussein. Though the alliance has made significant territorial gains, the wildly divergent ideologies of its constituent groups means it may struggle to survive over time, analysts say.
And while they struggled in the early part of the offensive, Iraq´s security forces appear to be performing better in recent days, managing to make advances in certain areas, though militants have made their own gains elsewhere.
US officials turned on Iraq´s leader, blaming his “sectarian” policies for the country´s crisis as Washington Thursday weighed calls for air strikes on Sunni militants bearing down on Baghdad.
The sharp criticism of Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki came as he scrambled to repel an insurgent onslaught that has seen an entire province and parts of three others fall out of government control in an offensive that could threaten Iraq´s very existence.
The militants´ swift advance has sparked international alarm and the United Nations has warned that the crisis was “life-threatening for Iraq”.
Hundreds of thousands of Iraqis have been displaced in the nine days of fighting and an unknown number killed, while dozens of Indians and Turks have been kidnapped.
With President Barack Obama mulling a request by Baghdad for air strikes on the advancing militants, US officials castigated Maliki, publicly echoing long-held criticisms among his domestic opponents of sectarianism.
US Vice President Joe Biden urged greater political inclusion in Iraq in phone calls with Maliki and other Iraqi officials, the White House said.
Biden “stressed the need for national unity in responding to the ISIL threat against all Iraqi communities,” in calls with Maliki, Iraqi Council of Representatives Speaker Osama al-Nujaifi, and President of the Iraqi Kurdistan Region Masoud Barzani, it said.
The top-ranking military officer, General Martin Dempsey, and former US commander David Petraeus both also rounded on the premier.
“There is very little that could have been done to overcome the degree to which the government of Iraq had failed its people,” Dempsey said.
Petraeus warned at a conference in London that Washington risked becoming an “air force for Shiite militias” and supporting “one side of what could be a sectarian civil war” if political reconciliation were not agreed.
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