Archive for June 27th, 2010
Jun
27
CIA Defends Blackwater Contract Worth 100m
The head of CIA has defended awarding a large contract to the controversial security company formerly known as Blackwater.
The director of the CIA, Leon Penatta, said the company's bid was US 26m less than its nearest rival.
The contract, worth 100m, is to provide security at US consulates in the cities of Herat and Mazar-e-Sharif.
Blackwater guards allegedly opened fire on unarmed civilians in Baghdad in 2007 killing 17 people.
In the wake of the killings, the company rebranded itself Xe Services.
The company ended its operations in Iraq in 2009, in line with a ban by the government.
The US government said in January 2009 that it would not renew the company's task orders.
The new contract with the company initialy runs for a year but could be extended to 18 months.
In a rare television interview with ABC News on Sunday, Leon Panetta said the CIA had come to rely on such companies to provide security for forward bases.
“[Xe] provided a bid that underbid everyone else by about US 26m. And a panel that we had said that they can do the job, that they have shaped up their act. So there really was not much choice but to accept that contract,” Mr Panetta explained.
As Blackwater the company provided the US government with bodyguards both in Afghanistan and Iraq.
It hit the headlines when four of its bodyguards were ambushed in the Iraqi city of Fallujah and their bodies left hanging from a bridge over the Euphrates River.
Earlier this month the company was put up for sale.
Source:BBC
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Jun
27
G20 Summit Is Close To An Agreement On Recession Risks
Leaders at the G20 summit are trying to thrash out an agreement to cut national budget deficits within three years.
The group of 20 leading and emerging nations, meeting in Canada, are split over the pace of budget cuts.
US President Barack Obama has warned against fast and deep budget cuts, fearing damage to global growth.
But German Chancellor Angela Merkel said on the Sunday the G20 was moving towards a deal to co-ordinate cuts by 2013.
“This will be part of the final document,” Mrs Merkel told reporters as she arrived at the meeting in Toronto for the final day of talks.
However, she stressed the deal would only apply to the most developed economies, after emerging countries protested that deep cuts would hurt their export-dependent industries.
On Friday US Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner echoed comments by Mr Obama last week when he said the summit should be about growth not cuts.
“The scars of this crisis are still with us. This summit must be fundamentally about growth,” Mr Geithner said.
However, Mr Obama reportedly told UK Prime Minister David Cameron on Saturday that despite “differentiated responses” to the financial meltdown, “we're aiming at the same direction: long-term sustainable growth.”
The UK, France, and Germany, have already led moves to slash record public deficits, despite opposition from the United States which is saddled with a 1.3-trillion-dollar debt. But with countries emerging from the global downturn at different speeds, splits have emerged on how to proceed.
Spooked by attacks on the euro currency prompted by Greece's debt crisis, European governments have focused on cutting spending to reduce their deficits.
A draft version of the summit's statement suggested the Group of 20 richest and emerging economies was nearing a compromise, Reuters news agency said.
This would see an agreement to halve budget deficits by three years and toughen banking regulations.
Brazil said the focus on cutting deficits could harm emerging economies.
“If the cuts take place in advanced countries it is worse,” said Brazilian Finance Minister Guido Mantega.
“Because instead of stimulating growth they pay more attention to fiscal adjustments, and if they are exporters they will be reforming at our cost.”
Demonstrations by thousands of people turned violent on Saturday as some protesters clashed with police and vandalised buildings. By the start of summit talks on Sunday about 500 people had been arrested, police said.
Thousands of demonstrators marched on the G20 summit on Saturday in what is being reported to have been a largely peacefully rally that saw outbreaks of violence on its edges. These saw groups of young men scuffle with riot police and set fire to at least two patrol cars.
The G20 meeting follows the summit of the G8 group of industrialised nations, which met at a lakeside resort outside Toronto.
They condemned North Korea for the sinking of a South Korean warship in March.
The G8 leaders also criticised North Korea – and Iran – over their nuclear activities, and they described the Israeli blockade of the Gaza Strip as “not sustainable”.
And they admitted that the global financial crisis had compromised efforts to meet UN targets for reducing world poverty.
On Friday, they agreed to donate 5bn (3.3bn) over five years towards improving the health of mothers and young children in the developing world.
Source:BBC
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Jun
27
CIA Says Afghan War Harder And Slower That Expected
The director of the CIA has conceded that the war in Afghanistan has been “harder and slower” than anticipated.
Speaking on US television Leon Panetta said while progress has been made in Afghanistan, serious problems with governance, corruption and the Taliban insurgency remained.
Mr Panetta's comments come as Gen David Petraeus takes over command of multinational forces in Afghanistan, following the sacking of Gen Stanley McChrystal.
Gen McChrystal was dismissed last week over critical comments about senior US officials.
Speaking to ABC This Week programme Mr Panetta insisted that “the fundamental key is whether the Afghans accept responsibility” for taking over the battle against the insurgency once foreign troops pull out of the country.
Mr Panetta defended CIA drone strikes on senior al-Qaeda of Taleban leaders in the region, saying that claims they violate international law are “dead wrong”.
“We have a duty, we have a responsibility, to defend this country so that al-Qaeda never conducts that kind of attack again,” he said.
Source:BBC
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Jun
27
Terrifying Chase Through Americas tornado Alley
As towns across the central belt of the US known as tornado alley brace for high winds, Huw Cordey heads to Oklahoma to meet those who live to follow the “twisters” others dread.Top storm chaser Roger Hill is giving a morning briefing to his 13 clients – a group of mostly middle-aged men. The talk is much more serious than usual. “We won’t be going off-road today,” he says, “because if we get stuck we could die. And when I say get back in the car, you get back in or we’ll leave you behind. “By the end of today,” he continues, “people will have died and lives will have changed forever.” It all sounds a bit melodramatic but then Roger knows a few things about violent tornadic supercells, as he likes to call these weather systems. His tornado count currently stands at 467 – and the fact that he is still alive to tell the tales is more than a little comforting to his clients. Roger was just nine when he saw his first tornado, though his tally could have ended here. One came through his hometown and carried away the family house – leaving an exhilarated Roger huddled in the cellar with his parents. The right call?Chasing days start slowly. Roger has never seen a tornado before 1 o’clock, so mornings are all about getting into position. Sitting in the passenger seat of his vehicle, Roger flicks continuously between computer weather models, which are being constantly updated via satellite.There are often several options on where to go, so making the right call is everything – especially today when big things are expected. The forecast is so good that every storm chaser in the country seems to have descended on Oklahoma. They all have laptops set up in their vehicles but I have a feeling that some storm chasers are keeping a closer eye on Roger – and what he is doing – than the weather models. After an hour or two of driving, we stop for lunch at a fast food restaurant. It is a familiar routine. The brand of hamburger is the only thing that changes. The diet of a storm chaser is terrible. While Roger ponders our next move, we sit waiting in the restaurant car park – another familiar routine.
Suddenly, Roger shouts for everybody to get into the vans. The chase is on. Thirty minutes later we are standing by the vehicles watching a supercell – the cyclonic storms that form tornadoes – sweep across the landscape. We do not wait for long. There is no sign of a tornado yet but the storm is moving at speed and Roger does not want to lose it. “Back in,” he shouts. Ominous cloudsI am following behind in a pick-up truck, but Roger is not hanging around and at a junction I lose him. So I fall in behind some other storm chasers. There are low clouds twisting ominously above our heads. They look as if they might form a tornado at any minute but it is clear we have just missed one. Half a dozen telegraph poles have been laid flat and at the side of the road we pass an SUV with all its windows blown out. The occupants look dazed but otherwise OK.Later, at my motel, I meet a group of storm chasers and they tell me a tornado hit their car side-on. They are not exaggerating – another chaser shows me a video he took of the moment of impact. There is still no sign of Roger but following other storm chasers I find myself on a highway driving through the core of a supercell. The rain is coming down so hard I can barely see the front of the car. The conditions are terrifying and in any other circumstance I would have pulled over but I do not want to get left behind. Life and deathI am also worried about hail. In storm chaser parlance, supercell hail is always the size of baseballs, or at the very least golf balls. Either way the windscreen would end up on my lap. I phone Roger on the mobile to find out what I should be doing. His first response is not very comforting. “Where are you?” he shouts, “it’s a matter of life and death.” Later I find out he could see a tornado forming on his computer models and thought it was heading straight for where he figured I was: a case of the storm chaser being chased by the storm. Several hours later – and having failed to catch up with Roger – I arrive back in the motel. On the local news channel, I see footage of the day’s violent storms. Fourteen tornadoes have been confirmed. There is an aerial shot of a huge tornado with a cloud of debris at its base, then the devastating aftermath of its trail. A trailer park, school and petrol station have been flattened. Six people have died. How to listen to: From Our Own CorrespondentRadio 4: Saturdays, 1130. Second weekly edition on Thursdays, 1100 (some weeks only) World Service: See Download the Listen on Story by story at the
Source:BBC
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Jun
27
Jackson Glove Sells For 190000
A crystal-studded glove belonging to the late pop star Michael Jackson has sold at a US auction for 190,000 (126,000).
The glove, worn during the Jacksons' 1984 Victory tour, was among over 200 items on offer, which sold for just under 1m (664,055) in total.
The sale took place at Julien's Auctions at Planet Hollywood in Las Vegas at the weekend.
Some items fetched more than 10 times their estimated value.
“It just shows you Michael Jackson is the most sought after and most collectible celebrity of all time. It was just phenomenal,” Darren Julien, who ran the auction, told the Las Vegas Review Journal.
“People flew in from Asia, Russia, all over. Now that he's gone, we now realise the true legend we lost,” he added.
The value of Jackson memorabilia appears to be rising. The first of his gloves to go on auction after his death went for 49,000 (29,900), back in September 2009.
A pair of Jackson's loafers, which he wore on stage, were expected to fetch between 2,000 (1,328) and 3,000 (1,990) but went for 90,000 (59,764).
One of his jackets fetched 120,000 (79,686), even though its estimate was between 6,000 (3,984) and 8,000 (5,312).
A white fedora hat sold for 56,250 (37,353).
Other memorabilia from the likes of Elvis Presley, Prince, Kurt Cobain and Jimi Hendrix was also up for grabs.
A lock of Presley's hair was sold for 20,000 (13,281), while Prince's handwritten lyrics for Purple Rain fetched 67,650 (44,900).
A Jimi Hendrix Fender guitar was sold for 180,000 (119,500).
Fans across the globe paid tribute to Jackson on the first anniversary of his death on Friday.
Jackson's father has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the doctor charged with giving his son a lethal overdose one year ago.
Source:BBC
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Jun
27
Mexico Drug Clinic Shooting Leaves Nine Dead
Nine people have been shot dead in an attack on a drug rehabilitation centre in northern Mexico.
Unidentified gunmen opened fire at the centre in the city of Gomez Palacio, Durango state, on Saturday afternoon.
The bodies were found in different parts of the centre, which had nearly 50 patients, a senior local official said.
Earlier this month, a similar attack on another drug rehabilitation centre in northern Mexico left 19 people dead.
In recent years, dozens have died in similar attacks.
Such shootings are blamed on drug traffickers, who accuse the clinics of protecting dealers from rival gangs, observers say.
Also, police say drug cartels use rehabilitation clinics to recruit hitmen and smugglers – and threaten to kill those who fail to co-operate.
Durango state deputy attorney general Ramiro Ortiz said the owner of the centre attacked in Gomez Palacio was among the dead, and appeared to have been the main target, AP reported.
Source:BBC
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Jun
27
US Warns Over Recession Risks As G20 Meeting Starts
The US has said the world's largest economies should focus on maintaining growth to avoid a double-dip recession.
As the G20 summit begins in Canada, US Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner said Europe and Japan should boost domestic demand instead of cutting spending.
European leaders have said reducing government deficits is key to setting long-term growth on track.
But Brazil warned that steep budget cuts could harm emerging economies.
Speaking in Toronto, scene of the summit, Mr Geithner said the global economy was still emerging from its crisis and “the scars of this crisis are still with us”.
He said: “This summit must be fundamentally about growth.”
Emergency assistance that G20 leaders agreed on at previous summits at the height of the economic crisis must not be withdrawn too soon, he said. “We're going to avoid that mistake by making sure that we recognize that it's only been a year since the world economy stopped collapsing,” he said.
Europe and Japan should do more to stimulate domestic demand to make it easier for other countries to export to them.
With countries emerging from the global downturn at different speeds, splits have emerged in how to proceed.
Spooked by attacks on the euro currency prompted by Greece's debt crisis, European governments have focused on cutting spending to reduce their deficits.
A draft version of the summit's communique suggested the Group of 20 richest and emerging economies was nearing a compromise, Reuters news agency said.
This would see an agreement to halve budget deficits by three years and toughen banking regulations.
Brazil said the focus on cutting deficits could harm emerging economies.
“If the cuts take place in advanced countries it is worse,” said Brazilian Finance Minister Guido Mantega.
“Because instead of stimulating growth they pay more attention to fiscal adjustments, and if they are exporters they will be reforming at our cost.”
Thousands of demonstrators marched on the G20 summit on Saturday in what is being reported to have been a largely peacefully rally that saw outbreaks of violence on its edges. These saw groups of young men scuffle with riot police and set fire to at least two patrol cars.
The G20 meeting follows the summit of the G8 group of industrialised nations, which met at a lakeside resort outside Toronto.
They condemned North Korea for the sinking of a South Korean warship in March.
The G8 leaders also criticised North Korea – and Iran – over their nuclear activities, and they described the Israeli blockade of the Gaza Strip as “not sustainable”.
And they admitted that the global financial crisis had compromised efforts to meet UN targets for reducing world poverty.
On Friday, they agreed to donate 5bn (3.3bn) over five years towards improving the health of mothers and young children in the developing world.
Source:BBC
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Jun
27
Prince Harry Tries Out As A Baseball Pitcher
Prince Harry received a rapturous welcome as he threw the first pitch at a New York baseball game.
The 25-year-old prince looked nervous as he walked out in front of the 40,000 people to throw the first ball at the New York Mets' Citi Field stadium.
He looked genuinely relieved when the ball slammed into the catcher's glove and the crowd cheered wildly.
Harry's visit to New York is aimed at forging closer links between the UK and US armed forces charities.
When asked how he felt before making his way to the pitcher's mound the 25-year-old royal replied “don't ask”, then joked “can I have a practice first?”.
Pointing towards his private secretary Jamie Lowther-Pinkerton he said: “He wants to bat against me.”
He was joined at the stadium by two British officers who lost limbs during operations in Afghanistan – Lieutenant Guy Disney and Captain Kate Philp.
They are working with ABF The Soldiers' Charity, formerly the Army Benevolent Fund, to see if there are any lessons that can be learned from the US for improving the welfare of UK servicemen and women.
Earlier, the prince was praised by a wounded US marine after the pair met in at a reception on the former aircraft carrier USS Intrepid.
Cpl Aaron Mankin commended Harry for his efforts to forge greater links between British and American organisations helping injured soldiers, sailors and airmen.
Source:BBC
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Jun
27
World Cup 2010 Bradley Proud Despite Elimination
United States coach Bob Bradley said he and his players are proud of their achievements despite their elimination in the last 16 at the hands of Ghana.Asamoah Gyan’s extra-time strike gave Ghana a 2-1 victory over the US in a hard-fought contest in Rustenburg. “We’re disappointed we couldn’t take it further but this is a terrific group and we’re proud,” said Bradley. “We knew Ghana was a good team and we didn’t get the job done. It is a stinging, tough defeat.” Gyan’s powerful strike for Ghana, three minutes into extra-time, proved decisive in the game. The US had the better of the second half in Rustenburg, having deservedly drawn level when Landon Donovan’s penalty cancelled out Kevin Prince Boateng’s early opener for the Black Stars.”I really felt when we got to 1-1 there were some chances for us,” said Bradley. “Early in the overtime we go down again early. At that point, with everything we put into the game early, we didn’t have enough after that.” The US had relied on late goals to earn their progression to the second round. In the group stage, Michael Bradley’s late strike earned them a 2-2 draw with Slovenia and Donovan’s injury-time winner against Algeria ensured they topped Group C and lined up the last-16 tie with Ghana. But the US were unable to replicate such heroics against Ghana, who will now go on to face Uruguay in a quarter-final clash in Johannesburg on Friday. Donovan’s penalty – awarded after Clint Dempsey was fouled by Jonathan Mensah – was the striker’s third goal of the tournament and his fifth World Cup goal in total, making him his country’s leading all-time scorer in the competition. “We were a little naive tonight and at this level you can’t do that,” said Donovan. “It is frustrating considering all the work we have put in, it just sucks man. “I’m proud of what the team has done. Soccer is a cruel game sometimes. One minute you are on top of the world, the next minute you are at the bottom of the mountain.”
Source:BBC
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Jun
27
Barack Obama Invites Chinas Hu Jintao For State Visit
China's President Hu Jintao has accepted an invitation for a state visit from US President Barack Obama, the White House has said.
The invitation was made on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Canada.
Officials from the two countries are to set a date for the state visit, Mr Hu's first to the US under President Obama.
The two countries have disagreed recently on currency exchange rates, trade and how to deal with Iran's nuclear programme.
China has agreed recently to let its currency float more freely from its previous peg to the US dollar, but many in the US say it is undervalued, giving China an unfair trade advantage.
“The president extended an invitation to President Hu to visit the United States on a state visit. President Hu accepted and the two sides will work out the timing,” White House aide Jeffrey Bader said.
Mr Obama told Mr Hu that China's move to greater flexibility on its currency exchange was welcome and that “implementation of it was very important,” Mr Bader said.
“The president stressed the need for balanced and sustainable growth and the role that China can play in achieving balanced and sustainable growth,” he added.
Source:BBC
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