Gazette -12-17-13

Tuesday December 17th 2013

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Afghanistan plane crash kills foreign soldiers - Isaf

Six international soldiers have died in a crash involving an aircraft in southern Afghanistan, the International Security Assistance Force (Isaf) says.

The cause of the crash in Zabul is unknown and an investigation is under way, Isaf said.
Initial reports indicated there was "no enemy activity in the area" at the time of the incident, a short statement said.
The nationalities of the victims have not yet been made public.
The deputy governor of Zabul province told the Associated Press news agency that a Nato helicopter had crashed in the remote district of Shajau.
It was not clear if he was referring to the same incident.
Earlier this year, Isaf handed over security for the whole of Afghanistan to Afghan forces, but some 97,000 troops remain.
The Nato-led force currently has soldiers from 50 contributing nations - including some 68,000 from the US - providing military back-up when needed.
By the end of 2014, all combat troops should have left. They will be replaced by a smaller force that will only train and advise, which will need approval from the Afghan government.

Bombings kill 10 Shiite pilgrims in Iraq 

Bombings in and near Baghdad killed 10 Shiite pilgrims on Tuesday as they were making their way on foot to a holy city in southern Iraq, officials said.

In the deadlier of the two attacks, a suicide bomber set off his explosive belt among a group of pilgrims south of Baghdad, near the town of Mahmoudiya. That attack killed six people and wounded 16, police officials said.
The pilgrims were headed to the city of Karbala, 55 miles to the south, to commemorate Arbaeen, the end of 40 days of mourning following the anniversary of the death of the Prophet Muhammad's grandson, Imam Hussein, a revered Shiite figure.
About two hours earlier, a bomb blast struck another group of Shiite pilgrims in Baghdad, also on their way to Karbala. That bombing, in the southeastern neighborhood of New Baghdad, killed four people and wounded 11, the police officials said.

Explosion Hits Near Hezbollah Base In East Lebanon

BAALBEK, Lebanon (AP) — A car bomb went off in an open field near a Hezbollah base in eastern Lebanon early on Tuesday, officials said, the latest in a wave of deadly attacks that have targeted the Shiite militant group's interests in Lebanon.
However, there were conflicting reports on the source of the explosion and the number of casualties resulting from the blast in the remote, scarcely inhabited area was not immediately clear.
The Lebanese National News Agency said it was a suicide bomber, adding that the driver detonated his vehicle near the village of Sbouba in the Baalbek region, about two kilometers (a mile) from a base belonging to the Iranian-backed group. The report said the explosion caused an unspecified number of casualties among Hezbollah members and civilians.
A Lebanese army statement and Hezbollah's Al-Manar TV station said the explosion was a car bomb. The Hezbollah-owned TV said the blast took place near a logistical base belonging to the group, causing some casualties.
The bombing appeared to be related to a series of reprisal attacks over Hezbollah's role in the civil war in neighboring Syria, where members of the group are fighting alongside President Bashar Assad's troops. The group has received threats of retaliation from the largely Sunni rebels fighting to topple him.

South Sudan factional fighting leaves dozens dead



Two days of fighting between rival factions in South Sudan's army have left at least 59 people dead and more than 400 wounded, prompting warnings of a bloodbath in the world's youngest country.
What began on Sunday night as an alleged coup attempt threatens to open deep ethnic divisions in a nation awash with arms and still recovering from a devastating war that led to its secession in 2011 from the north.
Salva Kiir, the president of the two-and-a-half-year-old nation, has accused his sacked vice-president, Riek Machar, of an attempt to seize power and labelled him a "prophet of doom".
Others have accused Kiir of manufacturing a coup plot to launch a crackdown against his opponents. Critics of the president, including at least seven former government ministers, have been rounded up in the past two days by security forces, prompting fears of a putsch.
Susan Page, the American ambassador to South Sudan, said by telephone from the capital, Juba: "The way they're going after searching for people is really causing fear."
While shooting continued last night outside the US embassy, Page denied reports Machar had sought refuge inside. A dawn-to-dusk curfew has left many terrified residents in hiding, with witnesses describing blasts that "shook the earth" from several locations in the city.
Thousands of desperate civilians have ignored security assurances from the government and crowded around two United Nations bases in the capital seeking the protection of a small peacekeeping force. Toby Lanzer, a senior UN official in Juba said 13,000 people had sought shelter in and outside the two bases.

NATO commander concerned about Russian missiles

NATO's supreme commander says reports that Russia may have deployed state-of-the-art missiles near the alliance's eastern borders show the need for more and better communications between Russian and NATO military leaders.

The Russian Defense Ministry gave an oblique response to a report in the German newspaper Bild's claim that Russia has sent the Iskander short-range missiles to its Kaliningrad exclave on the Baltic. The ministry said the move wouldn't violate any treaties.
Nevertheless, U.S. Gen. Philip Breedlove told reporters in Berlin that such a move would be cause for concern and underscores the need for "regular, trusted relations and communications" with Russia's military.
Breedlove said NATO and Russian aircraft operate close to one another in the Baltic, the Mediterranean and elsewhere and "there can be no room for miscalculation."

Edward Snowden offers to help Brazil over US spying in return for asylum

Brazilian senators have asked for Edward Snowden’s help during hearings about the NSA’s aggressive targeting of the country. Photograph: Uncredited/AP

Edward Snowden has offered to help Brazil investigate US spying on its soil in exchange for political asylum, in an open letter from the NSA whistleblower to the Brazilian people published by the Folha de S Paulo newspaper.
"I've expressed my willingness to assist where it's appropriate and legal, but, unfortunately, the US government has been working hard to limit my ability to do so," Snowden said in the letter.
"Until a country grants me permanent political asylum, the US government will continue to interfere with my ability to speak out," he said.
Snowden – currently living in Russia, where he has been granted a year's asylum until next summer – said he had been impressed by the Brazilian government's strong criticism of the NSA spy programme targeting internet and telecommunications worldwide, including monitoring the mobile phone of the Brazilian president, Dilma Rousseff.
Rousseff has been one of the most vocal critics of the spying revealed by Snowden. In September she launched a blistering attack on US espionage at the UN general assembly, with Barack Obama waiting in the wings to speak to next.
The following month, she cancelled a visit to Washington that was to include a state dinner, and she has joined Germany in pushing for the UN to adopt a symbolic resolution that seeks to extend personal privacy rights to all people.

Report: Hamas and the Palestinian Authority in talks to form unity government

Hamas and the Palestinian Authority were in talks to form a national unity government in preparation for the upcoming presidential and parliamentary elections, the Bethlehem-based Ma'an News Agency reported Tuesday.
Abbas received phone calls from Hamas leader Khaled Mashaal and Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh confirming their decision to join Hamas with Fatah, according to Ma'an sources.
This was not the first time that the two parties had announced an agreement to end their differences. Over the past few years, Fatah and Hamas have reached a number of such agreements that were never implemented.
Hamas leaders allegedly requested that the national unity government serve for six months instead of three as agreed in the 2012 Doha Agreement, one of many attempts at reconciliation between the rival Palestinian factions.
Ma'an sources suggested that Abbas would choose Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah to lead the unity government.

Two Saudis sent home from Guantánamo

Washington: Two Saudi men held by the United States without trial for nearly 12 years at the military prison at Guantánamo Bay, Cuba, have been repatriated, the Pentagon said on Monday.
In addition, a Sudanese news agency reported that its government expects the last two Sudanese nationals at Guantánamo to be flown on an American aircraft to Khartoum, arriving by Wednesday morning. If those transfers take place, they and the just-completed Saudi transfers would reduce the detainee population to 158.
The moves showed that the Obama administration’s recent push to winnow the population of lower-level detainees, which stagnated after restrictions were imposed by Congress, appears to be gaining momentum. Over the summer, President Obama appointed new envoys - Clifford Sloan at the State Department and Paul M. Lewis at the Pentagon - to revitalise the effort. 

US warns China against imposing South
China Sea air zone

MANILA: US secretary of state John Kerry warned China on Tuesday against imposing an air defence zone over the South China Sea, similar to one it declared over disputed islands in the East China Sea.

"The zone should not be implemented and China should refrain from taking similar, unilateral actions elsewhere in the region, and particularly over the South China Sea," Kerry told a news conference in Manila.

The Philippines warned last month that China's announcement of an Air Defence Identification Zone (ADIZ) in the East China Sea raised the prospect of it doing the same for the South China Sea.

The Philippines, China, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan have overlapping claims to parts of the strategically vital and potentially resource-rich South China Sea.

"Today, I raised our deep concerns about China's announcement of an East China Sea air defence identification zone," Kerry said, referring to his discussions in Manila with Philippine Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario.

‘No credible evidence’ Princess of Wales was killed by British military, police say

She died 16 years ago in a car crash in a Paris tunnel, but conspiracy theories still abound as to who was behind the death of Diana, Princess of Wales.
On Monday night ,London’s Metropolitan Police tried to put to rest at least one sensational theory – that Diana had been killed by a member of the British military.
The claim surfaced last summer after the contents of a letter from the mother-in-law of a former special forces soldier became public. The letter was addressed to the head of the SAS and it claimed that the ex-sniper, known only as “Soldier N,” told his wife that Diana’s car had crashed after a beam of light was shone into the face of the driver by SAS forces. Soldier N, who has since been convicted of possessing illegal weapons, also allegedly claimed the forces acted on orders from members of the Royal Family.
In a statement Monday, the Metropolitan Police Service, MPS, said it investigated the claims and found them baseless.
“Every reasonable line of inquiry was objectively pursued in order to fully evaluate any potential evidence,” the police said. “The final conclusion is that whilst there is a possibility the alleged comments in relation to the SAS’s involvement in the deaths may have been made, there is no credible evidence to support a theory that such claims had any basis in fact. Therefore, the MPS are satisfied there is no evidential basis upon which to open any criminal investigation or to refer the matter back to [the coroner’s office].”
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NSA data grab 'may be unlawful'

A US judge has ruled the National Security Agency's mass collection of telephone data may be unconstitutional.

Federal District Judge Richard Leon said the electronic spy agency's practice was an "arbitrary invasion".
The agency's collection of "metadata", including telephone numbers and times and dates of calls, was exposed by ex-NSA contractor Edward Snowden.
The White House dismissed a suggestion Mr Snowden could receive amnesty if he stopped leaking documents.
On Monday in a Washington DC federal court, Judge Leon called the NSA's surveillance programme "indiscriminate" and an "almost Orwellian technology that enables the government to store and analyze the phone metadata of every telephone user in the United States".
'Irreparable harm' The ruling came in a lawsuit brought by conservative activist Larry Klayman, a user of a Verizon mobile telephone who challenged the NSA's collection of metadata on his behalf and that of a client.

John Beliveau II, Navy Investigator, Will Plead Guilty In Multimillion-Dollar Fraud Case: Attorney

SAN DIEGO (AP) — A senior Navy criminal investigator downloaded more than 100 confidential files for an Asian defense contractor at the center of a multimillion-dollar fraud investigation, prosecutors say.
In exchange for his tips, John Beliveau II accepted luxury trips from the Malaysian defense contractor, Leonard Glenn Francis, who would arrange for prostitutes to meet him, according to charging documents.
Beliveau's attorney said his client will plead guilty to bribery charges Tuesday in federal court in San Diego. The conviction will be a first for federal prosecutors in the massive scandal that has netted the arrests of three Navy officials and prompted the military branch to suspend two admirals' access to classified material.
Beliveau's lawyers and prosecutors declined to say whether Beliveau would now cooperate with authorities.
Francis, the 49-year-old CEO of Singapore-based Glenn Defense Marine Asia Ltd., or GDMA, offered bribes to Navy officers in exchange for confidential information — including ship routes, authorities say, or for following his requests to move Navy vessels to Asian ports with lax oversight so the company could inflate costs and invent tariffs by using phony port authorities.

Budget bill clears key Senate test vote

The Senate on Tuesday advanced a two-year budget deal, despite last-ditch efforts by Republicans to strip a provision that cuts into military retiree benefits. 
The bill advanced on a 67-33 vote. If the package, which passed the House last week, wins final approval, it will go to President Obama's desk -- likely taking off the table the threat of a partial government shutdown next month. 
Most Republican senators, including GOP Leader Mitch McConnell, opposed the bill, objecting to increased spending levels as well as a provision that reduces future military retiree benefits. 
Alabama GOP Sen. Jeff Sessions had tried to undo those cuts with an amendment filed late Monday to restore the money. Several other senators also objected. 
"It's unacceptable to single out our men and women in uniform in this way," said Sen. Kelly Ayotte, R-N.H. 
"Nobody wants to shut down the government, but here's the question: Is the choice between keeping the government open and screwing all the military retirees, is that the right choice?" Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., said. 
The provision would cut retirement benefits for military retirees by $6 billion over 10 years. 
However, late-breaking endorsements from several GOP senators helped lift the budget bill over the 60-vote hurdle on Tuesday. Three GOP senators -- Orrin Hatch of Utah, and Johnny Isakson and Saxby Chambliss of Georgia -- announced that they would vote yes. A fourth, Sen. Ron Johnson of Wisconsin, expressed his support on Sunday. Sens. John McCain and Jeff Flake of Arizona also said they would vote in favor of closure last week.

Mike Huckabee Launching 'Huckabee Post' 

What began as a rumor spurred by a Craigslist post looks to becoming a reality. Mike Huckabee is gearing up to launch a news publication, "Huckabee Post." ABC News reports that the former Arkansas governor's newest endeavor is slated for a January 2014 debut, and will cover a host of subjects, from politics to pop culture.
Since ending his radio program, the 2008 Republican presidential candidate has wasted no time in laying groundwork for his next role. He has indicated that he would consider running for president in 2016.
Last week, Mediaite came across a Craigslist post calling for reporters to join Huckabee Post in its New York City and Washington D.C. offices. The listing describes the publication as "a new and exciting online news publication covering news on politics, US, international, media, sports and other general news."
Huckabee's son confirmed the forthcoming publication to ABC News, saying that Huckabee Post would be a “natural extension and expansion” for a political figure whose political career has taken him from the campaign trail to the Fox News studios.

Poll: Obama’s approval ratings take a hit

President Obama is ending his fifth year in office matching the worst public approval ratings of his presidency, with record numbers of Americans saying they disapprove of his job performance and his once-hefty advantages over Republicans in Congress eroded in many areas, according to a new Washington Post-ABC News poll.

His position is all the more striking when compared with his standing a year ago, as he was preparing for his second inauguration after a solid reelection victory. That high note proved fleeting as the president faced a series of setbacks, culminating in the botched rollout of his Affordable Care Act two months ago.

Canada Pension Plan reform stalls without Ottawa's support 

Ontario is ready to go ahead with pension reform on its own after Ottawa blocked a consensus on Canada Pension Plan reform. 
At a news conference following a meeting with his provincial counterparts in Meech Lake, Que., federal Finance Minister Jim Flaherty said now is not the time to move on the pension issue​. Flaherty said there was a "frank discussion" about CPP changes, but he believes the economy is too fragile.
"We believe that CPP payroll taxes can hurt the economy and distract from what truly matters for all Canadians — keeping our economy strong and our finances in a strong fiscal footing is the plan of this government," Flaherty said.
"Now is the time for fiscal discipline. And that is why all governments must focus on encouraging job growth and getting their fiscal houses in order. Now is not a time for CPP payroll tax increases," Flaherty said.
Two hours later, Ontario Finance Minister Charles Sousa issued a press release saying the province would implement a made-in-Ontario solution to the pension conundrum.
"Given today's unfortunate stall tactic by the federal government, we will move forward to implement a made-in-Ontario alternative to protect Ontario workers in their retirement," Sousa said.
He laid blame for the lack of consensus squarely at Flaherty's door, saying the federal minister was stalling what could have been an agreement among the provinces.
"Doing nothing is not a solution to this problem and will not give Ontarians the security they need to retire. We have to act and that's what Ontario will do," Sousa said.
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