‘This revolution was a curse’: Economic woes test Egypt
‘People in the neighborhood are talking about going back to the streets for another revolution – a hunger revolution’
By DAVID D. KIRKPATRICK and DINA SALAH AMER
Egypt’s economy, whose inequities and lack of opportunities helped topple a government, has now ground to a virtual halt, further wounded by the revolution itself.
The 18-day revolt stopped new foreign investment and decimated the pivotal tourist industry. The annual growth slowed to less than 2 percent from a projected 5 percent, and Egypt’s hard currency reserves plunged 25 percent.
Bahrain Grand Prix cancelled after team protests
Race circuit chairman says it ‘has been made clear that this fixture cannot progress and we fully respect that decision’
David Batty
The Guardian, Friday 10 June 2011The Bahrain Grand Prix has finally been cancelled after Formula One teams complained about competing in the country, which has been racked by months of popular uprisings against the regime.
Formula One chief Bernie Ecclestone had already announced the race was now “not on” after a complaint from teams at the rescheduling of the event, which was initially put back to 30 October amid condemnation from human rights groups.
Gaddafi regime staked £12bn on secret deal in bid to open peace talks
Memo seen by The Independent reveals Tripoli negotiations
By Kim Sengupta and Solomon Hughes Friday, 10 June 2011The Libyan regime has been negotiating a secret deal with Greece to use $20bn (£12bn) of its funds that are frozen abroad for humanitarian relief to benefit both sides in the civil war. Officials in Tripoli say the move is intended to pave the way for the opening of peace talks.
The Independent has learned that talks were held in Tripoli between a team led by a former diplomat close to the Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou and regime members including the Libyan Prime Minister Al-Baghdadi Al-Mahmoudi.
Syrian army ‘moves on Jisr al-Shughour
The Syrian army has begun operations to “restore security” to the town of Jisr al-Shughour and the surrounding area, state TV says.The BBC 10 June 2011
Earlier in the week, the Syrian government said 120 security personnel were killed in the north-western town.The announcement, and the positioning of troops in the area, has prompted a flow of refugees to nearby Turkey.
Turkish PM Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Syria was committing an “atrocity”, in remarks quoted by Turkish media.
Turkey says more than 2,000 Syrians have crossed the border seeking refuge from the anticipated crackdown in Jisr al-Shughour.
Iraq: A frat house with guns
OCCUPATION: HAVING TO SAY GOODBYE …
By Peter Van BurenWay out on the edge of Forward Operating Base Hammer, where I lived for much of my year in Iraq as a Provincial Reconstruction Team leader for the United States Department of State, there were several small hills, lumps of raised dirt on the otherwise frying-pan-flat desert. These were “tells”, ancient garbage dumps and fallen buildings.
Thousands of years ago, people in the region used sun-dried bricks to build homes and walls. Those bricks had a lifespan of about 20 years before they began to crumble, at which point locals just built anew atop the old foundation. Do that for a while, and soon enough your buildings are sitting on a small hill.
Rana acquitted in Mumbai attacks, jailed for helping LeT
Press Trust Of India
Chicago, June 10, 2011
Pakistani-Canadian Tahawwur Hussain Rana was on Friday acquitted by a US court on charges of abetting Mumbai terror attacks but was convicted for providing material support to LeT and helping a terror plot in Denmark. The 12-member jury announced the verdict at the end of two days of deliberations against 50-year-old Rana, a co-accused in the Mumbai attack with David Coleman Headley.
Rana faces a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison on the two counts combined and remains in federal custody without bond, a US Justice Department statement said. No sentencing date was set.Verdict was announced by US District Judge Harry D Leinenweber shortly after 4-30 pm in the court room.
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