Six In The Morning

Al-Zawahri succeeds Osama bin Laden as new al-Qaida leader

Al-Qaida statement gives no details about the selection process

msnbc.com news services  

Al-Qaida has selected its longtime No. 2 to succeed Osama bin Laden following last month’s U.S. commando raid that killed the terror leader, according to a statement posted Thursday on a website affiliated with the network.

Ayman al-Zawahri, who will turn 60 next week, is the son of an upper middle class Egyptian family of doctors and scholars.

Al-Qaida “announces that Sheikh Dr. Ayman al-Zawahri, may God guide him, assumed responsibility as the group’s amir [leader],” the BBC reported.

Iran launches second satellite into orbit, claims state TV

Tehran says Rasad launch is to help produce high-res maps but move prompts concern over nuclear ambitions

Associated Press

guardian.co.uk, Thursday 16 June 2011    

Iran has launched a satellite into orbit, state television reported, a move likely to raise concerns among those who fear Iran’s intentions and nuclear development programme.

The report said the locally produced satellite, called Rasad, or observation, was launched successfully by a Safir missile on Wednesday. There was no independent confirmation of the launch or of the satellite achieving orbit.

If successful, it would be the second satellite Iran has put into orbit. The first, named Omid, was launched in 2009.

Pakistanis accused of CIA collusion over Bin Laden raid

Spy agency arrests at least five in attempt to ‘shut down unauthorised US operations’

By Omar Waraich in Islamabad and David Usborne in New York Thursday, 16 June 2011

Pakistan’s most powerful intelligence agency is interrogating at least five Pakistanis on suspicions of collusion with the CIA in the months leading up to the US raid that killed Osama bin Laden in a garrison town just two hours from the capital.

The New York Times reported that the arrested men include a serving Pakistani army major – a claim that the Pakistani military fiercely denied yesterday. It is unclear how many are being held. A Pakistani army officer said that 30 to 40 civilians had been questioned in recent days, with some released on Tuesday.

Greek PM George Papandreou to unveil new cabinet

Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou is set to announce a new cabinet in a concessionary move as he seeks support for new austerity measures.

The BBC  

Mr Papandreou, who will stay in his post, says he will put the new government to a vote of confidence in the parliament.

Renewed fears that Greece will default on its debt have shaken markets.

The proposed measures are necessary to gain EU and IMF aid, but have been met with fierce opposition in Greece.

Athens witnessed some of the most violent protests in more than a year on Wednesday as demonstrators went on to the streets and took part in a general strike.

‘Urban Mining’ Could Reduce Reliance on Metal Imports

Treasure from the Trash  

By Alexander Jung  

Thierry Van Kerckhoven has an eye for hidden value. The Belgian can look at a pile of shredded scrap metal from electronic devices and recognize what it is made of. Not only that, he can tell how much it’s worth.

Kerckhoven works as a buyer of such waste in the world’s largest recycling facility for complex precious metals in Hoboken, a section of the Belgian city of Antwerp. The Umicore Group owns the facility, where deliveries are stored in individual concrete bays. Kerckhoven removes his sunglasses and surveys his treasures.

The powdery and shiny material in Box 2051 on the far left, Kerckhoven explains, used to be printed circuit boards and monitors.

Côte d’Ivoire launches probe into conflict crimes



ABIDJAN, CôTE D’IVOIRE – Jun 16 2011

The government led by President Alassane Ouattara made the decision at a Cabinet meeting, said a statement from spokesperson Bruno Nabagne Kone on Wednesday.

The “national commission of inquiry is to shed light on all the human rights violations committed during the post-electoral crisis,” said the statement.

The president had called for the inquiry to be carried out as quickly as possible so that those responsible could be identified and punished, he added.