Aung San Suu Kyi in first political trip beyond Rangoon
Burmese pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi has made her first political trip outside Rangoon since her release from house arrest last November.
The BBC 14 August 2011She called for national unity as she visited Bago, about 80km (50 miles) north of Burma’s main city.
Hundreds of people lined the streets as her convoy made its way to Bago.
The Burmese authorities had earlier warned that such a trip could trigger unrest and security agents were monitoring the convoy.
However, the BBC’s South-east Asia correspondent, Rachel Harvey, says recent moves have suggested a thaw in relations could be under way.
Elephant and rhino poaching ‘is driven by China’s economic boom’
The ivory trade has doubled in Guangzhou and Fuzhou, a study has found, adding to fears for Africa’s elephant and rhino populations
Greg Neale and James Burton
The Observer, Sunday 14 August 2011Elephant poaching in Africa and Asia is being fuelled by China’s economic boom, according to a study of the ivory trade.
Authors of the new report found that the number of ivory items on sale in key centres in southern China has more than doubled since 2004, with most traded illegally. The survey comes amid reports of a dramatic rise in rhino poaching across Africa, and a spate of thefts of rhino horns from European museums and auction houses.
FBI investigates secret payments to Fifa whistleblower
Months after his bribery claims shocked the football body, Chuck Blazer finds himself in the spotlight
By Andrew Jennings Sunday, 14 August 2011
The man credited with blowing the whistle on bribery and corruption in Fifa, the body that runs world football, is now himself the subject of an FBI inquiry. US investigators are examining documents appearing to show confidential payments to offshore accounts operated by an American Fifa official, Chuck Blazer.Mr Blazer sparked an investigation into allegations of bribery in the Fifa presidential election two months ago. He claimed his long-term ally Jack Warner was involved in a plot to hand $1m in cash to Caribbean officials to vote for Qatar’s Mohamed bin Hammam, who was running against the sitting president, Sepp Blatter.
Bitter battle as Libyan rebels take key town
BIR SHAEB, LIBYA – Aug 14 2011
Zawiya, 50km from the capital, is a key target for rebels waging a new offensive launched from the mountains in the far west of Libya, an attempt to break the deadlock in combat between the two sides that has held for months in the centre and east of the country.
A credible threat from the rebels in the west could strain Gaddafi’s troops, which have been hammered for months by Nato airstrikes. Defending Zawiya is key for the regime but could require bringing in better trained forces who are currently ensuring its hold over its Tripoli stronghold or fighting rebels on fronts further east.
Kidnapping of American in Lahore highlights risks for US aid efforts in Pakistan
US citizen Warren Weinstein was abducted from his home in the city of Lahore, Pakistan early Saturday morning.
By Issam Ahmed, Correspondent, Ben Arnoldy, Staff writer
Lahore, Pakistan; and New Delhi, India
Armed gunmen kidnapped an American development consultant from his home in Lahore early Saturday, highlighting the difficulty of US aid efforts in Pakistan.The abducted man, Warren Weinstein, heads the Pakistan office for consulting firm J.E. Austin Associates, Inc. The firm is working here on US Agency for International Development (USAID) projects, including one to set up small businesses and create jobs in the restive tribal areas. The US has pledged some $7.5 billion in civilian aid over a five year period in a bid to stem militancy and improve relations with the nuclear-armed state.
Shammi Kapoor passes away
Agencies | Aug 14, 2011, 09.33AM ISTMUMBAI: Veteran actor Shammi Kapoor, hailed as ‘Elvis Presley of India’ and whose famous yell ‘Yahoo’ signified the arrival of a rebel star against the reigning trio of his time Raj Kapoor, Dev Anand and Dilip Kumar, passed away here on Sunday morning due to chronic renal failure.
The 79-year-old legend, who was often compared to Elvis Presley due to his looks, was in the ICU of Breach Candy Hospital and breathed his last on Sunday morning, family sources said.
The funeral will take place on Monday morning, they informed.
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