Monday, 27 May 2013
Russia and Kazakhstan continue gold spending spree
Russia, Kazakhstan, Turkey, Belarus, Azerbaijan, and Greece all increased their gold reserves last month, whereas Mexico and Canada decreased.
Russia has continued as the world’s top gold buyer, and seventh largest holder in the world, with 990 tons, up 3.4 percent from last year, according to IMF data.
Kazakhstan increased its holdings up to 125.5 tons, an increase of 8.9 percent, continuing a 10 month streak, and Belarus expanded for a 7th straight month.
Mexico and Canada reduced their holdings.
Prices will likely to remain steady through the day as both the US and UK trading floors are closed for public holidays.
US gold futures for June delivery rose 0.4 percent to $1,391.80 an ounce.
The US Mint sold almost 210,000 ounces of gold last month, the highest level since 2009, which has made gold traders slightly more bullish, following the bear market plunge on April 12 and the biggest two day drop since 1983. Gold still remains down nearly 17% this year.
Physical demand for the metal remained strong in Asia, after gold bars hit a record high as supplies contracted.
July's silver Comex for delivery fell 0.48 percent to $22.388 an ounce while copper for July delivery dropped 0.18 percent to $3.289 per ounce.
Israeli bill would elevate Judaism above democracy
Israeli politician MP Yariv Levin, of Netanyahu’s Likud party drafted the proposed bill, which stated: “The land of Israel is the historical birthplace of the Jewish people and the place of the establishment of the State of Israel.”
It continued to grant legal status to the term “the land of Israel” and sole Jewish affinity to it for the first time, saying that the right to realize national self-definition is “unique to the Jewish people.”
The bill created a storm among opposition MPs on Monday, with Labor MP Avishay Braverman labeling the proposal a ‘disaster.’
“When David Ben-Gurion founded this country it was on the basis of two principles: Israel was to be a Jewish and a democratic state. Now they are trying to annex Judea and Samaria and erode the democratic state,” he said in statement reported by local press.
If adopted, the bill could potentially impact future court decisions surrounding an Israeli presence in Judaea and Samaria. The region’s status is a key contentious issue in the ongoing Israeli-Palestine conflict.
One provision requires that the state build “Jewish communities” in its territories, allocating resources specifically for the purpose. However, non-Jewish communities will have to get approval granted for construction.
It also aims to downgrade the status of Arabic as an official Israeli language, and would establish Hebrew as the sole official language in the state, but allow the Knesset the ability to bestow ‘secondary language’ status on Arabic and English.
Despite this, Levin’s proposal has made some provision for other communities within the country’s borders, stating that, “every resident of Israel, regardless of religion or nationality, is permitted to act to preserve his culture, heritage, language and identity.” Levin defended the proposal to Army radio on Monday, stating that: “It is not like there is currently a balance between a Jewish state and a democratic state and we are coming along and disrupting it. This balance has been grossly trampled on and we are here to remedy this situation.” He wrote in defense of the bill:
“The proposed law emphasizes the traditional and historical connection between the Jewish people and the land of Israel and the national rights granted to it as expressed in the Declaration of Independence.” A former incarnation of the controversial bill was scrapped after a Kadima party official, MP Dichter, attempted to introduce it in November 2011.
Included in Dichter’s 2011 submission was the statement that Israel is “the national home of the Jewish People, wherein the Jewish People fulfills its aspiration for self-determination,” causing a similar outcry and leading opposition to claim that it would harm Israel's democratic nature, making its status as a nation-state, “democratic in principle” superior to any status as a Jewish and democratic state.
Since its first introduction, the Levy Report was published, which drew the conclusion that Israel’s West Bank presence is not an ‘occupation.’
“According to international law, Israelis have a legal right to settle all of Judea and Samaria,” the report concluded, going on to claim that the establishment of Jewish settlements in the region is not illegal.
Other parties have been working on producing similar proposed laws, but their proposals are much softer, according to Haaretz.
It continued to grant legal status to the term “the land of Israel” and sole Jewish affinity to it for the first time, saying that the right to realize national self-definition is “unique to the Jewish people.”
The bill created a storm among opposition MPs on Monday, with Labor MP Avishay Braverman labeling the proposal a ‘disaster.’
“When David Ben-Gurion founded this country it was on the basis of two principles: Israel was to be a Jewish and a democratic state. Now they are trying to annex Judea and Samaria and erode the democratic state,” he said in statement reported by local press.
If adopted, the bill could potentially impact future court decisions surrounding an Israeli presence in Judaea and Samaria. The region’s status is a key contentious issue in the ongoing Israeli-Palestine conflict.
One provision requires that the state build “Jewish communities” in its territories, allocating resources specifically for the purpose. However, non-Jewish communities will have to get approval granted for construction.
It also aims to downgrade the status of Arabic as an official Israeli language, and would establish Hebrew as the sole official language in the state, but allow the Knesset the ability to bestow ‘secondary language’ status on Arabic and English.
Despite this, Levin’s proposal has made some provision for other communities within the country’s borders, stating that, “every resident of Israel, regardless of religion or nationality, is permitted to act to preserve his culture, heritage, language and identity.” Levin defended the proposal to Army radio on Monday, stating that: “It is not like there is currently a balance between a Jewish state and a democratic state and we are coming along and disrupting it. This balance has been grossly trampled on and we are here to remedy this situation.” He wrote in defense of the bill:
“The proposed law emphasizes the traditional and historical connection between the Jewish people and the land of Israel and the national rights granted to it as expressed in the Declaration of Independence.” A former incarnation of the controversial bill was scrapped after a Kadima party official, MP Dichter, attempted to introduce it in November 2011.
Included in Dichter’s 2011 submission was the statement that Israel is “the national home of the Jewish People, wherein the Jewish People fulfills its aspiration for self-determination,” causing a similar outcry and leading opposition to claim that it would harm Israel's democratic nature, making its status as a nation-state, “democratic in principle” superior to any status as a Jewish and democratic state.
Since its first introduction, the Levy Report was published, which drew the conclusion that Israel’s West Bank presence is not an ‘occupation.’
“According to international law, Israelis have a legal right to settle all of Judea and Samaria,” the report concluded, going on to claim that the establishment of Jewish settlements in the region is not illegal.
Other parties have been working on producing similar proposed laws, but their proposals are much softer, according to Haaretz.
El rey de Arabia Saudita podría estar clínicamente muerto
El rey de Arabia Saudita Abdalá bin Abdulaziz, podría estar clínicamente muerto desde el miércoles, según la cadena iraní Press TV, que cita al diario saudí ‘Asharq Alawsat’ con sede en Londres.
Según el diario, las fuentes médicas en Arabia Saudita han revelado que los órganos vitales del rey, incluyendo el corazón, los riñones y los pulmones han dejado de funcionar, También se informa que se la mantiene con vida con ayuda de ventilador asistida.
Según el diario, las fuentes médicas en Arabia Saudita han revelado que los órganos vitales del rey, incluyendo el corazón, los riñones y los pulmones han dejado de funcionar, También se informa que se la mantiene con vida con ayuda de ventilador asistida.
México: La Policía desmantela dos laboratorios para drogas sintéticas
La Policía mexicana ha localizado y desmantelado dos laboratorios donde presuntamente se fabricaban drogas sintéticas en dos municipios del estado de Michoacán, suroeste de México, informan fuentes oficiales.
En los lugares encontraron más de un centenar de garrafones de diversas capacidades con alcohol de caña y otras sustancias no identificadas, tinas y tanques de gas. Se decomisaron 90 cartuchos para fusil de asalto y una camioneta Jeep Cherokee, la cual cuenta con reporte de robo.
En los lugares encontraron más de un centenar de garrafones de diversas capacidades con alcohol de caña y otras sustancias no identificadas, tinas y tanques de gas. Se decomisaron 90 cartuchos para fusil de asalto y una camioneta Jeep Cherokee, la cual cuenta con reporte de robo.
Evacúan a más de 2.000 personas ante riesgo de erupción de un volcán en Chile
Las autoridades chilenas ordenaron la evacuación de unas 2.240 personas que viven en zonas aledañas al volcán Copahue, en la región sureña del Biobío y cerca de la frontera con Argentina, al decretarse la alerta roja ante el riesgo de que entre en erupción.
"Esta alerta roja ha sido decretada por cuanto se viene monitoreando la actividad del volcán y ha aumentado la frecuencia y su actividad sísmica, (…) está en riesgo de entrar en erupción", anunció el ministro del Interior, Andrés Chadwick.
El plan de evacuación, de carácter obligatorio, se aplicará en un radio de 25 kilómetros en torno al Copahue, que se encuentra a unos 570 kilómetros al sur de Santiago.
"Esta alerta roja ha sido decretada por cuanto se viene monitoreando la actividad del volcán y ha aumentado la frecuencia y su actividad sísmica, (…) está en riesgo de entrar en erupción", anunció el ministro del Interior, Andrés Chadwick.
El plan de evacuación, de carácter obligatorio, se aplicará en un radio de 25 kilómetros en torno al Copahue, que se encuentra a unos 570 kilómetros al sur de Santiago.
Rusia destinará 10 millones de dólares en ayuda humanitaria a Palestina
Rusia concederá 10 millones de dólares en ayuda humanitaria a Palestina, informó la agencia rusa Interfax.
El ministerio de Asuntos Exteriores de la Federación de Rusia coordinará con la Autoridad Nacional Palestina las condiciones y el procedimiento para la entrega de dicha ayuda.
El decreto lo firmó el pasado 21 de mayo el primer ministro ruso, Dmitri Medvédev, y lo ha hecho público este lunes un portal gubernamental.
El ministerio de Asuntos Exteriores de la Federación de Rusia coordinará con la Autoridad Nacional Palestina las condiciones y el procedimiento para la entrega de dicha ayuda.
El decreto lo firmó el pasado 21 de mayo el primer ministro ruso, Dmitri Medvédev, y lo ha hecho público este lunes un portal gubernamental.
Teenager caught defacing ancient temple
The parents of a Chinese teenager have issued an apology after the 15-year-old was found to have vandalised an ancient Egyptian temple.
Consumo de bebida alcoólica pode ser punido com pena de morte no Irã
Na pior das hipóteses, consumidores de álcool podem ser condenados à morte no Irã. Mesmo assim, muitos iranianos não deixam de bebê-lo, comprando álcool adulterado, muitas vezes, com consequências fatais.
Ecuador tries to fix crash satellite
Ecuador's space agency is trying to fix its first and only satellite after it suffered a lateral collision with space debris on Thursday.
Would You Fly On An Airliner With Just One Pilot?
A big new European research programme has begun to look at the possibility of a single-pilot flight deck for commercial operations.
Al menos nueve muertos en un grave accidente de tráfico en Argentina
Al menos nueve personas han muerto en un accidente de tráfico en la provincia de Santa Fe, en el norte de Argentina.
Una furgoneta, en la que viajaban maestros rurales, chocó frontalmente con una camioneta Ford F100 en las proximidades de la localidad de Tostado, en el noroeste de la provincia.
Entre las víctimas se encuentran siete docentes, el chófer y los ocupantes de la F100. Un solo sobreviviente ha sido ingresado en el hospital en estado grave, aunque su vida no corre riesgo.
El accidente mortal ocurrió en una tramo recto de la carretera en un momento de malas condiciones de visibilidad.
Una furgoneta, en la que viajaban maestros rurales, chocó frontalmente con una camioneta Ford F100 en las proximidades de la localidad de Tostado, en el noroeste de la provincia.
Entre las víctimas se encuentran siete docentes, el chófer y los ocupantes de la F100. Un solo sobreviviente ha sido ingresado en el hospital en estado grave, aunque su vida no corre riesgo.
El accidente mortal ocurrió en una tramo recto de la carretera en un momento de malas condiciones de visibilidad.
La petrolera colombiana Ecopetrol reporta el hallazgo de hidrocarburos
La petrolera estatal colombiana, Ecopetrol, informó este lunes del descubrimiento de un yacimiento de hidrocarburos en el departamento de Meta, en el sureste del país.
El hallazgo, realizado en el pozo exploratorio Cusuco-1, en el municipio de San Carlos de Guaroa, produce 140 barriles del petróleo crudo diarios en un corte de agua del 4%, según las pruebas iniciales.
Este es el tercer hallazgo de Ecopetrol en el departamento de Meta, donde se produce alrededor del 55% del petróleo que extraen en la región la empresa y sus socios.
El hallazgo, realizado en el pozo exploratorio Cusuco-1, en el municipio de San Carlos de Guaroa, produce 140 barriles del petróleo crudo diarios en un corte de agua del 4%, según las pruebas iniciales.
Este es el tercer hallazgo de Ecopetrol en el departamento de Meta, donde se produce alrededor del 55% del petróleo que extraen en la región la empresa y sus socios.
Cruise ship fire
A Royal Caribbean International ship was sailing to a Bahamas port after a Monday morning fire in which no one was injured, the company said.
Asciende a 18 el número de muertos por un virus en Arabia Saudita
Asciende a 18 el número de víctimas mortales en Arabia Saudita por un nuevo virus respiratorio relacionado con el SARS (Síndrome Respiratorio Agudo y Grave).
Investigadores de la Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS) están tratando de averiguar los orígenes del coronavirus, denominado Síndrome Respiratorio Coronavirus de Oriente Medio (MERS-CoV) y la forma en que este se propaga.
La OMS comunicó la semana pasada que al menos 22 personas han muerto a causa de la enfermedad en todo el mundo, de un total de 44 afectados. La mayoría de los casos se han registrado en Arabia Saudita.
Investigadores de la Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS) están tratando de averiguar los orígenes del coronavirus, denominado Síndrome Respiratorio Coronavirus de Oriente Medio (MERS-CoV) y la forma en que este se propaga.
La OMS comunicó la semana pasada que al menos 22 personas han muerto a causa de la enfermedad en todo el mundo, de un total de 44 afectados. La mayoría de los casos se han registrado en Arabia Saudita.
La ALDF es un caos organizado, pues, en charco revuelto, ganancia de diputados.
Murió Chema Pérez Gay
Después de un padecimiento de muchos meses, murió en la Ciudad de México el escritor y diplomático José María Pérez Gay, licenciado en Ciencias y Técnicas de la Información por la Universidad Iberoamericana y doctor en Sociología por la Universidad Libre de Berlín (1964-71). Miembro del Servicio Exterior desde 1969, estuvo adscrito a las embajadas mexicanas en Bonn, Viena y París y en los primeros años del gobierno de Vicente Fox fue embajador en Portugal (2001- 2003). En México fue profesor de la UNAM, miembro del consejo de redacción de la revista Nexos, colaborador del cotidiano Uno Más Uno y cofundador del diario La Jornada, donde coordinó el suplemento La Jornada Libros. En el sexenio de Carlos Salinas de Gortari fue uno de los promotores de la conversión del Canal 22 en una televisora cultural, en la que se desempeñó como director de 1992 a 2000. A su regreso de Portugal, se convirtió en asesor de Andrés Manuel López Obrador, entonces jefe de Gobierno del Distrito Federal (2004-2005), y se mantuvo a su lado durante los años siguientes. Fue un activo promotor y traductor de la literatura en lengua alemana, en torno a la cual escribió su libro más comentado: El imperio perdido, obra aparecida en México en 1991. Es autor de El príncipe y sus guerrilleros. La destrucción de Camboya (2005) y La supremacía de los abismos (2006), así como de las novelas La difícil costumbre de estar lejos (1984) y Tu nombre en el silencio (2000).
Arnoldo, el arte y los intelectuales
A mediados de los años 40, el ahora fallecido Arnoldo Martínez Verdugo vino de su natal Sinaloa con el fin de estudiar pintura. Se inscribió en La Esmeralda y ahí mismo se incorporó al Partido Comunista Mexicano. Para sostener sus estudios y su militancia política tenía que trabajar, lo que le impidió hacer carrera en el arte. Aun así, fue ayudante del Chamaco Covarrubias en los mapas que hizo éste en los muros del desaparecido Hotel del Prado. Militante de tiempo completo desde 1950, no volvió a tomar los pinceles, pero cultivó una intensa amistad con artistas como los escultores Guillermo Ruiz y Rodrigo Arenas Betancourt, o con pintores como Siqueiros, Chávez Morado, Alfredo Zalce y Mario Orozco Rivera, entre otros. Dirigente del PCM desde 1959, encabezó la desestalinización del partido. En los años 70 promovió la celebración de los festivales de Oposición, el órgano partidario, y festivales y periódico propiciaron la participación o la incorporación al partido de numerosos intelectuales, muchos de ellos con seudónimo, pues eran épocas en las que militar en el comunismo o simpatizar con él podía costar el empleo y hasta la libertad. A finales de esa década sostuvo una reunión con destacada gente de cine ante la cual describió sin adornos la realidad mundial y nacional del comunismo. Entre los asistentes a aquella reunión estuvieron el actor Claudio Obregón, el escritor Gerardo de la Torre, directores como Sergio Olhovich, Juan Manuel Torres, Jorge Fons y Gonzalo Martínez, pero hubo muchos más que de una u otra forma se acercaron al antes proscrito Partido Comunista, gracias a la política de apertura de Arnoldo Martínez Verdugo, quien promovió la fundación de espacios para la expresión de la inteligencia, como la revista Historia y Sociedad o el Centro de Estudios del Movimiento Obrero y Socialista. Era un comunista atípico.
Asamblea, una revista invisible
La Asamblea Legislativa del Distrito Federal es un caos altamente organizado, pues ya se sabe que en charco revuelto, ganancia de diputados. Un caso que ilustra sobradamente lo anterior es que hace medio año se llamó a Jorge Meléndez para dirigir la revista Asamblea, pero ya puesto a trabajar el colega, la señora Angelina Hernández, asambleísta que lo contrató, le informó que no le podían dar el personal y los recursos materiales para hacer su trabajo. Igualmente, le dijo que su sueldo (el de Meléndez) sería varias veces menor a lo pactado. Como ya habían pasado varios meses y el periodista había preparado tres números, éstos fueron enviados a la imprenta y aparecieron con retraso y en forma simultánea. Se repartió la publicación a los integrantes de la diputación capitalina, pero horas después doña Angelina ordenó recoger los ejemplares distribuidos y todo el tiraje se fue a una bodega. Harto de tanta informalidad y tontería, Meléndez tiró el arpa, convencido de que a los asambleístas lo único que les interesa es hacer negocio, incluidos los de oposición, que han guardado un ominoso silencio ante el derroche ocasionado por la diputada Hernández. Total, el dinero es de los contribuyentes.
Breviario…
Los instalacionistas siguen perdiendo espacios. María Cristina García Cepeda, directora general de Bellas Artes, nombró a Sylvia Navarrete directora del Museo de Arte Moderno y a Santiago Pérez Garci, director del Museo Nacional de la Estampa (mi gallo era Agustín Sánchez González). Carmen Gaytán fue ratificada en el Museo de San Carlos, Carmen Cuenca en el Tamayo, Taiyana Pimentel en la Sala Siqueiros y La Tallera, Tania Aedo en el Laboratorio de Arte Alameda y Alfredo Matus en la Galería Velasco. A ver si ahora sí se abren espacios para los muchos y muy buenos pintores que tenemos. @@@ Cuarenta editores, mil 600 títulos y decenas de autores mexicanos participarán en la Book Expo America 2013, que se celebra en Nueva York y que está dedicada a nuestro país. Al frente de la delegación van Ricardo Cayuela, director general de Publicaciones de Conaculta, y José Ignacio Echeverría, presidente de la Cámara Nacional de la Industria Editorial. @@@ Mañana martes, a las 19 horas, en la terraza del Museo del Estanquillo, de Isabel la Católica y Madero, se presenta Aproximaciones y reitegros (Ed. UANL-Trilce, 2013), libro póstumo de Carlos Monsiváis que reúne trabajos de crítica literaria, acaso lo más perdurable del hombre de Portales, selección, edición y notas de Carlos Mapes. Los presentadores serán Jenaro Villamil, Jezreel Salazar, Henoc de Santiago y el propio Mapes. @@@ Con la participación de más de 60 sellos editoriales, se inauguró la IV Feria del Libro Independiente en la librería Rosario Castellanos del Fondo de Cultura Económica, con ofertas muy interesantes.
Arnoldo, el arte y los intelectuales
A mediados de los años 40, el ahora fallecido Arnoldo Martínez Verdugo vino de su natal Sinaloa con el fin de estudiar pintura. Se inscribió en La Esmeralda y ahí mismo se incorporó al Partido Comunista Mexicano. Para sostener sus estudios y su militancia política tenía que trabajar, lo que le impidió hacer carrera en el arte. Aun así, fue ayudante del Chamaco Covarrubias en los mapas que hizo éste en los muros del desaparecido Hotel del Prado. Militante de tiempo completo desde 1950, no volvió a tomar los pinceles, pero cultivó una intensa amistad con artistas como los escultores Guillermo Ruiz y Rodrigo Arenas Betancourt, o con pintores como Siqueiros, Chávez Morado, Alfredo Zalce y Mario Orozco Rivera, entre otros. Dirigente del PCM desde 1959, encabezó la desestalinización del partido. En los años 70 promovió la celebración de los festivales de Oposición, el órgano partidario, y festivales y periódico propiciaron la participación o la incorporación al partido de numerosos intelectuales, muchos de ellos con seudónimo, pues eran épocas en las que militar en el comunismo o simpatizar con él podía costar el empleo y hasta la libertad. A finales de esa década sostuvo una reunión con destacada gente de cine ante la cual describió sin adornos la realidad mundial y nacional del comunismo. Entre los asistentes a aquella reunión estuvieron el actor Claudio Obregón, el escritor Gerardo de la Torre, directores como Sergio Olhovich, Juan Manuel Torres, Jorge Fons y Gonzalo Martínez, pero hubo muchos más que de una u otra forma se acercaron al antes proscrito Partido Comunista, gracias a la política de apertura de Arnoldo Martínez Verdugo, quien promovió la fundación de espacios para la expresión de la inteligencia, como la revista Historia y Sociedad o el Centro de Estudios del Movimiento Obrero y Socialista. Era un comunista atípico.
Asamblea, una revista invisible
La Asamblea Legislativa del Distrito Federal es un caos altamente organizado, pues ya se sabe que en charco revuelto, ganancia de diputados. Un caso que ilustra sobradamente lo anterior es que hace medio año se llamó a Jorge Meléndez para dirigir la revista Asamblea, pero ya puesto a trabajar el colega, la señora Angelina Hernández, asambleísta que lo contrató, le informó que no le podían dar el personal y los recursos materiales para hacer su trabajo. Igualmente, le dijo que su sueldo (el de Meléndez) sería varias veces menor a lo pactado. Como ya habían pasado varios meses y el periodista había preparado tres números, éstos fueron enviados a la imprenta y aparecieron con retraso y en forma simultánea. Se repartió la publicación a los integrantes de la diputación capitalina, pero horas después doña Angelina ordenó recoger los ejemplares distribuidos y todo el tiraje se fue a una bodega. Harto de tanta informalidad y tontería, Meléndez tiró el arpa, convencido de que a los asambleístas lo único que les interesa es hacer negocio, incluidos los de oposición, que han guardado un ominoso silencio ante el derroche ocasionado por la diputada Hernández. Total, el dinero es de los contribuyentes.
Breviario…
Los instalacionistas siguen perdiendo espacios. María Cristina García Cepeda, directora general de Bellas Artes, nombró a Sylvia Navarrete directora del Museo de Arte Moderno y a Santiago Pérez Garci, director del Museo Nacional de la Estampa (mi gallo era Agustín Sánchez González). Carmen Gaytán fue ratificada en el Museo de San Carlos, Carmen Cuenca en el Tamayo, Taiyana Pimentel en la Sala Siqueiros y La Tallera, Tania Aedo en el Laboratorio de Arte Alameda y Alfredo Matus en la Galería Velasco. A ver si ahora sí se abren espacios para los muchos y muy buenos pintores que tenemos. @@@ Cuarenta editores, mil 600 títulos y decenas de autores mexicanos participarán en la Book Expo America 2013, que se celebra en Nueva York y que está dedicada a nuestro país. Al frente de la delegación van Ricardo Cayuela, director general de Publicaciones de Conaculta, y José Ignacio Echeverría, presidente de la Cámara Nacional de la Industria Editorial. @@@ Mañana martes, a las 19 horas, en la terraza del Museo del Estanquillo, de Isabel la Católica y Madero, se presenta Aproximaciones y reitegros (Ed. UANL-Trilce, 2013), libro póstumo de Carlos Monsiváis que reúne trabajos de crítica literaria, acaso lo más perdurable del hombre de Portales, selección, edición y notas de Carlos Mapes. Los presentadores serán Jenaro Villamil, Jezreel Salazar, Henoc de Santiago y el propio Mapes. @@@ Con la participación de más de 60 sellos editoriales, se inauguró la IV Feria del Libro Independiente en la librería Rosario Castellanos del Fondo de Cultura Económica, con ofertas muy interesantes.
Columnista:
Grua cai e destrói fachada de prédio de habitação
Uma grua gigante de construção civil cai e destrói vários apartamentos do prédio em frente. O incidente aconteceu na cidade de Kirov, na Rússia.
La ALDF es un caos organizado, pues, en charco revuelto, ganancia de diputados.
Murió Chema Pérez Gay
Después de un padecimiento de muchos meses, murió en la Ciudad de México el escritor y diplomático José María Pérez Gay, licenciado en Ciencias y Técnicas de la Información por la Universidad Iberoamericana y doctor en Sociología por la Universidad Libre de Berlín (1964-71). Miembro del Servicio Exterior desde 1969, estuvo adscrito a las embajadas mexicanas en Bonn, Viena y París y en los primeros años del gobierno de Vicente Fox fue embajador en Portugal (2001- 2003). En México fue profesor de la UNAM, miembro del consejo de redacción de la revista Nexos, colaborador del cotidiano Uno Más Uno y cofundador del diario La Jornada, donde coordinó el suplemento La Jornada Libros. En el sexenio de Carlos Salinas de Gortari fue uno de los promotores de la conversión del Canal 22 en una televisora cultural, en la que se desempeñó como director de 1992 a 2000. A su regreso de Portugal, se convirtió en asesor de Andrés Manuel López Obrador, entonces jefe de Gobierno del Distrito Federal (2004-2005), y se mantuvo a su lado durante los años siguientes. Fue un activo promotor y traductor de la literatura en lengua alemana, en torno a la cual escribió su libro más comentado: El imperio perdido, obra aparecida en México en 1991. Es autor de El príncipe y sus guerrilleros. La destrucción de Camboya (2005) y La supremacía de los abismos (2006), así como de las novelas La difícil costumbre de estar lejos (1984) y Tu nombre en el silencio (2000).
Arnoldo, el arte y los intelectuales
A mediados de los años 40, el ahora fallecido Arnoldo Martínez Verdugo vino de su natal Sinaloa con el fin de estudiar pintura. Se inscribió en La Esmeralda y ahí mismo se incorporó al Partido Comunista Mexicano. Para sostener sus estudios y su militancia política tenía que trabajar, lo que le impidió hacer carrera en el arte. Aun así, fue ayudante del Chamaco Covarrubias en los mapas que hizo éste en los muros del desaparecido Hotel del Prado. Militante de tiempo completo desde 1950, no volvió a tomar los pinceles, pero cultivó una intensa amistad con artistas como los escultores Guillermo Ruiz y Rodrigo Arenas Betancourt, o con pintores como Siqueiros, Chávez Morado, Alfredo Zalce y Mario Orozco Rivera, entre otros. Dirigente del PCM desde 1959, encabezó la desestalinización del partido. En los años 70 promovió la celebración de los festivales de Oposición, el órgano partidario, y festivales y periódico propiciaron la participación o la incorporación al partido de numerosos intelectuales, muchos de ellos con seudónimo, pues eran épocas en las que militar en el comunismo o simpatizar con él podía costar el empleo y hasta la libertad. A finales de esa década sostuvo una reunión con destacada gente de cine ante la cual describió sin adornos la realidad mundial y nacional del comunismo. Entre los asistentes a aquella reunión estuvieron el actor Claudio Obregón, el escritor Gerardo de la Torre, directores como Sergio Olhovich, Juan Manuel Torres, Jorge Fons y Gonzalo Martínez, pero hubo muchos más que de una u otra forma se acercaron al antes proscrito Partido Comunista, gracias a la política de apertura de Arnoldo Martínez Verdugo, quien promovió la fundación de espacios para la expresión de la inteligencia, como la revista Historia y Sociedad o el Centro de Estudios del Movimiento Obrero y Socialista. Era un comunista atípico.
Asamblea, una revista invisible
La Asamblea Legislativa del Distrito Federal es un caos altamente organizado, pues ya se sabe que en charco revuelto, ganancia de diputados. Un caso que ilustra sobradamente lo anterior es que hace medio año se llamó a Jorge Meléndez para dirigir la revista Asamblea, pero ya puesto a trabajar el colega, la señora Angelina Hernández, asambleísta que lo contrató, le informó que no le podían dar el personal y los recursos materiales para hacer su trabajo. Igualmente, le dijo que su sueldo (el de Meléndez) sería varias veces menor a lo pactado. Como ya habían pasado varios meses y el periodista había preparado tres números, éstos fueron enviados a la imprenta y aparecieron con retraso y en forma simultánea. Se repartió la publicación a los integrantes de la diputación capitalina, pero horas después doña Angelina ordenó recoger los ejemplares distribuidos y todo el tiraje se fue a una bodega. Harto de tanta informalidad y tontería, Meléndez tiró el arpa, convencido de que a los asambleístas lo único que les interesa es hacer negocio, incluidos los de oposición, que han guardado un ominoso silencio ante el derroche ocasionado por la diputada Hernández. Total, el dinero es de los contribuyentes.
Breviario…
Los instalacionistas siguen perdiendo espacios. María Cristina García Cepeda, directora general de Bellas Artes, nombró a Sylvia Navarrete directora del Museo de Arte Moderno y a Santiago Pérez Garci, director del Museo Nacional de la Estampa (mi gallo era Agustín Sánchez González). Carmen Gaytán fue ratificada en el Museo de San Carlos, Carmen Cuenca en el Tamayo, Taiyana Pimentel en la Sala Siqueiros y La Tallera, Tania Aedo en el Laboratorio de Arte Alameda y Alfredo Matus en la Galería Velasco. A ver si ahora sí se abren espacios para los muchos y muy buenos pintores que tenemos. @@@ Cuarenta editores, mil 600 títulos y decenas de autores mexicanos participarán en la Book Expo America 2013, que se celebra en Nueva York y que está dedicada a nuestro país. Al frente de la delegación van Ricardo Cayuela, director general de Publicaciones de Conaculta, y José Ignacio Echeverría, presidente de la Cámara Nacional de la Industria Editorial. @@@ Mañana martes, a las 19 horas, en la terraza del Museo del Estanquillo, de Isabel la Católica y Madero, se presenta Aproximaciones y reitegros (Ed. UANL-Trilce, 2013), libro póstumo de Carlos Monsiváis que reúne trabajos de crítica literaria, acaso lo más perdurable del hombre de Portales, selección, edición y notas de Carlos Mapes. Los presentadores serán Jenaro Villamil, Jezreel Salazar, Henoc de Santiago y el propio Mapes. @@@ Con la participación de más de 60 sellos editoriales, se inauguró la IV Feria del Libro Independiente en la librería Rosario Castellanos del Fondo de Cultura Económica, con ofertas muy interesantes.
Arnoldo, el arte y los intelectuales
A mediados de los años 40, el ahora fallecido Arnoldo Martínez Verdugo vino de su natal Sinaloa con el fin de estudiar pintura. Se inscribió en La Esmeralda y ahí mismo se incorporó al Partido Comunista Mexicano. Para sostener sus estudios y su militancia política tenía que trabajar, lo que le impidió hacer carrera en el arte. Aun así, fue ayudante del Chamaco Covarrubias en los mapas que hizo éste en los muros del desaparecido Hotel del Prado. Militante de tiempo completo desde 1950, no volvió a tomar los pinceles, pero cultivó una intensa amistad con artistas como los escultores Guillermo Ruiz y Rodrigo Arenas Betancourt, o con pintores como Siqueiros, Chávez Morado, Alfredo Zalce y Mario Orozco Rivera, entre otros. Dirigente del PCM desde 1959, encabezó la desestalinización del partido. En los años 70 promovió la celebración de los festivales de Oposición, el órgano partidario, y festivales y periódico propiciaron la participación o la incorporación al partido de numerosos intelectuales, muchos de ellos con seudónimo, pues eran épocas en las que militar en el comunismo o simpatizar con él podía costar el empleo y hasta la libertad. A finales de esa década sostuvo una reunión con destacada gente de cine ante la cual describió sin adornos la realidad mundial y nacional del comunismo. Entre los asistentes a aquella reunión estuvieron el actor Claudio Obregón, el escritor Gerardo de la Torre, directores como Sergio Olhovich, Juan Manuel Torres, Jorge Fons y Gonzalo Martínez, pero hubo muchos más que de una u otra forma se acercaron al antes proscrito Partido Comunista, gracias a la política de apertura de Arnoldo Martínez Verdugo, quien promovió la fundación de espacios para la expresión de la inteligencia, como la revista Historia y Sociedad o el Centro de Estudios del Movimiento Obrero y Socialista. Era un comunista atípico.
Asamblea, una revista invisible
La Asamblea Legislativa del Distrito Federal es un caos altamente organizado, pues ya se sabe que en charco revuelto, ganancia de diputados. Un caso que ilustra sobradamente lo anterior es que hace medio año se llamó a Jorge Meléndez para dirigir la revista Asamblea, pero ya puesto a trabajar el colega, la señora Angelina Hernández, asambleísta que lo contrató, le informó que no le podían dar el personal y los recursos materiales para hacer su trabajo. Igualmente, le dijo que su sueldo (el de Meléndez) sería varias veces menor a lo pactado. Como ya habían pasado varios meses y el periodista había preparado tres números, éstos fueron enviados a la imprenta y aparecieron con retraso y en forma simultánea. Se repartió la publicación a los integrantes de la diputación capitalina, pero horas después doña Angelina ordenó recoger los ejemplares distribuidos y todo el tiraje se fue a una bodega. Harto de tanta informalidad y tontería, Meléndez tiró el arpa, convencido de que a los asambleístas lo único que les interesa es hacer negocio, incluidos los de oposición, que han guardado un ominoso silencio ante el derroche ocasionado por la diputada Hernández. Total, el dinero es de los contribuyentes.
Breviario…
Los instalacionistas siguen perdiendo espacios. María Cristina García Cepeda, directora general de Bellas Artes, nombró a Sylvia Navarrete directora del Museo de Arte Moderno y a Santiago Pérez Garci, director del Museo Nacional de la Estampa (mi gallo era Agustín Sánchez González). Carmen Gaytán fue ratificada en el Museo de San Carlos, Carmen Cuenca en el Tamayo, Taiyana Pimentel en la Sala Siqueiros y La Tallera, Tania Aedo en el Laboratorio de Arte Alameda y Alfredo Matus en la Galería Velasco. A ver si ahora sí se abren espacios para los muchos y muy buenos pintores que tenemos. @@@ Cuarenta editores, mil 600 títulos y decenas de autores mexicanos participarán en la Book Expo America 2013, que se celebra en Nueva York y que está dedicada a nuestro país. Al frente de la delegación van Ricardo Cayuela, director general de Publicaciones de Conaculta, y José Ignacio Echeverría, presidente de la Cámara Nacional de la Industria Editorial. @@@ Mañana martes, a las 19 horas, en la terraza del Museo del Estanquillo, de Isabel la Católica y Madero, se presenta Aproximaciones y reitegros (Ed. UANL-Trilce, 2013), libro póstumo de Carlos Monsiváis que reúne trabajos de crítica literaria, acaso lo más perdurable del hombre de Portales, selección, edición y notas de Carlos Mapes. Los presentadores serán Jenaro Villamil, Jezreel Salazar, Henoc de Santiago y el propio Mapes. @@@ Con la participación de más de 60 sellos editoriales, se inauguró la IV Feria del Libro Independiente en la librería Rosario Castellanos del Fondo de Cultura Económica, con ofertas muy interesantes.
Columnista:
Canada sinks its hopes into oil sands
Oil sands have put Canada on the map as an energy superpower but the industry faces pressure from the US’s shale revolution and environmental concerns
México: Al menos 16 personas mueren en un accidente de tráfico
Al menos 16 personas han muerto y otras 19 han resultado heridas en un accidente de carretera en el estado mexicano de Hidalgo, después de que un autobús turístico cayera por un barranco.
El subsecretario de Protección Civil y Gestión de Riesgos, Miguel García Conde, indicó que los heridos han sido trasladados al Hospital General de Pachuca.
Los socorristas dijeron que todo parece indicar que la tragedia se produjo por exceso de velocidad y debido a lo debido resbaladiza que estaba la carretera tras la lluvia.
El subsecretario de Protección Civil y Gestión de Riesgos, Miguel García Conde, indicó que los heridos han sido trasladados al Hospital General de Pachuca.
Los socorristas dijeron que todo parece indicar que la tragedia se produjo por exceso de velocidad y debido a lo debido resbaladiza que estaba la carretera tras la lluvia.
Unrest in Sweden: Jobless Youths Suffer 'Discrimination and Harassment'
Riots rocked several immigrant suburbs of Stockholm last week for six nights in a row. Arne Johansson, 65, the head of "Network for Järva's Future," a citizens' initiative promoting social justice, describes what sparked the recent violence.
Delhi Journal: Cow Thefts on the Rise in India
With meat eating on the rise in India, cows — considered sacred in Hinduism — are being stolen off the street by cattle rustlers and sold to illegal slaughterhouses.
Sunday, 26 May 2013
Contrato por 54.9 mdp, tras iPads de diputados
El contrato firmado con Telmex por 54.9 millones de pesos hace constar que los representantes recibieron además varios beneficios, denominados "valores agregados", en equipamiento y servicios, que sólo en iPad y computadoras se calculan en 8.5 millones de pesos
Rapaz de 15 anos suspeito de matar dois irmãos adotivos
Um adolescente norte-americano foi detido esta quinta-feira na sequência da morte por apunhalamento dos dois irmãos adotivos, de 10 e 4 anos.
Parlamento turco aprova proibição da venda de bebida alcoólica à noite
ANCARA - O Parlamento da Turquia aprovou nesta sexta-feira uma legislação que proíbe a venda de bebidas alcoólicas das 22h até as 6h e a exibição dos produtos em propagandas ou programas de TV, que terão que borrar as imagens de garrafas e copos. A norma precisa da aprovação do presidente Abdullah Gul antes de entrar em vigor, o que não deve representar um impedimento, já que o político faz parte da ala conservadora islâmica. A lei proíbe também o consumo de bebidas nas ruas e exige advertências de saúde nas embalagens. As multas para os liberarem a venda no horário proibido são de mais de US$ 270 mil.
O governo argumenta que está tentando fazer com que a Turquia entre nos padrões europeus, protegendo os jovens de “maus hábitos” enquanto o país negocia sua entrada para a União Europeia. Em um encontro com partidários, o primeiro-ministro Recep Tayyip Erdogan argumentou que há restrições a bebidas em todos os lugares do mundo.
- Há regulações como essas em todos os lugares do mundo. A juventude da nação deve ser protegida de maus hábitos - afirmou.
A Turquia é um país de maioria muçulmana com uma constituição secular, mas o partido governista AK, de Erdogan, está sendo alvo de duras críticas por não distinguir as ações do Estado da religião predominante.
“Restrições ligadas à religião são contra o secularismo”, disse o comentarista político turco Nazli Ilicak em seu Twitter. “Eu não estou defendendo o álcool, mas sim a liberdade. Nem sequer uma cerveja poderá ser vendida depois das 22h. Nós podemos considerar isso normal. Mas eu compreendo como um excesso de intervenção e uma instância ideológica.”
Desde que chegou ao poder em 2002, o premier tomou inúmeras medidas contra o comércio de bebidas alcoólicas. O imposto sobre o produto teve um aumento significativo e a empresa aérea Turkish Airlines parou de servir as bebidas em alguns voos domésticos.
O governo argumenta que está tentando fazer com que a Turquia entre nos padrões europeus, protegendo os jovens de “maus hábitos” enquanto o país negocia sua entrada para a União Europeia. Em um encontro com partidários, o primeiro-ministro Recep Tayyip Erdogan argumentou que há restrições a bebidas em todos os lugares do mundo.
- Há regulações como essas em todos os lugares do mundo. A juventude da nação deve ser protegida de maus hábitos - afirmou.
A Turquia é um país de maioria muçulmana com uma constituição secular, mas o partido governista AK, de Erdogan, está sendo alvo de duras críticas por não distinguir as ações do Estado da religião predominante.
“Restrições ligadas à religião são contra o secularismo”, disse o comentarista político turco Nazli Ilicak em seu Twitter. “Eu não estou defendendo o álcool, mas sim a liberdade. Nem sequer uma cerveja poderá ser vendida depois das 22h. Nós podemos considerar isso normal. Mas eu compreendo como um excesso de intervenção e uma instância ideológica.”
Desde que chegou ao poder em 2002, o premier tomou inúmeras medidas contra o comércio de bebidas alcoólicas. O imposto sobre o produto teve um aumento significativo e a empresa aérea Turkish Airlines parou de servir as bebidas em alguns voos domésticos.
Mosquitos contaminados pela malária sentem mais atração por odor humano
Diferenças no comportamento entre mosquitos contaminados e sadios podem revelar formas de evitar picadas e reduzir o risco de contágio. Doença mata 770 mil pessoas por ano no mundo.
Polícia francesa apreende aspirinas falsificadas
O carregamento era proveniente da China e foi apreendido num porto de Havre. É a maior apreensão de medicamentos contrafeitos feita em França e na União Europeia.
Mianmar impõe que muçulmanos não tenham mais de 2 filhos
YANGON - Muçulmanos de duas cidades na província de Rakhne, em Mianmar, não poderão ter mais de dois filhos, anunciou o governo do país neste sábado. Segundo autoridades, a medida foi tomada para tentar aliviar as tensões entre budistas e muçulmanos na região e proibir a poligamia, mas ativistas temem que a política faça parte de uma repressão religiosa.
Os dois municípios afetados pela medida, aprovada há uma semana, são Buthidaung e Maundaw, onde cerca de 95% da população é de muçulmanos. Segundo o porta-voz do governo de Rakhine, Win Myaing, uma comissão nomeada pelo governo para investigar a violência emitiu propostas para aliviar as tensões, que incluem programas de planejamento familiar para conter o crescimento da população entre a minoria muçulmano. A comissão também recomendou dobrar o número de forças de segurança na região.
- O crescimento da população de muçulmanos é dez vezes maior do que a dos budistas - Win Myaing disse. - O excesso de população é uma das causas de tensão - acrescentou.
A violência sectária em Mianmar começou há quase um ano em Rakhine. Grupos de budistas armados com facões arrasaram milhares de casas muçulmanas, deixando centenas de mortos e forçando 125 mil pessoas a fugir. A agitação se espalhou contra outras comunidades islâmicas do país.
Conter o conflito virou um grande desafio para o governo reformista do presidente Thein Sein, enquanto ele tenta instituir uma maior liberalização política e econômica, depois de quase meio século de regime militar. Os tumultos também mancharam a imagem da líder da oposição Aung San Suu Kyi, que tem sido criticada por não defender com mais ênfase a comunidade muçulmana do país.
Win Myaing disse que as autoridades ainda não determinaram como as medidas que serão cumpridos, mas a política de dois filhos será obrigatória em Buthidaung e Maundaw. A medida não se aplica a outras partes de Rakhine, que têm populações muçulmanas menores.
"Um fator que alimentou as tensões entre muçulmanos e budistas tem relação com a sensação de insegurança entre muitos budistas pelo rápido crescimento da população islâmica, consideradas por eles como uma ameaça séria”, disse um relatório divulgado por uma comissão do governo no mês passado.
Mianmar é um Estado predominantemente budista e não inclui os muçulmanos rohingya como uma de suas 135 etnias reconhecidas. Os muçulmanos representam cerca de 4% dos cerca de 60 milhões habitantes do país.
Os dois municípios afetados pela medida, aprovada há uma semana, são Buthidaung e Maundaw, onde cerca de 95% da população é de muçulmanos. Segundo o porta-voz do governo de Rakhine, Win Myaing, uma comissão nomeada pelo governo para investigar a violência emitiu propostas para aliviar as tensões, que incluem programas de planejamento familiar para conter o crescimento da população entre a minoria muçulmano. A comissão também recomendou dobrar o número de forças de segurança na região.
- O crescimento da população de muçulmanos é dez vezes maior do que a dos budistas - Win Myaing disse. - O excesso de população é uma das causas de tensão - acrescentou.
A violência sectária em Mianmar começou há quase um ano em Rakhine. Grupos de budistas armados com facões arrasaram milhares de casas muçulmanas, deixando centenas de mortos e forçando 125 mil pessoas a fugir. A agitação se espalhou contra outras comunidades islâmicas do país.
Conter o conflito virou um grande desafio para o governo reformista do presidente Thein Sein, enquanto ele tenta instituir uma maior liberalização política e econômica, depois de quase meio século de regime militar. Os tumultos também mancharam a imagem da líder da oposição Aung San Suu Kyi, que tem sido criticada por não defender com mais ênfase a comunidade muçulmana do país.
Win Myaing disse que as autoridades ainda não determinaram como as medidas que serão cumpridos, mas a política de dois filhos será obrigatória em Buthidaung e Maundaw. A medida não se aplica a outras partes de Rakhine, que têm populações muçulmanas menores.
"Um fator que alimentou as tensões entre muçulmanos e budistas tem relação com a sensação de insegurança entre muitos budistas pelo rápido crescimento da população islâmica, consideradas por eles como uma ameaça séria”, disse um relatório divulgado por uma comissão do governo no mês passado.
Mianmar é um Estado predominantemente budista e não inclui os muçulmanos rohingya como uma de suas 135 etnias reconhecidas. Os muçulmanos representam cerca de 4% dos cerca de 60 milhões habitantes do país.
Falta de medicamentos é problema grave no Irã
Remédios vitais estão cada vez mais caros devido às fortes flutuações cambiais e o medo dos bancos de fazerem transações financeiras com o Irã. Para contornar o problema, negócios são feitos através de outros países.
Heat Wave Causes Power Outages, Anger in India
LUCKNOW, India — A blistering heat wave has swept across most parts of north and western India, causing massive electricity cuts and leading angry residents to protest and even attack power company officials and property.
In the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, enraged citizens have set fire to a power station and held power company employees hostage for several hours. Police said Thursday that at least 21 people have been arrested for the violence and for damaging government property.
Uttar Pradesh, home to 190 million people, is India’s most populous state and one of the poorest. Its inadequate energy infrastructure has been unable to cope with the high demand for electricity as temperatures have peaked above 116 degrees Fahrenheit (47 degrees Celsius) in recent days.
The power shortages have left people without air conditioning or fans — and in some cases without water, as electric pumps failed — for hours each day. Uttar Pradesh has only 8,000 megawatts of electricity available against a demand of about 11,000 megawatts, forcing officials to schedule power cuts.
People set fire to a power station to protest power cuts in Bahraich, a town 180 kilometers (112 miles) southeast of state capital Lucknow, while in Gorakhpur town, enraged people held power employees captive for more than 18 hours.
In Lucknow, residents of one neighborhood lost electricity for more than 50 hours. They came out on the streets and staged a protest outside the home of a local lawmaker.
“We were awake the whole night. This morning the power line was restored after our protest. There was no water, as no electricity means power pumps did not work. Small children were crying,” resident Shankuntala Rastogi said.
The state’s chief minister, Akilesh Yadav, said in a statement that the government was trying its best to provide enough power.
The high temperatures are expected to continue through the week, local weather officials said.
Several neighborhoods in the national capital New Delhi have also suffered several hour-long power cuts this week amid searing temperatures.
Western India also sizzled, with temperatures in parts of Gujarat, Rajasthan and Maharashtra states hovering between 47 to 48 degrees C (116 to 118 F).
The post Heat Wave Causes Power Outages, Anger in India appeared first on The Epoch Times.
In the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, enraged citizens have set fire to a power station and held power company employees hostage for several hours. Police said Thursday that at least 21 people have been arrested for the violence and for damaging government property.
Uttar Pradesh, home to 190 million people, is India’s most populous state and one of the poorest. Its inadequate energy infrastructure has been unable to cope with the high demand for electricity as temperatures have peaked above 116 degrees Fahrenheit (47 degrees Celsius) in recent days.
The power shortages have left people without air conditioning or fans — and in some cases without water, as electric pumps failed — for hours each day. Uttar Pradesh has only 8,000 megawatts of electricity available against a demand of about 11,000 megawatts, forcing officials to schedule power cuts.
People set fire to a power station to protest power cuts in Bahraich, a town 180 kilometers (112 miles) southeast of state capital Lucknow, while in Gorakhpur town, enraged people held power employees captive for more than 18 hours.
In Lucknow, residents of one neighborhood lost electricity for more than 50 hours. They came out on the streets and staged a protest outside the home of a local lawmaker.
“We were awake the whole night. This morning the power line was restored after our protest. There was no water, as no electricity means power pumps did not work. Small children were crying,” resident Shankuntala Rastogi said.
The state’s chief minister, Akilesh Yadav, said in a statement that the government was trying its best to provide enough power.
The high temperatures are expected to continue through the week, local weather officials said.
Several neighborhoods in the national capital New Delhi have also suffered several hour-long power cuts this week amid searing temperatures.
Western India also sizzled, with temperatures in parts of Gujarat, Rajasthan and Maharashtra states hovering between 47 to 48 degrees C (116 to 118 F).
The post Heat Wave Causes Power Outages, Anger in India appeared first on The Epoch Times.
Spain Princess Tax Probe: Princess Cristina Investigated
Spain princess tax probe: Princess Cristina, the daughter of Spain’s King Juan Carlos, is under investigation for possible tax fraud and money laundering, the latest blow to the Spanish royal family’s reputation.
Palma de Mallorca court judge Jose Castro on Friday asked tax authorities for information regarding Cristina’s property and investments as well as finances relating to her partnership with her husband Inaki Urdangarin in a firm called Aizoon.
The court recently withdrew a subpoena against the 47-year-old princess for questioning over the alleged embezzlement of public funds by Urdangarin, but said she could still be called to answer questions regarding their finances.
Friday’s decision comes after a year of health and image problems for the 75-year-old Juan Carlos, once one of Spain’s most respected figures. There was no immediate comment from the palace.
The post Spain Princess Tax Probe: Princess Cristina Investigated appeared first on The Epoch Times.
Palma de Mallorca court judge Jose Castro on Friday asked tax authorities for information regarding Cristina’s property and investments as well as finances relating to her partnership with her husband Inaki Urdangarin in a firm called Aizoon.
The court recently withdrew a subpoena against the 47-year-old princess for questioning over the alleged embezzlement of public funds by Urdangarin, but said she could still be called to answer questions regarding their finances.
Friday’s decision comes after a year of health and image problems for the 75-year-old Juan Carlos, once one of Spain’s most respected figures. There was no immediate comment from the palace.
The post Spain Princess Tax Probe: Princess Cristina Investigated appeared first on The Epoch Times.
Woman In Berlusconi Denies Her Own Statements
MILAN—The woman who prosecutors allege had sex with Silvio Berlusconi while he was Italy’s premier in exchange for money spent her second day on the witness stand Friday, denying her own sworn descriptions of racy escapades at his “bunga bunga” parties and long lists of expensive jewelry and watches received from the media mogul. Karima el Mahroug, a Moroccan known as Ruby, dismissed a series of sworn statements she made to investigators in the summer of 2010 as “all stupid things” that she now regrets saying. “I apologize to the prosecutors. They were all nonsense,” she said.
They included telling investigators in 2010 that she had exchanged phone numbers with Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo at a restaurant. On the stand, she said the closest she had gotten to the soccer star were advertising billboards around Milan that summer — and that she had not been paid to have sex with him.
“If I didn’t prostitute myself with someone so handsome, then it is impossible to think I should have done it with Silvio Berlusconi and others,” el Mahroug said.
She is appearing as the star witness at the trial of three former Berlusconi aides charged with procuring prostitutes for the media mogul’s infamous “bunga bunga” parties. The trial is separate from the one charging Berlusconi with having paid for sex with a minor — el Mahroug, who was 17 at the time — and then trying to cover it up . She has not testified at that trial.
El Mahroug is not charged with any crime at either trial and is formally recognized in both of them as an injured party.
But El Mahroug was less than collaborative with prosecutors, denying having made incriminating statements to other witnesses in the case, forgetting details such as how much money she told police she had stolen as a pickpocket, and denying descriptions in sworn depositions of young women bathing nude at Berlusconi’s villa.
One minute she said she didn’t own a Rolex, when confronted with a list of jewelry and watches that she had told investigators that Berlusconi gave her, then she said she had bought herself a Rolex while visiting friends in Sicily.
On the stand Friday, she said she received only one piece of expensive jewelry from Berlusconi: a cross that has been sequestered by investigators. The rest of the gifts, she said, were costume jewelry. She disowned a list she had previously given to prosecutors of Berlusconi’s gifts that included two separate Rolexes.
At various stages throughout the daylong testimony, el Mahroug was put back in line by the presiding judge who exhorted her to “change her behavior” and answer the questions.
El Mahroug at one point complained that the detailed questioning “was boring.”
She denied ever telling a former roommate she had sex with Berlusconi, or telling investigators that she had received 187,000 euros ($241,000) from Berlusconi. Her testimony in court is that she received envelopes of 2,000 euros to 3,000 euros each of the five or six times she went to his villa, and another 30,000 euros to open a beautician salon.
“What reason did you have to make up this particular number?” prosecutor Pietro Forno asked. “I invented this number to be more credible in my wild stories,” she said.
El Mahroug also was unable to remember when she told one of the defendants that she was a minor — while she was still attending parties at Berlusconi’s villa, or after. And she failed to recall other details, such as whether she had reported 7,000 euros, or another sum, stolen from her bag on May 1, 2010, by a pickpocket.
“I didn’t respond rudely,” Ruby retorted. “I think it is useless to focus on the amount, if I don’t remember if it was 5,000 or 6,000.”
Prosecutors in the trial of Berlusconi’s aides are set to make their closing arguments on May 31, while a verdict in Berlusconi’s sex-for-hire trial could come by the end of next month.
The post Woman In Berlusconi Denies Her Own Statements appeared first on The Epoch Times.
They included telling investigators in 2010 that she had exchanged phone numbers with Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo at a restaurant. On the stand, she said the closest she had gotten to the soccer star were advertising billboards around Milan that summer — and that she had not been paid to have sex with him.
“If I didn’t prostitute myself with someone so handsome, then it is impossible to think I should have done it with Silvio Berlusconi and others,” el Mahroug said.
She is appearing as the star witness at the trial of three former Berlusconi aides charged with procuring prostitutes for the media mogul’s infamous “bunga bunga” parties. The trial is separate from the one charging Berlusconi with having paid for sex with a minor — el Mahroug, who was 17 at the time — and then trying to cover it up . She has not testified at that trial.
El Mahroug is not charged with any crime at either trial and is formally recognized in both of them as an injured party.
But El Mahroug was less than collaborative with prosecutors, denying having made incriminating statements to other witnesses in the case, forgetting details such as how much money she told police she had stolen as a pickpocket, and denying descriptions in sworn depositions of young women bathing nude at Berlusconi’s villa.
One minute she said she didn’t own a Rolex, when confronted with a list of jewelry and watches that she had told investigators that Berlusconi gave her, then she said she had bought herself a Rolex while visiting friends in Sicily.
On the stand Friday, she said she received only one piece of expensive jewelry from Berlusconi: a cross that has been sequestered by investigators. The rest of the gifts, she said, were costume jewelry. She disowned a list she had previously given to prosecutors of Berlusconi’s gifts that included two separate Rolexes.
At various stages throughout the daylong testimony, el Mahroug was put back in line by the presiding judge who exhorted her to “change her behavior” and answer the questions.
El Mahroug at one point complained that the detailed questioning “was boring.”
She denied ever telling a former roommate she had sex with Berlusconi, or telling investigators that she had received 187,000 euros ($241,000) from Berlusconi. Her testimony in court is that she received envelopes of 2,000 euros to 3,000 euros each of the five or six times she went to his villa, and another 30,000 euros to open a beautician salon.
“What reason did you have to make up this particular number?” prosecutor Pietro Forno asked. “I invented this number to be more credible in my wild stories,” she said.
El Mahroug also was unable to remember when she told one of the defendants that she was a minor — while she was still attending parties at Berlusconi’s villa, or after. And she failed to recall other details, such as whether she had reported 7,000 euros, or another sum, stolen from her bag on May 1, 2010, by a pickpocket.
“I didn’t respond rudely,” Ruby retorted. “I think it is useless to focus on the amount, if I don’t remember if it was 5,000 or 6,000.”
Prosecutors in the trial of Berlusconi’s aides are set to make their closing arguments on May 31, while a verdict in Berlusconi’s sex-for-hire trial could come by the end of next month.
The post Woman In Berlusconi Denies Her Own Statements appeared first on The Epoch Times.
Baby-formula art: Dissident on China food scandal
His art may be forbidden in China and his name blocked as a search topic online, but Chinese artist and social activist Ai Weiwei still knows how to grab headlines.
Female Suicide Bomber Injures 18, Including Children, in Russia
A female suicide bomber identified as the widow of two Islamist militants detonated an explosive, killing herself and injuring 18.
MAKHACHKALA, Russia — A female suicide bomber blew herself up in the southern Russian region of Dagestan on Saturday, injuring at least 18, including two children and five police officers, authorities said. The attacker was later identified as a widow of two Islamic radicals killed by security forces.
It was the first suicide bombing in Dagestan since the Boston Marathon attacks last month. The Tsarnaev brothers suspected of carrying out those blasts are ethnic Chechens who lived in this turbulent Caucasus province before moving to the U.S. Tamerlan Tsarnaev, the elder brother who was killed in a shootout with police days after the April 15 bombings, spent six months in Dagestan in 2012.
Dagestan remains an epicenter of violence in the confrontation between Islamic radicals and federal forces. Islamic extremists strive to create an independent Muslim state, or “emirate,” in the Caucasus and parts of southern Russia with a sizable Muslim population.
In Saturday’s attack, the bomber detonated an explosives-laden belt in the central square in the provincial capital, Makhachkala, Dagestan’s police spokesman Vyacheslav Gasanov said.
The woman was identified as Madina Alieva, 25, who married an Islamist who was killed in 2009 and then wedded another Islamic radical who was gunned down last year, police spokeswoman Fatina Ubaidatova said.
Since 2000, at least two dozen women, most of them from the Caucasus, have carried out suicide bombings in Russian cities and aboard trains and planes. All were linked to an Islamic insurgency that spread throughout Dagestan and the predominantly Muslim Caucasus region after two separatist wars in neighboring Chechnya.
The bombers are often called “black widows” in Russia because many are the widows, or other relatives, of militants killed by security forces. Islamic militants are believed to convince “black widows” that a suicidebombing will reunite them with their dead relatives beyond the grave.
Police said two of the people injured in the attack were in critical condition. There were no details about the injured children.
This week, a double explosion in Makhachkala killed four civilians and left 44 injured, while three security officers and three suspected militants have been killed in other incidents. One of the devices was in a parked car and the other was placed in a trash bin.
Although Chechen separatists were battered almost a decade ago, Islamists continue to move through the region’s mountains and forests with comparative ease despite security sweeps by federal forces and police under the control of local leaders loyal to the Kremlin.
Human rights groups say that abductions, torture and extrajudicial killings of young men suspected of militant links by Russian security forces have helped swell the rebels’ ranks. Caucasus experts say that Islamists routinely extort money from government officials and businessmen and attack or kill those who refuse to pay.
The post Female Suicide Bomber Injures 18, Including Children, in Russia appeared first on The Epoch Times.
MAKHACHKALA, Russia — A female suicide bomber blew herself up in the southern Russian region of Dagestan on Saturday, injuring at least 18, including two children and five police officers, authorities said. The attacker was later identified as a widow of two Islamic radicals killed by security forces.
It was the first suicide bombing in Dagestan since the Boston Marathon attacks last month. The Tsarnaev brothers suspected of carrying out those blasts are ethnic Chechens who lived in this turbulent Caucasus province before moving to the U.S. Tamerlan Tsarnaev, the elder brother who was killed in a shootout with police days after the April 15 bombings, spent six months in Dagestan in 2012.
Dagestan remains an epicenter of violence in the confrontation between Islamic radicals and federal forces. Islamic extremists strive to create an independent Muslim state, or “emirate,” in the Caucasus and parts of southern Russia with a sizable Muslim population.
In Saturday’s attack, the bomber detonated an explosives-laden belt in the central square in the provincial capital, Makhachkala, Dagestan’s police spokesman Vyacheslav Gasanov said.
The woman was identified as Madina Alieva, 25, who married an Islamist who was killed in 2009 and then wedded another Islamic radical who was gunned down last year, police spokeswoman Fatina Ubaidatova said.
Since 2000, at least two dozen women, most of them from the Caucasus, have carried out suicide bombings in Russian cities and aboard trains and planes. All were linked to an Islamic insurgency that spread throughout Dagestan and the predominantly Muslim Caucasus region after two separatist wars in neighboring Chechnya.
The bombers are often called “black widows” in Russia because many are the widows, or other relatives, of militants killed by security forces. Islamic militants are believed to convince “black widows” that a suicidebombing will reunite them with their dead relatives beyond the grave.
Police said two of the people injured in the attack were in critical condition. There were no details about the injured children.
This week, a double explosion in Makhachkala killed four civilians and left 44 injured, while three security officers and three suspected militants have been killed in other incidents. One of the devices was in a parked car and the other was placed in a trash bin.
Although Chechen separatists were battered almost a decade ago, Islamists continue to move through the region’s mountains and forests with comparative ease despite security sweeps by federal forces and police under the control of local leaders loyal to the Kremlin.
Human rights groups say that abductions, torture and extrajudicial killings of young men suspected of militant links by Russian security forces have helped swell the rebels’ ranks. Caucasus experts say that Islamists routinely extort money from government officials and businessmen and attack or kill those who refuse to pay.
The post Female Suicide Bomber Injures 18, Including Children, in Russia appeared first on The Epoch Times.
Internally Displaced Persons Increased 2.4M in 2012
WASHINGTON—The number of people who have been forced to flee their homes due to armed conflict, human rights violations, or natural disasters, to seek shelter elsewhere in their own country was estimated worldwide to be 28.8 million at the end of 2012—an increase of 2.4 million from 2011 and an all-time high.
The internally displaced persons (IDPs) outnumber by nearly two to one all the refugees in the world who have fled their countries.
The Norwegian Refugee Council and its Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre (IDMC), published these findings in its report, “Global Overview 2012,” last month. The Brookings Institution held a panel discussion on the report and what needs to be done to improve aid and protection for IDPs in Washington, D.C., on May 24, which included representatives of the U.S. Department of State and U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).
Generally speaking, refugees benefit from a long-established system of international law and assistance, while IDPs are less visible and frequently viewed as a lower priority. However, IDPs may have as much, or more, need for humanitarian aid and protection from violence than refugees.
The United Nations has one agency that oversees assistance and protection for refugees, but when IDPs need assistance or protection it “depends much on persuasion and time to get international agencies to take responsibility for the plight of the displaced,” said Elizabeth Ferris, Co-Director of Brookings’s Project on Internal Displacement, who served as moderator for the discussion.
This year around 6.5 million IDPs were newly displaced, which is nearly double the number of 3.5 million in 2011. The increase of newly displaced was attributed to armed conflicts in Syria and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), which account for approximately half: 2.4 million in Syria and one million in the DRC. Next were Sudan and India, which each had an estimated 500,000 newly displaced in 2012.
“The [Syrian] government is not only failing to help internally displaced persons, it is slaughtering them,” said Anne C. Richard, assistant secretary of the U.S. Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration (PRM), in a statement read at the discussion in her absence. She continued, “Troops attack civilians, people are bombed indiscriminately from the sky, hospitals and bakeries are targeted.”
Richard said that access to the Syrian people in need is difficult or impossible. “When John Ging of the U.N. Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) tried to lead a convoy from Damascus to Aleppo, it had to pass 54 checkpoints manned by the regime and different opposition factions along the route.”
With the upsurge of violence last year, the number of IDPs in the DRC reached 2.7 million. In Somalia, the famine has caused between 1.1 and 1.36 million IDPs, but thankfully, famine conditions have come to an end.
The report estimates that in Mali, 227,000 people were driven from their homes as a result of the conflict in 2012.
Internal armed conflict and human rights abuses are the main causes for Colombia to remain the country with the highest number of IDPs in the world, with around 5 million. Richards gave an example of a newly displaced couple in Columbia: “A couple who farmed fled when they were given a choice: either agree to cook for combatants of illegal armed groups or they had one half-hour to leave.”
The report states that 2.1 million returned in 2012, a decrease of about 250,000 from 2011. However, it’s harder to count the returnees compared to the displaced. Typically, people leave en mass but the numbers “trickle” as they return, said Frank Smith, representing IDMC.
Nancy Lindborg, USAID, said that the 2004 USAID policy for IDPs is “very outdated” and the agency is in the process of revising it.
Lindborg said she wants to see greater connectivity between the developmental and humanitarian teams to work jointly on their planning so as to address the needs of the internally displaced populations.
“The momentum to address the problem of the internally displaced has slowed,” said Joel Charney, who is vice president for humanitarian policy and practice at InterAction, the largest alliance of U.S.-based nongovernmental organizations focused on disaster relief and sustainable development programs.
Something has happened since the early 1990s when there was a strong global impetus in the United Nations to address IDP needs, he said, noting that momentum has all but disappeared.
Part of the reason for the slowdown is the notion that the problem has been successfully dealt with, he said.
Another reason is “mainstreaming” the internally displaced so that their problems are viewed as less serious than other problems in conflict areas. “There is still some reluctance to accept the idea that the internally displaced require special protection effort,” said Charney, who worked for Oxfam America for 16 years. He said priority should be given to the most vulnerable.
Richard had a similar view on the setting of priorities among aid recipients. She said that UNHCR, which PRM depends on greatly, should allocate its resources based firstly on humanitarian need, not how the persons are classified.
“In our view, IDPs are not a secondary priority,” Richard said. “UNHCR possesses a set of commitments to IDPs, and these commitments should not be a lower priority for the agency relative to its other populations of concern—refugees, returnees, and stateless persons.”
Syria 3 million
Democratic
Republic of Congo 2.7 million
Sudan 2.2 million
Iraq 2.1 million
Somalia 1.1-1,36 million
The post Internally Displaced Persons Increased 2.4M in 2012 appeared first on The Epoch Times.
The internally displaced persons (IDPs) outnumber by nearly two to one all the refugees in the world who have fled their countries.
The Norwegian Refugee Council and its Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre (IDMC), published these findings in its report, “Global Overview 2012,” last month. The Brookings Institution held a panel discussion on the report and what needs to be done to improve aid and protection for IDPs in Washington, D.C., on May 24, which included representatives of the U.S. Department of State and U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).
Generally speaking, refugees benefit from a long-established system of international law and assistance, while IDPs are less visible and frequently viewed as a lower priority. However, IDPs may have as much, or more, need for humanitarian aid and protection from violence than refugees.
The United Nations has one agency that oversees assistance and protection for refugees, but when IDPs need assistance or protection it “depends much on persuasion and time to get international agencies to take responsibility for the plight of the displaced,” said Elizabeth Ferris, Co-Director of Brookings’s Project on Internal Displacement, who served as moderator for the discussion.
This year around 6.5 million IDPs were newly displaced, which is nearly double the number of 3.5 million in 2011. The increase of newly displaced was attributed to armed conflicts in Syria and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), which account for approximately half: 2.4 million in Syria and one million in the DRC. Next were Sudan and India, which each had an estimated 500,000 newly displaced in 2012.
Large Scale Displacements
In Syria, the number of IDPs grew to at least three million by the end on 2012. “Most have received very little or no assistance,” because aid is a divisive political issue in the country, says the report. Over 80 percent were newly displaced in 2012.“The [Syrian] government is not only failing to help internally displaced persons, it is slaughtering them,” said Anne C. Richard, assistant secretary of the U.S. Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration (PRM), in a statement read at the discussion in her absence. She continued, “Troops attack civilians, people are bombed indiscriminately from the sky, hospitals and bakeries are targeted.”
Richard said that access to the Syrian people in need is difficult or impossible. “When John Ging of the U.N. Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) tried to lead a convoy from Damascus to Aleppo, it had to pass 54 checkpoints manned by the regime and different opposition factions along the route.”
With the upsurge of violence last year, the number of IDPs in the DRC reached 2.7 million. In Somalia, the famine has caused between 1.1 and 1.36 million IDPs, but thankfully, famine conditions have come to an end.
The report estimates that in Mali, 227,000 people were driven from their homes as a result of the conflict in 2012.
Internal armed conflict and human rights abuses are the main causes for Colombia to remain the country with the highest number of IDPs in the world, with around 5 million. Richards gave an example of a newly displaced couple in Columbia: “A couple who farmed fled when they were given a choice: either agree to cook for combatants of illegal armed groups or they had one half-hour to leave.”
The report states that 2.1 million returned in 2012, a decrease of about 250,000 from 2011. However, it’s harder to count the returnees compared to the displaced. Typically, people leave en mass but the numbers “trickle” as they return, said Frank Smith, representing IDMC.
Addressing IDP Policy
There was consensus among the panelists of the direction that the U.S. government and international aid agencies, particularly the U.N. Refugee Agency (UNHCR), need to go.Nancy Lindborg, USAID, said that the 2004 USAID policy for IDPs is “very outdated” and the agency is in the process of revising it.
Lindborg said she wants to see greater connectivity between the developmental and humanitarian teams to work jointly on their planning so as to address the needs of the internally displaced populations.
“The momentum to address the problem of the internally displaced has slowed,” said Joel Charney, who is vice president for humanitarian policy and practice at InterAction, the largest alliance of U.S.-based nongovernmental organizations focused on disaster relief and sustainable development programs.
Something has happened since the early 1990s when there was a strong global impetus in the United Nations to address IDP needs, he said, noting that momentum has all but disappeared.
Part of the reason for the slowdown is the notion that the problem has been successfully dealt with, he said.
Another reason is “mainstreaming” the internally displaced so that their problems are viewed as less serious than other problems in conflict areas. “There is still some reluctance to accept the idea that the internally displaced require special protection effort,” said Charney, who worked for Oxfam America for 16 years. He said priority should be given to the most vulnerable.
Richard had a similar view on the setting of priorities among aid recipients. She said that UNHCR, which PRM depends on greatly, should allocate its resources based firstly on humanitarian need, not how the persons are classified.
“In our view, IDPs are not a secondary priority,” Richard said. “UNHCR possesses a set of commitments to IDPs, and these commitments should not be a lower priority for the agency relative to its other populations of concern—refugees, returnees, and stateless persons.”
Countries With the Largest Number of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs)
Colombia 4.9-5.5 millionSyria 3 million
Democratic
Republic of Congo 2.7 million
Sudan 2.2 million
Iraq 2.1 million
Somalia 1.1-1,36 million
The post Internally Displaced Persons Increased 2.4M in 2012 appeared first on The Epoch Times.
UK Sets Up Task Force To Target Radical Preachers
LONDON (AP) — Britain’s government is setting up a new terrorism task force to tackle radical preachers and extremism following the brutal killing of a British soldier.
The group will look at whether new powers and laws are needed to clamp down on religious leaders who promote extremist messages and who target potential recruits in jails, schools and mosques.
The force will include senior ministers, London’s police chief and the head of the MI5 domestic security service.
Sunday’s announcement came less than a week after 25-year-old British soldier Lee Rigby was run over and stabbed to death in a London street. Hard-line Muslim leaders have identified one of the two suspects as Michael Adebolajo, an Islam convert who allegedly used to take part in events organized by British radical group al-Muhajiroun.
The post UK Sets Up Task Force To Target Radical Preachers appeared first on The Epoch Times.
The group will look at whether new powers and laws are needed to clamp down on religious leaders who promote extremist messages and who target potential recruits in jails, schools and mosques.
The force will include senior ministers, London’s police chief and the head of the MI5 domestic security service.
Sunday’s announcement came less than a week after 25-year-old British soldier Lee Rigby was run over and stabbed to death in a London street. Hard-line Muslim leaders have identified one of the two suspects as Michael Adebolajo, an Islam convert who allegedly used to take part in events organized by British radical group al-Muhajiroun.
The post UK Sets Up Task Force To Target Radical Preachers appeared first on The Epoch Times.
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