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January 2012
Topic Started: Jul 14 2014, 12:27 PM (772 Views)
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Edited by Qpawn Admin, Jul 14 2014, 12:28 PM.
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2011 In Review: The Arab Spring

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Protests in Tahrir Square, Cairo

To begin QNN's "2011 In Review" series, we reflect on one of the major stories of the year: the 'Arab Spring'.

2011 was a tumultuous year in international politics. Undoubtedly the major story of the year was the beginning of the so-called “Arab Spring”. The Arab world begins the New Year in a drastically different state than it did the last. If one were looking for a starting point for this wave of social change across North Africa and the Middle East, it would arguably be Tunisian street vendor Mohamed Bouazizi’s self-immolation on the 18th December 2010 in protest against the Tunisian regime and living conditions in that country. The issues highlighted by Bouazizi’s actions; poverty, state repression and corruption, struck a chord all across the Arab world. By January, protests had begun in Algeria, Oman, Yemen, Egypt, Syria and Morocco. The Tunisian government fell on the 14th January, marking the first regime change enacted by the ‘Arab Spring’.

Arguably the most memorable images were those from Tahrir Square in Cairo. Massive crowds gathered to demand the resignation of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, who had ruled the country with an iron fist since 1981. Mubarak’s resignation in February brought home the realization that these demonstrations had the power to topple what were considered the most repressive and unshakeable of regimes. That same month, protests began in Libya against the government of Colonel Muammar Gaddafi, who had been in power since deposing the Libyan Monarchy in 1969. This marked the beginning of a vicious conflict which quickly militarized and became a Civil War. The rebel administration, the National Transitional Council, received NATO backing in the form of French and British air strikes against Gaddaffi’s forces. The Battle of Tripoli in August marked the decisive turning point in the war, as the capital joined the rebel stronghold of Benghazi under NTC control. This effectively marked the end of Gaddaffi’s rule of Libya. In October, Gaddaffi himself was found and killed by rebels in the city of Sirte. Three days later, the NTC declared the end of the Civil War. 2012 will surely pose many challenges for the new government, as they must contend with disarming militias and stabilising the country after a year of turmoil.

Meanwhile in Egypt, the military remains in power. Parliamentary elections are currently under way and Presidential elections are planned for early this year. Any new government will have significant challenges from the start, however. The wave of militancy and protest that collapsed the Mubarak regime has not disappeared. Only weeks ago, women launched protests against ongoing human rights violations under the ruling Supreme Council of the Armed Forces, or SCAF. Mubarak himself awaits trial on a number of charges, including the premeditated murder of protestors during the 2011 Revolution.

The other major flashpoint in the ‘Arab Spring’ is the Syrian Civil War. Major nationwide demonstrations against the government of Bashar al-Assad began in March 2011. The use of violence by Syrian armed forces against protestors in Daraa sparked the destruction of the local office of the ruling Ba’ath Party. Up until April, the demands of the protestors were largely for democratic reforms such as the release of political prisoners and the abolition of emergency laws which granted increased powers to state forces. However, demands gradually turned to the fall of the Assad regime, which had been in place since July 2000 when al-Assad replaced his father, the President for 30 years, Hafez al-Assad. Major military action against protestors in late April sparked indignation around the world. By the end of May, the BBC was reporting up to 1000 civilian deaths so far. June marked the beginning of armed rebellion against the state, with the formation of the Free Syrian Army (FSA) coming in July. The FSA was formed by defecting officers and soldiers from the Syrian armed forces who reportedly refused to fire on civilians. Opposition forces have begun to grow in number, and the rebellion has grown over in to a full-blown insurgency. Who knows what 2012 will hold for Syria and the Assad regime?

QNN will bring you all the latest news from the Middle East as we have it.

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Edited by Qpawn Admin, Jul 18 2014, 06:07 PM.
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Riots continue in Bahrain

A funeral being held for a Bahraini youth, killed yesterday (December 31st 2011) during a protest, today turned into yet another protest. In response Bahraini police fired tear gas and sound grenades into an ever-growing crowd. Hundreds of Shi'ite youths demonstrated over the death of the 15-year-old protester a day earlier in the Sunni-ruled Gulf island kingdom. Confrontations between security forces and protesters take place almost daily in areas populated by majority Shi'ites, who led anti-government protests that were crushed last year. However uprisings and protests are unlikely to stop over the coming months with violence increasing on a daily basis. Events in Bahrain are being seen as part of a revolutionary wave across most of the Middle East and North Africa following the self-immolation of Mohamed Bouazizi in Tunisia. The Bahraini protests were initially aimed at achieving greater political freedom and equality for the majority Shia population but have since expanded to a call to end the monarchy of Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa.

In Other News

- Iran's navy said Sunday it test-fired an advanced surface-to-air missile during a drill in international waters near the strategic Strait of Hormuz, the passageway for one-sixth of the world's oil supply.
- The Arab League calls for a ceasefire in Syria, saying that tanks and heavy weaponry have been withdrawn from Syrian cities, but warning that snipers remain a threat.
- Up to 50,000 people flee their homes in a border area of South Sudan amid ethnic violence.
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Thousands Attend Anti-Putin Protests

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QNN (Moscow) -- The re-election of Vladimir Putin as President of the Russian Federation has been marred by significant protests in major cities across the country. Anti-Putin demonstrations began in November, in the midst of the President’s election campaign. Protestors have criticized Putin’s dominance of Russian’s political system. Putin, who had previously held office as President from 2000-2008, had been serving as Prime Minister under his successor Dmitry Medvedev, who was widely seen within Russia and abroad as a puppet.

Up to 160,000 protestors gathered in Moscow at the end of December, chanting slogans such as “Putin, go away!” and “Russia Without Putin!”, whilst tens of thousands had been gathering in the capital and St. Petersburg in the run up to the election. Accusations over electoral irregularities and alleged vote-rigging by the ruling United Russia party have only fuelled anger. The most common demands emerging from the protests are for the release of political prisoners, annulment of the recent election results which saw Putin win 63.6% of the vote, new legislation liberalizing Russia’s political system, the resignation of the head of Russia’s electoral commission Vladimir Churov and a new set of elections to be held this year. One protestor told QNN "There is no transparency in this system. Our leaders don't listen to the concerns of the people, they only serve Putin. It is time for new leadership."

There has so far been no violence between police and protestors, although over 250 people were arrested at a protest without an official permit in Moscow at the beginning of December. Further protests are believed to be planned by organizers in the coming weeks. The protests mark an historic moment in a country where Putin’s authority had previously gone largely unchallenged. A pro-government rally is planned in Moscow in the wake of Putin’s victory and is expected to draw large numbers. There are rumours of a planned counter-demonstration by anti-government protestors, although it considered highly unlikely that a license will be granted for any such action.

QNN will bring you more on this story as we have it.

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Edited by Qpawn Admin, Jul 19 2014, 10:50 PM.
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2011: An unforgettable year for Europe

2011 was meant to be a year of strong medicine for the Eurozone and Europe as a whole after a terrible 2010 however in 2011 there was no recovery, simply stagnation. The Irish and Greek crisis has continued with Greece in more trouble. Greece has had numerous issues and they all continue. Going into 2012 new problems are on the horizon for Italy, Spain and Portugal surrounding debt. A debt so large that many Americans and Canadians say is threatening the possibility of a global economic recovery. Several things occurred throughout the year which have caused both positive and negative developments. Estonia joined the Eurozone in January 2011. The former Soviet State has been in economic disparity since the start of the recession however their membership into the Eurocurrency was welcomed and seen as positive despite severe scepticism. Many believe Estonia's membership was beneficial and provided an economic boost to the region.

Come February the Greek situation turned violent as anti austerity protesters protested and rioted in response to forced government austerity. The austerity leaves Greeks with a sense of hopelessness as they are face the choice of suffering or following the demands of international and European financial institutions. Also in February a significant electoral shift occurred in Ireland. The Irish populous heavily rejected one of Irelands strongest political parties, Fianna Fail which was led by Brian Cowen. Fine Gael took power with Enda Kenny becoming Prime Minister.

In April Portugal requested aid and received it in May. Portugal received a 78 billion Euro deal with a promise to eventually reduce their debt from 9.1% of GDP to 3% by 2013. The Portuguese were in for a period of austerity and the people generally accepted that with their election of the centre right democratic party, who supported the aid from the EU and IMF, in June. While news of stability came to Portugal in June through a solid election and the end of government turmoil, Greece hit a low point. In June Greece's credit rating was downgraded from a B to a CCC by Standard and Poor's. In response Greek Prime Minister Papandreou pushed another austerity plan that saw spending cuts and tax increases so Greece would be able to keep its bailout money coming in. That result in massive protests and unpopularity for the conservative government. Greece's credit rating is among some of the weaker economies in the world. Once the plan was passed in the end of June riots reached uncontrollable levels as people were furious with an approximate 28 billion Euros worth of cuts for 12 billion Euros worth of bailout finances. Prime Minister Papandreou stated famously that "their was no plan B" as he believed if the plan had not passed Greece would collapse.

A few days after and only a month after Greece saw its credit rating drop, Portugal saw the same thing. On July 5th, 2011 Moody's downgraded Portugals credit rating to junk status and vowed that another drop was not out of the question. The credit agency stated that Portugal had too many domestic issues particularly tax evasion and even though bailout money was received it would not be enough to stir economic growth. Portugal continues to head down a slippery slope and will now need more money from Europe. Later in July Germany and Greece worked out a second bailout package of 109 billion euros. The plan was tough for the Greek people however the European markets reacted positively to the news.

In August the European Central Bank purchased 22 billion Euros worth of Spanish and Italian bonds after being assured that the nations would work to reduce their deficit and prevent a crisis. The markets had a sluggish response to the move and it was widely criticized by many economists. Staying with Italian news, September was marked by protests in Italy in response to 45 billion euros worth of austerity measures which included tax increases, a retirement age increase to 65 for women and spending cuts. The plan was vastly unpopular but implemented. Following the Italian protests of September massive changes came to the ECB as executive board member Juergen Stark resigned mainly due to his role in the purchasing of bonds to nations in debt. Markets plunged in response to the news.

In October positive news came for Europe as a Greek debt deal was reached. The increases covered changes in bonds, increased taxes and spending cuts however it did provide a solution to the crisis. Markets surged and reached high points as a result of the news after a terrible year for the Greek people.The Greek people were still opposed to this the third massive austerity plan of the year and Prime Minister Papandreou was aware this. As a result he put the plan to referendum and made the announcement on Halloween. Markets plunged in response to the news. A few days later for the start of November the plot twisted yet again as Papandreou reversed his choice mainly due to the fact that the largest opposition party supported the plan and said there was no need for a costly referendum. Papandreou resigned after heavy pressure and the results of a barely positive confidence vote. In November the governments of Europe changed vastly, Papandreou out, Berlusconi sent packing and Zapatero defeated. Papandreou's resignation led to Papademos being named Prime Minister of Greece, Mario Monti, succeeded controversial and longest serving Italian leader since Mussolini, Silvio Berlusconi and Zapatero lost the Spanish elections to Conservative Mariano Rajoy.

In December two giants, Merkel and Sarkozy met to discuss a further solution to the European debt crisis. They proposed automatic sanctions for countries that break budgetary requirements such as not exceeding a debt level of 3% of GDP and presenting budgets to the EU. The issue of Eurobonds remained up in the air however. Standard and Poor's did not warm to the news and stressed that a further credit downgrade for 15 of 17 Eurozone countries was possible if the EU could not reach a concrete deal. The concrete deal was reached in December but it was vetoed by British Prime Minister David Cameron due to a want for voluntary membership in the plan due to a lack of support from British banks. In response to a failed deal the ECB lent billions to banks across Europe to ensure that the credit ratings of much of Europe wouldn't fall. The move was somewhat successful.

Now we find ourselves here, in 2012! A Europe with no strong sense of direction. Yes 2011 was awful in some respects however on the bright side many problems were averted but many remained unsolved. 2012 could be a huge year for Europe as the region is still volatile economically. One wrong move and it could collapse, one right move and Europe could be on the path to success. European leaders have the fate of the worlds greatest continent in their hands but can they survive the test of time?




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Scottish Government Announces Plans For Independence Referendum

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Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond

QNN (Edinburgh) -- In news that has made headlines across the United Kingdom, Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond announced his government's intentions to hold a referendum on whether Scotland should be an independent state in the Autumn of 2014. Salmond, leader of the pro-independence Scottish National Party (SNP), said "The date for the referendum has to be the autumn of 2014. That's because this is the biggest decision that Scotland has made for 300 years. If you are going to do things properly and have the debate in the way it must be had then that is the date that we are going to move towards." The SNP have long stood for Scottish independence from the UK and hopes for the fulfillment of this ambition were boosted when the party won a historic majority in the devolved Scottish parliament last year.

All of the three main political parties in the UK, including the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats who make up the current government coalition, as well as Labour, are opposed to Scottish independence. It is expected that the British government will campaign strongly for Scotland to remain in the Union, although given the SNP's strong electoral performance last year, this is expected to be a tough fight for unionists if a referendum goes ahead. It remains ambigious whether the devolved Scottish government actually has the authority to push ahead with a referendum on independence. It has previously been suggested that any moves towards Scottish independence would require approval from Westminster.

QNN will bring you more on this story as we have it.

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Edited by Qpawn Admin, Jul 21 2014, 08:41 PM.
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Violent Protests in Germany, as Right Wing Government takes Power

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Protests in Berlin, organised by the left wing 'Die Linke' party

QNN (Berlin) -- The formation of a coalition government between the nominally centre right Christian Democrats (and their Bavarian allies the CSU) and the right wing 'The Republicans' (REP), has come as a shock to many in Germany - but public opinion is sharply divided over the move by the CDU to sit with the Republicans. The recent election produces a result which sees the first time a right wing party has sat in the Bundestag since 1961. In response to the move the left wing, 'Die Linke' (The Left) have organised protests against the government - these protests are reminiscent of the protests in Austria in 1999 and onwards after the Conservative OVP formed a coalition with the right wing populist Freedom Party of Jorg Haider - however the government proved stable and continued to sit in one form or another until 2006 when the opposition won the election.

Several protests have occurred, though mostly in the east of the country, the largest in the capital, Berlin. The protests started of quite peacefully but descended into violence with riot police being pelted with stones, bottles and firecrackers, in response the authorities used water cannons and pepper spray. At least five people have been arrested.

Many of the protesters are left wing students, who have taken up protesting against a government that some have called 'Nazi' and 'Dictatorial.' A Die Linke spokesperson called the government, "Nazi and Dictatorial and not a true reflection of the people and worker's of Germany." These are statements that the new government strenuously deny with a CDU spokesperson calling the remarks "ludicrous and ill founded with no basis for such allegations," and "the government will act within the constitution and will defended democracy from anyone who seeks to attack or undermine it. The moves by some on the streets are reason to show that their main aim is to cause criminal damage and violence and not to protest against a Government, a move which is allowed under law." Meanwhile a spokesperson for the Republicans noted that the party was not under the observation of the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution, which monitors extremist political groups suspected of anti-democratic views and behaviour and that the party "has moderated in the last few years." What can be observed from this all is that the new Government is controversial, though has a parliamentary majority and support from the majority of Germans via the ballot box.

QNN will bring you more on this story as we have it.

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Morsi Elected Egyptian President

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QNN (Cairo) -- In what many consider to be the first democratic elections in the country's history, Mohammed Morsi of the Muslim Brotherhood has been elected as President of Egypt. Running on the ticket of the Brotherhood-affiliated Freedom and Justice Party, Morsi won 51.7% of the vote. He narrowly defeated Ahmed Shafik, the last Egyptian Prime Minister appointed under former dictator Hosni Mubarak. Shafik was widely considered to have close ties to the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) which had been governing Egypt since the fall of the Mubarak regime in early 2011. It had been alleged that over 900,000 ID cards had been handed out to Egyptian soldiers with instructions to vote for Shafik. The new Egyptian government is a product of the Arab Spring and as such, there are expectations from many on Morsi to liberalize Egypt and lead a transition in to democracy. Many commentators, however, have predicted that one of the major challenges Morsi will face in his Presidency is managing his relationship with SCAF and elements of the old Mubarak regime which still hold positions of considerable importance within the Egyptian bureaucracy. Morsi had been a political prisoner under the previous regime, having been arrested alongside 24 other Muslim Brotherhood leaders in January 2011 before escaping only days later. The Muslim Brotherhood had long served as the largest underground opposition to the Mubarak regime, having been banned in Egypt since the 1950s.

Reaction to Morsi's election around the world has been mixed, with many welcoming Egypt's first democratic elections and wishes for stable government in the future. The Muslim Brotherhood has many enemies in the Middle East and the Israeli government is reportedly concerned by the new regime's traditional sympathies to the cause of Palestinians and anti-Zionist sentiments. Members of the Knesset as well as Israeli spokesmen have commented on the importance of maintaining the Egypt-Israel Peace Treaty agreed between the two nations at Camp David in 1978. The new government has yet to make a public comment on how it intends to approach Egyptian-Israeli relations.

QNN will bring you all the latest news from Egypt as we have it.

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Video of US Soliders in Afghanistan burning the Quran released



Kabul, Afghanistan - Breaking news this hour as protests turn extremly violent and deadly after American soliders burned the holy Quran in a US government base in Bagram just north of Kabul. 100 Qurans were burned for no given reason by the US government however the act has been seen as extremly disrespectful and has been called "inhuman" by Afghan President Hamid Karzai. The action has caused extreme anger for many days now, news and rumours are still spreading around the country however it has already been enough to mobilize angry Afghan citizens who detest the American troop presence in the nation. Some of that mobilization has turned violent after 2 US soliders were killed at a military base in the countries East by protesters. Also in the East at a seperate base a sucicide bomber ended up killing 8 American soliders and wounding 6 as he charged the soliders while leaving his protest group. Later American soliders shot fire on that protest in self defence and after dispersion emthods were used killing 53, mostly civilians. Throughout the country violent protests have risen en masse and 107 have been reported dead, including 10 US soliders, in the last four days. Statements around the icident have been made by low ranking American officals on the ground in Afghanistan but no comments have been made by the Obama administration at this time. Protests are only getting stronger and President Obama will have no choice but to respond. Can calm be restored to Afghanistan and will these protests start ire across the Middle East. Stay with QNN!
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Mexican Gulf drug Cartel splits into two causing intense clashes and repercussions on the Mexican-American Border

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Tamaulipas State, Mexico - The drug war began in 2006 in Mexico and it is heating up as time goes by. Shocking developments are taking place across Tamaulipas State Mexico. The Gulf Cartel is strongest and dominant cartel in the region and it is in a time of crisis. Earlier in 2011 Los Zetas were attempting to gain ground in the state causing heavy fighting and increased amounts of refugees and illegal immigrants fleeing into the United States. After the death of hundreds and displacement of many in small towns, the Gulf Cratel fended off the Loz Zetas invaison. Having two gangs in the area was too much for police to handle and things continued to spiral out of control. Now there is a rivarly forming in the Gulf drug Cartel causing two fractions to emerge within it. That has results in communitites being displaced, police being overwhemled and increased numbers of both drugs and illegal immigrants heading into Texas.

The group has split into Los Metros and Los Rojos which are fighting across the state but there is heavy fighting in the cities Matamoros and Reynosa:

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Two cities right next to Texas and what is going on in these cities is a nightmare. Gun battles are taking place on a daily, if not hourly basis, as cartels rival eachother for land in both cities. Hideouts are common targets but civilian areas like caffes and restuarants where drug cartel members may associate are also often targeted putting lives at risk. In cross fire alone 57 people died this week as the fight in these two cities intensifies. Those were civilian casualities, at least 9 are children. Casulaities grow much higher when gang members are factored into account but QNN does not have any access to these figures so we cannot provide an estimate at this time. The outskirts and surronding towns across the state are land for either of the cartels but more often then not, countryside battles occur and fights breakout in the outskirts. In the cities the police can respond, in the outskirts its much more difficult and by the time of arrival of police, all that can be done is heal the injured and proununce innocent civilians dead. Fighting was never this bad in the state and this has become a new hot bed in the Mexican drug war.

It is clear that an increased police presence is needed in the community as the cartels target one another. Citizens live in fear and life is far from normal and that is evident. Many homes have been deserted as families flee the conflict and cross the border into the United States using multiple methods. Texas border officals have been overwhemled with recent crossings and they have not been able to keep the situation under control. On top of this operations have expanded from the cartel sites into the United States and its believed that more drugs are coming through the border. The reason behind this has been increased possesion and drug related charges in communities around the border with Matamoros and Reynosa. Even Austin, Texas has seen an increase in drug related crimes in the last month which the police have attributed to this fresh conflict in Tamaulipas which is only a few months old.

There is obviously a crisis in Tamaulipas and it needs a response. The Mexican government will likely respond soon and pressure is on President Obama to help the Mexican government and to further secure the border. What will be done is unknown however the struggle between Los Rojos and Los Metros continues to tear a state apart. Stay with QNN.
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People Trafficking
Europe's New Plague

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While for most the reality of Slavery is one confined to history books, for hundreds of thousands in the EU it is a harsh reality that brings misery and suffering to its victims. While Slavery is rarely as it was in regards to natives being rounded up and shipped out in some cases it is not too different. Harrowing tales of women and children being snatched from under developed nations all around the world by gangs of people traffickers smacks of similarities with the African slave traders. These snatched Slaves can end up in forced labour, domestic aid or as sex workers.

International Aid agencies have said that the problem is growing worse and that they cannot do anything must estimate the true number of Slaves that now are held in EU countries. The worse cases have been found in France, Germany and the UK where the wealth of those nations make it easy to coerce some into coming into Slavery willingly without knowing what they are actually signing up for.

The question now is, what can and will the EU Member Nations do about it?

-Courtsey of Qpawn 2010 Round, Qpawn Europe Assistant
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Syria unrest: Dozens of army deserters 'gunned down'

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QNN (Damascus) -- Dozens of army deserters have been shot dead by Syrian troops as they tried to flee their bases and join anti-government protests, reports say. Activist groups said more than 70 defectors were gunned down in the north-western Idlib province. They said Monday's death toll across the country could exceed 110 - which if true would make it one of the deadliest days of the uprising.

On Monday, the London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said a soldier who defected had reported the deaths of 60-70 army deserters by machine-gun fire in Idlib province - the main stronghold for army defectors. "They were killed while trying to run away from their military positions on the way between the villages of Kansafra and Kafrouaid, in Jabal al-Zawyia, in Idlib district," the group said. The Observatory said another 40 people had died across the country, including three government soldiers were killed in fighting with armed rebels in Idlib.

The Syrian Revolution General Commission - a coalition of 40 opposition grassroots groups - said the number of defecting soldiers who died in Idlib reached 72. Overall, it said, 114 people had died across the country on Monday, a toll which included nine deaths in Deraa and nine in Homs. The claims cannot be independently verified as foreign media are banned from reporting in Syria. The government of President Assad says it is fighting armed gangs, trying to destabilise Syria.

QNN will bring you all the latest from Syria as we have it.

Courtesy of BBC

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Mali: Fighting In North; The New Touareg War

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Between 45 and 47 rebels and two soldiers were killed during the clashes in recent days in the northern town of Menaka, and Aguelhoc Tessalit, between the regular forces and the National Movement for the Liberation of the Azawad (MNLA), a Touareg movement that aunched a military campaign against the central government.'' According to a press release from the Ministry of Defense, the largest number of victims were in Aguelhoc, where as many as 35 MNLA fighters were killed. A MNLA leader spoke to MISNA by phone and denied the official version of events. “There are no casualties among our own, while many regular soldiers were killed. We control Menaka and Adelhok '', said Moussa Ag Acharatoumane, challenging the official version, according to which cities are under government control.'' In Tessalit - the rebel spokesman adds - we noticed the presence of Algerian military barracks that we were about to attack and we asked that they leave. The situation there is not yet resolved.''

The MNLA is a recently formed rebel group, born two years ago. Its general secretary is Bidal Ag Cherif and the head of the armed forces is Mohamed Ag Najim. He enjoys the support of many Touareg who returned home after the war in Libya and the fall of Muammar Gaddafi. ''While there was an ongoing attempt at dialogue with the government, Bamako sent massive military equipment, with tanks and helicopters,to our lands under the pretext of combating insecurity in the region. This is an occupation, we reject it. For this reason we decided to take up armed struggle for our independence,'' explains to MISNA Moussa Ag (son of) Acharatoumane. The representative states that the movement does not consider itself to be affected by the coming elections, the presidential election next April: ''that which concerns Bamako does not affect our territory,'' he says.

The Azawad territory, according to the rebel leader, stretches from Timbuktu to Gao and Kidal, the main town in the northeast of the country. It is mostly desert, and it is a territory that encompasses many natural resources, such as gas, uranium and oil, but also smuggling routes. Whereas the MNLA representative argues that the movement has the support of many dignitaries and citizens of the region, this statement does not find much to back it up. On some forums there are reports that in northern Mali, there are many negative comments concerning the resumption of hostilities in the majority Touareg region
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Assault on U.S. consulate in Benghazi leaves 4 dead, including U.S. Ambassador J. Christopher Stevens

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Wanis al-Sharef, a Libyan Interior Ministry official in Benghazi, said the four Americans were killed when the angry mob, which gathered to protest a U.S.-made film that ridicules Islam's Prophet Muhammad, fired guns and burned down the U.S. consulate in Benghazi. He said Stevens, 52, and other officials were moved to a second building - deemed safer - after the initial wave of protests at the consulate compound. According to al-Sharef, members of the Libyan security team seem to have indicated to the protesters the building to which the American officials had been relocated, and that building then came under attack.

Stevens, 52, was the first U.S. ambassador to be killed in the line of duty since 1979. A Libyan doctor who says he treated Stevens told the Associated Press Wednesday that the diplomat died of severe asphyxiation and that he tried for 90 minutes to revive him. Ziad Abu Zeid said Stevens was brought to the Benghazi Medical Center by Libyans Tuesday night with no other Americans, and that initially no one realized he was the ambassador. Abu Zeid said Stevens had "severe asphyxia," apparently from smoke inhalation, causing stomach bleeding, but had no other injuries.

Al-Sharef said two U.S. Marines sent to Benghazi when the clash erupted were shot and killed by the well-armed protesters. It was not immediately clear whether the Marines were part of Stevens' security detail. The American whose death was confirmed on Tuesday also died of a gunshot wound. He was identified by the State Department on Wednesday as Foreign Service Information Management Officer Sean Smith. Deputy Libyan Prime Minister Mustafa Abushagur said on his Twitter account that, "Amb. Stevens was a friend of Libya and we are shocked at the attacks on the U.S. consulate." The Libyan Prime Minister also expressed grief and condemned the attack.

According to his biography page on the U.S. Embassy's website, Stevens "was the American representative to the Transitional National Council in Benghazi during the revolution," in Libya. Benghazi was the capital of rebel-held Libya during the uprising to oust Qaddafi.
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Yemen Leader Leaves for Medical Care in New York

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A Yemeni government spokesman, Mohammed Albasha, confirmed that Mr. Saleh had left the country but provided no further details. A high-ranking official said that Mr. Saleh was to stop first in the neighboring country of Oman, and then continue to the United States, where he is expected to arrive by Wednesday. The Dubai-based television network al Arabiya reported Sunday evening that Mr. Saleh had landed in Oman. The Yemeni official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the news media, said that Mr. Saleh was reluctant to travel, but required treatment outside the country for injuries, including extensive burns, he sustained in a bomb attack on the presidential palace in June.

The State Department said the Obama administration had approved his visit. The department said in a statement that "the sole purpose of this travel is for medical treatment and we expect that he will stay for a limited time that corresponds to the duration of this treatment." The statement's careful wording reflected the vigorous debate within the administration over whether to admit Mr. Saleh, a longtime American ally, and risk appearing to harbor an authoritarian leader accused of responsibility for the deaths of hundreds of antigovernment protesters. In making their decision, administration officials cited the advantages of having Mr. Saleh leave the country before the presidential election scheduled for Feb. 21.

Mr. Saleh, who has faced a year of protests and international pressure calling for the end of his 33-year rule, had previously made contradictory statements about whether he would leave the county and when he would leave office. In December, he said he was leaving Yemen for treatment in the United States, and then reversed himself two weeks later. In a televised speech on Sunday, described as a farewell address, he said he would return to Yemen when his treatment was finished. Although he has agreed to leave office, he said in the speech that he was handing power to his vice president, Abdel Rabbo Mansour Hadi, temporarily. "I entrusted all my powers to the vice president," Mr. Saleh said. "He bears responsibility until elections on 21 February." Mr. Saleh also asked the nation's "pardon for any failure that occurred during my tenure."

He agreed to step down in November in exchange for immunity from prosecution, in a deal brokered by Gulf countries. Protesters and human rights groups have demanded that he be tried for the deaths of protesters killed by his security forces and pro-government militias. On Saturday, Parliament passed a law granting him immunity, and extending the immunity to subordinates who committed politically motivated crimes. Parliament also approved Vice President Hadi as the consensus candidate, agreed on by Mr. Saleh's party and the opposition, for the presidential election. Mr. Saleh handed over some of his duties to Mr. Hadi after he signed the agreement in November, but has continued to wield power. He is supposed to officially step down from office after the election of a new president.

When the Obama administration decided to admit Mr. Saleh last month, an official said that he would be treated at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital. However, a spokeswoman for the hospital, Myrna Manners, said Sunday that there were "no current plans" for him to be admitted there. The hospital is renowned for its burn center, one of the busiest in the country, which conducts research on advanced treatment of burns. In his speech on Sunday, Mr. Saleh called for reconciliation and urged Yemenis to work together to reconstruct their country. Speaking directly to the protesters who have been camped out in sit-ins across the country for nearly a year, he said, "Go back to your homes, go back to your families."

"I feel sorry for you and invite you to return to your house and start with a new page with the new leadership," he said. The protesters, however, saw Mr. Saleh's departure as only one step toward dismantling the regime he built and which his family and loyalists still control. "It is a positive thing and pushes forward our revolution's goals," said Salah al-Nagb, a youth activist at a sit-in in Sana. "We will continue the work of our revolution at the same pace in order to overthrow this corrupt regime, not just one individual, but the whole regime."
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