President OBAMA EXPRESS CONCERN ON EGYPT
US President Barack Obama expressed concern over the ouster of Egypt’s President Mohamed Morsi by the military. Obama released a statement on Wednesday, questioning the decision of the Egyptian military to remove Morsi and suspend the constitution. President urgue on the military to return full authority to a democratically elected civilian government as soon as possible through an inclusive and transparent process.
further urged all sides to avoid violence and come together to ensure the lasting restoration of Egypt’s democracy.Obama suggested his government may review its contributions of aid to the Egyptian government
further urged all sides to avoid violence and come together to ensure the lasting restoration of Egypt’s democracy.Obama suggested his government may review its contributions of aid to the Egyptian government
Bolivian President Evo Morales has taken on European nations for denying passage of his flight over their airspace.
Morales’ plane was forced to make an emergency landing on Tuesday in Vienna, Austria, on its way home from Russia.
Bolivian government says the plane was diverted because France, Italy and Portugal abruptly cancelled air permits for the flight.
Bolivian government says the plane was diverted because France, Italy and Portugal abruptly cancelled air permits for the flight.
It says these European nations apparently considered that fugitive ex-US spy agency contractor Edward Snowden could be on board the plane. The US government has asked countries not to accept Snowden even for purposes of transit.
Morales told reporters at the Vienna airport that under international rules any president has the right to travel freely anywhere, and the incident is a humiliation to Bolivia.
Austria’s Deputy Chancellor Michael Spindelegger said no unauthorized people were found aboard the plane when authorities conducted a voluntary inspection.
NSA to begin unpaid furloughs next week in response to budget crisis
The National Security Agency, the US intelligence apparatus that contracted whistleblower Edward Snowden, will institute 11-day furloughs from July 7 through September 21. Various government agencies have forced employees to take unpaid leave in response to mandatory federal spending cuts. Over 35,000 civilian and military employees work for the NSA, although the agency did not specify how many people will be affected. One source, who wished to remain anonymous, told Reuters the “demoralizing” policy meant “critical missions” would be disrupted.
Pepsi products contain ‘worrying’ amount of carcinogen
Pepsi soft drinks sold outside California contain a caramel coloring with a “worrisome” level of a carcinogen, the Center for Environmental Health, an environmental watchdog group, told the Associated Press. PepsiCo Inc. said the chemical, known as 4-methylimidazole, would be removed from products globally but did not specify a timeline. The US Food and Drug Administration and American Beverage Association have maintained that the chemical is not cancer-causing and the decision to ban it by California, the only state to do so, was based on faulty information. Coca-Cola said even the possibility of a carcinogen’s presence was enough cause to substitute Mel-4 for a different caramel coloring.
New Lyme-like virus has infected 100,000 New Yorkers
A new bacteria known as Borrelia miyamotoi has caused over 100,000 New Yorkers to experience fever, headache, muscle pains, and other flu-like symptoms. The virus is spread by deer ticks but, unlike the pervasive Lyme disease, it does not lead to a rash and does not tests positive for Lyme, meaning it could be easily missed by doctors. There is no test for the germ yet, CBS News reported, but the same antibiotic that fights Lyme disease is also effective against Borrelia miyamotoi. Doctors advise victims to be aware of sesame seed-sized ticks during the summer months and conduct full body checks after spending time outdoors.
Putin signs law banning gay adoption
Russian president Vladimir Putin signed a law Wednesday banning the adoption of children by same-sex couples. The law aims to protect children from imposed “non-traditional sexual behavior”, according to a posting on the Kremlin website. Earlier this week Putin signed a law banning gay propaganda, which human rights groups say is fuelling a negative view of homosexuality in Russia.
Nelson Mandela on life support, condition ‘perilous’
The former president of South Africa, Nelson Mandela is in a “perilous” condition on life support in hospital. His condition was revealed in papers submitted as part of legal efforts to retrieve the remains of three of Mandela’s children. Earlier the president’s office said his condition was “critical but stable”. The 94 year old anti-apartheid icon has been in intensive care in a Pretoria hospital since June 8 when he was admitted with a recurring lung infection.
Belgium’s King Albert to abdicate
Belgian King Albert has announced that he will address the nation on Wednesday evening, amid rumors he will step down in the near future. The Royal Palace announced Albert will first attend a meeting with key government members before the address at 6pm . No reason was given for the public address, but the 79-year-old monarch is rumored to be making way for Crown Prince Philippe.Belgium’s King Albert says he will vacate the throne for his eldest son Crown Prince Philippe on July 21st, the country’s national day. In a televised nationwide address on Wednesday, King Albert, who is nearly 80 years old, said his health and age no longer allowed him to carry out his duties as he’d want to.
Albert said after 20 years, he believes the moment has come to hand over the torch to Philippe. Albert ascended to the throne in 1993 after his predecessor King Baudouin died that year. The king played a political role between 2010 and 2011 when the government was paralyzed by political strife between the northern Dutch-speaking region and the French-speaking south.Further Europe, Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands stepped down in April and King Willem-Alexander succeeded her.
Albert said after 20 years, he believes the moment has come to hand over the torch to Philippe. Albert ascended to the throne in 1993 after his predecessor King Baudouin died that year. The king played a political role between 2010 and 2011 when the government was paralyzed by political strife between the northern Dutch-speaking region and the French-speaking south.Further Europe, Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands stepped down in April and King Willem-Alexander succeeded her.
Ariel Castro competent to stand trial in Cleveland kidnapping case
The man charged with holding three women captive and raping them in his Cleveland home for a decade has been found competent to stand trial. An examination found that Ariel Castro, 52, is mentally able to understand the charges and assist attorneys in his defense, a Cuyahoga County judge said during a hearing Wednesday. Castro, who is being held on an $8 million bond, has pleaded not guilty to a 329 count indictment that includes multiple kidnapping and rape charges. He is accused of kidnapping the women between 2002 and 2004 when they were 14, 16 and 20 years old.
Four survivors from helicopter crash found in Yakutia
Three crew and a passenger from a helicopter that crashed on Tuesday in Yakutia have been found alive. The Russian Emergencies Ministry told Itar-Tass the survivors are being flown from the area. A search is underway for other possible survivors. The Mi-8 helicopter that crashed was flying from the Deputatskiy settlement to the Kazachye village with three crewmen and 25 passengers onboard, including 11 children. The helicopter is believed to have encountered turbulence when it crossed a mountain pass.
Roadside bomb kills 7 in Baghdad suburb
A roadside bomb has killed at least seven people in a Baghdad suburb, officials say. The Wednesday morning blast struck at a busy street in the south eastern suburb of Nahrawan. Fifteen people were wounded. Police also said the bodies of three workers were found inside a house under construction in the south eastern Zafaraniyah neighborhood on Wednesday. The three were shot in the head at close range.
Turkey summons US diplomat on spying allegations
On Wednesday Turkey summoned the US embassy’s number two diplomat over allegations Washington spied on embassies and missions including Turkey’s. Ankara demanded an “explanation” from the US charge d’affaires Jess Baily, who was invited to the Foreign Ministry in the ambassador’s absence. Turkey described media reports of widespread US bugging of European diplomatic missions as “worrisome,” AFP reported. Ankara says an evaluation would be made “in light of answers received from US authorities with regard to the claims.”
EU Parliament approves Latvia’s eurozone membership
The European Parliament has given the go-ahead for Latvia to join the euro on 1 January 2014. The vote on Wednesday was in line with a European Commission recommendation and political backing from EU heads of state and governments. Parliament’s recommendation was passed by 613 votes to 67 with 29 abstentions. A final go-ahead for the new eurozone country is expected at the EU finance ministers meeting on 9 July.
Brazil’s Rousseff submits demand for referendum
Brazil’s Congress has received a request from President Dilma Rousseff to hold a referendum on political reform. The proposal for a plebiscite that follows the worst social unrest in 20 years was delivered to senate and congressional president Renan Calheiros by Justice Minister Jose Eduardo Cardozo and vice president, Michel Temer, AFP reported. Three weeks of protests over corruption and public spending marred the Confederations Cup, a dress rehearsal for next year’s football World Cup in Brazil.
Iranian president-elect Rouhani call to clergy
Iranian President-elect Hassan Rouhani called on the government and the country’s powerful clergy to end interference in people’s private lives. He also urged that restrictions on Internet access be lifted, and for state media to be more open about Iran’s problems, Reuters reported. “A strong government does not mean a government that interferes and intervenes in all affairs. It is not a government that limits the lives of people,”Rouhani, who takes office early next month, told fellow clergymen in Tehran.
Islamist leader Umarov threatens for attacks on Sochi Winter Olympic Games
Islamist leader in Russia’s North Caucasus Doku Umarov urged his followers on Wednesday to use “maximum force” to disrupt the 2014 Winter Olympic Games in Sochi. In a video posted on a militant Islamist website, he said an order not to attack Russian targets outside the North Caucasus had been cancelled. The authenticity of the video could not be independently verified. The Games will be held next February in the Black Sea resort of Sochi
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