Boko Haram Chief Says Nigerian Offensive Failing
The leader of the Nigerian Islamist group Boko Haram says his forces are beating back a military offensive aimed at stopping the group's four-year insurgency.
In a video released to news agencies, Boko Haram chief Abubakar Shekau says Nigerian soldiers encountering militants have run away and thrown down their arms in flight.
Shekau called on like-minded Islamists in Iraq, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Syria to join the fight to create an Islamic state in Nigeria.
The video shows the militant leader dressed in camouflage with an AK-47 rifle beside him. The comments are his first since the start of the military's offensive against Boko Haram on May 15.
Thousands of troops have been deployed to three northeastern Nigerian states where President Goodluck Jonathan declared a state of emergency.
The military says it has captured more than 100 Boko Haram militants, killed others, and destroyed many of the militant group's camps. However, the claims are impossible to verify because of blocked roads and the fact that phone lines in the region are not working.
Boko Haram launched its insurgency against the government in 2009. Boko Haram related violence, including deaths by Nigerian security forces, has killed more than 3,000 people.
US Drone Strike Kills Top Pakistani Taliban Commander
Pakistani officials say a suspected U.S. drone strike has killed the number two commander of the Pakistani Taliban, in what would be a major blow to the militant group.
Officials say Waliur Rehman was among at least six people killed Wednesday by the strike in the lawless North Waziristan region of northwestern Pakistan.
Security sources say an unmanned aircraft launched missiles into a house in a village near Miranshah, the main town in North Waziristan. The area along the Afghan border is a stronghold of Taliban and al-Qaida-linked militants.
Taliban sources denied reports that Rehman was hurt in the strike.
The U.S. government had offered up to a $5 million reward for information leading to Rehman's location, while Pakistan's government had a $500,000 bounty on him.
Pakistan expressed concerns about the attack, saying such strikes are counter-productive, kill innocent civilians and violate national sovereignty.
This is the first drone strike since Pakistan's May 11th general election, in which the use of the unmanned aircraft was a controversial topic.
Incoming Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has called the drone strikes a challenge to his country's sovereignty.
U.S. President Barack Obama indicated last week he is scaling back the drone strike program.
Hurricane Warning Issued for Mexico's Pacific Coast
A hurricane warning has been issued for a portion of Mexico's coast as Tropical Storm Barbara nears hurricane strength in the Pacific Ocean.
The U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami says the storm is expected to become a hurricane before it reaches land.
Barbara's maximum sustained winds have increased to near 100 kilometers per hour. It is centered about 115 kilometers south of Salina Cruz, Mexico, and is moving northeast at about 13 kilometers per hour.
The hurricane warning covers an area in the Gulf of Tehuantepec from Puerto Angel to Barra de Tonala.
The storm, which would become the first hurricane of the year, is forecast to bring heavy rains and a storm surge of more than one meter.
National Heroes’ Day 2013 Message Delivered By H.E Governor, Ric todd
“Ladies and Gentlemen, Friends. Just over 33 years ago JAGS McCartney died. I was student when he died. Many here were not born in May 1980. If he were here now he would not be a particularly old man, not yet 70. This reminds us just how young he was when he died and how much he did in his short life.
“The memory and inspiration of his life and work are still with us. Strongly with us. This should inspire us as we think about our theme - acknowledge the past; build the present; celebrate a fantastic future.
“We are here today to honour his memory and to celebrate National Hero’s Day. We do him neither injustice nor disrespect when we say that he was at times controversial in his life. Not everyone agreed with him. My understanding is that he did not mind that.
“Today is an occasion to stop and think. To step back from daily life. To step back from the political discussions and sometimes strife that we have. We should not think about the latest media storms. Rather we should ask ourselves what legacy do we want to continue from the life and work of JAGS McCartney.
“JAGS McCartney held important office on TCI. But it was not this that made him so influential. What made him influential was that he inspired and drove and led thought. He was open to ideas. The things he did and experienced developed those ideas. He thought and he made people think. He followed Winston Churchill’s advice: ‘Give up your safe anchor and set sail on the troubled seas of thought’.
“We could honour his memory by thinking about TCI, past, present and future. How did we get to where we are today? We are where we are a result of decisions made; actions taken; actions not taken. The choice made and the choice not made. Doing nothing is a choice. TCI should seek to understand, acknowledge and think about the past. For if a country does not honestly acknowledge its past it cannot build it present on firm foundations nor set its path for the future.
“Speakers have highlighted the need for national unity. This requires thought too. What sort of country is TCI? What are the values of the people of TCI? What do the people of TCI want this country to be? What sort of Government do the people of TCI want? In dealing with these questions TCI should set sail confidently on the troubled seas of thought.
“TCI is blessed by nature and with its people. And the future for TCI will be what the people of TCI choose it to be. In suggesting that National Hero’s Day is a day for thought I also leave you with the words of another hero, from a different country. Karol Wojtyla - Pope John Paul II. ‘Do not be afraid’, he said. People of the TCI, do not be afraid.”
Premier of the TCI, Hon. Rufus Ewing National Heroes Day Message 2013
Fellow countrymen, once again, we gather here today, at the National Heroes Memorial of the Hon. James Alexander George Smith McCartney. Along with my family, permit me to lead in our celebration of this year's National Heroes Day. Each year, we gather to remember also the greatness of all Turks and Caicos Islanders who through their sweat, blood and very lives have also lead us forward by attaining the liberty we as a people today enjoy.
But today is not solely for those who have made the ultimate sacrifice of life for democracy. Today we also commemorate those who are still with us, having faithfully served our flag, whether recognized or not by history, and have continued to do so with dignity and patriotism for the sake of this and future generations. We celebrate together, as we have done over the last 30 years, with national pride, overflowing joy and the unity of purpose.
We venerate our hero and those who have made significant contributions and yet to be recognized, because they are the exemplars of love and devotion to our beautiful by nature islands. May we learn from them how to overcome the obstacles to a better future. My people, many a struggle lies before us and our work to build this nation has only just begun. Let us never hesitate to stand up and overcome ingrained practices that inhibit progress. Let us together aspire to a prosperous life, and be resolute in our purpose until this dream is realized for all Turks and Caicos Islanders. Let us remember that it is our duty as citizens to contribute, in whatever way we can, to achieve the attainment of the common goals of nationhood through economic prosperity and social reform. My fellow Turks and Caicos Islanders, our current time calls for our cooperation and selfless service to our fellowmen without expecting anything in return but the rewards of a rich legacy for our children and thier children. In the coming year the National Honours and Awards Committee will enable the recognition of Turks and Caicos Islanders who have distinguished themselves by selfless contribution and dedication to the development of this country, bestowing upon them Our National Honours
I rise on this platform, on this day, not only in the recognition of our past but also to pledge my commitment to you my people, to build this nation, to launch a campaign of nationhood, a campaign to protect our culture and promote national pride for our country, our symbols and our people. There are many nations and many cultures living in the Turks and Caicos Islands. While we welcome and embrace all, we must not permit our culture and our symbols to be overshadowed by any other culture. Those of you who came to live among us in search of a better way of life, or to make this place your home, you too must display your patriotism for this country and love our people and everything Turks and Caicos as you seek to be apart of us. If this country is your future you too must raise our flag and raise our people as we grow this great nation.
Today I am filled with pride as a Turks and Caicos Islander as I witnessed the partiotism displayed by many Turks and Caicos Islanders, who in recognition of the honour of the day, are proudly flying our national colours. Today I declare that this symbol of our people and our nation must not wait until National Heroes Day to be displayed, but that our flag should be flown in front of every Government building, every school and every medical facility as a national symbol. To this end, I have recently tabled a paper to Cabinet to enact a policy making it mandatory for all public buildings, schools and institutions to fly on a daily basis, the flag of the Turks and Caicos Islands as the ultimate symbol our nation's pride.
I call on His Excellency the Governor and the Leader of the Opposition to join with me in building this nation of ours. I extended an invitation to all Turks and Caicos Islanders, in their individual capacities, to the private sector, civil society organizations, non-Governmental organizations, community-based organizations, faith-based organizations, schools, the youth and the elderly to join and support this campaign and the enhancement of the sense of nationhood and national pride in all our citizens. In the variant words of Mahatma Gandhi " Be the change that you wish to see....in the Turks and Caicos Islands".
On this occasion, let us all be encouraged to always cherish the virtues of selflessness and service to the nation, that were demonstrated by our hero and those yet to be recognized , a love and vision for our country that was exemplified by JAGS McCartney.
Today we also take this opportunity to honour a woman who has provided selfless service to the Community of the Turks and Caicos Islands and who has been the rock behind our National Hero, Hon. JAGS McCartney, behind every great man there is a great women, and too holds true in the case of Mrs McCartney. The recently established National Honours and Awards Committee under the auspices of the Office of the Premier, hereby honour her with the bestowal of National Honours Award of the Order of Excellence. We also honour her with the establishment of a scholarship in her name in the area of Clothing and Textiles, which is to be administered by the Ministry of Education to be awarded to the best performing student in Clothing and Textiles.
May we as a people continue to serve our beloved country selflessly with dignity and pride and may God bless our Turks and Caicos Islands.
7 Police Officers Killed in Attack in Afghanistan
Afghan officials say suspected Taliban militants have killed seven police officers at a security checkpoint in the southern province of Kandahar.
A spokesman for the Kandahar governor says two men invited by police to eat at the checkpoint picked up weapons after dinner and opened fire.
The two attackers escaped the scene. Police say they were police officers.
The Taliban claimed responsibility for the overnight attack.
At least 14 Afghan soldiers and police have been killed this week in militant attacks targeting government security forces.
Syrian Opposition Welcomes US Senator McCain's Visit with Rebels
The Syrian opposition is welcoming what it calls an "extremely significant" visit by influential U.S. Senator John McCain, who made an unannounced trip to meet with rebels inside of Syria.
McCain's aides say he crossed from Turkey into Syria on Monday with rebel Free Syrian Army commander General Salam Idris.
Anas Abdah, a spokesman for the main opposition Syrian National Coalition, explained the importance of the senator's visit given his long-standing calls for greater assistance to the rebels.
"We think this is extremely significant because the senator has always supported the democratic aspirations of the Syrian people and the Syrian revolution since its beginning. He has also fought very hard within his country, in the U.S., for his government to take an active role in supporting the Syrian revolution and also in arming the Free Syrian Army."
Rebel commanders who met with the senator urged the United States to provide them with weapons and ammunition, enforce a no-fly zone against President Bashar al-Assad's air force, and launch strikes against Pro-Assad Lebanese Hezbollah militants in Syria and Lebanon.
The U.S.-based Syrian Emergency Task Force, which supports the Syrian opposition, says it organized McCain's trip, and published several photos showing McCain inside Syria.
The group's executive director said in an interview with CNN that the senator and rebel commanders also discussed ways to "marginalize" extremists that have emerged in Syria, and that the Free Syrian Army assured McCain that any weapons it received would not fall into the wrong hands.
In an interview with U.S. news site The Daily Beast, which first reported the visit, General Idris said McCain met with rebels on both sides of the Turkish-Syrian border. Idris said the rebels had come from all over Syria to meet the prominent U.S. lawmaker.
McCain is one of the leading voices in the U.S. Congress calling for increasing U.S. aid to the rebels. His brief visit to Syria makes him one of the most senior U.S. officials to enter the country since the anti-Assad rebellion evolved into a civil war after peaceful protests in March 2011.
The Obama administration has provided non-lethal equipment and humanitarian supplies to the rebels. But it has been reluctant to intervene further, fearing U.S.-supplied weapons could end up in the hands of anti-American Islamist rebels.
Chinese Hackers Steal Australian Spy HQ Blueprints
An Australian broadcaster said Chinese hackers have stolen the blueprints of a new, state-of-the-art spy agency headquarters being built in Canberra.
The Australian Broadcasting Corporation said the theft was traced to a computer server in China. It says the building plans show detailed information on server locations, security systems and communications cables.
Experts say, if confirmed, the theft will make it easier for Chinese hackers to spy on the activities in the $608 million Australian Security Intelligence Organization building.
The paper, which did not name its sources, says the information was obtained through a cyber attack on a building contractor. It did not say when the alleged attack occurred.
When asked about the report, Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard called the story "inaccurate" and "unsubstantiated," but would not comment further.
"There are a number of unsubstantiated allegations of hacking in the 'Four Corners' report. As the attorney general has stated, neither he or the director-general of ASIO intend to comment further on these inaccurate reports, in accordance with the long-standing practice of both sides of politics not to comment on very specific intelligence matters."
Foreign Minister Bob Carr also said he could not comment on matters of national security. But he insisted the report will have "absolutely no implications" for Australia's cooperation with China, its largest trading partner.
Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Hong Lei called ABC's report "groundless," insisting there is no evidence to link China to the alleged attack.
The Greens party, a small but influential group in parliament, has demanded an inquiry into the incident, calling it a "security blunder of epic proportions."
The massive spy headquarters in Canberra is nearing completion, but had already experienced delays and had exceeded its budget in recent months. Some say the alleged security breach could further delay its opening.
Envoy Says Russia Will Send Defense Missiles To Syria
A top Russian diplomat says Moscow will provide Syria advanced air missiles to deter any foreign intervention in the country.
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov told reporters Tuesday Moscow will send sophisticated S-300 anti-aircraft missiles as part of a contract signed several years ago.
Russia criticized the European Union's decision Monday to amend its arms embargo on Syria and allow weapons to be sent to the main opposition Syrian National Coalition, while keeping sanctions against the Syrian government.
Russia said the EU move will hurt efforts to hold a peace conference aimed at ending the country's violence.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry discussed plans to hold such peace talks.
The EU says it will evaluate the state of those proposed talks and consult with United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon before any actual arms shipments take place. That decision will come before August 1st.
Mali Presidential Vote Set for July 28
Mali will hold a presidential election on July 28, as the West African country tries to recover from its ongoing political crisis.
The poll would be the first since soldiers overthrew President Amadou Toure in March 2012, which allowed Islamist militants to seize control of the north.
French-led forces have driven the militants back but Mali's government faces multiple challenges with the upcoming poll. Fighting in the north has displaced hundreds of thousands of Malians, and Tuareg separatists are now in control of the key northern city of Kidal.
The U.N. refugee agency said Tuesday it will support voter registration efforts in camps for Malian refugees in Burkina Faso, Niger, Mauritania and Algeria.
Mali's current leader, interim President Dioncounda Traore, has said that neither he nor any member of his government will run in the presidential poll.
Mali's interim government says campaigning for the election will begin July 7 and end on July 26. If no candidate wins an absolute majority, a run-off vote will take place August 11.