Iran’s top nuclear negotiator, who is one of the favourites in the presidential race, has vowed to stand up to the West if he is elected next month. Saeed Jalili told a rally in Tehran that he wanted to spread the global influence of Islam. One of several conservatives among…
Venezuelan army enters crime fight; revolution orders toilet paper
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Venezuela’s army has been deployed to fight organised crime, which new president Nicolas Maduro has called the greatest threat to the country. Three thousand soldiers of the national armed forces are spread around the capital Caracas as part of a plan launched earlier this week, called ‘Safe Homeland’.
In one neighbourhood with a high crime rate, a programme commander described the mission now entrusted to men trained for war: “The Venezuelan Bolivarian national police and military police will work body and soul to protect the people and guarantee their safety, as they deserve.”
Opposition critics say promoting social order is a matter for civilian institutions to work on. The government said this is a short-term measure to guarantee the conditions for peace and justice. According to the UN, Venezuela has the world’s fifth-highest homicide rate.
In 2012, the government says the country had more than 16,000 murders. One non-official source says there were far more: well over 21,000.
In a recent survey, the Gallup institute said it found that public fear had remained remarkably high over the past six years, suggesting that the Chavez government, before Maduro, left important aspects of governance unaddressed.
Gallup and other observers also cite Chavez’s stance toward businesses as threatening. The state’s role in the economy, such as through nationalisation and controlling prices, has contributed to acute shortages of basic consumer goods.
One Caracas shopper said: “I have spent two weeks looking for toilet paper. The army guys on the street told me there was some here, so here I am, queuing up.”
Maduro is blaming what he calls anti-government forces for intentionally destabilising supply. Economists say government controls on foreign currency don’t help, and that goods go where people can afford them. Here’s another government bid to cover itself.
Minister for Commerce Alejandro Fleming says: “The revolution will import 50 million rolls of toilet paper in the coming days. We’ll be getting the first shipment this Friday of 20 million rolls, to cover the demand for one week, or even more than a week.”
Companies don’t have free access to foreign currencies, which they need to pay to import consumables, raw materials, equipment and parts. There was a clampdown when Chavez began expropriating land and assets ten years ago and people tried to get their capital out. Now many less well-off Venezuelans are hitting the wall.
More about: Bolivia, Crime, Military, Nicolás Maduro, Politics, Venezuela
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People & Power – Venezuela: Life after Chavez
http://www.youtube.com/v/TYzRahHzIlQ?version=3&f=videos&app=youtube_gdata Original article: People & Power – Venezuela: Life after Chavez
Malaysia opposition leader calls for protest as PM sworn in
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Malaysia’s Prime Minister Najib Razak has been sworn into office, at a ceremony with the king, after his coalition extended its long rule – but he faces protests from the opposition who allege electoral fraud.
He could also face a leadership challenge after his Barisan Nasional (BN) party won less than a two-thirds parliamentary majority and lost the popular vote. He had promised to strengthen the economy, distribute handouts to poor families and reverse policies based on race.
Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim has called for a protest rally in Kuala Lumpur on May 8, claiming the result was marred by fraud.
“I don’t think it is fair to expect me to form a conclusion, or make a decision, based primarily on an election that we consider rather fraudulent,” Ibrahim said.
The government denied opposition claims that it funded flights to allow voters to cast ballots in close races and gave foreigners fake IDs.
The BN’s victory was greeted with relief in the markets, but there are doubts that it will be able to push through reforms.
The election saw many ethnic Chinese desert the ruling coalition and turn to the opposition.
More about: Malaysia, Politics, Presidential elections
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Classmates charged for obstructing justice in Boston bombing case
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Three college friends of suspected Boston bomber, Dhzokhar Tsarnaev have appeared in court in connection with the marathon bombings.
Azamat Tazhayakov and Dias Kadyrbayev, from Kazahkstan,stand accused of destroying evidence, American Robel Phillipos of lying to the FBI. If found guilty they could face five to eight years in jail and a 189 thousand euros fine.
Dias Kadybayev’s lawyer, Robert Stahl made the following statement outside the courtroom:
“Dias Kadyrbayev absolutely denies the charges. As we’ve said from the very beginning, he assisted the FBI in this investigation. He is just as shocked and horrified by the violence in Boston that took place as the rest of the community is.”
Harlan Protass, representing Azamat Tazhayakov explained his client’s shock.
“Azamat Tazhayakov, feels horrible and was shocked to hear that someone that he knew at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth was involved with the Boston Marathon bombing, just like many other individuals who were interviewed on campus.”
When TV news reports named Tsarnaev as a suspect Mr Tazhayakov and Mr Kadyrbayev removed a backpack containing fireworks and a laptop from the suspect’s dormitory room at the University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth three days after the blasts.
Over 23,000 people took part in the Boston Marathon on April 15 when the explosions occurred killing 3 and injuring 264.
If convicted Dzhokhar Tsarnaev could face the death penalty for his role in the attacks.
More about: Arrest, Bomb blast, Boston, Inquiry, USA
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NASA captures sun burst on camera
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NASA has recorded a massive sun burst officially described as a coronal mass ejection or CME. The video was taken in extreme ultraviolet light, using time-lapse photography and covers a two and a half hour period. CMEs can shoot billions of tons of particles into space at over a million kilometres per hour.
More about: NASA, Space science
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Former pope Benedict moves back into the Vatican
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Two months after his resignation Pope Emeritus Benedict is to move back into the Vatican.
Benedict whose former name was Joseph Ratzinger has been living in the papal summer residence of Castel Gandolfo since he became the first pope in modern history to abdicate. He’s been there while his apartment was being renovated.
His return could present problems for his successor Pope Francis as it will be the first time a reigning pope and a retired one will be living within the Vatican walls.
Some scholars worry that if Francis undoes some of his predecessor’s policies while he is still alive, the former pope could become a catalyst for conservatives and split the Church.
However, the former pope has admitted he is in failing health and has promised to live quietly in retirement and not interfere.
More about: Benedict XVI, Pope Francis, Religion, Vatican
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