الثلاثاء، 13 مارس 2012

Lincoln Tribune

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More than 200 people die in fresh cattle raids in South Sudan

Posted: 12 Mar 2012 08:57 PM PDT

JUBA, South Sudan (BNO NEWS) -- More than 200 people are believed to have been killed after violent cattle raids in a remote region of South Sudan during the weekend, officials said on Monday. Some reports said the death toll could be as high as 800.

The clashes began at around 5 a.m. local time on Friday when some 3,000 suspected members of the Murle tribe attacked cattle camps and villages of the Lou Nuer ethnic group in the Dengjok Payam district of Akobo County, which is located in Jonglei state near the Ethiopian border.

A state official said more than 200 people are believed to have died in the attack, although the Sudan Tribune newspaper said the death toll could be as high as 800. The area is remote and can only be reached by boat, making it difficult to confirm the exact details, but boats have taken at least 250 injured civilians from the area.

Akobo County Commissioner Goy Jooyol told the Sudan Tribune that calls were repeatedly made to the South Sudanese army to respond to the attack, but none of the forces left their bases. A spokesman said no security forces were sent because the soldiers are based about 90 kilometers (55.9 miles) from the area.

Thousands of animals were stolen during Friday's attack.

Meanwhile, the Sudanese People's Liberation Army (SPLA) signed an agreement with the United Nations (UN) to renew its commitment to release all children within its ranks. Monday's agreement ensures the government's commitment to make sure the SPLA have no children within its ranks.

Cattle raids are a persistent problem in South Sudan. Hundreds of cattle were stolen and at least 76 people were killed in late January when an armed group attacked several communities in Tong East County of the remote Warrap State. Earlier that month, nearly 50 people were killed when members of the Murle tribe attacked ethnic Dinkas in Jonglei state.

Before that, in August 2011, at least 600 people were killed and more than 750 others were injured when tribal clashes erupted in Jonglei. The clashes originated between the Murle and Lou Nuer communities following large-scale cattle raids by members of the two groups, leading to the theft of between 26,000 and 30,000 cattle.

South Sudan became the world's newest country when it broke away from Sudan on July 9, 2011, as a culmination of a six-year peace process which began in January 2005 with the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) between the Government of Sudan and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM).

More than two million people, most of them civilians who died due to starvation and drought, were killed during the 20-year civil war in Sudan. Although there were hopes that South Sudan secession would lead to peace, violence has continued both on a local level as well as with the Sudanese forces.

(Copyright 2012 by BNO News B.V. All rights reserved. Info: sales@bnonews.com.)


More than 200 people die in fresh cattle raids in South Sudan

Posted: 12 Mar 2012 08:57 PM PDT

JUBA, South Sudan (BNO NEWS) -- More than 200 people are believed to have been killed after violent cattle raids in a remote region of South Sudan during the weekend, officials said on Monday. Some reports said the death toll could be as high as 800.

The clashes began at around 5 a.m. local time on Friday when some 3,000 suspected members of the Murle tribe attacked cattle camps and villages of the Lou Nuer ethnic group in the Dengjok Payam district of Akobo County, which is located in Jonglei state near the Ethiopian border.

A state official said more than 200 people are believed to have died in the attack, although the Sudan Tribune newspaper said the death toll could be as high as 800. The area is remote and can only be reached by boat, making it difficult to confirm the exact details, but boats have taken at least 250 injured civilians from the area.

Akobo County Commissioner Goy Jooyol told the Sudan Tribune that calls were repeatedly made to the South Sudanese army to respond to the attack, but none of the forces left their bases. A spokesman said no security forces were sent because the soldiers are based about 90 kilometers (55.9 miles) from the area.

Thousands of animals were stolen during Friday's attack.

Meanwhile, the Sudanese People's Liberation Army (SPLA) signed an agreement with the United Nations (UN) to renew its commitment to release all children within its ranks. Monday's agreement ensures the government's commitment to make sure the SPLA have no children within its ranks.

Cattle raids are a persistent problem in South Sudan. Hundreds of cattle were stolen and at least 76 people were killed in late January when an armed group attacked several communities in Tong East County of the remote Warrap State. Earlier that month, nearly 50 people were killed when members of the Murle tribe attacked ethnic Dinkas in Jonglei state.

Before that, in August 2011, at least 600 people were killed and more than 750 others were injured when tribal clashes erupted in Jonglei. The clashes originated between the Murle and Lou Nuer communities following large-scale cattle raids by members of the two groups, leading to the theft of between 26,000 and 30,000 cattle.

South Sudan became the world's newest country when it broke away from Sudan on July 9, 2011, as a culmination of a six-year peace process which began in January 2005 with the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) between the Government of Sudan and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM).

More than two million people, most of them civilians who died due to starvation and drought, were killed during the 20-year civil war in Sudan. Although there were hopes that South Sudan secession would lead to peace, violence has continued both on a local level as well as with the Sudanese forces.

(Copyright 2012 by BNO News B.V. All rights reserved. Info: sales@bnonews.com.)


Israel and Palestine agree to cease fire after rocket attacks, airstrikes

Posted: 12 Mar 2012 08:30 PM PDT

JERUSALEM, Israel (BNO NEWS) -- With continuous rocket attacks and airstrikes in the past four days, increasing tensions between Israel and Palestinian authorities, Egyptian mediators said both parties agreed to a ceasefire on Monday.

The announcement comes after the United Nations (UN) and its diplomatic partners called on both parties to refrain from provocative actions. However, neither the Israeli government nor Palestinian authorities commented on the ceasefire.

The diplomatic grouping known as the Quartet, which bring together the UN with the European Union, Russia and the United States, held an informal consultations meeting in New York, along with Quartet Representative Tony Blair, in order to discuss the situation in Gaza and southern Israel.

The group expressed its serious concern for the recent escalation and called for calm. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon followed the meeting by telling the UN Security Council that the "situation in Gaza is yet again proving its unsustainability."

According to reports, at least 25 people have been confirmed dead in Gaza due to a series of Israeli airstrikes since last Friday. More than 200 rocket attacks from Gaza into Israel have caused damage and injuries to a number of people, but no deaths have been reported.

The UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) voiced deep concern over the impact on children of the recent escalation of violence, stating that on Monday, a 15-year-old Palestinian boy was killed and another four children were reported injured in an explosion in Gaza. Reports indicate that a total of seven people were killed on Monday alone.

On Sunday, a 12-year-old Palestinian boy was killed in an airstrike on Gaza, officials said. So far, fourteen Palestinian children have been reported injured as a result of Israeli airstrikes. Two schools suffered minor damage in Gaza City.

Also on Sunday, in Israel, a rocket hit a school that was empty at the time. Classes had to be cancelled in the south of the country, affecting over 200,000 Israeli students.

"I am gravely concerned at the latest escalation between Gaza and Israel, and once again civilians are paying a terrible price. Rocket attacks out of Gaza against Israeli civilian areas are unacceptable and must stop immediately," Ban stated. "I reiterate my call on Israel to exercise maximum restraint."

During its meeting, the Quartet assessed developments since its September 23 statement, in which it appealed to the Israelis and Palestinians to resume direct bilateral negotiations without delays or preconditions.

In that statement, the Quartet also proposed a series of steps and a timetable with the aim of reaching a lasting Middle East peace agreement by the end of 2012. At Monday's meeting, the group reiterated its support for the statement and welcomed efforts in the past two months led by Jordan to this end.

"We must create the conditions for meaningful negotiations that will resolve the core permanent status issues – territory, security, refugees, Jerusalem – and end the occupation that started in 1967," Ban said, adding that this is the only way to achieve "a just and lasting peace that will realize the vision of two States living side by side in peace and security."

The Quartet is scheduled to meet again next month in Washington D.C.

(Copyright 2012 by BNO News B.V. All rights reserved. Info: sales@bnonews.com.)


Israel and Palestine agree to cease fire after rocket attacks, airstrikes

Posted: 12 Mar 2012 08:30 PM PDT

JERUSALEM, Israel (BNO NEWS) -- With continuous rocket attacks and airstrikes in the past four days, increasing tensions between Israel and Palestinian authorities, Egyptian mediators said both parties agreed to a ceasefire on Monday.

The announcement comes after the United Nations (UN) and its diplomatic partners called on both parties to refrain from provocative actions. However, neither the Israeli government nor Palestinian authorities commented on the ceasefire.

The diplomatic grouping known as the Quartet, which bring together the UN with the European Union, Russia and the United States, held an informal consultations meeting in New York, along with Quartet Representative Tony Blair, in order to discuss the situation in Gaza and southern Israel.

The group expressed its serious concern for the recent escalation and called for calm. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon followed the meeting by telling the UN Security Council that the "situation in Gaza is yet again proving its unsustainability."

According to reports, at least 25 people have been confirmed dead in Gaza due to a series of Israeli airstrikes since last Friday. More than 200 rocket attacks from Gaza into Israel have caused damage and injuries to a number of people, but no deaths have been reported.

The UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) voiced deep concern over the impact on children of the recent escalation of violence, stating that on Monday, a 15-year-old Palestinian boy was killed and another four children were reported injured in an explosion in Gaza. Reports indicate that a total of seven people were killed on Monday alone.

On Sunday, a 12-year-old Palestinian boy was killed in an airstrike on Gaza, officials said. So far, fourteen Palestinian children have been reported injured as a result of Israeli airstrikes. Two schools suffered minor damage in Gaza City.

Also on Sunday, in Israel, a rocket hit a school that was empty at the time. Classes had to be cancelled in the south of the country, affecting over 200,000 Israeli students.

"I am gravely concerned at the latest escalation between Gaza and Israel, and once again civilians are paying a terrible price. Rocket attacks out of Gaza against Israeli civilian areas are unacceptable and must stop immediately," Ban stated. "I reiterate my call on Israel to exercise maximum restraint."

During its meeting, the Quartet assessed developments since its September 23 statement, in which it appealed to the Israelis and Palestinians to resume direct bilateral negotiations without delays or preconditions.

In that statement, the Quartet also proposed a series of steps and a timetable with the aim of reaching a lasting Middle East peace agreement by the end of 2012. At Monday's meeting, the group reiterated its support for the statement and welcomed efforts in the past two months led by Jordan to this end.

"We must create the conditions for meaningful negotiations that will resolve the core permanent status issues – territory, security, refugees, Jerusalem – and end the occupation that started in 1967," Ban said, adding that this is the only way to achieve "a just and lasting peace that will realize the vision of two States living side by side in peace and security."

The Quartet is scheduled to meet again next month in Washington D.C.

(Copyright 2012 by BNO News B.V. All rights reserved. Info: sales@bnonews.com.)


Mexico’s Carlos Slim partners with TV legend Larry King to launch internet TV network

Posted: 12 Mar 2012 03:45 PM PDT

NEW YORK (BNO NEWS) -- Mexican billionaire businessman Carlos Slim Helú is financing a new online television network which will feature broadcast news legend Larry King, it was announced on Monday. The network plans to begin broadcasting later this year.

Telecommunication tycoon Slim, who was again named the world's richest person by Forbes magazine last week with a net worth of $69 billion, will invest in the new venture through Latin American wireless service provider América Móvil. The network, based in New York City, will be led by former News Corporation executive Jon Housman.

A statement from Ora.TV, as it will be called, said the network will create high-quality video programming for digital distribution via phones, laptops, tablets, internet-connected televisions, and other devices. "Unlike linear cable channels, from its inception Ora will be an on-demand network, producing a wide-range of stand-alone content that transcends traditional format distinctions," the statement said.

The company said former CNN host Larry King will join the network as both co-founder and host, although it gave no specific details about the show or shows which are to be hosted by the radio and TV legend. Ora said it will produce shows that resemble traditional television in terms of production quality and content, but will be available in a variety of formats, including short-form segments.

"Ora.TV represents a great opportunity," Slim said, underscoring that digital television as a whole is expected to see exponential growth in the coming years. Ora, which means 'now' in Italian, said it is in talks with potential distribution and technology partners as well as on-air personalities to join King.

"I am thrilled to be working with Carlos and Jon to create Ora.TV, a bold new model for digital television," King said. "The backing of Carlos - given his stellar track record in business - combined with Jon's track record of leadership and innovation, is a recipe for success."

Ora.TV will be moving into a crowded video field which, in the United States especially, is dominated by YouTube, Hulu and Netflix. "In addition to traditionally styled programs, we will produce shows in alternative formats and varying lengths so that viewers can find and get information and insights they really care about in ways designed to harness these new mobile and interactive platforms," Housman explained.

Ora said it expects to launch its first shows later this year. "Several shows are currently in development and will be announced in the coming months," the statement said.

(Copyright 2012 by BNO News B.V. All rights reserved. Info: sales@bnonews.com.)


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