http://news.linktv.org Link TV News Videos (Filtered by topics: Ban Ki-moon) en-us Tue, 02 Apr 2013 11:54:00 -0700 Copyright 2011 Link Media, Inc. http://news.linktv.org/videos/uns-ban-ki-moon-korea-crisis-has-gone-too-far?start=0 United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has said that he is "deeply troubled" by the worsening tension on the Korean peninsula. "It is my duty to prevent war and to pursue peace," he said. "It is also my responsibility to state that the current crisis has already gone too far. Nuclear threats are not a game." Tue, 02 Apr 2013 11:54:00 -0700 http://news.linktv.org/videos/uns-ban-ki-moon-korea-crisis-has-gone-too-far North Korea–South Korea relations, North Korea, Ban Ki-moon, South Korea, North Korea and weapons of mass destruction, Korean Peninsula, UN Secretary-General, Raw video, Telegraph.co.uk United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has said that he is "deeply troubled" by the worsening tension on the Korean peninsula. "It is my duty to prevent war and to pursue peace," he said. "It is also my responsibility to state that the current crisis has already gone too far. Nuclear threats are not a game." http://news.linktv.org/videos/un-security-council-condemns-north-korea-nuke-test-linkasia?start=0 United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called North Korea's nuclear weapons test a "clear and grave violation" of UN resolutions. China's state-run CCTV gauges international reactions at the UN to the DPRK's recent provocations. &nbsp; Thu, 14 Feb 2013 12:49:00 -0800 http://news.linktv.org/videos/un-security-council-condemns-north-korea-nuke-test-linkasia North Korea, UN Security Council, Nuclear weapon, China, Ban Ki-moon, Pyongyang, UN Secretary-General, Nuclear weapons testing, United Nations resolution, Kim Jong-un United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called North Korea's nuclear weapons test a "clear and grave violation" of UN resolutions. China's state-run CCTV gauges international reactions at the UN to the DPRK's recent provocations. http://news.linktv.org/videos/north-korea-lunches-third-nuke-test-triggers-tremor?start=0 North Korea has confirmed it conducted its third nuclear test, underground, in defiance of international warnings, and triggered a 4.9 magnitude tremor, detected around the world. United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon called the action "deplorable," and is calling an emergency meeting of the Security Council. Mon, 11 Feb 2013 23:26:00 -0800 http://news.linktv.org/videos/north-korea-lunches-third-nuke-test-triggers-tremor UN Secretary-General, North Korea, Nuclear weapons testing, Earthquake, UN Security Council, Ban Ki-moon, Euronews North Korea has confirmed it conducted its third nuclear test, underground, in defiance of international warnings, and triggered a 4.9 magnitude tremor, detected around the world. United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon called the action "deplorable," and is calling an emergency meeting of the Security Council. http://news.linktv.org/videos/unlikely-ceasefire-takes-effect-in-gaza-but-will-it-hold?start=0 A ceasefire is agreed in Gaza between Israel and Hamas -- but it is announced in Egypt with US help. Will it hold? Chief Correspondent Alex Thomson reports from Gaza on a day when peace seemed almost impossible to achieve, but somehow ended with a cessation of hostilities.<br /> Wed, 21 Nov 2012 12:13:00 -0800 http://news.linktv.org/videos/unlikely-ceasefire-takes-effect-in-gaza-but-will-it-hold Hamas, Israel, Operation Pillar of Defense, Ceasefire, Israeli–Palestinian conflict, Hillary Clinton, Gaza, Benjamin Netanyahu, Air strike, Mohamed Kamel Amr A ceasefire is agreed in Gaza between Israel and Hamas -- but it is announced in Egypt with US help. Will it hold? Chief Correspondent Alex Thomson reports from Gaza on a day when peace seemed almost impossible to achieve, but somehow ended with a cessation of hostilities. http://news.linktv.org/videos/un-special-rapporteur-israel-had-peaceful-alternative-to-gaza-attack?start=0 Richard Falk, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on human rights in the Palestinian territories, calls on the international community to help defend the people of Gaza from the ongoing US-backed Israeli assault. "It is time, it seems to me, for the international community to take some responsibility for protecting the people of Gaza," Falk says. "The responsibility to protect was very self-righteously invoked in relation to Gaddafi's Libya, but there is utter silence when it comes to the people of Gaza." <br /> Mon, 19 Nov 2012 11:32:00 -0800 http://news.linktv.org/videos/un-special-rapporteur-israel-had-peaceful-alternative-to-gaza-attack Operation Pillar of Defense, Gaza, Hamas, Richard A. Falk, Israeli–Palestinian conflict, United Nations Special Rapporteur, Gaza blockade, Palestinian rocket attacks on Israel, Raji Sourani, Shimon Peres Richard Falk, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on human rights in the Palestinian territories, calls on the international community to help defend the people of Gaza from the ongoing US-backed Israeli assault. "It is time, it seems to me, for the international community to take some responsibility for protecting the people of Gaza," Falk says. "The responsibility to protect was very self-righteously invoked in relation to Gaddafi's Libya, but there is utter silence when it comes to the people of Gaza." Falk is a professor emeritus of international law at Princeton University and the author of more than 50 books on war, human rights and international law. Democracy Now! also speak with Raji Sourani, an award-winning human rights lawyer and director of the Palestinian Center for Human Rights in Gaza. http://news.linktv.org/videos/israel-pounds-gaza-as-egypt-scrambles-for-ceasefire?start=0 In the sixth day of violence, Israel continues to pound Gaza, aiming at dozens of suspected Hamas guerilla sites, Reuters reports. UN Secretary General Ban-Ki Moon was to arrive in Cairo to help with Egypt's attempts to broker a ceasefire. Israeli media were reporting that Israeli officials were also heading to Cairo for talks. Mon, 19 Nov 2012 02:47:00 -0800 http://news.linktv.org/videos/israel-pounds-gaza-as-egypt-scrambles-for-ceasefire Israel, Hamas, Gaza, Politics of Israel, Israeli Air Force, Israeli–Palestinian conflict, Israel Defense Forces, Egypt, Air strike, Ban Ki-moon In the sixth day of violence, Israel continues to pound Gaza, aiming at dozens of suspected Hamas guerilla sites, Reuters reports. UN Secretary General Ban-Ki Moon was to arrive in Cairo to help with Egypt's attempts to broker a ceasefire. Israeli media were reporting that Israeli officials were also heading to Cairo for talks. http://news.linktv.org/videos/israeli-hamas-conflict-intensifies?start=0 The Israeli air strikes that killed Hamas military leader Ahmed al-Jabari has started an all-out war between Hamas and Israel. It's the worst escalation of violence since Israel launched its war on Gaza four years ago, and the international community is taking sides. Al Jazeera's Caroline Malone explains. Thu, 15 Nov 2012 08:54:00 -0800 http://news.linktv.org/videos/israeli-hamas-conflict-intensifies Operation Pillar of Defense, Israel, Hamas, Israeli–Palestinian conflict, Gaza, UN Security Council, Palestinian rocket attacks on Israel, Mohamed Morsi, Air strike, Egypt–Israel relations The Israeli air strikes that killed Hamas military leader Ahmed al-Jabari has started an all-out war between Hamas and Israel. It's the worst escalation of violence since Israel launched its war on Gaza four years ago, and the international community is taking sides. Al Jazeera's Caroline Malone explains. http://news.linktv.org/videos/un-admits-failing-to-protect-civilians-in-sri-lanka-civil-war?start=0 A damning internal report accuses the United Nations of failing to protect civilians in the bloody final months of Sri Lanka's long civil war. Tens of thousands of people were killed in the war's closing stages while senior UN staff failed to confront the Sri Lankan government and did not see preventing civilian deaths as their responsibility.<br /> Wed, 14 Nov 2012 18:44:00 -0800 http://news.linktv.org/videos/un-admits-failing-to-protect-civilians-in-sri-lanka-civil-war Sri Lankan Civil War, Sri Lanka, United Nations, Tamil Tigers, Ban Ki-moon, Civilian casualties, War Crime, Al Jazeera English A damning internal report accuses the United Nations of failing to protect civilians in the bloody final months of Sri Lanka's long civil war. Tens of thousands of people were killed in the war's closing stages while senior UN staff failed to confront the Sri Lankan government and did not see preventing civilian deaths as their responsibility. http://news.linktv.org/videos/raw-video-damascus-car-bombs-kill-10-on-final-day-of-syrian-ceasefire?start=0 At least 10 people have been killed in a car bombing in the Syrian capital Damascus, on the final day of the Eid ceasefire. The victims are thought to include women and children. UN Chief Ban Ki-moon has acknowledged that the four day truce has been a failure, with the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights claiming 420 people have been killed since Friday.<br /> Mon, 29 Oct 2012 08:41:00 -0700 http://news.linktv.org/videos/raw-video-damascus-car-bombs-kill-10-on-final-day-of-syrian-ceasefire Syrian Civil War, Jaramana, Damascus, Ceasefire, Car bomb, Syria, Ban Ki-moon, Eid al-Adha, Lakhdar Brahimi, Syrian conflict peace proposals At least 10 people have been killed in a car bombing in the Syrian capital Damascus, on the final day of the Eid ceasefire. The victims are thought to include women and children. UN Chief Ban Ki-moon has acknowledged that the four-day truce has been a failure, with the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights claiming 420 people have been killed since Friday. http://news.linktv.org/videos/mosaic-news-102912?start=32 <p>Car bombings rock Damascus as failed Syrian ceasefire ends, Yemeni prisoners' family members mobilize to demand their release, Bahraini opposition stages anti-regime rallies, and more.</p> Mon, 29 Oct 2012 00:00:00 -0700 http://news.linktv.org/videos/mosaic-news-102912 Israel Defense Forces, United Nations, Israel, Gaza, Palestinian rocket attacks on Israel, Tehran, Eid al-Adha, Israeli–Palestinian conflict, Palestinians, Syrian Civil War Presenter, Female #1 From Russia, the United Nations and Arab League envoy to Syria, Lakhdar Brahimi, confirmed his determination to work on decreasing the level of violence in Syria, as Moscow is calling for dialogue between the two conflicting sides. Reporter, Female #2 After military events in Syria proved the failure of what was called a ceasefire, or a supposed truce during Eid al-Adha, the United Nations and Arab League envoy, Lakhdar Brahimi, flew to Moscow to meet Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in an attempt to revive a truce that died in its infancy. During a joint press conference, the two sides expressed deep regret that the truce didn't succeed. Brahimi said this failure won't discourage his determination to continue his efforts for peace, indicating that the United Nations doesn't have immediate plans to send peacekeeping forces to Syria. Guest, Male #2 (Lakhdar Brahimi, United Nations and Arab Envoy to Syria) What we need in Syria is what we need in other countries in the region, real change, not cosmetic change; true reforms and not cosmetic ones. We must work so that this change comes from Syrians. We will strive to continue working in cooperation with all sides to decrease the level of violence in order to end it. Guest, Male #3 (Sergei Lavrov, Russian Foreign Minister) We must pressure the government and the opposition to send balanced signals to the two sides. We must not take sides, which allows the violence to continue, but we must convince them to stop shooting and move toward a political dialogue. I thank Brahimi for the efforts he's making in order to find a solution. Reporter, Female #2 Lavrov was disappointed that the Geneva Communique was not fulfilled at the Security Council. Presenter, Female #1 In Damascus, a car bomb was detonated in Jaramana as warplanes raided Harasta. Reporter, Male #4 On the fourth day of Eid and after accusations of breaking the truce by both the regime and the opposition with military operations, Jaramana, one of the Syrian capital's suburbs, woke up to the scene of a booby-trapped car bombing that lead to the death of more than 11 people, including women and children. In addition, a large number of people were injured and property damage was reported. The Syrian television channel's breaking news reported a terrorist booby-trapped car bombing in al-Rawda Street next to a bakery in Jaramana. Reporter, Male #4 On the other hand, updates on opposition websites reported that sounds of air strikes were heard in several neighborhoods in Damascus. They were carried out by warplanes on the countryside of the capital as well. Information indicated that sounds of the air strikes were heard for nearly two hours in several neighborhoods of the capital, shaking the windows of homes. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said that warplanes targeted armed men in the city of Harasta and the gardens next to it with eight raids within an hour and a half. Reports were also issued saying that clashes took place in the neighborhoods of Aleppo, Idlib, Homs and Deir az-Zour. Reporter, Male #4 In another development, Turkish media said a Syrian shell fell on the village of Besaslan in the southern province of Hatay, which pushed Turkish forces to respond. Politically, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon expressed his great disappointment that the Syrian rivals failed to commit to the Eid al-Adha holiday truce. Reporter, Male #1 In the South Korean capital Seoul, Ban Ki-moon stated, "I feel deep disappointment because the sides failed to respect the call to halt the fighting." http://news.linktv.org/videos/mosaic-news-102612?start=371 <p>Sectarian violence claims 112 lives in Myanmar, terrorist attack and government killings "violate" Syria's ceasefire as mass protests erupt, suicide bombing targets Afghan mosque during Eid prayers, and more.</p> Fri, 26 Oct 2012 00:00:00 -0700 http://news.linktv.org/videos/mosaic-news-102612 Eid al-Adha, Israel, Ismail Haniyeh, Eid prayer, Politics of Israel, Yisrael Beiteinu, Likud, Benjamin Netanyahu, Avigdor Lieberman, United Nations Presenter, Male #1 The Eid al-Adha ceasefire in Syria collapsed before it began. There were clashes and demonstrations in several areas, and the Syrian president made an appearance to pray in one of the capital's mosques. Reporter, Female #2 Syria, its opposition, and its loyalists failed the first test of the military ceasefire that did not last more than several hours. With that, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's predictions were correct, as he had expressed his lack of confidence in the ceasefire. The two sides of the conflict traded accusations for violating the Adha ceasefire. Reporter, Female #2 As the general leadership of the military and the armed forces issued a statement accusing armed groups of attacking some military sites, and reported the number of targeted areas every hour and second, Local Coordination Committees documented more than 100 violations by the regime, and reported a number of casualties and injuries, among them children, in a number of areas. Guest, Male #1 (Syria TV Presenter) According to the statement issued by the general leadership of the military and the armed forces, our courageous armed forces are dealing with these violations by responding to the sources of the gunfire, combating terrorist armed groups, and tracking down their remnants. Reporter, Female #2 On the morning of Eid, Syria woke up to mass violations, especially in Deir az-Zour, Daraa, Homs, the countryside of Damascus, and on the outskirts of Wadi al-Daif camp in the governorate of Idlib. The chairman of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, Rami Abdelrahman, noted the presence of al-Nusra Front elements among the opposition fighters. The group had previously announced that it would not abide by the ceasefire. On the other hand, SANA news agency announced a terrorist bombing was carried out with a booby trapped car in the neighborhood of al-Zohour in the southern part of the capital, and reported a number of casualties and injuries. Reporter, Female #2 In a remarkable appearance, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad was seen on the official Syrian TV channel performing Eid prayers at the al-Afram mosque in Damascus. He was surrounded by a number of officials, most notably Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem. Al-Assad seemed comfortable and was smiling as he was speaking to those sitting next to him after shaking hands with the worshipers. Meanwhile, Sheikh Walid Abdul-Haq called for national unity and asked Syrians to stop attacking each other during the Eid Khutba, or speech. Reporter, Female #2 Anti-regime Syrians used the fragile ceasefire to take to the streets after Eid prayers. They held demonstrations calling for the downfall of the regime, especially in Daraa, Aleppo and its countryside, and the neighborhoods al-Hajar al-Aswad, al-Qaboun, and Jobar in Damascus, and several villages and towns in the countryside of Damascus, Idlib, the countryside of Hama, Deir az-Zour, and al-Raqqah. http://news.linktv.org/videos/next-36-48-hours-critical-for-taliban-target-malala-yousafzai?start=0 Doctors treating Malala Yousafzai, the 14-year-old Paksitani girl who was shot by the Taliban, are now satisfied with her condition, according to Pakistan's military. However, the next 36 to 48 hours remain critical. Yousafzai was transferred on Thursday to a hospital in the army garrison town of Rawalpindi. She is unconscious and in a critical condition after gunmen shot her in the head and neck as she left school on Tuesday. Doctors say she has moved her arms and legs slightly since the incident. A Taliban spokesman said that the girl was targeted for trying to spread Western culture and that they would try to kill her again if she survived. <br /> Fri, 12 Oct 2012 13:36:00 -0700 http://news.linktv.org/videos/next-36-48-hours-critical-for-taliban-target-malala-yousafzai Malala Yousafzai, Pakistani Taliban, Pakistan, Rawalpindi, Female education, Swat, Pakistan, Women in Pakistan, Women in Islam, Taliban, Women's Rights Doctors treating Malala Yousafzai, the 14-year-old Paksitani girl who was shot by the Taliban, are now satisfied with her condition, according to Pakistan's military. However, the next 36 to 48 hours remain critical. Yousufzai was transferred on Thursday to a hospital in the army garrison town of Rawalpindi. She is unconscious and in a critical condition after gunmen shot her in the head and neck as she left school on Tuesday. Doctors say she has moved her arms and legs slightly since the incident. A Taliban spokesman said that the girl was targeted for trying to spread Western culture and that they would try to kill her again if she survived. ---- Doctors are satisfied with the condition of the 14-year-old girl who was shot by the Taliban but the next 36 to 48 hours are critical. Full script: Doctors treating a 14-year-old Pakistani girl who was shot by the Taliban are now satisfied with her condition, according to Pakistan's military. However, the next 36 to 48 hours remain critical. [Asim Saleem Bajwa, Military Spokesman Major-General]: "There's a panel of doctors which was formed to review her condition, and oversee the treatment. That panel of doctors travelled with her in a special military helicopter which shifted her here last night. The shifting, which by itself is a very arduous task, was completed successfully and the fresh investigation was done on her." Malala Yousufzai was transferred on Thursday to a hospital in the army garrison town of Rawalpindi. She is unconscious and in a critical condition after gunmen shot her in the head and neck as she left school on Tuesday. Doctors say she has moved her arms and legs slightly since the incident. A Taliban spokesman said that the girl was targeted for trying to spread Western culture and that they would try to kill her again if she survived. Staff at Ganga Ram Hospital, one of the oldest hospitals in Lahore, gathered to pray for Malala. [Sheikh Ejaz, Medical Superintendent, Ganga Ram Hospital]: "All of us strongly condemn this (attack on Malala), and we express our whole-hearted loathing for the act. We pray to Allah to grant her speedy recovery and to rid our country of terrorism." World leaders from U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon to U.S. President Barack Obama have pledged support for her recovery. http://news.linktv.org/videos/mosaic-news-101012?start=1171 <p>Thousands march to demand justice for massacre of Copts in Cairo, Israel gears up for early elections amid Palestinian fears of renewed violence, Pakistani girl shot in head by Taliban remains in critical condition, and more.</p> Wed, 10 Oct 2012 00:00:00 -0700 http://news.linktv.org/videos/mosaic-news-101012 Syrian Civil War, Syria, Gaza, NATO, Benjamin Netanyahu, Afghanistan War, Israel Defense Forces, Afghanistan, Palestinians, United Nations Syria rejects the call by the UN to declare a unilateral ceasefire, insisting that foreign-backed armed groups must stop the violence. The Syrian Foreign Ministry has urged Ban Ki-moon to send his emissaries to countries that influence the insurgents. The statement comes one day after Ban insisted that Syria declare a unilateral truce. http://news.linktv.org/videos/mosaic-news-100912?start=851 <p>Deadly twin blasts rock Damascus as Salafi group targets security buildings, Emirati foreign minister slams Muslim Brotherhood amid crackdown on Islamists, humanitarian crisis mounts as 100,000 Sudanese flee internal violence, and more.</p> Tue, 09 Oct 2012 00:00:00 -0700 http://news.linktv.org/videos/mosaic-news-100912 Syrian Civil War, Syria, Aleppo, Antisemitism, Muslim Brotherhood, Israel, France, Egypt, Cairo, United States During talks with French President Francois Hollande in Paris, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said that he was deeply saddened by the rise of anti-Semitism in France. They also talked about Syria, the stalled Middle East peace process, and the need for Israelis and Palestinians to resume negotiations. http://news.linktv.org/videos/mosaic-news-100812?start=834 <p>Omar al-Bashir "committed" to security agreement as Sudan reopens border with South, Israel strikes Gaza in response to Hamas's retaliation for deadly attack, Imran Khan's anti-drone march stopped at Waziristan border, and more.</p> Mon, 08 Oct 2012 00:00:00 -0700 http://news.linktv.org/videos/mosaic-news-100812 Gaza, Palestinians, Israel, Palestinian rocket attacks on Israel, Israel Defense Forces, Missile defense, Israeli Air Force, Iran, Omar al-Bashir, Israeli–Palestinian conflict Presenter, Female #1 Clashes in several parts of Syria, renewed Syrian shelling on the Turkish side, and Turkey's response. Reporter, Female #2 Several parts of Syria are witnessing shelling and clashes between regime forces and the Free Army. In Aleppo, clashes didn't stop in the neighborhoods of Hanano and al-Sakhur, east of the city, and several other neighborhoods to its north. It was the same situation in several parts of Homs, where neighborhoods were exposed to air raids. The Farouk Brigade in Homs announced the arrest of First Lieutenant Husam al-Assad, cousin of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, during clashes with regime forces. In a related development, Ali Khuzam, a colonel in the Syrian Republican Guard who is considered to be Colonel Maher al-Assad's right-hand man, has died. He died as a result of wounds sustained days ago during clashes between regime forces and armed opposition members. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said that the colonel was the one who supervised the storming of the Baba Amr neighborhood in Homs, and led several military operations in several cities in the Damascus countryside. Reporter, Female #2 In a different development, Turkish-Syrian political and ground skirmishes haven't ended. A shell from the Syrian side fell on the Turkish border town of Akcakale, the second incident of its kind in 5 days. The Turkish military fired an artillery shell into Syria as a direct response. The Turkish political response was given by President Abdullah Gul, who confirmed that the government in this stage remains in constant contact with the Chief of General Staff for consultation. Guest, Male #1 (Abdullah Gul, Turkish President) Turkey will take all the necessary steps with regard to Syria. What is happening in Syria is the worst possible scenario in the country. It's affecting Turkey directly, while the Syrian population suffers from the grief of this scenario. Reporter, Female #2 Damascus viewed the statements by Turkey's Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, regarding a handover of the presidency of a transitional government in Syria to Syrian Vice President Farouk al-Sharaa, as a reflection of their political and diplomatic floundering and confusion. Syrian TV reported that the Minister of Information, Omran al-Zoubi, stated that Turkey isn't the Ottoman Empire, and the Turkish Foreign Ministry doesn't assign rulers in Damascus, Mecca, Cairo, or Jerusalem. Reporter, Female #2 The Secretary-General of the United Nations, Ban Ki-moon, warned of the dangerous situation on the Turkish-Syrian border with regard to an escalation of the conflict on the border, and the consequences of the crisis on Lebanon as two grave matters. Ban, during the opening of the first World Forum for Democracy in Strasbourg, expressed his deep concern over the ongoing flow of weapons to the Syrian government, as well as to opposition forces. Reporter, Female #2 On a different front, Reuters showed some segments on the strongholds of the Free Army on the fringes of the capital, Damascus, and others of gunmen belonging to the Free Army in the neighborhood of al-Tadamon in the capital, during their assault on a military installation belonging to the regime. http://news.linktv.org/videos/mosaic-news-100312?start=854 <p>Iranian riot police clash with demonstrators during currency crisis protests in Tehran, Bahrain launches crackdown on funeral for activist who died in custody, Tunisian woman accused of indecency after being raped by security forces, and more.</p> Wed, 03 Oct 2012 00:00:00 -0700 http://news.linktv.org/videos/mosaic-news-100312 Syrian Civil War, Syria, Israel, Human rights, Aleppo, Free Syrian Army, Palestinians, Iran, Damascus, Activism Tensions simmer between neighbors Turkey and Syria, as Turkey hits targets on Syrian soil in retaliation to mortar shelling from Syrian territories hitting the southeastern province of Sanliurfa earlier in the day. At least five people were killed and over a dozen others injured. Meanwhile, Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu spoke with UN chief Ban Ki-moon, NATO secretary-general, and joint UN-Arab League envoy Lakhdar Brahimi. http://news.linktv.org/videos/mosaic-news-092612?start=855 Interim Malian president, Dioncounda Traore, asked the UNSC to authorize sending military forces from only the ECOWAS to Mali, reports Algerie TV. However, UN members unanimously agreed to deploy non-African countries to northern Mali. Wed, 26 Sep 2012 00:00:00 -0700 http://news.linktv.org/videos/mosaic-news-092612 Syrian Civil War, Damascus, Free Syrian Army, Press TV, Military of Syria, UN General Assembly, Misurata, Iran-Syria relations, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Mali Presenter, Female #1 Minister of Maghreb and African Affairs, Abdelkader Messahel, is representing Algeria as a delegate at a high-level meeting on the Sahel region and the crisis in Mali, which is scheduled for tomorrow in New York, on the sidelines of the 67th round of the United Nations General Assembly. Presenter, Female #1 The meeting, headed by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, aims to help the international community get a feel for the importance of stability and development in the Sahel region and Mali. The situation in Mali and the Sahel region heads the discussions that will be held at the UN General Assembly. Ibrahim al-Khalil Kerbal reports. Reporter, Male #1 The heavy but sensitive case of the Mali crisis is being brought to the discussion table at the UN General Assembly in New York. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon acknowledged that the worrisome situation in the Sahel region requires coordinated effort by the international community. This comes after the interim Malian president, Dioncounda Traore, asked the UN Security Council to authorize sending military forces from only the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to Mali. Anticipating Mali's desire, statements were issued at the UN indicating unanimous agreement on deploying non-African countries to northern Mali. Reporter, Male #1 Knowledgeable sources may agree with proponents of the military option, who believe that the 14 member countries of ECOWAS would be unable to liberate the area of northern Mali. Therefore, the situation would escalate to another level that would require aid from the entire international community to support the ECOWAS forces that are fighting there. The situation remains the same. The signs of poverty and the incredible spread of weapons and drought expedite the movement of refugees and the displaced, who do not want anything more than security and stability. Presenter, Female #1 The humanitarian situation of Sahrawi refugees at the camps and "liberated" areas was the focus of the meeting that took place today. At the meeting, the president of the Algerian Red Cross praised the African Commission for Human Rights, headed by its president, Dupe Atoki. A joint visit is being organized to look closely into the situation. http://news.linktv.org/videos/mosaic-news-092512?start=847 <p>Rights group reports "appalling" torture of Syrian children, Kuwait's highest court rejects election law challenge by government, pro-Israel subway ads in New York City equate Muslims with "savages," and more.</p> Tue, 25 Sep 2012 00:00:00 -0700 http://news.linktv.org/videos/mosaic-news-092512 Israel, United States, UN General Assembly, Borders of Israel, Syrian Civil War, Illegal immigration from Africa to Israel, Hamas, Islam, Middle East Peace Process, Algeria At the opening ceremony of the 67th UN General Assembly, Ban Ki-moon said that the Syrian crisis is a calamity that threatens world peace, and called on UN member states to support the efforts of UN-Arab League envoy Lakhdar Brahimi. With regards to Palestine, he also said that the two-state solution is the only viable option, and said that Israel's settlement activity remains an obstacle in the talks between the two sides. http://news.linktv.org/videos/mosaic-news-092412?start=696 <p>Jihadist group claims responsibility for deadly Egypt-Israel border attack, the two Sudans move towards deal as UN deadline expires, Cairo's graffiti revolutionaries repaint whitewashed murals, and more.</p> Mon, 24 Sep 2012 00:00:00 -0700 http://news.linktv.org/videos/mosaic-news-092412 Israel, Syrian Civil War, Damascus, Syria, Human rights, Sinai Peninsula, 2012 South Sudan–Sudan border conflict, Egyptian Revolution, Ehud Olmert, Nuclear program of Iran One of the main issues of the 67th UN General Assembly meeting in New York this week is the Iranian nuclear program. Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is already in New York. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon made a point to welcome the Iranian president to the UN headquarters, but reportedly warned Ahmadinejad against fiery rhetoric. Western countries have called for the European Union to place more sanctions on Iran in an effort to curb its nuclear program. Other issues on the agenda are a special Security Council meeting on Syria, and another Palestinian Authority bid for statehood in the UN. http://news.linktv.org/videos/mosaic-news-083112?start=1383 <p>Yemeni street witnesses renewed mobilization against military rule, Iraq denies existence of al-Qaeda-affiliated Free Iraqi Army, Hezbollah rejects deployment of UN forces to Syrian-Lebanese border, and more.</p> Fri, 31 Aug 2012 00:00:00 -0700 http://news.linktv.org/videos/mosaic-news-083112 Syrian Civil War, Nuclear program of Iran, International Atomic Energy Agency, Iran, Yemen, Syria, Israel, Yemen Uprising, 2011-2012 Jordanian Protests, Iraqi Army Presenter, Female #1 In the Western Sahara, the president of the Robert Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights, Kerry Kennedy, led a delegation that included representatives of international human rights organizations to Sahrawi refugee camps. She described the conditions of these camps as distinguished. Presenter, Female #1 The president of the Kennedy center expressed admiration for the peaceful struggle of the Sahrawi people for their right to self-determination. She confirmed that she will raise awareness about the Sahrawi issue in all the countries she will visit, and with the organizations that have ties with her foundation. Presenter, Female #1 The members of the delegation heard input from representatives of organizations working with the families of prisoners, missing persons, and victims of antipersonnel mines, which the Moroccan occupiers placed along the wall that separates the desert into two parts. At the end of the visit, the delegation was received by Sahrawi President Mohamed Abdelaziz; in attendance were Sahrawi officials. The delegation plans to work on a detailed report about this mission and to publish it in the near future. Trust in the UN secretary general's personal envoy to the Western Sahara, Christopher Ross, was renewed and he has maintained his post. Katia Abbad reports. Reporter, Female #2 UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon refused the Moroccan kingdom's demand to replace his personal envoy to the Western Sahara, Christopher Ross. He reaffirmed that Ross will continue to serve as his personal envoy, so he can continue his task of supervising the negotiations between the Polisario Front and Morocco on the basis of the Security Council's guidelines. Reporter, Female #2 The Moroccan kingdom had lost confidence in Ross in May, accusing his decisions of being biased and imbalanced. Immediately after Ban Ki-moon renewed his confidence in his personal envoy, the Polisario Front called for quickly setting a schedule to organize a referendum so the Sahrawi people can decide on their fate. Keeping Ross as the head of this mission will certainly guarantee negotiations will proceed according to international legitimacy that states that the Sahrawi people have the right to self-determination. ** Contact Mosaic News: mosaicnews{at}linktv{dot}org http://news.linktv.org/videos/mosaic-news-083012?start=35 BBC Arabic reports that the Syrian delegation left the Non-Aligned Movement summit's conference hall in Tehran when Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi criticized the Syrian government in his speech, part of a growing number of verbal attacks at the summit. Thu, 30 Aug 2012 00:00:00 -0700 http://news.linktv.org/videos/mosaic-news-083012 Syrian Civil War, Syria, Tehran, Non-Aligned Movement, Israeli settlement, Palestinians, West Bank, Iran, South Yemen Movement, Mombasa Presenter, Female #1 The Syrian delegation participating in the summit of the Non-Alignment Movement held in the Iranian capital Tehran left the conference hall as soon as Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi began his speech, in which he attacked the Syrian government. Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Moallem accused the Egyptian president of inciting further bloodshed in Syria. As for the Iranian president, he accused the West of fabricating reasons to launch wars and crises to profit from the arms trade. Reporter, Male #1 Amid concerns that it will turn into a political platform for different agendas, the 16th summit of the Non-Aligned Movement opened in Tehran. In attendance are the presidents of 29 countries and governments, as the ministerial-level meeting represented the remaining members of the movement. India's participation was notable, and was represented by its prime minister. The presidents of Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Egypt were also present. And for the Gulf countries, only Qatar attended the summit and was represented by its prime minister. In addition, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and the Secretary-General of the Arab League Nabil al-Arabi were present. Reporter, Male #1 The Syrian crisis, the Iranian nuclear issue, and the Gulf-Iranian relations were the main topics discussed on the sidelines of the summit. The dispute over the means to solve these issues was clear, especially when it comes to the Syrian crisis. The Syrian delegation left the conference hall as soon as Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi started his speech, addressing what he called the revolutions of the Arab Spring and the situation in Syria. Reporter, Male #1 Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Moallem confirmed that the delegation withdrew in opposition to Morsi's speech that incited further Syrian bloodshed. Morsi had attacked the regime in Damascus, and proposed his initiative again to solve the crisis. Guest, Male #2 (Mohamed Morsi, Egyptian President) We all have to announce our full solidarity with the struggle of those seeking freedom and justice in Syria, and translate this sympathy into a clear political vision that supports a peaceful transition to a democratic system of rule. Reporter, Male #1 The Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic Ayatollah Khamenei dedicated a large portion of his opening speech to discuss Iran's right to using nuclear energy for peaceful purposes, saying that Tehran is not seeking to obtain nuclear weapons. Guest, Male #3 (Ayatollah Khamenei, Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran) We are committed to not seeking nuclear weapons, but this does not mean forgoing our right to peaceful use of nuclear power. The peaceful use of nuclear energy is a right of every country, without being subjected to pressure from other countries. Reporter, Male #1 Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad did not miss the opportunity to attack the West, and to accuse Western countries of fabricating crises and wars around the world, and of monopolizing the Security Council. Guest, Male #4 (Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Iranian President) There is a monopoly over the Security Council that strengthens Israel's control of Palestinian land and justifies the killings in Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Iraq. This monopoly does not lead to justice, because independent governments cannot refer to any authority to guarantee their rights. Reporter, Male #2 On the other hand, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's speech sharply condemned Iran's denial of the Holocaust during WWII, and Israel's right to exist. Iranian leaders and media outlets are pointing to the summit as evidence that Westerners have failed to isolate Iran over its nuclear program that led to UN-imposed sanctions on the country. Reporter, Male #2 Observers believe that Tehran's summit for the countries of Non-Aligned Movement will shape a diplomatic movement that may affect the path of the Syrian crisis, either negatively or positively, based on the outcome of meetings held at the sidelines of the summit. But, there is no doubt that it will constitute a platform dedicated to taking a stance on Israel and the Palestinian cause, and will work on easing Arab-Iranian relations. Alex Ayoub, BBC. http://news.linktv.org/videos/mosaic-news-082912?start=230 UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon arrived in the Iranian capital, Tehran, to take part in the 16th Summit of the Non-Aligned Movement. In a statement, Ban stressed the importance of Iran's role, both at the regional and international levels. Wed, 29 Aug 2012 00:00:00 -0700 http://news.linktv.org/videos/mosaic-news-082912 Israel, Syrian Civil War, Non-Aligned Movement, Syria, Damascus, France, Palestinians, Tehran, Palestinian prisoners in Israel, Ban Ki-moon Presenter, Male #1 UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon arrived in the Iranian capital, Tehran, to take part in the 16th Summit of the Non-Aligned Movement, or NAM. Upon his arrival, Ban Ki-moon met with Iranian Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani. Al-Alam channel received information that Ki-moon will meet the Supreme Leader of the Iranian Revolution, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Presenter, Male #1 Ki-moon will also discuss the Syrian crisis and Tehran's nuclear program with Iranian officials. The US and the Israeli entity opposed the visit and mounted pressure to block it. In a statement issued to the press, Ki-moon stressed the importance of Iran's role, both at the regional and international levels. Guest, Male #2, (Ban Ki-moon, UN Secretary-General) I would like to congratulate the Iranian government for organizing this summit. It is an important opportunity for Iran to play a very crucial role as a moderate and constructive leader in the international community and to address all the challenges. Tehran has an important and sensitive role to play in the region, and particularly in regard to the situation in Syria. I will discuss the Syrian issue with the Supreme Leader of the Iranian Revolution Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the Iranian President, and other leaders. I look forward to holding valuable and constructive talks with Iranian officials. Presenter, Male #1 The Non-Aligned Movement is hosting its 16th summit in Tehran amid anticipated changes to its framework. This, as the Islamic Republic of Iran received the three-year rotating presidency of the movement. Reporter, Male #3 The Non-Aligned Movement, NAM, was born in the midst of a bipolar world system shared between the US and the former Soviet Union. The nucleus of NAM was formed at the Bandung Conference that brought together Indonesia, Egypt, and India. Then, other countries unaffiliated to the Eastern or Western camp, were added with the aim of establishing a third polar camp on the international arena to bring harmony between third world countries. However, the movement's role started to dwindle in the 1980s due to its lack of strong mechanisms for an effective participation on the international stage. Reporter, Male #3 In the 1990s and after the Soviet Union disintegrated, the movement's declining role plummeted due to the growing US hegemony over international resolutions. It was the beginning of a new colonization period, led by American imperialism, which quickly seized on the void left by the collapse of the communist giant, and the end of the cold war. Amid rapid international developments following the expansion of US hegemony over the world, and in light of the absence of the competing red power, NAM's role continued to dwindle. However, an attempt to revive its role occurred at the Cuba summit in 2006, when member countries attempted to redefine its strategy in a bid to expand its role on the international scene. Reporter, Male #3 After this humble attempt by Havana, it was Egypt's turn to preside over the movement in 2009. Egypt launched another attempt to promote the movement's objectives, evoking memories of the establishment of NAM at the Bandung Conference. However, former Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak failed to take the movement toward its goal for independence and to revive its role on the international arena. All he did was gather the largest possible number of NAM's leaders in Sharm el-Sheikh without adopting effective and transparent mechanisms to help reactivate the movement's role on the world's decision-making stage. Reporter, Male #3 Now, Tehran's turn has finally come. Tehran, the capital of the revolution and the pioneer of Islamic awakening in the region, will launch a new beginning based on the influential and independent Iranian resolution aimed at countering the world's arrogant powers. Observers expect the Tehran summit to lead to a wide-scale restructuring operation aimed at charting a new roadmap for the movement and establishing effective mechanisms at the various political, economic, social, and cultural levels. Reporter, Male #3 The objective is to counter US dominance over UN resolutions and its plans aimed at imposing embargos and sanctions on NAM's member states, as well as to counter conspiracies targeting certain countries with the aim of luring them into the White House's trap. http://news.linktv.org/videos/mosaic-news-082312?start=909 <p>Activists lash out at Morocco's loyalty ceremony as "backward," Bahraini police attack protestors mourning slain teenager, Egypt's revolutionary socialists speak out against IMF loan, and more.</p> Thu, 23 Aug 2012 00:00:00 -0700 http://news.linktv.org/videos/mosaic-news-082312 Israel, Syrian Civil War, Iran-Israel relations, US Armed Forces, Aleppo, Protest, Syria, Politics of Syria, Leon Panetta, Iran Despite opposition from the United States and Israel, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has confirmed his intention to attend next week's scheduled summit of leaders from Non-Aligned Nations meeting in Tehran. Earlier this month, Prime Minister Netanyahu told Ban that such a move would be a "big mistake" that would grant legitimacy to Iran. http://news.linktv.org/videos/mosaic-news-080212?start=905 International envoy Kofi Annan resigned from his position as a mediator for the United Nations and the Arab League in Syria as the intensity of the battles in Aleppo heightens, with a number of residents fleeing to Idlib Province, reports New TV. Fri, 03 Aug 2012 00:00:00 -0700 http://news.linktv.org/videos/mosaic-news-080212 Nuclear program of Iran, Israel, Iran, Barack Obama, Sanctions against Iran, Al-Qaeda, Iran-Israel relations, Haredi Judaism, Total S.A., Sanaa Presenter, Female #1 Kofi Annan has resigned from his post and Ban Ki-moon is searching for a successor. Reporter, Male #1 "The militarization of the conflict and a lack of consensus led to a change in my role." With these words, international envoy Kofi Annan justified his resignation from his position as a mediator for the United Nations and the Arab League in Syria, in a last minute press conference announced by the United Nations. Guest, Male #2 (Kofi Annan, Outgoing UN Envoy) I did not receive all the support that the mission deserved. There are divisions within the international community, all of which complicated my duties. The increased militarization on the ground and the clear lack of unity at the Security Council fundamentally changed the circumstances for the effective exercise of my role. Syrian President Bashar al-Assad must resign, sooner or later, as part of the political transition process in Syria. I hope that my successor will have a bigger chance to move Syria towards a political transition. Reporter, Male #1 Annan's announcement was preceded by the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon's statement, in which he announced the resignation of the international envoy. He said that Annan placed all his capabilities and immense experience in the interest of the mission. He revealed that negotiations are taking place between the United Nations and the Arab League for the prompt appointment of a successor at this crucial stage. Ki-moon expressed his belief that bloodshed is not the solution in Syria, stressing that the six-point plan remains the best hope and solution for the Syrian people. Reporter, Male #1 Ki-moon assured that the ongoing divisions within the Security Council are obstacles to diplomacy, making it hard to agree on a mediator. He concluded by assuring that the United Nations is committed to continuing its diplomatic efforts to find a solution to the violence in the Syrian crisis. Presenter, Female #1 The fierce battles between the regime's army and the armed opposition are continuing in Aleppo, as Barack Obama approved sending support to the Free Army. Reporter, Female #2 As time passes, the intensity of the battles in Aleppo is heightened. Reports from the city indicate that gunmen seized three police stations, amid complaints that they are facing a shortage in military supplies, and are starting to deplete their ammunition. Meanwhile, Syrian army helicopters continue to shell neighborhoods, as videos were broadcast showing a number of bodies said to have been taken in the Salah ed-Din neighborhood. According to the United Nation's figures, 200,000 residents have deserted the city since the battles started. A number of them headed to Idlib Province, particularly to the neighboring town of Dana that is under the control of the Free Army. Guest, Male #3 Thank God that we are in Dana. The Free Army is in control of the city and its suburbs. As for the security aspect, the Free Army controls everything. Reporter, Female #2 However, features of a living crisis have started to appear. Guest, Male #4 The living conditions here are a little difficult because there is a large number of refugees. And it is difficult because most of Aleppo City's residents came here and to neighboring villages. There's also the shelling; they are trying to target bakeries. We are being shelled every day. Reporter, Female #2 And in this framework, the UN Food and Agriculture Organization warned that three million Syrians are in need of food in light of the current crisis. The Menagh Military Airport, located near Aleppo, was subjected to an attack by the Free Syrian Army with heavy weapons, including tanks they had seized. Reporter, Female #2 A correspondent for Agence France-Presse reported hearing explosions and machine gunfire from the airport, as the fighters confirmed the shelling was the result of an attack to seize the airport, from which helicopters and aircrafts shelling Aleppo are taking off. Meanwhile, the international observers' delegation is continuing its mission, touring al-Azamiyah, where the destruction is clear due to the fierce confrontations that took place between the regime's army and the opposition's gunmen. However, residents of the area expressed comfort over the presence of the regime's forces that set up a number of checkpoints in Damascus and its surroundings. Reporter, Female #2 In another development, American television stations announced that President Barack Obama signed a secret document authorizing support for the opposition fighters through secretive CIA action. Officials at the White House refused to comment on the information, but did not deny American support for anti-regime forces. http://news.linktv.org/videos/mosaic-news-080312?start=36 A large majority of the UN General Assembly backed a resolution on Syria condemning the government's use of heavy weapons, and criticized the UN Security Council's inability to take action in the face of the ongoing crisis in the country, reports BBC Arabic. Fri, 03 Aug 2012 00:00:00 -0700 http://news.linktv.org/videos/mosaic-news-080312 Syrian Civil War, Syria, Palestinians, Jerusalem, Israel, Bashar al-Assad, Obama administration foreign policy, UN Security Council, West Bank, Barack Obama Presenter, Male #1 A large majority of the UN General Assembly backed a resolution on Syria condemning the government's use of heavy weapons, and criticized the UN Security Council's inability to take action in the face of the ongoing crisis in the country. Guest, Male #2 (Bashar al-Ja'afari, Syrian Ambassador to the United Nations) The legitimate popular demands of the Syrian people are now being moved to the 3rd or 4th level of priorities by those who pretend to want to help the Syrian people. The foreign interference in our internal affairs and the smuggling of weapons, including stinger missiles, have only helped to push these legitimate demands for reform in the country from the first priority to priority number five or six. This foreign interference has transformed the agenda of priorities into an armed rebellion against the government and the state. Reporter, Female #1 Another non-binding resolution was reached by the international community, and although some described it as symbolic, several problems delayed it. The latest was the resignation of UN envoy to Syria Kofi Annan from his mission, intensifying the difficulty of finding a solution to the Syrian crisis. This pushed UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon to view the conflict in Syria as a test of the principles of the United Nations, comparing the current international stance to his helpless position before the massacres in Yugoslavia. Guest, Male #3 (Ban Ki-moon, UN Secretary-General) Eight days ago, I visited Srebrenica in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Srebrenica symbolizes one of the darkest chapters in the history of this organization, as the international community failed to protect civilians from the massacres. Reporter, Female #1 Ban Ki-moon called on major powers to overcome their differences to end the conflict in Syria, especially after these divisions became public, and could no longer be concealed, not even in front of the cameras of journalists. One of the main players in the Syrian crisis, Russia, broke diplomatic protocols yesterday when its representative spoke before the French representative, who is chairing the Security Council's sessions this month, causing the latter to respond. Guest, Male #4 The French ambassador, as you all know, there is a tradition for the chairman of the Security Council to speak first, but maybe the traditions have different meanings in different places. Reporter, Female #1 The real dispute it seems is no longer over who gets the first word; rather, it is over who will have the final say, especially since the path to reaching a solution no longer goes through the Security Council. The draft resolution presented to the General Assembly was a condemnation of the Security Council's inability to implement its resolutions, and a condemnation of the Syrian army's shelling of cities. It also included a call for Damascus to return its military and heavy weaponry to the barracks. The Security Council similarly condemned the Syrian regime on the same exact day one year ago; a condemnation that remained a declaration, not a resolution. Reporter, Female #1 So it seems a full year later, three veto-blocked resolutions have come full circle, vetoes used by Russia and China. And while it seems that the international divisions have no quick resolution on the dialogue table, all parties continue to implement policies that endorse a Syrian side. The Russian general staff announced that a new fleet of weapons is on its way to Syria one day after news was leaked that American President Barack Obama signing a secret document approving support for the Syrian opposition fighters. Reporter, Female #1 Some believe that the disputes and international tension has made the international powers unable to do anything in relation to the Syrian crisis. This diplomatic shortcoming has left the Syrian scene full of violence and militarization. Zeina al-Hayyan, BBC. http://news.linktv.org/videos/raw-video-kofi-annan-quits-impossible-syria-mission?start=0 Kofi Annan attacks '"finger-pointing and name-calling" at the UN Security Council as he announces his resignation as international peace envoy to Syria. Thu, 02 Aug 2012 10:56:00 -0700 http://news.linktv.org/videos/raw-video-kofi-annan-quits-impossible-syria-mission Kofi Annan, Kofi Annan peace plan for Syria, Syrian Civil War, Syria, United Nations, Arab League, UN Security Council, Diplomacy, Ban Ki-moon, Nabil al-Arabi Kofi Annan attacks '"finger-pointing and name-calling" at the UN Security Council as he announces his resignation as international peace envoy to Syria. http://news.linktv.org/videos/mosaic-news-072612?start=1136 UAE detains additional activists as crackdown on dissent continues, Israel orders the demolition of eight Palestinian villages to make way for army training land, Pakistan suspends NATO supply route over security concerns, and more.<br /> Thu, 26 Jul 2012 18:20:00 -0700 http://news.linktv.org/videos/mosaic-news-072612 Israel, Iran-Israel relations, Ehud Barak, Human rights, United Arab Emirates, Tunisia, Iran, Afghanistan, Human Rights Watch, Human rights in the United Arab Emirates Presenter, Male #1 The Syrian regime's army has regained control of Damascus, as clashes continued in Aleppo. Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said the opposition has started to expand its control over broader areas. Reporter, Female #1 Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has issued a decree establishing a court specialized in terror cases in Damascus. Meanwhile, clashes continued to rage between regime forces and opposition groups in some neighborhoods in the city of Aleppo and its countryside. Agence France-Presse quoted a security source saying the regime army is preparing to launch an imminent wide-scale attack on Aleppo. The regime's army has regained control of the capital, Damascus. Syrian TV said that the appropriate authorities have stormed an armed group's hideout in the village of Al-Dhaheriyah in the countryside of al-Qamishli in al-Hasaka Province, where they arrested the group members and seized their weapons. Reporter, Female #1 Politically, the Syrian foreign ministry said that the defected Syria ambassador to the United Arab Emirates, Abdulatif al- Dabbagh, has been relieved of his duty. The ministry further said that its envoy to Cyprus, Lamia Hariri, is not an ambassador, but a diplomat that has been running the Syrian embassy until an ambassador would have been appointed. In addition, the ministry said its security attache in the Sultanate of Oman, Mohammed Tahsin al-Faqir, does not hold any diplomatic or security status. During a press conference before leaving for London, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that President al-Assad and his close aides are close to leaving. Guest, Male #2 (Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Turkish Prime Minister) Al-Assad and his inner circle are about to leave, and preparations are underway for a new era. Reporter, Female #1 Herve Ladsous, Assistant to the UN Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations, discussed the UN observers' mission with the Syrian National Reconciliation Minister Ali Haidar Guest, Male #3 (Ali Haidar, Syrian National Reconciliation Minister) I held members of the UN Security Council responsible. They don't rely on the observers' reports even though they were the ones who deployed them. Reporter, Female #1 During a press conference with his Turkish counterpart, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that his country is ready to send Russian observers to Syria. Guest, Male #4 (Sergei Lavrov, Russian Foreign Minister) The UN decided to reduce the number of observers in Syria. My country is ready to send observers to Damascus. Reporter, Female #1 For his part, the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon urged the international community to learn from the mistakes made in Bosnia in a bid to prevent a repeat of those mistakes in Syria. Guest, Male #5 (Ban Ki-moon, UN Secretary-General) I don't want to see any of my successors visiting Syria in 20 years and apologizing for what we could have done now to protect civilians there. Reporter, Female #1 Ban Ki-moon also stressed the importance of mobilizing the international community to find a solution to the Syrian crisis. ** Contact Mosaic News: mosaicnews{at}linktv{dot}org http://news.linktv.org/videos/syrian-army-leaves-trail-of-devastation-in-damascus-neighborhood?start=0 Syrian residents say pro-government militia are regrouping and carrying out atrocities against civilians as they take back control of rebel areas. Alex Thomson reports from inside the suburb of al-Midan. Mon, 23 Jul 2012 15:25:00 -0700 http://news.linktv.org/videos/syrian-army-leaves-trail-of-devastation-in-damascus-neighborhood Al-Midan, Damascus, Battle of Damascus, Syria, Syrian army, Syrian Civil War, Looting, Free Syrian Army, Bashar al-Assad, Aleppo UN Chief Ban Ki-moon says he is worried about the threat of chemical weapon use from Syria, while residents say pro-government militia are regrouping and carrying out atrocities against civilians. Alex Thomson reports from inside the Damascus suburb of al-Midan. http://news.linktv.org/videos/international-leaders-call-for-al-assad-to-resign?start=0 Britain and the United States have called for Syrian president Bashar al-Assad to step down and UN chief Ban Ki-moon has urged the Security Council to take strong action. Thu, 19 Jul 2012 09:07:00 -0700 http://news.linktv.org/videos/international-leaders-call-for-al-assad-to-resign Bashar al-Assad, Syrian Civil War, Syria, UN Security Council, Battle of Damascus, UN Security Council Resolution, Dawoud Rajiha, Assef Shawkat, Ban Ki-moon, United Nations Britain and the United States have called for Syrian president Bashar al-Assad to step down and UN chief Ban Ki-moon has urged the Security Council to take strong action. http://news.linktv.org/videos/suicide-bomber-strikes-at-heart-of-syrian-regime?start=0 Syrian state TV is reporting a major bombing at the country's national security headquarters in Damascus. The dead include Defense Minister Dawoud Rajha and his deputy Assef Shawkat, who was also President Bashar al-Assad's brother-in-law. Wed, 18 Jul 2012 08:45:00 -0700 http://news.linktv.org/videos/suicide-bomber-strikes-at-heart-of-syrian-regime Syrian Civil War, Battle of Damascus, Dawoud Rajiha, Damascus, Assef Shawkat, Syria, Bashar al-Assad, Suicide attack, Defence minister, UN Security Council Syrian state TV is reporting a major bombing at the country's national security headquarters in Damascus. The dead include Defense Minister Dawoud Rajha and his deputy Assef Shawkat, who was also President Bashar al-Assad's brother-in-law. Meanwhile, intensifying fighting in the Syrian capital is fueling fears that the embattled regime may use chemical weapons as a last-ditch defense, and concerns also remain about securing the country's stockpiles should the government fall. http://news.linktv.org/videos/democracy-now-july-9-2012?start=676 As UN envoy Kofi Annan announces a new peace deal aimed at halting violence in Syria, opposition groups have demanded that any transition deal include the prosecution of President Bashar al-Assad for war crimes. Mon, 09 Jul 2012 14:17:00 -0700 http://news.linktv.org/videos/democracy-now-july-9-2012 United States, Bashar al-Assad, Kofi Annan, Syrian Civil War, Politics of the United States, Syria, Kofi Annan peace plan for Syria, War Crime, Heat wave, Oakland City Council United Nations and Arab League envoy Kofi Annan met today with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in the midst of worsening violence. Syria's 16-month conflict has so far claimed more than 15,000 lives. Annan said today's last-ditch attempt to salvage a peace effort ended with an agreement on how end the violence, but he did not disclose details. Earlier, he acknowledged his six-point peace plan had failed to halt the fighting between anti-government forces and the Assad regime. "The bottom line is that the majority of the country is engaged in a popular revolution for freedom, for democracy, for dignity," says Rafif Jouejati, the English-language spokesperson for the Syrian Local Coordination Committees, a network of activists throughout the country. "We have mountains of evidence indicating that his armed forces have been engaged in systematic torture, rampant detentions, massacres across the country." We begin today's show with Syria, where U.N. and Arab League envoy Kofi Annan met today with President Bashar al-Assad in the midst of worsening violence. Syria's 16-month conflict has so far claimed more than 15,000 lives. Annan said today's last-ditch attempt to salvage a peace effort ended with an agreement on how to end the violence, but he did not disclose details. Earlier, he acknowledged his six-point peace plan had failed to halt the fighting between anti-government forces and the Assad regime. U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon warned Sunday the conflict has taken a turn for the worse. SECRETARY-GENERAL BAN KI-MOON: The situation on the ground has deteriorated dramatically and has become more militarized. Appalling violations of human rights continue to take place, and at least 1.5 million people are in need of urgent humanitarian aid. Annan's arrival in Syria comes as dozens more were reportedly killed across the country, and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton warned that time is running out to save Syria from a, quote, "catastrophic assault." SECRETARY OF STATE HILLARY CLINTON: The future, to me, should be abundantly clear to those who support the Assad regime: the days are numbered. And the sooner there can be an end to the violence and a beginning of a political transition process, not only will fewer people die, but there's a chance to save the Syrian state from a catastrophic assault that would be very dangerous not only to Syria but to the region. Earlier, at an international "Friends of Syria" gathering in Paris, Clinton pressed for greater sanctions against the Assad regime, invoking the threat of Chapter 7 under the U.N. Charter, which includes measures ranging from economic embargoes to military force. Meanwhile, in a rare television interview with the German public broadcaster, ARD, aired Sunday, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad was asked about the role of the United States and accused the country of complicity in the violence. It's part of the conflict. They give—they offer the umbrella and the political support to those gangs to create destability or to destabilize Syria. You say the United States is politically supporting the rebels. Yeah. Is that correct? Yeah, exactly. And you say these rebels, who you call "terrorists," kill civilians. This means you're accusing the American government of being at least partly responsible for the killing of innocent Syrian civilians. Is that correct? Of course, exactly. As long as you offer any kind of support to terrorists, you're a partner. Whether you send them armament or money or public support, political support—in the United Nations, anywhere, any kind of support—this is implication. President Bashar al-Assad during this rare television interview with German public broadcaster ARD. The interview came as the regime suffered its highest-level defection to date. On Thursday, Syrian General Manaf Tlas, a member of Assad's inner circle, fled to Turkey, reportedly over his anger at the Syrian government's killing of civilians. Well, for more, we're going to Washington, D.C., to be joined by Rafif Jouejati, the English-language spokesperson for the Syrian Local Coordination Committees, a network of activists throughout the country. Let's start off with that last point, the significance of this latest high-level defection, Rafif. Sure. It's significant in that it is very high-level. Manaf Tlas is a very close friend of the Assad family. He was a very close friend of the deceased Bassel al-Assad and continued the friendship with Bashar. Manaf Tlas's defection also signals the wave of high-level defections that are taking place with increasing rapidity. Talk about the situation overall right now in Syria—estimates of, what, 15,000 dead. Sure. There are some 15,000 dead. There are some 200,000 people in prison. We have more than 1.5 million displaced people, internally displaced people, who are at risk of starvation. We have disaster cities all around the country. And we have some entire villages and towns that have been obliterated. So it's very dire, indeed. The humanitarian situation is probably the most critical we've ever seen. In this rare TV interview that President Assad did with the German public broadcaster, ARD, Assad was asked whether he was scared of meeting the same fate as former Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak or Libya's Colonel Muammar Gaddafi. This was his response. If I want to describe two different situations you're talking about, describing what happened to al-Gaddafi, this is savage, this is crime. Whatever he did, whatever he was, nobody in the world can accept what happened, to kill somebody like this. What happened to Mubarak is different. It's a trial. Any citizen, when he watches a trial on TV, he would think that "I don't want to be in that position." So the answer is: don't do like him. Don't do like him. But to compare or to be scared, you have to—I mean, to be scared, you have to compare. Do we have something in common? No, it's a completely different situation. What's happening in Egypt is different from what's happening in Syria. The historical context is different. The social fabric is different. And our policy was always different. So, what's in common? You cannot compare. That's Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Rafif, your response to that point and also the one he raised earlier that the U.S. is funding the opposition? His point that you cannot compare Libya and Egypt to Syria, he's partially right. He has committed far more atrocities, we believe, than Muammar Gaddafi managed to do or that Hosni Mubarak managed to do. The other thing is that Muammar Gaddafi and Hosni Mubarak did not inherit power from their fathers. So there is a little bit of a different situation. Now, what has happened to Gaddafi and what has happened to Mubarak may very well be the fate Assad suffers. He may suffer a worse fate. We are pushing for full prosecution in the International Criminal Court, but you never know if the Syrian people, the Syrian street, doesn't take matters into its own hands. And his point about the United States and its involvement in supporting the opposition or the "terrorists," as Assad calls them? Well, the United States has been very vocal in pledging support to the opposition. They are pledging non-lethal aid. They're pledging an increase in humanitarian assistance to help the people suffering in Syria. I don't know that this makes the United States a terrorist country. In fact, Assad has blamed almost everybody in the world but himself. We have to keep in mind that he is responsible for the massacres. He is responsible for the current chaos in Syria. In the German interview that he did this weekend, Bashar al-Assad said most of the people being killed in the country are sympathetic to his regime. If you want to know who killed, you have first to know who has been killed. We cannot tell about the criminal without knowing about the victims. Those victims that you're talking about, the majority of them are government supporters. So, how can you be the criminal and the victim at the same time? The majority are people who support the government, and large part of the others are innocent people who's been killed by different groups in Syria. President Assad went on to explain who he holds responsible for the Houla massacre in May, where, according to the United Nations, 108 people were killed, including 34 women and 49 children. Gangs came in hundreds from outside the city, not from inside the city, and they attacked the city. And they attacked the law enforcement forces unit inside the city. And then they killed many families and, as you mentioned, children and women. And actually, those families that's been killed, they are government supporters, not opposition. Rafif Jouejati, your response? I'm not sure if Bashar al-Assad is simply experiencing a lapse in reality or if this is just part of a misinformation or disinformation campaign. The bottom line is that the majority of the country is engaged in a popular revolution for freedom, for democracy, for dignity. And he cannot take that away with a few simple words. We have mountains of evidence indicating that his armed forces have been engaged in systematic torture, rampant detentions, massacres across the country. When we talk about the Houla massacre specifically, he does not mention that his regime forces had surrounded the area for days and were shelling it. Opposition—armed opposition elements could not have penetrated if they had wanted to. He doesn't mention the ongoing 30-day shelling of additional parts of Homs. So I think he, perhaps, has lost touch with reality and maybe doesn't know what's actually happening in his country. In May of this year, Democracy Now! spoke to Charles Glass, the award-winning journalist specializing in the Middle East, who had just returned from Syria. He said most of the people he spoke to there were opposed to military intervention. CHARLES GLASS: Well, they all remember what happened when the United States invaded Iraq, and they don't want that kind of chaos. They don't want a total destruction of the state and then a prolonged civil war with the ethnic and sectarian cleansings that they saw in Iraq. Remember, they received over two million refugees from Iraq who were fleeing the chaos that came after the American invasion. They don't want to be subject to that themselves. And surely, those who use the massacre as a justification to call for Western air strikes or Western invasion should think that actually this massacre should be a reminder of what could happen not only without an invasion, but because of an invasion. That's journalist Charles Glass. Rafif Jouejati, your response? So, I really think that no Syrian wants military intervention simply for the sake of military intervention. We have been pushing along the lines of civil disobedience, creative nonviolence, supporting the sanctions, engaging in general strikes across the country. In fact, we had some very successful ones just yesterday across the whole country. But the Assad regime is one that only knows violence, and it appears that Assad and his cronies will only go through violence. So, we have to look at the options available to us— Rafif— —in how to overthrow the government. What about what's happening right now? What about Kofi Annan, the U.N. and Arab League envoy to Syria, meeting with Assad today? Kofi Annan, by his own admission, has tendered a failed peace plan, and apparently he has reached some agreement with Bashar al-Assad on a political solution, but they have not communicated what that is. What I do know is there's a lot of talk of a peaceful transition, and there's some talk about power sharing. And I can tell you that the power-sharing scenario is most likely totally unacceptable to the Syrian street. Any sort of dialogue with the regime is tantamount to negotiating with one's executioner, and I believe that is entirely unacceptable. What have you heard about the latest news of security forces shelling parts of Deir al-Zour, Dara'a, Homs, Aleppo and Damascus, reports of more than a hundred people killed, mainly civilian? Yes, this happens every day. This is part of what we wake up to. It's what we go to sleep with. The daily killings are routine for the Assad regime. You name a city, it is either being shelled or the people who are going out in demonstrations are being shot at. This is daily. So, right now, in terms of the Syrian activists that you've been communicating across Syria and also outside of the country, what do you demand at this point, Rafif? Well, many of us are demanding increased sanctions, enforceable sanctions. We're demanding more pressure on Russia to halt arms shipments to Syria, the very weapons that are killing civilians. We are demanding that the U.N. step up to the plate, that Kofi Annan stop reassuring us with his hopes for a better future and realize that hope is not a strategy. If we are going to move to any sort of negotiated peace plan or any sort of transitional framework, we want to make sure there are mechanisms to enforce a ceasefire. Those are the kinds of things we're demanding. Where do you see—where do you see President Assad going, and his family? I would like to think that we will proceed with full prosecution in the International Criminal Court. I think the longer this issue goes on and the more violence he commits, the more likely he will wish to have a fate such as Gaddafi's. Rafif Jouejati, I want to thank you for being with us, English-language spokesperson— Thank you. —for the Syrian Local Coordination Committees, a network of activists throughout Syria. She's based in Washington, D.C. http://news.linktv.org/videos/attacked-at-home-australias-carbon-tax-wins-important-fans-abroad?start=0 United Nations secretary Ban Ki-moon has lauded Prime Minister Julia Gillard's impending carbon tax at the G20 summit in Mexico, but this hasn't dampened opposition to the new regulations back in Australia. Thu, 21 Jun 2012 08:40:00 -0700 http://news.linktv.org/videos/attacked-at-home-australias-carbon-tax-wins-important-fans-abroad Julia Gillard, Carbon tax, Rio+20, 2012 G20 Mexico summit, Tony Abbott, Australia, Ban Ki-moon, United Nations, Craig Emerson, Earth Summit United Nations secretary Ban Ki-moon has lauded Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard's impending carbon tax at the G20 summit in Mexico, but this hasn't dampened opposition to the new regulations at home. http://news.linktv.org/videos/democracy-now-june-8-2012?start=123 Bradley Manning appears at a pretrial hearing in a military court ahead of his September trial, as a new book documents his trajectory from a difficult childhood to his current predicament. And more from the Democracy Now! interview with the filmmakers behind "Five Broken Cameras," a new documentary that tells the story of a West Bank village's resistance to the Israeli separation barrier. Plus headlines, and more.<br /> Fri, 08 Jun 2012 12:05:00 -0700 http://news.linktv.org/videos/democracy-now-june-8-2012 Bradley Manning, WikiLeaks, Whistleblower, United States v. Bradley Manning, United States, Court-martial, Trial, Military justice, 2012 al-Qubair massacre, Bil'in The crisis in Syria is intensifying following a massacre of Sunni villagers in Hama province. Witnesses and activists say government-backed forces killed up to 86 people in the village of Kubair, around half of them women and children. Most of the victims were burned in their own homes, with many bodies showing signs of grizzly murders. The massacre reportedly came after dozens of Syrian troops and militia members surrounded the village from all directions. On Thursday, Syrian troops blocked U.N. monitors from reaching the village, and some observers came under fire as they tried to approach. The attack in Hama came less than two weeks after pro-government forces killed more than 100 civilians in the village of Houla. The Syrian government has denied responsibility for both atrocities, blaming rebel "terrorists." Annan: Ceasefire in Tatters, Assad Primarily Responsible At the United Nations, international envoy Kofi Annan acknowledged his ceasefire plan has failed and said responsibility first rests with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Kofi Annan: "Today, despite the acceptance of the six-point plan and the deployment of a courageous mission of United Nations observers to Syria, I must be frank and confirm that the plan is not being implemented. Clearly, all parties must cease violence, but equally clearly, the first responsibility lies with the government. Since then, shelling of cities has intensified. Government-backed militia seem to have free reign with appalling consequences." Also in his remarks, Annan renewed his warning that Syria may already be in the midst of a catastrophic civil war. Kofi Annan: "Given the level of violence and the actors on the ground, you could say we are drifting, if we are not already, in a sort of a civil war. All efforts are being made to ensure that if it were to become a full-blown civil war, it doesn't spread to the neighbors." Ban Condemns "Unspeakable Barbarity" in Syria Massacre Appearing with Kofi Annan, U.N. Security-General Ban Ki-moon condemned the massacre in Hama. Ban Ki-moon: "Any regime or leader that tolerates such killing of innocents has lost its fundamental humanity. Today's news reports of another massacre in al-Kubeir and Kafr Zeta are shocking and sickening — a village apparently surrounded by Syrian forces, the bodies of innocent civilians lying there. They were shot, some allegedly burned or slashed with knives. We condemn this unspeakable barbarity and renew our determination to bring those responsible to account." Russia Calls for Iran Role in Talks, Rejects Intervention Members of the U.N. Security Council remain at an impasse over an international response to Syria's turmoil. Kofi Annan has proposed establishing a new contact group involving the United States, Russia and Iran, but the United States has refused to accept Iran's involvement. Russia and China continue to oppose proposals for sanctions against Syria and the U.S.-led calls for Assad to step down. At the United Nations, Russia envoy Vitaly Churkin said Council members have ignored the role of Syria's armed rebels in the ongoing violence and called for Iran's involvement in any future talks. Vitaly Churkin: "The truth of the matter, as you know, is that armed opposition groups do not only — do not only fail to comply to the Kofi Annan plan, but they declare that it is their intention not to do so, which, to us, is a very dangerous development, a very counterproductive development. We hear complaints about Iran, so the way to deal with that is to involve Iran in discussions and make sure that their activities are in sync with the activities of the rest of us who want to have this matter finally settled peacefully." Earlier in the day, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov vowed to oppose any Security Council measure authorizing military intervention, saying: "There will not be a Security Council mandate for outside intervention, I guarantee you that." Clinton: Assad "Has Doubled Down on Brutality" Speaking during a visit to Turkey, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton renewed the Obama administration's call for the immediate departure of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Hillary Clinton: "Assad has doubled down on his brutality and duplicity, and Syria will not, cannot be peaceful, stable or certainly democratic until Assad goes. So even as we intensify the sanctions pressure, because as we were meeting in Istanbul, the sanctions working committee of the Friends of the Syrian People was meeting in Washington, the time has come for the international community to unite around a plan for a post-Assad Syria." http://news.linktv.org/videos/un-delivers-bleak-assessment-on-syria-calls-for-international-action?start=0 Kofi Annan, the joint UN-Arab League envoy to Syria, has admitted that his peace plan is failing and that the country's future will consist of "brutal suppression, massacres, sectarian violence and even all-out civil war" if it continues on its current path. Fri, 08 Jun 2012 09:50:00 -0700 http://news.linktv.org/videos/un-delivers-bleak-assessment-on-syria-calls-for-international-action Syrian Civil War, Kofi Annan, Ban Ki-moon, Syria, 2012 al-Qubair massacre, Civil war, Houla massacre, Bashar Jaafari, UN Secretary-General, Kofi Annan peace plan for Syria Kofi Annan, the joint United Nations-Arab League envoy to Syria, has admitted that his peace plan is failing and that the country's future will consist of "brutal suppression, massacres, sectarian violence and even all-out civil war" if it continues on its current path. In a speech to the UN General Assembly on Thursday, Annan confirmed that massacres of civilians have taken place in the towns of Houla and al-Qubayr. While not assigning blame for the mass killings, the former UN secretary general said that the government, not the armed opposition, had the "first responsibility" to halt violence. Al Jazeera's Kristen Saloomey reports from the UN Headquarters in New York. http://news.linktv.org/videos/un-warns-syria-is-headed-for-all-out-civil-war?start=0 The United Nations says there has been a dangerous escalation of violence in Syria and warned the country is on the path to a civil war. "The trail of blood leads back to those responsible," said UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. Fri, 08 Jun 2012 08:52:00 -0700 http://news.linktv.org/videos/un-warns-syria-is-headed-for-all-out-civil-war 2012 al-Qubair massacre, al-Qubair, Syrian Civil War, Syria, Kofi Annan, Ban Ki-moon, Bashar al-Assad, Hama Governorate, Civil war, Houla massacre The United Nations says there has been a dangerous escalation of violence in Syria and warned the country is on the path to a civil war. Comments made yesterday showed a marked change in tone, clearly aimed at building pressure on the Assad government. "The trail of blood leads back to those responsible," said UN Secretary-General Ban-ki Moon. Meanwhile Kofi Annan admitted his peace plan is not working. "If things do not change, the future is likely to be one of brutal repression, massacres, sectarian violence, and even all-out civil war," he said. http://news.linktv.org/videos/mosaic-news-060512?start=659 <p>Egyptians rally in Tahrir Square to demand revolutionary justice, Erdogan asserts Turkey's regional role as Istanbul hosts the World Economic Forum, forced displacement of Palestinians continues on the 45th anniversary of the Naksa, and more.</p> Tue, 05 Jun 2012 00:00:00 -0700 http://news.linktv.org/videos/mosaic-news-060512 Illegal immigration from Africa to Israel, Jerusalem, Israel, Migrant worker, Illegal Immigration, Hosni Mubarak, Naksa, Syrian Civil War, Nuclear program of Iran, Human rights in Bahrain Presenter, Female #1 Russia stressed that keeping Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in power is not a precondition. The Gulf Cooperation Council condemned the violence against civilians. And the Syrian Foreign Ministry confirmed the ambassadors of Western countries are no longer welcome in Damascus. Reporter, Female #2 The Syrian crisis was present in Russian President Vladimir Putin's discussions in Beijing. Putin is there to attend a security summit. Chinese TV confirmed the Russian president and his Chinese counterpart Hu Jintao urged the international community to support the plan of the UN envoy Kofi Annan. Reporter, Female #2 Meanwhile, Russia confirmed that maintaining the Syrian president in power is not a precondition to reaching a solution in Syria. On the sidelines of the meeting of the Islamic Development Bank Group in Jeddah, the UN secretary-general urged President Bashar al-Assad's government to immediately end the violence. Guest, Male #1 (Ban Ki-moon, UN Secretary-General) We are deeply troubled by what has been going on. President Bashar al-Assad's government must stop the violence immediately in the name of humanity, and start a political dialogue with its foes. Annan's plan remains central to the resolution of the Syrian crisis. Reporter, Female #2 In another development, the Gulf Cooperation Council condemned the ongoing violence against civilians in Syria. Guest, Male #2 (Saud al-Faisal, Saudi Foreign Minister) We hold the UN Security Council responsible for fulfilling its duties as stipulated by the UN Charter, and take the necessary measures to guarantee the immediate implementation of the joint envoy's plan, in accordance with Chapter 7 of the Charter. Reporter, Female #2 Meanwhile, after meeting with the head of the observers' delegation Robert Mood, Syrian Deputy Foreign Minister Faisal al-Miqdad confirmed that Syria is keen to successfully implement the Annan plan. Guest, Male #3 (Faisal al-Miqdad, Syrian Deputy Foreign Minister) The impasse was not caused by the Syrian side, but by the other side. We have long waited for the other side to correct its policies and positions, so that it will provide the necessary support to Annan's mission and the observers' mission. But unfortunately, we were forced to take these measures because the others do not want this delegation to succeed in its mission, nor do they want Syria to restore stability and security. Reporter, Female #2 The Syrian Foreign Ministry issued a statement announcing that ambassadors of Western countries are no longer welcome in the country. On the ground, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights confirmed that regime forces stormed the town of al-Hafa in the countryside of Latakia amid fierce clashes with some fighters. Reporter, Female #2 The Observatory said earlier that regime forces, reinforced with tanks and personnel carriers, also stormed the town of Kfar Zita in the countryside of Hama. Meanwhile, artillery shelling continues on neighborhoods in Homs. On the other hand, the Observatory said five security members were injured when an explosive device was detonated in the city of Idlib. http://news.linktv.org/videos/mosaic-news-060112?start=364 UN warnings of a full-fledged civil war have been issued for Syria, as Syrians held demonstrations on a Friday titled "The children of Houla are the torches of victory," and a new massacre was committed in the countryside of al-Qusayr, New TV reports. Fri, 01 Jun 2012 00:00:00 -0700 http://news.linktv.org/videos/mosaic-news-060112 Syrian Civil War, Houla massacre, Yemen Uprising, Palestinians, Israel, Syria, Ban Ki-moon, Istanbul, 2011-2012 Jordanian Protests, Egyptian presidential election, 2012 Presenter, Male #1 An international warning of a full-fledged civil war has been issued for Syria. Syrians held demonstrations on a Friday titled "The children of Houla are the torches of victory," and a new massacre was committed in the countryside of al-Qusayr, targeting workers. Reporter, Female #1 The international community has heightened its warning to a looming civil war in Syria. During a joint press conference with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Russian President Vladimir Putin said there are emerging elements of a civil war in Syria. Guest, Male #2 (Vladimir Putin, Russian President) Today, we are seeing emerging elements of civil war in Syria. It is extremely dangerous. Russia doesn't support any side of the conflict, and does not supply Damascus with weapons that could be used in a civil war. Guest, Female #2 (Angela Merkel, German Chancellor) We both made clear that we are pushing for a political solution, and that Annan's plan can be a starting point. Reporter, Female #1 For his part, British Foreign Minister William Hague stressed the importance of implementing the Annan plan and reiterated his country's fear of a civil war in Syria. This came during talks held by Hague with the Syrian opposition and UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in Istanbul. Guest, Male #3 William Hague, British Foreign Minister) The United Nations secretary-general and I, as well as the Syrian opposition, believe that Syria is on the edge of an all-out civil war and a collapse into sectarian strife. Reporter, Female #1 For her part, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay, said a full-fledged conflict in Syria would put the entire region "in grave danger." She also called on the international community to support the Annan plan. In a statement read by her representative at the UN Human Rights Council's special session on Syria, Pillay said Syrian forces and militias accused of committing a massacre in Houla could face prosecution for crimes against humanity. Reporter, Female #1 In response to a call by the opposition, Syrians held anti-regime demonstrations on a Friday titled "The children of Houla are the torches of victory." The demonstrations were held in honor of the children killed in the Houla massacre in Homs Province. The participants chanted anti-regime slogans. Reporter, Female #1 On the other hand, Syrian state television broadcast scenes of al-Gha'eb, or the missing prayers, for the martyrs of al-Houla massacre. The prayers were held at the Great Umayyad Mosque in Damascus and other mosques in Aleppo and Latakia. On the ground, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said 12 workers were killed on a bus while traveling across the countryside of al-Qusayr. The victims were shot to death after their hands were tied behind their backs. The Observatory called on the international observers to visit al-Qusayr and investigate the killings. In Homs, activists uploaded videos online showing neighborhoods being shelled as international observers toured the city. http://news.linktv.org/videos/mosaic-news-060112?start=888 <p>Jordanians take to the streets against price hikes, Houthis agree to take part in Yemen's national dialogue, UN members warn of civil war in Syria on the Friday of the children of Houla, and more.</p> Fri, 01 Jun 2012 00:00:00 -0700 http://news.linktv.org/videos/mosaic-news-060112 Syrian Civil War, Houla massacre, Yemen Uprising, Palestinians, Israel, Syria, Ban Ki-moon, Istanbul, 2011-2012 Jordanian Protests, Egyptian presidential election, 2012 Presenter, Male #1 In the Turkish city of Istanbul, the UN-sponsored conference to help Somalia concluded its second and final day. The conference praised the cooperation of Somalia's neighboring countries and the African Union in helping to bring an end to the violence. It also discussed economic development plans tied to implementing national reconciliation, and improving security and stability in the country. Reporter, Male #2 The Somali dilemma, according to the international community, and as described by some, was the focus of an international meeting that lasted for two days in the Turkish city of Istanbul. Participants discussed taunting Somali issues, and shared ideas that could put an end to years of political and economic turmoil, the result of a civil war that has placed a heavy burden on the country for years. This is the second conference on Somalia and was preceded by the London conference. It explored a number of essential issues, including envisioning the future of Somalia after the current transitional government's term ends, as well as economic and security issues. Guest Male #3 (Ban Ki-moon, UN Secretary-General) The success of the next Somali government is related to acquiring the people's trust. The Somali constitution will be drafted soon, and will then be put to referendum. We are in need of a major investment plan to restore economic stability to Somalia. Reporter, Male #2 Peace, political equality and economic problems are interrelated in this poor African country. African aid, received through AMISOM forces, and confrontations between government forces and gunmen known as the Shabaab movement, were also essential topics discussed at the conference. The consensus was that a return of calm to the Somali capital is required for rebuilding the state and for any economic development. Guest, Male #4 (Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, Somali President) The Somali Federal Transitional Government started to move forward and work on liberating all Somali land, in addition to taking control of all cities, towns, and villages, and providing basic services to these newly-liberated areas. Reporter, Male #2 The conference, which was attended by representatives of 54 countries with the participation of dozens of figures of all segments of the Somali society, paves the way for anticipated political developments after the rule of the current government and the transitional parliament ends. It also opens the door to the establishment of new institutions on August 20th. But observers noted that all Somali factions participated in the conference, including the regions of Bont Land and Ard al-Somal, but not the armed Shabaab movement. This raised questions over the possibility of implementing the decisions of this conference on the ground. http://news.linktv.org/videos/mosaic-news-053112?start=787 In Syria, 14 people were killed Thursday, most in the shelling of Homs Province, reports BBC Arabic. The Syrian National Council called on UN observers to quickly head to al-Houla to protect the remaining civilians after a wave of people fled the region. Thu, 31 May 2012 00:00:00 -0700 http://news.linktv.org/videos/mosaic-news-053112 Israel, Car bomb, Iran, Ghazaliya, Palestinians, Human rights in the United Arab Emirates, Iran-Israel relations, Syrian Civil War, Baku, Illegal immigration from Africa to Israel Presenter, Male #1 In Syria, 14 people were killed today, including nine who died in the shelling of the city of al-Qasir in Homs Province. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, rockets fell on the city of al-Houla as well. The Local Coordination Committees said Syrian regime forces attempted to take over al-Qasir and its surrounding villages. The Syrian National Council called on the international observers' delegation to quickly head to al-Houla to end the shelling, and protect the remaining civilians that are there after a wave of people fled the region. Reporter, Male #2 International pressure has not succeeded in ending the violence and the military operations, nor has it healed the region of al-Houla, which witnessed a massacre last week that was condemned by the world. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and the Coordination Committees, and a number of activists reported the shelling was resumed Thursday morning on al-Houla of Homs Province, and that a boy died this morning in Til Taw after being shot by a sniper. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said people are fleeing the areas getting shelled in fear of a new massacre, and heading toward other towns in the region of al-Houla. On the other hand, the Syrian authorities released 500 detainees, saying they have no blood on their hands. Guest, Female #1 (Syrian TV) Specialized institutions released 500 people who were involved in the events that Syria has been witnessing, since their hands were not stained with blood. Reporter, Male #2 In the latest news of defections, a group of defectors formed the armored brigade of Khan Shaykhun. They also burned a tank and captured a soldier, who later saluted the Free Army. Reporter, Male #2 In Damascus and Aleppo, as well as in a large number of areas, people are on strike, and shops are closed. On the other hand, there are attempts to urge or violently force people to open their shops. Reporter, Male #2 These young women did not hesitate to gather, rally, and protest to express their support. Reporter, Male #2 Politically, US State Secretary Hillary Clinton sharply criticized Russia over its rejection of any UN intervention in Syria. She warned that Russia's policies may lead to a civil war in the country. For his part, the head of the opposition Syrian National Council Burhan Ghalioun rejected Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov's accusation that he is inciting civil war. Ghalioun called on Moscow to cooperate with the international community. In a conference in Istanbul, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said "the massacres of the sort seen last weekend could plunge Syria into a catastrophic civil war." Guest, Male #4 (Ban Ki-Moon, UN Secretary-General) The UN did not deploy in Syria just to bear witness to the slaughter of innocents. We are not there to play the role of passive observer to unspeakable atrocities. Reporter, Male #2 The pressure and search for an exit from the Syrian crisis is ongoing. As for al-Houla, it continues to mourn its dead. On Thursday, it held a funeral for two of its dead amid angry chants. Essam Abdullah, BBC. http://news.linktv.org/videos/mosaic-news-051812?start=265 <p>Massive protests in Aleppo as UN chief blames al-Qaeda for Syria attacks, Iranians rally to denounce Bahrain-Saudi Arabia union, UN Security Council demands Sudan withdraw from disputed Abyei region, and more.</p> Fri, 18 May 2012 00:00:00 -0700 http://news.linktv.org/videos/mosaic-news-051812 Syrian Civil War, Syria, Israel, United Nations, Iran, UN Security Council, Bashar al-Assad, Ban Ki-moon, Gaza blockade, Bahrain Uprising At a press conference in the Syrian capital Damascus, the head of the UN observers' mission in Syria Major-General Robert Mood says his mission has been able to reduce violence in the country, calling on all sides to give his mission more chances to bring the crisis to an end. Meanwhile, the United Nations has admitted to al-Qaeda involvement in the ongoing unrest in the country. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon says al-Qaeda is responsible for the recent terrorist bomb blasts in Syria. http://news.linktv.org/videos/mosaic-news-042712?start=611 WARNING: Graphic Content. Another explosion targeting the Syrian neighborhood of al-Midan in central Damascus killed and injured a number of people, as the regime and the opposition described the act as "terrorism" and trade blame, New TV reports. Fri, 27 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0700 http://news.linktv.org/videos/mosaic-news-042712 Syrian Civil War, Cairo, Politics of Jordan, Yemen, Bahrain Uprising, Egyptian presidential election, 2012, Politics of Iraq, Greater and Lesser Tunbs, US-Israel relations, Islamic Unification Movement Presenter, Male #1 Another explosion targeting the Syrian neighborhood of al-Midan in central Damascus killed and injured a number of people, as the regime and the opposition described the act as "terrorism" and trade blame. And while protests demanding the downfall of the regime continue, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called on Damascus to immediately withdraw its forces. Reporter, Female #2 A suicide bombing shook the neighborhood of al-Midan in the center of the Syrian capital Damascus. At least nine people were killed as a result, and dozens were injured, with body parts seen scattered across two medical centers. The same site had witnessed a similar explosion in January that led to the killing of 27 people. The official news agency SANA described the blast as a terrorist operation carried out by a suicide bomber. Syrian TV raised the death toll to 11, adding that 28 civilians and members of the security forces were injured, broadcasting videos of the explosion site under al-Midan's bridge near Zein al-Abidin Mosque. The images showed traces of blood and body parts and a nearly-destroyed small bus, in addition to two security members transporting an injured person to what looked like a Red Crescent ambulance. Reporter, Female #2 The Syrian Revolution's General Commission held the regime responsible for the explosion that killed and injured many people. The commission indicated the blast was the result of a booby-trapped bus that was detonated as worshipers were leaving Zein al-Abidin Mosque. It added that security forces and the shabeha indiscriminately fired at demonstrators near the mosque after the blast. A car bombing in the Damascus neighborhood of al-Sinaa preceded al-Midan's explosion, and led to the killing and injury of a number of people. Reporter, Female #2 On the Friday of "God's order has come, so do not rush," tens of thousands of Syrians took to the street across different cities and provinces to demand the downfall of President Bashar al-Assad's regime. According to opposition sources, security forces fired bullets and tear gas at the protestors, and arbitrarily arrested some of them. As for the international community's position on the Syrian situation, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said from New York that the Syrian government is violating the plan presented by UN-Arab League Joint Envoy Kofi Annan by maintaining regime forces and heavy weapons in the cities. Reporter, Female #2 The European Union accused the Syrian regime of failing to respect its commitments, as stipulated in the Annan plan, to withdraw security forces and heavy weapons from Syrian cities. From Geneva, Annan's spokesman Ahmad Fawzi expected the deployment of an additional 15 international observers to the initial 30-member team by Monday to monitor the ceasefire. And in a remarkable position, the Syrian Muslim Brotherhood issued a statement calling on the UN to announce the failure of the Annan plan, demanding that Syria's membership at the international organization be suspended amid the ongoing violations of the ceasefire. http://news.linktv.org/videos/sudans-president-pledges-to-speak-to-south-with-guns-and-ammunition?start=0 Omar al-Bashir, the Sudanese president, has rejected UN calls to resume peace talks with South Sudan, saying: "There will be no negotiations ... Our talk with them will be through guns and ammunition, because this is the only language they understand." Tue, 24 Apr 2012 07:24:00 -0700 http://news.linktv.org/videos/sudans-president-pledges-to-speak-to-south-with-guns-and-ammunition Sudan, South Sudan, 2012 South Sudan–Sudan border conflict, Omar al-Bashir, Heglig, Armed Forces of South Sudan, Sudan People's Armed Forces, Unity State, Jimmy Carter, Aerial bomb Omar al-Bashir, the Sudanese president, has rejected UN calls to resume peace talks with South Sudan, saying instead: "There will be no negotiations with those people. Our talk with them will be through guns and ammunition, because this is the only language they understand." http://news.linktv.org/videos/democracy-now-april-19-2012?start=108 Photos of soldiers posing with Afghan corpses becomes the latest outrage of the US occupation of Afghanistan. Back from Syria, journalist Anand Gopal warns protesters "face slaughter" by Assad regime. And Tavis Smiley and Cornel West on "The Rich and the Rest of Us: A Poverty Manifesto." Plus headlines and more.<br /> Thu, 19 Apr 2012 09:40:00 -0700 http://news.linktv.org/videos/democracy-now-april-19-2012 United States, Afghanistan, US-Afghanistan relations, Barack Obama, Afghanistan War, US Army, Cadaver, Syria, Syrian Civil War, Tavis Smiley CIA Seeks Widened Authority for Yemen Drone Strikes The CIA is seeking White House approval for a radical expansion of its drone-strike program inside Yemen. According to the Washington Post, CIA chief David Petraeus has asked President Obama to give the CIA authority to launch drone attacks against terror suspects, even if it does not know the identities of those who will be killed. The capability would allow for drone strikes based on a vast range of factors, including whether intelligence officials decide they are observing "suspicious behavior." The sweeping leeway to launch attacks has already been in effect in Pakistan, where U.S. drones have killed hundreds of civilians. According to the website, "The Long War Journal," 198 suspected militants and 48 civilians have been killed in 27 U.S. strikes inside Yemen since 2009. New Photos Show U.S. Soldiers Posing with Dead Afghans The Los Angeles Times has published two photographs that show U.S. soldiers posing with the corpses and body parts of Afghans during a 2010 deployment. In one of the photos, a soldier from the Army's 82nd Airborne Division poses with a dead insurgent's hand on his shoulder. In another, soldiers pose alongside the mangled corpse of a suicide bomber. On Wednesday, the Obama administration condemned the photos, but also criticized the Los Angeles Times for publishing them despite pressure from the Pentagon. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said his department had tried to block the photos' publication. Leon Panetta: "This is war, and I know war is ugly, and is violent. And I know that young people sometimes caught up in the moment make some very foolish decisions. I am not excusing that, I am not excusing there behavior. But neither do I want those images to bring further injury to our people or to our relationship with the Afghan people. We had urged the LA times not to run those photos, and the reason for that is those kind of photos are used by the enemy to incite violence, and lives have been lost as a result of the publication of similar photos in the past. And we regret that they were published." India Tests Long-Range Nuclear Missile India says it has successfully launched an intercontinental missile capable of carrying a nuclear warhead. The Agni-V has a range of more than 3,000 miles, meaning it could reach China and Europe. India joins six other countries that are believed to have such long-range missiles, including the United States, Russia, China, France, Britain and Israel. India has developed its nuclear capability with the tacit backing of the United States, which lifted a ban on nuclear trade with Delhi in 2008, despite the Indian government's refusal to sign the Non-Proliferation Treaty. Iraq: Dozens Killed in Massive Wave of Attacks At least 36 people have been killed in a series of blasts across Iraq. More than 20 bombings were reported in cities and towns across the country in what appeared to be a wave of coordinated attacks. More than 100 people were wounded. Bahraini Forces Crack Down on Protesters Ahead of Auto Race Thousands of people marched in Bahrain on Wednesday ahead of the Formula One racing championship set to take place amid an ongoing crackdown on pro-democracy protesters. The International Automobile Federation, or FIA, has come under criticism for staging the annual event in a boost for the ruling Sunni monarchy. Activists have accused Bahraini forces of using excessive force to disperse the protest. Earlier today, a Bahraini opposition group posted a series of photographs on Twitter it said showed demonstrators badly wounded in the crackdown. Activists Demand Release of Bahraini Hunger Striker Another protest was held Wednesday calling for the release of Abdulhadi Alkhawaja, a jailed activist who has been on a hunger strike for more than two months. Bahraini police fired stun grenades in a bid to clear the crowd. Al-Khawaja's wife, Khadija al-Mousawi, gave an update on her husband's condition and criticized Formula One chief Bernie Ecclestone for ignoring his plight. Khadija al-Mousawi: "He calls every day for five minutes and that is a relief for me. At least I know that he is okay and that's why today's phone call is the most important call for me because he stopped IV (drip) and minerals and glucose from this morning, sorry (wipes tears). What makes me angry, people like (Bernie) Ecclestone (Formula One executive) who decided to come to Bahrain because he thinks everyone is happy. I can assure him that I am not happy; my family is not happy." Ban Accuses Syria's Assad of Flouting Ceasefire U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is accusing the regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad of failing to meet the terms of an international peace plan. In a report to the U.N. Security Council, Ban says Assad's forces are flouting the ceasefire with continued attacks on opposition areas. Ban also called for the deployment of hundreds of additional international monitors to observe the situation on the ground. The head of the current monitoring team, U.N. Colonel Ahmad Himmiche, called for time to build trust with all sides of the conflict. Ahmad Himmiche: "Our mission is to establish liaison with the Syrian security forces and also with other parties. To establish this liaison, we need time, we need trust, we need to build confidence and trust within all the parties in order to achieve our task. We are engaging. Engaging I mean liaison with both the authorities and the other parties and I think we will achieve our mandate, if you help us and explain our mandate because there are a lot of expectations that are beyond a team of thirty military observers." Israeli Minister Admits Ahmadinejad Never Said Israel Should Be "Wiped Off the Map" A top Israeli official has acknowledged that Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad never said that Iran seeks to "wipe Israel off the face of the map." The falsely translated statement has been widely attributed to Ahmadinejad and used repeatedly by U.S. and Israeli government officials to back military action and sanctions against Iran. But speaking to Teymoor Nabili of the network Al Jazeera, Israeli Deputy Prime Minister Dan Meridor admitted Ahmadinejad had been misquoted. Teymoor Nabili: As we know Ahmadinejad didn't say that he plans to exterminate Israel, nor did he say that Iran's policy is to exterminate Israel. Ahmadinejad's position and Iran's position always has been — they have said this many times that he has no plans to attack Israel. He simply said if you hold a referendum in this part of the world and everyone who lives here, he will accept the outcome of the referendum. Dan Meridor: "I happen to disagree, with all due respect. You speak of Ahmadinejad, I speak of [several Iranian leaders]. They all come basically ideologically, religiously with the statement that Israel is an unnatural creature, it will not survive. They didn't say, 'We'll wipe it out,' you are right. But [that] it will not survive, it is a cancerous tumor, it should be removed, they said just two weeks ago again." Teymoor Nabili: "Well, I am glad you acknowledged they didn't say they will wipe it out." Honduran Farmworkers Launch Occupation for Land Rights In Honduras, farmworkers have launched a coordinated occupation nationwide in a major action to assert their land rights. Marking the International Peasant Day of Struggle on Tuesday, thousands of families began squatting on over 46 square-miles of farmland. The farmers say the occupied land is public property exploited by wealthy ranchers. The peasant rights group Via Campesina says the largest occupation is taking place on Honduras' Caribbean coast, where around 1,500 farm workers have occupied land held by a sugar plantation. GOP House Panel Votes to Slash Food Aid Programs A Republican-controlled House panel has voted to approve around $33 billion in cuts to food assistance programs over a 10-year period. The move by the House of Representatives Agriculture Committee would tighten rules for qualifying for government food aid and repeal a 2009 increase to the program instead of cutting subsidies for U.S. farmers. Democrats say the measure is dead on arrival in the Senate. EPA Issues First-Ever Curbs on Fracking Air Pollution The Environmental Protection Agency has issued its first-ever regulations aimed at curbing rampant air pollution from the controversial gas drilling process known as hydraulic fracturing, or fracking. Fracking releases a range of toxic and cancer-causing chemicals into the air, including benzene, hexane and methane — a greenhouse gas far more potent than carbon dioxide. The standards come after widespread complaints of health problems and air pollution from those who live near gas drilling sites. Following objections from the oil and gas industry over the potential cost of the regulations, the EPA has given the industry nearly three years to install technology that will allow it to capture some of the worst pollutants. Companies will be allowed to continue burning or "flaring" methane into the air until January 2015. Multi-billion Dollar BP Settlement Outlined in Court Filings The terms of a multi-billion dollar settlement between oil giant BP and those affected by the 2010 oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico have been disclosed in hundreds of pages of documents filed in federal court. The broad terms of the settlement appear unchanged since the agreement was reached last month. The deal includes an estimated $7.8 billion in payments for economic loss and medical claims to victims of the oil disaster, many of whom are still living with the consequence of the spill. The settlement also includes $600 million in payments to lawyers involved in the massive suit. Friday is the two-year anniversary of the explosion on the Deepwater Horizon rig that killed 11 workers and sent nearly five million barrels of oil into the Gulf of Mexico. Florida Judge Leaves Trayvon Martin Case After Complaints by Zimmerman Team A Florida judge has removed herself from the Trayvon Martin murder trial following complaints from the attorneys of accused killer George Zimmerman. The judge, Jessica Recksiedler, is married to an attorney who is a law partner of a Florida lawyer hired by CNN to provide legal commentary on the case. Circuit Judge Kenneth Lester Jr. will take Recksiedler's place. UC Davis Police Chief Resigns Over Pepper-Spraying The police chief at the University of California, Davis has resigned over the controversial pepper-spraying of student Occupy protesters last November. The incident sparked a nationwide outcry after video was posted online showing a campus police lieutenant repeatedly pepper-spraying students in the face from only a few feet away as they sat on the ground. The police chief, Annette Spicuzza, was among a number of top officials faulted by a university-appointed task force in a report last week. 3 Secret Service Agents Forced Out in Prostitution Scandal Three Secret Service employees are being forced out of the agency following a prostitution scandal that erupted last week and overshadowed President Obama's trip to Colombia. Three employees are leaving the agency while several others are reportedly on administrative leave. Both U.S. military and Secret Service personnel were reportedly involved in bringing prostitutes to a Cartagena hotel. One agent reportedly got into a dispute with a prostitute after trying to pay her less money than he had initially agreed to. Portland Man Strips Naked to Protest Airport Screening A man who stripped naked at an airport security checkpoint in Portland, Oregon, earlier this week said his act was a form of protest against airport screening measures. John Brennan told the Associated Press he was being "nude, but not lewd" and cast his actions as political speech. Brennan was arrested and initially charged with disorderly conduct and indecent exposure after stripping naked at Portland International Airport. Brennan says he decided to strip when he was pulled aside after he had gone through a metal detector and a pat-down. His actions come amid mounting criticism over airport security measures, including concerns over the health impacts of full-body scanners used in many airports. http://news.linktv.org/videos/mosaic-news-041912?start=33 As the Security Council held a closed-door meeting, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon reviewed recommendations to allow sending a mission consisting of 300 observers to Syria for three months, reports New TV. Thu, 19 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0700 http://news.linktv.org/videos/mosaic-news-041912 Ban Ki-moon, Palestinians, UN Secretary-General, Syrian Civil War, 2012 South Sudan–Sudan border conflict, Afghanistan, Post-invasion Iraq, 2003–present, Bahrain Uprising, Politics of Tunisia, French presidential election, 2012 Presenter, Male #1 On the fourth day of the international observers' presence in Syria, Damascus signed an initial agreement with the United Nations on the terms of the team's work. And in a closed-door meeting, the Security Council discussed sending an expanded monitoring mission to Syria consisting of 300 observers for three months. Reporter, Female #1 As the Security Council held a closed-door meeting, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon reviewed recommendations to allow sending a mission consisting of 300 observers to Syria for three months. As for Damascus, represented by Syrian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Fayssal Mekdad, and the United Nations, represented by Deputy Military Advisor General Abhijit Guha, they signed an initial agreement on the terms of the work of the international observers, who are monitoring the ceasefire in Syria. The agreement is intended to form the basis of a protocol that will govern the work of an advanced team of observers for the country's ceasefire. The team will monitor and encourage the halt of armed aggression in all its forms and from all parties, and comes as part of the Annan plan. The Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed this agreement comes within Syrian efforts aimed at ensuring the success of Annan's plan, and facilitating the observers' mission within the context of Syrian sovereignty and commitment to the involved parties. The spokesman for UN envoy Kofi Annan announced that his office is holding similar negotiations with representatives from the opposition on the obligations and responsibilities of the armed opposition. This comes as the international observers visited the city of Daraa for a second time in two days. The residents welcomed them with chants opposing the regime. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said heavy gunfire from regime forces was reported in the city of al-Harak in Daraa after the observers left. Reporter, Female #1 Meanwhile, China announced it is looking into the possibility of sending observers to Syria. And while Paris hosted an international meeting today for 14 foreign ministers, including Hillary Clinton, to address the situation in Syria, French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe said it was regrettable that Russia did not attend the meeting. Reporter, Female #1 As for the Russian foreign minister, Sergei Lavrov, he called on the international community to exert all effort to guarantee the success of Annan's plan and criticized the meeting in Paris. Reporter, Female #1 However, Lavrov discussed the Syrian issue with his American counterpart, Hillary Clinton, on the sidelines of a meeting attended by the foreign ministers of NATO member states in Brussels. And while diplomatic maneuvers operate in one sphere, conditions on the ground are in another, according to information by the Syrian Observatory and the opposition's websites that posted videos showing a renewal of the shelling in many areas of Homs. http://news.linktv.org/videos/mosaic-news-041912?start=211 Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir leader has vowed to punish the South Sudanese government over its seizure of the north's main oil field in the Heglig region, Press TV reports. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has threatened South Sudan with sanctions. Thu, 19 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0700 http://news.linktv.org/videos/mosaic-news-041912 Ban Ki-moon, Palestinians, UN Secretary-General, Syrian Civil War, 2012 South Sudan–Sudan border conflict, Afghanistan, Post-invasion Iraq, 2003–present, Bahrain Uprising, Politics of Tunisia, French presidential election, 2012 Sudan's leader has vowed to punish the South Sudanese government over its seizure of the north's main oil field in the Heglig region. Omar al-Bashir's warning comes as fighting between the countries intensifies over strategic oil-producing regions. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has threatened South Sudan with sanctions. http://news.linktv.org/videos/syria-diplomatic-efforts-continue-despite-violence?start=0 Against a backdrop of truce violations, Syria's foreign minister says troops backing the government will be pulled from the country's urban centers. But even as he visited China and UN observers arrived in Damascus, attacks on rebels were continuing. Wed, 18 Apr 2012 09:02:00 -0700 http://news.linktv.org/videos/syria-diplomatic-efforts-continue-despite-violence Syria, Ceasefire, Syrian conflict peace proposals , Homs, Kofi Annan, Walid Muallem, Syrian Civil War, Bashar al-Assad, Syrian army, Artillery Against a backdrop of truce violations, Syria's foreign minister says troops backing the government will be pulled from the country's urban centers. But even as he visited China and UN observers arrived in Damascus, attacks on rebels were continuing. http://news.linktv.org/videos/mosaic-news-041612?start=844 <p>Released Jordanian political prisoners recount torture by security forces, Afghanistan's Karzai slams NATO over Taliban attack, Sudan rules out talks until South Sudan withdraws from Heglig, and more.</p> Mon, 16 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0700 http://news.linktv.org/videos/mosaic-news-041612 NATO, 2011-2012 Jordanian Protests, Afghanistan War, 2012 South Sudan–Sudan border conflict, Bahrain Uprising, Syrian Civil War, Welcome to Palestine, Lebanese Civil War, Hamid Karzai, South Sudan Presenter, Male #1 The Syrian Revolution's General Commission said the number of civilian victims of violence reached 21 today. Most were killed in Hama. Politically, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon called on the Syrian authorities to exercise "maximum restraint," and urged the opposition to "cooperate fully" and implement what he described as a "fragile ceasefire in Syria." Meanwhile, the international monitoring team began its mission today. Reporter, Male #2 Aside from the echoing sounds of explosions and gunfire, nothing has changed on the Syrian scene. The situation in Homs has been the same for months. On the fifth day of this presumed truce, the city of Homs continues to endure shelling by the army's tanks and artilleries. The scene was not much different in the area of Saraqeb in Idlib Province, with warplanes flying overhead amid heavy gunfire. And perhaps the situation was not much different across other Syrian cities and provinces. Meanwhile, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon urged the Syrian authorities to exercise "maximum restraint," and called on the opposition to "fully cooperate," describing the ceasefire as "fragile." Guest, Male #3 (Ban Ki-moon, UN Secretary-General) Syrian authorities must exercise maximum restraint, and the opposition forces should also fully cooperate in order to complete the implementation process. What's important at this time is that the ceasefire is very fragile, which requires the full support and cooperation of all relevant sides. Reporter, Male #2 While opponents believe that what's happening on the ground is anything but a ceasefire, others described it a violation of the truce, which presumably went into effect last Thursday. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights confirmed that more than 47 people have been killed since the ceasefire was announced. Today, a nine-member team began to monitor the fragile ceasefire across various cities and regions. Guest, Male #4 (Erick Boukanam, Member of International Monitoring Team) We are trying to organize ourselves and secure the necessary means of transportation, as well as prepare for the first round of our mission outside Damascus. Reporter, Male #2 The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and activists said the regime is continuing to deploy military vehicles, display heavy military presence, as well as open fire at demonstrators and carry out arrest campaigns. By the same token, the demonstrations and protests are continuing across various Syrian cities and towns. In Kafrun in Idlib Province, the voices of these protestors echoed loud and clear, as the participants vowed to complete their revolution. The same cries were also heard in Maar Shorin in Idlib. The protestors in Kafr al-Shams in Daraa Province didn't hesitate to show support for what they described as "the besieged cities." Anwar al-Ansi, BBC. http://news.linktv.org/videos/russia-sends-military-unit-to-syria?start=0 Reports indicate that a Russian military unit has arrived in Syria, in what some are seeing as a show of support for the Assad regime. Meanwhile, Russia's foreign minister has called for a daily ceasefire between government forces and rebels. Tue, 20 Mar 2012 12:08:00 -0700 http://news.linktv.org/videos/russia-sends-military-unit-to-syria Syria, Russia, Syrian Civil War, Bashar al-Assad, Russia-Syria relations, Sergei Lavrov, Ban Ki-moon, Humanitarian aid, Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, Civilian casualties Russia's Interfax news agency reports that a Russian military unit has arrived in Syria, in what some are seeing as a show of support for the regime of President Bashar al-Assad. Meanwhile, Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov has called for a daily ceasefire between government forces and rebels to allow in humanitarian aid and let injured people leave. http://news.linktv.org/videos/mosaic-news-031312?start=460 <p>Bahraini opposition ignites week of resistance against Saudi occupation, post-Saleh Yemen looks to heal from psychological trauma, sixteen killed in new US drone strike on northwest Pakistan, and more.</p> Tue, 13 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0700 http://news.linktv.org/videos/mosaic-news-031312 Syrian Civil War, Syria, United States, Afghanistan War, Gaza–Israel conflict, Israeli–Palestinian conflict, Bashar al-Assad, Taliban, Iron Dome, US-Afghanistan relations The United States and its European allies clashed with Russia at the UN Security Council last night over how to end escalating violence in Syria. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon appealed to Syria to act within the next few days on peace proposals by the UN-Arab League envoy on the Syrian crisis, Ban's predecessor, Kofi Annan. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said the Security Council should press for an immediate end of violence by all sides. US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said that it was time for Moscow and Beijing to join the Arab League and the rest of the Security Council in supporting calls for an end to the Syrian crisis. Opposition activists said Syrian forces killed dozens of people near a mosque in the city of Idlib, and rebels killed at least 10 troops in an ambush in the same area. Fighting was also reported in the eastern city of Deir az-Zour, and in Syria's third largest city, Homs. http://news.linktv.org/videos/mosaic-news-030112?start=751 <p>Iran's Guardian Council disqualifies more parliamentary election candidates, Egypt's presidential election date draws mixed reactions, Yemeni troops demand the ouster of Saleh's army chief, and more.</p> Thu, 01 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0800 http://news.linktv.org/videos/mosaic-news-030112 United States, Anti-Americanism, Iran, United Nations, Pentagon, Iranian legislative election, 2012, Egyptian presidential election, 2012, Yemen Uprising, US-Afghanistan relations, Kashmir Presenter, Male #1 Reuters quoted Syrian authorities saying they allowed two organizations, the International Committee for the Red Cross and the Red Crescent, to deliver aid to the Baba Amr neighborhood and evacuate the sick and wounded. A source at the Syrian Network for Human Rights confirmed to the BBC that regime soldiers entered the neighborhood, adding that fighters from the Free Syrian Army carried out a tactical withdrawal this morning to protect civilians. Syrian state TV aired images of the city showing that life had returned to normal, according to the official report. Presenter, Male #1 The UN-Arab League joint special envoy to Syria, Kofi Annan, requested for his mission to be completed without any interference until a peaceful resolution to the crisis is reached. Annan indicated he will visit Syria soon and hold talks with all parties active in the Syrian crisis. Meanwhile, solidarity demonstrations continue in Syrian cities, in parallel to the army's operations in various areas. Reporter, Male #2 Kofi Annan took a detour to Cairo before heading to Damascus to meet with the Arab League's secretary-general. The former UN secretary-general returned to the international stage as the UN-Arab League joint special envoy to Syria. He says he hopes to visit Damascus to deliver a message to the officials there. Guest, Male #3 (Kofi Annan, UN-Arab League Joint Special Envoy) The message is clear, which is that the killing and violence must stop. Humanitarian agencies must be given access to do their work. But it is regrettable that it is not happening. Reporter, Male #2 Damascus has not responded to whether or not it will receive Annan. According to Damascus, no one has officially informed it of the appointment of an envoy, or of the nature of his mediation mission. Guest, Male #4 (Jihad Maqdisi, Syrian Foreign Ministry Spokesman) We are still waiting for a clarification from the United Nations, as represented by the UN secretary-general, on the nature of his mission. We will study the matter and respond soon. Reporter, Male #2 Annan is well aware of the challenges of his mission. So he is starting with calling for dialogue among all parties in the Syrian crisis and requested no interference in his mission. The Syrian issue has its regional and international complications, and the international inclination to interfere has grown after the search for a solution was prolonged. On Wednesday, Damascus refused to allow the UN official in charge of humanitarian affairs, Valerie Amos, to enter Syria to evaluate the humanitarian situation there. Guest, Male #5 (Ban Ki-moon, UN Secretary-General) Our United Nations' humanitarian coordinator, Valerie Amos, has still not been permitted to visit Syria, despite the clear need, and despite the repeated commitments by the government that she would be welcomed. I take this opportunity to remind the Syrian authorities of their obligations under international humanitarian and human rights law, and I call on them to once again work toward a peaceful democratic solution for the Syrian people. Reporter, Male #2 The military operation continues in Homs, racing with time to resolve a battle victimizing unarmed civilians, even if it appeared to be a battle between two armies. The regime's army is organized, and has weapons and equipment, making it superior to its opponent, the Free Syrian Army, that fights in small groups besieged inside the city. However, resolving the military battle in Homs does not mean resolving it in Syria. Defections continue; most recently, a defection took place in Deir az-Zour, which was followed by clashes between the regime's army and the Free Syrian Army after the latter intervened to protect the group of defectors. The clashes led to more victims, including civilians who were killed by the violent and indiscriminate shelling carried out by the regime's army attempting to capture defectors. While a war rages, all eyes are on Kofi Annan during his mission to Syria, seeing that all previous efforts failed to end the bloodbath the world has been watching for a whole year. Hayyan Aqoub, BBC.