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Nepal: Rescuers focus on recovering bodies after mountain disaster

• LiveLeak

Hopes faded on Sunday for survivors of one of Nepal’s worst ever mountain disasters. At least 43 people are known to have died after a s...

Hopes faded on Sunday for survivors of one of Nepal’s worst ever mountain disasters. At least 43 people are known to have died after a snowstorm brought blizzards to the Annapurna trail in the Himalayas. Army helicopters are now focusing on recovering bodies buried in the snow. Colonel Niranjan Kumar Shrestha, Nepalese Army spokesman, explained how the adverse weather has affected the rescue and recovery mission. “Terrain is okay but it is the matter of the weather and thickness of the snow that is hampering our movement basically,” he said. “It has improved from yesterday but if the snowing is stopped then very heavy wind is there. So, whenever there is heavy wind, operating chopper is very difficult,” Shrestha added. More than 400 people have been rescued from the popular route, which includes the world’s tenth tallest peak, after a cyclone in neighbouring India triggered the blizzards and avalanches last week. Many of the injured have been treated for severe frostbite in Kathmandu. The Nepali government admitted it failed to warn about the extreme weather and plans to put an early warning system in place. Seven Israeli hikers who survived returned to Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport on Sunday. One of the hikers, Roey Patael, described how he was completely buried in snow for around 15 hours. He was rescued on the second night.   Less

Tunisia’s democratic transition cries out for police reform

• LiveLeak

At last: normal, reliable civic security… the legislative elections under preparation in Tunisia are raising hopes. When the Arab Spring...

At last: normal, reliable civic security… the legislative elections under preparation in Tunisia are raising hopes. When the Arab Spring erupted in January 2011, the army stayed in their barracks, and most security forces — generally felt to be the brutal instrument of President Ben Ali’s police state — left the streets to the demonstrators. Now come the second free elections since then. The spokesman for the Interior Ministry, Mohamed Ali EL-Aroui, said: “These elections will be successful. Both the Interior and Defence Ministries are ready to ensure that these elections will unfold properly. Fifty thousand police officers and soldiers will be deployed at voting stations and thoughout the country. Our units are ready to make this a success. Tunisia will succeed in its transition to democracy.” However, ordinary Tunisians say daily abuses by security forces remain a major problem, including beatings in public, accusations of murder and a multiple rape conviction this year. One resident of Tunis told us: “It’s only now that security is returning. Things did get impossible to handle at times, it’s true. The police were scorned by everybody. But there has been a lot of progress. Imagine not daring to go out after eight o’clock in the evening because you’re afraid you’re going to get mugged, when you don’t know where they’ll come from.” Another voter said: “Security now… It’s neither good nor bad. The police must undergo reforms. We are Tunisian citizens.” “May God save the police,” said one woman. “Really, they work so much. We’ve never seen that before. They’re in the streets day and night, of every rank. What more can we ask for?” According to Human Rights Watch, police regularly abuse prisoners. The Interior Minister Lotfi Ben Jeddou has admitted there are abuses, but strongly denied systematic torture of detainees. Senior government spokesman Nidhal Ouerfelli said: “We are on the right track concerning security, with positive results, we have the proof, especially in the fight against terrorism. I hope the governments that follow will continue on the same path.” Two opposition leaders were assassinated last year; that brought the downfall of two coalition governments led by the Ennahda Party, generally referred to as moderate Islamist. It then stepped aside to allow an apolitical government of technocrats take the reins under the direction of Prime Minister Mehdi Jomaa. Maya Jribi, Secretary General of the centrist Republican Party, the largest in opposition in Tunisia’s Constituent Assembly, said: “Tunisia is facing threats, notably terrorism, but it is also true that we have experienced a return to a certain level of peace, above all political stability following the ratification of the constitution and the Mehdi Jomaa government. As a result, there is a feeling of peace and comfort.” The Association Against Torture in Tunisia says that police brutality is alienating whole sections of Tunisian society from the democratic transition, notably the poor, and that it will pressure the newly elected politicians to reform security services. Our correspondent Sami Fradi summed up: “The success of Tunisia’s transitional period has brought optimism to some, who consider it an exemplary model of the Arab Spring uprisings in Arab countries. That might be overstating things somewhat, but gradually here in Tunis, there’s no denying that democracy is moving forward.”   Less

Tunisia: concerns over security and economy as election nears

• LiveLeak

Tunisia is in the final days of campaigning ahead of Sunday’s (26 October) parliamentary election – a vote that aims to complete the nor...

Tunisia is in the final days of campaigning ahead of Sunday’s (26 October) parliamentary election – a vote that aims to complete the north African country’s transition to democracy. It has been almost four years since the revolt that ousted Zein El-Abidine Ben Ali and Tunisia became known as “the cradle of the Arab Spring.” Since then, though, political instability and a tanking economy have left many Tunisians unsure where the country is headed. “There’s a despondency after these three years of seeing rulers lying, not keeping their word, not doing – or even trying to do – what they promised,” said Chawki Gaddes, Senior lecturer in Public Law at Tunis University. “Especially, in this dire economic situation, (we) hear about the remuneration they receive, the money around politics. All this leads Tunisians to have a bad perception of what democracy is,” Gaddes continued. Security is being stepped up across Tunisia for the election – which al-Qaeda linked militants have threatened to disrupt. On Friday (24 October), security forces killed six people after a standoff with an Islamist militant group on the outskirts of the capital, Tunis.   Less

Tunisians vote in first parliamentary elections since Arab Spring uprising

• LiveLeak

Tunisians are going to the polls on Sunday to vote for a new parliament for the first time since dictator Zine El-Abidine Ben Ali was overth...

Tunisians are going to the polls on Sunday to vote for a new parliament for the first time since dictator Zine El-Abidine Ben Ali was overthrown four years ago. The 2011 revolution inspired similar popular uprisings which became known as the Arab Spring. There are as many as 13,000 candidates from about 100 different parties competing for the 217 parliamentary seats. The two main parties are moderate Islamist Ennahda and a new secular party called Nidaa Tounis. Around 5 million Tunisians are entitled to vote. Militants have threatened to disrupt the voting and security forces have been cracking down hard on suspected extremists in the run up to the election. On Friday security forces killed six people, including five women, after a standoff with an Islamist militant group on the outskirts of Tunis Presidential elections will be held in November.   Less

Tunisia: parliamentary election underway

• LiveLeak

Tunisia votes on Sunday in the country’s second free election since former president Zein El-Abidine Ben Ali was ousted in the onset of th...

Tunisia votes on Sunday in the country’s second free election since former president Zein El-Abidine Ben Ali was ousted in the onset of the Arab Spring four years ago. The election features an unusually high number of political parties ranging from secular and socialist to Islamist. Tunisia’s secular candidates have previously lacked unity. But today, the secular alliance Nidaa Tounes and its moderate Islamist Ennahda rivals are favoured to win the most votes. “We’ve been waiting for this day it’s like a wedding, it’s the second time and we all have to take part in the election so good things can happen to Tunsia,” said one man on the street. “Sure we’re happy,” said a woman. “This time it’s a democratic election. We hope it will be better than the last time. it’s well organized and every thing is clear.” Hardline militants have threatened to disrupt the voting and security forces have been cracking down on suspected extremists in the run up to the election. On Friday, government troops killed six people, including five women, after a standoff with hardline Islamists on the outskirts of Tunis.   Less

Defeated Ennahda Islamists offer to serve in Tunisia unity government

• LiveLeak

Tunisia’s Islamists, beaten into second place in Sunday’s parliamentary elections, say they would be willing to take part in a national ...

Tunisia’s Islamists, beaten into second place in Sunday’s parliamentary elections, say they would be willing to take part in a national unity government in the interests of stability. The moderate Ennahda party conceded defeat on Monday and congratulated its secular rival. The Nidaa Tounes party came out top but will need to negotiate a power-sharing deal. The former Ennahda prime minister Ali Larayedh, himself re-elected as an MP, told supporters: “We will keep working and we are still one of the biggest parties, and we are still the best guarantee for democracy and freedom.” With official results still awaited, no party has secured an overall majority. Ennahda lags around 10 seats behind the secular party. It is expected to win around 65-70 seats in the 217-seat parliament, compared to about 80 for Nidaa Tounes. “We congratulate the Nidaa Tounes party for results we’ve heard about so far. Its work has borne fruit,” said Ennahda supporter Sherazade Ben Farhat. Nidaa Tounes under its leader Béji Caïd Essebsi emerged as a political force in 2012 by rallying opposition to the Islamists. The 87-year-old is a former parliamentary speaker under the deposed dictator Ben Ali and the election result is likely to see the return to government of some figures from the old regime. Since the 2011 “Arab Spring” revolt, Tunisia has fared better than its neighbours and has been praised for a relatively successful transition to democracy.   Less

Federal Reserve pronounces end of a QE-era

• LiveLeak

There will be no more money printing. As expected, the US central bank has ended its monthly bond buying to pump cash into the economy there...

There will be no more money printing. As expected, the US central bank has ended its monthly bond buying to pump cash into the economy there and stimulate growth. The Federal Reserve also signaled confidence the US economic recovery will remain on track, despite signs of a slowdown in the eurozone and many other parts of the global economy. In a statement following their two-day meeting, Fed Chair Janet Yellen and the other policymakers largely dismissed recent financial market volatility, lacklustre growth in Europe and a weak inflation outlook. They also re-stated interest rates will remain low for a “considerable time”. The controversial bond-buying – initiated by previous central bank head Ben Bernanke – focused on countering high unemployment and the Fed believes it is working saying it sees improved labour market conditions and “solid job gains”. The Fed acknowledged lower energy prices and other forces are holding inflation down below where it would like but doesn’t think that is a long term problem. For more on this story, Oleksandra Vakulina spoke to euronews correspondent Stefan Grobe in Washington. “Stefan, since 2008 the Federal Reserve has launched three rounds of bond-buying programmes, the first two were mainly aimed at stabilising the financial system and the latest at ‘quickening the recovery’. How effective was this third round?” Stefan Grobe: “The Fed will tell you that it was effective, that unemployment has come down from above eight to below six percent of the workforce, that the economy has grown, though modestly, that it boosted hiring and that it helped lower long-term interest rates. “The opponents on Capitol Hill and in academia, even within the Fed, would tell you that QE3 has only compounded the existent inequality in America, that the newly created jobs are low paying jobs, that wages are stagnant, and that the economy in general grew pretty erratically. So that thinking is: the middle class got creamed again (suffered again) while stock owners only got richer.” Oleksandra Vakulina, euronews, Lyon: “For nearly six years the central bank has been pumping money into the US economy. Now, the bond-buying programme is over – is the economy strong enough to do without that stimulus and can it grow on its own? Stefan Grobe: “That’s the million dollar question, right? Let’s remember, QE3 has swelled the Fed’s balance sheet to unprecedented levels. The money the Fed created to buy bonds – that’s more than three trillion dollars – could fuel excessive inflation when growth finally picks up. Or it could lead to asset bubbles that could cause financial instability and potentially another crisis. Then there is always the risk of a severe blowback that could be triggered by almost anything.” Oleksandra Vakulina, euronews, Lyon: “All the Fed’s decisions are closely watched outside the US, but this one is of particular importance. How would it influence Europe and the emerging markets?” Stefan Grobe: “If the US economy picks up, that should give Europe and emerging markets a big boost, but there are other important elements here as well, such as what happens to the dollar, what happens to oil prices, and finally how will things shape up within the eurozone.”   Less

Belgium: Watch riotous scenes in Brussels anti-austerity protest

• LiveLeak

Video ID: 20141106-030 Protesters set cars on fire and threw stones at police as tens of thousands protested the economic and social refor...

Video ID: 20141106-030 Protesters set cars on fire and threw stones at police as tens of thousands protested the economic and social reforms announced by the new federal government led by Prime Minister Charles Michel, Thursday. Protesters gathered at Northern Station and proceeded to march to Midi Station, waving flags and banners as they disrupted subway and road traffic throughout the capital. Thursday's demonstration was organised by national trade unions CSC (Confederate of Christian Trade Union), FGTB (General Labour Federation of Belgium) and CGSLB (General Confederation of Liberal Trade Union of Belgium) in opposition to austerity measures including plans to increase the retirement age to 67, implement wage freezes and impose cuts on welfare provisions and benefits. The protest is part of a month long campaign, culminating in a nationwide strike on December 15. W/S Car being turned around M/S Burning car, police W/S Burning car, water hose M/S Demonstrators throwing stones W/S Police M/S Demonstrator throwing stones M/S Demonstrators throwing stones M/S Demonstrators throwing stones M/S Demonstrators throwing stones M/S Demonstrators with bengal fire W/S Demonstrators W/S Demonstrators, water hose W/S Demonstrator throwing stones M/S Demonstrator taking stones from the street M/S Waste burning M/S Waste burning M/S Demonstrators running M/S Demonstrators running C/U Car window smashed W/S Car burning W/S Fire on the street Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Ruptly Twitter: http://twitter.com/Ruptly LiveLeak: http://www.liveleak.com/c/Ruptly Google Plus: http://google.com/+RuptlyTV Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/Ruptly YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/RuptlyTV DailyMotion: http://www.dailymotion.com/ruptly Video on Demand: http://www.ruptly.tv   Less

Mother leaves children alone, sister shoots brother

• LiveLeak

The boy, Bloved Guinn, reportedly remains in critical condition. He was airlifted to Arnold Palmer Hospital following the shooting. A tragi...

The boy, Bloved Guinn, reportedly remains in critical condition. He was airlifted to Arnold Palmer Hospital following the shooting. A tragic 911 tape released Thursday recalls an 8-year-old boy and his 9-year-old sister wandering into a neighbor's home because she had just shot her younger brother in the head while at an unsupervised house down the street. A Department of Children and Families spokesman said Charles' minor children are in protective custody (there are a total of four children, including the one that was shot), and that police are still determining whether criminal charges are appropriate for the mom, Tonya Charles. 911 Audio #financial_support_div{ display:none; position: absolute; width:300px; height:180px; margin-left: -150px; margin-top: -70px; /*- half of width and height */ top:50%; left:50%; padding: 5px; opacity:0.9; filter:alpha(opacity=90); z-index:1000; background-color:#000; color: white; } .close_box{ background: gray; color:#fff; padding:1px 3px; display:inline; position:absolute; right:1px; margin-right: -13px; margin-top: -13px; border-radius:3px; cursor:pointer; border: 1px #000 solid; } $(document).on("click",".close_box",function(){ $(this).parent().fadeTo(300,0,function(){ $(this).remove(); }); }); Loading the player ...   Less

Shock in France after new revelations of French jihadists in Syria

• LiveLeak

A video released by ISIL fighters purportedly showing them burning their French passports has provoked much discussion in the French media. ...

A video released by ISIL fighters purportedly showing them burning their French passports has provoked much discussion in the French media. On Wednesday, French authorities named a second Frenchman in a video showing the killing of Syrian prisoners as 22-year-old Mickael Dos Santos. Terrorism expert Jean-Charles Brisard said: “He’s a convert, we know that he has been in that area for a long time, for a year and a half, since August 2013. He learned how to use arms, he became ultra-radical and we also know that he is extremely violent. We can see it through what he posted on the social networks: he mentions the threat of terrorist attacks against France, he calls for jihad, and he often mentions Mohamed Merah’s name.” Dos Santos, who was of Portuguese origin but born in France, was a recent convert to Islam. In the Paris suburb of Champigny-sur-Marne where he lived, locals said they were shocked and that his behaviour was against Islamic teachings. One man said: “I never imagined he would be capable of doing things like that.” “For us he is a murderer, because that’s not Islam, Islam is peace,” added another. About 1,000 French jihadists are thought to have gone to Syria and Iraq.   Less

Tunisia votes: “We’re looking for someone to save the country”

• LiveLeak

Tunisians are heading to the polls to vote for their first directly elected president since the 2011 revolution ended the rule of Ben Ali. ...

Tunisians are heading to the polls to vote for their first directly elected president since the 2011 revolution ended the rule of Ben Ali. The contest pits a new generation of politicians who emerged from the Arab Spring against the old guard. Those queuing to vote had high hopes for the outcome. “We’re looking for someone to save the country” said a woman waiting to vote. “Today is a party. We’re hoping for a good president. Someone who will bring us prosperity, that’s crucial,” said a man in the queue. Beji Caid Essebsi, seen as the frontrunner, turns 88 next week. He leads the Nidaa Tounes party which won the most parliamentary seats. He’s promised stability but his critics stress his links to the one-party rule of deposed president Ben Ali. His main opposition comes from Moncef Marzouki, an academic and human rights activist who has served as president since 2011. He’s warned against the return of former officials from the old regime. The result could hang on the support of Ennahda’s voters, as the party did not put forward a candidate. If no one wins a clear majority it will go to a second round to be held in late December. Whoever wins faces the tough task of rebooting the economy and tackling the Islamist militant threat which emerged in the wake of the revolt.   Less

Polling stations close in historic elections in Tunisia

• LiveLeak

Polling stations have now closed in Tunisia’s historic presidential election. This is the first ever ballot to directly elect the countr...

Polling stations have now closed in Tunisia’s historic presidential election. This is the first ever ballot to directly elect the country’s leader and is a major step on the road to full democracy. A revolution in 2011 ended the rule of President Ben Ali, and the country has since been held up as a model for a smooth transition to democratic rule. An 87-year-old former Ben Ali official, Beji Caid Essebsi, is reported to be the fronrunner, alongside the current president Moncef Marzouki. Nearly 30 presidential candidates are running after parliamentary elections last month. .   Less

Votes being counted in Tunisia’s historic presidential poll

• LiveLeak

The votes are being counted in Tunisia’s historic presidential election. This is the first ever ballot to directly elect the country’s...

The votes are being counted in Tunisia’s historic presidential election. This is the first ever ballot to directly elect the country’s leader and is a major step on the road to full democracy. A revolution in 2011 ended the rule of President Ben Ali, and the country has been held up as a model for a smooth transition to democratic rule. An 87-year-old former Ben Ali official, Beji Caid Essebsi, is reported to be the fronrunner, with one exit poll giving him a significant lead. However, the campaign team of incumbent Moncef Marzouki believe they also have a lead of up to four percentage points. In Marzouki’s hometown the police had to be called in to deal with demonstrations against him. Results are expected within 48 hours, and if there is no clear winner a run-off ballot is due to be held next month.   Less

Tunisia faces presidential run-off vote

• LiveLeak

An official under Tunisia’s former hardline ruler Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali has come out on top in the country’s first free presidential e...

An official under Tunisia’s former hardline ruler Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali has come out on top in the country’s first free presidential election. Beji Caid Essebsi, an 87-year-old anti-Islamist leader, won 39.46% of Sunday’s vote, beating incumbent interim President Moncef Marzouki, who scored 33.43%. The preliminary results mean a second round run-off will be held before the end of December, as no candidate reached the overall majority needed. Essebsi heads the secularist party Nidaa Tounes which won October’s parliamentary election in Tunisia, beating the Islamist party Ennahda, which led Tunisia’s last government. It did not field a candidate in the presidential poll. Sunday’s vote, judged transparent by EU monitors, is being hailed as the final step in Tunisia’s transition to full democracy following the 2011 revolution that ousted long-time ruler Ben Ali.   Less

Residential Christmas Light Displays

• LiveLeak

Some nice displays I found around St. Charles. Brenda Lee Rocking Around the Christmas Tree.  

China overtakes US as world’s largest economy

• LiveLeak

The Chinese economy just pushed past the US to become the world’s largest economy (at least according to purchasing power parity). Althoug...

The Chinese economy just pushed past the US to become the world’s largest economy (at least according to purchasing power parity). Although long expected by many experts, the Asian powerhouse’s snatching of the top spot has taken some by surprise. Euro Pacific Capital President Peter Schiff speaks with RT’s Ben Swann on why the US is now number two.   Less

Rand Paul Battles Marco Rubio In Their Own Cuban Missile Crisis

• LiveLeak

"The first battle of the GOP primary began on radio and cable news, spilled over to Twitter and splashed across Facebook and the wider Inter...

"The first battle of the GOP primary began on radio and cable news, spilled over to Twitter and splashed across Facebook and the wider Internet, a preview of the Republican Party’s coming cage match over foreign policy. First, on Thursday, Marco Rubio ripped into Rand Paul’s support for President Obama’s call to lift the five-decade embargo on Cuba. “Like many people who have been opining, he has no idea what he’s talking about,” the hawkish Florida senator told Fox News’ Megyn Kelly. Rubio was responding to this from his Senate colleague, and putative 2016 rival: “The 50-year embargo just hasn’t worked, if the goal was regime change, it sure doesn’t seem to be working,” the Kentucky senator said in a radio interview earlier in the day.“* Cenk Uygur, Ben Mankiewicz, John Iadarola (TYT University) and Wes Clark Jr break it down. *Read more here: http://www.politico.com/story/2014/12...   Less

Tunisia: Polls open in landmark presidential election

• LiveLeak

Polls opened on Sunday (December 21) in Tunisia for a second round of presidential elections nearly four years on from the Arab Spring upris...

Polls opened on Sunday (December 21) in Tunisia for a second round of presidential elections nearly four years on from the Arab Spring uprisings. The revolt ousted the autocratic former President Zine El-Abidine Ben Ali. A new constitution and full parliament were elected in October 2014. Sunday’s landmark vote is considered the transition to full democracy. Local businessman Samir Rekik was optimistic about the elections. “We’re waiting for Tunisia to be dynamic again, to take back the place it held for many years and to regain its geopolitical importance in the Mediterranean area”, he said. The run-off vote is between a former Ben Ali official and the incumbent, who claims he is running in order to defend the legacy of the 2011 revolution. Beji Caid Essebsi, the veteran leader of the secular Nidaa Tounes party, was a parliament speaker under the previous regime. He has dismissed critics who fear a return to Tunisia’s old order. Essebsi narrowly beat his opponent Moncef Marzouki in the first round of elections. Human rights activist Marzouki has warned that a return of officials from the Ben Ali’s era would go against the revolution that led to democracy. International observers were overseeing the vote and there was also a heavy security presence at some voting stations. The night before the elections, a gunman in Kairouan, central Tunisia was killed after opening fire on a polling station. Three others were arrested. Beji Caid Essebsi, the veteran leader of the secular Nidaa Tounes party, was a parliament speaker under the previous regime. He has dismissed critics who fear a return to Tunisia’s old order. Essebsi narrowly beat his opponent Moncef Marzouki in the first round of elections. Human rights activist Marzouki has warned that a return of officials from the Ben Ali’s era would go against the revolution that led to democracy. International observers were overseeing the vote and there was also a heavy security presence at some voting stations. The night before the elections, a gunman in Kairouan, central Tunisia was killed after opening fire on a polling station. Three others were arrested.   Less

Technology for all: Quadriplegic designer showcases touch-free smartphones

• LiveLeak

Determined not to be excluded from the latest digital technology, a quadriplegic former navy commander has developed a hands-free smartphone...

Determined not to be excluded from the latest digital technology, a quadriplegic former navy commander has developed a hands-free smartphone. Israeli electrical power engineer Giora Livne went into partnership with app developer Oded Ben Dov, whose computer game, controlled through head movements, had caught his eye. Their ‘Sesame’ smartphone works on a similar basis. And it seems the sky’s the limit! “The next step will be driving the car with the iPhone, or with the telephone, and of course, my aim is to get to the moon with the phone!”, joked Livne. Thanks to a crowd funding project, the partners have raised almost 22,000 of the 25,000 euro target needed to finish the development stage of the Sesame. They hope millions of people will soon be able to benefit from their work.   Less

Counting underway after Tunisian presidential election

• LiveLeak

Counting is underway following Sunday’s presidential run-off election in Tunisia. A result is expected to be announced on Monday evenin...

Counting is underway following Sunday’s presidential run-off election in Tunisia. A result is expected to be announced on Monday evening. The vote marks the country’s transition to full democracy after a revolution that ousted autocrat Zine El-Abidine Ben Ali in 2011. The frontrunner is Beji Caid Essebsi. He claimed a victory shortly after the close of polling stations across the country, however his opponent Moncef Marzouki said it was too early to call. Essebsi is a former parliament speaker under Ben Ali and leader of the secular-leaning Nidaa Tounes party. He has dismissed critics who say a victory for him would mark a return to the old regime in Tunisia. Moncef Marzouki is a human rights activist forced into exile by the Ben Ali government. Since 2011 he has been the interim president. Marzouki is expected to have polled well among supporters of the Islamist Ennahda Party. Tunisia has been hailed as an example of democratic change following the introduction of a new constitution and a full parliament elected in October.   Less