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Sunday, June 24, 2012

Mohamed Mursi, first civilian president and Islamist in Egypt


Engineer Mohamed Mursi succeed the ousted Hosni Mubarak.The historic victory is the arrival of the president's most populous country in the Arab world's first civilian in six decades and a leader of the Muslim Brotherhood after 84 years of persecution and semi-clandestine . The Electoral Commission announced on Sunday his victory a week after the first free presidential elections in Egypt. Mursi achieved 13,230,131 votes (51.73%) against the former general and prime minister last dictatorship, the septuagenarian Ahmed Shafik, who has won 12,347,380 votes (48.27%). A result set that shows the enormous polarization that has marked these elections, held last weekend. At 60 years, Islamist - PhD in Space Science in the United States- assumes a presidency with limited functions after the dissolution of parliament dominated by his group and the approval of some amendments to the constitutional declaration that restrict their scope for action and leave hands of the military junta legislative and budgetary powers. After a long and tedious speech, the committee chairman, Farooq Sultan, announced the result as well as participation in the presidential runoff, which was 26,420,763, 51.85% of the nearly 51 million Egyptians called to the polls . The chairman of the Electoral Commission said also that reviewed challenges to the results in just a hundred polling stations of more than 13,000 in which the Egyptians could cast a ballot. The Electoral Commission decision can not be challenged or appealed by the applicant, to be ultimately responsible for the elections. The announcement of the results was scheduled for last Thursday, but the commission postponed it, arguing that it needed more time to study and complaints.

Explosion of joy in Tahrir

The tens of thousands of people gathered in Tahrir Square Cairo have erupted with joy to announce officially the result. The applause and shouts of joy, accompanied by flares, flooded the famous square in the time when Sultan Farooq, chairman of the Electoral Commission, revealed that Mursi had won the presidential elections. Thousands of supporters of the Brotherhood on Tuesday are camped in the square , the epicenter of the popular uprising in response to the decree of the military. Mursi and claimed victory on Monday based on voting records and confirmed by the judges and collected by its network of delegates. Confident of victory, Mursi, who entered the presidential race in the last minute as an alternative to real factotum of the group, the Shater-Khairat already met this week with revolutionary movements and other political forces and has announced an agreement to form a national coalition government. The Islamist is also committed to put in the vice to "a woman, a Copt or a former presidential candidate" and to appoint as prime minister "an independent public figure." Among the new president's powers include appointing and dismissing the 'premier' and his cabinet and veto laws made ​​by the military to hold new parliamentary elections expected later this year.

Transfer of powers

The new 'rais' take office later this month in "a great ceremony," according to members of the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces, but will have to live with the military leadership headed by Hussein Tantawi until the end of a chaotic and complex transition policy. After confirming the victory of the candidate of the Muslim Brotherhood, the head of the military junta that runs provisionally Egypt has conveyed his congratulations, according to Efe. The military leadership has repeatedly stated that the executive will transfer to the new President left the polls before next June 30, although in the last week held a tense pulse with the Muslim Brotherhood. Last Friday, the military junta launched stern warnings to the Muslim Brotherhood to abide by the decisions of the courts, as the dissolution of Parliament , and not sow "division" in the country, while the Islamists responded by taking to the streets again tens of thousands of his followers. Mursi also congratulated the Egyptian Prime Minister Kamal Ganzuri, who will present his resignation to the new president in the coming days for this to form his government. These gestures show that both the military brass as designated by the Executive accept the election results.

Euro 2012: Spain beats France, qualifies for semifinals


The Red goes to semifinals with a clear victory over France thanks to a defensive two goals from Xabi Alonso (2-0). Then came the moment of truth, the life and death matches, the decisive phase of the Euro and Spain began to show its best version, that of the champions, for planting in semi-finals where he hopes Cristiano Ronaldo. The defensive approach helped Laurent Blanc's Red to achieve the first victory (2-0) in its history to the Gauls in a competitive match. France lost its identity with up to eight players still to control the passing game Spanish. Spanish Attackers found the spaces between the lines, to the back of the French media. Iniesta, Xavi, Cesc and Silva were lethal in the area, combined with tremendous rapidity, opening holes in the defense populated bleu . face both touch, so short and horizontal combination, was still missing someone to hand the ball to space, depth, some diagonals to launch lethal end. Without this trick, the can had to break down the sides. A cavalcade of Jordi Alba, one of the few left-Spanish incursions in attack shocked France. Blanc had scheduled a dam in the band, putting the defenders to control Debuchy Reveillere and Iniesta and Valencia. But Alba was unstoppable. He quickly held out rival entries and wait. I hope to meet Xabi Alonso (who met his match against France 100 with La Red) at the far post. The Tolosa, a colossus to the French for their defensive capabilities and organizational desmelenó is coming in attack where no one was waiting and headed the ball to the only gap left Lloris. still had not arrived at minute 20 and Spain had already blown the air around the defensive network planned by Blanc. The coach gave Gallo made ​​the technical inferiority of his team, he never took the ball could be removed to Spain and decided to lock himself in his field and wait for a genius of Benzema and Ribery in quick counter-attacks. left on the bench Nasri, Alou Diarra and Ben Arfa, the three main players in the brawl in the locker room after the unexpected French defeat against Sweden eliminated.Losing that meeting condemned the bleus to a duel to the death with The Red, one of the toughest opponents in the tournament.

CIA helps with the arming of Syrian rebels


Now it is "officially" CIA agents to keep information from the "New York Times' (NYT), based on U.S. government and intelligence circles refers to the border area with Syria. There, they will advise and allies "to pursue the question of which rebel groups are fighting the regular Syrian army to provide them with weapons." The primary objective of the CIA, it was about to deliver the military equipment to the right recipients. It must be prevented that the weapons fall into the hands of extremist organizations like Al-Qaeda, since these groups have an interest to take advantage of the unstable situation in Syria. "Strategic Partner" of the CIA in the Turkish-Syrian border is obviously the Syrian Muslim Brotherhood, whose squad part of the "Free Syrian army" (FSA) and the "Syrian National Council", which is dominated by the West recognized umbrella organization of opposition. With the help of the Muslim Brotherhood, a network of intermediaries have been established, will be forwarded with the help of Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Turkey supplied grenades, ammunition and antitank weapons to the "correct addressee." To what extent is not known. Extremely difficult is likely to make the acquisition of knowledge about the more than 100 different rebel groups. Meanwhile, the war threatens to widen dangerous: Syria yesterday a Turkish fighter jet shot down. The Turkish government and the army leadership convened a crisis meeting.

Afghanistan: the Taliban knocking at the gates of Kabul


A new coup against a luxury hotel killed at least 20 dead. President Karzai gives us little glimpses his discouragement. This is another setback in Afghanistan for the coalition and the Afghan security forces. Taliban launched an attack Thursday night that lasted twelve hours Spozhmai against the hotel, a luxury hotel located on the shores of Lake Qargha, ten kilometers from Kabul. The hotel was home that day, a birthday party. The coalition troops and their local allies have pushed the attackers armed with rocket launchers, which had taken civilians hostage. But the toll was heavy: at least 20 dead. The new coup occurred after a particularly strong statement of the Afghan president. Before Parliament, Hamid Karzai delivered a disenchanted vision of the state of his country after more than ten years of international presence. Contradicting the version of NATO , which says that the situation is improving, he believes instead that the number of attacks against local forces constantly increasing . "The enemies have understood that it is in the army and police to defend Afghanistan, they are the foundation of this country. They want to weaken the foundations of the state, "he said, lamenting that every day 20 to 25 police and soldiers die in Afghan fighting against the Taliban.


Places of "debauchery"

The latest attack proves, if proof were needed, that the insurgents can strike when and where they want. Already in April, they had carried out coordinated suicide attacks, particularly in Kabul, in the "green zone", the most secure of the capital. The Taliban are no longer the only coalition troops or the local security forces but also civilians. Zabihullah Mujahid, a spokesman for the insurgents, said the target of the attackers, a resort known, was chosen as took place there "indulgent parties, with drinking and prostitution." Spozhmai The hotel is indeed one of the few places in the capital where Afghans can buy and drink alcohol. An activity deemed "immoral" by the Taliban. To avoid a civil war, the international coalition has been working for several months at a rapid pace to form the new Afghan security forces, which account for the moment 340,000 men. But while the question of their long-term funding has not been resolved, a NATO report emphasized the spring they were not only infiltrated by insurgents , but that many Afghans, anticipating the departure of the forces Foreign turned to the Taliban, whose various factions compete for the future. "The question is not whether, but how the Taliban return to power. After fighting or through an agreement with the coalition and the Karzai administration, "an expert analysis of the case. An agreement with the Taliban, is what the Americans are seeking. But this solution through Pakistan, which hosts in its tribal areas of Islamic shrines. But relations between Washington and Islamabad are at their worst. They are not likely to get better in the coming days. For the commander of NATO forces, General Allen, Thursday's attack bears the hallmark of the Haqqani network, close to al-Qaida, whose command centers are in Pakistan.

The future of Egypt is revealed on Sunday


The Egyptians are confident that this Sunday is awaiting the results of the elections. The situation is tense and the shadow of possible altercations plans, whatever the result. Much has been involved in this that both the Muslim Brotherhood as former Prime MinisterAhmed Shafik were declared winners. But it seems the wait has ended and according to state television, the results will be announced today, Sunday. Will Faruk Sultan, President of the Electoral Commission in charge of publicizing the final data at 13.00 GMT. Shortly before this announcement, the Election Commission had noted that Egypt was still evaluating the hundreds of complaints of alleged irregularities during the elections, and not fix a date for the announcement until this review is not completed. Both the candidate of the Muslim Brotherhood, Mohammed Morsi , including former Prime Minister Shafik attributed the victory. Both sides sent some 400 complaints about the voting process , which took place on 16 and 17 juni, in hundreds of polling stations in the country. According to a report by the Internet portal 'ahramonline', are conducting intensive negotiations between the junta and the Muslim Brotherhood . These, according to the web, looking for a political pact with which at least partially revoke the decrees passed by the Board, and in return appease the tension on the streets. The results should have been released last Thursday. Thousands of people, most Islamists rallied on Friday in Tahrir Square in Cairo to demand the publication of electoral data. They also protested against the new powers granted recently in the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces who governs the country temporarily from the fall of Hosni Mubarak. Some protesters are still in the square, with the intention of maintaining the camp until countermanded the recent measures adopted by the Board.

Gaza: Palestinian child killed in 5 years

A Palestinian boy and 5 years was killed this morning by Israeli fire in Gaza Strip controlled by Hamas, against the backdrop of a surge of renewed violence in the last hours marked by numerous rocket launches towards the southern Israel - alternating with air strikes and retaliation - despite the outline of another truce which emerged last night. The local sources. Israel has but 'denied involvement of his air force in the episode. 

Political crisis is a challenge for the new Pakistani prime minister, experts say


Raja Pervaiz Ashraf replace ousted Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani. But the appointment will not solve political problems of the country, affecting relations with neighbors and with the U.S., analysts say. Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, who was elected Prime Minister of Pakistan on Friday (22/06), takes office at a time of intense political turmoil. Ashraf got the most votes in the lower house of parliament, the National Assembly. The erstwhile Minister of Information Technology was named after the Supreme Court dismissed Tues Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani on Thursday. In a controversial verdict, the Supreme Court dismissed Prime Minister Gilani. In April, the court declared guilty of contempt after he refused to write a letter to the Swiss government to reopen corruption cases involving Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari, the Swiss authorities had filed in 2008. The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) government asserts that the procedures were "politically motivated" and can not be reopened as Zardari remain head of state and enjoys presidential immunity. The PPP contested the decision Thursday, saying the prime minister could only be removed by the parliament. Despite the reservations against the verdict, the party decided to accept the determination of the court, seeking the good of the country.
Challenges for the new prime minister
Snehal Shingavi, an expert on Pakistan at the University of Texas, told that the appointment of Ashraf as the new prime minister of Pakistan would not solve the long political and institutional crisis in the country. To Shingavi, Ashraf probably have the same fate as its predecessor."The strategy is to keep the PPP candidates to be overturned by the judiciary so that the party can blame the courts for political deadlock," he says.
Prime Minister Gilani was dismissed by the Pakistani Supreme Court
Prime Minister Gilani was dismissed by the Pakistani Supreme Court
Shingavi believes Ashraf has a hard job ahead. "There are at least three problems to be faced. Firstly, the Judiciary will require him to make charges against Zardari and the PPP can not allow that to happen. Secondly, the opposition party, Tehreek-e-Insaaf and the League Pakistan Muslim [the former prime minister Nawaz Sharif] are calling for new elections. Finally, the population is getting increasingly agitated by the economic crisis facing the country, "the expert believes. To Shingavi, it is likely that the bitter dispute between the judiciary and the executive continue, despite the election of the new prime minister.
Clash of institutions
Many Pakistanis see the current situation as a clash of institutions. PPP supporters believe that the judiciary, supported by the ubiquitous army of Pakistan, tries to undermine the supremacy of parliament and civil democracy. On Thursday, the military-backed counternarcotics court issued arrest warrant against Makhdoom Shahabuddin, for involvement in drug regimen. He was the first choice of PPP for the post of prime minister. Some observers claim that the injunction against Shahabuddin is politically motivated and is part of the ongoing war between the judiciary and parliament. "I am sure that the warrant is politically motivated, otherwise he would have been issued earlier. But the PPP is also full of political figures who have done illegal things and used his power to cover such practices. Both the PPP and its enemies use their political resources in a very opportunistic, "said Shingavi. Experts also criticized by the Supreme Court to dismiss an elected prime minister and said the chief justice, Iftikhar Mohammed Chaudhry, attempted to undermine the nascent democratic setup in Pakistan. Emrys Schoemaker, communications analyst and researcher at the London School of Economics, told that the consequences of removing the court Gilani are "political." "The main question is whether the time of Gilani's dismissal was correct. The court should act for the good of the country and engage in politics or should remain neutral? It seems that the court is simply dealing with cases on its list of sentences, but the consequences of their actions are highly political, "he says.
Regional implications
Chief Justice Chaudhry tried to undermine democracy in Pakistan, experts say
Chief Justice Chaudhry tried to undermine democracy in Pakistan, experts say
Experts say the United States is closely watching the deepening political crisis in Pakistan, a country that has nuclear weapons. "The history of Pakistan is marked by this kind of political crisis. The international community does not trust us. The situation in the region is very complex. The recent political events in Pakistan can not be seen as something separate," the activist told Zaman Khan, based in Lahore. Observers believe that the current domestic political turmoil in Pakistan is likely to affect the country's relations with its neighbors and with the West, particularly with the United States. The ties between the U.S. and Pakistan have been weakened since the U.S. air attack at a checkpoint killed 24 Pakistanis in 2011. Since then, there have been signs that bilateral relations will improve soon.

Windows 8 and Windows Phone 8 share "heart"


Microsoft has released Windows Phone 8 the latest version of its operating system for smartphones. The new version of WP stands out for having the same core as Windows 8, what makes the two systems share many of their features. Besides Windows Phone 8, coming in fall out their own application for NFC payments and a redesign of its interface. The second presentation from Microsoft so far this week has not disappointed. The company has resubmitted interesting developments, as happened with Surface, confirming that wants to take a step beyond its operating system for smartphones. In fact, the intention of Microsoft is that Windows Phone comes near, nearly one in its PC operating system. Thus, in the announcement of Windows Phone 8, the main novelty is that the system shares the core Windows code 8. This is a step forward for the system, which will share its structure with Windows 8, though running on smartphones. With this announcement, Microsoft closed its ecosystem, matching opportunities on a PC, 'tablets' and smartphones. The fact that Windows Phone 8 shares the Windows kernel 8 assumes that the content designed for each of the two systems may adapt, in simplest form to another. Thus, Microsoft has explained that pass a set Windows Phone 8 to Windows 8 will be much easier, which is an incentive for developers and therefore a future benefit to users. This is a step that many claimed that gives extra value to the entire Windows ecosystem. Microsoft catapult its mobile operating system while improving, in part, system capabilities for PC and 'tablets'.

NEW DESIGN

The presentation of Windows Phone 8 has given much more besides to confirm that share core desktop version of Windows. Microsoft has also shown the new system image, an evolution of the view in Windows Phone 7.5. Microsoft, aware that the interface and frame system has been well received, has focused on improvement. The company has opted to give more options for customizing the home screen of Windows Phone. To do this, Windows Phone 8 lets you customize the size of the squares of applications. In this way, users can directly access more content, since they can adapt to your wishes. Microsoft has explained that there are three sizes for shortcuts that will allow each user to get a home screen tailored to your needs, with content featured in his opinion. The redesigned Windows Phone 8 recalls that we have seen Windows 8 for 'tablets' and promises to improve the user experience. In addition, Microsoft has confirmed new colors for the panels, which extend the range that users could choose to date. As for technical details of the system, Microsoft has confirmed that Windows Phone 8 is prepared to work with a wide range of devices, ranging from the two cores on. Furthermore, the system is optimized for three different resolutions, WVGA, WXGA and 720p. However, for those who can not be updated Microsoft will release Windows Phone 7.8, an intermediate version.

GOING FOR THE NFC

Another prominent feature of Windows Phone 8 is Microsoft's bid for the Near Field Communication (NFC). The system of short-range wireless communication will have a major role in the system, which has an application's own purse. Microsoft has spent much of his presentation to present the NFC payment service Windows Phone 8. It is your own application, which provide APIs to third parties, capable of enabling mobile payments via cards and links to services like PayPal accounts. The mobile payment app Windows Phone 8 synching capabilities integrate with services like Groupon discount and promises to be one of the apps of this kind more complete. Users can store their savings and all kinds of actions related to payments through your mobile. In a video demonstration, Microsoft showed a family dinner at a restaurant and does all the booking process, food choice and payment by the payment application Windows Phone 8, which also includes options for sharing content in social networks. Following the commitment to the NFC, Windows Phone 8 will allow sharing of content such as photos or documents through this type of connection. In addition, users can get extras like personalized advertising through this system. Overall, the show confirms that Windows Phone 8 build on the possibilities of NFC technology.

VoIP AND AUDIBLE

Another new Windows Phone 8 which was expected integration with Skype. In this regard, Microsoft has confirmed the potential of making VoIP calls with Skype and other systems. The company explained that the system is able to hold conversations and perform other actions simultaneously. A new feature which was not anticipated nothing is audible, a voice recognition system itself. Siri and style similar to that included by Samsung in the Galaxy S III, Windows Phone 8 will have a system to interact with the smartphone through voice commands. The voice recognition system introduced by Microsoft will be available to developers, which may include in their applications so they can be controlled by voice. This is a new interesting possibility, which is a change in their Windows Phone. Microsoft has confirmed that Audible will reach the pre-Windows Phone 8, expanding its availability and number of devices that can use it.

INTERNET EXPLORER 10 AND NOKIA MAPS

Following the new Windows Phone 8, Microsoft has confirmed that the new version of its mobile OS, which will reach the expected Internet Explorer 10, the browser company. Because Windows Phone 8 shares the core of Windows 8, Internet Explorer will come with the same engine, which promises high performance and comprehensive experience. In addition, Microsoft has confirmed that the system will have the same security guarantees that Windows 8, which also applies to Internet Explorer 10. Thus, the company will use its expertise in the field of PCs to improve security of its mobile platform. Another innovation that is expected to use Windows Phone 8 Nokia Maps. Microsoft has decided not to Bing and follow the trend already taken in the range of Nokia Lumia. Nokia Maps to be integrated into all Windows Phone 8, allowing consult maps for online and offline. Microsoft has highlighted the possibilities and quality of this platform.  Along with this news, Microsoft has anticipated developments for managing Windows Phone devices 8 in the business environment. It is a commitment to make the supply system more secure and manageable for the corporate, land which had been dominated by RIM and BlackBerry and Apple iPhone OS currently.