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Thursday, June 28, 2012

Hundreds of homes and thousands of hectares destroyed by fire in Colorado

US officials said today that hundreds of houses have been destroyed in the Colorado Springs area, one of the most affected by the fire that has destroyed thousands of hectares in the state of Colorado (U.S. Midwest). Mayor of this city, the second largest in the state after Denver, Steve Bach, told a press conference that "hundreds of houses have been destroyed" in the Waldo Canyon fire, although no figures, as recorded by the Denver newspaper Post. Bach explained that the area is being assessed and the authorities are in the process of counting the affected homes to notify their owners before making public the data. Some 32,000 people have been evacuated in the last five days and as aerial images disseminated through the local media is estimated to have burned about 300 homes in the neighborhood of Mountain Shadows. The fire began on June 23, for reasons still unknown being investigated by local authorities and the FBI, and has extended to 18,500 acres. changing winds and high temperatures have hampered the work of firefighters and rescue teams have contained only five percent of the fire. The Air Force has joined efforts and has sent 35 helicopters military and four C-130 tanker aircraft. A total of eight fires are active in the state of Colorado, which so far is the worst fire season in the last decade. State Governor, John Hickenlooper, has signed three executive orders and declared "disaster zone" areas affected by fires in High Park, Springer and Stuart Hole, to provide additional assistance to the suppression efforts. U.S. President Barack Obama spoke by phone Wednesday with Colorado's governor and the mayor of Colorado Springs and told them he plans to visit the area on Friday. The area west of the country is being affected by an early fire season. Other states like Montana, Utah, Wyoming, South Dakota , New Mexico, Nevada, Arizona and California, according to the National Center for Integration of Fires, fires are also suffering. In late May a fire in the Gila National Forest of New Mexicoconsumed at least 77,000 hectares, which made ​​him the most of the state's history.According to experts, the combination of drought and low humidity, climate change and changes in land use is likely to entail a series of similar fires in the western U.S. states this season. The number of fires in Colorado have increased over the last decade and therefore the number of people living in risk areas. According to research by I-News Network, a nonprofit organization in Colorado, has been population movement in recent years to "red" state, and qualified by the risk of occurrence of forest fires. However, although federal authorities have said that this year the fire season has started earlier in the northern Rockies, the number of fires and area burned across the country is still lower than the average of the last ten years in this time of year, according to statistics from the federal agency of fire, quoted by the Star Tribune.

Euro 2012: 1st Semi Final, Spain after penalty thriller against Portugal in the European Championship finals

Spain is following the 4-2 win on penalties against Portugal in the European Championship final and dreaming about the title-triple. After 120 minutes it was 0-0. Spain has cleared the way for historic triple-title and the brave Portuguese Cristiano Ronalo only in a penalty shoot-out of the way. The world and European champion won the 120 goalless minutes against recalcitrant neighbors brother duel 4-2 in shootout to the point and can win on Sunday in the final of the Championship as the first team European Championships, World and European Championships in direct sequence. Spain reaches for the fourth time after the European title, the opponents in the Olympic Stadium in Kiev will be Germany or Italy.Spain could be on his team captain Iker Casillas to thank - and also had luck: Bruno Alves missed a second penalty for Portugal - then hit Cesc Fabregas. Previously, Xabi Alonso was for Spain and Portugal for Joao Moutinho failed to Casillas. It could have also been extended to the end. But Andres Iniesta, who scored the winning goal in the World Cup final against the Netherlands (1-0 aet), failed in the extension of the Portuguese goalkeeper Rui Patricio brilliantly responsive (104th). Until then, high-profile opportunities remained scarce. Boring was the intense, especially by the Portuguese, with great use out of the game in Donbass Arena in Donetsk, however. Prior to this, must do the "Red Fury" hard work. The Portuguese disturbed the Spanish "Tiki Taka" with great Lidenschaft and with great efficiency, let the machine pass the defender barely get going and played himself bravely forward. Disappeared after extra ihne forces. Until then, above all, Ronaldo tried repeatedly to contact resolute individual actions or good passes to his teammates scene. 22 seconds before the end of the 90 minutes he missed, however, from a good position in the penalty area the chance to win. For Portugal, the lost finals in 2004 will remain against Greece (0-1) is the only final at a major tournament.At the 2010 World Cup Ronaldo and Co. had lost the second round against Spain (0-1). Spain has now played in the ninth game in a tournament co-"to zero".

Syria: more than 15,800 of the dead from the start of the uprising

More than 15,800 people have been killed since the start of the revolt in Syria, about 15 months ago, according to the Syrian Human Rights Watch. Indeed, as pointed out by the Centre last week was the bloodiest, as from 20 June to 26 killed 916 people. From May 26 to June 26, total, 3,426 people were killed. spokesman Abdel Rahman of the Centre, noted that he has escalated the pace of killings, while the dead were killed while the 4681 was supposed to force a ceasefire. He said that the escalation is due to the "silence of the international community regarding the crimes of the regime."According to the Centre, Tuesday killed 129 people, of whom 79 were civilians. For his part, the Special Envoy the United Nations and the Arab League, Kofi Annan intends to convene high-level meeting, as escalating conflicts. According to the representative of Jean Marie Gkeno, Annan's efforts on organizing a task force in order to meet Saturday, the 30th June. The Gkeno noted that Mr. Annan is working with all sides and with Syrian foreign governments. Meanwhile, the view that Syria is "a real war situation," expressed the president, Bashar al-Assad , addressing the members the new cabinet which was sworn Tuesday, June 26.

U.S. federal court prohibits Samsung tablet after demand for Apple

A U.S. federal court banned the sale of the new Galaxy Tab 10.1 tablet Samsung siding with Apple in a fierce legal battle between the two computer giants for alleged patent violation. A court in Northern District California ruled Tuesday there was "evidence that Samsung designed its product to look like Apple" and said that Apple introduced "solid arguments." The South Korean company said it was "disappointed" by the decision, noting that this "will reduce the supply of high technology products for consumers in the United States, "AFP reported. According to Samsung, the injunction is "based on a patent that concerns only a part of the overall product design." "If Apple continues to bring suit against generic concepts, innovation and progress in the industry may be limited, "the group said, adding that" take necessary legal steps, "without elaborating. The court said it had not been "persuaded by the arguments of Samsung" . As a condition of the injunction, Apple was ordered to deposit $ 2.6 million to guarantee payment of damages in case you later find that the Samsung product does not infringe any patent. Apple could not be immediately reached for comment, but in his original application, submitted in April 2011, had accused Samsung have chosen to "slavishly copied" Apple technology in the design of its Galaxy line of mobile phones and tablets, which work with The Google Android operating system.

Saudi beheaded for kidnapping and rape

A Saudi who had been sentenced to death for kidnapping and raping a boy, was beheaded with a sword in Mecca Wednesday of western Saudi Arabia, the Interior Ministry said. TheMohammed al-Tzoumpairi, under the influence of alcohol and drugs, kidnapped and then raped the victim, according to the communication ministry reported that the Saudi news agency SPA. The decapitation was raised to 46 the number of executions since the beginning of the year in Saudi Arabia. In 2011 at least 76 death row were executed in the kingdom, under review by the French Agency, and Amnesty International believes that the authorities have made ​​at least 79 executions during this period. Rape, murder, apostasy, robbery and drug trafficking punishable by capital punishment in this country comply with strict Islamic law (Sharia).

Fire out of control in Colorado, 32 thousand people evacuated

More to 32 thousand people have fled their homes in the U.S. state of Colorado because of a bushfire came to the town' of Colorado Springs. The streets are choked with smoke and cars for the mass flight of people from the city 'and the nearby Academy of aviation. More than 800 firefighters are trying to extinguish the flames, spread over an area of ​​2500 hectares, but more relief is coming from other western states. The fire broke out in Waldo Canyon, and 'extends over so' aa large because of strong winds, reached up to 104 kilometers per hour.

Assad - "We're in a real war"


He announced "tremendous anger" on would react with Turkey on the launch of their fighters from the Syrian coast. Immediately after Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan ordered troop movements towards the Syrian border. Of course, it initially looked more like saber rattling because after threatening military action. Reported was the troop convoy, also on video, by the pro-government Turkish news agency Cihan who attacked Turkish and Israeli media on it, and so the effect was perfect: a strong, angry Turkey responded decisively to what Erdogan a "hostile act" calls. Upon closer inspection, however, the extent of the march was limited. Of 15 tanks was talk, and were on the recordings at first only those visible from the antiquated type M-48 Patton. The report said there had also been placed howitzers.

A rhetorical massive response

All in all, it fits into the scheme only a powerful rhetorical response: strong language, media attention, but otherwise inconsequential NATO meeting in Turkey's desire, the smaller but highly mediated troop movements. Shall respect one's face without having to actually do something. In Syria, however, seemed to be the installation of tanks and troops are indeed registered. Even as Erdogan of "Turkish anger," said flared, near Damascus, heavy fighting. Never was so close to the center of the regime have been fought so hard and durable. Rebels blocked a road from Damascus to Beirut. Rebels attacked a private, but pro-regime TV station whose studios are located 20 kilometers south of Damascus, media reported three to seven deaths. Overall, information came to opposition on Tuesday alone 135 people died.

Assad calls from a state of war

President Bashar al-Assad, meanwhile, called the state of war: "We are in a real war, from all sides," he said just before his Cabinet reshuffled. The totality of the policy, "all parties and sectors" should now be focused on winning this war. With "all sides" Assad said, certainly also to Turkey.Without it the battle of the rebels against the regime would hardly be maintained. Turkey granted the rebels on Turkish territory safe havens. The Syrian opposition has offices in Istanbul and the Syrian army says it free for a long time that it waits for a "green light" from Ankara to return to the last storm to blow on the regime. And the CIA supported the rebels, according to reports of the "Washington Post" with weapons and information. And that may be concluded Assad that Ankara has given for the plane shooting down by the Syrians, the signal for full offense. According to Turkish media reports, Syria has reinforced its troops on the border with Turkey much, probably, to prevent a mass exodus. But above all it is an expression of the Syrian concern that the decisive blow when he comes, will come from Turkey, in the guise of collecting and organizing there Syrian volunteers.

No rapid departure of the Syrian government

U.S. intelligence agencies do not expect a rapid departure of the Syrian government. Despite a number of desertions, the structures remained stable and the majority of the armed forces would be loyal to the government Assad. The Syrian army had learned from the counterinsurgency, how to deal with it is. However, the insurgents would be more and more. But what if Assad and the hardliners around him have the end in mind? Could they try to retaliate against Turkey? It could well be imagined only as a last-ditch win, because the ailing Syrian conflict with Turkey, not the much stronger. But shows the aircraft firing on Friday that Damascus may well strike against those it perceived as the aggressor, Turkey.

Conference on the Annan Plan

In order to save his peace plan but still, the international envoy to Syria, Kofi Annan, the five veto powers in the Security Council and representatives of Arab states to a conference on the situation in the country has called together. Two and a half months after the cease-fire agreement for Syria to violence there has risen in the opinion of the UN even more. The six-point plan will not be implemented clearly Annan said the UN Deputy Envoy to the country, Jean-Marie Guehenno, on Wednesday before the UN Human Rights Council. On Saturday, the five veto powers in the Security Council - to advise and Turkey, and representatives of the Arab League, including diplomats from Iraq, Kuwait and Qatar, on ways to stop the bloodshed in Syria - United Kingdom, China, France, Russia and the United States.  Even UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon will attend the Conference of the Action Group for Syria in Geneva. However, were not invited, Iran and Saudi Arabia. Annan had initially proposed to also include in the discussions on Iran, U.S. sources said an invitation but made from the consent of the United States and Russia dependent. For Berlin, it was said that Germany would want to discuss at the meeting at which political solutions do not participate.