Six In The Morning

Russia OKs legislation to ease party registration

The move, which follows protests over elections seen as tainted, draws a mixed reaction. Skeptics say it could lead to a profusion of parties and confuse voters.

By Sergei L. Loiko, Los Angeles Times
Russia's parliament on Wednesday approved legislation intended to simplify the registration of political parties, a move influenced by massive protests after a December election widely viewed as tainted by fraud. The legislation, which outgoing President Dmitry Medvedev is expected to sign into law next week, was welcomed by those who believe it could help loosen the tight grip held by Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, the president-elect, and the governing United Russia party. But others remained skeptical of the good the changes would bring, saying the new rules could result in the creation of so many political parties that the electorate may become confused or disillusioned.

Robert Fisk: Living on the edge of Syria's bloody war
As Assad's troops fire shots across the border into Lebanon, the nation's religious factions remain bitterly divided on how to tackle their neighbour from hell: President Assad

Robert Fisk Thursday 29 March 2012
Syria's bloodbath is carving further divisions in Lebanon as President Bashar al-Assad's Lebanese allies and enemies shout more and more insults at each other. The Christians have even divided among themselves, the old Phalangist leadership calling for Assad's overthrow while the Catholic Maronite church performs its old role of fence-sitting on behalf of Syria's minority Christians. Only this week has the Maronite patriarch, Bechara Rai, had to re-explain himself for the umpteenth time after once more pleading for dialogue between Assad's regime and the Syrian people – instead of denouncing the government in Damascus for its killings.

Extreme weather: it's about to get worse, say scientists


March 29, 2012 - 1:40PM
Global warming is leading to such severe storms, droughts and heatwaves that nations should prepare for an unprecedented onslaught of deadly and costly weather disasters, an international panel of climate scientists says in a new report. The greatest danger from extreme weather is in highly populated, poor regions of the world, the report warns, but no corner of the globe - from Mumbai to Miami - is immune. The document by a Nobel prize-winning panel of climate scientists forecasts stronger tropical cyclones and more frequent heat waves, deluges and droughts.

Ousted Mali leader hiding out in capital


THOMAS MORFIN BAMAKO, MALI - Mar 29 2012 07:43
Mali's ousted leader Amadou Toumani Toure, whose whereabouts have been unknown since he was overthrown on March 22, has told Agence France-Presse he is safe in the capital Bamako and not being held by the junta. The president was chased out of power just five weeks before the end of his term in office ahead of elections on April 29 which the junta has since suspended with no fresh poll date fixed. "I am indeed in Bamako, and thank God my family and I are doing well," Toure said in a brief telephone conversation on Wednesday.

Algeria: France's Toulouse gunman is not ours
French media have repeatedly pointed out Mohammed Merah's Algerian roots, but their Algerian counterparts note that he was born and raised in France.

By Robert Marquand, Staff writer
French media have not shied away from referencing the Algerian roots of 23-year-old Toulouse gunman Mohammed Merah since French authorities disclosed them. However, their Algerian counterparts have kicked up a storm, eager to renounce Mr. Merah’s Algerian identity. No, wait. That’s not quite right. Algerian media are actually pointing out, correctly, that Merah is not Algerian at all. He was born and raised in France, went to French schools, ate and watched TV in the suburbs of Toulouse, and tried to join the French Foreign Legion. He spent much of his life with his family in the French projects, an area known as Les Izards in northeast Toulouse.

China scandal: Bo Xilai allegations 'preposterous'
A politician at the heart of China's biggest political scandal in years is the victim of a smear campaign, a source close to his family has said.

By Michael Bristow & Martin Patience BBC News, Beijing
The source, who did not want to be identified, said the allegations against Bo Xilai were "preposterous". Mr Bo was sacked from his job in charge of the city of Chongqing after his police chief fled to a US consulate, causing major embarrassment to Beijing. Since then, a steady stream of damaging stories about Mr Bo have emerged. Earlier this week it emerged that the British government had asked the Chinese authorities to re-open an investigation into the death of UK businessman Neil Heywood, a close friend of Mr Bo.