Taliban commander: we cannot win war and al-Qaida is a 'plague'
Interview: senior Taliban commander admits insurgents must seek settlement with other political forces in Afghanistan
One of the Taliban's most senior commanders has admitted the insurgents cannot win the war in Afghanistan and that capturing Kabul is "a very distant prospect", obliging them to seek a settlement with other political forces in the country.
In a startlingly frank interview in Thursday's New Statesman, the commander – described as a Taliban veteran, a confidant of the leadership, and a former Guantánamo inmate – also uses the strongest language yet from a senior figure to distance the Afghan rebels from al-Qaida.
"At least 70% of the Taliban are angry at al-Qaida. Our people consider al-Qaida to be a plague that was sent down to us by the heavens," the commander says.
Chihuahua: Where the rain doesn't fall any more
A record drought in northern Mexico has prompted warnings that the region's climate may have changed for good
Gorged to bursting point, the vulture watches impassively as the twister whips a column of dust past the sun-parched remains of cattle dotting the barren field. If there were such a thing as a textbook image of drought, then this could well be it.
Wracked by a savage drug conflict that has claimed thousands of lives, the last thing northern Mexico needed was a "natural" disaster to compound its woes. But now the region's beef herds are being ravaged by the worst drought on record – one which scientists are linking to climate change. Eighteen of the country's 32 states are affected.
The Irish Times - Wednesday, July 11, 2012
Miners arrive in Madrid after 400km march to protest at cuts
GUY HEDGECOE in Madrid
PLÁCIDO ÁLVAREZ isn’t used to getting blisters on his feet. As a coal miner from the northern Spanish province of León, he is more used to getting calluses on his hands. Over the last 2½ weeks though, his feet have taken a beating as he has walked, with dozens of fellow miners, across northern Spain to Madrid – a distance of over 400km – to protest against cuts to the mining sector.
“We’ve been walking just over 30km each day,” he said, as he rested with other miners at the side of the road on the outskirts of Madrid. At mid-morning, it was already over 30 degrees.
Fresh attacks in Nigeria claimed by Boko Haram
A radical militant sect has claimed responsibility for weekend attacks that have killed at least 58 people including two lawmakers in central Nigeria.
Christians "will not know peace again" if they do not accept Islam, said a statement from the Boko Haram sect obtained by the Associated Press on Tuesday, which added a new dimension to a security crisis in a region that has seen years of religious violence.
The north-based group claimed responsibility for weekend attacks in Plateau state, though some suggested they had acted with local communities.
"[Boko Haram] wants to inform the world of its delight over the success of the attacks we launched on Barkin Ladi and Riyom in Plateau state on Christians and security operatives, including members of the national assembly," the statement said.
Hamas in Gaza pin hopes on Mursi's election in Egypt
On a sweltering July afternoon in Gaza City, Ghazi Hamed leans back in his chair and kicks off his shoes.
He stretches out his legs towards a large fan whirring in the corner of his office. He seems keen to cool his toes.
Hamas' deputy foreign minister is hot but he is not bothered. A smile creeps across his neatly trimmed salt and pepper beard. He's very much in the pink.
"Everyone is celebrating. We are very happy. It was wonderful," he smiles.
And the reason for his good humour: The election of a new president. Not in Gaza but in neighbouring Egy2011 Texas drought was 20 times more likely due to warming, study says
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