Thursday 27 February 2014

Madaxweynaha oo Guddoomiye cusub u magacaabay Gobolka Banaadir

Khamiis, Feberaayo 27, 2014 (HOL) — Wareegto kasoo baxday xafiiska madaxweynaha Soomaaliya, Xasan Sh. Maxamuud maanta oo Khamiis ah ayaa guddoomiyaha gobolka Banaadir iyo duqa Muqdisho loo magacaabay Jen. Xasan Maxamed Xuseen (Muun-gaab) oo horay u ahaa guddoomiyaha maxkamadda ciidanka qalabka sida ee dowladda Soomaaliya.

Madaxweynaha ayaa sheegay in magacaabiddan ay ku timid kaddib markii uu dhageystay talooyinka ra’iisul wasaaraha Somalia, C/weli Sheekh Axmed Maxamed iyo wasiirka arrimaha gudaha & federaalka, C/llaahi Goodax Barre.

“Markii uu ogaaday inay jirto baahida loo qabo in guddoomiye cusub loo magacaabo gobolka Banaadir. Kaddib markii uu tixgeliyay soo jeedinta iyo waayo-aragnimada uu Jen. Muun-gaab u leeyahay maamulka, garsoorka iyo nabad-galyada ayuu xilkan magacaabay,” ayaa lagu yiri wareegtada kasoo baxday xafiiska madaxweyanha Soomaaliya.

Sidoo kale, wareegtada ayaa lagu sheegay in magacaabista guddoomiyaha gobolka Banaadir iyo Duqa Muqdisho loo magacaabay Jen. Xasan Maxamed Xuseen (Muun-gaab).

“Waxaa xilkii guddoomiyaha Gobolka Banaadir ahna duqa Muqdisho laga qaaday, guddoomiyihii hore Maxamuud Axmed Nuur (Tarsan),” ayaa sidoo kale wareegtada lagu sheegay.

Dhanka kale, wareegtada ayaa lagu faray in hay’adaha ciidanka booliiska, qaybta gobolka Banaadir iyo hay’adda nabad-sugidda qaybteeda gobolka Banaadir inay si toos ah ula shaqeeyaan guddoomiyaha cusub ee gobolka loo magacaabay.

Ugu dambeyn, waxaa lagu sheegay wareegtada in xeerkan uu dhaqan-galiyo marka uu saxiixo madaxweynaha Soomaaliya si rasmi ahna loogu faafiyo warbaahinta dalka.

Guddoomiyihii hore ee gobolka Banaadir Maxamuud Axmed Nuur (Tarsan) ayaa xilkan hayay sannadihii lasoo dhaafay, waxaana uu horay u diiday inuu qabto xil wasiir ku xigeen ah oo loo magacaabay.

Maxamed X. Xuseen, Hiiraan Online
maxuseen@hiiraan.com
Muqdisho, Soomaaliya

Uganda – “Anti-Gay” Laws Impact Turn International

Uganda – “Anti-Gay” Laws Impact Turn International: Media and official sources confirm (27.02.214) that Denmark, Norway and Sweden are considering the cancellation of any state aid to Uganda in view of the adoption, in Kampala, of the so-called “Anti-Gay” Laws (signed on 24.02.2014), with the possibility for other international donors to follow. Virgin Group Ltd is also considering a business boycott against Uganda. The US Secretary of State, Kerry, issued a note (27.02.2014 – Washington) comparing Uganda’s legislation on homosexuality to anti-semitic laws in Nazi Germany or Apartheid in South Africa. The full text of the law is available here (mindful: very strong language). The South African Foreign Affairs Ministry issued a note (26.02.2014) specifying it will be seeking clarification,n through the existing diplomatic channels, on the developments from many capitals around the world regarding the rights of lesbians, gays, bisexual and intersex persons worldwide.

NATO – “All Options” Available for Post-2014 Afghanistan, including “Zero”:

NATO – “All Options” Available for Post-2014 Afghanistan, including “Zero”: NATO Defence Ministers (meeting in Brussels 26-27.02.2014) formally agreed to plan for all options in post-2014 Afghanistan, including the full pull-out. NATO Secretary General, Rasmussen, specified in a note (27.02.2014 – Brussels) that the possibility of not being able to deploy any troop in Afghanistan after 2014 is due to the continuous delays in finalising an agreement with Kabul (President Karzai demanded that a signature would be done only after the incoming general elections in April 2014). The New York Times (among many others) published an article (link) suggesting that President Obama called Karzai (25.02.2014) to confirm that he had instructed the Pentagon to start planning for a full withdrawal by the end of 2014.

China – Decisions on Air Defence Zone “Depending on the Threat”:

The Chinese Defence Ministry issued a note (27.02.2014 – Beijing) suggesting that there is a possibility to implement an air defence identification zone over the disputed waters of the South China Sea, depending on the level of threat in the air. China is confident that all relations with the countries surrounding the disputed maritime area, and the general situation in the South China Sea, are stable. A few days from his stepping down, the US Ambassador to China, Gary Locke, has publicly expressed concerns for the rising tensions between Japan and China, inviting both parties to lower the temperature in order to avoid unintended consequences.

Turkey – Missile Defence System Acquisition to Finalise with China

Turkey – Missile Defence System Acquisition to Finalise with China: The Turkish Under-Secretary of State for Defence Industry – Murad Bayar, confirmed to the media (27.02.2014 – Ankara) that Turkey is willing to finalise a military acquisition contract with China by April 2014, regarding the provision of a missile defence system named FD-2000. Competitors that lost the bid include Italian/French consortium SAMP/T and US Raytheon. The issue emerging from the news relates to the potential main contractor, CPMIEC, which was hit by US sanctions as it was involved in selling military equipments to Syria, Iran and North Korea. NATO and USA are pressing on Ankara to review their decision.

Syria – US Vs Assad for Retaliations on SNC Delegates

Syria – US Vs Assad for Retaliations on SNC Delegates: The US State Department issued a note (27.02.2014 – Washington) blaming the Syrian Government for retaliating against representatives of the Syrian National Coalition who took part to the recent Geneva 2 Peace Conference. According to the sources available, the Syrian police have put under arrest a number of family members of the SNC delegates in Geneva, while other sources suggest the Syrian authorities have seized assets of those negotiating at the peace-talks in Switzerland. As no date for the continuation of the peace-talks is established, the Syrian authorities continue in their effort to eradicate terrorism, and claim they have successfully killed today 175 militants associated with the Al-Nusra Front (in western media, often named simply “Al-Qaeda”); the militias that were taken by the regular forces, were attempting to open a channel to access the besieged eastern side of Damascus (video with dead bodies of Al-Nusra fighters?).

Ukraine – Pro-Russian Militants Occupy Crimean Regional Assembly

Ukraine – Pro-Russian Militants Occupy Crimean Regional Assembly: Media and Official sources confirm (27.02.2014) that pro-Russian protesters in Crimea successfully occupied the local regional representatives offices of the Ukrainian Government and the local Crimean Regional Assembly in Simferopol (map). Crimea is the only region in Ukraine marked by a majority of ethnic Russian citizens, and home to the Russian Black Sea Fleet in Sevastapol (map). The Interim President of Ukraine, Turchinov, issued a statement (27.02.2014 – Kiev) warning the current military commander of the Russian Black Sea Fleet not to abuse its naval base rights, and that any movement of troops the more so if they are with weapons,will be considered a military aggression. The Russian acting envoy in Kiev has been summoned by the Ukrainian Foreign Minister, while the Russian Defence Minister, Shoigu, released a statement yesterday (26.02.2014 – Moscow) confirming that the Russian Army is put on high-alert in the Western Military District of Russia (bordering Ukraine), setting up a major military exercise involving 150’000 troops (army/air force/navy). The US Secretary of State, Kerry, also issued a warning against any intervention by Moscow, specifying that (NATO?) will protect Ukrainian sovereignty, and that it would be a grave mistake for Russia to intervene military in Crimea, especially in consideration of the fact that Moscow always opposed military intervention into foreign countries (Kerry refers specifically to Libya, Syria, Iraq – see the Telegraph). Although the former President, Yanukovych, is still at large, sources suggest he reached Moscow.

Tuesday 25 February 2014

China/India: 6th Defence Dialogue

China/India: 6^th Defence Dialogue: China and India concluded yesterday (25.02.2014 – New Delhi) the 6^th session of their bilateral Annual Defence Dialogue, confirming the intention to hold a second joint India-China Army joint exercise in 2014 (after the successful exercise of 2013), to increase cooperation on maritime security, and to keep tranquility on the disputed border area. The Chinese delegation was lead by the Deputy Chief of Staff of the PLA (People’s Liberation Army), Lt Gen Guanzhong, while India was represented by the Defence Secretary, Mathur. The 6^th session also agreed on (1) the creation of hot lines between Indian and Chinese brigades, and at Command/corps levels; (2) the establishment of senior levels exchanges between the Directorates General of Military Operations; (3) the strengthening of bilateral strategic consultations on matters related to Asian security (South Asian and Pacific Asia). A visit to India of the Chinese Defence Minister is also expected for later on in 2014.

Korean Peninsula – Seoul Opens Reunification Committee

Korean Peninsula – Seoul Opens Reunification Committee: The President of South Korea, Park Geun-Hye announced (25.02.2014 – Seoul) the creation of a Reunification Committee. According to the statement, made on television on the day of his first anniversary since her election one year ago, the intent is to create a blueprint for the reunification with North Korea, with the intent of expanding dialogue and direct exchanges with the DPRK officials. As media sources confirm, both Koreas maintain the same goal of reunification, but greatly disagree on the terms and conditions. The committee is also due to evaluate the financial costs of the proposals, which the ROK Finance Ministry has estimated to be 7% of national GDP (in consideration that ROK salaries are 18 times greater than in DPRK, and that the Gross National Income of South Korea is 38 times that of the North).

USA – Military Budget To Shrink

USA – Military Budget To Shrink: The US Secretary of State for Defence outlined (24.02.2014 – Washington) the Government plans for a reduction in the US Defence Budget for the FY2015. According to the proposals made, the US Army may be reduced to its smallest size in 74 years (Washington Post & Video). President Barak Obama is due to present the official plans to the US Congress next week; according to the sources available, the rationale of the cuts is that the US Armed Forces will no longer be sized to conduct large and protracted ground wars like Afghanistan and Iraq. The US Defence Secretary, Hagel, specified that the low-budget scenario allows the deployment of well-trained troops, but may not allow commitments to multiple conflicts. The US Congress will ultimately be responsible for the implementation of the President proposals, and therefore the details of the budget cuts will be finalized in the coming months (See Reuters).

Syria – More Air Raids Despite UN Resolution

Syria – More Air Raids Despite UN Resolution: Media sources suggest (25.02.2014) that the regular forces of Syria have carried out a number of aerial attacks on towns currently held by the opposition militias, despite a UN Resolution approved Saturday 22.02.2014 specifically demanded (among other items) the end of indiscriminate shelling / aerial bombing into civilian populated areas. Raids have been reported in the al-Hosn, in Mleiha and Aleppo (map). In all cases reported, media suggest the air-raids involved the killing of civilians. According to the Syrian Government sources (see note on SANA), “the reality of events” (SANA transcript) is that the air raids targeted terrorist dens in Aleppo and scores of terrorists were wiped out in Idleb (map). Nevertheless, the Syrian Foreign Ministry had earlier issued a note (24.02.2014 – Damascus), published by SANA – link – pledging full cooperation with the United Nations in the humanitarian field, provided national sovereignty is respected. In expressing its full cooperation to allow the humanitarian aid specifically requested by the UN Resolution, the Syrian FM argued that it is necessary to tackle the root causes of the violence, which is the al-Qaeda-linked takfiri terrorism (therefore justifying its military operations in the town currently controlled by the rebel militias). Meanwhile, media sources suggest (23-24-25.02.2014) that Saudi Arabia is seeking an agreement with Pakistan for the provision of anti-tank and anti-aircraft weapons system, to be stored in Jordan and delivered to the combatants of the Syrian opposition fighting Assad’s regular Army (see background) – the argument is that Saudi Arabia and Jordan are supporting the rebel militias in Syria in the south, while Qatar and Turkey are providing weapons and support from the north.

3 Iraq / Iran – Military Procurement Agreement: Reuters published an article (25.02.2014 - link) suggesting that Iran and Iraq have recently signed a bilateral agreement for the provision of weapons and, in particular, ammunitions. According to the source, the value of the procurement contract is at least $195m, and they would violate the current UN Sanctions regime on Iran. A spokesman for the Iraqi Prime Minister, Ali Mussawi, would not confirm or deny the agreement, but admitted it would be understandable for Iraq and Iran to cooperate, as they would need ammunitions to fight terrorism. Jen Psaki, spokeswoman for the US State Department, released a note (25.02.2014 – Washington) admitting that if the deal is true, it is a serious concern. Iran also denies that a procurement deal with Iraq exists, but Reuters claim that a source close to the United Nations Security Council Iran Sanctions Committee knew of the military agreement, and voiced concerns. The US State Department also confirmed that it is planning to accelerate the delivery of military equipment to Iraq (and that the USA already provided $15bn-worth of military assistance). The list of the items allegedly contained in the Iran/Iraq deal is listed in the source quoted above.

4 Trans-Pacific-Partnership (TPP) Talks – No Significant Outcome: The Members of the TTP are concluding their four-days trade-ministerial meeting in Singapore today, 25.20.2014. Members attending include: Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, USA, Vietnam. The aim of the talks is to find ways for the implementation of a trans-pacific free trade area (lead by the USA and excluding China), which would apply to 40% of global trade. The meeting concluded without a positive outcome, as differences remain on tariffs for imported goods between Japan and USA, and for market access in the agricultural and auto-motive sectors (NST). There is progress made in the talks in terms of finding a path forward to resolve differences, although the previously “self-imposed” TPP deadline was to reach an international agreement by the end of 2013. Although sources confirm that both South Korea and Taiwan have expressed interests in joining the TPP talks, it is clear that until an agreement is reached among the current 12 parties to the process, there will not be any expansion of the group; speculations across media outlets also confirm that the TPP represents a competitive approach of Washington Vs Chinese interests in the Pacific trading routes.

Ukraine-The Interim President of Ukraine, Turchynov, spoke to the Ukrainian Parliament today

Ukraine – Developments (Local): (25.02.2014 – Kiev) specifying that consultations for the establishment of a new Cabinet will continue until Thursday 27.02.2014 (UPI); in his speech, Turchynov underlined that separatism represents a serious threats in regions with a large resident ethnic Russian population (Crimea for example), after the ousting of President Yanukovych, and that consultations with the national security apparatus is currently under-way. The new interim Government will remain in place until the next general elections, planned for May 25^th, 2014. Among the possible candidates, Julia Tymoshenko has denied her availability to become Prime Minister in the Interim Government, and did not officially confirm her intention to run for the Presidency; Dobkin, the President of the Kharkiv Oblast (a regional district of Ukraine bordering with Russia - map) and supporter of Yanukovych, is considered a potential Presidential candidate for the pro-Russian electorate.– Developments (International): The Ukrainian Parliament also voted today (25.02.2014 – Kiev) to indict former President Yanukovych at the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague – although Ukraine is not a signatory party to the ICC convention – together with former Interior Minister Zacharchenko and former Prosecutor General Victor Pshonka, all accused of mass-murder. President Yanukovych has not been found yet. The Russian Foreign Minister, Lavrov, released a note to the press today (25.02.2014 – Moscow) confirming the Russian “non-intervention stance” in Ukraine, blaming the Interim Government for completing an armed mutiny of the Ukrainian State, and blaming Europe for interfering with the local policy of an independent State, by proposing a trade pact based on a “either with us or against us approach” (referring to the proposed Eastern Parnership of the EU, clashing with Russia’s custom union with former CSI states). Media and official sources speculate on the fact that Ukraine may face a financial collapse – both the EU and the USA have officially offered help, while the Russian offer for a $15bn loan remains locked by the current political scenario, which is not considered positive by Moscow. Negotiations continue, while the EU Foreign Affairs Representative, Ashton, has already reached Kiev yesterday for talks with the Interim President, urging him to include Yanukovych supporters in the process to avoid further accruements of the situation; the US Deputy Secretary of State, William Burns, is due to arrive in Kiev today for a two-days negotiation session with the members of the Interim Ukrainian Government, attended by both US and EU officials.

Haweenay shaah ka iibin-jirtay Askarta Dawladda Federaalka ka tirsan oo Degmadda Huriwaa lagu toogtay

Written by Administrator

Tuesday, 25 February 2014 13:07

Iyadoo Ururka Alshabaab ay soo saareen digniino ay u dirayaan haweenka Shaaha ka ganacsada ee shaaha ka iibiya Ciidamadda Dawladda federaalka in la toogan-doono,ayaa xalay Haweenaydii ugu horeysay ee la ogaaday inay Shaah ka iibiso Ciidamadda Dawladda lagu tuugtay Suuqa Xoolaha oo ka tirsan Degmadda Huriwaa,waxaana dhaawac culus la soo gaarsiiyay Haweenay kale,halka Ganacsigii Degmadda Huruwaa qeybo ka mid ah xalay Ururka Shabaab ku qasbeen in la xiro.

Arintan ayaa sababtay ilaa hadda Biibitooyonka Shaaha lagu cabo ee Degmadda Huriwaa in Askaragii loo garto Dawladda inuu ka tirsan-yahay Haweenka diideen inay Shaah ka ibiyaan si ay naftooda uga bad-badiyeen inay dilaan Ururka Alshabaab oo markaan qaabka dhaqankii Mafiyadda la soo baxay.

Riix:oo akhriso:19-kii Bishan oo Alshabaab soo saareen Digniin Haweenka Degmada Huriwaa loo jeediyay

Shacabkamedia-Beyra-Puntland

Runta Kama-Xıshoono

Email:Shacabkamedia@live.com

Former Somali Deputy PM denies allegations

Mrs. Fawzia Y. H. Adam has strongly denied the graft allegations published by Reuters.

Hiiraan Online
By Shafi’i Mohyaddin
Tuesday, February 25, 2014

Somalia’s former Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Mrs. Fawzia Y. H. Adam has strongly denied allegations made by former Somali central bank governor Yusur Abrar who accused Mrs. Adam of putting pressure on her to open an account in Dubai to use it for stealing money, according to a report recently published by Reuters.

Mrs. Adam, Somalia’s first ever female to hold a top government post, said in a press statement of which HOL obtained a copy, that the graft allegations published by Reuters on her were libelous.

“I would like to state here the facts about allegations by Reuters regarding the above mentioned graft which have recently been circulating in the international and local media were baseless and I condemn it in the strongest terms possible,” Mrs. Fawzia Y. H. Adam said in her press statement.

“Under the above heading, Reuters reported that ‘The sources said that according to Ms. Abrar (ex-Governor of Somali Central Bank), the former Foreign Minister (myself) had pressed her to open a bank account in Dubai against her wishes. Abrar resigned without opening it,” she noted in the press statement.

Former Governor of Somali Central Bank Ms. Yusur Abrar - Photo HOL

The statement said that Ms. Abrar, the former Governor of the Central Bank, had been strongly supported by the former Deputy Prime minister to get Abrar take such position as Governor precisely since Mrs. Adam wanted to see an experienced female in that high position to oppose graft (corruption).

Mrs. Adam said, as Reuters stated correctly, Ms. Abrar resigned only seven weeks after she was appointed to the post, however, out of those seven weeks Ms Abrar spent only four days working in the Central Bank(Evidence can be obtained from the Central Bank in Mogadishu).

“According to Reuters, Ms. Abrar has claimed that I have pressured her to open an account in Dubai. However, the fact is that the account was in the process of being opened by the former Assistant Minister of Finance of Somalia and he wanted the new Governor of the Central Bank to co-sign with him. The purpose for opening this account was due to the lack of a SWIFT code for the Central Bank to receive transactions from overseas at that time,” the statement noted.

The statement added that Ms. Abrar was in fact asked by the Assistant Minister of Finance to co-sign with him the account, in order to involve the Central Bank in all transactions. The Assistant Finance Minister confirmed that he was waiting for Ms. Abrar for 4 days in Dubai to finalize the matter.

Mrs. Fawzia Y. H. Adam said in her press statement that her role in the process was just to pass the message from the Assistant Finance Minister to Ms. Abrar, that he was waiting for her in Dubai to co-sign the aforementioned account.

“Ms. Abrar’s positive response to me is also available as further evidence. There was no pressure and/or request whatsoever from myself to Ms. Abrar to open any account, but just to co-sign the aforementioned account which the Government needed to deposit some economic aid to pay its Government employees,” Mrs. Fawzia Y. H. Adam said in her press statement.

“Furthermore, according to Reuters, Ms. Abrar claimed that I have pressured her to sanction contracts – again this is a baseless allegation. For the record, neither me nor the President pressured Ms. Abrar to open an account in Dubai or sanction any contracts. The documentary evidence supporting all the above is available upon request,” added the former Deputy Prime Minister and foreign affairs minister of Somalia.

Mrs. Fawzia Y. H. Adam was also very critical of Reuters for its role, stating that this story implicating her in graft was completely one-sided.

“Further, Reuters has made no attempt whatsoever to contact me to obtain the facts on their story. I shall be seeking legal advice on this matter,” the former top-ranking female official emphasized in her press statement.

Email:islow@hiiraan.com

Ingiriiska oo lacago lagula dagaalamo Al-shabaab siinaya Somalia

Talaado, Feberaayo 25, 2014 (HOL) — Ra'isul wasaaraha Ingiriiksa David Cameron ayaa ansixiyay lacag tiro badan oo sanad walba lagu taageeri doono dowladda Soomaaliya si looga hortago weerarrada kooxaha argagaxisada ah iyo in Soomaaliya ay noqoto Afgaanistan labaad oo Afrika ku taalla.
Lacagtan ayaa gaaraysa in ka badan 90-miyan oo dollar, waxaana madaxda dowladda Ingiriiska ay si gaar ah wax isaga weydiiyeen warbixin dhawaan ka soo baxday Qaramada Midoobay oo lagu sheegay in Al-shabaab ay wax ka helaan hubka dowladda Somalia.
"Hadii aynu iska indha-tirno -arimahan hadda jira ,waxaa dib u dhici
doona qaladaad aan horey u samaynay 1990-kii waliba Afganistan, marka aniga ma ogolaan doono in ay dib u soo laabato taas oo kale "ayuu yir David Cameron oo waraysi siinayay warbaahinta.
War bishaan horaanteedi ay daabaceen qaar kamid ah wargaysyada ugu afka dheer London ayaa lagu sheegay in la xaday lacag gaaraysa 500,000 Euro oo kamid ahayd gar-gaarkii ay dowladda ingiriiska ugu tala gashay in wax looga qabto abaarihii ku dhuftay Soomaaliya sanadkii 2011-ka.
Xildhibaanada barlamaanka Britin ayaa waqti sii horeeyay ka dooday ansaxinta 11-billion oo dollar oo loogu tala galay in lagu kaalmeeyo wadamo dhowr ah oo Soomaaliy ay kamid tahay ,iyadoo ugu danbayntii la isku waafaqay.
Dad gaaray 290,000 oo ruux ayaa saxiixay codayn uu sameeyay wargayska Daily Mail ,taasi oo ku aadan in dowladooda ay dib u bilowdo gar-gaarkii ay siin jirtay wadamo faqri ah oo ku yaalla meelo kala duwan oo caalamka ah..
"Biritin waxey dib u bilaabaysaa in ay xiriir gaar ah la yeelato Soomaalya si looga taageero dhinacayada argagaxisad iyo amni xumida," ayuu yiri Justine Greening oo xubin sare ka haya hay'adda hormarinta caalamiga ah.
Gar-gaarka Soomaaliya la siinayo ayaa loogu tala-galay in lagu hormariyo dhinacyo ay kamid yihiin amniga iyo cuntada, iyadoo laga hortagayo in dad danbe ay u dhintaan gar-gaar la'aan sida dhacday sanadkii 2011-kii markaasoo Soomaali gaaraysa 260,000 oo ruux ay u dhinteen macluul daran oo soo food saartay..
Faysal Mohamed Hassan
Boston@hiiraan.com

Haweeney ka shaqeysa Tallaalka Dabeysha oo lagu dilay Muqdisho

Talaado, Feberaayo 25, 2014 (HOL) — Haweenka sida mutadawiciinta ah uga shaqeeya tallaalka magaalada Muqdisho ayaa ayay kooxo ku hubeysan batoolado ku dileen degmada Wardhiigley ee magaalada Muqdisho.
Saddex dhallinyaro ah oo ku hubeysan ayaa toogasho haweeneydan toogasho ku dlay, iyadoo maraysay meel ku dhow isgoyska xaafadda Xararyaale ee degmada Wardhiigley.
Dilka haweeneydan ayaa waxaa xaqiijiyay wiilkeeda oo ka mid ah saxafiyiinta ka howlgala warbaahinta madaxa-bannaan ee magaalada Muqdisho.
Illaa hadda lama oga cidda ka dambaysa dilka haweeneydan; waana markii ugu horreysay ee dil loo geysto shaqaalaha tallaalka cudurka halista ah ee dambeysha ka shaqeeya.
Gobolka Banaadir iyo qaar ka mid ah gobolada dalka ayaa waxaa ka socda barnaamijka ololaha talaalka cudurka dabaysha iyadoo ay iska kaashanayaan barnaamijkan hay’ada UNICEF, WHO iyo dowladda Soomaaliya.
Tan iyo markii laga helay dad qaba cudurka dabeyssha deegaanno ka mid ah Koonfurta Soomaaliya ayaa waxaa la kordhiyay ololaha looga hortagayo cudurkan, iyadoo dowladda Soomaaliya ay barnaamijkan furtay sannadkii hore.
Hase yeeshee deegaannada ay maamulaan Alshabaab ayaa laga mamnuucay in dadka ku nool laga tallaalo cudurka dabaysha caruurta oo uu si ba'an u waxyeelleeyo.
Sidoo kale, waxaa lagu dilay xaafadda suuqa xoolaha ee Muqdisho haweeney ka ganacsata shaaha, iyadoo aan la ogeyn cid dilkeeda ka dambeysay.
Dhanka kale, waxaa xalay lagu dilay degmada Yaaqshiid ee gobolka Banaadir laba ruux oo isku qoys ahaa, kuwaasoo kala ahaa haweeney iyo wiil ay dhashay, iyadoo kooxihii dilayna ay baxsadeen.
Maxamed X. Xuseen, Hiiraan Onlinemaxuseen@hiiraan.com
Muqdisho, Soomaaliya

South Sudan – War in Bor

South Sudan – War in Bor: The spokesman for the South Sudanese Army (SPLA) confirmed (23.02.2014 – Juba) that the regular forces resisted an attack carried out by rebel militias in the town of Bor (map), 190 km north of Juba. The attacks on Bor follow earlier armed clashes in the town of Malakal (map -Tuesday 18.02.2014), in defiance of the current peace efforts. Clashes continue between the SPLA and the rebel militias lead by the former Vice President of South Sudan, Machar, as the cease-fire is broken – the conditional withdrawal of Ugandan troops (deployed to secure strategic areas like the international airport and the capital city, Juba) and the release of four “political detainees”, have been delayed in virtue of the breaking of the agreed cease-fire by the opposition militias. The SPLA is now committed to regain full control of the town of Malakal, and restore peace across the country. A humanitarian crisis is under way, with more than 800’000 displaced people in South Sudan.

Pakistan – Senior TTP Commander Killed

Pakistan – Senior TTP Commander Killed: Asmatullah Shaheen, considered to be interim leader of Pakistani Taliban (TTP) has been shot dead by unidentified gunmen in the village of Dargah Mandi, in the vicinity of Miranshah, regional capital of North Waziristan (map). Shaheen replaced, on November 1^st, 2013, the previous commander of TTP, Mehsud, who was killed by a US drone strike. The killing was confirmed to the media by a family member (India Today). The talks between the Taliban and Pakistan failed to proceed after February 6^th, 2014; sources argue that Shaheen was considered one of the supporters of the peace-process, just as speculations on the media suggest the TTP leadership is loosing control over splinter groups inside their organization, which oppose the possibility of direct negotiations with the Pakistani Government.

Italy – New Government Sworn In, Vote of Confidence Today in the Senate, with Israeli Press “Friendly”

Italy – New Government Sworn In, Vote of Confidence Today in the Senate, with Israeli Press “Friendly”: The Prime Minister of Italy, Matteo Renzi, and his Cabinet took the oath on Saturday, 22.02.2014, in Rome. The new Government is due to take the vote of Confidence at the Italian Senate first, today at 2pm local time (1300hrs GMT). The Cabinet is made of 16 members (8 women). International media attention remains high on the new Government in Rome; the new Prime Minister also received formal greetings from most G8 and G20 members on his first day in office; a local Israeli newspaper, Haaretz, picks up old statements by Matteo Renzi in 2012 in which he argues that Iran is the most prominent threat in the Middle East, and how he would maintain a broadly pro-Israeli stance, in line with what was initiated by Silvio Berlusconi’s Cabinet (who “slowly revered Italy’s traditionally pro-Palestinian stance” – Haaretz transcript).

USA/China – Army Chief Proposing Closer Military Ties

USA/China – Army Chief Proposing Closer Military Ties: US Army Chief of Staff, General Odierno, confirmed (22.02.2014 – Beijing) that the USA is seeking to reach a bilateral agreement with China aimed at deepening military exchanges between the two nations, expanding cooperation and managing differences constructively. According to the sources available, the US Army is committed to cooperate with China on Peacekeeping, disaster management operations, humanitarian relief. The remarks occur while diplomatic differences between China and USA are frequent (South China Sea, Dalai Lama etc – see for example the latest Chinese FM Spokesperson remarks on Barack Obama meeting the Dalai Lama here).

Gazprom – Algeria Offers Joint Oil Explorations Contract

Gazprom – Algeria Offers Joint Oil Explorations Contract: Specialised media suggest (22-23-24.02.2014) that the Algerian national oil company, Sonatrach, is in direct negotiations with Russian oil company Gazprom for the concession of oil-exploration rights in Algeria, in about 30 different sites. According to the media sources available, a second Russian company, Lukoil, has also been invited to jointly develop new oil fields in Algeria, possibly in cooperation with Gazprom (pending their own agreement). Algeria is considered the second largest hydrocarbon power after Nigeria, although oil exploration has been slow in the past decade; 98% of its exports depend on oil and gas, which also accounts for 70% of national budget revenue. As Sonatrach maintains monopoly over Algerian oil and gas exports, any foreign company winning the invitation to tender for the exploration, will only provide the exploration and the extraction services (see a backgrounder by oilprice.com).

Syria – UN Resolution on Access to Aid Approved

Syria – UN Resolution on Access to Aid Approved: The UN Security Council has approved (22.02.2014 – New York) Resolution 2139 (2014) on granting access to aid in Syria. The final text (available here) does not include any reference to the possible involvement of the International Criminal Court, to the role of the Al Quds Brigade and Hezbollah, and there is no explicit reference to the threat of sanctions (previously included, according to the sources, in the original draft presented by Luxembourg, Australia, Jordan – see innercitypress). The final text approved with the support of Russia and China and all 15 members of the UNSC, demands (1) all parties to immediately lift the sieges of populated areas including the city of Homs, Aleppo, Eastern Ghouta, Darayya; (2) all parties to allow humanitarian assistance; (3) the Syrian authorities to take all appropriate steps to facilitate the efforts of the United Nations and all humanitarian actors to access populations in need inside Syrian territories; (4) all parties to respect the principle of medical neutrality. The UNSG will report back to the UNSC every 30 days on the implementation of the Resolution in Syria.

Ukraine – President Yanukovych Arrest Warrant & Escape Route:

Ukraine – President Yanukovych Arrest Warrant & Escape Route: The Ukrainian Interior Ministry issued (24.02.2014 – Kiev) an arrest warrant (link - Ukrainian News Agency) for President Yanukovych. According to the sources available, on February 22 President Yanukovych left Kiev for the city of Kharkiv, intending to attend a party meeting there, but then left the location for the Donetsk international airport, where he, his staff and bodyguards boarded two private Falcon jets; he was stopped by the local border police, who did not allow the airplanes to leave the airport. President Yanukovich then left Donetsk and moved to the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, spending the night in a private sanatorium – where he was given the news on the appointment of Oleksandr Turchynov (22.02.2014), President of the Ukrainian Parliament, as Interim President – he therefore left Crimea to reach the Belbek airport, where the Acting Interior Minister Avakov and the head of Ukrainian Security Services, Nalyvaichenko, were awaiting his arrival – Former President Yanukovich then left the airport area and reached a private residence in Balaklava, before moving forward to an unknown location (follow President’s Y escape route on this map). Speculations suggest Yanukovich may have reached Russia.

Sunday 23 February 2014

Dadka Baydhabo oo lagu amray in ay gurayahooda iyo goobahooda ganacsiga ku dhejiyaan Calan cusub

Axad, Feberaayo 23, 2014 (HOL) —Magaalada Baydhabo ayaa lagu arkayaa goobaha ganacsiga sida dukaamada iyo guryaha calanka maamulka aan weli la isku raacin ee Koonfur galbeed Soomaaliya.
Wararka aan ka helney Maamulka Degmada Baydhabo ayaa waxay bulshada u sheegeen in ciddii aan xiranin calanka ha ahaadeen goobaha ganacsiga iyo guryaha ku yaalla waddooyinka la ganaaxayo hal Milyan oo shilin Soomaali ah , taasoo ku khasabtey dadweynaha inay ku xiraan albaabada ganacsiga iyo guryaha waddooyinka ay hormaraan.
Maamulka uu waqtigiisa sii dhammaanayo oo ammarkan soo saaray ayaa waxay beryahan danbe ku jiraan dhaqaale aruurin aad u tiro badan , iyadoo aysan jirin wax dabagal ah oo dhinaca Dowladda Federaalka soomaaliya ah. Dhanka kalena, Magaalada Baydhabo waxaa gebogebo ah Shirweynihii Koonfur galbeed ee Maamul u sameynta 6da gobol , iyadoo guddiga doorashada ee Madaxweynaha dowlad gobaleedka koonfur galbeed ay billaabeen qabashada araajida iyo CV-yada Musharaxiinta .
Waxaa sidoo kale ka socda Hoteel bakiin shirka 3-da gobal ee koonfur galbeed kaasoo isagana barbar socda shirka ADC ka socda , waxayna dadku wel wel ka muujinayaan shirarka magaalada gudaheeda ka wada socda ee la leeyahay waxaa looga arrinsanayaa aayaha Gobollada Koofur Galbeed Soomaaliya.

Saudi child bride drops divorce from 80-year-old man

Saudi Arabian women in Riyadh (March 2009)

There are calls in Saudi Arabia to regulate child marriage

A 12-year-old girl in Saudi Arabia has withdrawn her request for a divorce from her 80-year-old husband.The girl, from Qaseem province east of Riyadh, was married last September in return for a dowry of $22,600 (£14,174) paid to her father.
She and her mother had asked a court to annul the marriage on the grounds the girl had been raped.
But now the girl has withdrawn her petition, saying she wants to respect her father's wishes.
"I agree to the marriage. I have no objection. This is in filial respect to my father and obedience to his wish," she was quoted as telling the court by the Okaz newspaper.
The girl's situation was made public in January when a journalist from the Al-Riyadh newspaper encountered the girl, and she begged the reporter to save her.
The lawyer appointed to help the girl said her mother had not informed him of her child's change of heart, it was reported.
'Right to childhood'
Saudi Arabia has no law against child marriage, but in April last year the Justice Minister said there should be increased regulation to prevent parents "selling off" their children.
The minister was speaking after the marriage of an eight-year-old to a 60-year-old man.
This latest case has attracted the attention of the Saudi royal family.
Princess Adela bint Abdullah, the daughter of King Abdullah bin Saud, said the marriage violated the child's rights.
"A child has the right to live her childhood and not be forced to get married. Even an adult would not accept that," Saudi media quoted her as saying.
Defenders of child marriage say the practice is part of Saudi culture.
Saudi Arabia implements an austere form of Sunni Islam that bans free association between the sexes and gives fathers the right to wed their children to whomever they deem fit.

The Boneyard: World's 'biggest' plane cemetery up close

Dubbed The Boneyard, but officially known as the 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group (AMARG) facility, this sprawling US airbase is reputed to be the world's largest military aircraft cemetery.
Spread across the huge 2,600 acre site, equivalent in size to 1,430 football pitches, is a collection of over 4,000 retired aircraft including nearly every plane the US armed forces have flown since World War II.
Now, for the first time, a series of high resolution satellite images of the four square mile-site have been released by Google Earth. They show in incredible detail the full range of aircraft found at the site.

Among the aircraft are B-52 Cold War-era bombers that were retired in the 1990s under the the terms of the SALT disarmament treaties signed between the US and the Soviet Union.
Also, on show are dozens of F-14 fighter planes which were retired from the US Navy in 2006 and featured in the Hollywood movie, Top Gun. The Boneyard has also featured in a series of films, the most recent being Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen.
Located in Tucson, Arizona, on the Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, the facility was first set up shortly after World War II. It was chosen for its high altitude and arid conditions, that mean the aircraft can be left outdoors without deteriorating too quickly.
A major industrial centre, AMARG manages an inventory of more than 4,200 aircraft and 40 aerospace vehicles.
In addition to being a massive plane park, AMARG also refurbishes aircraft, returning them to flying status or preparing them to be transported overland.
Officials at the base say that the parts reclaimed and aircraft withdrawn turns every tax dollar spent into 11 dollars in return.

The urban hyenas that attack rough sleepers

By Martin Fletcher Addis Ababa

In today's Magazine

Urban hyenas are becoming a dangerous problem in the Ethiopian capital, where they attack rough sleepers.

It is late evening in Addis Ababa. Stephen Brend, a zoologist with the Born Free Foundation, is driving me to the airport to catch a flight back to London.

"Have you got time for a ten-minute detour?" he asks, as we passed the British embassy. "Of course," I reply.

So he turns off the road and up a dirt track between some rough shacks and a collection of battered old jalopies that passes for a taxi rank in Ethiopia's capital.

"There! Look there!" Stephen exclaims. In the beams of his headlights I see several pairs of eyes glinting in the darkness like tiny mirrors. As we drive closer I begin to make out the shapes of the animals behind those eyes. They are hideous beasts, as large as the largest dogs, with coarse spotted brown fur, elongated necks and front legs much longer than their back ones so their backs taper away from their powerful shoulders.

From Our Own Correspondent

Insight and analysis from BBC correspondents, journalists and writers from around the world

Broadcast on Radio 4 and BBC World Service

"Hyenas," says Stephen. Some of the fiercest predators on earth. And they are brazenly scavenging around a collection of rubbish skips right next to a football pitch and less than 50 yds from people's homes.

As we watch, a group of teenagers walks up the track, right past the animals. "They're mad," Stephen remarks. Hyenas have jaws as powerful as those of great white sharks, he explains. They can crush an elephant's leg. They devour every last morsel of their prey - bones included. "I mean - there's nothing left," he says.

London is infested by urban foxes. Delhi is besieged by urban monkeys. Addis Ababa is plagued by urban hyenas who have moved in to the city from the surrounding hills and taken up residence in the capital. In some ways they perform a useful service, keeping the city's growing population of stray dogs and feral cats under control and consuming the carcasses of dead horses and other animals. But there are now reckoned to be somewhere between 300 and 1,000 of them living in the city and they are dangerous.

In 2011 the airport authorities had to call in hunters to shoot a pack of hyenas that was posing a threat to planes landing and taking off. People living near the Ketchene public cemetery have complained of hyenas digging up and eating the corpses of the poor that are buried in very shallow graves. The hyenas tend to hunt in groups, and one night a guard at the British embassy saw a line of 40 running along the back fence of the compound.

Periodically they attack some of the many Ethiopians who sleep rough on the streets of Addis every night. A volunteer at a clinic run by a Mother Teresa mission in the city said that a couple of times a month he has to treat homeless and destitute people who have had fingers and toes gnawed by hyenas while they were drugged or drunk. On one occasion a man was brought in after a hyena had ripped much of his scalp away while he was sleeping, leaving it hanging down over his eyes. Last year a mother camping outside St Stephanos church near the Hilton Hotel had her baby son snatched from her arms and killed by a hyena.

More from the Magazine

Magazine story on mental illness in Somalia

Somalia has one of the highest rates of mental illness in the world and with a healthcare system devastated by years of war, most sufferers receive no medical help. Many are chained up - to trees or at home. Some are even locked in cages with hyenas, writes Richard Hooper.

Where ill people are locked in cages with hyenas

In December the authorities organised a cull, and licensed hunters killed 10 hyenas who were living on an overgrown four-hectare site near the heart of the capital which they reached along the bed of the Kebena river.

At least half-a-dozen other dens have been reported close to the city centre. The authorities had to act again when a female hyena built a den in a drainpipe in a densely populated neighbourhood called Shiro Meada right behind the US embassy. She gave birth to two cubs there. She was eventually shot in January, and Stephen took the month-old cubs home.

They are now living on the bed in his spare room. They are called Screamer and Stylo, and they are ugly-looking creatures. They destroy the mattress, the curtains, the cupboards - everything. "They have no sense that they're not still in a drainpipe," Stephen complains. They emit piercing high-pitched screams. They have to be fed fat-enriched milk three times a day with a bottle, the last time at midnight. For all that, says Stephen, "they're quite cute in their own little way".

But when they reach six months he'll have to transfer them to Born Free's animal sanctuary on the edge of Addis. "They'll simply become too dangerous," he says. "A little nip for them is amputation for us."

Australian TV star Charlotte Dawson found dead at home

Charlotte Dawson had a long history of depression

The Australian television personality and presenter Charlotte Dawson has been found dead at her home in Sydney.

Police say there are no suspicious circumstances surrounding the death of the 47-year-old, who had a long history of depression.

Ms Dawson, a former model from New Zealand, was also a high-profile victim of cyber bullying.

New Zealand Prime Minister John Key said he was "shocked" and "saddened" by her death.

Ms Dawson was best known for hosting reality TV show The Contender Australia, and for her role as a judge on Australia's Next Top Model.

In 2012, Dawson was admitted to hospital after being targeted by cyber bullies on Twitter.

She went on to become an outspoken campaigner against internet trolls.

Ms Dawson, who left her native New Zealand at the age of 16 to pursue a modelling career, has been described by her friends as outrageous, outspoken and fragile.
'Bright, shining girl'
In a statement posted on the Facebook page of Australia's Next Top Model, the show's broadcaster Foxtel said: "This is tragic news and deeply sad. Everyone at Foxtel is devastated. Our sympathies are with Charlotte's family and friends."

New Zealand Prime Minister Mr Key tweeted that he was "shocked and saddened" by the death.

Australian fashion designer Alex Perry also paid tribute, tweeting: "We lost a beautiful, bright, shining girl today … Rest in peace my sweetheart … I love you. X"

Afghan soldiers die as Taliban attack checkpoint in Kunar

Taliban Conflict

Taliban fighters have killed at least 20 Afghan soldiers in an attack on a checkpoint in Kunar province close to Afghanistan's border with Pakistan.

At least one of the attackers was also killed and the Taliban told the BBC they had captured seven soldiers.

Afghan President Hamid Karzai postponed a planned visit to Sri Lanka on Sunday because of the attack.

The violence comes ahead of presidential elections that are due to be held next month.

The BBC's Karen Allen in Kabul says it is one of the deadliest Taliban attacks against the army in the past year.

Gen Mohammad Zahir Azimi said "hundreds" of insurgents had been involved in the attack, which took place in the remote Ghazi Abad district of eastern Kunar province early on Sunday.

Heavy fighting is said to have continued for several hours.

Kunar Governor Shuja Ul Mulk told the BBC it was possible that Taliban infiltrators in the army had helped organise the attack.

Mr Karzai's office said in a statement: "The Afghan president is saddened by this tragic incident, and therefore he postponed today's official trip to Sri Lanka."

The government also confirmed that soldiers were missing, but put the number at six.

Militants have escalated attacks in recent months ahead of the withdrawal of foreign troops at the end of 2014.

Casualties among Afghan troops have been rising significantly since they took the lead in the war against the Taliban.

Security has been stepped up across Afghanistan ahead of April's elections.

Eleven candidates are standing to replace President Karzai, who cannot seek re-election.

The Taliban has threatened to target the campaign

Saturday 22 February 2014

Ottawa man killed in Somalia suicide bombing

Saturday, February 22, 2014

Late Mohamud Abdulle

An Ottawa man who returned to his native Somalia to take up a senior post in the government there was killed Friday in a suicide attack on the presidential palace in Mogadishu.
Mohamoud Abdulle was the director of the office of Somali Prime Minister Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed — also of Ottawa — but had previously spent more than two decades in Ottawa working as a teacher and social worker, most recently with the Youth Services Bureau.
Somali interior ministry officials said on Thursday two attackers drove a vehicle bomb into the outer gate of Villa Somalia, the centre of government in Mogadishu. Seven more attackers wearing military uniforms similar to those of the Presidential Guard rushed into the compound. At least two wore suicide vests.

Abdulle and one other high-ranking official were killed, as were several palace guards and all of the attackers. The Somali president and the prime minister were not harmed.

Attack blamed on Al-Qaeda affiliated Al-Shabaab
The Somali government blamed the attack on Al-Shabaab, an Al-Qaeda-affiliated group at war with the governments of Somalia and Kenya.
Raage Mohamed, who also returned from Canada to his native Somalia to take up a seat in a regional Somali legislature was in Mogadishu when the attack happened.
"Over 10 people died," said Mohamed. "One of them was Mohamoud Hersi Abdulle, a good friend. A well-targeted and coordinated plan to attack the president and the prime minister. It seems that was their intention."
Abdirizak Mohamud worked closely with Abdulle during his time at the Youth Services Bureau, and said Abdsulle's death is another shock for the Ottawa Somali community, which has tried so hard to help the homeland.
"It's not the first time, and unfortunately it's creating some fear among people. Do they want to go back and try to create something in Somalia? I think people are questioning that now," said Mohamud.
Abdulle leaves behind a wife and children, who remain in Ottawa.
Source: CBC

Somali presidential palace: 'Car bomb' attack in Mogadishu

Soldiers stand guards outside the gate where a car bomb exploded

The car bomb rammed into a concrete barrier in front of the presidential palace

Somalia: Failed State

A huge car bomb has exploded at the gate of Somalia's presidential palace, followed by a fierce gun battle inside, officials say.

At least two senior officials and nine attackers are reported dead but the security minister told the BBC the situation was "under control".

President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has told the UN envoy to Somalia he was not harmed, envoy Nick Kay has tweeted.

The al-Qaeda-linked group al-Shabab has said it carried out the attack.
'Scattered human flesh'
BBC Somalia analyst Mohamed Mohamed says this is the first time that al-Shabab fighters have entered the presidential palace, known as Villa Somalia.

President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud was getting ready to pray in the mosque which was attacked

The heavily guarded complex is home to the president, prime minister, speaker of parliament, other ministers and a mosque, which was hit during the attack.

The president was preparing for Friday prayers at the mosque, senior police officer Abdikadir Ahmed told Reuters news agency.

Some of the attackers were wearing suicide vests, police sources have told the BBC.

Another police officer, Hussein Farah, told Reuters there were about 10 assailants, wearing uniforms similar to that of the presidential guards.

"All the Shabab fighters perished, some blew up themselves while others were shot dead. Several government guards also died," he said.

"Now the fighting is over, and scattered on the scene is human flesh and blood."

Security Minister Abdi Karim Hussein told the BBC Somali service that all of the country's leaders were safe.

Senior officials in the prime minister's office and security services are said to have been killed.

Al-Shabab military spokesman Sheikh Abdul Aziz Abu Musab said militants were still in control of some buildings inside the presidential compound.

"Our commandos have attacked the so-called presidential palace in order to kill or arrest those who who are inside," he told the AFP news agency.

Mr Kay said the attack on Villa Somalia had "failed".

"Sadly some lives lost. I condemn strongly this terrorism," he said.

Al-Shabab was driven out of Mogadishu in 2011 but it still controls many smaller towns and rural areas of the country and stages periodic attacks in Mogadishu.

Some 22,000 African Union troops are helping the government battle al-Shabab.

Mexico's top drug lord Joaquin 'Shorty' Guzman arrested

Guzman was in jail in Mexico for eight years before escaping in 2001

The United States says one of the the world's most wanted drug barons, Joaquin Guzman, known as El Chapo or Shorty, has been arrested in Mexico.

He was the leader of the Sinaloa cartel, which smuggles huge amounts of illegal drugs into the US.

'Shorty' Guzman had been on the run since escaping a high security prison in a laundry basket in 2001.

He was arrested in Sinaloa state, in a joint operation with United States anti-drugs forces.

Guzman was at a hotel in the north-western resort of Mazatlan, the AP news agency reported.

The US state department had offered a reward of up to $5m (£3.2m) for information leading to his arrest.

He has been indicted on federal trafficking charges and US officials want him extradited if he is ever captured.

Several close associates of 'Shorty' Guzman had been arrested over the past two years in the US and Mexico.

Forbes magazine has estimated Guzman's fortune at about $1bn (£600m).

The English expressions coined in WW1

From top left, clockwise: British soldier, zeppelin, "Boche", explosion, "skive"

In today's Magazine

World War One gave rise to expressions and slang such as blighty and cushy, but only some are still used, says Kate Wild, senior assistant editor of the Oxford English Dictionary.

Zepps in a cloud, anyone? Toot sweet! But liberty cabbage - no bon.

If you're not sure what the last line means, you're not alone. WW1 gave rise to a number of slang and colloquial expressions such as these, but some lasted longer than others.

Words and the war

Detail from the poem 'Dulce et Decorum est'

The close contact of French and British troops in WW1 resulted in a number of slang expressions borrowed from French, often with humorous anglicisation of spelling and pronunciation. Some are very much associated with the war and did not make their way into mainstream colloquial English. For example no bon (English no alongside French bon, meaning "good") and napoo (from il n'y en a plus or il n'y a plus - "there is no more"), which was used in the war to mean "finished", "no more", or as a verb to mean "kill" ("Poor Bill got na-poohed by a rifle-grenade yesterday.") Others, such as toot sweet (from tout de suite - "immediately"), are still in use. Toot sweet is, strictly speaking, not a WW1 coinage, as examples are found in English from the early 19th Century, but it gained widespread currency only during the war, and the heavily anglicised form the tooter the sweeter ("the sooner the better") is certainly a WW1 phrase.

Another word which may have been borrowed from French is skive, first used as a military slang term during the war before passing into general usage. The etymology of skive is uncertain, but it may have derived from French esquiver ("to escape, avoid") - if so, the word would be the most prominent addition to English from French resulting from WW1.

Cheero To Blighty and You Christmas Card during World War I c 1914

A WW1 Christmas card, c. 1914

After the introduction of conscription in 1916, the distinction between soldiers and civilians became less clear, and vocabulary passed readily from one group to the other. This is the case with a number of words borrowed from Indian languages by the British military in the 19th Century, perhaps the most well-known of which is Blighty. The Urdu words vilayat ("inhabited country", specifically Europe or Britain) and vilayati ("foreign", or "British, English, European") were borrowed by the British in the 19th Century. Both are still used in South Asian English. But it was the regional variant bilayati - rendered as Blighty in English and meaning "Britain, England, home" - which really took off in Britain. Although it was first used during the Boer war, it was not until WW1 that Blighty spread widely and developed new meanings. A blighty wound was a wound sufficiently serious to merit being sent home, and one might also be hit by a blighty bullet inflicting such a wound. Similarly, cushy ("easy, comfortable") was borrowed from Urdu kusi in the 19th Century, but spread to civilian use only in WW1.

For an army that started the war knowing only of ground warfare, the development of aerial warfare must have made a deep impression - it certainly gave rise to new vocabulary. Zeppelins - used for passenger transport since the late 19th Century but first used for reconnaissance and bombing in WW1 - were soon called by the colloquial, and catchier, word Zepp. Their distinctive appearance in the sky also gave rise to the colourful phrase Zepps in a cloud - "sausage and mash".

Other WW1 phrases

The OED is running a special set of appeals for WW1 words, including Zepps/Zeppelins in a cloud and streetcar.
Can you help find earlier evidence for these and other words, perhaps in use in personal letters or diaries? We will seek to verify any promising evidence, and if genuine it will appear in the OED in due course.

OED appeals

One of the most productive terms of the war was strafe. The German phrase "Gott strafe England!" ("God punish England!") was widely used in German propaganda, and jocularly modified by English-speakers, as in this 1915 example: "Chocolate does not promote sociability. 'Gott strafe chocolate,' exclaims a lance-corporal." The word strafe then entered the English language, meaning punish, bombard or reprimand. By the end of the war, though, strafe had narrowed to refer to a very particular type of punishment that the armies were inflicting, and took on the meaning it most commonly has today - that of attacking with machine-gun fire from low-flying aircraft.

Given the immediate relevance of weaponry and ammunition to soldiers' lives, it is not surprising that numerous slang words for shell or bullet were coined. What is striking is their variety and inventiveness. Some referred to shape (toffee-apple, pudding), others to the colour of the emitted smoke (coal-box, Black Maria). Several more were based on the sound of shells as they approached or exploded, as pipsqueak, whizz-bang, fizz-bang, crump, plonker, and (perhaps) streetcar. One word for bullet that has lasted is packet, only ever used in the phrase to cop/stop/get a packet, "to be killed or wounded", or now more usually in the extended sense "to get into trouble".

Sauerkraut, which was dubbed "liberty cabbage" during World War One.

Another productive area of slang was words for the enemy. British troops tended to call German soldiers Fritz or Fritzie (a German pet form of Friedrich) or Jerry (short for German, but also modelled on the English name). These familiar names were sometimes used in a manner verging on the affectionate, indicating the sympathy which privates on either side sometimes expressed towards each other. The press and general public, on the other hand, often used much more derogatory terms during the war, especially Kraut, Boche, and Hun. It might be noted that although it was common to refer to Germans as Krauts (the German word for "cabbage"), the word sauerkraut itself was deemed unpatriotic by some, and was replaced by liberty cabbage - a precursor of the freedom fries of more recent times.

The OED is running a special set of appeals for WW1 words, including Zepps/Zeppelins in a cloud and streetcar. Can you help find earlier evidence for these and other words, perhaps in use in personal letters or diaries? We will seek to verify any promising evidence, and if genuine it will appear in the OED in due course. Visit OED appeals for more.

Ukrainian MPs vote to oust President Yanukovych

Opposition memebers, including leader Vitaly Klitschko (top R) celebrate as parliament votes to remove President Viktor Yanukovych

Opposition deputies reacted with joy after the vote

Ukraine crisis

Ukrainian MPs have voted to oust President Viktor Yanukovych and hold early presidential elections on 25 May.

The vote came after police stopped guarding presidential buildings, allowing protesters in, and parliament made new high-level appointments.

Mr Yanukovych said it was a "coup" and vowed not to stand down.

And on a day of fast-moving events, prominent opposition leader Yulia Tymoshenko was released from detention, hours after MPs authorised the move.

She left the hospital in the eastern city of Kharkiv where she had been held under prison guard, and flew to Kiev, where she addressed the demonstrators in Independence Square.

Ms Tymoshenko was freed following a vote by parliament on Friday demanding her release.

She was sentenced to seven years in jail in 2011 after a controversial verdict on her actions as prime minister.

Her supporters have always maintained this was simply Mr Yanukovych taking out his most prominent opponent, and her release has always been a key demand of the protest movement.

BBC correspondents in Ukraine

Kevin Bishop ‏@bishopk: Looks like Olexander Turchynov, Rada Speaker, (Ukrainian Parliament), is acting head of state as there is no prime minister, sacked earlier

Duncan Crawford @_DuncanC: A huge shrine to the dead is now on the edge of Independence Sq. Hundreds of flowers and candles.
Duncan Crawford @_DuncanC: .Yanukovych's official annual salary was reportedly anywhere between $30000 to $115,000 a year. I wonder how he could afford a zoo etc..?

Daniel Sandford ‏@BBCDanielS: Interfax say [Kharkiv regional governor] Dobkin left Ukraine for Russia. Not much of a brave last stand.
Daniel Sandford ‏@BBCDanielS: The Kharkiv prison authorities did what parliament said, so at the moment parliament is winning the power struggle. Your move Yanukovych

On Thursday, the bloodiest day of recent unrest, at least 21 protesters and one policeman died.

Ms Tymoshenko told journalists at Kiev airport that those behind violence "must be punished", the Interfax agency reports.
'Coup' denounced
The opposition is now in effective control of the capital Kiev, with Mr Yanukovych in Kharkiv, near the Russian border, after travelling there late on Friday night.

The Interfax news agency reported parliament speaker Oleksandr Turchynov as saying Mr Yanukovych had been stopped by border police in an attempt to flee to Russia and was now somewhere in the Donetsk region.

Earlier on Saturday, protesters walked unchallenged into the president's office and residential compounds.

Former Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko is greeted by supporters shortly after being freed from prison in Kharkiv

Tymoshenko greeted supporters on her release from detention in Kharkiv

A woman weeps during a funeral service for the anti-government protesters

More funerals took place in the Maidan on Saturday for those killed in this week's violence

Anti-government protesters attack a man (C) whom they suspect of being a sniper

Those suspected of being members of the security services were attacked in central Kiev

A man holding a European Union flag poses in front of the main building of Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych"s residency near Kiev

Protesters walked into Mr Yanukovych's official residence near Kiev unopposed

A woman holds a USSR flag during a rally of a newly organized movement called Eastern Front in the eastern industrial city of Donetsk

Meanwhile in the eastern city of Donetsk, a new separatist movement called the Eastern Front held a rally

The vote to "remove Viktor Yanukovych from the post of president of Ukraine" was passed by 328 MPs.

Such ballots, passed by what is called constitutional majority, are binding and enter into force with immediate effect, the BBC's Ukraine analyst Olexiy Solohubenko reports.

Analysis

David Stern BBC News, Kiev

Events in Ukraine are moving at too fast a pace to provide any coherent analysis that won't be obsolete in hours, if not minutes. So here is a list of people and places to watch as the situation continues to develop - and twist and turn:
Yulia Tymoshenko: The freed prime minister is a political force of nature. But she is also divisive and, before she went into prison, her popularity ratings were dropping. Many Ukrainians blame her in part for the chaos of the post-Orange Revolution years, or see her as a member of Ukraine's corrupt political elite. We will see if the last two years in prison have changed her or the public's opinion of her.
Crimea: Ukraine's predominantly ethnic-Russian province is also the home to Russia's Black Sea fleet, in Sevastopol. If President Viktor Yanukovych - or Vladimir Putin - wants to start something, it could very likely happen here.
The Maidan: Will the protesters go home now? And what role will Ukraine's far right play - not just the fighters of the Right Sektor, but also the ultra-nationalist Freedom party, which has done much of the heavy lifting during the protest movement?

In an address televised before the vote to impeach him, Mr Yanukovych described events in Kiev as a "coup".

He insisted he was the "lawfully elected president" and compared the actions of the opposition to the rise to power of the Nazis in 1930s Germany.

In his address Mr Yanukovych also called a raft of votes in Ukraine's parliament on Friday "illegitimate", claiming that MPs had been "beaten, pelted with stones and intimidated".

However, he did admit that that some had left his Party of the Regions, calling them "traitors".

President Yanukovych also said his ally, parliamentary speaker Volodymyr Rybak, was forced to resign because he had been physically beaten.

Mr Rybak resigned on Saturday morning citing ill health, and was replaced by Mr Turchynov, a Tymoshenko ally.

Another Tymoshenko ally, Arsen Avakov, was appointed interim interior minister, replacing Vitaly Zakharchenko - who was sacked on Friday after being blamed for the deaths of civilians in last week's crackdown on protests.
Pact overtaken
Before the vote to oust Mr Yanukovych, Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski - one of three EU ministers who mediated between the two sides this week - tweeted that there had been "no coup in Kiev".

Crowds entered the grounds of President Yanukovych's country house

Mr Sikorski, along with the German and French foreign ministers, presided over talks that led to a pact on Friday between Mr Yanukovych and opposition leaders which now seems to have been overtaken by events.

The deal followed several days of violence in which dozens of people died in a police crackdown on months of protest. It called for the restoration of the 2004 constitution and the formation of a national unity government.

The agreement failed to end the protests overnight with huge crowds remaining in the Maidan calling for Mr Yanukovych's resignation.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said the deal had been "sharply degraded by opposition forces' inability or lack of desire" to respect it and accused "illegal extremist groups" of taking control of Kiev, Reuters reports.

The protests first erupted in late November when President Yanukovych rejected a landmark association and trade deal with the EU in favour of closer ties with Russia.

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