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Russia plans Arctic army brigades

Arctic icebergs in GreenlandWarmer temperatures are making access to the Arctic easier
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Russia’s defence minister has said he plans to create two specialist army brigades to be based in the Arctic.

The announcement comes days after Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said Russia would strongly defend its interests in the region.

The brigades could be based in Murmansk, Arkhangelsk or other areas, Russian news agencies reported.

Anatoly Serdyukov said Russia had studied the specialist Arctic troops in Finland, Norway and Sweden.

The BBC’s Daniel Sandford, in Moscow, said Russia’s plans to increase the number of troops stationed in the Arctic still seem to be at an early stage though earlier announcements had mentioned only one brigade.

“The General Staff is currently working on plans to create two such units,” Mr Serdyukov was quoted as telling media by state news agency Itar-Tass.

He said his ministry was still in the process of working out specifics, such as troops numbers, weapons and bases, but a brigade includes a few thousand soldiers.

Just this week, Mr Putin said that Russia would “expand its presence in the Arctic” and “strongly and persistently” defend its interests.

At the same time he promised to look after the region’s vulnerable ecology.

It is believed that there are substantial unexploited reserves of gas and oil under the Arctic Ocean.

This article is from the BBC News website. © British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.

Russia plans Arctic army brigades

Arctic icebergs in GreenlandWarmer temperatures are making access to the Arctic easier
Related Stories

Russia’s defence minister has said he plans to create two specialist army brigades to be based in the Arctic.

The announcement comes days after Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said Russia would strongly defend its interests in the region.

The brigades could be based in Murmansk, Arkhangelsk or other areas, Russian news agencies reported.

Anatoly Serdyukov said Russia had studied the specialist Arctic troops in Finland, Norway and Sweden.

The BBC’s Daniel Sandford, in Moscow, said Russia’s plans to increase the number of troops stationed in the Arctic still seem to be at an early stage though earlier announcements had mentioned only one brigade.

“The General Staff is currently working on plans to create two such units,” Mr Serdyukov was quoted as telling media by state news agency Itar-Tass.

He said his ministry was still in the process of working out specifics, such as troops numbers, weapons and bases, but a brigade includes a few thousand soldiers.

Just this week, Mr Putin said that Russia would “expand its presence in the Arctic” and “strongly and persistently” defend its interests.

At the same time he promised to look after the region’s vulnerable ecology.

It is believed that there are substantial unexploited reserves of gas and oil under the Arctic Ocean.

This article is from the BBC News website. © British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.

Russia plans Arctic army brigades

Arctic icebergs in GreenlandWarmer temperatures are making access to the Arctic easier
Related Stories

Russia’s defence minister has said he plans to create two specialist army brigades to be based in the Arctic.

The announcement comes days after Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said Russia would strongly defend its interests in the region.

The brigades could be based in Murmansk, Arkhangelsk or other areas, Russian news agencies reported.

Anatoly Serdyukov said Russia had studied the specialist Arctic troops in Finland, Norway and Sweden.

The BBC’s Daniel Sandford, in Moscow, said Russia’s plans to increase the number of troops stationed in the Arctic still seem to be at an early stage though earlier announcements had mentioned only one brigade.

“The General Staff is currently working on plans to create two such units,” Mr Serdyukov was quoted as telling media by state news agency Itar-Tass.

He said his ministry was still in the process of working out specifics, such as troops numbers, weapons and bases, but a brigade includes a few thousand soldiers.

Just this week, Mr Putin said that Russia would “expand its presence in the Arctic” and “strongly and persistently” defend its interests.

At the same time he promised to look after the region’s vulnerable ecology.

It is believed that there are substantial unexploited reserves of gas and oil under the Arctic Ocean.

This article is from the BBC News website. © British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.

Strauss-Kahn freed without bail

Dominique Strauss-Kahn walking into a courtroom in New York on FridayMr Strauss-Kahn is appearing in court in New York over the sexual assault case

Former IMF chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn is set to be released from house arrest and have his $6m (£3.7m) cash bail and bond returned, say reports.

Prosecutors are said to have agreed that Mr Strauss-Kahn should be freed “on his own recognisance,” meaning he must simply promise to appear in court.

He is accused of sexually assaulting a maid in a New York hotel on 14 May.

But the case is reported to be close to collapse after serious doubts arose about the credibility of his accuser.

The 62-year-old French politician is appearing in court in New York over the sexual assault case.

Law enforcement officials have told US media the accuser has repeatedly lied since the alleged attack on 14 May.

The Guinean-born maid also appeared to have lied about her asylum application, officials reportedly said.

“She actually recounted the entire story to prosecutors and later said it was false,” one law enforcement official told the Associated Press news agency.

But prosecutors have not necessarily reached a new conclusion over the allegations against Mr Strauss-Kahn and have not decided whether to downgrade the charges, the official said.

Mr Strauss-Kahn, 62, has been under house arrest in a New York apartment since posting a $6m (£3.7m) cash bail and bond in May.

He is charged with seven counts including four felony charges – two of criminal sexual acts, one of attempted rape and one of sexual abuse – plus three misdemeanour offences, including unlawful imprisonment.

Mr Strauss-Kahn, who resigned as head of the International Monetary Fund to defend himself, vigorously denies the charges.

This article is from the BBC News website. © British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.

Strauss-Kahn freed without bail

Dominique Strauss-Kahn walking into a courtroom in New York on FridayMr Strauss-Kahn is appearing in court in New York over the sexual assault case

Former IMF chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn is set to be released from house arrest and have his $6m (£3.7m) cash bail and bond returned, say reports.

Prosecutors are said to have agreed that Mr Strauss-Kahn should be freed “on his own recognisance,” meaning he must simply promise to appear in court.

He is accused of sexually assaulting a maid in a New York hotel on 14 May.

But the case is reported to be close to collapse after serious doubts arose about the credibility of his accuser.

The 62-year-old French politician is appearing in court in New York over the sexual assault case.

Law enforcement officials have told US media the accuser has repeatedly lied since the alleged attack on 14 May.

The Guinean-born maid also appeared to have lied about her asylum application, officials reportedly said.

“She actually recounted the entire story to prosecutors and later said it was false,” one law enforcement official told the Associated Press news agency.

But prosecutors have not necessarily reached a new conclusion over the allegations against Mr Strauss-Kahn and have not decided whether to downgrade the charges, the official said.

Mr Strauss-Kahn, 62, has been under house arrest in a New York apartment since posting a $6m (£3.7m) cash bail and bond in May.

He is charged with seven counts including four felony charges – two of criminal sexual acts, one of attempted rape and one of sexual abuse – plus three misdemeanour offences, including unlawful imprisonment.

Mr Strauss-Kahn, who resigned as head of the International Monetary Fund to defend himself, vigorously denies the charges.

This article is from the BBC News website. © British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.

Strauss-Kahn freed without bail

Dominique Strauss-Kahn walking into a courtroom in New York on FridayMr Strauss-Kahn is appearing in court in New York over the sexual assault case

Former IMF chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn is set to be released from house arrest and have his $6m (£3.7m) cash bail and bond returned, say reports.

Prosecutors are said to have agreed that Mr Strauss-Kahn should be freed “on his own recognisance,” meaning he must simply promise to appear in court.

He is accused of sexually assaulting a maid in a New York hotel on 14 May.

But the case is reported to be close to collapse after serious doubts arose about the credibility of his accuser.

The 62-year-old French politician is appearing in court in New York over the sexual assault case.

Law enforcement officials have told US media the accuser has repeatedly lied since the alleged attack on 14 May.

The Guinean-born maid also appeared to have lied about her asylum application, officials reportedly said.

“She actually recounted the entire story to prosecutors and later said it was false,” one law enforcement official told the Associated Press news agency.

But prosecutors have not necessarily reached a new conclusion over the allegations against Mr Strauss-Kahn and have not decided whether to downgrade the charges, the official said.

Mr Strauss-Kahn, 62, has been under house arrest in a New York apartment since posting a $6m (£3.7m) cash bail and bond in May.

He is charged with seven counts including four felony charges – two of criminal sexual acts, one of attempted rape and one of sexual abuse – plus three misdemeanour offences, including unlawful imprisonment.

Mr Strauss-Kahn, who resigned as head of the International Monetary Fund to defend himself, vigorously denies the charges.

This article is from the BBC News website. © British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.

Court witness killed in Colombia

Map of ColombiaMr Gomez was killed in Arboletes, an area once dominated by the paramilitaries
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One of the main witnesses in a court case investigating politicians’ links to right-wing paramilitaries in Colombia has been killed.

Luis Eduardo Gomez, 70, was shot dead by gunmen in his home in Arboletes, in north-western Antioquia province.

He is the second witness in the case to be killed this week, officials say.

Prosecutors are investigating scores of local politicians over their alleged links to the paramilitary United Self-Defence Forces.

The United Self-Defence Forces, or AUC, was formed by landowners and drug traffickers in the 1990s to combat Colombia’s left-wing guerrillas.

The group demobilised under a 2003 peace agreement with the government, and around 30,000 fighters surrendered their weapons.

Mr Gomez, a freelance journalist, had testified in the court case which is investigating more than 20 local politicians over their alleged links to the AUC.

The group is accused of forcing thousands of people off their land as well as dealing in drugs, forcibly recruiting minors and killing hundreds of people they suspected of being rebels or rebel sympathisers.

Prosecutors say the AUC built up close connections with a number of local and national politicians, financing their campaigns in exchange for their backing in local government and Congress.

Many current or former members of Congress have been jailed or investigated for allegedly conspiring or collaborating with the AUC paramilitaries, in what has been dubbed the “parapolitics” scandal.

Mr Gomez’s murder comes just days after the killing of Vicente Botero Arbelaez, who was also a witness in the case.

Prosecutors say five other witnesses are missing, while a sixth is part of a witness protection programme.

The government says many former AUC members now swell the ranks of the so-called Bacrin, short for criminal narcotics gangs.

Police suspect one of the Bacrins, Los Urabenos, of being behind the killing of Mr Gomez.

This article is from the BBC News website. © British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.

Court witness killed in Colombia

Map of ColombiaMr Gomez was killed in Arboletes, an area once dominated by the paramilitaries
Related Stories

One of the main witnesses in a court case investigating politicians’ links to right-wing paramilitaries in Colombia has been killed.

Luis Eduardo Gomez, 70, was shot dead by gunmen in his home in Arboletes, in north-western Antioquia province.

He is the second witness in the case to be killed this week, officials say.

Prosecutors are investigating scores of local politicians over their alleged links to the paramilitary United Self-Defence Forces.

The United Self-Defence Forces, or AUC, was formed by landowners and drug traffickers in the 1990s to combat Colombia’s left-wing guerrillas.

The group demobilised under a 2003 peace agreement with the government, and around 30,000 fighters surrendered their weapons.

Mr Gomez, a freelance journalist, had testified in the court case which is investigating more than 20 local politicians over their alleged links to the AUC.

The group is accused of forcing thousands of people off their land as well as dealing in drugs, forcibly recruiting minors and killing hundreds of people they suspected of being rebels or rebel sympathisers.

Prosecutors say the AUC built up close connections with a number of local and national politicians, financing their campaigns in exchange for their backing in local government and Congress.

Many current or former members of Congress have been jailed or investigated for allegedly conspiring or collaborating with the AUC paramilitaries, in what has been dubbed the “parapolitics” scandal.

Mr Gomez’s murder comes just days after the killing of Vicente Botero Arbelaez, who was also a witness in the case.

Prosecutors say five other witnesses are missing, while a sixth is part of a witness protection programme.

The government says many former AUC members now swell the ranks of the so-called Bacrin, short for criminal narcotics gangs.

Police suspect one of the Bacrins, Los Urabenos, of being behind the killing of Mr Gomez.

This article is from the BBC News website. © British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.

Court witness killed in Colombia

Map of ColombiaMr Gomez was killed in Arboletes, an area once dominated by the paramilitaries
Related Stories

One of the main witnesses in a court case investigating politicians’ links to right-wing paramilitaries in Colombia has been killed.

Luis Eduardo Gomez, 70, was shot dead by gunmen in his home in Arboletes, in north-western Antioquia province.

He is the second witness in the case to be killed this week, officials say.

Prosecutors are investigating scores of local politicians over their alleged links to the paramilitary United Self-Defence Forces.

The United Self-Defence Forces, or AUC, was formed by landowners and drug traffickers in the 1990s to combat Colombia’s left-wing guerrillas.

The group demobilised under a 2003 peace agreement with the government, and around 30,000 fighters surrendered their weapons.

Mr Gomez, a freelance journalist, had testified in the court case which is investigating more than 20 local politicians over their alleged links to the AUC.

The group is accused of forcing thousands of people off their land as well as dealing in drugs, forcibly recruiting minors and killing hundreds of people they suspected of being rebels or rebel sympathisers.

Prosecutors say the AUC built up close connections with a number of local and national politicians, financing their campaigns in exchange for their backing in local government and Congress.

Many current or former members of Congress have been jailed or investigated for allegedly conspiring or collaborating with the AUC paramilitaries, in what has been dubbed the “parapolitics” scandal.

Mr Gomez’s murder comes just days after the killing of Vicente Botero Arbelaez, who was also a witness in the case.

Prosecutors say five other witnesses are missing, while a sixth is part of a witness protection programme.

The government says many former AUC members now swell the ranks of the so-called Bacrin, short for criminal narcotics gangs.

Police suspect one of the Bacrins, Los Urabenos, of being behind the killing of Mr Gomez.

This article is from the BBC News website. © British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.

Man dies in Lurgan road accident

A 27-year-old man has died following a traffic accident in Lurgan, County Armagh.

The crash, involving a car and van happened on the Derrytrasna Road around 1815 BST on Friday.

A 12-year-old boy and two men, aged 18 and 26, have been taken to Craigavon Area Hospital.

Their injuries are not thought to be life threatening. Police are appealing for witnesses.

This article is from the BBC News website. © British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.

Man dies in Lurgan road accident

A 27-year-old man has died following a traffic accident in Lurgan, County Armagh.

The crash, involving a car and van happened on the Derrytrasna Road around 1815 BST on Friday.

A 12-year-old boy and two men, aged 18 and 26, have been taken to Craigavon Area Hospital.

Their injuries are not thought to be life threatening. Police are appealing for witnesses.

This article is from the BBC News website. © British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.

Man dies in Lurgan road accident

A 27-year-old man has died following a traffic accident in Lurgan, County Armagh.

The crash, involving a car and van happened on the Derrytrasna Road around 1815 BST on Friday.

A 12-year-old boy and two men, aged 18 and 26, have been taken to Craigavon Area Hospital.

Their injuries are not thought to be life threatening. Police are appealing for witnesses.

This article is from the BBC News website. © British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.