BRUSSELS: The European Commission has approved Inter Continental Exchange s proposed $8.2 billion takeover of NYSE Euro next, saying the two are not direct competitors in most markets and will continue to face strong competition.
The deal will give ICE control of London-based Liffe, Europe s second-largest derivatives market.
The combined ICE-NYSE Euro next would be the third-largest exchange group globally, behind Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing and CME Group. The European Commission confirmed it approved the merger in an emailed statement Monday.(AP)
Monday, 24 June 2013
16 soldiers dead in Lebanon clashes
BEIRUT (AP) - Lebanese army units battled followers of a hard-line Sunni cleric holed up in a mosque complex in a southern port city on Monday, the second day of fighting that has left at least 16 soldiers dead, the military said.
The clashes in Sidon, Lebanon s third-largest city some 40 kilometers south of Beirut, are the latest bout of violence in Lebanon linked to the conflict in neighboring Syria.
They are the bloodiest yet involving the army at least two of those killed are officers. The Lebanese media has depicted the clashes as a test for the state in containing armed groups that have taken up the cause of the warring sides in Syria, whose sectarian makeup mirrors that of its smaller neighbor.
The two days of fighting between troops and armed supporters of Sheikh Ahmad al-Assir have transformed the city, which had been largely spared the violence plaguing border areas near Syria, into a combat zone.
The National News Agency said the clashes also left fifty wounded. Hospital officials said at least three of al-Assir s supporters died in the fighting.
The military in a statement said the gunmen were using the religious compound to fire on its troops and had taken civilians as shields.
Machine-gun fire and rocket-propelled grenade explosions caused panic among residents of Sidon. Residents reported power and water outage.
The city streets appeared largely deserted Monday. Local media reported many residents were asking for evacuation from the heavily populated neighborhood around the Bilal bin Rabbah Mosque where al-Assir preaches, and where the fighting has been concentrated.
The local municipality said that the city is "a war zone," appealing for a cease-fire to evacuate the civilians and wounded in the area.
Many people living on upper floors came down or fled to safer areas, while others were seen running away from fighting areas carrying children. Others remained locked up in their homes or shops, fearing getting caught in the crossfire. Gray smoke billowed over parts of the city.
The military appealed to the gunmen to hand themselves in. In its statement, it said that it "reassures all Lebanese that it will continue to uproot the strife and will not stop its operations until security is totally restored to the city and its boroughs, and falls under the rule of law and order."
The clashes erupted Sunday in the predominantly Sunni city after troops arrested a follower of al-Assir. The army says supporters of the cleric opened fire without provocation on an army checkpoint.
Early Monday, al-Assir appealed to his supporters through his Twitter account in other parts of Lebanon to rise to his help, threatening to widen the scale of clashes.
The tweets did not give a clear statement on how the battle began. It came after a series of incidents pitting the cleric s followers against other groups in the town, including Hezbollah supporters and the army.
The cleric is believed to have hundreds of armed supporters in Sidon involved in the fighting. Dozens of al-Assir s gunmen also partially shut down the main highway linking south Lebanon with Beirut. On Monday, they opened fire in other parts of the city, with local media reporting gunshots in the city s market.
Fighting also broke out in parts of Ein el-Hilweh, a teeming Palestinian refugee camp near Sidon, where al-Assir has supporters.
Islamist factions inside the camp lobbed mortars at military checkpoints around the camp. Tension also spread to the north in Tripoli, Lebanon s second largest city.
Masked gunmen roamed the city center, firing in the air and forcing shops and businesses to shut down in solidarity with al-Assir.
Dozens of gunmen also set fire to tires, blocking roads. The city s main streets were emptying out. There was no unusual military or security deployment.
The clashes in Sidon, Lebanon s third-largest city some 40 kilometers south of Beirut, are the latest bout of violence in Lebanon linked to the conflict in neighboring Syria.
They are the bloodiest yet involving the army at least two of those killed are officers. The Lebanese media has depicted the clashes as a test for the state in containing armed groups that have taken up the cause of the warring sides in Syria, whose sectarian makeup mirrors that of its smaller neighbor.
The two days of fighting between troops and armed supporters of Sheikh Ahmad al-Assir have transformed the city, which had been largely spared the violence plaguing border areas near Syria, into a combat zone.
The National News Agency said the clashes also left fifty wounded. Hospital officials said at least three of al-Assir s supporters died in the fighting.
The military in a statement said the gunmen were using the religious compound to fire on its troops and had taken civilians as shields.
Machine-gun fire and rocket-propelled grenade explosions caused panic among residents of Sidon. Residents reported power and water outage.
The city streets appeared largely deserted Monday. Local media reported many residents were asking for evacuation from the heavily populated neighborhood around the Bilal bin Rabbah Mosque where al-Assir preaches, and where the fighting has been concentrated.
The local municipality said that the city is "a war zone," appealing for a cease-fire to evacuate the civilians and wounded in the area.
Many people living on upper floors came down or fled to safer areas, while others were seen running away from fighting areas carrying children. Others remained locked up in their homes or shops, fearing getting caught in the crossfire. Gray smoke billowed over parts of the city.
The military appealed to the gunmen to hand themselves in. In its statement, it said that it "reassures all Lebanese that it will continue to uproot the strife and will not stop its operations until security is totally restored to the city and its boroughs, and falls under the rule of law and order."
The clashes erupted Sunday in the predominantly Sunni city after troops arrested a follower of al-Assir. The army says supporters of the cleric opened fire without provocation on an army checkpoint.
Early Monday, al-Assir appealed to his supporters through his Twitter account in other parts of Lebanon to rise to his help, threatening to widen the scale of clashes.
The tweets did not give a clear statement on how the battle began. It came after a series of incidents pitting the cleric s followers against other groups in the town, including Hezbollah supporters and the army.
The cleric is believed to have hundreds of armed supporters in Sidon involved in the fighting. Dozens of al-Assir s gunmen also partially shut down the main highway linking south Lebanon with Beirut. On Monday, they opened fire in other parts of the city, with local media reporting gunshots in the city s market.
Fighting also broke out in parts of Ein el-Hilweh, a teeming Palestinian refugee camp near Sidon, where al-Assir has supporters.
Islamist factions inside the camp lobbed mortars at military checkpoints around the camp. Tension also spread to the north in Tripoli, Lebanon s second largest city.
Masked gunmen roamed the city center, firing in the air and forcing shops and businesses to shut down in solidarity with al-Assir.
Dozens of gunmen also set fire to tires, blocking roads. The city s main streets were emptying out. There was no unusual military or security deployment.
Angelina Jolie urges world to end rape in war
UNITED NATIONS (AP) - Actress Angelina Jolie is making her debut before the UN s most powerful body as a special envoy for refugees and urging the world s nations to make the fight against rape in war a top priority.
She told the Security Council Monday that "hundreds of thousands if not millions of women, children and men have been raped in conflicts in our lifetimes."
But Jolie said "the world has yet to take up warzone rape as a serious priority." "You set the bar," she told the Security Council.
"If the council sets rape and sexual violence in conflict as a priority it will become one and progress will be made. If you do not, this horror will continue."
She told the Security Council Monday that "hundreds of thousands if not millions of women, children and men have been raped in conflicts in our lifetimes."
But Jolie said "the world has yet to take up warzone rape as a serious priority." "You set the bar," she told the Security Council.
"If the council sets rape and sexual violence in conflict as a priority it will become one and progress will be made. If you do not, this horror will continue."
Highway shootings: Truck driver arrested in Germany
BERLIN : German police have arrested a truck driver believed to be responsible for a series of more than 700 shootings on the country s highways over five years.
The Federal Criminal Police Office says the 57-year-old man was arrested on Sunday in western Germany and officers seized firearms.
The office said the man, whose name was not released, was brought before a judge Monday and ordered held in custody pending formal charges.
Starting in mid-2008, shots were fired at trucks loaded with cars, other vehicles on the highway and buildings.
Last November, authorities quadrupled a reward for information on the shootings to 100,000 euros ($131,000), saying that the assailant or assailants had started using more dangerous weapons.
In one of the shootings, a woman driving a car was injured.(AP)
The Federal Criminal Police Office says the 57-year-old man was arrested on Sunday in western Germany and officers seized firearms.
The office said the man, whose name was not released, was brought before a judge Monday and ordered held in custody pending formal charges.
Starting in mid-2008, shots were fired at trucks loaded with cars, other vehicles on the highway and buildings.
Last November, authorities quadrupled a reward for information on the shootings to 100,000 euros ($131,000), saying that the assailant or assailants had started using more dangerous weapons.
In one of the shootings, a woman driving a car was injured.(AP)
Berlusconi gets 7-year jail in sex crime case
MILAN (Reuters) - A Milan court sentenced former Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi on Monday to seven years in jail and banned him from public office after finding him guilty of paying for sex with a minor and abusing his powers of office to cover up the affair.
The verdict adds to mounting complications facing Prime Minister Enrico Letta, whose fragile left-right coalition government is supported by Berlusconi s centre-right People of Freedom (PDL) party.
Berlusconi was found guilty of paying for sex with former teenaged nightclub dancer Karima El Mahroug, better known under her stage name "Ruby the Heartstealer", during the now notorious "bunga bunga" sex parties at his palatial home near Milan.
The panel of three judges, all women, also found the 76 year-old former premier guilty of abuse of office by arranging to have her released from police custody when she was detained in a separate theft case.
Berlusconi will not have to serve any jail time unless the sentence is confirmed on appeal.
The verdict adds to mounting complications facing Prime Minister Enrico Letta, whose fragile left-right coalition government is supported by Berlusconi s centre-right People of Freedom (PDL) party.
Berlusconi was found guilty of paying for sex with former teenaged nightclub dancer Karima El Mahroug, better known under her stage name "Ruby the Heartstealer", during the now notorious "bunga bunga" sex parties at his palatial home near Milan.
The panel of three judges, all women, also found the 76 year-old former premier guilty of abuse of office by arranging to have her released from police custody when she was detained in a separate theft case.
Berlusconi will not have to serve any jail time unless the sentence is confirmed on appeal.
EU seeks to look beyond Turkey protests over membership
LUXEMBOURG (AP) - Turkey s hope of moving to the next stage of negotiations to join the European Union was kept alive Monday after Germany proposed a compromise that would bind the EU to expanded talks, but only once it approved Ankara s latest reforms.
With the hedged proposal, German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle said he wanted to make sure the impact of the protests that have rocked the government of Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan over the past weeks would be taken into account without endangering the long-term strategy to draw Turkey closer.
The proposal is expected to be discussed by EU ministers on Tuesday and could still be enshrined at a meetingwith Turkish officials on Wednesday. Any EU decision on Turkey talks needs unanimity among the 27 member states.
"On the one hand we cannot pretend as if these talks here were happening without any context, as if the past days hadn t existed," Westerwelle said. "On the other hand we also have to see that our joint, general, strategic and long-term interests are upheld."
A progress report on Turkey s ability to fit within the EU is expected mid-October.
Germany, which has a sizeable Turkish population, had initially blocked the next step in membership talks last week.
Ministers from countries including Sweden and Belgium agreed that longer term considerations beyond the current political strife should be central to discussions.
"We are not pursuing policies for the day and for the week, we are pursuing policies for the years and the decades," said Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt.
"We can t change the strategy of the European Union, just because there happens to be nervousness in one part or in the other."
EU Foreign Affairs chief Catherine Ashton was also seeking to keep the door open for further Turkish discussions.
"My general view on everything is engagement is a much better option where you possibly can," she said.
Berlin s blocking of the decision to open a new chapter in the long-running accession negotiations last week was a blow to Erdogan s government, which already faces increasing international scrutiny over its crackdown.
"We have to notice at the moment that there has to be some movement from Turkey before starting with negotiations in a new chapter," said Austria s Foreign Minister Michael Spindelegger.
"We are waiting for signals from Ankara that they are going to give people in Turkey really their rights," said Spindelegger.
Turkey began EU accession negotiations in 2005, but has made little progress because of its dispute with Cyprus, an EU member, and opposition among some in Europe to admitting a populous Muslim nation into the bloc.
The session of EU talks initially to open next week was to focus on regional policies, one of 35 chapters for aspiring members to address. But some officials expressed concern that such talks could appear to endorse the crackdown on the demonstrations.
Despite the concerns, Belgium too insisted on pressing ahead. "We should never close the door," said Foreign Minister Didier Reynders.
Asked what Turkey will do if the EU does not open a new chapter in the membership talks this week, Turkey s minister in charge of EU affairs Egemen Bagis said the country was also busy working on the issue.
He was quoted as telling Germany s Sueddeutsche Zeitung daily: "We are working on an answer. I can t tell you more, only so much: Turkey has other options."
"We need the EU and the EU needs us," he said. "It is not fair to block the opening of the new chapter in negotiations, which is mainly technical, because of technical constraints."
With the hedged proposal, German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle said he wanted to make sure the impact of the protests that have rocked the government of Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan over the past weeks would be taken into account without endangering the long-term strategy to draw Turkey closer.
The proposal is expected to be discussed by EU ministers on Tuesday and could still be enshrined at a meetingwith Turkish officials on Wednesday. Any EU decision on Turkey talks needs unanimity among the 27 member states.
"On the one hand we cannot pretend as if these talks here were happening without any context, as if the past days hadn t existed," Westerwelle said. "On the other hand we also have to see that our joint, general, strategic and long-term interests are upheld."
A progress report on Turkey s ability to fit within the EU is expected mid-October.
Germany, which has a sizeable Turkish population, had initially blocked the next step in membership talks last week.
Ministers from countries including Sweden and Belgium agreed that longer term considerations beyond the current political strife should be central to discussions.
"We are not pursuing policies for the day and for the week, we are pursuing policies for the years and the decades," said Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt.
"We can t change the strategy of the European Union, just because there happens to be nervousness in one part or in the other."
EU Foreign Affairs chief Catherine Ashton was also seeking to keep the door open for further Turkish discussions.
"My general view on everything is engagement is a much better option where you possibly can," she said.
Berlin s blocking of the decision to open a new chapter in the long-running accession negotiations last week was a blow to Erdogan s government, which already faces increasing international scrutiny over its crackdown.
"We have to notice at the moment that there has to be some movement from Turkey before starting with negotiations in a new chapter," said Austria s Foreign Minister Michael Spindelegger.
"We are waiting for signals from Ankara that they are going to give people in Turkey really their rights," said Spindelegger.
Turkey began EU accession negotiations in 2005, but has made little progress because of its dispute with Cyprus, an EU member, and opposition among some in Europe to admitting a populous Muslim nation into the bloc.
The session of EU talks initially to open next week was to focus on regional policies, one of 35 chapters for aspiring members to address. But some officials expressed concern that such talks could appear to endorse the crackdown on the demonstrations.
Despite the concerns, Belgium too insisted on pressing ahead. "We should never close the door," said Foreign Minister Didier Reynders.
Asked what Turkey will do if the EU does not open a new chapter in the membership talks this week, Turkey s minister in charge of EU affairs Egemen Bagis said the country was also busy working on the issue.
He was quoted as telling Germany s Sueddeutsche Zeitung daily: "We are working on an answer. I can t tell you more, only so much: Turkey has other options."
"We need the EU and the EU needs us," he said. "It is not fair to block the opening of the new chapter in negotiations, which is mainly technical, because of technical constraints."
Sethi says he will try to resolve problems at PCB
ISLAMABAD (AP) - The newly appointed acting chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board said Sunday he will try to lead the organization out of crisis in a transparent manner and will attend next week s annual board meeting of the International Cricket Council.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif appointed prominent journalist Najam Sethi to the post on Sunday after the Islamabad High Court ordered the government to replace PCB chairman Zaka Ashraf last month.
"My job is to resolve all the problems of cricket board in a transparent manner like election, selection and then go back home," Sethi said in Lahore.
Sethi said he met with Sharif two days ago and the prime minister wanted him to represent Pakistan at the ICC meeting and also fulfill the orders of IHC judge Shaukat Aziz Siddique.
The judge had stopped Ashraf from working as PCB chairman last month and termed his election as "polluted" in a petition filed by a former official of the Rawalpindi region. Siddique also ordered the government to appoint an acting chairman, who could represent Pakistan at the ICC meeting in London.
"It was mandatory (to attend ICC meeting) because it has never happened in history that a country s representative on the ICC board did not attend the meeting," said Sethi, who will be accompanied by PCB chief operating officer Subhan Ahmed at the ICC meeting.
Sethi, who is a prominent political analyst in both print and electronic media in Pakistan, also served as caretaker chief minister in the Punjab province before Pakistan s general elections in May.
His appointment came as a surprise after the government s counsel last week informed the court that former captain Majid Khan, cricket commentator Chishtie Mujahid and the former chief of the Federal Bureau of Revenue Mumtaz Haider Rizvi were shortlisted for the post. That list was reportedly passed to Sharif, who was to announce thewinning candidate.
Last year the ICC issued a deadline of June 2013 for all the countries to run their cricket boards along democratic lines and under minimum interference from governments.
But Sethi said the ICC has softened its stance because the game s governing body realizes there are complexities surrounding the governance of cricket in countries like Pakistan and Bangladesh.
"ICC had given guidelines to conduct elections in a democratic way, but now they realize there are problems at grassroots democracy in countries like Bangladesh and Pakistan," he said.
"Previously they took a hard line but now they have softened their stance. We will go listen to them and then we will discuss it here with the courts, government and then take the decision."
Sethi s agenda also includes approval of the team selected for next month s tour of the West Indies where Pakistan will be playing five one-day internationals and two Twenty20s.
"More than 95 per cent of the work has been done and there s not much time left. I will be meeting with the selectors and see what they have recommended before going for the ICC meeting."
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif appointed prominent journalist Najam Sethi to the post on Sunday after the Islamabad High Court ordered the government to replace PCB chairman Zaka Ashraf last month.
"My job is to resolve all the problems of cricket board in a transparent manner like election, selection and then go back home," Sethi said in Lahore.
Sethi said he met with Sharif two days ago and the prime minister wanted him to represent Pakistan at the ICC meeting and also fulfill the orders of IHC judge Shaukat Aziz Siddique.
The judge had stopped Ashraf from working as PCB chairman last month and termed his election as "polluted" in a petition filed by a former official of the Rawalpindi region. Siddique also ordered the government to appoint an acting chairman, who could represent Pakistan at the ICC meeting in London.
"It was mandatory (to attend ICC meeting) because it has never happened in history that a country s representative on the ICC board did not attend the meeting," said Sethi, who will be accompanied by PCB chief operating officer Subhan Ahmed at the ICC meeting.
Sethi, who is a prominent political analyst in both print and electronic media in Pakistan, also served as caretaker chief minister in the Punjab province before Pakistan s general elections in May.
His appointment came as a surprise after the government s counsel last week informed the court that former captain Majid Khan, cricket commentator Chishtie Mujahid and the former chief of the Federal Bureau of Revenue Mumtaz Haider Rizvi were shortlisted for the post. That list was reportedly passed to Sharif, who was to announce thewinning candidate.
Last year the ICC issued a deadline of June 2013 for all the countries to run their cricket boards along democratic lines and under minimum interference from governments.
But Sethi said the ICC has softened its stance because the game s governing body realizes there are complexities surrounding the governance of cricket in countries like Pakistan and Bangladesh.
"ICC had given guidelines to conduct elections in a democratic way, but now they realize there are problems at grassroots democracy in countries like Bangladesh and Pakistan," he said.
"Previously they took a hard line but now they have softened their stance. We will go listen to them and then we will discuss it here with the courts, government and then take the decision."
Sethi s agenda also includes approval of the team selected for next month s tour of the West Indies where Pakistan will be playing five one-day internationals and two Twenty20s.
"More than 95 per cent of the work has been done and there s not much time left. I will be meeting with the selectors and see what they have recommended before going for the ICC meeting."
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