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White House releases Benghazi emails

Sun, 19 May 2013 04:46:10 GMT

Sunday, May 19, 2013

United States

Sources [edit]

AAP. "White House releases Benghazi emails" — The Australian, May 16, 2013
Ewen MacAskill. "White House releases Benghazi emails in bid to quell Republican uproar" — The Guardian, May 15, 2013
"White House releases Benghazi 'talking points' emails" — BBC News Online, May 15, 2013
Oren Dorell. "White House releases Benghazi e-mails" — USA Today, May 15, 2013

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British Prime Minister David Cameron makes unannounced visit to Libya

Fri, 01 Feb 2013 12:08:45 GMT

Friday, February 1, 2013

Libya

Other stories from Libya

19 May 2013: White House releases Benghazi emails
1 February 2013: British Prime Minister David Cameron makes unannounced visit to Libya
24 January 2013: 'Imminent threat' as Foreign Office urges Britons to leave Benghazi
5 November 2012: On the campaign trail, October 2012
19 October 2012: Obama and Romney battle in second U.S. presidential debate

...More articles here

Location of Libya

To write, edit, start or view other articles on Libya, see the Libya Portal

British Prime Minister David Cameron in his visit to Benghazi, Libya on September, 15 2011.
Image: Maher27777.

British Prime Minister David Cameron made an unannounced visit to the Libyan capital city of Tripoli yesterday after visiting Algeria earlier in the day.

David Cameron pledged that Britain would help in training Libya's security forces. He said in a joint press conference held with Libyan Prime Minister Ali Zeidan that "the British people want to stand with you and help you deliver the greater security that Libya needs". Cameron also reiterated his support for the French-backed intervention in Mali, denying suggestions put to him that foreign intervention in Islamic countries would lead to a backlash against Western nations by al-Qaeda.

The security was tight during his walkabout in the Martyrs' Square, where police attempted to hold back the locals as a police helicopter flew overhead. His visit to Tripoli comes in the aftermath of recent threats to the British embassy and just a week after British citizens were urged to leave the second largest city of Benghazi due to a "specific and imminent" threat to Westerners.

Police officers investigating the 1988 Lockerbie bombing from the Dumfries and Galloway Constabulary have been granted access to new information to help them with their inquiries. In 2001, Abdelbaset al-Megrahi was convicted of murder and sentenced to life imprisonment but was released in 2009 on compassionate health grounds and died last year.

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Sources [edit]

"We want to stand with you, David Cameron tells Libya" — BBC News Online, January 31, 2013
"David Cameron Makes Surprise Trip To Libya" — Sky News, January 31, 2013

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'Imminent threat' as Foreign Office urges Britons to leave Benghazi

Thu, 24 Jan 2013 17:09:21 GMT

Libya

Other stories from Libya

19 May 2013: White House releases Benghazi emails
1 February 2013: British Prime Minister David Cameron makes unannounced visit to Libya
24 January 2013: 'Imminent threat' as Foreign Office urges Britons to leave Benghazi
5 November 2012: On the campaign trail, October 2012
19 October 2012: Obama and Romney battle in second U.S. presidential debate

...More articles here

Location of Libya

To write, edit, start or view other articles on Libya, see the Libya Portal

Thursday, January 24, 2013

A map of Libya showing the main towns and cities.

British nationals have been urged to leave the Libyan city of Benghazi immediately due to a "specific and imminent" threat to Westerners.

The Netherlands and Germany have joined the British government in warning their citizens away from Benghazi.

Last September, Benghazi was the scene of an attack on the US consulate which left dead the US ambassador to Libya.

A Foreign Office spokesman said "We are now aware of a specific and imminent threat to Westerners in Benghazi, and urge any British nationals who remain there against our advice to leave immediately". The statement indicated that the threat was to Westerners and didn't provide details about specific threats.

The warning from the UK Government comes in the aftermath of an attack at an Algerian gas plant that left 37 hostages dead.

Since September 2012, the Foreign Office has warned against all travel to Benghazi.

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Sources [edit]

"Britons urged to leave Benghazi over 'imminent threat'" — BBC News Online, January 24, 2013
"British Nationals Urged To Leave Benghazi" — Sky News, January 24, 2013

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On the campaign trail, October 2012

Mon, 05 Nov 2012 07:28:12 GMT

This article mentions the Wikimedia Foundation, one of its projects, or people related to it. Wikinews is a project of the Wikimedia Foundation.

Monday, November 5, 2012

2012 United States Presidential Election

2012 U.S. Presidential Election stories

7 November 2012: World leaders react to Obama win
7 November 2012: United States re-elects Barack Obama
7 November 2012: Australian Broadcasting Corporation plans to call California for Obama before polls close
5 November 2012: Wikinews interviews former New Mexico governor Gary Johnson, presidential nominee of the Libertarian Party
5 November 2012: On the campaign trail, October 2012

The following is the twelfth and final edition of a monthly series chronicling the U.S. 2012 presidential election. It features original material compiled throughout the previous month after a brief mention of some of the month's biggest stories.

In this month's edition on the campaign trail: a fan of Wikinews asks a critical question at the Second presidential debate; Gary Johnson discusses Syria and foreign intervention with Wikinews, and three candidates give the their final plea to voters ahead of the November 6 election.

1 Summary
2 Wikinews fan sparks controversy at second presidential debate
3 Gary Johnson speaks to Wikinews on Syria and foreign intervention
4 The final pleas...
5 Related news
6 Sources

Summary [edit]

October opened with President Barack Obama comfortably leading Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney in most polls. This changed following the first presidential debate, which opinion polls and commentators declared as a Romney victory. Around 67 million Americans watched the Jim Lehrer-moderated debate, which focused on economic matters. CBS News analysis described the debate as possibly the best night of the Romney campaign, finding him in control of the discourse and appearing "reasonable, pragmatic and respectful." On the other hand, the analysis characterized Obama as cautious, lacking energy, and exercising poor body language, particularly in his propensity to look down at his podium while Romney spoke. One memorable exchange occurred when Romney argued that he would cut federal funding to Lehrer's network PBS, prefacing that he actually liked Lehrer, the network, and its Sesame Street character Big Bird, but argued that he would not continue "to borrow money from China to pay for it." Afterwards, Romney experienced a bounce in the national polls, surpassing Obama for the lead in several. Shortly after the debate, September's economic report was released, revealing a fall in unemployment to 7.8 percent, the lowest rate since the beginning of the Obama presidency. However, the Obama campaign hit a potential stumbling block as State Department officials reported details on the September 11 embassy attack in Benghazi, Libya that led to the deaths of four Americans including Ambassador Christopher Stevens. The administration had earlier claimed the attacks resulted from Innocence of Muslims protests, but it emerged the attacks were planned. The report raised questions of what the administration knew and why better protection was not provided to the consulate. The story broke just shy of the one and only Vice Presidential Debate between Vice President Joe Biden and Republican Vice Presidential nominee Paul Ryan, held in Danville, Kentucky. Though analysts drew contrasting conclusions on who won the debate with many believing Biden had won it on substance, much post-debate discussion focused on Biden's aggression, use of the word "malarkey", incessant smiling and laughing, and interruptions of both Ryan and the moderator Martha Raddatz of ABC News.

Third party candidates Jill Stein, Rocky Anderson, Virgil Goode, and Gary Johnson participate in the 2012 Free and Equal presidential debate.
Image: Connie Ma.

Shortly thereafter, the second presidential debate commenced in Hempstead, New York, moderated by CNN's Candy Crowley. The debate's town hall format allowed the candidates to walk around the stage as they answered pre-selected questions from audience members. In contrast to the first debate, Obama appeared energetic and aggressive, as did Romney. CBS News described the debate as "contentious" with Obama and Romney attacking each other often and appearing to almost "come to blows" on one exchange. One such exchange occurred when Romney and Obama went back-and-forth about oil leases on federal lands. Obama claimed oil production increased during his administration; Romney agreed but countered that the increase was due only to private production, and that oil leases and production on federal lands actually decreased. The Benghazi attack presented another contentious topic at the debate with Obama claiming that he labeled the incident as a terrorist attack on the day after it happened, which Crowley confirmed, though she also noted the administration later claimed the incident was a reaction to the Innocence of Muslims. Before the next debate, the candidates appeared jointly at a less serious event, each taking part in the traditional Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner hosted by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New York, where they joked about the election, their opponent, and themselves. The final debate held at Florida's Lynn University and hosted by CBS News' Bob Schieffer focused on foreign affairs, which the candidates often appeared to agree on. Notably, Romney avoided criticism of the president for his handling of the September 11 Benghazi attack. One disagreement between the candidates concerned the issue of military strength. Romney accused Obama of proposing budget cuts for the military and criticized him for maintaining a Navy with the fewest battleships since 1917. Obama countered that "we also have fewer horses and bayonets. Because the nature of the military has changed. We have these things called aircraft carriers, where planes land on them. We have these ships that go underwater, nuclear submarines."

The next day, four third party candidates excluded from the national debates for not meeting the Commission on Presidential Debates' polling threshold, but who satisfied the commission's ballot access requirements, took part in a debate of their own sponsored by the Free and Equal Elections Foundation and broadcast on C-SPAN with Larry King as the moderator. Those taking part in the debate included former New Mexico governor and Libertarian Party presidential nominee Gary Johnson, former congressman and Constitution Party nominee Virgil Goode, former Salt Lake City Mayor and Justice Party nominee Rocky Anderson, and physician Jill Stein, presidential nominee of the Green Party. The two candidates that received the highest number of votes following the event, Johnson and Stein, were then invited to a one-on-one-debate scheduled for the next week. The event was postponed due to the Superstorm Hurricane Sandy. Sandy hit the northeast coast on the final week of campaigning, causing damages largely in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut. The destruction and lack of electricity in certain areas raised questions of how the election could take place on November 6 amid such chaos. Furthermore, analysts questioned whether Obama's response to the crisis would help him win the race. As Election Day neared, Obama secured critical endorsements from former Secretary of State Colin Powell and New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg. Nevertheless, in the RealClearPolitics average for October 31, Romney and Obama remained in a statistical tie. Polling also indicated that the most critical swing states were Ohio, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Iowa, Colorado, New Hampshire, Florida, Virginia, Michigan, Nevada, and North Carolina.

Wikinews fan sparks controversy at second presidential debate [edit]

Kerry Ladka, a senior sales associate at Global Telecom Supply and self-professed fan of Wikinews, was one of the individuals picked to address President Barack Obama and Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney at the October 16 presidential debate in Hempstead, New York. His question, which involved the September 11 attack on the U.S. embassy in Benghazi, sparked one of the debate's most contentious and controversial moments.

According to Ladka, the Gallup organization randomly selected him to ask a question, which he devised without their assistance. In fact, prior to asking, Ladka explained to viewers that his question arose during a discussion with his friends at work.

Kerry Ladka asks President Obama a question during the second presidential debate.
Image: The New York Times.

Speaking directly to President Obama, Ladka mentioned the reports that the U.S. State Department denied additional security forces to the Libyan embassy before it was breached. He then asked, "Who was it that denied enhanced security and why?"

Obama responded that upon hearing of the breach, he gave three instructions to his national security advisers: (1) increase security at the Libyan embassy and other U.S. embassies throughout the region; (2) investigate the matter; and (3) find and prosecute the culprits of the attack. He then criticized Romney's reaction to the event as "trying to make political points." Romney responded that it took the administration too long to label the break-in as a terrorist act while casting blame on a YouTube trailer. Obama countered that he actually did refer to the attack as a terrorist act at the Rose Garden on the subsequent day and expressed outrage that Romney would suggest "anybody on my team would play politics or mislead when we’ve lost four of our own". This remark led to a war of words between Romney, Obama, and moderator Candy Crowley.

Romney repeatedly asked Obama whether he actually said the attack was a terrorist act and not a "spontaneous demonstration." Obama twice responded, "please proceed" before citing the transcript of his remarks from the Rose Garden. After the moderator confirmed the president's statement, Obama asked her to do so "a little louder". With Crowley doing so, Romney then argued that the administration instead had maintained the act was a reaction against a video, which Crowley also confirmed. Romney next attempted to question why the Ambassador to the United Nations Susan Rice "went on the Sunday television shows and spoke about how this was a spontaneous reaction", but Crowley decided to move on to other questions.

Ladka told The Washington Post he did not believe Obama adequately answered the question during the debate, but noted that afterwards, Obama approached him and explained that he had wanted, in the days following the attack, to ensure the intelligence he received on the matter was correct, and that to avoid endangerment he did not want to explicitly name any individual in the State Department responsible for denying security.

To the Post, Ladka remained undecided on whom he would give his vote. But now after time for further deliberation, he tells Wikinews he has come to a decision. Though he felt Romney was "very impressive" at the debate, he believes President Obama was the winner and has decided to cast his ballot for the President on Election Day.

Gary Johnson speaks to Wikinews on Syria and foreign intervention [edit]

Though the fallout from the break-in at Benghazi was the main foreign policy focus in October, there was also some discussion, especially during the final two-party debate, about the unrest in Syria and actions of the Bashar al-Assad government, which led to the killings of roughly 30,000 people and displacement of 300,000.

Gary Johnson.
Image: Gary Johnson.

During the third and final debate between Obama and Romney, both seemed to agree that the United States should help the anti-government forces in Syria. Gary Johnson, in contrast, has a completely different viewpoint on both Syria and the question of foreign intervention.

In an exclusive interview with Wikinews, Johnson asserts that assistance for the Syrian rebels for humanitarian purposes may simply lead to the rise of a faction worse than the regime in power. Broadly speaking, he finds that "we intervene in the name of humanity, and the result is...more times than not, a situation that is worse, not better."

Nevertheless, Johnson does not hold an absolutist view against foreign intervention. When questioned about the need to intervene in the case of a genocide, he responded "I don’t think any of us want to stand by and watch that happen." However, for any kind of military intervention, Johnson favors congressional approval.

But for what actually constitutes a genocide requiring intervention, Johnson holds, "let me borrow from a Supreme Court justice that was asked his definition of pornography. [He said] You know, I can’t give you a definition of pornography but I’d like to think that when I see it I recognize it."

The complete interview with Governor Johnson on these and other issues can be read here.

The final pleas... [edit]

With Gary Johnson and Jill Stein making their case to voters at the final Free and Equal debate, Wikinews provided the opportunity to the three other third party presidential candidates with enough ballot access and write-in certification to theoretically win the election.

Those making their final pleas include: former congressman Virgil Goode, nominee of the Constitution Party; America's Party nominee Tom Hoefling; and former Salt Lake City Mayor Rocky Anderson, nominee of the Justice Party.

Ballot access maps for each of the three candidates appear below their respective statements.

Virgil Goode: Virgil Goode is the only candidate who will stop illegal immigration and block automatic citizenship for children born in the US of illegal aliens. He is also the only candidate who will protect jobs for US citizens by stopping so many green card holders from entering the United States. Lastly, he will work to stop the domination by Big Money PACs of federal elections. Save America and Vote for Virgil Goode.


Goode answers questions after the first Free and Equal debate. Image: Connie Ma.		Ballot access (violet), write-in certification (light violet), no access (gray) Image: Ariostos.

Tom Hoefling: Without faith there can be no justice. The two things are inextricably linked.

What is justice? To put it most simply, it is right-doing. In terms of the law and self-government, it is doing right to all persons equally and equitably.

But how can we possibly perfect justice in this country, as the framers of our Constitution purposed to do, if we pay no mind to the laws of nature and of nature's God? It is not possible.

Is there a desire in your heart to help save this country and restore America's greatness? Then trust God, seek His will, and do right. Join together with your fellow citizens who are of the same mind and heart, and retake the reins of your own self-government. If enough Americans will do this, without compromise, and do it in time, there is hope for this country and for our posterity. We can, if we choose to follow God and do right, once again be a shining city on a hill.

But if we refuse, and choose instead to be faithless and unjust by continuing to kill the babies and destroy God's institution of marriage and the natural family, our children and grandchildren, those who survive our brutal savagery, will curse us. They will rightfully convict us of squandering their precious heritage, one that was dearly bought with blood, sweat, and tears by our just and faithful forebears.

Our generation is a link in the chain between the past and the future. Please, my fellow Americans, I beg you, don't let it be broken. Strengthen the things that remain, before it is too late.


Tom Hoefling. Image: Tom Hoefling.		Ballot access (cyan), write-in certification (light cyan), no access (gray) Image: Ariostos.

Rocky Anderson: I propose an alternative to the corrupt two-party system that has created a militarist and corporatist government for sale to the highest bidders. My Justice Party campaign calls for people to demand a government that is genuinely of, by, and for the people.

Peace and prosperity require: (1) aggressive action on climate change; (2) creating a vibrant economy with living wage jobs through a WPA-like initiative, and returning outsourced jobs to the U.S.; (3) a significant reduction in military spending; (4) equal rights, regardless of race, religion, and sexual orientation; (5) a Medicare-for-all system providing better outcomes with lower costs; (6) prosecution of financial crimes, enforcement of financial regulations, including reinstatement of Glass-Steagall; (7) a restorative criminal justice system and an end to the disastrous “war on drugs”; (8) tax fairness; (9) Social Security and Medicare not be plundered; and (10) dismantlement of the imperial presidency and restoration of the U.S. Constitution.

My foreign policy will promote peace and respect for human rights, not the empire-building wars of aggression supported by both major parties. I will promote long-term U.S. security and build better relationships with other nations by ending the immoral drone killings that have already killed hundreds of innocent civilians and created more hatred and hostility toward the U.S.


Anderson poses with a supporter after the first Free and Equal debate. Image: Connie Ma.		Ballot access (blue), write-in certification (light blue), no access (gray) Image: Ariostos.

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Sources [edit]

This article features first-hand journalism by Wikinews members. See the collaboration page for more details.

"2012 Electoral Map" — RealClearPolitics, November 4, 2012 (date of access)
"General Election: Romney vs. Obama" — RealClearPolitics, November 4, 2012 (date of access)
"Presidency2012: Ballot Access" — Politics1.com, November 4, 2012 (date of access)
Michael Cooper. "Disruption From Storm May Be Felt at the Polls" — The New York Times, November 2, 2012
Associated Press. "NYC Mayor Bloomberg backs Obama for re-election, citing climate change" — Fox News, November 1, 2011
"The politics of Hurricane Sandy" — The Economist, October 29, 2012
Richard Winger. "Gary Johnson-Jill Stein Debate, Set for October 30, Likely to be Postponed Due to Storm" — Ballot Access News, October 27, 2012
"Colin Powell endorses Barack Obama for president" — CBS News, October 25, 2012
Chris Good. "Minor-Party ‘Don Quixotes’ Beat Up on Republicans, Democrats in Debate" — ABC News, October 24, 2012
Ryan Grim and Joshua Hersh. "Presidential Debate: Obama, Romney Agree On Foreign Policy" — The Huffington Post, October 23, 2012
"Transcript of the Third Presidential Debate" — The New York Times, October 22, 2012
Jilian Fama. "Best Jokes from the Obama vs. Romney Stand-Up Comedy Duel" — ABC News, October 19, 2012
Daniel Fisher. "Did Obama Really Take Away Those Oil Leases?" — Forbes, October 17, 2012
Eric Wemple. "Presidential debate: Libya questioner says Obama didn’t answer" — The Washington Post, October 17, 2012
Brian Montopoli. "Analysis: Tougher Obama rebounds in second debate" — CBS News, October 16, 2012
"Full Transcript of the Second Presidential Debate" — The New York Times, October 16, 2012
Peter Hamby, Mark Preston and Paul Steinhauser. "Five things we learned from Thursday's vice presidential debate" — CNN, October 13, 2012
Bradley Klapper (AP). "State Dept reveals new details of Benghazi attack" — Yahoo! News, October 10, 2012
Michael A. Fletcher and Neil Irwin. "Unemployment rate falls to 7.8% in September" — The Washington Post, October 5, 2012
Emily Swanson and Ariel Edwards-Levy. "Presidential Debate Instant Polls Show Romney Wins" — The Huffington Post, October 4, 2012
Brian Montopoli. "Debate analysis: Romney lands blows against cautious Obama" — CBS News, October 3, 2012

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Obama and Romney battle in second U.S. presidential debate

Fri, 19 Oct 2012 00:04:18 GMT

Friday, October 19, 2012

2012 United States Presidential Election

2012 U.S. Presidential Election stories

7 November 2012: World leaders react to Obama win
7 November 2012: United States re-elects Barack Obama
7 November 2012: Australian Broadcasting Corporation plans to call California for Obama before polls close
5 November 2012: Wikinews interviews former New Mexico governor Gary Johnson, presidential nominee of the Libertarian Party
5 November 2012: On the campaign trail, October 2012

United States president Barack Obama criticized his presidential challenger Mitt Romney over his response to the killing of the U.S ambassador to Libya on Tuesday in the second of three presidential debates. At the debate in Hempstead, New York, President Obama was critical of Mr Romney for trying to score "political points" from the incident.

	While we were still dealing with our diplomats being threatened, Governor Romney put out a press release, trying to make political points, and that's not how a commander-in-chief operates
—Barack Obama

"While we were still dealing with our diplomats being threatened, Governor Romney put out a press release, trying to make political points, and that's not how a commander-in-chief operates" Obama said, referring to Romney's initial response to the incident before the full details were known of what had happened.

Mr Obama faced criticism for the apparent lack of security at the U.S Consulate in Benghazi. Tuesday, U.S Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said she took responsibility for the failure in security at the counsulate, which led to the ambassador's death.

Elsewhere in the debate, there was controversy as moderator Candy Crowley appeared to side with President Obama when Mr Romney said that President Obama was not quick enough to call the killing of the ambassador "terrorism". "He did, in fact, sir," Crowley said, siding with Obama. On the day of the attack, President Obama actually said "...no acts of terror will ever shake the resolve of this great nation". Despite that comment, some of President Obama's top aides had initially attributed the killing to the film Innocence of Muslims which led to protests elsewhere in the Middle East. The rest of the debate was mostly dominated by the economy, jobs and taxes.

The next debate is scheduled to take place on October 22 at Lynn University in Florida. The candidates will be seeking to clinch the votes of the millions of undecided voters.

Barack Obama
Mitt Romney

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Sister links [edit]

Attack on the U.S. diplomatic mission in Benghazi

Sources [edit]

"'Aggressive Obama fights back in US debate'" — Channel 4 News, October 17, 2012
"'Obama hits back in fiery second debate with Romney'" — BBC News Online, October 17, 2012

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Human Rights Watch publish documents alleging US cooperated with Libya on torture

Sat, 08 Sep 2012 15:02:47 GMT

Saturday, September 8, 2012

Libya

Other stories from Libya

19 May 2013: White House releases Benghazi emails
1 February 2013: British Prime Minister David Cameron makes unannounced visit to Libya
24 January 2013: 'Imminent threat' as Foreign Office urges Britons to leave Benghazi
5 November 2012: On the campaign trail, October 2012
19 October 2012: Obama and Romney battle in second U.S. presidential debate

...More articles here

Location of Libya

To write, edit, start or view other articles on Libya, see the Libya Portal

The nurse office inside the Parwan Detention Facility, Bagram Airbase in 2009
Image: Officer.

The human rights group Human Rights Watch has published a 154-page document accusing the United States of cooperating with Libya under the rule of Muammar Gaddafi, in the interrogation and torture of members of the armed group, Libyan Islamic Fighting Group (LIFG), according to a report in the Huffington Post.

The report alleges that the United States and Libya, together with governments from Africa, Asia, and Europe such as the United Kingdom, collaborated in detaining former members of LIFG living outside Libya then deporting them back to Libya where they were allegedly tortured. According to the report, some of those detained where abused even before the were returned to Libya such as those held in United States military bases in Afghanistan. News reports have revealed that the abuse may have occurred between April 2003 and April 2005.

Upon the release of the document, Human Rights Watch has stated that their key source of information came from a pile of abandoned documents found on September 3, 2011 from the offices of former Libyan intelligence chief Musa Kusa. They also said that they have interviewed 14 former detainees who allege that they were subjected to abuses ranging from waterboarding, sexual assault, stress positions, beatings, and sleep deprivation.

Sources [edit]

"US: Torture and Rendition to Gaddafi's Libya" — Human Rights Watch, September 6, 2012
"Report: Libyans claim waterboarding, other CIA abuses" — CNN, September 6, 2012
"Rights Group Alleges More Waterboarding By US" — Voice of America, September 6, 2012
"US: Torture and Rendition to Gaddafi's Libya" — Huffington Post, September 6, 2012

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Libyan court jails 24 foreigners for helping Gaddafi

Tue, 05 Jun 2012 18:35:53 GMT

Tuesday, June 5, 2012

Libya

Other stories from Libya

19 May 2013: White House releases Benghazi emails
1 February 2013: British Prime Minister David Cameron makes unannounced visit to Libya
24 January 2013: 'Imminent threat' as Foreign Office urges Britons to leave Benghazi
5 November 2012: On the campaign trail, October 2012
19 October 2012: Obama and Romney battle in second U.S. presidential debate

...More articles here

Location of Libya

To write, edit, start or view other articles on Libya, see the Libya Portal

A court in Libya has sent 24 foreigners, mostly Ukrainians, to prison for supporting late leader Colonel Muamar al-Gaddafi's regime by working on anti-aircraft missiles. The convicts say they are oil workers who were forced into the conflict which toppled Gaddafi.

A NATO B-2 bomber returns from an attack on Libya during last year's uprising.

A Russian deemed to be the ringleader received a life sentence, while a second Russian, nineteen Ukranians, and three Belarussians were all given ten years' hard labour. Belarussian ambassador Anatoly Stepus attended yesterday's hearing and expressed surprise at "the worst kind of sentence. We thought that even if they were sentenced it would not be so strict. They have suffered a lot."

The Ukrainian ambassador, Mykola Nahornyi, called the decision "inconsistent with the laws of the countries of the citizens who were tried," and described "evidence which the court has on file that they were threatened with weapons by Gaddafi forces to [engage in] the building and maintenance of anti-aircraft weapons".

The men have been held since their capture in August last year by rebels who had taken the city of Tripoli. Libyans and other Africans were detained alongside them. The missiles at the heart of the case were used to target NATO aircraft, which were supporting the rebellion against Gaddafi. The revolt ultimately toppled the regime, which had stood for 42 years.

The trial commenced in April and the prosecution alleged then the men were complicit in Gaddafi attacks on civilians whilst being "in the pay of Gaddafi and his brigades". Ukraine vowed then to seek freedom for its citizens, or at least repatriation to serve sentence.

The defendants appeared in a cage within Tripoli's Court Complex to hear the outcome. An estimated 1,500 Ukrainians were in Libya when the conflict erupted in February last year, with Libya-Ukraine relations strong under Gaddafi's leadership. Gaddafi's nurse was Ukrainian and the European nation, alongside Russia, was among the last countries to recognise the legitimacy of the new government in Libya.

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Sources [edit]

Reuters. "Libya shocks foreign mercenaries with long jail terms" — Emirates 24/7, June 5, 2012
AFP. "Libya hands long jail terms to 24 ‘mercenaries’ from Russia, Ukraine, Belarus" — Al Arabiya, June 4, 2012
"Libya jails 24 'foreign mercenaries' who claim innocence" — BBC News Online, June 4, 2012

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Lockerbie convict Abdelbaset Ali al-Megrahi buried after dying at Libyan home

Wed, 23 May 2012 15:49:19 GMT

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Related news

Obituaries on Wikinews

10 May 2013: Former Pennsylvania Governor George Leader dies aged 95
8 April 2013: Former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher dies aged 87
20 February 2013: Presenter Derek Batey dies at age 84
12 January 2013: Report: hacker activist Aaron Swartz commits suicide
4 December 2012: Australian Paralympian Janet Shaw dies aged 46

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Abdelbaset al-Megrahi has been buried in the town of Janzur, west of the Libyan capital Tripoli. He was the only individual convicted in association with the Lockerbie bombing of 1988. He died at his residence Sunday, aged 60.

The bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 from London to New York resulted in 270 fatalities, including all 259 of the airplane's occupants and eleven individuals on the ground. 189 of those who died in the incident were US citizens. The death toll for this terrorist incident is larger than that for any other which has occurred in the United Kingdom thus far.

Abdelbaset al-Megrahi was placed on trial in May 2000 in the Netherlands alongside Al Amin Khalifah Fhimah. While Fhimah was found not guilty on all charges placed against him, al-Megrahi was found guilty of his and sentenced to at least 27 years imprisonment. Having been initially placed in HM Prison Barlinnie, al-Megrahi was transferred to Greenock in 2005.

In 2002, an appeal against his conviction was unsuccessful. Five years later, senior judges in Scotland were to review his case, but he dropped the appeal. Due to suffering from prostate cancer, he was granted a compassionate release from Scottish prison two days later.

Current UK Prime Minister David Cameron commented on his belief that al-Megrahi "should never have been released from prison" and said his death was an occasion "to remember the 270 people who lost their lives in what was an appalling terrorist act". According to Alex Salmond, First Minister of Scotland, the investigation into the Lockerbie bombing is ongoing. Salmond also called for remembrance of those killed. Prosecutors, he said, had always thought there were others besides al-Megrahi involved in the attack.

US citizen Susan Cohen, the mother of one of those killed in the Lockerbie bombing, thought of al-Megrahi as "a mass murderer" who "deserved to die", adding to CNN: "I feel no pity around him. He got to die with his family around him. My daughter [Theodora], at age 20, died a brutal, horrible death". However, UK citizen Jim Swire, father of another victim of the bombing, believes al-Megrahi was not guilty. He described al-Megrahi's death as "a sad time", telling the BBC he was "satisfied for some years that this man was nothing to do with the murder of my daughter".

Abdelbaset al-Megrahi has consistently denied responsibility for the attack. In his final recorded interview in December 2011, he insisted he was "an innocent man" who was "about to die and I ask now to be left in peace with my family." His brother Mohammed al-Megrahi claimed "[t]here never was exact proof" and said al-Megrahi's "pain is over now – he is with God".

Animated reconstruction of Pan Am Flight 103 just before explosion
Image: Anynobody.

Animated reconstruction of flight at time of explosion
Image: Anynobody.

Animated reconstruction of plane disintegrating just after explosion
Image: Anynobody.

Memorial at Dryfesdale Cemetery in Scotland
Image: StaraBlazkova.

Memorial at Syracuse University, Syracuse, in the US state of New York
Image: Newkai.

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Sources [edit]

AFP. "Lockerbie bomber Abdelbaset Ali al-Megrahi buried in Libya" — The Daily Telegraph, May 21, 2012
"Lockerbie bomber Megrahi dies in Tripoli" — BBC News Online, May 20, 2012

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French journalists claim Gaddafi promised Sarkozy campaign €50 million

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 19:51:06 GMT

Monday, April 30, 2012

France

Sources [edit]

AFP. "Gaddafi ‘agreed to fund Sarkozy campaign’" — The Times (Malta), April 29, 2012
AFP. "Gaddafi ‘agreed to fund Sarkozy'" — Herald Sun, April 29, 2012
PTI. "Sarkozy received 42million pounds from Colonel Gaddafi: Report" — The Times of India, April 29, 2012

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Michelle Obama, Hillary Clinton present 2012 International Women of Courage Awards

Fri, 09 Mar 2012 15:54:24 GMT

Friday, March 9, 2012

Human rights

Sister links [edit]

Category:International Women of Courage Award

Sources [edit]

"2012 International Women of Courage Award" — U.S. Department of State, March 8, 2012
"2012 International Women of Courage Award Winners" — U.S. Department of State, March 8, 2012
"Women Honored for Fighting for World ‘As They Know it Should Be’" — Voice of America, March 8, 2012
"Michelle Obama and Hillary Clinton celebrate International Women’s Day at the State Department" — thepoliticalgirl.com, March 8, 2012
"First Lady Michelle Obama Speaks at the International Women of Courage Awards" — whitehouse.gov, March 8, 2012

External links [edit]

International Women’s Day
"International Women’s Day: 10 ways to celebrate" — The Washington Post, March 8, 2012
"International Women's Day: How it's celebrated around the globe" — CSM, March 8, 2012

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Wikinews Shorts: January 27, 2012

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 23:53:22 GMT

A compilation of brief news reports for Friday, January 27, 2012 .

1 Medicins Sans Frontieres announces partial withdrawal over Libyan torture abuses
2 Jagger tells World Economic Forum, "can't always get what you want"
3 UK Prime Minister calls for European Union to be more competetive
4 Coup in Papua New Guinea fails
5 Australian Prime Minister rescued from protesters

If you believe any of these stories deserves more in-depth coverage, feel free to write a full article on the issues raised.

Medicins Sans Frontieres announces partial withdrawal over Libyan torture abuses [edit]

Medicins Sans Frontieres (MSF) have announced a partial withdrawal from Libya. The medical charity announced they will no longer work at Libyan detention centres due to facing treating torture victims in order to make them well enough to be further tortured. MSF General Director Christopher Stokes said: "Our role is to provide medical care to war casualties and sick detainees, not to repeatedly treat the same patients between torture sessions".

The United Nations estimates that some 8,500 former Gaddafi loyalists are being held by a number of unregulated, and unaccountable, armed groups.

Damien McElroy. "Libya: UN alarmed over failure to stop torture of detainees" — The Telegraph, January 26, 2012
"Libyan detainees die after torture, says Amnesty International" — BBC News Online, January 26, 2012

Jagger tells World Economic Forum, "can't always get what you want" [edit]

Lead singer of The Rolling Stones Mick Jagger has withdrawn from the 'Great British Tea Party' in Davos, Switzerland.

Cutting short his visit to the 2012 World Economic Forum, as well as pulling out of Prime Minister David Cameron's event intended to promote UK creativity, Jagger complained of both "being used as a political football" and "comment[s] about my political allegiances which are inaccurate."

"Mick Jagger pulls out of David Cameron event amid 'political football' claims" — The Telegraph, January 25, 2012
"Jagger boycotts political football in Davos" — Russia Today, January 25, 2012

UK Prime Minister calls for European Union to be more competetive [edit]

Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, the UK Prime Minister David Cameron called on European Union leaders to be "bold" and "decisive" to boost growth and promote business.

Labelling a proposed financial transactions tax as "madness" he attacked "unnecessary" regulations on business, telling attendees that "Europe's lack of competitiveness remains its Achilles heel."

Larry Elliott and Jill Treanor. "Davos: David Cameron urges Eurozone to take 'bold and decisive action'" — The Guardian, January 26, 2012
Daniel Bentley. "Be bold to promote business, Cameron tells Europe" — The Independent, January 26, 2012

Coup in Papua New Guinea fails [edit]

A military coup in Papua New Guinea failed with the capture of at least fifteen mutineers. These supporters of deposed former Prime Minister Sir Michael Thomas Somare seized a military barracks, and the nation's military head, early on Thursday morning and demanded Somare be reinstated.

The Supreme Court of Papua New Guinea previously ruled that Somare be reinstated, concluding that current Prime Minister Peter O'Neill was unlawfully appointed.

"Papua New Guinea PM Says Military Mutiny is Over" — Voice of America, January 26, 2012
Kate Hodal. "Papua New Guinea military coup fails" — The Guardian, January 26, 2012

Australian Prime Minister rescued from protesters [edit]

During an Australia Day function, the country's Prime Minister, Julia Gillard — and the leader of the opposition, Tony Abbott, had to be rescued after they were surrounded by as many as 200 aboriginal rights protesters at a Canberra restaurant.

The protesters, from the Aboriginal Tent Embassy, appear to have been angered by Abbot's suggestion that it was time for the Embassy, now in its fortieth year, to come down.

"Julia Gillard 'rescued' amid Australia Day protests" — BBC News Online, January 26, 2012
"Australian PM stumbles before angry protesters" — CBS News, January 26, 2012

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Wikinews Shorts: January 23, 2012

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 14:05:59 GMT

A compilation of brief news reports for Monday, January 23, 2012 .

1 Western show of unity in the Strait of Hormuz on the eve of further anti-Iran sanctions
2 Libyan deputy leader resigns over protests
3 Nigeria death toll set to rise
4 Economy not Sharia will be the focus of Egypt's new Islamic government
5 UK unemployment increases to 2.68m as profit warnings increase

If you believe any of these stories deserves more in-depth coverage, feel free to write a full article on the issues raised.

Western show of unity in the Strait of Hormuz on the eve of further anti-Iran sanctions [edit]

A six-strong flotilla of United States, French, and British warships, centered around the USS Abraham Lincoln, has sailed through the Strait of Hormuz. The move comes on the eve of an expected embargo on the import of Iranian oil by the European Union, and an Iranian threat to close the straits to international shipping.

Thirty five percent of the world's supply of crude oil passes through the Strait of Hormuz.

David Blair. "Britain, US and France send warships through Strait of Hormuz" — The Telegraph, January 23, 2012
Don Mackay. "Britain sends warship to join international flotilla after threats by Iran over oil embargo" — Daily Mirror, January 22, 2012

Libyan deputy leader resigns over protests [edit]

Abdul Hafiz Ghoga, the vice-chair of Libya's National Transitional Council (NTC) resigned following protests in Benghazi on Saturday. Talking to Al Jazeera on Sunday he said, "[m]y resignation is for the benefit of the nation and is required at this stage."

A human rights lawyer, Ghoga became the focus of discontent over the prominence of former Gaddafi loyalists on the NTC, the pace of reform and the belief that Benghazi was sidelined in the political process.

Liam Stack. "Protests Shake Libya’s Interim Government" — The New York Times, January 22, 2012
"Libya’s NTC Deputy Head Quits After Benghazi Protests" — Voice of America, January 22, 2012

Nigeria death toll set to rise [edit]

The confirmed death toll of 178 in co-ordinated attacks against Nigerian government targets in Kano on Friday, with police and soldiers amongst the many dead and wounded, is expected to rise.

Attacks by Boko Haram, who seek to create an Islamic state, are becoming increasingly sophisticated, with fears the group aims to provoke a civil war between Nigeria's Muslim north and Christian south.

Reuters. "Nigerian police say four Boko Haram members killed" — Reuters (UK), January 23, 2012
"Nigerian President Visits Kano, Site of Deadly Attacks" — Voice of America, January 22, 2012

Economy not Sharia will be the focus of Egypt's new Islamic government [edit]

Improving the economy and fighting poverty, not legislating to create a Muslim state, will be the Muslim Brotherhood's agenda when they form Egypt's first post-Mubarak government today. "We can't talk about implementing Islamic Shariah law when the country is experiencing such devastating economic problems," said Mohammed Gouda, a party policymaker and economics committee member.

Islamists form a majority in the new assembly with the Muslim Brotherhood winning 46% of seats and the conservative Al-Nour Party 23%.

Hadeel al-Shalchi. "Egypt Islamists on eve of power ease talk of Islam" — Associated Press, January 22, 2012
Heba Saleh. "New parliament marks radical shift in Egyptian politics" — Financial Times, January 22, 2012

UK unemployment increases to 2.68m as profit warnings increase [edit]

The UK's unemployment rate has reached 8.4% — 2.685 million people — according to data released by the Office of National Statistics. The figure reflects the quarter ending last November and is a 0.3% increase on the previous quarter.

Unemployment amongst younger people now stands at 22.3% — 1.043 million people, and the number of people claiming Jobseekers' Allowance has now reached 1.6 million; in December, 1,200 new claimants began receiving unemployment benefits.

Profit warnings from firms within the UK have increased from 51 in the third quarter to 88 in the fourth, say Ernst & Young. The nation saw 206 firms issue 278 warnings profits were not as high as initially expected.

Three years after British retailer Woolworths collapsed, 24,000 who lost their jobs as a result have won a fight for compensation; each will receive 60 days' pay, a total payout of £67.8 million and averaging £2,800 per person.

Katie Linsell. "U.K. Quarterly Profit Warnings Rise 70%, Ernst & Young Says" — Bloomberg, January 22, 2012
"Profit warnings in UK 'up 70% in fourth quarter'" — BBC News Online, January 22, 2012
Rory Reynolds. "Former Woolworths staff to be paid millions in compensation after employment tribunal victory" — Scotland on Sunday, January 22, 2012
Heather Stewart. "UK unemployment rises to 2.68m" — The Guardian, January 18, 2012
"UK unemployment increases to 2.685m" — BBC News Online, January 18, 2012

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UN wants Gaddafi's death probed

Sun, 23 Oct 2011 11:13:42 GMT

Sunday, October 23, 2011

Libya

Other stories from Libya

19 May 2013: White House releases Benghazi emails
1 February 2013: British Prime Minister David Cameron makes unannounced visit to Libya
24 January 2013: 'Imminent threat' as Foreign Office urges Britons to leave Benghazi
5 November 2012: On the campaign trail, October 2012
19 October 2012: Obama and Romney battle in second U.S. presidential debate

...More articles here

Location of Libya

To write, edit, start or view other articles on Libya, see the Libya Portal

A photo of Muammar Gaddafi in 2009.
Image: U.S. Navy.

The United Nations and two human rights groups are pressing for an investigation into the death of Muammar Gaddafi.

U.N. human rights spokesman Rupert Colville from the Office of the U.N. High Commission for Human Rights said in a statement on Friday that "there seem to be four or five different versions of how he died," and that "more details are needed to ascertain whether he was killed in the fighting or after his capture."

Specifically pressed on the possibility Gaddafi was executed whilst detained, he said, "It has to be one possibility when you look at these two videos. So that's something that an investigation needs to look into."

"Summary executions are strictly illegal under any circumstances. It's different if someone is killed in combat. There was a civil war taking place in Libya. So if the person died as part of combat, that is a different issue and that is normally acceptable under the circumstances," Colville said.

"But if something else has happened, if someone is captured and then deliberately killed, then that is a very serious matter," he said.

Amnesty International, a human rights group, has urged the National Transitional Council to reveal the circumstances surrounding Gaddafi's death.

Questions have lingered about the true cause of Gaddafi's death, with two seperate videos showing him wounded and bloodied but alive and another showing him already dead with a bullet wound on his head.

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Sources [edit]

"U.N. calls for Gadhafi death investigation" — CNN, 22 October 2011
"U.N. rights office urges inquiry into Gaddafi death" — Reuters, 22 October 2011

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Former Libyan leader Gaddafi killed

Thu, 20 Oct 2011 17:07:27 GMT

Thursday, October 20, 2011

Libya

Other stories from Libya

19 May 2013: White House releases Benghazi emails
1 February 2013: British Prime Minister David Cameron makes unannounced visit to Libya
24 January 2013: 'Imminent threat' as Foreign Office urges Britons to leave Benghazi
5 November 2012: On the campaign trail, October 2012
19 October 2012: Obama and Romney battle in second U.S. presidential debate

...More articles here

Location of Libya

To write, edit, start or view other articles on Libya, see the Libya Portal

A photo of Muammar Gaddafi in 2009.
Image: U.S. Navy.

Former Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi has been killed after heavy fighting in his home town of Sirte.

Libyan television today announced that former Libyan ruler Muammar Gaddafi was killed by revolutionary forces in Sirte following weeks of brutal fighting.

The Libyan Prime minister said Gaddafi was captured unharmed by National Transitional Council forces but was shot in the head during crossfire with Gaddafi loyalists, and died soon after. There are various other, conflicting reports on Gaddafi's cause of death.

	Colonel Gaddafi is history
—Mahmoud Shammam

The National Transitional Council Information Minister Mahmoud Shammam has said that the death of Gaddafi was "a great victory for the Libyan people" and that "Colonel Gaddafi is history".

A picture of a wounded man taken from a mobile phone was released shortly after the news of his capture broke, although it could not be independently verified whether the man was indeed Gaddafi.

Sources [edit]

"Gadhafi killed in crossfire after capture, Libyan PM says" — CNN, October 21 2011
"Reports indicate Gaddafi is dead" — CNN, October 20, 2011
Ben Farmer. "Gaddafi's final stronghold falls: Libyan forces conquer Sirte" — The Telegraph, October 20,2011
"Libyan forces 'capture Gaddafi'" — BBC News Online, October 20, 2011
"Rebels claim they have finally got Gaddafi after taking last stronghold - but was he killed or captured alive?" — Daily Mail, October 20, 2011

External links [edit]

Death of Muammar Gaddafi on Wikipedia.

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Trapped journalists in Libya freed

Thu, 25 Aug 2011 21:23:16 GMT

Thursday, August 25, 2011

Libya

Other stories from Libya

19 May 2013: White House releases Benghazi emails
1 February 2013: British Prime Minister David Cameron makes unannounced visit to Libya
24 January 2013: 'Imminent threat' as Foreign Office urges Britons to leave Benghazi
5 November 2012: On the campaign trail, October 2012
19 October 2012: Obama and Romney battle in second U.S. presidential debate

...More articles here

Location of Libya

To write, edit, start or view other articles on Libya, see the Libya Portal

As many as three dozen correspondent journalists who were trapped inside the Rixos hotel in Tripoli for three days have finally been released unharmed.

Reporters from organisations such as the BBC, Reuters, Sky News, and CNN were freed around 4pm on Wednesday. The group were being held at the complex by armed men loyal to Gaddafi since Sunday night when the rebels stormed Tripoli and violence erupted in the surrounding streets.

CNN correspondent Matthew Chance said the journalists' captivity ended when the guards were told about the changing situation in Tripoli and realized the regime might be over. A guard told the journalists, “Look, we’re not going to stop you from leaving anymore,” Chance reported. Shortly after being freed Chance posted on twitter, "#Rixos crisis ends. All journalists are out! #rixos."

All the reporters who were held in the Rixos hotel were not even aware that the rebels had taken over Tripoli. Armed men loyal to Gaddafi, including snipers surrounded the hotel complex making it impossible for any of the journalists to go downtown and report on the severe conflict which is making a traumatic shift in the six month civil war. The hotel was one of the only places in the city still controlled by Gaddafi's men.

Reportedly, the power was out on Sunday and Monday night and all the journalists could do was light candles and wait. Gunfire and explosions were heard from the direction of Gaddafi's compound by journalists at the hotel. Trucks with machine guns were outside the Rixos and snipers were seen posted behind trees in the area. The journalists moved to the inside of the hotel to avoid being struck by stray bullets flying through glass windows.

Information on the situation was posted on twitter by the journalists who were being held captive. "Very dark, very quiet at the #Rixos some gunshots cracking outside,” tweeted CNN correspondent Matthew Chance during one of the power surges. Later on he then tweeted, "“#Rixos getting hit by stray bullets."

The dozens of journalists were finally transported in Red Crescent cars to another Tripoli hotel, where they hugged friends and colleagues.

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Sources [edit]

Harriet Sherwood. "Libya: journalists trapped at hotel amid fighting" — UK Guardian, 22nd August 2011
Unknown. "Libya News: Journalists "trapped" inside Rixos hotel" — The Global Post, 22nd August 2011
Paul Farhi. "Libyan rebel advance traps journalists inside hotel" — The Washington Post, 23rd August 2011
Robert Booth and Harriet Sherwood. "Journalists freed from Rixos hotel after being held by Gaddafi gunmen" — UK Guardian, 24th August 2011
Unknown. "Western Journalists freed in Libya" — Nation News.com, 24th August 2011

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English Wikinews RSS feed.

White House releases Benghazi emails

Sources [edit]

British Prime Minister David Cameron makes unannounced visit to Libya

Related news [edit]

Sources [edit]

'Imminent threat' as Foreign Office urges Britons to leave Benghazi

Sources [edit]

On the campaign trail, October 2012

Contents

Summary [edit]

Wikinews fan sparks controversy at second presidential debate [edit]

Gary Johnson speaks to Wikinews on Syria and foreign intervention [edit]

The final pleas... [edit]

Related news [edit]

Sources [edit]

Obama and Romney battle in second U.S. presidential debate

Sister links [edit]

Sources [edit]

Human Rights Watch publish documents alleging US cooperated with Libya on torture

Sources [edit]

Libyan court jails 24 foreigners for helping Gaddafi

Sources [edit]

Lockerbie convict Abdelbaset Ali al-Megrahi buried after dying at Libyan home

Related news [edit]

Sources [edit]

French journalists claim Gaddafi promised Sarkozy campaign €50 million

Sources [edit]

Michelle Obama, Hillary Clinton present 2012 International Women of Courage Awards

Sister links [edit]

Sources [edit]

External links [edit]

Wikinews Shorts: January 27, 2012

Contents

Medicins Sans Frontieres announces partial withdrawal over Libyan torture abuses [edit]

Jagger tells World Economic Forum, "can't always get what you want" [edit]

UK Prime Minister calls for European Union to be more competetive [edit]

Coup in Papua New Guinea fails [edit]

Australian Prime Minister rescued from protesters [edit]

Wikinews Shorts: January 23, 2012

Contents

Western show of unity in the Strait of Hormuz on the eve of further anti-Iran sanctions [edit]

Libyan deputy leader resigns over protests [edit]

Nigeria death toll set to rise [edit]

Economy not Sharia will be the focus of Egypt's new Islamic government [edit]

UK unemployment increases to 2.68m as profit warnings increase [edit]

UN wants Gaddafi's death probed

Sources [edit]

Former Libyan leader Gaddafi killed

Sources [edit]

External links [edit]

Trapped journalists in Libya freed

Sources [edit]