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Greek parliament approves tough creditor reforms bill
Violence as Greece debates reforms needed for bailout
At least 30 dead in triple Islamist attack in NE Nigeria
Raul Castro calls on Obama to dismantle Cuba embargo
Tennis: Murray looks for Queen's boost, Serbia without Djokovic in Davis Cup
Tennis: Murray looks for Queen's boost, Serbia without Djokovic in Davis Cup
Golf: Spieth and Woods in the spotlight as Open starts
Golf: Confident Ko defends LPGA Marathon Classic crown
Cycling: Froome challenges critics to prove doping allegations
Obama calls Putin to discuss Iran deal: White House
Egypt to revise anti-terror media law: MENA
Cycling: Pole Majka wins Tour 11th stage, Froome keeps yellow
Uganda president leaves Burundi crisis talks without deal
Greek parliament approves tough creditor reforms bill
Obama calls Putin to discuss Iran deal: White House

Greek parliament approves tough creditor reforms bill

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ATHENS (AFP) - Greeces parliament early on Thursday strongly approved a bill of tough reforms demanded by the countrys creditors in return for a new bailout, according to official results.A final count showed 229 lawmakers voted in favour of the measures, with 64 voting against and six abstaining.The ruling radical Syriza party passed the bill thanks to support from pro-European opposition parties as a large group of government lawmakers -- including former finance minister Yanis Varoufakis, the head of parliament Zoe Constantopoulou and Energy Minister Panagiotis Lafazanis -- voted against the measures.Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, who has nearly split his party in the process, insisted he did not agree with the bulk of the draconian deal, that demands tax hikes, a pensions overhaul and privatisation pledges.But he said the country had no other choice if it wanted to stay in the euro.We will not back down from our pledge to fight to the end for the right of the working people, he told the chamber ahead of the vote.There is no other option but for all of us to share the weight of this responsibility, Tsipras said.

Violence as Greece debates reforms needed for bailout

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ATHENS (AFP) - Anti-austerity protesters hurled petrol bombs at police guarding the Greek parliament Wednesday as MPs debated deeply unpopular reforms they need to vote in to clear the way for a eurozone rescue of Greeces failing economy.Riot police used tear gas to push back dozens of hooded protesters and secure the area in front of the parliament building after the demonstrators Molotov cocktails set ablaze parts of Syntagma square in central Athens.The street violence reflected broad public anger at measures now backed by Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras despite a July 5 referendum rejecting near-identical terms from Greeces creditors.Tsipras is facing a revolt over the reforms from his radical left ruling Syriza party, which came to power in January on anti-austerity promises.But the bills nevertheless looked likely to pass though parliament with the support of pro-European opposition parties.Syrizas hardline leftists, led by Energy Minister Panagiotis Lafazanis, were reported by Greek media to be ready to vote against the measures while calling for a return to the drachma.Lafazanis himself insisted several MPs including myself would not approve the measures, but nevertheless said the party and government would not be jeopardised.If the sweeping changes to Greeces taxes, pensions and labour rules are adopted, it could unlock a rescue of up to 86 billion euros ($94 billion) agreed by eurozone leaders on Monday -- as long as some other European parliaments also give their OK.But the viability of the bailout was in doubt after the International Monetary Fund issued a stark warning that Greeces creditors will have to go far beyond existing estimates for debt relief -- an issue eurozone hawks such as Germany have already rejected out of hand.Deal to avoid disasterTsipras has said he did not believe in the deal but agreed to sign it to avoid disaster as his country teetered on the brink of economic collapse.His finance minister, Euclid Tsakalotos, said during Wednesdays parliamentary debate that his decision to also back the bailout terms was something that will burden me my whole life.He added: I dont know if we did the right thing. I do know we did something we felt we had no choice over.Tsiprass government suffered its first resignations over its U-turn acceding to creditors demands, with a junior finance minister and a senior economy ministry official walking out in protest.An IMF official said the fund would only participate in a third bailout if EU creditors produce a clear plan. The current deal is by no means a comprehensive, detailed agreement, the official said.French MPs however overwhelmingly backed the agreement on Wednesday, with Prime Minister Manuel Valls saying it was the only way out of the crisis.EU powerhouse Germanys Bundestag is set to vote on the plan on Friday.Under the deal, eurozone governments will contribute between 40 and 50 billion euros, the IMF will contribute another chunk and the rest will come from selling off state assets and from financial markets, a European official said.Tsipras has admitted he cannot say with certainty that it will be enough to prevent a so-called Grexit until the final bailout agreement is signed.Polls published late Tuesday by Kapa Research found 72 percent of Greeks surveyed thought the deal was necessary, if tough, but many nevertheless saw it as a humiliating climbdown for a country still reeling from years of painful austerity.Despite the turmoil, 68 percent of people said that if the political fallout from the vote should result in a new coalition, it should be led by Tsipras.More payments dueUnder the deal, Greek assets for privatisation will be parked in a special fund worth up to 50 billion euros, with some 25 billion euros of the money earmarked to recapitalise Greeces banks.The European Central Bank has been keeping Greek banks afloat with emergency liquidity, but it could be forced to cut off that aid if Greece misses a huge debt repayment due on Monday.European governments are meanwhile divided over options to help Greece meet its short-term cash needs while it waits for the eurozone bailout deal to be finalised, which will likely take at least four weeks.The European Commission on Wednesday formally backed a controversial proposal to use an EU-wide crisis fund to cover Greeces short-term cash needs, officials said, setting up a clash with Britain and Germany.In a sign of the concern about the fallout of the crisis, US Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew will travel to Germany and France on Wednesday and Thursday for talks.

At least 30 dead in triple Islamist attack in NE Nigeria

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KANO (AFP) - At least 30 people were killed in three attacks by terrorists in northeastern Nigeria, local officials and inhabitants said Wednesday, days ahead of a meeting between President Muhammadu Buhari and Barack Obama.The three assaults were carried out simultaneously Tuesday in Borno state, the epicentre of Boko Harams insurgency, and are part of a surge in violence since Buhari came to power on May 29.Boko Haram has killed more than 660 people in a month and a half.In the deadliest attack on Tuesday afternoon, more than 20 people were killed outside the town of Ngamdu, local legislator Mohammed Sando told AFP.Boko Haram gunmen... yesterday set up a barricade on the Damaturu-Maiduguri highway just outside Ngamdu, and attacked motorists. They killed over 20, Sando said.They then moved to Ngamdu and began to set houses on fire. Last week they burnt almost half the village in a similar raid, he added.Haruna Kabil, a bus driver, said a large number of people from Ngamdu fled their homes after the attacks.Some houses in Ngamdu were smouldering when I passed this morning. I learned from some passengers I took from Ngamdu that Boko Haram invaded the village in the evening and began burning homes after attacking motorists on the highway. They said that many people were killed on the highway, by the attackers, Kabil told AFP.Near Baga, which is located northeast of Ngamdu, Boko Haram attacked residents who had decided to return home from state capital Maiduguri, where they had been living since January after fleeing one of the worst Boko Haram massacres in the groups six-year insurgency.Yesterday, they chartered a lorry to (take) them to Baga. On reaching Garin-Giwa, which is just four kilometres (2.5 miles) from Baga, they were ambushed by Boko Haram gunmen who opened fire on the vehicle, forcing dozens of men inside to flee into the bush, said Abubakar Gamandi, head of the fishermens union in Borno state.The gunmen however apprehended eight of the passengers and shot them in the head, he added.In Damasak, Boko Haram assailants set fire to the town and opened fire on everyone they saw, said local resident Buba Ari.We are now going through the burnt area looking for bodies. So far we have covered five.Damasak was recaptured in March from Boko Haram control by troops from Chad and Niger.With Chadian troops still stationed in the town, residents had returned, but according to Ari, the soldiers had advised locals to evacuate within three days because they were withdrawing.Most of us followed their advice and crossed the border into Diffa, Ari said, explaining that some had returned to pick up personal belongings when the gunmen attacked.Buhari to WashingtonThe attacks underline the threat still posed by the terrorists, despite the authorities pledges to crush Boko Harams insurgency.The group has also carried out suicide attacks in recent days in neighbouring Chad and Cameroon.Nigerias Buhari, who was elected on a pledge to crush Boko Haram, is set to travel on Sunday to Washington for a four-day visit, meeting his US counterpart Obama and other top officials on Monday.The main item on the agenda, according to a statement from the Nigerian presidency, will be measures to strengthen and intensify bilateral and international cooperation against terrorism in Nigeria and west Africa.

Raul Castro calls on Obama to dismantle Cuba embargo

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HAVANA(AFP) - Cuban President Raul Castro asked his US counterpart Barack Obama Wednesday to use his executive powers to dismantle the economic embargo placed on his island nation.Castro called the embargo, in place since 1962, the main stumbling block towards normalization between the two nations.However, only Congress has the authority to lift the measure and its Republican majority has declined Obamas calls to repeal it.Castros comments came ahead of the formal reestablishment of diplomatic relations and the opening of embassies between the two countries on Monday.The move will allow for a higher level of dialogue, but is just the first step in a complex process, with one of the biggest hurdles ahead involving ending the US trade and financial embargo.We hope (Obama) will continue to use his executive powers to dismantle aspects of this policy, which is causing damage and hardships for our people, Castro said at the close of the first of the island nations twice-yearly meetings of its one-party National Assembly.His comments were reported by Cuban state news portal Cubadebate as media was not given access to the event.The reopening of embassies will culminate the historic decision by Obama and Castro on December 17 to begin normalizing relations between.Monday will begin a new stage, long and complex, on the way to the normalization of relations, which will require finding solutions to problems that have accumulated over more than five decades and affect the ties between our countries and people.Castro reiterated, however, that in order to normalize relations the blockade would have to be removed.US conservatives and members of its Cuban exile community have called on Obama to halt the rapprochement with Cuba until Havana carries out political and human rights reforms.

Tennis: Murray looks for Queen's boost, Serbia without Djokovic in Davis Cup

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PARIS (AFP) - Andy Murray will lead Great Britain against France at The Queens Club as Serbia travel to Argentina without Wimbledon champion Novak Djokavic in Davis Cup World Group quarter-final action starting on Friday.Murray, the world number three, will be looking for a lift after his Wimbledon semi-final exit to Roger Federer as Great Britain host France a few kilometres away in West Londons Queens Club from July 17-19.Britain will be bidding to reach the semi-finals for the first time since 1981 where they will play either Australia or Kazakhstan, who clash in Darwin.Murray, who lifted a fourth Queens Club title before Wimbledon, will be joined on his favoured grass surface by James Ward, who reached the third round at Wimbledon, Dom Inglot and brother Jamie, who lost in the mens doubles final on Saturday.France have a talented lineup in world number 11 to 13-ranked players, Gilles Simon, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Richard Gasquet, alongside doubles specialist Nicolas Mahut.The French have won the Davis Cup nine times, most recently in 2001, and are joint-third in the all-time list with Britain, who have not triumphed since 1936.France captain Arnaud Clement said the team had been boosted by good performances at Roland Garros and Wimbledon.Gasquet fell in the semi-finals at SW19 to Djokovic, with Simon reaching the quarter-finals at the All England Club for the first time.They had a good Roland Garros, now a good Wimbledon. The guys are in good form. In terms of confidence its the best we could have hoped for, said Clement ahead of the first Franco-British clash since 1992.I think Andy is a good guy to bring in all the other guys to a good level, warned Tsonga, who reached the semi-finals at Wimbledon in 2011 and 2012.Today they have a great team. He has got his brother (Jamie Murray), he has James Ward and a few other guys.They play good tennis, they play at home, so for sure they will be a good team.In Darwin, Australia also play their first quarter-finals since 2006 on grass against Kazakhstan.Australias top-ranked player Bernard Tomic has been banned following a rant about Tennis Australia, with Wally Masurs side spearheaded by 20-year-old Nick Kyrgios.Kyrgios has been declared fit after a thigh-injury scare, and will be joined by Sam Groth, Thanasi Kokkinakis, and veteran Lleyton Hewitt.Masur said he was sure Kyrgios, ranked 41, would be up to the task.I probably shouldnt say it, but hes a future Grand Slam winner, Masur said.Hes an amazing player. But you dont just walk into those situations. Theres a lot of hard work to be done.Masur remains wary of a Kazakh side that have made the Davis Cup quarter-finals in four of the past five years.Im actually nervous about this tie, because the Kazakhs are really good Davis Cup players, Masur said of his rivals whose top player is 63rd-ranked Mikhail Kukushkin.They beat Italy in the first round - Fabio Fognini and Andreas Seppi - pretty significant wins.In Buenos Aires, world number one Djokovic will be absent as Serbia take on Argentina in a repeat of the 2011 semi-final, which the South Americans won 3-2.Djokovic clinched a third Wimbledon and ninth career grand slam on Sunday, with captain Bogdan Obradovic having named Viktor Troicki, ranked 20, and 96th-ranked Dusan Lajovic along with doubles specialists Janko Tipsarevic and Nenad Zimonjic.Leonardo Mayer will lead Argentina in the absence of injured duo Juan Monaco and Juan Martin del Potro, bidding for a semi-final place against either Canada or Belgium.Canada will be without their top player Milos Raonic, who is nursing a foot injury, as his side travel to Ostend to play Belgium, who are lead by world number 15 David Goffin.

Tennis: Murray looks for Queen's boost, Serbia without Djokovic in Davis Cup

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Golf: Spieth and Woods in the spotlight as Open starts

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ST ANDREWS (AFP) - Jordan Spieth and Tiger Woods will be the two big storylines early Thursday when the 144th British Open gets underway at St Andrews.The world number two and world number 241 both have mid-morning tee-times and both have goals to achieve.The 21-year-old Spieth is seeking a third straight major win after taking the Masters and US Open in the space of two months.The 39-year-old Woods is simply seeking a way back.Spieth, who would be just the second man, after Ben Hogan in 1953, to win the Open Championship in the same year as the Masters and US Open, is brimming with confidence after taking his fourth title of the year in Illinois on Sunday.He says he is fully aware of the historical implications of winning this week, and says it can be done even though he has not played a competitive round at the Old Course.Success breeds success he believes although he has yet to experience the full blast of a North Sea squall, a force of nature that 13 years go flattened Woods at Muirfield, the last time a player had the chance to win three majors in a row.The forecast is for benign conditions to start with but with rain and gusting winds sweeping in from late Thursday through Friday and most of Saturday.Getting a good, low score in on Thursday morning could be a vital stepping stone to glory on Sunday evening.Its how do you handle that adversity and rebound quickly. But going into it, I certainly am trying to look at it as positively as possible because I dont feel like theres any other way to go about it, Spieth said of the bad weather.He will step out at 9:33 a.m. (0833GMT) in the company of Asias top player Hideki Matsuyama and the man he pipped for the US Open crown last month, Dustin Johnson.Two groups later Woods will set out with the South African who five years ago won the Open the last time it was held at St Andrews, Louis Oosthuizen, and top Australian Jason Day.Woods insists his remodeled golf game is still a work in progress and that he is heading in the right direction, but another missed cut at last months US Open indicates otherwise.He is hoping that his feels, as he calls it, will come back as he plays again on the course where he won Open glory in 2000 by eight strokes and in 2005 by five strokes.Tom Watson, the 65-year-old American and five-time Open winner, who is playing the tournament for the last time - maybe - will also draw the fans early in the day.The top groupings in the afternoon see 2013 champion Phil Mickelson go out at 2:34 p.m. with top European Henrik Stenson of Sweden and fellow American Matt Kuchar.Shortly after that, three-time winner Nick Faldo at 58 will tee it up one last time with top British hope Justinn Rose and last weeks Scottish Open champion Rickie Fowler.The tournament will get underway at 6:32 a.m (0532GMT) with Denmarks finest Thomas Bjorn showing the way.

Golf: Confident Ko defends LPGA Marathon Classic crown

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SYLVANIA (AFP) - Teenaged golf sensation Lydia Ko, looking for a few more laughs on the course, knows just how to boost the fun quotient in her title defence at the LPGA Marathon Classic this week.Birdies will make me smile, said the 18-year-old Kiwi, who is coming off a tie for 12th in the US Womens Open won by South Korean Chun In-Gee on Sunday.Ko admitted after that performance that she was feeling a little homesick, and looking forward to spending some time with friends in New Zealand.First, however, shell attend to the business of trying for her second successful title defence of the season -- after winning the Swinging Skirts LPGA Classic for the second straight year in April.Ive always had so much fun playing here, said Ko, who found it really cool to see a street near the Highland Meadows Golf Club named in her honor.I had my best finish at the US Open last week, so I guess in that way Im coming in with a little bit of confidence.Ko said recent rain had the course playing softer than it did last year, which could have her using her driver more.The greens are running pretty fast. Theyre pure. So Im sure the person that makes a lot of putts will probably be the winner at the end of the week.Last year Ko headed to the 18th hole tied with Ryu So-Yeon in the group behind her. She birdied the last and watched Ryu miss her own birdie putt.To come back to a course where youve played good always gives you a little bit of a relief and a little bit of confidence, she said.Ko has won twice this year, but endured a lull in May and early June that saw her fall from number one in the world.That spot was regained by South Korean Park In-Bee, who cant be toppled from the summit this week.Never gets old, Park said of holding the number one ranking. Feels great to be up here. Obviously I am playing a good game.Park, who finished equal third in the US Womens Open, said this tournament is a key part of her preparations for the Womens British Open July 30-August 2 -- a tournament she has unabashedly targeted this year.Im just really trying to really get ready for that event this year, she said. I still have two weeks. So far I feel pretty good about my game.Just got to work on my putting a little bit, added Park -- whose struggles on the greens proved costly at the US Open.I just really had a bad putting week last week, she said. Left so many putts short, just lipping out.Everything else in my game I feel pretty good about, right now, she said. It just depends on how many putts Im going to make. Hopefully its going to be a good week.

Cycling: Froome challenges critics to prove doping allegations

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CAUTERETS (AFP) - Tour de France leader Chris Froome has challenged his detractors to prove he has been doping before making unsubstantiated accusations against him.The 30-year-old has had to put up with a barrage of questions about doping since a stunning victory on the Tours 10th stage on Tuesday, when he decimated his rivals to open up an almost three-minute lead over the rest of the field.With several other mountain stages still to come, some people believe Froome could end up winning this years race by a landslide.It means hes had to fend off questions about his legitimacy while someone allegedly hacked his Sky teams computers and stole some training data which was then published on the internet.Those people should come and see us train, see how hard we work and see how I live my life, said a defiant Froome following Wednesdays 11th stage, in which he maintained his lead.Then tell me Im not cleanHe added: People should have some proof before they start making accusations.A video of Froomes famous victory on Mont Ventoux during his 2013 Tour-winning year was published on the internet showing that his heart-rate remained stable at 160 beats per minute despite him accelerating away from his rivals.Many people reacted incredulously to that, believing it to be impossible.But Froome dismissed any such concerns.Ive put that data out there myself in my book. I said my maximum heart-rate is only 170, said the Kenyan-born rider.After two weeks of the Tour on Ventoux its quite surprising its 160, its normally a bit lower than that.Thats normal, two weeks into a Grand Tour, 10 beats off my maximum when Im going as hard as I can -- for me anyway.Sky manager Dave Brailsford has been at pains to try to demonstrate that his team is clean but, like Froome, he said the suspicions were to be expected.I think with the past weve had in cycling, its reasonable, he said.My job is to be here, be open, speak to everyone, take responsibility.Were a team trying to be at the front of everything (anti-)doping.Its normal that people ask questions, my job is to be here, be open and answer those questions.Brailsford also pointed out that the gaps between Froome and some lesser lights on Tuesdays stage were nothing to be alarmed about, quite the opposite in fact.Tony Gallopin, a Frenchman not noted for his climbing ability, and Adam Yates, a 22-year-old Briton riding his first Tour de France, both finished just two minutes behind Froome.But because the likes of reigning champion Vincenzo Nibali and two-time former winner Alberto Contador lost 4min 25sec and 2min 51sec respectively, tongues started wagging.It was perhaps exacerbated amongst the locals by French hopes Jean-Christophe Peraud, Thibaut Pinot and Romain Bardet -- second, third and sixth respectively last year -- losing between five-and-a-half and ten minutes.The surprise was the performance of the others, which wasnt to the level we expected, said Brailsford.Its true Chris had a good day but the others werent really on top form.And in a pointed remark to French accusers, he added: The big performance (on Tuesday) was Gallopin coming seventh (actually ninth, hes seventh overall). He had a great performance, or young Adam Yates did great (finishing seventh). We didnt see a great Contador or Nibali but (Nairo) Quintana was ok, if not brilliant.Quintana finished just over a minute behind Froome to leave him third overall at 3min 09sec -- maybe be leave he is the only rider with any chance of denying Froome a second Tour crown.

Obama calls Putin to discuss Iran deal: White House

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WASHINGTON (AFP) - President Barack Obama spoke by phone Wednesday with Vladimir Putin, thanking his Russian counterpart for his role in reaching a deal on Irans nuclear program.US ties with Russia have been strained to breaking point over the war in Ukraine, but Russia was an important part of the group of nations that negotiated the deal with Tehran.The president thanked President Putin for Russias important role in achieving this milestone, the culmination of nearly 20 months of intense negotiations, the White House said in a statement.The leaders committed to remain in close coordination it continued, and also expressed a desire to work together on reducing regional tensions, particularly in Syria.There was no mention of the ongoing violence in Ukraine.Russia has been locked in its deepest standoff with the West since the end of the Cold War over Moscows seizure of Crimea from Ukraine and alleged fueling of a separatist conflict.Ukraine lost eight soldiers Wednesday in a dramatic spike in fighting with pro-Russian gunmen that further imperiled a truce Washingtons top European envoy is desperately trying to salvage in Kiev.Obama has twice in two days offered praise for Russias role in reaching a deal with Iran.Russia was a help on this, he told the New York Times.Ill be honest with you. I was not sure given the strong differences we are having with Russia right now around Ukraine, whether this would sustain itself, he said.

Egypt to revise anti-terror media law: MENA

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CAIRO (AFP) - Egypt on Wednesday agreed to revise a controversial article of its touted anti-terror law threatening journalists with jail for reporting anything but the official line on jihadist attacks, state media reported.The planned law, approved on July 1, sparked a backlash from Egyptian media after it included an article threatening at least two years in prison for publishing false information on terrorist attacks that contradict official statements.Egypts cabinet on Wednesday agreed to remove the threat of jail under Article 33, but replaced it with a heavy fine, the MENA news agency reported.The cabinet has agreed... to remove the prison sentence under Article 33 and replace it by strengthening the fine, which can range from 200,000 to 500,000 Egyptian pounds (between 23,000 and 58,000 euros), MENA said, quoting government spokesman Hossam al-Qawish.But an official from the Egyptian Journalists Syndicate, Khaled al-Balchi, said the revision just created another type of imprisonment as the fine would still be far beyond the means of most journalists.He also denounced the totalitarian logic of the law, which aims to silence all opposition voices within the country.Justice Minister Ahmed al-Zind has said the article was first adopted because of the media coverage of a wave of bloody jihadist attacks against the army in the Sinai Peninsula on July 1.The military said 21 soldiers were killed in the violence, but media agencies reported higher tolls citing unnamed security sources.Rights group Amnesty International said the draft law represents a flagrant attack on the rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association and weakens safeguards to ensure fair trials and widens the use of the death penalty.If approved, it is set to become yet another tool for the authorities to crush all forms of dissent, said Said Boumedouha, deputy director of the groups Middle East and North Africa programme.

Cycling: Pole Majka wins Tour 11th stage, Froome keeps yellow

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CAUTERETS (AFP) - Polands Rafal Majka, last years king of the mountains, won the 188km 11th stage of the Tour de France after a solo breakaway in the Pyrenees on Wednesday.Irelands Dan Martin came home second a minute later with German champion Emmanuel Buchmann in third at 1min 23sec.Briton Chris Froome finished ninth in a 10-man group just over five minutes back to maintain the race leaders yellow jersey.American Tejay Van Garderen kept hold of second spot at 2min 52sec with Nairo Quintana third at 3min 09sec.It was Majkas third Tour stage win after a pair of successes in the mountains last year as he won the polkadot jersey for the races best climber.He was part of an eight-man breakaway earlier in the day but attacked his companions on the hors category Col du Tourmalet climb with 50km to ride and never looked back.Martin, who was not part of the initial seven-man breakaway but made up almost four minutes on his own to join the others, was initially dropped on the Tourmalet but came back strongly to overhaul Serge Pauwels for second spot.Belgian Pauwels cracked completely on the short third category climb just before the finish and was also overtaken by Buchmann.After Froomes decimation of his rivals on Tuesday it was a much calmer day in the saddle for the overall contenders, until a frantic last climb of the 6.4km third category climb on the way into the finish in Cauterets. An acceleration by Bauke Mollema saw reigning champion Vincenzo Nibali dropped from the yellow jersey group and the Italian, who suffered badly on Tuesday, lost almost a minute to drop out of the top 10, replaced by Mollema.French hopes suffered another miserable day as Jean-Christophe Peraud and Thibaut Pinot -- second and third overall last year -- were again distanced on the lower slopes of the days toughest climb.

Uganda president leaves Burundi crisis talks without deal

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BUJUMBURA (AFP) - Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni left crisis talks between Burundis rival political factions Wednesday without a deal, but last-ditch efforts following months of violence continued ahead of polls next week.Burundian President Pierre Nkurunzizas bid to stand for a third consecutive five-year term in an election next Tuesday, despite a constitutional two-term limit, has sparked months of turmoil and an attempted coup in mid-May.The ruling party in Burundi and the opposition parties and the civil society have agreed to negotiate expeditiously, intensively... in order to reach an agreement, Museveni told reporters as he left.Previous United Nations-mediated efforts have all collapsed.Ugandan Defence Minister Crispus Kiyonga took over mediation efforts started by Museveni a day earlier, in the latest bid to push stalled talks between Nkurunzizas ruling CNDD-FDD party and opposition groups.Museveni, who was appointed mediator last week by the five-nation East African Community (EAC), has urged Burundians to forget their past sectarian political differences.Around 100 people have been killed in more than two months of protests, with over 158,000 refugees fleeing to neighbouring countries, according to the UN.Gunfire and grenade explosions have hit the capital in recent nights, as has been common in recent weeks.With the presidential election now taking place on Tuesday, there are only a few days to seal a deal between the opposing sides, but Burundi presidential communication advisor Willy Nyamitwe said there had been positive talks.Key opposition leader Agathon Rwasa said talks would continue, adding that there will be no taboo subjects, everything must be put on the table.Something much worsePolls, originally due on Wednesday, were pushed back by six days amid intense international pressure.But a group of 17 aid agencies and rights groups warned Wednesday that was an insufficient gesture that ignores the risk that elections could spark major violence.Opposition groups say another term would violate a peace deal that paved the way to end a dozen years of civil war in 2006. There are fears the current crisis could plunge the impoverished, landlocked country back into civil war.Scores have already been killed, but this could be just the beginning of something much worse, said Ndungu Wainaina, from the Kenya-based International Center for Policy and Conflict, a member of the coalition demanding further delays.In the current context of tensions and credible threats of further violence, holding elections next week could push Burundi into a much deeper crisis, Wainaina added.Nkurunzizas ruling party scored a widely-expected landslide win in parliamentary polls held on May 29, but these were boycotted by the opposition and condemned internationally as not free and fair.Violence has continued in Burundi, where troops clashed with suspected rebel fighters over the weekend in northern regions bordering Rwanda.Burundian rebel general Leonard Ngendakumana -- who took part in the failed coup in May to topple Nkurunziza -- has confirmed that soldiers loyal to the coup plot were involved in the fighting.Opposition leader Alexis Sinduhije on Wednesday said a group of exiled Burundian dissidents had created an alliance to force Nkurunziza from power, likely to be based in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa.The global aim is to get Nkurunziza out, he told France 24.Unfortunately, I have the impression the only way will be through violence.Nkurunziza can leave now and be thanked by Burundians for saving lives, or he can refuse to go and be forced out, Sinduhije added.

Greek parliament approves tough creditor reforms bill

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Obama calls Putin to discuss Iran deal: White House

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WASHINGTON (AFP) - President Barack Obama spoke by phone Wednesday with Vladimir Putin, thanking his Russian counterpart for his role in reaching a deal on Irans nuclear program.US ties with Russia have been strained to breaking point over the war in Ukraine, but Russia was an important part of the group of nations that negotiated the deal with Tehran.The president thanked President Putin for Russias important role in achieving this milestone, the culmination of nearly 20 months of intense negotiations, the White House said in a statement.The leaders committed to remain in close coordination it continued, and also expressed a desire to work together on reducing regional tensions, particularly in Syria. There was no mention of the ongoing violence in Ukraine.Russia has been locked in its deepest standoff with the West since the end of the Cold War over Moscows seizure of Crimea from Ukraine and alleged fueling of a separatist conflict. Ukraine lost eight soldiers Wednesday in a dramatic spike in fighting with pro-Russian gunmen that further imperiled a truce Washingtons top European envoy is desperately trying to salvage in Kiev.Obama has twice in two days offered praise for Russias role in reaching a deal with Iran.Russia was a help on this, he told the New York Times. Ill be honest with you. I was not sure given the strong differences we are having with Russia right now around Ukraine, whether this would sustain itself, he said.

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Thursday, July 16, 2015

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