December 15, 2011

Jailed Afghan rape victim freed

By Nick Paton Walsh and Moni Basu, CNN
December 15, 2011 -- Updated 0101 GMT (0901 HKT)

Kabul, Afghanistan (CNN) -- An Afghan woman imprisoned for adultery after a relative raped her has been freed after President Hamid Karzai intervened on her behalf.
The woman, identified only as Gulnaz for her own protection, had been sentenced to prison for 12 years after she reported that her cousin's husband had raped her two years ago. Wednesday, she was free at a women's shelter in Kabul, with her daughter.
Her plight gained international attention when the European Union blocked the broadcast of a documentary about her ordeal, saying it would further jeopardize her safety.
Afghan Justice Minister Habibullah Ghaleb and a judiciary committee both proposed a pardon. Karzai then ordered authorities to decree Gulnaz's release.

Raped woman gets reduced sentence
After the attack two years ago, Gulnaz hid what happened as long as she could. She was afraid of reprisals. But soon she began vomiting in the mornings and showing signs of pregnancy. It was her attacker's child.
In Afghanistan, this brought her not sympathy but prosecution. She was found guilty by the courts of sex outside of marriage -- adultery -- and sentenced to 12 years in jail. She was only 19.
As shocking as it may seem, Gulnaz's case is far from isolated.
Last month, CNN asked a spokesman for the prosecutor to comment on the case. The reply was that there were hundreds of such cases, and the office would need time to look into it.
Reported cases of violence against women, from domestic abuse to rape to honor killings, are on the rise, according to the Afghan Women's Network.
One problem is that Afghan law fails to clearly distinguish between rape and adultery, which is a crime under Shariah, or Islamic law. The courts say Gulnaz was to blame for having sex with a married man.
In conservative Afghan society, Gulnaz faces considerable pressure to marry her attacker, soothing the rift between the two families, restoring her honor and legitimizing her daughter.
She was willing to do so in order to end her incarceration, she told CNN last month from Kabul's Badam Bagh jail, though she does not want that option. She would like to marry an educated man, according to her attorney, Kimberly Motley, in Kabul.
"A woman having to marry her rapist in any nation means we are living in a world where humanity has been abandoned," said Azita Ghanizada, an ambassador with Women to Women International, an organization that since 2002 has been supporting socially excluded Afghan women.
Gulnaz's choices now are stark. Women in her situation are often killed for the shame their ordeal has brought the community.
In the women's prison in Kabul, most of the inmates were convicted of rape or adultery, Ghanizada said.
A United Nations human rights document on Afghan women said they "are perceived as receptacles of family honor, their opposition to family dictates about marriage often puts them at risk of brutal physical punishment. So-called 'honor' killings recognize a man's right to kill a woman with impunity because of the damage that her immoral actions have caused to family honor."
Gulnaz could still be at risk from her attacker's family.
"Creating attention globally created enough pressure to allow Gulnaz to be pardoned," said Ghanizada. "But she will continue to raise the child (she) bore out of this rape and hide in a shelter, hoping that the attention won't create any more harm for her."
Behind bars, Gulnaz's convicted rapist denied raping her. Her life would probably end if she were freed, he said before her release. But it would be her family, not his, that would kill her out of the shame she has wrought.
How Gulnaz will be able to re-assimilate into the life she once had remains a difficult question. She is free from jail but not from her ordeal.
CNN's Nick Paton Walsh reported from Kabul, Afghanistan, and Moni Basu from Atlanta. CNN's Masoud Popalzai contributed to this report.

October 17, 2011

Protesters arrested nationwide as Occupy Wall Street rallies hit monthlong mark


By the CNN Wire Staff
October 17, 2011 -- Updated 0941 GMT (1741 HKT)

New York (CNN) -- Police hauled away protesters in various cities Sunday as Occupy Wall Street rallies continued for the 30th day.
In Washington, D.C., 19 people were arrested by Supreme Court Police, a spokeswoman said.
New York authorities arrested 14 people for violating a midnight curfew by sitting in a fountain with no water at Washington Square Park. The number was in addition to 78 arrested Saturday in citywide protests.
"It was a classic peaceful sit-in," said Paul Browne, the deputy police commissioner.
Comparing Occupy to Tea Party
Occupy Wall Street goes global
Occupy Rome turns violent
Occupy Wall Street in London
In Chicago, a police spokesman said there were "multiple" arrests early Sunday for disorderly conduct and violating an 11 p.m. curfew.
And in Minneapolis, a woman was arrested for trespassing, CNN affiliate KARE reported. City police officials declined to comment.
About 150 people were camped out under a canopy near city hall after police took away their tents, a Minneapolis protest organizer said.
"It's cold. We don't have any protection from the elements," said organizer April Lukes-Streich.
In New York, where the Occupy Wall Street movement started, authorities had warned protesters they would be arrested if they defied the curfew. Police stood guard at the entrance of Washington Square Park, sending protesters spilling out into nearby streets.
They chanted anti-Wall Street slogans and banged drums as they wandered into the night.
The arrests came hours after thousands marched to New York's iconic Times Square on Saturday night, hoisting signs and chanting. Browne described the Times Square rally as orderly.
As police cleared the street, protesters chanted, "We are peaceful" and "The whole world is watching."
In another part of the city, another group of protesters made their voices heard.
"Banks got bailed out, we got sold out," chanted a crowd meandering east of the city's Zuccotti Park, considered a home base for the Manhattan protesters.
Columns of police on patrol and atop scooters monitored the march, but as dusk fell, it appeared largely peaceful.
In addition to the nationwide rallies, demonstrations have picked up steam, culminating in a global day of protests Saturday in Europe, Asia and Australia.
The Occupy Wall Street movement started last month as a backlash against the economy and what demonstrators say is an out-of-touch corporate, financial and political elite.
Organizers say they are inspired by the Arab Spring that led to the toppling of regimes in Tunisia and Egypt.
The founding movement in the United States has spread to other major cities in the nation.
CNN's Maria White, Susan Candiotti, Ross Levitt and Logan Burruss contributed to this report

October 15, 2011

Bangkok digs in as floods, high tides merge


By David Challenger, CNN
October 15, 2011 -- Updated 0055 GMT (0855 HKT)

(CNN) -- Thailand's devastating floodwaters are draining southward towards Bangkok Friday, and residents have been told to prepare for the worst when the spring high tide and a huge volume of water flowing down the Chao Phraya River merge over the next couple of days.
Workers in the city are rushing to shore up barriers and warnings have been posted for the northern suburbs.
"Between seven and eight billion cubic meters of water a day is being released from the Bhumibol Dam in the north of the country, which is heavily affecting provinces like Nahkon Sawan and Ayutthaya," government official Wim Rungwattanajinda told CNN.
"From that, about one to 1.2 billion cubic meters of water is reaching Bangkok every day."
So far, 283 people have been killed and two people are missing in Thailand, according to the government website Thaiflood.com. Some 61 of the country's 76 provinces have so far been affected, impacting more than eight million people.
More than 500,000 square kilometers -- an area the size of Spain -- are affected by the floods in Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam and Laos, according to CNN meteorologist Jenny Harrison.
About 100 kilometers north of Bangkok, the UNESCO-listed historical city of Ayutthaya has now been submerged for 10 days, CNN's Paula Hancocks reports.
Residents evacuate from Thai floodwaters
Stranded elephants in need of food
Floods bear down on Thailand's capital
Bangkok braces for more flooding
Thai map shows flooded areasThai map shows flooded areas
Shops in Ayutthaya are mostly flooded and closed, and people unable to leave their homes are waiting for help to arrive. Roads have become rivers, with people having to swim or use boats to get food and water.
"Doctors are patrolling the flooded areas in small boats and are making house-calls to residents to those incapable of moving," Hancocks says. "It's one of the worst hit areas in the country. Even if there are no more storms, one government estimate says it'll still take a month for the floodwaters to recede."
Temples and monuments are unable to keep the rising waters at bay, and there are fears that the longer the city's treasures are covered by water, the more likely it will be that the damage could be permanent.
"This is the worst flood in our historical site in 16 years," said Somsuda Leeyawanich, from the Thai Fine Arts Department. She said the water level in the park is almost three meters, compared to levels of around 80-90 centimeters during the floods of 1995.
"We are very concerned that if the site is under water for more than 30 days it may cause serious damage," she added. "The temples are over 400 years old."
Along with people and historical sites, animals are also are being severely affected by the floodwaters. Fifteen elephants, including seven mothers with babies and a nine-year-old known for its painting skills, are stranded on top of Ayutthaya's Royal Elephant Kraal.
The elephants climbed on top of the building last week and are going hungry now that food can only be brought in small quantities via rowing boats. Elephants can swim but it's feared the babies would drown in the floodwaters if they attempt to escape.
Meanwhile, the country's economy may be badly affected from the floods. Manufacturing areas just north of Bangkok have been particularly hard hit hard, including a Honda factory that has been submerged, ruining hundreds of cars.
The giant Rojana Industrial Park has also halted operations for the time being, director Amara Charoengitwattanagun told state-run news agency MCOT, and the facility may be further damaged if the flooding worsens. One plant in the park, Single Point Parts, evacuated all workers from the premises and built flood prevention embankments around its building.
"The Thai finance ministry says overall damage from the floods could be more than $2 billion, with the worst yet still possibly to come," Hancocks says.
CNN's Paula Hancocks and Kocha Olarn contributed to this report

September 18, 2011

Barcelona demolish Osasuna

by espn.com

After two games without a win, Barcelona bounced back in style as they thrashed Osasuna 8-0 at the Camp Nou.

Lionel Messi celebrates with Cesc Fabregas after starting the rout in the fifth minute
GettyImages  Lionel Messi celebrates with Cesc Fabregas after starting the rout in the fifth minute


Barcelona entered the game on the back of successive 2-2 draws with Real Sociedad and AC Milan, but they maintained over 80% possession on Saturday night as they threatened to run up double figures.
Lionel Messi started the rout in only the fifth minute, and Barca enjoyed total domination throughout a first half in which they could feasibly have scored ten goals. In the end, it was 5-0 at half-time, courtesy of Cesc Fabregas, David Villa, a Roversio own goal and a second from Messi.
Xavi extended the scoreline in the 57th minute with a delightful chip before Fabregas set up for Villa for a seventh and then, only a couple of minutes later, Messi completed his hat-trick for 8-0.
Ikechukwu Uche's second-half header was enough to give Granada their first Primera Division win in 35 years as they beat an out-of-sorts Villarreal 1-0.
Uche, on loan from Villarreal, had earlier passed up the best opportunity of the first half but made amends early in the second with a fine header from Dani Benitez's cross.
Villarreal were handed the chance to equalise when referee Estrada Fernandez awarded a penalty 12 minutes from time but Giuseppe Rossi hit the post and Jonathan de Guzman missed an open goal from the rebound.
Valencia moved to the top of the table with a 1-0 win at Sporting Gijon courtesy of a solitary Roberto Soldado goal.
Soldado slotted home after half an hour as Valencia extended their 100% record after three games, but Sporting are still without a point and are propping up the rest of the table.
Martin Demichelis' first-half header was enough to hand Malaga a 1-0 win away at Real Mallorca.
In a game of few chances, Santi Cazorla was acrobatically denied by Dudu Aouate before Demichelis' header from Cazorla's cross was deflected in off Pablo Caceres. The hosts lacked a goalscoring threat throughout the game and their most dangerous moment came when Emilio Nsue's claimed for a penalty after an apparent push by Demichelis.
In the day's final game, Fredi Kanoute's strike early in the second half was enough for Sevilla to beat Real Sociedad 1-0 and maintain their unbeaten start to the campaign. In a game of few real chances, Kanoute capped a neat move with a powerful close-range finish eight minutes into the second half.

May 27, 2011

Preview: Barcelona v Man Utd : UCL Final@Wembley


Man Utd look for Wembley redemption

Competition Stats

BarcelonaManchester United
GoalsLionel Messi 11Javier Hernández 4
AssistsAndrés Iniesta 5Ryan Giggs 4
YellowsAndrés Iniesta 3Anderson 2
RedsJosé Manuel Pinto 1
Squads: Barcelona | Manchester United

Next Matches

BarcelonaManchester United
5/28H: Manchester United5/28A: Barcelona
Jon Carter
This year, the home of football plays host to the most prestigious prize in the European club game - the Champions League - and two better teams could not have been handpicked as English champions Manchester United take on Spanish champions Barcelona.
The game at Wembley is a rematch of the 2009 final that was won 2-0 by Barcelona in Rome and pits the competition's best defence (United's four goals conceded in 12 games) against its best attack (Barcelona's 27 goals in theirs). It also sees two of the best performing sides over the last few years meet: Barcelona have made three finals in the last six editions, while United reached their third in the last four when they beat Schalke.
On paper, it is very hard to separate the two, although Manchester Utd are the only unbeaten side in the Champions League this season, with nine wins and three draws.
Sir Alex Ferguson is bidding to become the most decorated manager in the competition's history - tied with Liverpool's Bob Paisley on three titles - but has a tough choice ahead of him over how he will set his side up. In European games, Fergie has preferred to use the industry of Park Ji-Sung on the flanks, but that means a place on the bench for either Nani or Antonio Valencia. In central midfield, too, the boss must make a tough choice to leave out Anderson, Paul Scholes or Michael Carrick as he prefers a central role for Ryan Giggs. Chances are that Fergie will opt for the same team that beat Schalke 2-0 in the semi-final first leg and, with supposed 'home' advantage, will be confident of pulling off an upset.
Barcelona's previous visit to Wembley, in 1992, saw a late-gasp defeat of Sampdoria to win their first European Cup, but their only defeat in the Champions League this season was in London, when they lost 2-1 at Arsenal's Emirates Stadium last February.
There is no secret as to how the Catalans will set up. Their 4-1-2-3 system, playing tiki-taka possession football, is revered around the world and the stats are impressive. Barca are the only side to have completed more than 90% of passes in the Champions League this season, whilst Xavi and Sergio Busquets are the only players to have completed more than 1,000 passes (1,103 and 1,035 respectively).
In terms of team selection, the only question mark for coach Pep Guardiola comes in the left-back role. Guardiola must decide whether to bring Eric Abidal back into the fray after surgery on a liver tumour, but may worry that he is not yet ready for a game of such magnitude. The other option available is that Carles Puyol moves to the flank and defensive midfielder Javier Mascherano resumes the position he took up against Real Madrid in the centre of defence.
Mascherano's inclusion would seem a gamble given the current form of United striker Javier Hernandez (in stark contrast to Dimitar Berbatov who has failed to score in his last 1134 minutes of action in the Champions League), but the battle for supremacy in European football could hinge on it.
Manchester United player to watch: Edwin Van der Sar. The last time the Dutchman will ever pull on a United shirt could be the greatest moment of his career, or one of the worst. A truly great goalkeeper, Van der Sar's agility and bravery mark him out above his peers but it is his consistency that makes him such a prized asset and he has the best saves-to-shots ratio in the competition this season, having saved 31 of 35 shots faced. Also becoming the first goalkeeper ever to keep 50 clean sheets in the Champions League, he has been a rock at the back for United as they have embarked on an incredible defensive run, but he will have to be at his commanding best if he is to keep the magical Messi quiet and seal his place in record books as the oldest player to win the trophy.
Barcelona player to watch: Andres Iniesta. In 2009, it was Iniesta who took the plaudits for a dominant performance in the middle of midfield and, since then, he has continued to improve - including netting the winning goal in the World Cup final. Not the biggest of central midfielders, he uses his body exceptionally well and can be a tough customer to knock off the ball, but it is his vision and passing skills that make him such a dangerous opponent. As he has shown this year already he can step up on the big occasion and will be a vital player in Barcelona's passing game. He could be the man unlock the miserly United defence.
Key battle: Nemanja Vidic v Lionel MessiThe Premier League's best defender by a long shot, Vidic has oozed confidence this season and when he is partnered with Rio Ferdinand, United look unbeatable. The Serbian's power, pace and reading of the game mean that Barcelona will find a tough obstacle in their way, but they have the world's best player to help them break down the wall. Messi, playing as a 'false nine' will not be giving Vidic his usual test of aerial and physical challenges, and instead will drop deep and run at his man with the ball at his feet. The Argentine can be unstoppable on his day - although he has never scored on English soil in the Champions League - and the United defence will be keen to avoid a repeat of the 2009 final, when he scored a rare headed goal.
Trivia: Has a player ever left Old Trafford to go on to win so much? Gerard Pique left United in 2008 after picking up Premier League and Champions League winners' medal and joined Barcelona where he won six trophies in his first season (La Liga, Spanish Cup, Spanish Super Cup, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Super Cup and Club World Cup). He has since won two more La Liga titles and also the small matter of the 2010 World Cup with Spain. And he's still only 24.
Stats: This will be the 11th meeting between Barcelona and Manchester United, in all competitions. The record is perfectly balanced with three wins each and four draws and the 10 previous meetings have seen a grand total of 31 goals, an average of 3.1 per game.
Odds: Barcelona (2.00), Manchester United (3.75), and the draw (3.50) are on offer with bet365, while Lionel Messi to score the last goal is 5.00.
Prediction: An incredibly tough one to call. United will be the toughest test that Barcelona have faced this season and it's hard to imagine the Spaniards dominating like they did in 2009. One feels a piece of magic from any of the world-class players on show will win the game.