New era of stability and prosperity

By BADEA ABU AL-NAJA | ARAB NEWS

Saudis savor five years of King Abdullah's benevolent rule

MAKKAH: The fifth anniversary of the Baiah (Pledge of Allegiance) to Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah falls on Wednesday. “The Baiah” is the traditional Islamic system of the subjects expressing their approval and welcoming a new ruler.

Since the Pledge of Allegiance on Jamad Al-Thani 26, 1426 (Aug. 1, 2005) the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has witnessed enormous achievements in all fields, including education, health, social affairs, transport, communications, industry, electricity, water and agriculture.

Commenting on King Abdullah’s rule in the past five years, Speaker of the Shoura Council Abdullah Al-Asheikh said the past five years have brought a new era of security, stability, national unity and social cohesion combined with progress in all fields.

“History will record that King Abdullah fulfilled his commitment to the citizens when they gave him the Pledge of Allegiance five years ago. His major concern since then has been the welfare of the people of the Kingdom. He visited all parts of the Kingdom to see them in person and learn their needs. He initiated huge projects worth billions for their welfare,” Al-Asheikh said in a statement to the Saudi Press Agency.

Iran faces 'most significant UN nuclear sanctions'

Iran faces its toughest sanctions for failing to comply with UN demands over its nuclear enrichment, the US says.

The Security Council is to vote on a fourth round of sanctions to tighten financial curbs on Iran, while expanding a limited arms embargo.

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said they were "the most significant sanctions that Iran has ever faced".

But Iran's president warned his country would not agree to nuclear talks if the sanctions were imposed.

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad also said that a nuclear fuel-swap deal brokered by Turkey and Brazil was an offer that would not be repeated.

Iran agreed in May to deposit 1,200kg of low-enriched uranium with Turkey, in return for reactor fuel, but the US and its Western allies said the agreement was too little too late.

They fear Tehran is secretly trying to build a nuclear bomb. Iran says its programme is aimed solely at peaceful energy use.

UN Security Council to Vote Wednesday on New Round of Iran Sanctions

The U.N. Security Council plans to vote Wednesday morning on a fourth round of sanctions against Iran for its suspect nuclear program.  U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Susan Rice says the draft resolution has many new, serious and binding measures in it and she expects it will be adopted by a "strong majority" of the 15 council members. 

Ambassador Rice described the draft resolution as "strong" and "broad-based", adding it would have a significant impact on Iran, which is why Tehran has tried so hard to prevent its adoption. She went on to summarize some of the new measures it would put in place once its expected adoption takes place Wednesday.

Bin Laden said to be in Iran

JERUSALEM, June 8 (UPI) -- Osama bin Ladenvand his top aides are hiding in a mountainous town in northeastern Iran and Turkey knows it, intelligence sources said Tuesday.

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan is aware that bin Laden, his chief lieutenantvAyman al-Zawahiri and five other high-ranking al-Qaida leaders have been living under Tehran's protection for the past five years, military intelligence Web site Debkafile reports.

The leak that Erdogan is aware of bin Laden's location is intended to show the Obama administration the extent of Erdogan's ties to Iran, Debkafile says.

Russian soldiers 'took credit cards' from Polish crash site

Moscow, Russia (CNN) -- A criminal case has been launched against four Russian soldiers on charges they illegally used credit cards belonging to a Polish official who died in the presidential plane crash in Russia in April, Russian authorities said Tuesday.

"The criminal case has been started against four conscript soldiers on charges of theft by an organized group. The four were in the cordon at the scene of the crash," the Investigation Committee of the Russian Prosecutor's Office said.

The soldiers took several cards but only used one of them to withdraw cash, stealing about 60,345 rubles (about $1,900) in several transactions, the committee said.

The committee said the suspects were identified by the command of the military base that services the military airport near Smolensk, Russia, where the plane crashed April 10.

"It was established in an inquiry that soldiers Sergei Syrov, Igor Pustovar, Artur Pankratov, and Yuri Sankov made use of these bank cards," the committee said.

Another Marine from Camp Pendleton is killed in Afghanistan; he's the fourth this week

Another Marine from Camp Pendleton has been killed in combat in Afghanistan.

Sgt. John Rankel, 23, of Speedway, Ind., was killed Monday by enemy gunfire in Helmand province, according to family members quoted in the Indianapolis Star. Three Marines from Camp Pendleton were killed Sunday.

The Rankel family issued a statement saying that they "truly appreciate the prayers, care,  concern and love their friends and others in the community have shown them since learning of John's death".

Rankel had served two tours in Iraq, and after reenlisting was deployed to Afghanistan with the 3rd battalion, 1st Marine regiment. When not deployed, he often spoke to school classes, according to his family.

Rankel's body is set to return to the U.S. on Wednesday, according to the website of the Dover (Del.) Air Force Base mortuary.

Top Army NCO promotes 'complete fitness' to Soldiers

By Spc. Jesus J. Aranda, 25th Infantry Division Public Affairs Office 

Spc. Mahlet Tesfaye, 25th Infantry Division Public Affairs Office 

SCHOFIELD BARRACKS, Hawaii -- Sergeant Maj. of the Army Kenneth O. Preston, the Army's senior noncommissioned officer, visited with Soldiers, leaders, and family members serving here, June 3.

As part of a three-day tour of the military bases on-island, Preston visited many places to speak with Soldiers, including Tripler Army Medical Center, Fort Shafter and the U.S. Army Hawaii Noncommissioned Officer Academy.

During his tour of Schofield Barracks, Preston talked about the Army's plan for the continued complete fitness and well-being of Soldiers, and stressed the importance of mental fitness for today's Soldier in presentations to noncommissioned officers and junior enlisted. 

"We've focused for decades on physical fitness to prepare for combat and now we're focusing on the mental side," said Preston. 

"The stigma against getting help with mental health lies on both Soldiers and leaders," said Preston. "We've done a lot to educate the leaders on this, now we're working to eliminate the stigma on the Soldier's side".

Preston assured Soldiers there is no shame in seeking mental health if needed and there would be no negative impact on the careers of those who employ methods to maintain mental fitness. According to Preston, the challenges Soldiers face after deployment, such as mental health concerns, can be remedied through use of the Army programs for mental and physical fitness.

Interpol: Van der Sloot tried to extort Holloway's mother

(CNN) -- Joran van der Sloot, who authorities say has confessed to the murder of a Peruvian woman, faces criminal charges in Alabama because he tried to extort $250,000 from Natalee Holloway's mother, according to an Interpol document.

U.S. authorities last week announced an arrest warrant for van der Sloot on charges of extortion and wire fraud, but they did not name the victim.

In an Interpol document obtained by CNN Wednesday, American authorities ask Peruvian police to arrest van der Sloot and begin a process of extradition to the United States. The document states that Peruvian authorities can hold him if he is facing charges there.

According to the document, around March 29, van der Sloot contacted a representative of Holloway's mother, Beth Holloway.

The Dutch citizen, who was twice arrested in connection with the disappearance of Natalee Holloway but released for lack of evidence, said he would reveal the location of the body and the circumstances surrounding her death for $25,000 in cash. He asked for $250,000 in total, the document states.

Chris Brown barred from Britain because of Rihanna beating

By Alan Duke, CNN

(CNN) -- British officials, citing worries that singer Chris Brown might pose a danger to British citizens, barred him from entering the United Kingdom for concerts this week, a UK border official said.

Brown pleaded guilty last year to a felony charge of assaulting his then-girlfriend, pop star Rihanna.

"We reserve the right to refuse entry to the UK to anyone guilty of a serious criminal offense," said Barbara Woodward, director of the UK border agency's international group. "Public safety is one of our primary concerns".

The 21-year-old R&B singer was scheduled to perform Wednesday night in Glasgow, Scotland, with shows in three English cities -- Manchester, Birmingham and London -- scheduled for Thursday, Friday and Sunday, according to his official website.

Love fails to conquer all as Malawi gay couple separate

Steven Monjeza leaves Tiwonge Chimbalanga for a woman a week after the couple were freed from jail in Malawi

Godfrey Mapondera in Blantyre and David Smith in Johannesburg

They became an international cause celebre after being sentenced to 14 years in prison under Malawi's draconian laws against homosexuality.

But today the story of Steven Monjeza and Tiwonge Chimbalanga, the first same sex couple to seek marriage in Malawi, took a further twist when it emerged that they had separated and one of the men now has a female partner.

Outrage over their convictions for gross indecency and unnatural acts last month gave way to relief when the country's president, Bingu wa Mutharika, freed them on "humanitarian grounds".

Their separation was called as a "tragedy" by one campaigner who blamed it on homophobic threats and abuse. Monjeza, 26, has begun a relationship with Dorothy Gulo, a 24-year-old from Blantyre.

Monjeza, who faced family hostility towards his previous relationship with Chimbalanga, said he no longer wanted to be associated with homosexuality.

Friedrich says German squad ready for World Cup without Ballack

Germany's next generation of stars is ready to step up into the breach left by captain Michael Ballack, who was ruled out of the World Cup with an ankle injury, centre-back Arne Friedrich said Tuesday.

Chelsea midfielder Ballack, 33, suffered his tournament-ending injury in last month's FA Cup final which has dented his country's hopes of winning a fourth World Cup title. In his absence, 26-year-old Philipp Lahm takes over the captaincy and the Bayern Munich defender will have a "council" of other players around him. 

Joachim Löw's Germany squad has an average age of just 25, but now is the time for the next generation to prove themselves as leaders, says Friedrich.

Lahm, vice-captain Bastian Schweinsteiger, striker Miroslav Klose, Hertha Berlin's Friedrich and fellow defender Per Mertesacker are part of the group which makes up the Germany team's players council.

India, Lanka to discuss resettlement plan during Rajapaksa visit

NEW DELHI: In what is a high-stakes visit for both sides, Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa arrived in India on Tuesday evening. Rajapaksa is expected to brief PM Manmohan Singh on the progress made in the resettlement process for internally displaced persons (IDPs) and the reconciliation plan for the war-torn country. 

Even before he landed in Delhi, thousands of protestors across Tamil Nadu, including MDMK leader Vaiko, were held for holding demonstrations against Rajapaksa's visit. 

As per Indian estimates, there might still be about 70,000-80,000 IDPs but Colombo maintains that the number has actually come down to below 30,000 and that even among these, many are living in government camps out of choice. In his meeting with the Lankan president on Wednesday, Singh is expected to emphasise the need for a political solution to the conflict. According to Colombo, the absence of any real Tamil leadership after the war has led to delay in forging a political solution. Since the time he became president in November 2005, Rajapaksa has repeatedly promised to devolve powers to the minorities. 

Judge calls emergency hearing after Lindsay Lohan's monitoring bracelet alarm goes off

A judge has ordered L.A. prosecutors and Lindsay Lohan’s attorney into court in Beverly Hills Tuesday afternoon amid reports that the court-ordered alcohol-monitoring bracelet alarm went off Sunday evening.

The alarm sounded the night Lohan attended MTV's Movie Awards.

The hearing is scheduled for 3 p.m.

A source told The Times it's unclear why the alarm went off. The device alerts a monitoring company if it is tampered with or the person wearing consumes alcohol. The monitoring company reports to the Los Angeles County Probation Department and the Superior Court judge in Beverly Hills who is handling Lohan's case.

Judge Marsha Revel will then decide whether the alarm constitutes a violation of the actress' bail agreement related to a probation violation on a 2007 drunk driving case. Revel ordered Lohan to wear the bracelet and told her not to consume alcohol.

The source spoke on the condition of anonymity because that person was not authorized to speak about the case.

Three Somali ministers quit transitional government

By Abdi Sheikh and Abdi Guled

MOGADISHU (Reuters) - Three Somali ministers quit on Tuesday, and one, a defence minister, said he was stepping down because the Transitional Federal Government had failed to fulfil its pledge to restore order.

The country has had no effective central government for 19 years and while President Sheikh Sharif Ahmed's administration has the support of the United Nations, he faces a stubborn insurgency from the armed Islamist groups al Shabaab and Hizbul Islam.

State defence minister Sheikh Yusuf Mohammad Siad said the status quo could not continue because the government had failed to deliver on its promises.

"Everyone has to evaluate himself before others judge his failure, and that is what I did before resigning. I realised that my government cannot do its job," he told Reuters.

Anxious Gazans trying to leave blockaded territory

By KARIN LAUB (AP)

RAFAH, Gaza Strip — A Palestinian who had to delay graduate school in Malaysia and an elderly man forced to put off eye surgery in Egypt are among thousands anxiously trying to get out of Gaza now that the blockaded territory's gateway to the world has opened just a little.

A Hamas-run passenger terminal on the Gaza side of the border was packed on Tuesday with hundreds of Gazans trying to get clearance just to approach the crossing into Egypt. It was a chaotic scene, with stressed passengers arguing with overwhelmed Hamas border officials.

"Move back!" a Hamas official barked at the crowd from a hand-held microphone. Nearby, a black-clad policeman raised his club threateningly to cut short an argument with a middle-aged man.

Many of Gaza's 1.5 million people have been forced to put their lives on hold during the three years the territory's borders were sealed by Israel and Egypt, following the violent takeover by the Islamic militant Hamas.

Northern Rock to cut 650 jobs

Staff at Northern Rock face job losses and the end of its final salary pension scheme as it prepares return to the private sector

Richard Wachman and Graeme Wearden

Northern Rock is axing 650 jobs and closing its final-salary pension scheme as it prepares itself to be sold back to the private sector.

More than 2,000 employees have lost their jobs since the bank was nationalised two years ago after it became the first high-profile British victim of the financial crisis.

The job cuts are viewed by analysts as a way of making Northern Rock more attractive to prospective buyers by reducing overheads and costs. Virgin Money, National Australia Bank and Tesco have expressed an interest in buying Northern Rock's profitable operations.

Existing members of the Northern Rock pension plan are to be switched to a money-purchase scheme, which exposes them more directly to fluctuating share prices on world stock exchanges.

The Unite union slammed the latest retrenchment as "short-termist" and called for political intervention "to prevent this business being dramatically scaled back and prepared for sale".

Rig survivors: BP ordered shortcut on day of blast

On "AC360°," five survivors of the rig tell Anderson Cooper about the days leading up to the explosion. Watch "AC360°" at 10 ET Tuesday night, live from the Gulf

(CNN) -- The morning the Deepwater Horizon oil rig exploded, a BP executive and a Transocean official argued over how to proceed with the drilling, rig survivors told CNN's Anderson Cooper in an exclusive interview.

The survivors' account paints perhaps the most detailed picture yet of what happened on the deepwater rig -- and the possible causes of the April 20 explosion.

The BP official wanted workers to replace heavy mud, used to keep the well's pressure down, with lighter seawater to help speed a process that was costing an estimated $750,000 a day and was already running five weeks late, rig survivors told CNN.

BP won the argument, said Doug Brown, the rig's chief mechanic. "He basically said, 'Well, this is how it's gonna be'".

"That's what the big argument was about," added Daniel Barron III.