Italian kidnapped in Algeria freed after 14 months

Italian kidnapped in Algeria freed after 14 months
jordan fusion shoes cheapMaria Sandra Mariani, an Italian tourist kidnapped by Al Qaeda-linked insurgents in Algeria more than 14 months ago, was freed in northern Mali, authorities in Italy and Burkina Faso said on Tuesday.Mariani, who was kidnapped in southeastern Algeria on February 2, 2011, was released in the northern Malian town of Tessalit and then taken south to Ouagadougou, capital of Mali's neighbour Burkina Faso."I thank President (Blaise) Compaore for his contribution to my release," Mariana told reporters before boarding a plane to Italy. She said her period of captivity had been "difficult", but gave no more details about the circumstances of her release.Northern Mali is a vast rugged area on the Sahara's southern edge where al Qaeda operatives often hold foreign hostages in remote desert camps. Arab League ministers met U.N.-Arab special envoy Kofi Annan on Tuesday and pressed Syria to cooperate fully with his peace mission, first by providing unfettered access to ceasefire monitors.A six-day-old truce has held in some areas of Syria but fighting has persisted in others since President Bashar al-Assad pledged to honour it last week. A small U.N. observer mission went to the country this week to monitor the ceasefire.
nike basketball shoes clearanceA statement issued after the Arab League meeting with Annan in Qatar said: "We request the Syrian government to help observers do their job and allow transport and the ability to reach all areas in Syria, and not to impose conditions on them that prevent them from doing their job."Annan delivered a status report to the League, which has suspended Syria as a member, and discussion focused on how to enhance the mission, according to a League delegate who declined to be named"We fully support Mr Annan and his six-point plan, but sadly, the killing still goes on," Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jasim bin Jabr al-Thani told reporters after the meeting. "We are fearful that the regime is playing for time. We expressed this to Mr Annan."U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said during a visit to Luxembourg that the planned total of 250 observers would not be enough "considering the current situation and the vastness of the country".He said the United Nations was asking the European Union to provide helicopters and planes to improve the monitors' mobility and he would formally propose this idea to the U.N. Security Council on Wednesday.
discount jordan pantoneIt was not clear whether Assad would agree to allow more U.N. troops and foreign aircraft into the country. A political source in neighbouring Lebanon said Damascus had already refused the use of U.N. helicopters."Annan's mission is a political one and therefore will take some time and require continuous pressure on the Syrian government as well as support of the permanent members of the Security Council," Arab League chief Nabil Elaraby said.Annan will submit a report to the Security Council on Thursday, the League statement said.His peace plan calls for the withdrawal of heavy weapons and troops from population centres, humanitarian assistance, the release of prisoners and free movement and access for journalists. It does not hinge on Assad leaving office.Qatar and Saudi Arabia say it is time to arm the rebel Free Syrian Army with weapons to combat Syria's powerful, Russian-armed forces. But other Arab League states say this would tip the crisis into all-out civil war threatening the wider region."Self-defense is a legitimate right. If you ask us in Qatar, have we armed the opposition, our reply is no, we have not. We are hopeful Mr Annan's plan will work. We must help the Syrian people defend themselves," said Qatar's Sheikh Hamad.
nike basketball shoes on saleThe Arab League wants a meeting uniting all members of the Syrian opposition before the end of April, the statement said San Antonio made amends for last week's stinging home loss to Los Angeles by trouncing the Lakers 112-91 on their home court on Tuesday.The Western Conference-leading Spurs were on the receiving end of a 14-point loss to the Lakers last Wednesday but gave them a taste of their own medicine with the rout in Los Angeles as Kobe Bryant sat out another game due to injury.Tony Parker had 29 points and 13 assists while Tim Duncan looked lively again with 19 points and eight rebounds for San Antonio (44-16), who moved a half-game ahead of Oklahoma City in the West."We were motivated tonight. They beat us bad last time and we were on a mission and wanted to make a statement," Tony Parker told reporters after the Spurs point guard had 29 points and 13 assists.In addition to Parker, Tim Duncan looked lively again with 19 points and eight rebounds for San Antonio (44-16), who moved a half-game ahead of Oklahoma City in the West.
nike outlet onlineWith Bryant missing his sixth consecutive game with a bruised left shin, the Lakers struggled to hit a basket in the second period and fell well behind after the Spurs went on an 18-0 run.Andrew Bynum tallied 21 points for Los Angeles, who trailed by more than 20 in the second half and never recovered."They beat us like we stole something," Bynum said."Now we have to come see them (on Friday in San Antonio). It doesn't matter (if Kobe plays), we're going to win."The Lakers (39-23) are 4-2 without Bryant and just a half-game in front of the Clippers for the Pacific Division lead and third spot in the West. PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP) — Trading on Cambodia's stock exchange has begun for the first time after a state-run company completed its initial public offering.The stock exchange was officially launched in July 2011, but trading only began Wednesday, a delay blamed in part on time needed to finalize investment laws.Some 13 million shares of the state-run Phnom Penh Water Supply Authority were offered at 6,300 riel ($1.57) per share.
discount jordan air maxPrime Minister Hun Sen has expressed hope the stock market will be a new way for Cambodia to attract foreign capital besides the international aid that is on reliant on and bank loans."Today's launching of securities trading in the Cambodia stock exchange, will finally end the wait, from the public, national and international investors, for the birth and operation of this new market," Hun Sen told an opening ceremony via a video link from his home.Cambodia's economy was left in ruins by the Khmer Rouge's rule in the 1970s, during which money and private property were abolished. An estimated 1.7 million people died from torture, starvation, exhaustion or lack of medical care.In more recent times, the country's reputation for endemic corruption has held back foreign investment.Two other state-owned companies, Telecom Cambodia and the Sihanoukville Autonomous Port, plan to list shares on the exchange.Cambodia is one of the last Southeast Asian nations to open a stock market. Neighboring Laos opened its bourse in January last year and Vietnam's exchange has operated since 2000.Plans for the stock market were first announced in 2007 and its opening was twice delayed.
cheap jordan lifestyle shoes Reading capped a remarkable run of form by securing promotion back to the Premier League on Tuesday after a 1-0 victory at home to Nottingham Forest guaranteed a top-two finish in the Championship (second division).Reading, who have taken 46 points from a possible 51 over their last 17 games, return to the top-flight four seasons after losing their place in 2008.Fans flooded on to the pitch in celebration after a victory at the Madjeski stadium that moved Reading, beaten by Swansea in last season's playoff final, on to 88 points from 44 matches, three ahead of nearest pursuers Southampton who won 3-1 at Peterborough."I'm delighted and It's a great night for us. It was a tough game tonight," Reading manager Brian McDermott told BBC radio."I couldn't see too much good in losing that playoff final at Wembley last year but perhaps this is meant to be. I'm not even bothered about the Premier League tonight, I'm just concerned about the players and staff. It's a night for the fans."Southampton are poised to join Reading in gaining automatic promotion. The south coast club have a five-point advantage over West Ham United, who could only draw 1-1 at Bristol City on Tuesday, with two matches remaining.