Friday, December 16, 2016
Obama vows action against Russia over election hacks
US President Barack Obama has vowed to take action against Russia for its alleged interference in the US presidential election campaign.
"We need to take action and we will," he told US public radio network NPR.
Russia stands accused by the US of hacking the emails of the Democratic Party and a key Hillary Clinton aide, which the Kremlin strongly denies.
The accusations, without evidence, are "unseemly", Russian President Vladimir Putin's spokesman said.
Republican president-elect Donald Trump has also dismissed the claim as "ridiculous" and politically motivated.
The intelligence agencies say they have overwhelming evidence that Russian hackers linked to the Kremlin were behind the hacks.
And on Thursday, a White House spokesman said President Vladimir Putin was involved in the cyber-attacks.
Hours later, Mr Obama said: "I think there's no doubt that when any foreign government tries to impact on the integrity of our elections, that we need to take action and we will, at a time and a place of our own choosing.
"Some of it may be explicit and publicised. Some of it may not be.
"Mr Putin is well aware of my feelings about this, because I spoke to him directly about it."
It is not clear what action the US intends to take, with Mr Obama leaving office on 20 January.
The disclosure of emails was embarrassing to the Democratic Party at a crucial point in the election campaign.
Hacking: Truth or treason?
How would a thawing US-Russia relationship work?
The CIA has concluded that Russia's motivation was to sway the election in favour of Mr Trump, but no evidence has been made public.
What was in hacked emails?
More than 19,000 internal Democratic National Committee emails, published by WikiLeaks on 22 July, appeared to show party officials tried to thwart the campaign of Mrs Clinton's rival, Bernie Sanders. The row prompted the resignation of Debbie Wasserman Schultz, the party's chair, shortly before the Democratic National Convention
WikiLeaks published swathes of emails in October and November from the account of Mrs Clinton's campaign boss, John Podesta
Among the most damaging revelations were suggestions that donors to the Clinton Foundation gained special access to former President Bill Clinton, and that Mrs Clinton had maintained a closer relationship with Wall Street bankers that she admitted on the campaign trail
The emails also revealed squabbling within the Democratic Party, with Mr Podesta complaining about Mrs Clinton's "terrible instincts"
18 revelations from Wikileaks emails
Mr Trump has accused the Democrats of fabricating Russian involvement to hide their embarrassment at the election defeat.
He has also long expressed admiration for Mr Putin, and his pick for secretary of state - oil tycoon Rex Tillerson, who has worked closely with the Russian leader - has raised concerns.
Mr Trump tweeted on Thursday: "If Russia, or some other entity, was hacking, why did the White House wait so long to act? Why did they only complain after Hillary lost?"
However, the Obama administration in October directly accused Russia of hacking US political sites and email accounts with the aim of interfering with the upcoming election.
The president-elect has been assembling his new administration and on Thursday he said he would pick lawyer David Friedman to be his ambassador to Israel.
The Russian president's spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, dismissed the claims of Mr Putin's involvement as "laughable nonsense" on Thursday.
And on Friday, he said: "They should either stop talking about it or provide, at last, some evidence. Otherwise, it all looks rather unseemly," according to RIA Novosti.
A headache for Trump - Anthony Zurcher, BBC News, Washington
Democrats have struggled to grasp why Hillary Clinton lost. Could it be the spread of "fake news"? A poor Democratic ground game in Midwestern states? FBI Director James Comey's last-minute letter to Congress about new Clinton emails?
Anything but acknowledge that Donald Trump turned out to be the more effective candidate with a more appealing message (at least in the states that mattered).
Russian government hackers are the latest culprit - or scapegoat, depending on one's perspective. They're a tempting target, however, given the latest accounts of intrigue from intelligence community sources. A wily Vladimir Putin overseeing damaging leaks makes for a deliciously villainous plot.
Of course those campaign emails, while certainly an annoyance to Democrats, likely weren't enough to tilt the election. But that doesn't mean these revelations won't be a headache for a president-elect who bristles when challenged.
Now he's feuding with his own intelligence services and lashing out on Twitter, virtually guaranteeing more leaks. A congressional investigation seems likely. There's even talk of a Russian sanctions bill ending up on President Trump's desk.
Mrs Clinton's loss still stings, but for forlorn Democrats seeing Mr Trump squirm would be a salve for open wounds.
More on Trump and Russia
Why Trump strikes a chord with Russians
Are there any Trump links to Putin?
Why US fears Russia is hacking election
Russia's Putin calls Trump 'a clever man'
EDF Energy customers face first bill hike in three years as power costs rise
Customers of Big Six energy provider EDF are facing the first hike in standard dual fuel bills for more than three years after a rise in the cost of electricity.
Bills are set to rise by 1.2%, or £13, to a typical £1,082 when the changes take effect next year, EDF Energy said.
The French-owned energy firm is cutting its standard gas tariff by 5.2% from 6 January but hiking electricity prices by 8.4% from 1 March.
EDF said: "Electricity costs have been rising for some time, but gas prices are not facing the same pressures.
"The company believes it is right that prices reflect this."
It also said customers could choose to switch to its cheapest fixed price deal, at a typical £967.
Meanwhile, about 200,000 prepayment customers will see a 12.9% cut in gas tariffs from 6 January ahead of a price cap on these types of energy charges due to be introduced in April.
EDF's announcement comes after British Gas, the UK's biggest energy provider, said it would freeze tariffs until March while rivals SSE and E.ON said they would hold prices until April.
The 1.2% rise in bills matches the latest official figure for UK inflation, though EDF said it was lower than the rate forecast for next year.
EDF supplies gas and electricity to more than five million customer accounts. It said 1.5 million would not be affected by the price changes as they are on fixed tariffs.
Beatrice Bigois, managing director for customers at EDF Energy, said: "We want to help loyal customers by cutting gas prices ahead of the coldest winter months, and delaying electricity increases until later in the year.
"This will save customers money this winter.
"We are being open about the fact our electricity prices will go up after our price freeze.
"But we also know it is right to pass on to loyal customers the fall in gas costs that energy suppliers have seen over recent months."
Britain's Big Six energy suppliers have been under pressure to treat loyal customers on standard tariffs fairly.
A recent report accused them of overcharging households and making six times as much profit as they admitted to - claims rejected by the industry.
Bills are set to rise by 1.2%, or £13, to a typical £1,082 when the changes take effect next year, EDF Energy said.
The French-owned energy firm is cutting its standard gas tariff by 5.2% from 6 January but hiking electricity prices by 8.4% from 1 March.
EDF said: "Electricity costs have been rising for some time, but gas prices are not facing the same pressures.
"The company believes it is right that prices reflect this."
It also said customers could choose to switch to its cheapest fixed price deal, at a typical £967.
Meanwhile, about 200,000 prepayment customers will see a 12.9% cut in gas tariffs from 6 January ahead of a price cap on these types of energy charges due to be introduced in April.
EDF's announcement comes after British Gas, the UK's biggest energy provider, said it would freeze tariffs until March while rivals SSE and E.ON said they would hold prices until April.
The 1.2% rise in bills matches the latest official figure for UK inflation, though EDF said it was lower than the rate forecast for next year.
EDF supplies gas and electricity to more than five million customer accounts. It said 1.5 million would not be affected by the price changes as they are on fixed tariffs.
Beatrice Bigois, managing director for customers at EDF Energy, said: "We want to help loyal customers by cutting gas prices ahead of the coldest winter months, and delaying electricity increases until later in the year.
"This will save customers money this winter.
"We are being open about the fact our electricity prices will go up after our price freeze.
"But we also know it is right to pass on to loyal customers the fall in gas costs that energy suppliers have seen over recent months."
Britain's Big Six energy suppliers have been under pressure to treat loyal customers on standard tariffs fairly.
A recent report accused them of overcharging households and making six times as much profit as they admitted to - claims rejected by the industry.
UN 'cancels Gambia army chief visit'
A diplomatic source has told the BBC that the UN has cancelled the head of the Gambian army's visit to Gambian peacekeepers serving with the UN mission in the Darfur region of Sudan.
Gambian soldiers this week occupied the Gambian election commission's headquarters in an apparent show of loyalty to the outgoing president, Yahya Jammeh, who has reneged on his initial promise to accept the result of this month's election.
BBC World Service Africa editor James Copnall says that by cancelling General Ousman Badjie's visit to Sudan, the UN is putting pressure on the military to not side with President Jammeh and to allow the man announced as the winner, Adama Barrow, to be sworn in as president.
Mr Jammeh is believed to retain the support of key members of the security forces, apparently including Gen Badjie, who arrived at a meeting with West African leaders on Tuesday wearing a badge bearing Mr Jammeh's face.
Human Rights Watch has urged the army not to launch a crackdown on the opposition and its supporters, saying the military must put human rights above loyalty to Mr Jammeh.
Gambian soldiers this week occupied the Gambian election commission's headquarters in an apparent show of loyalty to the outgoing president, Yahya Jammeh, who has reneged on his initial promise to accept the result of this month's election.
BBC World Service Africa editor James Copnall says that by cancelling General Ousman Badjie's visit to Sudan, the UN is putting pressure on the military to not side with President Jammeh and to allow the man announced as the winner, Adama Barrow, to be sworn in as president.
Mr Jammeh is believed to retain the support of key members of the security forces, apparently including Gen Badjie, who arrived at a meeting with West African leaders on Tuesday wearing a badge bearing Mr Jammeh's face.
Human Rights Watch has urged the army not to launch a crackdown on the opposition and its supporters, saying the military must put human rights above loyalty to Mr Jammeh.
Nintendo shares fall as investors give thumbs down to Super Mario app
Nintendo shares have tumbled after investors gave the thumbs down to its new Super Mario app.
The Japanese technology giant saw $2bn (£1.6bn) wiped off its market value as shares fell by 5% in Tokyo, after Super Mario Run was made available on the iPhone in 151 countries.
It later recovered slightly to close 4% lower.
Super Mario's release is the latest foray by Nintendo into the mobile app market after the Pokemon GO craze earlier this year.
It later recovered slightly to close 4% lower.
Super Mario's release is the latest foray by Nintendo into the mobile app market after the Pokemon GO craze earlier this year.
Early signs for the Mario game were positive as it topped download rankings in Britain, Japan, Germany and Australia.
But some analysts are concerned about the $9.99 price tag - £7.99 in the UK - to access the full version of the game.
Another concern is that Android users will not be able to buy it until later.
The Mario game is free to download but only for low-level stages.
That sets it apart from successful app games such as Candy Crush Saga and Angry Birds which typically only charge for in-game items and powerups.
The release is also a risky bet because, unlike Pokemon GO, it is being developed by Nintendo itself, in partnership with mobile gaming firm DeNa.
That means it will enjoy the lion's share of any success or bear the brunt of failure.
Pokemon GO, while based on a Nintendo character, is owned by San Francisco-based Niantic.
Its release marked a change in strategy for the Japanese company, which for years had resisted developing smartphone games or licencing its characters for online play.
Pokemon GO has been downloaded more than 600 million times since July.
Its release produced revenues of $143m (£115m) in its first month but analysts expect Super Mario Run to take about half of that.
Nintendo shares have risen by more than 50% this year as the Pokemon release lifted hopes about its potential for success in the app market.
But some analysts are concerned about the $9.99 price tag - £7.99 in the UK - to access the full version of the game.
Another concern is that Android users will not be able to buy it until later.
The Mario game is free to download but only for low-level stages.
That sets it apart from successful app games such as Candy Crush Saga and Angry Birds which typically only charge for in-game items and powerups.
The release is also a risky bet because, unlike Pokemon GO, it is being developed by Nintendo itself, in partnership with mobile gaming firm DeNa.
That means it will enjoy the lion's share of any success or bear the brunt of failure.
Pokemon GO, while based on a Nintendo character, is owned by San Francisco-based Niantic.
Its release marked a change in strategy for the Japanese company, which for years had resisted developing smartphone games or licencing its characters for online play.
Pokemon GO has been downloaded more than 600 million times since July.
Its release produced revenues of $143m (£115m) in its first month but analysts expect Super Mario Run to take about half of that.
Nintendo shares have risen by more than 50% this year as the Pokemon release lifted hopes about its potential for success in the app market.
Firm accused of overcharging NHS by hiking life-saving drug price by 12,000%
Drugs firm Actavis UK overcharged the NHS by hiking the price of a life-saving drug by more than 12,000%, the competition watchdog alleges.
It said the amount charged for 10mg hydrocortisone tablets rose to £88 per pack by March 2016 from 70p when a branded version of the drug was sold by a different company prior to April 2008.
There was also a 9,500% increase for 20mg tablets, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) said.
The watchdog claimed that Actavis - formerly known as Auden McKenzie - broke competition law by charging "excessive and unfair prices".
Teva, the Israeli-based company that recently acquired the company, said it "intends to defend the allegations".
The CMA's provisional findings come a week after it fined US giant Pfizer and distributor Flynn Pharma a total of nearly £90m in a separate overcharging case. Both firms dispute the CMA's conclusions.
Hydrocortisone tablets are used to treat people who suffer from conditions where their adrenal glands do not produce enough natural steroid hormones, such as Addison's disease - which is life threatening.
More than 900,000 packs of hydrocortisone tablets were dispensed in 2015 and NHS spending on these drugs had climbed to £70m - up from £522,000 prior to April 2008.
The case, like others, centres on the way drugs companies can charge more for generic or de-branded drugs because, unlike branded drugs, they are not subject to price regulation.
Andrew Groves, CMA senior responsible officer, said: "This is a lifesaving drug relied on by thousands of patients, which the NHS has no choice but to continue purchasing.
"We allege that the company has taken advantage of this situation and the removal of the drug from price regulation, leaving the NHS - and ultimately the taxpayer - footing the bill for the substantial price rises."
The CMA said its findings, after a nine-month probe, were provisional and that no conclusion should be drawn at this stage that there has in fact been any breach of competition law.
It has the power to fine firms found to have broken the rules up to 10% of annual worldwide group turnover.
Earlier this year, drugs giant GlaxoSmithKline was among firms hit with a £45m penalty after a "pay-to-delay" scandal surrounding blockbuster anti-depressant drug Seroxat.
Teva defended the role of generic drugs, saying competition from these medicines saved the NHS in England and Wales £13.5bn a year overall.
It added: "Although the pricing of the acquired Actavis product (hydrocortisone) under investigation was never under Teva's effective control, Teva believes that intervention by the CMA in prices for generic medicines raises serious policy concerns regarding the roles of both the CMA and the Department of Health."
It said the amount charged for 10mg hydrocortisone tablets rose to £88 per pack by March 2016 from 70p when a branded version of the drug was sold by a different company prior to April 2008.
There was also a 9,500% increase for 20mg tablets, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) said.
The watchdog claimed that Actavis - formerly known as Auden McKenzie - broke competition law by charging "excessive and unfair prices".
Teva, the Israeli-based company that recently acquired the company, said it "intends to defend the allegations".
The CMA's provisional findings come a week after it fined US giant Pfizer and distributor Flynn Pharma a total of nearly £90m in a separate overcharging case. Both firms dispute the CMA's conclusions.
Hydrocortisone tablets are used to treat people who suffer from conditions where their adrenal glands do not produce enough natural steroid hormones, such as Addison's disease - which is life threatening.
More than 900,000 packs of hydrocortisone tablets were dispensed in 2015 and NHS spending on these drugs had climbed to £70m - up from £522,000 prior to April 2008.
The case, like others, centres on the way drugs companies can charge more for generic or de-branded drugs because, unlike branded drugs, they are not subject to price regulation.
Andrew Groves, CMA senior responsible officer, said: "This is a lifesaving drug relied on by thousands of patients, which the NHS has no choice but to continue purchasing.
"We allege that the company has taken advantage of this situation and the removal of the drug from price regulation, leaving the NHS - and ultimately the taxpayer - footing the bill for the substantial price rises."
The CMA said its findings, after a nine-month probe, were provisional and that no conclusion should be drawn at this stage that there has in fact been any breach of competition law.
It has the power to fine firms found to have broken the rules up to 10% of annual worldwide group turnover.
Earlier this year, drugs giant GlaxoSmithKline was among firms hit with a £45m penalty after a "pay-to-delay" scandal surrounding blockbuster anti-depressant drug Seroxat.
Teva defended the role of generic drugs, saying competition from these medicines saved the NHS in England and Wales £13.5bn a year overall.
It added: "Although the pricing of the acquired Actavis product (hydrocortisone) under investigation was never under Teva's effective control, Teva believes that intervention by the CMA in prices for generic medicines raises serious policy concerns regarding the roles of both the CMA and the Department of Health."
Russian-backed Assad has never been weaker
It's not surprising that Bashar al Assad appeared a little smug when he announced victory over rebels in Aleppo.
But he is misguided. His dynasty has seldom looked weaker.
Syria's president and the cabal that surrounds him are now entirely dependent on foreigners for their survival.
The revolution against his rule is far from over, which means he will continue to rely on unreliable allies.
Top of the list is Russia.
Vladimir Putin intervened in Syria to protect his warm water port in Tartus but also to send a signal to other autocrats, especially in Asia, that if you're a Russian friend now Moscow won't abandon you in the face of democratic uprising.
Russia's air power has proved devastating to the rebellion.
Combined with a profligate disregard for civilian casualties in cities like Idlib and Aleppo, the rebels have been driven back into two separate main areas in the north and far south of the country.
On the ground Syrian government forces have weakened and evaporated.
Even the famed Shabiha (ghost) militia has faded away. So infantry and artillery have poured in from Hezbollah in south Lebanon, Iraqi Hezbollah, Shia fighters (often press ganged) from Iran alongside the Revolutionary Guards and even volunteers from Afghanistan.
Without them, the so-called "liberation" of Aleppo would have been impossible.
On top of that, even Assad's supporters must acknowledge that he simply does not have support from most Syrians.
But he is misguided. His dynasty has seldom looked weaker.
Syria's president and the cabal that surrounds him are now entirely dependent on foreigners for their survival.
The revolution against his rule is far from over, which means he will continue to rely on unreliable allies.
Top of the list is Russia.
Vladimir Putin intervened in Syria to protect his warm water port in Tartus but also to send a signal to other autocrats, especially in Asia, that if you're a Russian friend now Moscow won't abandon you in the face of democratic uprising.
Russia's air power has proved devastating to the rebellion.
Combined with a profligate disregard for civilian casualties in cities like Idlib and Aleppo, the rebels have been driven back into two separate main areas in the north and far south of the country.
On the ground Syrian government forces have weakened and evaporated.
Even the famed Shabiha (ghost) militia has faded away. So infantry and artillery have poured in from Hezbollah in south Lebanon, Iraqi Hezbollah, Shia fighters (often press ganged) from Iran alongside the Revolutionary Guards and even volunteers from Afghanistan.
Without them, the so-called "liberation" of Aleppo would have been impossible.
On top of that, even Assad's supporters must acknowledge that he simply does not have support from most Syrians.
Thousands evacuate Aleppo amid 'war crimes evidence'
The operation to evacuate the 50,000 civilians and rebels left in the war-torn city of Aleppo could take days, the Red Cross has said.
Thousands left the besieged city on Thursday under a deal that will allow Syria's regime to take full control of Aleppo after years of fighting.
The Russian Defence Ministry said nine convoys carrying 6,400 people had left the city in the first 24 hours of the evacuation, including 3,000 rebels and 301 wounded.
All buses and ambulances were escorted by the Russian Centre for Reconciliation and members of the Red Cross, the ministry added.
Turkey put the figure of evacuees at 8,000.
UN envoy Staffan de Mistura said about 50,000 people were still trapped, including 40,000 civilians.
The withdrawal began about a month after President Bashar al Assad's forces launched a major Russian-backed offensive to retake all of Aleppo.
In a video message, President Assad said the "liberation" of Aleppo was "history in the making".
US Secretary of State John Kerry said what had already happened in the city was "unconscionable", but warned over the fate of "tens of thousands of lives that are now concentrated into a very small area of Aleppo".
Four Syrian organisations have sent a UN commission a list of 304 attacks in Aleppo where they say Russia bears a "high likelihood" of responsibility for violating international humanitarian law.
:: PM pledges another £20m for Syria
Their letter to the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Syria, obtained by the Associated Press news agency, said the attacks led to 1,207 civilian deaths, including 380 children.
It said "evidence clearly indicates that Russia has committed or been complicit in war crimes in Syria".
The evacuations were announced on Thursday, after an initial plan for civilians and fighters to leave rebel-held areas collapsed the previous day amid renewed clashes.
The UN Security Council will meet on Friday evening to discuss the crisis in response to a request by France, which is calling for international observers to be sent to monitor the situation and ensure aid deliveries.
European Union leaders also tried to put pressure on Russia, urging the Kremlin to protect civilians, but EU President Donald Tusk acknowledged the bloc was largely powerless.
"We know we are not effective enough. Unfortunately I know who is effective enough, not in humanitarian assistance but in bombing," Mr Tusk said.
Thousands left the besieged city on Thursday under a deal that will allow Syria's regime to take full control of Aleppo after years of fighting.
The Russian Defence Ministry said nine convoys carrying 6,400 people had left the city in the first 24 hours of the evacuation, including 3,000 rebels and 301 wounded.
All buses and ambulances were escorted by the Russian Centre for Reconciliation and members of the Red Cross, the ministry added.
Turkey put the figure of evacuees at 8,000.
UN envoy Staffan de Mistura said about 50,000 people were still trapped, including 40,000 civilians.
The withdrawal began about a month after President Bashar al Assad's forces launched a major Russian-backed offensive to retake all of Aleppo.
In a video message, President Assad said the "liberation" of Aleppo was "history in the making".
US Secretary of State John Kerry said what had already happened in the city was "unconscionable", but warned over the fate of "tens of thousands of lives that are now concentrated into a very small area of Aleppo".
Four Syrian organisations have sent a UN commission a list of 304 attacks in Aleppo where they say Russia bears a "high likelihood" of responsibility for violating international humanitarian law.
:: PM pledges another £20m for Syria
Their letter to the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Syria, obtained by the Associated Press news agency, said the attacks led to 1,207 civilian deaths, including 380 children.
It said "evidence clearly indicates that Russia has committed or been complicit in war crimes in Syria".
The evacuations were announced on Thursday, after an initial plan for civilians and fighters to leave rebel-held areas collapsed the previous day amid renewed clashes.
The UN Security Council will meet on Friday evening to discuss the crisis in response to a request by France, which is calling for international observers to be sent to monitor the situation and ensure aid deliveries.
European Union leaders also tried to put pressure on Russia, urging the Kremlin to protect civilians, but EU President Donald Tusk acknowledged the bloc was largely powerless.
"We know we are not effective enough. Unfortunately I know who is effective enough, not in humanitarian assistance but in bombing," Mr Tusk said.
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