Egypt Gears up for Al-Sisi's Inauguration amid Heavy Security

A riot policeman guards while taking position for Al-Azhar University students to enter their campus, during clashes with riot police and students, who support the Muslim Brotherhood and deposed President Mohamed Mursi and are against Abdel Fattah al-Sisi's victory in the presidential elections, in Cairo's Nasr City districtReuters

Egypt is gearing up for former army chief Abdul Fattah al-Sisi's inauguration as new president amid a heavy security blanket across the capital Cairo.

The former military leader will take oath at the Supreme Constitutional Court and the ceremony will be broadcast live on state television.

Traffic has been blocked in key places in Cairo including the iconic Tahrir Square.

Scores of troops along with armoured vehicles have been deployed to tackle any untoward incident as mass celebrations are expected at various places.

The 59-year-old secured a landslide victory in the recently-held elections as his sole contender, Hamdeen Sabahi, managed to poll just 3.1% of the votes.

Several heads of state and representatives from nations across the world have already arrived in Egypt to participate in the swearing-in ceremony. As many as 15 world leaders including Palestinian Authority President, Mahmoud Abbas, are scheduled to take part in the event.

Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud are also set to attend.

The British delegation will be led by deputy ambassador Steven Hackey.

"We look to president-elect al-Sisi to take steps to implement the rights contained in Egypt's constitution by opening up political space, especially with regard to freedom of expression and association," UK Foreign Secretary, William Hague, said in a statement.

Al-Sisi has a huge challenge in front of him as the Arab world's most populous country has been reeling under a severe crisis in the last few years. Ranging from political instability to economic revival and tackling poverty, al-Sisi has a number of issues to address amid concerns that there will be little room for any dissent under his leadership.

Japan to Ban Child Pornography

Cards advertising "telekura" date clubs are stuck on public telephone booths inTokyo's Kabukicho amusement area.Reuters

Japan is to outlaw the possession of child pornography, though the depiction of child sex abuse in manga comics and anime films is to remain legal.

The country's upper house of parliament is expected to pass legislation making possession of the material punishable by one year in jail.

Though production and distribution of child pornography has been illegal for 15 years, possession remains legal in a country described by the US State Department as "an international hub" for child pornography.

Activists applauded the reform, but questioned why it had taken so long to pass the law.

"As a member of a group that's been hearing the voice of the victims for many years, we welcome the news," said Shihoko Fujiwara, a representative of Lighthouse, a nonprofit group that helps exploited children. "Japan took so long, and it is too late to reach this decision as a developed country."

However, there are notable exemptions to the ban, with manga and anime child pornograophy still legal, and those in possession of the newly banned material given one year to dispose of it.

"The primary reason [for the new rule] is to protect the rights of real children," a lower house legislative official told Agence France-Presse. "Manga, anime and computer graphics are outside its scope."

However, representatives of the animation industry said that studies had uncovered no links between animation and paedophilia in Japan.

"The goal of the law itself is to protect children from crime," he said. "Banning such expression in animation under this law would not satisfy the goal of the law."

Japan is notorious not only for the material in its animations and comic books, including the "lolicon" ("Lolita complex") genre which features depictions of pre-pubescent girls, but for its "junior idol" genre of books and DVDs which features underage girls wearing skimpy clothing and posing provocatively.

A 2012 US State Department report showed a 9.7% rise in child pornography investigations from 2011, to a record of 1,596. Japan is the only country in the G7 group of the most developed nations where it is legal to depict sex crimes against children.

Dozens Massacred in Eastern Congo 'Dispute Over Cows'

Congo rebels enter the city of Goma.Reuters

Up to 37 people, including women and children, have been massacred in the Democratic Republic of Congo's eastern province of South Kivu.

The victims, including several pregnant women, were shot, stabbed or burned in their homes on Saturday in an attack the regional governor blamed on a dispute over cattle.

South Kivu governor Marcellin Cishambo told Reuters: "It is Congolese who have carried out these attacks. It was about a dispute over cows. The problem is that everyone in this area carries a weapon."

All the victims were of Bafuliru descent, fuelling fears that the attack may have been ethnically motivated.

Local members of the Bafuliru ethnic group blamed rebels from Burundi's National Liberation Forces for the attack.

South Kivu is a mountainous region rich in minerals including gold and is home to communities that fled neighbouring Burundi after the end of a civil war in 2005.

The Congolese government said it plans to target foreign rebels operating in its eastern region after the M23 rebel group was defeated late last year.

In 2012, a joint mission in Uvira was undertaken by the head of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (Monusco) and the Congolese Minister for Home Affairs Richard Mangez in order to reconcile the Bafuliru and Barundi communities in the Ruzizi plain.

Mangez met with community leaders and vowed to investigate violence and murder in the region.

"State legislations establishing the chiefdoms in the Ruzizi plain should be respected and collaboration between the police, the army and the local population enhanced," he said.

Monusco took over from an earlier UN peacekeeping operation, the United Nations Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (Monuc), on 1 July 2010 following the passage of UN Security Council resolution 1925.

Russian Cannibal Who Ate Fisherman Friend Given Suspended Jail Sentence

The Siberian tundra where Alexei Gorulenko ate his childhood friend Andrei KoruchkinGetty

Russian fisherman, Alexei Gorulenko admitted eating the body of a friend but walked free from court.

During a trial in the Russian Sakha Republic, Gorulenko described how he devoured Andrei Koruchkin after they became lost with two other men in the remote Siberian tundra when their 4x4 plunged through the ice of a frozen river.

The prosecution alleged that Koruchkin was beaten to death before being dismembered and eaten, the Siberian Times reported.

Forensic science examinations of the recovered body parts showed that strips of flesh had been removed.

Gorulenko admitted eating the body but denied murder. "He died by himself," he said. "He froze to death. Only after that did we start eating him."

However, the post mortem shows Koruchkin suffered three blows to the head, one apparent knife wound, and multiple fractures

In a bizarre statement to the court, Gorulenko said it was "not because I was hungry – I had another reason." But he refused to give any alternative explanation.

Olga Kurochkin, the widow of the eaten man, reacted angrily to the court's decision.

"I am shocked with this verdict, and with the work of investigator who dealt with the case. Nobody expected it to end like this, that a cannibal walks free with a suspended sentence. I just can't understand what the judge was thinking about when produced such a verdict for Gorulenko," she told the Siberian Times.

She said previously: "Can you imagine what I have left? One foot with toes, one finger, and the back of his skull with some hair. This is it.

"This is all I have left from the man I loved. Having just these remains, how can I say goodbye to him? I have got almost nothing to cry over... sorry, I can't think about it, I am losing my mind with this.

"I never expected such horror could come into my life. It has ruined not just my life, but also the lives of all our relatives, and we are a big family."

She added: "Together with the remains of my husband there were also found the bones of animals. If they could kill animals, why would they need to try eating a human body?"

Prosecutors had sought ten years for Gorulenko. Russian law does not count cannibalism as a crime.

Kurochkin's widow wants the law changed. "Now I want these cannibals to be punished. I fear our police are not keen to investigate this case properly. Our law does not say a word about cannibalism, it is not a crime."

England v Honduras, World Cup 2014 Warm-up: Where to Watch Live, Preview and Team News

Wayne Rooney silenced his critics with a goal against Ecuador. Will the Manchester United star shine against Honduras?Reuters

England are in action against Honduras at Sun Life Stadium in Miami, as both teams play their final warm-up matches before leaving for the World Cup in Brazil.

Where to Watch Live

Kick-off is set for 9:45pm BST. Live coverage is on ITV 1 and UTV. Radio commentary of the game will be available on BBC Radio 5 Live.

Overview

England come into this fixture after being held to a 2-2 draw by Ecuador last Wednesday. Enner Valencia headed home for the Ecuadorians in the eighth minute but goals from Wayne Rooney and Rickie Lambert on either side of the half-time whistle gave the Three Lions a 2-1 lead.

However, Michael Arroyo's long-range effort ensured both teams share the spoils. The game was marred by a moment of scuffle between players after Raheem Sterling aimed a tackle at Antonio Valencia in the second half.

Although the Manchester United winger was unhurt, he retaliated at the Liverpool youngster, clutching his neck. Both players were eventually given their marching orders by the referee.

Roy Hodgson had rested a majority of his probable starters in Brazil except Rooney against Ecuador. He is likely to recall a majority of them, including their skipper Steven Gerrard.

Meanwhile, Honduras suffered a 2-4 defeat at the BBVA Compass Stadium in Texas last Sunday. Luis Suarez's side trailed 0-1 courtesy of Eran Zahavi's goal in the first-half but Roger Espinoza restored parity for Los Catrachos two minutes after the break.

But then more goals followed against them as an own goal from Maynor Figueroa coupled with efforts from Omer Damari and Gil Vermouth gave the Israeli's a 4-1 lead.

Espinoza, who plays for Wigan Athletic as a midfielder, then laid an assist for Carlo Costly to reduce the deficit to two goals.

Both contingents would want to leave for Brazil with a victory to boost their morale.

The Three Lions begin their campaign in Group D against Italy on 14 June before they face Uruguay and Costa Rica while Honduras are drawn in Group E and have a clash against fellow Latin American side Ecuador sandwiched between games against France and Switzerland.

Team Form

Honduras players train ahead of their final warm-up game against England.Getty Images

England

• Last Five (all competitions, most recent first): D W W L L


• Last Result: England 2-2 Ecuador

Honduras

• Last Five (all competitions, most recent first): L L W D L


• Last Result: Honduras 2-4 Israel

Team News

England

• Injured: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (knee)


• Doubtful: N/A


• Suspended: Raheem Sterling

Probable Lineup: Hart; Johnson, Cahill, Jagielka, Baines; Gerrard, Henderson; Milner, Barkley, Rooney; Sturridge

Honduras

• Injured: Arnlod Peralta (thigh)


• Doubtful: N/A


• Suspended: N/A

Probable Lineup: Valladares; Beckeles, Chavez, Bernardez, Figueroa; Najar, W Palacios, Espinoza, Chavez; Bengston, Costly

Malaysian Authorities Confirm Body is Missing Briton Gareth Huntley

Malaysian police confirm body is missing Briton Gareth Huntley#findgareth

Authorities in Malaysia have confirmed that a dead body found last week is that of Gareth Huntley. The 34-year-old British backpacker disappeared on 27 May after leaving a turtle sanctuary where he was volunteering to visit a waterfall on the island of Pulau Tioman.

Following Huntley's disappearance the Malaysian authorities came under mounting pressure, with celebrities including Stephen Fry joining the #findgareth Twitter campaign in a bid to persuade authorities to launch a major search of the area.

“We can't rule out any possibilities of foul play”

- Pahang state police chief

Prime Minister David Cameron spoke to the Malaysian prime minister about the search after receiving a letter from Huntley's mother Janet Southwell. She arrived on the island on 2 June to help with the search, which intensified in the following days. A body was found in a pond on 4 June just yards from the charity where Huntley was working as a volunteer. Mrs Southwell provided a sample of her DNA to help identify the body.

Pahang state police chief, Sharifuddin Ab Ghani said: "The cause of death is still undetermined, hence this case is still classified as sudden death at this stage, although we can't rule out any possibilities of foul play." He added: "No outside wound appeared on the body."

Huntley, originally from Yorkshire but resident in Hackney, east London, had been in Malaysia for several months and was due to travel to Singapore to begin a new job.

Gunmen Storm Iraqi University and Take Students Hostage

Iraqi security forces search for weapons during clashes with the al-Qaida-linked Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) in the city of Ramadi.Reuters

Gunmen have stormed a university in Iraq's restive Anbar province west of Baghdad and are holding dozens of students and staff hostage.

Iraqi police and army officials said militants stormed Anbar University, near the provincial capital Ramadi, on Saturday morning and detained hostages inside the university dormitory.

The militants are reported to be from the al-Qaida-linked Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant group, which has held parts of Ramadi for months.

The western Anbar province has been a focal point for Iraq's increasing sectarian violence, with Sunni militants controlling a number of areas. The violence prevented voting from taking place in the province during the 30 April parliamentary elections.

Prime Minister Nouri Malik's alliance won the elections but fell short of a majority. Opposition parties have blamed Malik for the violence, which has claimed more than 3,500 lives this year.

Malik, meanwhile, attributes the violence to external factors, such as the ongoing conflict in neighbouring Syria.

Earlier this week, militants launched an attack on the Sunni-dominated city of Samarra, 95km (60 miles) north of Baghdad.

Dozens of gunmen drove into the city attacking security checkpoints and police stations. Iraqi officials said seven members of the security forces were killed.

The Iraqi army sent in helicopter gunships and bombed the militants, but they remain in control of some parts of the city.

On Friday, dozens were killed in fighting between Sunni Islamists militants and Iraqi government troops in the northern city of Mosul.

Security sources said the militants advanced to Mosul from the north-west and killed at least four riot policemen and three soldiers. In southern Mosul, five suicide bombers stormed an arms depot and detonated their vests, killing 11 soldiers.

In the village of Muwaffakiya near Mosul, two suicide car bombs exploded, killing six members of the Shabak minority, which is often a target for Sunni Islamist insurgents.

Oil Futures End Lower Despite Jobs Boost to US Economy

Oil futures end lower this week despite signs of US economic recovery.Reuters

Oil futures witnessed mixed trade on 6 June, but ended lower for the week, even as upbeat employment data from the US pointed to a recovering American economy, the world's leading oil consumer.

Lower Asian demand could have weighed down on oil prices this week.

US July contract finished 18 cents, or 0.2%, higher at $102.66 a barrel on 6 June.

Prices ended 0.1% lower for the week as a whole.

Brent July contract finished 18 cents, or 0.2%, lower to $108.61 a barrel on 6 June.

Prices ended 0.8% lower for the week.

"All signs point to a stronger [US] economy, a stronger consumer-driven economy," said Carl Larry, analyst at Oil Outlooks & Opinions.

"And within that word, 'consumer-driven,' is 'drive,'" Larry told The Wall Street Journal.

Commerzbank Corporates & Markets said in a note: "Brent initially fell to a four-week low of less than $108 per barrel [on 5 June] before beginning to recover in the afternoon and climbing to as high as $109. Evidently some market players are hopeful that the stimulus measures announced by the ECB [on 5 June] will lend buoyancy to oil demand. At best, we could imagine that demand might increase among investors who in their hunt for yield could take advantage of the additional liquidity to purchase oil futures contracts.

"That said, speculative net long positions in Brent and WTI are already very high, which should limit the upside potential. By contrast, no significant impact on physical oil demand is likely as a result of [5 June's] ECB measures. Oil demand is fairly subdued at present, which argues against higher prices. According to figures from consultant firm Oil Movements, OPEC's oil shipments in the four weeks to 21 June will fall by 110,000 to 23.34 million barrels per day due to seasonally weaker demand in Asia..."

Libya Crisis

A Libyan central bank official has revealed that around 10 months of protests at oilfields and export terminals have wiped $30bn (£17.84bn, €21.98bn) off the country's balance sheet.

Separatists have seized and occupied oil ports in the country's east while a wave of protests has halted production at a number of key oil facilities.

Libya's oil production has plunged to around 200,000 barrels per day (b/d,) down from a pre-crisis high of 1.4 million b/d.

Gold Prices to Drop as Traders Expected to Eye Dollar and Global Equities

Gold prices set to drop next week.Reuters

Gold prices are set to drop next week with traders expected to eye assets such as a stronger US dollar and upbeat equities after solid labour market numbers from the US highlighted a recovering economy.

As many as 12 of 22 analysts polled in a Kitco Gold Survey said they expected gold prices to trade lower next week, while seven predicted that prices will rise and three forecast prices to trade sideways.

Upbeat jobs data from the world's leading economy, which has reportedly regained all jobs lost in the recession, will also bolster the US Federal Reserve's case for a withdrawal of its monetary stimulus against a backdrop of a recovering economy, suggesting other assets could offer better returns on investment.

Gold Ends Higher

US gold futures for delivery in August shed 80 cents an ounce to finish at $1,252.50 on 6 June.

Prices gained 0.52% for the week as a whole.

Spot Gold traded flat at $1,252 an ounce on 6 June.

Gold prices steadied above $1,250 an ounce on 6 June, ahead of the widely tracked US nonfarm payrolls data, following the near 1% rally in the preceding session after the European Central Bank announced measures to boost the eurozone economy.

SocGen Very Bearish

Societe Generale on 4 June raised its short-term gold forecast, but said it remained bearish over the medium to long term. The bank said it continues to recommend selling gold rallies.

SocGen has raised its 2014 average gold price forecast to $1,272 an ounce, ascribing the increase to support from the Ukraine crisis.

However, it said gold could trade well below $1,200 in 2015 and below $1,000 in 2016 when the US Federal Reserve is "likely to hike rates at a much faster pace than currently discounted by the market".

Overall, the determination of the US central bank to "maintain the US monetary policy towards tapering and gradual but protracted policy normalisation, including rising interest rates as the economic outlook continues to improve, underpin our bearish view about the gold price in the medium term," the French bank said.

As a result, SocGen forecast gold prices to average at $825 between 2017 and 2019.