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[The following is an exact transcript of this podcast.] A planet has been discovered about 325 light-years away. But what’s really interesting is that it shouldn’t exist. The planet is called WASP-18b, because it was observed by a project called WASP, the Wide Area Search for Planets. It has 10 times the mass of Jupiter, and orbits its star in less than one earth day. Because it’s crazy close to its star, only 1.4 million miles. We’re 93 million miles from the sun. Tidal interactions should have stretched the star and slowed the planet to the point where they smashed into each other a long time ago. The research is in the August 27th issue of the journal Nature. [Scientific American is part of the Nature Publishing Group.] WASP-18b is part of a class of planets called “hot Jupiters,” which are thought to have formed a great distance from their home stars and then migrated inward. Researchers say this particular planet has been around for about a billion years. We may have caught it in its death throes. Or, there are unknown factors keeping the star and planet from colliding. So astrophysicists intend to keep a close eye on WASP-18b, to either catch the orbit decaying or figure out why it isn’t. —Cynthia Graber 60-Second Science is a daily Podcast. Subscribe to this Podcast: RSS | iTunes ||||| By Steve Connor, Science Editor It's the planet that really shouldn't exist – or at least not for long. It is 10 times the size of Jupiter, orbits its own star in under 24 hours and should soon be spiralling into the surface of its searingly-hot sun. Under the laws of physics, planet WASP-18b orbiting a star 1,000 light years from Earth is too big and too close to its sun for comfort. The tidal interactions between the two massive objects should be pulling them together in a deadly gravitational embrace. British astronomers say they have made a highly unusual planetary discovery in finding WASP-18b. Either they just happened to have witnessed an exceptionally rare event that they have likened to winning the lottery, or they do not understand the tidal forces affecting distant planets beyond our own solar system. "The problem with this planet is that it's very massive and very close to its star. It should be creating tidal bulging that makes it spiral into its star," said Professor Andrew Collier Cameron of St Andrew's University. The planet is at least one billion years old, yet at this rate it should have no more than half a million years left before it crashes into its own star. The chances of finding it at this point in its life cycle is about 1 in 2,000. Professor Cameron said: "This is another bizarre planet discovery. The situation is analogous to the way tidal friction is gradually causing the Earth's spin to slow down, and the Moon to spiral away from the Earth," he said. "In this case, however, the spin of the star is slower than the orbit of the planet, so the star should be spinning up, and the planet spiralling in," he said. WASP-18b, one of more than 300 known "exoplanets" orbiting distant stars, was discovered by a team led by Coel Hellier of Keele University, whose study is published in the journal Nature. It is a hot, Jupiter-like planet where temperatures exceed 2,100C – high enough to create clouds of silica-based gems, according to Professor Cameron. If anyone could visit this planet, and survive, they might see a sky full of diamonds and sapphires, he said. | Astronomers have discovered an extrasolar planet that may eventually collide into its sun. The planet, called WASP-18b, orbits its star in under one day, and is 10 times larger than Jupiter. Its star is 1,000 light years from Earth. The discovery was made by British astronomers. The planet's name is derived from the group that discovered it, WASP (Wide Angle Search for Planets). SuperWASP (Wide Angle Search for Planets) cameras on OMI mount in 2006 The planet is approximately one billion years old. Tidal interactions between the planet and its star are pulling them together, and it will likely crash into its star in under one million years. The planet is relatively much closer to its star than Earth is to the Sun. Earth is a distance of 93 million miles from the sun, whereas WASP-18b is only 1.4 million miles from its star. Professor Andrew Collier Cameron of St. Andrew's University commented on the inherent problems with the planet: "The problem with this planet is that it's very massive and very close to its star. It should be creating tidal bulging that makes it spiral into its star." Coel Hellier of Keele University led a group of researchers that discovered the planet. Their study of WASP-18b was published in the August 27 issue of the journal ''Nature''. Scientists had a 1 in 2,000 chance of discovering the planet. There are 300 planets which are known to orbit stars other than the Sun. |
The G20 economies account for around four-fifths of all world trade and two-thirds of its population [AFP] The G20 economies account for around four-fifths of all world trade and two-thirds of its population [AFP] Washington is likely to be confronted by EU demands for new restrictions on the multimillion dollar bonuses in the financial industries of the G20, whose economies comprise about 80 per cent of all world trade. The United States and European Union are bracing for a contentious G20 summit amid differences over the economic slowdown, bankers' pay and climate change. US President Barack Obama has said the summit in Pittsburgh on Thursday and Friday is an opportunity for a "check-up" on initiatives to counter the financial crisis. But some EU ministers want a cap on bankers' pay and Nicolas Sarkozy, the French president, has threatened to walk out of the meeting if the US does not move on the issue. Other points of contention include calls for an end to all subsidies for electricity generated by fossil fuels. Anti-war, environmental and anti-poverty groups plan to demonstrate in Pittsburgh, with one group marching from a working-class suburb in a "people's uprising". About 4,000 extra police have been drafted in. 'Responsible globalisation' World Bank president Robert Zoellick has urged leaders of the G20, which comprises 19 of the world's largest economies and the European Union and contains two-thirds of the global population, to set an ambitious agenda of socially responsible globalisation. Zoellick said the G20 must avoid the narrow focus set at the last summit in London in April. "The core message of Pittsburgh needs to be more than implementing the agenda set in London, which was mostly about financial stability or reforming bankers' bonuses. I would like the G20 to talk about responsible globalisation," Zoellick told the UK's Financial Times. The World Bank president also warned of rising protectionism and called for a robust global response. "We have a low-grade fever of trade tensions and the temperature is starting to rise," he said. He urged the United States and China to settle their dispute over imports after the United States last week imposed punitive tariffs of 35 per cent on Chinese-made tyre imports - a move that prompted Beijing to lodge a complaint at the World Trade Organisation. Environmental considerations The summit precedes a UN climate change summit in Copenhagen in December, but environmental policy issues will almost certainly boil over into this week's meeting. G20-member Australia on Saturday set out its policy, insisting that developing economies should not be locked into carbon-lowering targets under a new global climate pact. Canberra has said its plan would give India and China flexibility to lower emissions through a "national schedule", potentially defusing near-stalled talks between rich and developing countries. "We simply won't get the broad participation from major developing economies that the climate needs and that Australia, in terms of our national interest, needs," climate minister Penny Wong said of Australia's proposal. European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso has warned that negotiations were "dangerously close to deadlock". In a bid to find common ground, negotiators from around 190 nations plan lead-in meetings in Pittsburgh ahead of the Copenhagen summit. ||||| PITTSBURGH - Liberal, progressive and socialist activists, along with community leaders, began gathering in Pittsburgh on Saturday for a People's Summit ahead of next week's Group of 20 world economic summit. The daylong gathering Saturday included speeches and workshops on topics as diverse as universal health care and an end to war. Democratic state Sen. Jim Ferlo, of Pittsburgh, one of the summit's sponsors, railed against globalization, what activists call the myth of free market economics, and promoted health care as a "basic human civil right." "I want to unite people in peaceful speech and peaceful discussion. I encourage each one of you to take to the streets this week," Ferlo said, referring to mass protests expected during the G-20 summit. The speakers at the rally were diverse internationally, if not philosophically. They included Walden Bello, an antiglobalist professor at the University of the Philippines and representative in that country's Congress; James Quilligan, economic adviser to former President Jimmy Carter, former Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau and former French President Francois Mitterand; and Anna Pinto, program director of the Center for Organization, Research and Education in northeast India. Generally, the speakers believe the G-20 controls the global economy on behalf of banks and transnational corporations, at the expense of most citizens. "The G-20 as a mechanism to save globalization is doomed to fail," Bello said. The G-20 leaders head nations that control about 85 percent of the world's money and are meeting to discuss initiatives they took to respond to the world economic crisis at their last meeting in London in April. The G-20 is made up of 19 member countries; the 20th member is the European Union, which rotates the council presidency. The G-20 was started in 1999. The speakers criticized media coverage of the summit as focusing too much too much on the potential threat of violence by protesters and not enough on the economic harm they say the G-20 causes. Quilligan mocked security preparations, including plans for more than 3,000 police officers downtown, as the "biggest mobilization of security in Pittsburgh history since the French and Indian War." "The myth of the G-20 is that it is representing developing countries," Quilligan said. Robert A. Enholm, executive vice president of Washington, D.C.-based Citizens for Global Solutions, said the G-20's existence proves the United Nations is failing to adequately address the interrelated concerns of the activists: energy, environment, employment and the economy. "A G-20 is, in some respects, a statement of failure," Enholm said. "Isn't that a statement about the failure of the U.N.?" Ashley Smith, of Burlington, Vt., attended the People's Summit and plans to speak at the Peoples' March to the G-20, a protest scheduled for Friday. An organizer for the International Socialist Organization, Smith was selling books and publications, including Karl Marx's "Capital" and the Socialist Worker newspaper. He said many activists, though heartened by the election of Barack Obama as the nation's first black president, want to express their disappointed with his policies to date during the G-20 protests. "He was elected with this huge expectation of change and this mandate of change and, so far, Obama has been delivering mainly to the corporate elites," Smith said. "It's been about helping Wall Street instead of Main Street." The gathering in Pittsburgh's Oakland section, near the University of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University and Carlow University, is scheduled to resume Monday and Tuesday evenings. ||||| London: G20 powers have earned a mixed report card on the much-trumpeted goals they agreed at April’s London summit, but divisions still remain ahead of the crunch follow-up in Pittsburgh this week. Here is a list of the main pledges from the London communique with details of developments since then: Fiscal expansion British Prime Minister Gordon Brown said this month that “over half” of the five trillion dollars pledged by 2010 is yet to be spent. The attention of countries like Japan, France and Germany is now increasingly turning to exit strategies—how to unwind these measures when the time is right economically. There was broad agreement at a G20 finance ministers’ meeting in London on 5 September that it was too early to withdraw fiscal stimulus amid fears this could undermine recovery. Leaders also agreed any steps had to be coordinated. Bankers pay and bonuses This is still a battleground. France wants a mandatory cap while Britain and the US oppose such strong measures. The European Union has called for sanctions against banks that hand out excessive bonuses. Officials say a compromise is likely. This could take the form of a limit on the total amount banks can pay in bonuses until they build up more capital reserves, for example. The issue of banks’ capital requirements are likely to be higher up the agenda in Pittsburgh than in London—the US wants them to put more aside so they are better placed to weather bad times. The international monetary fund The London meeting pledged to treble resources for the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to $750 billion to help countries hit by the economic crisis. IMF head Dominique Strauss-Kahn said the extra money had been raised in comments at this month’s finance ministers’ meeting in London. Officials insist work is continuing on reforming the IMF and other international institutions, but experts question whether major change is possible anytime soon due to the complexity of the reforms and unresolved arguments about giving developing countries a louder voice. Tax havens There have been significant steps forward since April, when a “grey list” of countries was published. Liechtenstein and Switzerland are among those which have signed accords to ease their long-held banking secrecy laws. The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has long worked to stamp out tax evasion, but its efforts were put in the spotlight by the G20’s calls. OECD secretary general Angel Gurria said last month there had been “nothing less than a revolution”. World trade and protectionism The current dispute between the US and China, the world’s two biggest economies, over tariffs imposed on Chinese tyres highlights that protectionism is still an issue, despite warnings from the G20 that free trade is essential to restore growth. Finance ministers meeting in London to lay the groundwork for the G20 in Pittsburgh drew up new proposals for the conclusion of the long-stalled Doha round of talks that began in 2001 to set up a global free trade pact. ||||| Posted: 7:39 am EDT September 18, 2009 Hundreds of inmates are apparently qualified for what some people are calling a "Get Out Of Jail Free" card courtesy of the G-20 summit in Pittsburgh. On Thursday, a judge revealed that up to 1,000 inmates could be released from the Allegheny County Jail before the summit next week. As of Friday, dozens of non-violent, low level, low bail inmates had already been released. The move is to make room in the jail, since police expect to arrest hundreds during the summit. A Channel 11 investigation shows the Allegheny County Jail has been releasing low-level nonviolent offenders, a practice Judge Jeffrey Manning said happens a few times a year. "I haven't been informed if there's anything unusual happening than the normal course of operation at the jail," Allegheny County chief executive Dan Onorato told Channel 11 News. However, the latest releases were put into motion a few weeks back in anticipation of G-20 arrests to make sure there was enough space to house those arrested. "This is timely, of course, in the G-20, anticipating additional arrests, certainly it is probably prudent and good public policy to do this action now," said court administrator Ray Billote. Billote said the offenders that are being released are still under supervision, and they're still required to report to their probation officer. "We're being very cautious here. No one will be improvidently released. All of these people will be properly supervised," said Administrative Judge Jeffrey Manning. Still, that has not lessened the shock for people who talked to Channel 11 News. Channel 11 News was at the jail when inmate Timothy Spanbauer was released. Spanbauer said corrections officers mentioned the release several times over the last few days. "It was while I was up on the pod," Spanbauer said. "They were talking about how they need room. They were saying for up to 1,500. Everybody was like, 'I hope it's me.'" "Wow. That is the first I've heard of it, but so that is shocking," said Pittsburgh resident Shamekia Guyton. "Guessing they must be ready and did their research." "Can't they set up a tent city for all the people arrested for stupidity?" said Russell Buchman, of Squirrel Hill. Onorato told Channel 11 News that the number of inmates released will likely be closer to 100. The county court's wisdom in freeing up jail cells is also to prevent federal fines and lawsuits for exceeding the jail's population ceiling. "Lawsuits occurred in Seattle over that very issue," Billote said. Copyright 2009 by WPXI.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Pittsburgh will host the G-20 Summit Sept. 24-25. | World leaders and protesters are heading to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in the eastern United States for the G20 summit set to begin this Thursday in Pittsburgh. Politicians at the summit will be discussing ways to help solve the global financial crisis while protesters will advocate everything from universal health care to an end to capitalism. Activists met in Pittsburgh on Saturday to discuss the issues they wanted to push. Speakers included state senator Jim Ferlo of Pittsburgh who rebuked what he called the myth of the free market. "I want to unite people in peaceful speech and peaceful discussion," Ferlo said. "I encourage each one of you to take to the streets this week." An extra 4,000 police have been transported to Pittsburgh ahead of the summit, and between 100 and 200 nonviolent prisoners were released from the local jail to make room for protesters. Meanwhile the G20 leaders are sparring over whether or not to cap banker bonuses in financial industries. G20 ministers also plan to discuss rising protectionism. At the Group of 8 meeting earlier this year in London the group decided to pledge $750 billion to the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The IMF is seeking for more money from the G20 and is responsible for loaning money to countries in exchange for the implementation of free market policies. G20 countries are responsible for 80% of the world's trade. |
Endo to quit over subsidy scandal Compiled from AP, Kyodo New farm minister Takehiko Endo decided to quit Sunday as criticism continued to mount over misuse of subsidies distributed to a farmers' mutual aid group that he headed, a source in the ruling Liberal Democratic Party said. The scandal is a fresh blow to Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who appointed Endo to the post in last week's Cabinet reshuffle as part of efforts to bounce back from the crushing defeat in the July 29 Upper House election. Chief Cabinet Secretary Kaoru Yosano, Taro Aso, secretary general of Abe's Liberal Democratic Party, and LDP Diet Affairs Committee chief Tadamori Oshima met Sunday and agreed that "an early settlement" of the issue is desirable, participants in the meeting said. Yosano met with Endo Sunday night to discuss his fate, key lawmakers said. "There is no other option than either the farm minister's voluntarily resignation or his dismissal" by the prime minister, said a senior lawmaker in the LDP-led ruling coalition. Opposition leaders meanwhile demanded Sunday that Endo resign over the scandal. Endo acknowledged Saturday that a farm cooperative he headed in his hometown of Yonezawa, Yamagata Prefecture, received ¥1.15 million in government subsidies by exaggerating weather damage to the 1999 grape harvest. He apologized for the "serious misconduct" and resigned as head of the cooperative but refused to step down as farm minister. Endo said he was not directly involved in running the association and that the association was awaiting instructions from the government's Board of Audit on what to do. The admission was a major blow to Abe, who reshuffled his Cabinet on Aug. 27 in an attempt to purge its corrupt image. "Mr. Endo should resign, or we'll nail him down in the Diet and file a censure motion," Social Democratic Party leader Mizuho Fukushima said Sunday in a debate on NHK. Naoto Kan, acting president of the opposition Democratic Party of Japan, said on an NHK program that Endo needs to offer further explanations and that the leading opposition party will call for him to testify before the Diet if necessary. Should the DPJ find that Endo is unfit to serve as farm minister, it will sponsor a censure motion, Kan said. The victory by the DPJ in the July election gave the opposition bloc a majority in the 242-seat Upper House that can pass censure motions. Even the leader of the junior coalition partner in Abe's government criticized the widespread money scandals in the ruling Liberal Democratic Party. "It's pathetic that these problems seem endless," New Komeito leader Akihiro Ota said. "We must achieve a proper result, or it will only cause public distrust. "People might not understand how the problem could be left unresolved for three years after the Board of Audit pointed it out," Ota remarked. Endo should have quit his position as head of the farm group "the moment he assumed the post of agriculture, forestry and fisheries minister," Ota added. Aso, the LDP's second in command, called on Endo to give an account that makes sense, saying on TV, "The bottom line is whether his explanation can be accepted by the public." Yosano said Endo's case is different from political funding scandals, but that he would "decide what to do" about it after seeking a further explanation from the minister. Endo is the third agricultural minister to be embroiled in money scandals since May. His predecessor Norihiko Akagi resigned in August to take responsibility for the election defeat following an office accounting scandal. Akagi's predecessor, Toshikatsu Matsuoka, killed himself in May amid allegations he misused public money. ||||| Japan PM steps down after string of scandals TOKYO (AFP) — Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe resigned on Wednesday after less than a year in power, falling victim to a string of scandals that hampered his reform agenda and sent his popularity plummeting. The conservative 52-year-old, the youngest Japanese leader in modern times and the first to be born after World War II, came to office determined to roll back the legacy of defeat by the Allies and build "a beautiful nation". But a series of gaffes and scandals cost his ruling party control of the upper house of parliament in July, and Abe conceded that the resurgent opposition had made it impossible for him to do his job. Abe's position had looked increasingly precarious as the newly empowered opposition refused to back his proposed reforms and an extension of a controversial mission in support of US-led forces in Afghanistan. "I have made my utmost efforts with my belief that we should not stop reforms. But unfortunately, the party cannot hold talks with the opposition party because I am the prime minister," a visibly emotional Abe said. Chief Cabinet Secretary Kaoru Yosano, the government's top spokesman, also alluded to health concerns. "We were worried. Prime Minister Abe was always assessing whether his health can withstand the hard schedule and pressure of a prime minister," Yosano told a press conference. And a whiff of scandal surrounded the resignation as a Japanese weekly, the Shukan Gendai, announced that it would publish an article on Saturday on alleged inheritance tax evasion by Abe at the time of his father's death. Abe said he had instructed his Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) to pick a successor "as soon as possible." The party will likely hold an election on September 19, local media reported. Abe officially remains premier until that time. Among his possible successors are Taro Aso -- the LDP secretary general and former foreign minister known for his blunt, conservative views -- and former chief cabinet secretary Yasuo Fukuda, seen as a safe pair of hands. Former prime minister Junichiro Koizumi has ruled out a return to office, turning down a request from junior LDP colleagues to run in the leadership race, the Kyodo news agency reported quoting unnamed sources. Whoever replaces Abe will face a revitalised opposition determined to do its utmost to take the reins of power. Ozawa said Abe's resignation would not soften his party's opposition to the Indian Ocean mission, which provides refuelling support for US-led forces in Afghanistan. "Our thoughts will not change just because the head of the LDP changes," he told reporters. The United States has warned that a Japanese withdrawal would damage relations between the long-standing allies, and analysts say Abe's resignation won't help matters. "How can the United States expect strong commitment from such a frail leadership?" said Takehiko Yamamoto, a professor of political science at Waseda University. Abe suffered an election drubbing in July when rural voters deserted the LDP in droves, failing to relate to the prime minister's ideological agenda, which focused on building Japan's global standing and rewriting the constitution. The opposition instead campaigned on bread-and-butter concerns such as mismanagement of the pension system and income inequality, leading to its upper house victory. The opposition blasted Abe's decision to battle on as prime minister for so long after the election defeat, only to step down just two days after pledging in parliament to remain in office. "I have never seen anything like this in my 40 years in the world of politics," said Ozawa. Abe's government was also dogged by incessant scandals involving his cabinet, with several ministers quitting and one committing suicide. Abe first came to public prominence through his tough talk on North Korea, which continued throughout his time in office. He also reached out to China and South Korea, whose ties with Japan were tense under Koizumi due to a dispute linked to war memories. China on Wednesday praised Abe for helping to improve relations between the two countries, saying he had played an "active and constructive role." Japanese share prices closed down 0.50 percent as Abe's resignation rattled investors, but the announcement had little impact on the yen. Copyright © 2013 AFP. All rights reserved. More » | Shinzō Abe photographed on February 21, 2007. Reports are stating that Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is to resign. "Unfortunately, he will announce himself his decision to resign. He has made a very significant decision," said Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) chairman for the affair of parliament, Tadamori Oshima. At 2:00 pm (local time) NHK broadcast the press conference where Abe announced his coming resignation. Abe would have been Japan's Prime Minister for just under one year. He was elected on September 26, 2006. At the conference, Abe admitted he lacked trust from Japanese people and Ichiro Ozawa, the leader of the opposite party had refused a meeting Abe had offered today. Abe expressed his concerns to continue the current foreign military mission, reportedly speaking about Afghanistan, and his expectation that resigning might change the situation around that issue and would allow the government to continue the current mission. Not mentioned at the conference, Abe's cabinet faced domestic problems too. Due to the financial scandal, Takehiko Endo resigned from the post of Minister of Agriculture on September 3, just 8 days after he was appointed to the post, the Japan Times reported. Interviewed by NHK, the opposite party leaders Ichiro Ozawa (DP), Kazuo Siki (JCP) Mizuho Fukushima (SDP) made criticizing comments separately. At the conference from 3 p.m. (local time), broadcast by NHK, Ozawa expressed mild surprise that Abe canceled the diet meeting scheduled today, implying he could have stepped down much before, and said that he didn't think he rejected the official offer of a meeting with Abe as the leader of LDP and thought such a meeting wasn't officially offered either by the government or Abe as individual. According to Ozawa, he had reported Abe would have liked to come to "greet" and had replied the question time at the Diet would be enough. |
Workers waste no time erasing Blagojevich pictures, name from Capitol SPRINGFIELD, Illinois -- Workers at the Illinois Capitol building wasted little time Thursday night changing the face of state government, shortly after Gov. Pat Quinn replaced the ousted Rod Blagojevich. The ''welcome'' sign with Blagojevich's face atop, which visitors saw as they entered the Capitol in Springfield, was quickly brought down. State employees watched and cameras snapped away. Maintenance crews arrived, first removing the gold nameplate with Blagojevich's name. Using drills and a ladder, they then brought down the 5-foot high sign to make the official change. Positioned atop a state outline and a silhouette of Abraham Lincoln, workers ripped away the official state picture of the former governor. ''Was that quick enough?'' one worker said to laughter. An employee standing nearby as the picture was taken away said, ''Do we need someone to throw a shoe?'' Moments later, the picture of Quinn was placed were Blagojevich's picture used to be. Blagojevich was arrested on federal corruption charges in December. Federal authorities allege, among other things, that he was trying to sell or trade the Senate seat that became vacant after Barack Obama was elected president. After the governor's arrest, the state House voted overwhelmingly to impeach him. ||||| The Illinois senate on Thursday found Gov. Rod Blagojevich guilty of abuse of his office and voted unanimously to oust him. Earlier, the Illinois house had voted to impeach Blagojevich. Blagojevich, 52, was arrested in December on federal corruption charges, including a scheme to benefit from appointing President Barak Obama's Senate replacement and demanding campaign contributions in exchange for state services. "Today, the Illinois Senate came to the only reasonable conclusion: Blagojevich can not continue to serve as our governor," said Sen. Dick Dubrin, D-Ill., in a statement. “It is now time to close this chapter in Illinois history. The state of Illinois is in need of a fresh start." | Rod Blagojevich in 2006 The Illinois has voted unanimously to remove disgraced Governor Rod Blagojevich from office. He has been replaced by Lt Governor . The 59-0 vote also bars him from holding public office in Illinois ever again. Blagojevich has been accused of attempting to sell the U.S. Senate seat vacated by Barack Obama when he won the presidency. He has repeatedly denied the charge. Investigators have released secretly recorded tapes of conversations which allegedly feature him talking of how much he could make from the deal. Officials in the state capital, , have immediately removed the ex-governor's name and face from public buildings, including the name plate on his office door. Official portraits have been changed to that of Quinn. Democratic senator Dick Durbin released a statement saying, "It is now time to close this chapter in Illinois history. The state of Illinois is in need of a fresh start". |
Democrat Al Franken still hasn't been officially seated as Minnesota's U.S. Senator, but that hasn't stopped him from starting to staff a Senate office. Franken's staff today announced that he plans to hire longtime DFL activist Alana Peterson to serve as his state director, a move clearly intended to position him as the likely winner of the still-unresolved contest with Republican Norm Coleman. Peterson served in a variety of political roles, most recently as political director and state field director for Rep. Jim Oberstar, dean of the state's congressional delegation. In a press release. Franken is quoted as saying Peterson will allow him to "hit the ground running on Day One," citing constituent help that is likely to be needed by Social Security recipients, small business owners and veterans. As Minnesota's second Senate seat has remained empty all year, Sen. Amy Klobuchar's staff has been under increasing strain to provide such services. Franken spokeswoman Jess McIntosh emphasized that Peterson hasn't actually yet been hired because Franken hasn't been officially certified as the winner of the Senate contest. That isn't likely imminent because Republican Norm Coleman says he will file a formal appeal this week to a three-judge panel ruling that declared Franken the winner of the election. Even so, his release today identifies Franken as "Sen.-elect," terminology his attorneys and spokespeople have been consistently using. Republicans promptly blasted Franken's announcement, dismissing it as a "publicity stunt." In a prepared statement, state GOP chairman Ron Carey said Franken "has decided that 4,400 Minnesota voters are disposable. While the due process and equal protection rights of our fellow citizens are being denied, Al Franken is determined to thumb his nose at the Minnesota Supreme Court." ||||| Coleman appeals to state Supreme Court Posted: Monday, April 20, 2009 6:21 PM by Mark Murray Filed Under: , , , From NBC's Harry Enten and Mark Murray In the latest move in the never-ending Minnesota Senate race, Norm Coleman's legal team today announced it would be filing a notice of appeal with the Minnesota Supreme Court. Coleman lawyer Jim Langdon said it could take anywhere from "two weeks to two months" for the court to begin hearing oral arguments. Langdon and fellow Coleman attorney Ben Ginsberg wouldn't say whether they would take the case to the U.S. Supreme Court if the Minnesota court ruled against Coleman. While their legal reasoning behind the appeal was similar to their arguments in front of the three-judge panel -- which ruled that Al Franken had won the most votes -- Coleman's attorneys said they hoped the state Supreme Court will look at constitutional issues regarding the recount. They believed the lower courts might have felt "constrained" by prior Minnesota Supreme Court recount rulings, and that the court can set aside these rulings aside and look at the recount's equal-protection and due-process violations. “Today, 4,400 Minnesotans have not had their voices heard or their votes counted," Coleman said in a statement released by his campaign. "The Minnesotan Supreme Court is the right place for these issues to be heard, reviewed, and decided." In a conference call responding to Coleman's appeal, Franken attorney Marc Elias said that Coleman's arguments are the "same old, same old" that the three-judge panel and Minnesota Canvassing Board rejected earlier. "Sometimes you come up on the short end of a close and bitter election," he said. "But at some point, you have to accept the reality for what it is" -- that Franken won the election. Elias added that Franken's legal team would file a motion with the state Supreme Court to expedite the proceedings. Sen. Bob Menendez, chairman of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, released this statement: "It is sad, but not surprising, that Norm Coleman would continue to drag this process out any longer. While it is certainly within his right to appeal, given all of the challenges facing this country right now, we’d hope that he would put the interest of Minnesotans above his own and allow all of us to move on." ||||| Republican Norm Coleman officially filed an appeal to the state Supreme Court Monday after a three-judge panel declared Al Franken the rightful winner of the empty Senate seat. The state Supreme Court will request briefs from each side and then proceed with the case, Coleman attorneys said in a Monday telephone conference. Coleman's team said they expect the case to be "expedited," meaning oral arguments could start in as soon as two weeks. However, the state Supreme Court is not required to hear oral arguments on the appeal. Coleman’s team is arguing equal protection — which states that all citizens should be treated equally under state law. Coleman attorney Ben Ginsberg sa id the judges denied numerous votes by being more stringent toward determining eligible ballots during the trial than local officials were during the recount. “Minnesota is a state that believes in enfranchising, not disenfranchising, voters,” Ginsberg said Monday. “There is a principle at play here.” Coleman’s attorneys said the remaining 4,400 absentee ballots they wish to have counted come from Coleman-supporting precincts, and could swing the election in his favor. Coleman’s appeal also states that the 132 missing ballots from a Dinkytown precinct should not be counted because they could not be found during the recount. However, the three-judge panel ruled that there was no foul play and the votes should count. Franken attorney Marc Elias said in a conference call Monday that despite the Coleman team stating that they want to enfranchise voters, their appeal asks to remove votes. “When it comes to disenfranchisement, no one holds a candle to the legal team put together by former Sen. Coleman,” Elias said, adding that taking votes away from Dinkytown was a “flat out, no questions asked attempt to disenfranchise [Dinkytown] voters.” Elias said their legal team plans to file a motion to the state Supreme Court tomorrow to expedite the review and have all briefs due within the first week of May. “What we have now is the death throes of the Coleman legal effort,” Elias said. He said he expects the state Supreme Court to come to the same ruling as the three-judge panel — that Franken won. David Schultz, professor at Hamline University and a nationally-recognized expert on politics, said he doesn’t expect the state Supreme Court to make a ruling before Memorial Day. Schultz said the state Supreme Court will most likely uphold the judge’s ruling. “The three-judge panel did a very good job in its opinion, and what Coleman is asking is the higher court to disagree,” he said. “I don’t think that’s going to happen.” It’s not going to happen, Shultz said, mainly because Coleman has failed to provide enough evidence to prove that there was an issue with state voting that affected the outcome of the election. There is a chance that Coleman could take the case to the U.S. Supreme Court, but Schultz said it’s unlikely. If the federal Supreme Court picked up the case, it could take until this fall to seat a senator. “Two minds are better than one” While legal battles continue, Minnesota’s lone senator, Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., works solo on policy-making and serving constituents. David Durenberger, who served Minnesota as a Republican U.S. senator for more than 15 years, s aid the state is missing out on major policy-making opportunities. “You get elected to make policy, and when making policy, two minds are better than one,” he said. Durenberger said senators typically serve on about four committees, and having one less senator reduces representation on these committees by half. Durenberger said major decisions are being made on issues presented by President Barack Obama, and they will be laid out before these committees. “That one is harder to feel for a lot of us, but as someone who has been there, that is where we are missing the most,” he said. “It is impossible for one senator to carry the national legislative burden that the Constitution requires two senators to do.” Student reactions Abdul-Rahman Magba-Kamara, University of Minnesota political science senior and chair of Minnesota College Republicans, said Coleman’s defense is something that needs to be seriously considered. “This idea that there are all these different standards in counties and precincts on how to count absentee ballots,” he said, “it does a lot of disenfranchising for a lot of voters.” Magba-Kamara said he would support Coleman taking the case all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court, and said it’s arrogant for Franken to be “declaring victory” already. “There are still a lot of things out in the air,” he said. “It just points to Franken’s character that he wants to win no matter what; he doesn’t care as long as the ballots line up on his end.” But Christine Cira , a marketing junior and former co-chair of Students for Al Franken, said she just wants to see Minnesota have a second senator. “I want to see Al Franken in office because I honestly believe in the principles he stands for,” she said. “But there is clearly a lot of work being done at Capitol Hill, and I just want Minnesota to have a voice.” ||||| Ignoring opponents' demands that he concede, Norm Coleman told the Minnesota Supreme Court Monday that a lower court got it all wrong when it ruled that Al Franken won the 2008 U.S. Senate election. "The Minnesota tradition in law [is] to enfranchise people, and their decision disenfranchises many Minnesotans whose votes have been wrongly rejected," said Coleman legal spokesman Ben Ginsberg. Republican Coleman filed notice of his appeal to the state's high court late Monday, asserting in a seven-page statement that the judges who awarded the election last week to DFLer Franken by 312 votes had deprived thousands of absentee voters of their constitutional rights to have their ballots counted. The judges did that, Coleman claims, by rejecting evidence that different standards were used across the state in counting or rejecting identical absentee ballots. They also refused to adopt a single standard to determine which ballots should be counted, he says. In addition, Coleman argues that the judges failed to look into reports that some absentee ballots were counted twice and allowed 132 Minneapolis ballots to be counted even though they went missing during the recount. But the heart of the appeal rests with the constitutional questions posed by the treatment of absentee ballots, Ginsberg said. "Where one person's ballot has counted and an identical ballot has not been counted because different jurisdictions treated it differently, there is a principle at play here," he said. Ginsberg said there's good reason to believe that Coleman can win enough of the disputed ballots to overtake Franken. However, Franken attorney Marc Elias said Coleman was refusing to accept the reality that the same arguments already had been tried and fallen short. Contrary to what Coleman's lawyers insist, he said, the claims listed in the appeal seek to have votes taken out rather than added to the count. | Norm Coleman filed an appeal with the Minnesota Supreme Court challenging opponent Al Franken's court victory last week which gave Franken a 312-vote lead in the disputed 2008 Minnesota United States Senate election, reports the ''Minneapolis Star-Tribune''. Al Franken just before addressing the 2008 Olmsted County Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party Convention in Rochester, Minnesota. Norm Coleman The basis for Coleman's appeal has yet to be given and will be included in a legal brief to be filed by the Coleman campaign later this week. Jim Langdon, lawyer for the Coleman campaign, said that the oral arguments in the court could begin in anywhere from "two weeks to two months", adding more time to a process which has continued since a razor-thin difference between the two candidates' vote totals triggered an automatic recount in November 2008. The Supreme Court is not required to hear oral arguments and it is possible they could refuse to hear the case. A spokesperson for the Franken campaign says that Coleman is up to the "same old, same old." "Sometimes you come up on the short end of a close and bitter election. But at some point, you have to accept the reality for what it is," said Marc Elias, one of Franken's lawyers. The Coleman campaign argues that 4,400 ballots from Coleman-leaning districts have improperly not been counted, while some undetermined number of ballots (perhaps contributing up to 100 of Franken's 312-vote margin) were accidentally double-counted. Coleman also argues that 132 ballots from the Dinkytown neighborhood of Minneapolis should not have been counted, since the envelope containing them was lost or stolen after the machine count and before the recount. The Franken campaign, meanwhile, supports the previous three-judge panel (from a Democrat, a Republican, and an Independent) unanimous ruling giving Franken victory. The Franken campaign, anticipating a final victory and certification by the Minnesota Secretary of State, has begun hiring a staff for Franken's senatorial office. Franken's spokespeople say he is going to start by hiring Alana Peterson, a former state director for Representative Jim Oberstar, as state director. |
Nov. 22: Click to see images looking out to space and back to Earth. By Alan Boyle Science editor MSNBC Alan Boyle Science editor • Profile • E-mail An international science team unveiled a new high-definition, interactive map of Antarctica on Tuesday, capping an eight-year satellite mapping project. The Landsat Image Mosaic of Antarctica, or LIMA, is the most geographically accurate depiction of the full continent ever made — and it’s being made freely available over the Web. Researchers can use the true-color map to plot their expeditions, geologists can get a better fix on remote rock formations, and the general public can get its best view yet of a continent that looms large in the imagination as well as real-world climate science. Story continues below ↓ advertisement advertisement "This innovation is like watching high-definition TV in living color versus watching the picture on a grainy black-and-white television," Robert Bindschadler, chief scientist for the Hydrospheric and Biospheric Sciences at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Maryland, said in the space agency's announcement of the project. During a Goddard news briefing on Tuesday, Bindschadler went even further, comparing the 100-billion-pixel database to a shiny new Ferrari he's finally able to take out on the road. "I have had an absolute ball looking at this data set," he said. Bindschadler conceived the project and initiated NASA's collection of Antarctic images from the Landsat 7 satellite in 1999. In all, about 10,000 images — most of them taken between 1999 and 2001 — were analyzed to come up with a mosaic of 1,100 images that present a cloudless, seamless view of the continent. International partners NASA's partners in the effort include the U.S. Geological Survey and the National Science Foundation, as well as the British Antarctic Survey. "Although vast and inhospitable, the Antarctic is the world's most powerful natural laboratory," Nicholas Owens, director of the British Antarctic Survey, said in a video statement. "But no one nation can possibly hope to understand and study the vastness of Antarctica, which is why it is important to work together in international collaboration." Video Antarctica online NASA's Robert Bindschadler provides a guided tour of new Web sites that offer Antarctic imagery. NASA The data set is being presented as the "first major benchmark data set" marking the International Polar Year, a scientific campaign focusing on the polar regions in 2007-2008, Bindschadler told reporters. "It was exactly this type of project the IPY visionaries had in mind," he said. The Landsat imagery covers 80 percent of the Antarctic continent, a land mass that is bigger than the contiguous United States and Mexico combined, said Scott Borg, director of Antarctic sciences at NSF. The area around the pole can't be seen by Landsat 7 because of the satellite's orbit and camera configuration, but that gap has been filled in with lower-resolution imagery from other satellites. The resolution of the LIMA imagery is 10 times better than any other continent-wide database for Antarctica — good enough to spot features half the size of a basketball court, NASA said. Borg said polar researchers can use the data to get recent snapshots of the continent's otherworldly ecosystems and compare them with future data sets. Two Web sites for the public But LIMA isn't just for scientists: "Anyone with a Web connection can now travel to Antarctica in the virtual sense," Bindschadler said. Two Web sites have been set up to make the imagery available: LIMA.USGS.gov provides a zoomable, searchable viewer to see the satellite pictures from Landsat as well as from Canada's Radarsat, a satellite that captures radar imagery of the same terrain. Different filters can be used to highlight subtle variations in color — a feature Bindschadler called the "sunglasses stretch." LIMA.NASA.gov focuses on user-friendly education and outreach. The Web site puts Antarctic imagery in a scientific context and presents interactive extras such as "Antarctic Mysteries," a quiz that invites users to identify odd-looking features from the LIMA database. A search tool links the NASA site to the USGS Web site. Borg said NSF contributed almost a million dollars to help make the data accessible over the Web, and future imagery will likely be incorporated into the database to provide a record of change over time. That's an important consideration for Antarctica, where some regions have experienced significantly more warming in the past 50 years than the global average. "The climate of our world is changing nowhere faster than in the Antarctic," Bindschadler said. Landsat 7 is due to continue capturing imagery of Antarctica and other parts of the world through 2011, when NASA is due to launch its successor, the Landsat Data Continuity Mission. Ray Byrnes, liaison for satellite missions at USGS, said his agency would work with NASA not only to get the next Landsat effort off the ground, but to get the imagery into the LIMA database as well. "NASA and USGS will do everything they can to make sure the data will be there for that purpose," Byrnes said. © 2007 MSNBC Interactive ||||| advertisement Registered User Log-In E-Mail: Password: Taiana confirms Argentina’s claim over Antarctic seabed Argentina is collecting information and preparing presentations for seabed claims in the South Atlantic and Antarctica confirmed this week Foreign Affairs minister Jorge Taiana. Taiana joins the 350 miles continental shelf minerals rush Following reports in the British press that the UK had increased the list of claims of seabed rights to include a large chunk off Antarctica, an area of over a million square kilometers, The Buenos Aires Herald contacted Mr. Taiana who acknowledged Argentina would also be filing a claim. “We are working intensively in our presentation in defense of our national interest and our legitimate sovereign rights,” said Taiana. The claims are in the framework of the United Nations Law of the Sea Convention, and the 2009 deadline, which allows coastal states to extend their rights over the ocean floor on an adjacent continental shelf up to 350 miles from shore. Submitting countries must demonstrate, with detailed geological and depth soundings, precisely the outer limits of the shelf. Coastal states would then be entitled to exploit mineral and oil and gas resources However these applications may be limited by rival claims from neighboring states as would be the case in Antarctica and the South Atlantic. The UK press pointed out that the claim on the Antarctica seabed will be most controversial because the British Antarctic Territory overlaps rival claims by Chile and Argentina. According to a Foreign Office spokes person Britain has already submitted to the United Nations a joint claim with France, Spain and the Irish Republic for part of the Bay of Biscay; is in discussions with Iceland, Ireland and Denmark on a joint claim in the Hattan-Rockall area off the west coast of Scotland and is working on a claim around Ascension island in mid Atlantic and the Falkland Islands and South Georgia in the South Atlantic another area of dispute with Argentina. Carlos Raimundi an Argentine member of Congress from the opposition and who belongs to the Malvinas Parliamentary Observatory condemned Britain’s latest announcement which he described as “imperialist” and called for a multilateral dialogue. “I think this attitude is completely oblivious to the current international and historic context. It’s also against all ecological and geophysical matters. It should be discussed in the relevant international forums. Great Britain should not make nationalist and imperialist demands; instead there should be multi-lateral dialogues.” “I totally condemn this action.” The move signals Britain's willingness to join the current rush by countries to try to secure their potential oil, gas and mineral rights to sea-beds should circumstance change. The most notable recent examples were the claim by Russia over the Arctic seabed by planting an underwater titanium Russian flag in the bottom of the sea, and France that registered a claim to thousands of square kilometers around New Caledonia, in the Pacific. Following reports in the British press that the UK had increased the list of claims of seabed rights to include a large chunk off Antarctica, an area of over a million square kilometers, The Buenos Aires Herald contacted Mr. Taiana who acknowledged Argentina would also be filing a claim.“We are working intensively in our presentation in defense of our national interest and our legitimate sovereign rights,” said Taiana.The claims are in the framework of the United Nations Law of the Sea Convention, and the 2009 deadline, which allows coastal states to extend their rights over the ocean floor on an adjacent continental shelf up to 350 miles from shore.Submitting countries must demonstrate, with detailed geological and depth soundings, precisely the outer limits of the shelf. Coastal states would then be entitled to exploit mineral and oil and gas resourcesHowever these applications may be limited by rival claims from neighboring states as would be the case in Antarctica and the South Atlantic.The UK press pointed out that the claim on the Antarctica seabed will be most controversial because the British Antarctic Territory overlaps rival claims by Chile and Argentina.According to a Foreign Office spokes person Britain has already submitted to the United Nations a joint claim with France, Spain and the Irish Republic for part of the Bay of Biscay; is in discussions with Iceland, Ireland and Denmark on a joint claim in the Hattan-Rockall area off the west coast of Scotland and is working on a claim around Ascension island in mid Atlantic and the Falkland Islands and South Georgia in the South Atlantic another area of dispute with Argentina.Carlos Raimundi an Argentine member of Congress from the opposition and who belongs to the Malvinas Parliamentary Observatory condemned Britain’s latest announcement which he described as “imperialist” and called for a multilateral dialogue.“I think this attitude is completely oblivious to the current international and historic context. It’s also against all ecological and geophysical matters. It should be discussed in the relevant international forums. Great Britain should not make nationalist and imperialist demands; instead there should be multi-lateral dialogues.”“I totally condemn this action.”The move signals Britain's willingness to join the current rush by countries to try to secure their potential oil, gas and mineral rights to sea-beds should circumstance change. The most notable recent examples were the claim by Russia over the Arctic seabed by planting an underwater titanium Russian flag in the bottom of the sea, and France that registered a claim to thousands of square kilometers around New Caledonia, in the Pacific. Download the PDF Related News: Chinese help for Argentina disarrayed Antarctic season HMS Endurance breaks ice North of James Ross Island Petrobras helps to fund Brazil’s Antarctic operations ||||| NASA has unveiled a new map of Antarctica with satellite images of unprecedented clarity that scientists say will transform research into the frozen continent. The map was produced from about 1100 pictures taken by NASA's satellite Landsat 7, showing precise details of landscape features half the size of a basketball court. The result is the most precise map of Antarctica ever made with accurate colours and high-resolution views, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration said in a release. It was made to coincide with the International Polar Year, 2007-2008. "This mosaic of images opens up a new window to the Antarctic that we just haven't had before,'' said Robert Bindschadler, chief scientist of the Hydrospheric and Biospheric Sciences Laboratory at NASA in Greenbelt, Maryland. "It will open new windows of opportunity for scientific research as well as enable the public to become much more familiar with Antarctica and how scientists use imagery in their research,'' he said. He compared the new map to "watching high-definition TV in living colour versus watching the picture on a grainy black and white television". He said the map would allow scientists to better survey and follow changes on the southernmost continent, where the effects of global warming have become increasingly apparent. NASA also said the detailed map could help guide scientific expeditions to the polar region and assist researchers studying changes in elevation in more remote areas. The map was the work of a team of researchers at NASA, the US Geological Survey and the British Antarctic Survey using 1100 images taken by Landsat 7 between 1999 and 2001. The first satellite pictures of Antarctica were taken in 1972 after the launch of the first Landsat satellite. Before that, scientists trying to map Antarctica relied on planes and survey ships. NASA has 14 satellites observing the planet's surface. The Landsat Image Mosaic of Antarctica can be viewed online at www.nasa.gov/vision/earth/lookingatearth/lima_feature.html. | High-resolution image of McMurdo Station taken by Landsat 7. Scientists at NASA have recently released the most detailed map of Antarctica ever. NASA's Landsat 7 satellite took 10,000 photographs of the continent over a period of two years, from 1999 to 2001. 1,100 pictures were chosen to form the mosaic map. Officially titled the Landsat Image Mosaic of Antarctica (LIMA), the map reveals Antarctica's geography in high definition and with accurate colors. Details as small as half the size of a basketball court are visible. NASA created the map to coincide with the International Polar Year of 2007-2008. Robert Bindschadler, chief scientist of the Hydrospheric and Biospheric Sciences Laboratory at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, remarked, “This innovation is like watching high-definition TV in living color versus watching the picture on a grainy black-and-white television.” The map represents a tenfold improvement over previous Antarctic imagery databases. Landsat 7 managed to capture 80% of the continent in high definition. While the satellite was not able to take photographs of the South Pole due to its orbit path, lower-resolution images helped fill in the gap. The map will help scientists plan and carry out expeditions on the notoriously difficult terrain. The new, intensely detailed information will also facilitate the tracking of environmental changes such as the calving of ice shelves. Researchers will be able to use such data to better understand phenomena like global warming in such amazing detail that even relatively small changes will be visible. Geologists, on the other hand, will be able to use the maps to study Antarctic rock formations. Comparison of the same Antarctic landscape taken by the older MODIS instrument in lower resolution (left), and the newer Landsat 7 satellite (right). The LIMA images are available to the public via the internet. The National Science Foundation contributed nearly US$1 million to create the website. The Landsat 7 satellite will continue to document Antarctica from space through to 2011. Subsequently, NASA will launch the Landsat Data Continuity Mission. Information from both projects will update the map. |
Please turn on JavaScript. Media requires JavaScript to play. Glamour model Sophie Reade, who changed her name to Dogface to compete in the reality show, has won Big Brother 10. The 20-year-old from Nantwich, Cheshire, saw off competition from "slave to fashion" Siavash Sabbaghpour, 23, to win the prize fund of £71,320. Earlier, the public voted David Ramsden third, Charlie Drummond fourth and Rodrigo Lopes fifth. Sophie, who won 74.4% of the final vote, said: "I never thought I would win...I can't believe it." She said winning made her feel "really accepted". Early figures suggest 3.1m viewers saw Sophie crowned the winner "Because I get my boobs out for a living people think I'm tacky, an airhead and I'll have no personality. I think people can see past that," she said. She added she planned to spend her prize money on clothes and give some away to charity. The remainder of the £100,000 prize fund, which had been taken away after the housemates tried to break out, will go to charity Channel 4 said. 'I'm sorry' During her 13 weeks in the show, Sophie became known for her relationship with fellow housemate Kris Donnelly, her amusing antics while drunk, her constant eating and subsequent fears over her growing weight and her shaky grasp of geography. After telling fellow housemates that she thought Africa was a country rather than a continent, Big Brother set her a task in which she had to correctly place 10 countries on a map. She managed just two, after placing Germany and Japan in Africa. Siavash left the house in the clothes provided by Big Brother In Pictures: Big Brother 10 final She initially earned her status as a housemate when she agreed to Big Brother's request to legally change her name to Dogface by deed poll, although the show agreed to let her change it back again several weeks later. Second-placed Siavash left the house wearing a leotard and high heels as part of a task he had been set to earn £20,000 towards the prize fund. He was reluctant to discuss his short-lived romance with housemate Noirin Kelly, which the Irishwoman ended when her on-off boyfriend joined them in the house. But Siavash offered a public apology to his ex-girlfriend for kissing Noirin saying: "I'm sorry. I'm so, so sorry. Things are really weird in the house." Earlier David, a recycled clothing sorter from Dewsbury, told McCall he was feeling "bloody brilliant" after finishing third. He said he was thrilled to have made it to the final after joining the show halfway through, as one of five new housemates added in July. "I have watched every series from day one," he said. 'Natural end' Newcastle customer service advisor Charlie said he was not disappointed to have not won, adding: "I have already won. I have got on the show." Brazilian student Rodrigo, the first housemate to be evicted from the live final, told McCall he felt his success on the show made him feel accepted by people in Britain. All the housemates from the series attended the final show "Everyone knows how much I love this country - I feel that I am British," he said. Last week, Channel 4 announced that next year's series of Big Brother would be the last on the channel. Director of television Kevin Lygo said the show "had reached a natural end point" and that it was "time to move on". The decision follows a sharp decline in the number of viewers watching the show. The latest series attracted about two million viewers per show - compared with an audience high of eight million in 2002. Early figures suggest 3.1m people saw Sophie announced the winner during the live final on Friday. Bookmark with: Delicious Digg reddit Facebook StumbleUpon What are these? E-mail this to a friend Printable version ||||| Sophie Wins Big Brother 10 Siavash finished in 2nd place, David 3rd, Charlie in 4th and Rodrigo in 5th place. Big Brother series 10 ended its 93-day run with host Davina McCall revealing Sophie as this year's winner. Sophie had received 74.4% of the total vote - beating Siavash who received 26%. On hearing the news Sophie was stunned and grabbed Siavash's hands repeating: "I've not won," Siavash grabbed her saying: "You've done it," before giving Sophie a big hug. Runner-up Siavash said: "I love you, I'll see you in a minute," before walking out of the Big Brother house to greet Davina and a cheering crowd. David finished in 3rd place, Charlie in 4th place, and Rodrigo in 5th place. ||||| Big Brother introduced "surveillance TV" to UK screens Channel 4's final series of reality TV show Big Brother will be broadcast next year, the broadcaster has announced. The station, home of the programme since it began in 2000, will honour its deal to screen series 11 next summer. Big Brother has suffered from falling ratings in recent years, with the current run the least watched. The show may not disappear from British TV screens, with the prospect of producers Endemol securing a deal with another broadcaster. The latest series has picked up about two million viewers, compared to an audience high of eight million in 2002. The programme thrust contestants including Jade Goody, "Nasty" Nick Bateman and Kate Lawler into the spotlight. Big Brother also spawned a celebrity spin-off, with one more series expected to be screened at the beginning of 2011. | Glamour model Sophie Reade has won the tenth series of the British version of reality TV show Big Brother. Sophie is a 20-year-old from Nantwich, Cheshire, England who has posed nude for Playboy UK and changed her name to "Dogface" for the purposes of getting onto the show. She won the prize fund of £71,320 (US$118,846) on the final on Friday night, beating runner-up contestant Siavash Sabbaghpour, with final votes of 74.4% to Siavash's 26%. Sophie was also the bookmasters' favourite to win. She said: "I never thought I could win...I could hardly believe it." The British public earlier phoned in and voted David Ramsden third, Charlie Drummond fourth, and Rodrigo Lopes fifth. Channel 4, the channel which has been showing Big Brother in the United Kingdom for the last ten years, recently announced that next year's series would be the last due to a decline of six million viewers since the 2002 series, which got a maximum of eight million viewers. Kevin Lygo, Channel 4's Director of Television, said that Big Brother "had reached a natural end point on Channel 4 and it's time to move on". Production company Endemol have said that they were enormously proud of their partnership with the British television channel and stated: "We have every intention of celebrating the show's historic run on Channel 4 with great final series of both Celebrity Big Brother and the summer series in 2010. As for 2011, stay tuned. Big Brother will get back to you…" |
Michael Warren, 46, was arrested by the New Zealand police officer seconded to the island, a remote outcrop that lies 3,000 miles from Auckland, on behalf of the British High Commission. He has been charged with possessing indecent photos of children and possessing pornographic images, videos and documents involving children and will appear in the island's magistrate's court later this month, according to the New Zealand Herald. About a third of all the adult men on the tiny island, which is home to about 50 people and is only accessible by boat, have faced child sex charges in two high-profile cases in the past six years. In 2007, two men were found guilty of rape and related offences against children as young as seven, following the conviction of six others on similar charges in 2004. The mayor at the time, Steve Christian, was one of the men convicted. His sons were also among the men found guilty of rapes and indecent assaults. Christian spent just nine months in a jail on the island for his crimes. Mr Warren, who was elected mayor three years ago, was not one of the men charged in the previous sex scandals on Pitcairn, but he was a strong supporter of the men involved. He has said he will "vigorously defend" the charges. According to court documents, police examined Mr Warren's computers and found more than 1,000 pornographic images and videos of children on them. Pitcairn, which is just three miles long and lies midway between New Zealand and Chile, was settled in 1789 by mutineers from the HMS Bounty and women kidnapped from Polynesian islands. ||||| By Kathy Mark, Asia-Pacific Correspondent The mayor of Pitcairn Island, the British territory in the South Pacific convulsed by a child sexual abuse scandal in recent years, has been charged with multiple counts of possessing child pornography. Michael Warren, 46, was arrested by a New Zealand police officer posted to the island, an isolated chunk of rock populated largely by descendants of the Bounty mutineers. More than 1,000 pornographic images and videos featuring children were allegedly found on his computers. At high-profile trials held on the island and in New Zealand in 2004-06, nine Pitcairners were convicted of raping and sexually assaulting girls as young as seven. A British police investigation had uncovered abuse dating back to the 1950s, with 30 locals named as offenders. Elected mayor three years ago, Mr Warren was not involved in that case, but he was a vociferous supporter of the men, denouncing the prosecution as "a set-up" by the British. Those convicted included his predecessor as community leader, Steve Christian, who was convicted of five rapes, and Steve's two sons, Randy and Shawn, who gang-raped a 10-year-old. Mr Warren has been charged with 20 representative counts of possessing indecent photographs and five of possessing pornographic images, videos and documents, all relating to children, the New Zealand Herald reported. A court hearing was held by video-link last week, connecting Mr Warren in Pitcairn with his lawyer in Wellington and a prosecutor and magistrate in Auckland. Since the rape trials, Britain has pumped nearly £20m into the island, home to 57 people and accessible only by boat. Roads and landing facilities have been upgraded, telephones and satellite television have been installed, and efforts are being made to establish a tourism industry. Outsiders, though, question whether the culture of child abuse – which some islanders believe took root in 1790, when Fletcher Christian and his fellow mutineers landed with their kidnapped Polynesian brides – has been erased. "That doesn't happen overnight; it requires generational change," a British official connected with Pitcairn said recently. Five of the convicted men served time in a local jail, but by British standards their sentences were derisory. Steve Christian was behind bars for just nine months; the worst offender, Brian Young, who repeatedly raped two girls aged seven and nine, was out after 18 months. | Adamstown, the capital of the Pitcairn Islands , the of the Pitcairn Islands, has been arrested and charged with possessing images and videos of . He was charged with twenty counts of possessing indecent images of children and five counts of possessing pornographic images, videos, and documents concerning children. Warren was arrested by a New Zealand police officer posted on the island. The Pitcairn Islands, which are home to around 50 people, have seen about a third of the male population face child sex charges, with major cases in 2004 and 2007. In 2004, six men were charged with offences against children as young as seven. Three years later, two men were charged in a similar case. Mayor Warren was not involved in the previous trials, but did speak out against the charges and defended the accused, one of whom was former mayor . Warren was elected Mayor three years ago and said he would "vigorously defend" the suspects. |
Published Date: 20 March 2011 ONE OF the world's most famous polar bears died without warning at his compound at Berlin zoo yesterday, his keepers have said. ADVERTISEMENT Knut, who was raised by humans and became a star attraction at the German zoo, died suddenly while hundreds of shocked visitors looked on.Mourners gathered at the zoo last night with Berlin's mayor calling the death "awful".The four-year-old shot to fame after his keepers were forced to raise him after he was rejected by his mother after being born into captivity.Since he was unveiled at Berlin zoo, attendance at the zoo has doubled, according to officials.He was considered of such high worth to his Berlin owners that they paid another zoo ¤430,000 to end a legal dispute over ownership.Knut even featured on the front page of Vanity Fair in 2007, posing with Leonardo DiCaprio in a picture shot by celebrated photographer Annie Leibovitz.Polar Bears have a life expectancy of between 15 and 20 years in the wild and can live longer in captivity.Heiner Kloes, a bear keeper at the zoo, said: "It was a completely normal day. He was with the female bears before, who had just been shut away. Then Knut strolled around the enclosure, went into the water, had a short spasm and died."As many as 700 visitors were at the compound when Knut died, officials said. One visitor said the polar bear had been lying motionless with only his back showing for ten minutes before his compound was fenced off by zoo staff.Another on-looker, 30-year-old Italian Camilla Verde, said: "Everyone was asking, why is Knut not moving?"All the zoo keepers who put up the fences were so very sad. One of the said, 'He was our baby'."Berlin's Mayor, Klaus Wowereit, said "We all held him so dear. He was the star of the Berlin zoos."Though exact numbers have never been released, Knut merchandise is believed to have brought in hundreds of thousands of euros to the zoo.A post-mortem will be carried out tomorrow in an attempt to establish the exact cause of death. ||||| BERLIN – Berlin's beloved polar bear Knut, an international star who as a cuddly, fluffy cub graced magazine covers, movies and merchandise, died Saturday. His death at the young age of four took zookeepers and animal experts by surprise. The celebrity bear died suddenly in his compound at the Berlin Zoo on Saturday afternoon, bear keeper Heiner Kloes told The Associated Press. He waded into the water in his enclosure before having a short spasm and then dying in front of hundreds of zoo visitors. While the life expectancy of polar bear in the wild is between 15 and 20 years, animals in captivity can live even longer because they are not exposed to hunger, thirst or infections. A postmortem will be conducted on Monday to try to pinpoint the cause of death, Kloes said. "He certainly did not die of old age," Thomas Pietsch from the Vier Pfoten group for the prevention of cruelty to animals told German news agency DAPD. His death was met by an immediate outpouring of sorrow. As the news of Knut's death spread through the city, more Knut fans showed up at the zoo, assembling in front of the bear compound to mourn his loss. Berlin Mayor Klaus Wowereit called Knut's death "awful," telling the B.Z. daily, "we all held him so dear." "He was the star of the Berlin zoos," he said. Rejected by his mother at birth on December 5, 2006, along with his twin brother, who only survived a couple of days, Knut first attracted attention when his main caregiver, Thomas Doerflein, camped out at the zoo to give the button-eyed cub his bottle every two hours. Doerflein cuddled and played with him at daily public appearances to the delight of thousands of people who came to watch. Fan clubs sprung up across the globe, including in Japan, the United States and Germany. Fans followed his every move, including his weight battle — he had a weakness for croissants — or plans to move to a different zoo. "Knutmania" led to a 2007 Vanity Fair cover with actor Leonardo DiCaprio shot by photographer Annie Leibovitz, a film and plush likenesses. Though the zoo has never released exact numbers, Knut merchandise including postcards, key chains, candy and stuffed Knuts have brought in hundreds of thousands of euros. He was so adored, and profitable, Berlin's zoo paid some euro430,000 ($600,000) to the Neumuenster zoo to settle a financial dispute over his ownership. Neumuenster owns Knut's father and had insisted it was the legal owner of Knut, the elder bear's first offspring. No longer a cub, Knut grew rapidly, weighing a hulking 440-pounds (200-kilograms) by age two, and trading in white fluff for yellowish fur. Doerflein, the zookeeper who raised him, died in 2008 of a heart attack, earning front page headlines in German newspapaper as "Knut's daddy." Between 600 and 700 people were at his compound when Knut died, zoo officials said. One visitor said she watched Knut lying on the surface of the water motionless with only his back showing for ten minutes until zookeepers came and fenced off the compound. "Everybody was asking, 'What's going on, why is Knut not moving?'" said Camilla Verde, a 30-year-old Italian who lives in Berlin. "All the zoo keepers who put up the fences were so very sad. One of them said, 'He was our baby,'" she said. Some said they feared Knut had died from all the stress that stardom brings. "I suspect he died of a heart attack," said Elke Neumann, who had come to Knut's enclosure when she heard of his death. "And I hope the medical officials will be able to confirm that it was because of stress." _____ Markus Schreiber and Tomislav Skaro contributed reporting from Berlin. | Knut at his debut at the Berlin Zoo in 2007 celebrity named died suddenly in his compound at the Berlin Zoo yesterday. No immediate cause of death was given. Knut has been featured on magazine covers and merchandise, and doubled the attendance at the zoo, according to Zoo officials. One of the bear keepers at the zoo, Heiner Kloes, said: "It was a completely normal day. He was with the female bears before, who had just been shut away. Then Knut strolled around the enclosure, went into the water, had a short spasm and died." Knut was four years old. In the wild polar bears have a life expectancy of between 15 and 20 years, while in captivity they can live longer. An autopsy is expected to be performed. Knut was born in captivity and was raised by humans after his mother rejected him. He first drew attention when caregiver, , temporarily lived at the zoo to be able to give the cub his bottle every two hours. Knut made daily public appearances in which his caregiver cuddled and played with the cub to the pleasure of thousands of visitors. Around the world fan clubs formed, including in the United States, Japan, and Germany. Fans were interested in all aspects of his life, including his battle with gaining weight and plans to relocate to a different zoo. Famed photographer shot a 2007 cover featuring Knut with actor . Knut was a money maker for the Berlin Zoo through the sales of various merchandise including photos, key chains, food items, and stuffed likenesses. Berlin Mayor called the death of Knut "awful". == Sources == * * |
The suspect posed with a Turkish flag next to security officials Footage showed Ogun Samast, 17, in front of one flag and holding another while uniformed police posed with him. The images caused shock in Turkey, with one newspaper suggesting the teenager was treated like a hero. He is accused of killing Hrant Dink, who was shot dead outside his newspaper offices in Istanbul on 19 January. Mr Dink was well-known for writing controversial articles about the mass killing of Armenians by Turks during World War I. He had been the target of multiple death threats from Turkish nationalists. His murder triggered anger and shock across Turkey. 'Shoulder to shoulder' Several Turkish television stations showed the footage, said to have been filmed shortly after Mr Samast was captured. Mr Samast was charged last week with Hrant Dink's murder In the background, a poster shows a quote from Turkish founder Mustafa Kemal Ataturk: "The nation's land is sacred. It cannot be left to fate." Sabah newspaper accused police of standing "shoulder to shoulder with the gunman", while another newspaper, Vatan, called the images as serious as the killing itself. Ismet Berkan, editor of the Radikal newspaper, said that the footage proved "that the murderer and his associates are not alone, that their supporters... have penetrated all segments of the state". Police spokesman Ismail Caliskan said an investigation was under way into officers seen in the footage, as well as into who leaked it to the media. ||||| Samast Bayrampaşa'da da 'resmi tören'le karşılanmış Hrant Dink'in katil zanlısı Ogün Samast tutuklandıktan sonra Bayrampaşa Cezaevi'ne konuldu. Burada dört gün boyunca krallar gibi yaşayan Samast daha sonra Kandıra F Tipi Cezaevi'ne nakledildi. FOTOĞRAF: ÖMER ERİM BAŞTIMAR / AA Polis ve jandarmanın birlikte fotoğraf çektirdiği Samast'a hapishanede de kahraman muamelesi yapıldı: Kalacağı yer tahtakurularına karşı ilaçlandı, yeni yatak verildi, nevresimleri de ipektendi 03/02/2007 (3837 kişi okudu) ADİL KÜÇÜK (Arşivi) Temizlik seferberliği Boşalan müşahede bölümünde ise hummalı bir çalışma başlatıldı. Tahtakurularından vücudu delik deşik olan tutukluların aylardır yaptıkları şikâyetlere aldırmayan idare, her yeri temizletiyor, ilaçlatıyordu. Duvarlar boyanmış, hücre tabanına da kırmızı halı serilmişti. Depodan yeni bir pamuk yatak getirtilmiş, üzerine de ipek nevresim takımları geçirilmişti. 102 ekran televizyonla birlikte müşahede bölümü, bilmem kaç yıldızlı bir otel görünümündeydi artık. Tek eksik kalmıştı, o da, yapılan hazırlıklardan çok hatırlı olduğu anlaşılan 'misafir'di. 24 Ocak günü ana malta girişinde kopan alkış tufanı merakları giderdi. Ogün Samast gelmişti. Bayrampaşa Cezaevi'nde üç gündür idarenin yaptığı hazırlıklar, Hrant Dink'in katilini rahat ettirmek, onu krallar gibi ağırlamak içindi. Gardiyanlar ve askerler alkışlarla karşıladıkları katili, hazırlanan özel bölüme yerleştirdi. Sürekli başında bekleşen iki gardiyan ise, katil konuk kuş sütünden eksik kalmasın diyeydi. Film içinde film Mal bildiriminde bulunmadığı için hakkında kesilen 10 günlük hapis cezasını Bayrampaşa Cezaevi'nde çekmek zorunda kalan Hasan Ersoylu, Dink'in katili Ogün Samast'ın tutuklandıktan sonra asker ve gardiyanlar tarafından nasıl kahraman gibi karşılanıp krallar gibi ağırlandığnı anlattı. Hasan Ersoylu, hafızasını biraz zorlayan Radikal okuru için tanıdık bir isim. Yanlış bir yargı kararı yüzünden yıllarca hapis yattıktan sonra devletin 'pardon' diyerek serbest bıraktığı kader mahkûmlarından biri o. Ersoylu'nun hayat hikâyesi, Ferhan Şensoy'un çektiği 'Pardon' filminin de senaryosuna ilham vermişti. Ersoylu'nun film gibi hayatı hiç mutlu bir son vaat etmeyecekti. Nitekim; Bayrampaşa Cezaevi'ne ocak ayı ortalarında yeniden düşmesi de, haksız yere onca yıl hapis yattıktan sonra bir türlü iki yakasını bir araya getirememesinin sonucuydu. Ersoylu, kredi kartı borcunu ödeyemediği için açılan davada "mal bildiriminde bulunmadığı" için 10 gün hapse çarptırılmış, Bayrampaşa Cezaevi'nin müşahede bölümüne konulmuştu. Sayılı gün tez geçiyordu. Ta ki, bir sabah gardiyanlar kapısına gelip "Hazırlan, B-4 koğuşuna gideceksin" diyene kadar. Ersoylu, huzuru kaçan diğer arkadaşlarıyla birlikte koğuşu boşaltıp maltaya doğru yürüdüğünde gözleri önünde çevrilecek olan bir başka 'derin film'in de seyircisi olacaktı. Hasan Ersoylu, Bayrampaşa Cezaevi'nde yataklarından kaldırılıp B-4 koğuşuna gittikten sonra tanık olduklarını şöyle anlatıyor: "Bizi 100 kişi aynı koğuşa tıktılar. Bizden boşalan tektekleri (müşahede) yıkayıp temizlediler. Biz orada kalırken pislik içindeydik, vücudumuz tahtakurusu ısırıklarıyla dolmuştu. Kaç defa ilaçlayın desek de bizi dinleyen bile olmamıştı. Şimdi hücreler ilaçlanmış, hatta duvarlar da boyanmıştı. Bir hücrenin tabanına kırmızı halı döşemişler. Yeni yataklar, ipek nevresimler... Bir de 102 ekran televizyon getirtildi. Burayı kimin için hazırladıklarını başlangıçta hiçbirimiz anlayamamıştık. Ama bu kral dairesine ya ünlü bir mafya lideri ya da tanınmış bir politikacının geleceği konuşuluyordu. Alkışlarla karşılandı Bir gün sonra maltadan büyük bir alkış yükseldi. Duvarlardan yankılanan sesler, bütün koğuşlardan duyuldu. Meğer gardiyan ve askerler dizilmiş, ana kapıdan içeri giren Ogün Samast'ı karşılıyorlarmış. Sonra onu temizleyip ilaçladıkları, duvarlarını boyayıp tabanına kırmızı halı serdikleri bölüme yerleştirdiler. Başına da iki gardiyan dikmişler, bütün istekleri karşılansın diye. | Hrant Dink, a Turkish-Armenian journalist, was assassinated MHP and CHP, two major Turkish political parties, as well as by a militant who hijacked a ferry to protest the placards. According to news reports from Turkey, a number of the members of the Turkish security forces, though unofficially, are treating Ogün Samast, the assassin of Hrant Dink as if he were a national hero. For instance, after being taken into custody, Samast was filmed shoulder to shoulder with the Turkish police, in front of a Turkish flag and a quote from Turkey's founder Atatürk: "The nation's land is sacred. It cannot be left to fate." On January 24th, Ogün Samast was transferred to the Bayrampaşa prison, Istanbul's largest prison. Before the transfer, inmates from a section of the prison were temporarily moved to another section, which, as a result, housed more than 100 inmates, 80 more than its maximum capacity. Then, the now-vacant section, often subject to inmates' complaints regarding bedbugs, was cleaned and disinfected. Finally, the walls were painted, a brand new cotton bed was put in, and red carpet was laid out on the floors of the section. When Samast was brought to the Bayrampaşa Prison, inmates witnessed that he was welcomed with cheers and applause by the jail management, soldiers, and the guards. Witnesses also report that Samast was given two guards to serve him. He ate kebab, a luxury food compared to the food given to other inmates. After four days, Samast was transferred to the Kandıra F-type Prison. Ultra-nationalist elements of the Turkish society seem to have penetrated into the Turkish security forces. These events resulted major Turkish newspapers such as Sabah, Radikal, and Vatan to accuse the Turkish security forces and the Turkish state of supporting, endorsing, and cooperating with the killers of the journalist. A 52 year old Turkish-Armenian journalist, Hrant Dink was assassinated in front of the Agos newspaper office, at the Istanbul district of Osmanbey, where he worked as the editor and a journalist. Dink, a brave journalist who was not afraid to discuss one of Turkey's most controversial issues, clearly called what happened to Armenians in 1915 when the land was being governed by the Ottoman Empire the Armenian Genocide. Following her father's assassination, Dink's daughter, referring to the fascist obsession with pure blood, said: Large numbers of people marched protesting the killing of Hrant Dink on the day of his funeral, carrying placards that read "We are all Armenian" and "We are all Hrant Dink". |
There can be only one 'Champ-liss'! In the years most dramatic result, American pilot Kirby Chambliss won the Red Bull Air Race World Series on Sunday despite a third place finish, while Hungarian pilot Peter Besenyei claimed victory in the final leg of the competition as 300,000 spectators looked on from the banks of Perths Swan River. With a total of 34 points in the run-up to todays race, Chambliss was the odds-on favourite and was well ahead of his rivals in overall points. With a Series win all but guaranteed, Chambliss played it safe and flew into easy victory behind Besenyei and Britains Paul Bonhomme, who fulfilled his ambitious goal of a podium finish. The chance for the title was very slim and thats why I didnt think about it, said Besenyei. Victory in the season finale means a great deal to me. Seeing the hundreds of thousands of fans along the Swan River was an incredible experience, especially from the sky. Winning the Red Bull Air Race World Series has become my crowning achievement", said Chambliss. "Theres just no other series like it in the aviation sport. Besenyei finished in 02:39.78, followed by Bonhomme (02:40.37) and Chambliss (02:42.24). It was Besenyeis second win of the season after his first place finish in Barcelona in May. Flying just metres above the water and under a clear blue sky, the pilots flew at speeds of over 400kph while negotiating a series of inflatable air gates in front of the cheering crowds. It was an outstanding end to an exciting season that has attracted and thrilled more than 6 million spectators worldwide to watch eleven of the worlds best race pilots compete in challenging, high-speed and one-of-a-kind courses. ||||| The finals of the Red Bull World Series 2006 are in the Australian city Perth. The City of Perth is focused on the central business district and surrounding inner city residential areas. Nestled in a picturesque natural amphitheatre, bordered by Kings Park botanical gardens and the beautiful Swan River. Over 80 kilometres (50 miles) of white sandy beaches to sunbathe on and a mecca of outdoor activities and experiences to enjoy. Public transport within the central city is free. The very popular CATS bus service travels on fixed east-west and north-south routes, guaranteeing the traveler's return to their point of boarding. Two major bus terminals and the central train station make public transport access to other suburbs in Perth an inexpensive and easy travel option. | Chambliss with the Championship Trophy American Kirby Chambliss has won the 2006 Red Bull Air Race World Series despite a win from Hungarian team mate, Peter Besenyei in the final leg in Perth, Western Australia. Briton Paul Bonhomme came second in the Perth event while Chambliss came in one back in third place. More than 300,000 people turned up on the shores of Perth's Swan River to catch a glimps of the 11 pilots. Despite coming third, Chambliss still won the 2006 series, coming into the event with 34 points. Besenyei was the closet behind Chambliss before Perth, with 29 championship points. A plane from the Red Bull team racing during the Perth event '''Final Times''' Pos. Pilot Time 1. Peter Besenyei 02:39:78 2 Paul Bonhomme 02:40:37 3 Kirby Chambliss 02:42:24 4 Mike Mangold 02:47:44 5 Steve Jones 02:49:01 6 Micheal Goulian 02:49:32 7 Alejandro Maclean 02:51:64 8 Nigel Lamb 02:51.70 9 Nicolas Ivanoff 02:55.02 10 Klaus Schrodt 02:59.60 11 Frank Versteegh 03:02.46 '''Final Standings''' Pos. Pilot Points 1. Kirby Chambliss 38 2. Peter Besenyei 35 3. Mike Mangold 30 |
All 10 occupants killed in small plane crash in Utah LOS ANGELES (AFP) — Ten people were killed when a twin-engine plane crashed after take-off at an airport close to the mountain biking mecca town of Moab, in the northwestern state of Utah, police said. The plane "it is believed ... crashed shortly after take off," at around 6:00pm Friday (0000 GMT Saturday) near Canyonlands Field, close to Arches National Park, Grand County Sheriff James Nyland said in a press release. Alerted by reports of fire, "investigators located a downed aircraft which was fully engulfed in flames," he added. "None of the occupants of the plane survived the crash," Nyland said. All 10 occupants, the pilot and nine passengers, are believed to have been residents of Cedar City, Utah, where they were heading to at the time of the crash, he added. "The exact cause of the crash remains undetermined at this time" and is under investigation, the sheriff said. The plane was a twin-engine King Air aircraft. Copyright © 2013 AFP. All rights reserved. More » ||||| MOAB, Utah — A twin-engine plane crashed and burned near an airport not far from Arches National Park in southeastern Utah, killing all 10 people on board, an official said Saturday. The plane was fully engulfed in flames when emergency responders arrived late Friday at the site about two miles from the Canyonlands Field airport, and there were no survivors, Grand County Sheriff James Nyland said. Nyland said the plane had taken off from the airport, about 18 miles northwest of Moab. Lt. Steve White told KCYN radio in Moab that the plane “pancaked” and skidded along the ground. The airplane was a King Air A-100, said Mike Fergus, a spokesman for the Federal Aviation Administration in Seattle. He said that “to the best of our knowledge” no flight plan had been filed for the trip, but he said that isn’t unusual. Representatives of the National Transportation Safety Board and the FAA were expected at the scene Saturday, officials said. Nyland said the victims were the director of Red Canyon Aesthetics & Medical Spa, a dermatology clinic headquartered in Cedar City, his clinic staff and the pilot. He identified them as pilot David White; Dr. Lansing Ellsworth; David Goddard; Mandy Johnson; Marcie Tillery, 29; Valerie Imlay, 52; Keith Shumway, 29; Dallon Ellsworth, 24; Camie Vigil, 25; and Cecilee Goddard, 25. Lansing Ellsworth had recently started a monthly skin clinic in Moab, Nyland said. Red Canyon Aesthetics has seven clinics in Utah, two in Nevada and one in Page, Ariz., according to the company’s Web site. | A Beechcraft King Air 100, similar to the one that crashed. A small twin engine Beechcraft King Air A-100 plane has crashed in Southeastern Utah near Arches National Park killing all 10 people aboard. The plane crashed shortly after takeoff from Canyonlands Field airport at around 5:55 p.m. (mountain time) on Friday evening. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is currently investigating the cause of the crash. According to James Nyland of the Grand County Sheriff's department, there was no bad weather and winds were minimal when the plane crashed and burst into flames two miles from the airport. The nine passengers were part of a group of dermatologists from Cedar City. The director of Red Canyon Aesthetics & Medical Spa, Dr. Lansing Ellsworth, and his eight staff members were all killed, along with the pilot, David White. The plane was operated by Leavitt Group Wings. |
U.S. Yahoo News A group of House Democrats is mounting a renewed push to strip J. Edgar Hoover's name off the FBI headquarters in the wake of a powerful new film that highlights one of the bureau's worst abuses under his leadership: a secret, decades-long program known as COINTELPRO that was aimed at discrediting civil rights activists, and which ultimately led to the 1969 killing by law enforcement of Chicago Black Panther leader Fred Hampton. “You take a poll and I would bet 90 percent of the society has no clue what COINTELPRO was,” said Democratic Rep. Steve Cohen of Tennessee, who, along with 22 co-sponsors, has reintroduced a bill to remove the longtime FBI director's name from the bureau's headquarters building in Washington, D.C. “This is an ugly part of our past that is not well known.” ||||| Iraqi minister: Saddam's trial will be over by year's end BRUSSELS (AP) Iraq's justice minister on Tuesday accused the United States of trying to delay Iraqi efforts to interrogate Saddam Hussein, saying "it seems there are lots of secrets they want to hide." Justice Minister Abdel Hussein Shandal also told The Associated Press he was confident that Saddam's trial on war crimes charges would be over by the end of the year, underlining the Iraqi government's determination to try the ousted leader soon. "This trial will be accomplished within 2005 — and this will only be in Iraqi courts," he said in an interview on the sidelines of an international conference on his country's future. U.S. officials had no immediate comment on Shandal's remarks, but the Americans privately have urged caution about rushing into a trial, saying the Iraqis need to develop a good court and judicial system — one of the main topics of discussion at the conference in Brussels. An official at the press office of the Iraqi Special Tribunal that is overseeing the court proceedings in Baghdad stressed it was an independent body and was not bound by the minister's comments. He said no date had been set for Saddam's trial. "The interrogation of Saddam is taking place regularly and almost daily and neither the justice minister, nor the Americans, have anything to do with it because the IST is an independent court," the official said. "Saddam's trial will start as soon as the investigation finishes." The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because of security concerns, also said things are taking place in stages and as scheduled." Saddam, 68, has been jailed under American control at a U.S. military detention complex near Baghdad airport named Camp Cropper, which holds 110 high-profile detainees. But Shandal alleged that U.S. officials deliberately are trying to limit access to Saddam because they have their own secrets to protect, including funneling money and support to Iraqi leader during his rule. "It seems there are lots of secrets they want to hide," Shandal said. "There should be transparency and there should be frankness, but there are secrets that if revealed, won't be in the interest of many countries," he said. "Who was helping Saddam all those years?" Shandal said he was speaking with the authority of a Cabinet minister who personally nominated several of the judges on the tribunal and was in close contact with the investigators. Saddam has been interrogated by the Iraqi tribunal, which recently released a video of his questioning — without sound. The tribunal, which was appointed by the now-defunct U.S.-led Coalition Provisional Authority, has released a total of three such videotapes showing the ousted dictator and two others giving testimony and signing statements before the panel. The tribunal in the past has criticized government officials, including Prime Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari's spokesman, Laith Kuba, for suggesting that a timetable had been set. Kuba said in early June that Saddam's trial would start in two months. The tribunal also has sought to stress its independence from the government. "Any date to start the trials belongs to the judges," the tribunal said in a June 6 statement. U.S. officials say Iraqis will decide on Saddam's trial but there are concerns that a trial could interfere with the key process of writing a constitution and inflame sectarian tensions. The Iraqi government must finish a draft by mid-August so they can hold a referendum on the charter ahead of December elections for a full-term government. Shandal acknowledged Tuesday that no trial date would be set until interrogators complete their investigation and send their findings to the tribunal, which then will set a date. But he said he was confident it would be completed before the end of the year. Saddam was captured in December 2003. He and 11 of his top lieutenants will be tried by the tribunal, which was set up in late 2003 after Saddam was toppled. "Now we are in the process of interrogation. The process requires collecting evidence ... and we need a lot of evidence, a lot of interrogations," Shandal said. Saddam faces charges that include killing rival politicians over 30 years, gassing Kurds in the northern town of Halabja in 1988, invading Kuwait in 1990, and suppressing Kurdish and Shiite uprisings in 1991. Shandal said he also would face charges related to the destruction of Iraq's infrastructure. If convicted, he faces the death penalty. Copyright 2005 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. | Iraqi flag In an exclusive interview with the Associated Press, Abdel Hussein Shandal, Iraq's Justice Minister, said, "it seems there are lots of secrets they U.S. government want to hide." Shandal accused the U.S. of concealing information about Saddam Hussein and of trying to delay Iraqi interrogations of Hussein. The Iraqi government had said that Saddam's trial would be held within two months, but they are now saying it will be before the end of 2005. American officials have urged Iraq to be cautious about expediting a trial and have said Iraq needs to have a more established judicial system first. U.S. officials have also stated that the trial might inflame sectarian tensions and interfere with the drafting of an Iraqi constitution. |
Tweet with a location You can add location information to your Tweets, such as your city or precise location, from the web and via third-party applications. You always have the option to delete your Tweet location history. Learn more ||||| FILE - Former Egyptian President Mohamed Hosni Mubarak CAIRO - 25 February 2020: Egypt has declared three days of national mourning starting from Wednesday after President Mohamed Hosni Mubarak passed away Tuesday at the age of 91."The presidency deeply mourns former president Mohamed Hosni Mubarak for his services to the country as a commander, and one of the heroes of the great October War. Mubarak was commander of the Air Forces during the war that restored dignity and pride to the Arab nation," the presidency said in a statement, as it expressed condolences to his family.A military funeral will be held for former Egyptian President Mohamed Hosni Mubarak who died on February 25, 2020 at the age of 91 and ruled the country for 30 years between 1981 and 2011.Mubarak stepped down on February 11, 2011 as a consequence of January 25, 2011, and had been subject to prosecution before he was cleared of all charges. ||||| Former Egyptian leader Hosni Mubarak dies aged 91 Updated Egypt's former long-time leader Hosni Mubarak, who held power for 30 years until he was ousted in 2011 in a popular uprising against corruption and autocratic rule, has died at the age of 91. Key points: Egypt has announced three days of mourning starting on Wednesday Mubarak has been mourned as a hero for his role in the 1973 Arab-Israeli war The former air force officer will be buried in a military funeral A partner of the West in fighting Islamists, Mubarak presided over an era of stagnation and oppression at home and was an early victim of the "Arab Spring" revolutions that swept the region. He died in intensive care a few weeks after undergoing surgery last month and will be given a military funeral. Mubarak was arrested in April 2011, two months after stepping down, and in 2012 was sentenced to life in prison for conspiring to murder some 230 demonstrators during the 18-day revolt. He was in prison and military hospitals until 2017 when an appeals court ordered a retrial and the case against the former leader and his senior officials was dropped. He was, however, convicted in 2015 along with his two sons of diverting public funds and using the money to upgrade family properties. They were sentenced to three years in jail. State TV said Mubarak died at a Cairo hospital where he had undergone an unspecified surgery, and that he had health complications but offered no other details. One of his sons, Alaa, announced over the weekend that the former president was in intensive care after the surgery on January 23. He later tweeted his late father had died on Tuesday morning (local time). Mubarak mourned as military 'hero' Egypt's President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi offered condolences and praised Mubarak's service during the 1973 war with Israel, when he commanded the air force, but made no mention of Mubarak's almost three-decade rule as president of the most populous Arab state. He announced three days of national mourning beginning on Wednesday. "The Presidency mourns with great sorrow the former President of the Republic, Mr Mohammed Hosni Mubarak," he said in a statement. It referred to Mubarak as "one of the leaders and heroes of the glorious October war, as he assumed command of the Air Force during the war that restored dignity and pride to the Arab nation." Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed "deep sorrow" over Mubarak's death. "President Mubarak, a personal friend of mine, was a leader who guided his people to peace and security, to peace with Israel," Mr Netanyahu said. The United Arab Emirates' minister of state for foreign affairs, Anwar Gargash, said the Arab world had lost a statesman who took significant national and historic positions. Throughout his rule, Mubarak was a stalwart US ally, a bulwark against Islamic militancy and a guardian of Egypt's peace with Israel. But to the tens of thousands of young Egyptians who rallied during unprecedented street protests in Cairo's central Tahrir Square and elsewhere in 2011, Mubarak was a relic, a latter-day pharaoh. The protesters were inspired by the Tunisian revolt, and harnessed the power of social media to muster large crowds, unleashing popular anger over the graft and brutality that shadowed his rule. In the end, with millions massing in Cairo's Tahrir Square and city centres around the country and even marching to the doorstep of Mubarak's palace, the military that long nurtured him pushed him aside on February 11, 2011. Though Tunisia's president fell before him, Mubarak's ousting was the more stunning as the Arab Spring shook regimes across the world. He became the only leader ousted in the protest wave to be imprisoned. Assassination and succession Born in May 1928, Mubarak was vice-president on October 14, 1981, when his mentor, former president Anwar Sadat, was assassinated by Islamic extremists while reviewing a military parade. Seated next to Sadat, Mubarak escaped with a minor hand injury as gunmen sprayed the reviewing stand with bullets. Eight days later, the former air force commander was sworn in as president, promising continuity and order. Over the next three decades, as the region was convulsed by one crisis after another, Mubarak was seen as a steady hand and a reliable US partner against Islamic extremism. He sent troops as part of the US-led coalition in the 1990-1991 Gulf war and contributed to efforts to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Within Egypt he presided over slow but steady economic growth and largely kept the country out of armed conflicts after decades of war with Israel. Many Egyptians who lived through Mubarak's time in power view it as a period of autocracy and crony capitalism. His overthrow led to Egypt's first free election, which brought in Islamist President Mohamed Mursi. Mursi lasted only a year in office after mass protests in 2013 led to his overthrow by then defence chief Mr al-Sisi, who is now President. Mubarak-era figures, meanwhile, are gradually being cleared of charges, and laws limiting political freedoms have raised fears among activists that the old regime is back. Mubarak had long maintained his innocence and said history would judge him a patriot who served his country selflessly. Many Egyptians have credited al-Sisi for restoring stability despite a relentless crackdown on dissent. Activists say Mr al-Sisi's crackdown is worse than anything under Mubarak. Announcing Mubarak's death, Egyptian TV criticised him for economic mismanagement — new cities he had created in the desert lacked a "comprehensive vision" while he had spent billions on new roads the government later had to repair. Timothy Kaldas, non-resident fellow at the Tahrir Institute for Middle East Policy, said the coverage was seeking to highlight corruption under Mubarak to curb nostalgia for his time in power. Reuters/AP Topics: unrest-conflict-and-war, death, egypt First posted ||||| Former Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak – ousted by the military in 2011 – has died in hospital in Cairo aged 91. Mubarak spent three decades in office before a popular uprising swept Egypt. This breaking news story is being updated and more details will be published shortly. Please refresh the page for the fullest version. You can receive Breaking News on a smartphone or tablet via the BBC News App. You can also follow @BBCBreaking on Twitter to get the latest alerts. ||||| Mubarak ruled Egypt for 30 years until he was deposed following mass protests Egypt’s ousted former president Hosni Mubarak has died at the age of 91, weeks after undergoing surgery, state television has announced. Mubarak ruled Egypt for 30 years until he was deposed following mass protests against his rule in 2011, during the Arab spring. He was jailed for years after the uprising, but was freed in 2017 after being acquitted of most charges. His democratically elected successor, Mohamed Morsi, was overthrown in 2013 in a popularly backed military coup. Many see echoes of Mubarak’s style of leadership in Egypt’s current leader, the former general Abdel Fatah al-Sisi. Mubarak was the first of the leaders toppled in a wave of Arab uprisings to face trial. In scenes that captivated Egyptians, he appeared in a courtroom cage on a range of charges. He was acquitted by Egypt’s highest appeals court in March 2017 of conspiring to kill protesters in the final verdict in a long-running case that originally resulted in him being sentenced to life in prison in 2012 over the deaths of 239 protesters. A separate corruption charge was overturned in January 2015. Mubarak often appeared in a frail state during his court appearances, attending on a stretcher and wearing dark sunglasses. More details soon … | On Tuesday, Hosni Mubarak, the former President of Egypt, died aged 91 in a military hospital in Cairo, the country's capital. The country's state news announced the death on television. Cause of death was not announced. Reportedly, his family said he was in intensive care in hospital after a stomach tumour removal last month. left In the announcement on television, the government allegedly criticized Hosni's creation of new cities in the desert which were not economically feasible, ''ABC'' of Australia reported. Egypt's current President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi announced three days of national mourning, Wednesday through Friday. A military funeral was held for Mubarak on Wednesday. Mubarak was the President of Egypt from 1981 until 2011. == Sources == * * * * * |
BrasilTelecom is the most popular (and hated) phone company in South Brazil, with a very large market share, thanks to the fact it was a state-owned company that was sold for a dime (that’s another story). Since it was announced that Brazilian authorities were tending to ask for the backbones controllers to block access to a specific YouTube video (more details here: Where no China has gone before: Brazil bans YouTube), BrT customers are totally unable to access any YouTube contents. That’s not, however, any preventive measure in order to preserve any customer from being sued; it’s just an opportunist movement to cover the real problems they have when they sign up a contract with BrT. A customer of mine (I sell web hosting at PortoFácil, in case you didn’t know), who has a BrT link of 600kbps, called me to see why his was taking so long to load. You know, a customer is a customer, but they are not supposed to have a technical profile. “My site” (sic) in fact was not the site I host for him, but his start page, that is one of those home-made portals bloated with — useful or not — information. Since I was there, I took some time to compare how my own perform in ordinary equipment (not the developer’s machine), and noticed that the download speed was really too slow. I then called the phone support from BrT and they told me to download a file from BrT network. The download was fine and fast (66Kb/s). Once our problem was not solved, we asked for a paid visit from a technician, hoping that he could point out to a feasible solution. On the selected time the technician was at my customer’s office, but when I explained the problem he took his brief and said that was not a cabling problem. Under the right psychological pressure the guy told us the following: BrT links to outside Brazil are very highly utilized, but the company has no plans to solve this problem. Of course, the final user, the customer, is penalized, because the contract says the company guarantees only 10% of the nominal bandwidth, and only inside their own network! Now, BrT is taking advantage of the hype on the case of the model having sex fun on the beach to lower their backbone utilization by blocking one of the main bandwidth-consumer sites. Finally, what makes me the saddest about this story is the following: I’m about to move to another apartment, bigger, better, more beautiful. But in that part of the town there is no bandwidth provider but BrasilTelecom. Bummer! Modems , Telefones, Internet, , Advogados Compare Preços de: Modems , Telefones, Internet, , Advogados. ||||| Uma liminar do Tribunal de Justiça de São Paulo pode impedir o acesso de usuários brasileiros ao site de compartilhamento de vídeos YouTube. A decisão do desembargador Ênio Santarelli Zuliani seria uma punição pelo site não ter respeitado a decisão da Justiça tirando do ar os vídeos da modelo Daniella Cicarelli com o namorado em uma praia na Espanha. >Comente: medida é censura? As supostas cenas de sexo na praia foram divulgadas no YouTube e ganharam a rede, levando o casal a mover duas ações na Justiça - uma pedindo indenização por danos morais, contra as Organizações Globo, o Internet Group (iG) e o YouTube; e a outra pedindo a retirada dos vídeos do ar. Enquete: você é a favor? Vote O Tribunal de Justiça de São Paulo concedeu a liminar obrigando os sites a retirarem as cenas do ar, sob pena de multa de 250 mil reais. Segundo Rubens Decossau Tilkian, que representa Tato, a multa já está sendo executada, mas o pedido de bloqueio ao site é uma forma de fazer valer a decisão da Justiça brasileira, que estaria sendo negligenciada. “Eles não têm um sistema eficaz para evitar que o vídeo volte a ser publicado”, argumenta o advogado. Segundo Tilkian, as empresas que detém os canais de comunicação que permitem que o conteúdo chegue aos internautas brasileiros é que serão responsáveis por barrar o acesso ao YouTube no Brasil. No final da tarde da quinta-feira (04/01), o Tribunal de Justiça de São Paulo, por meio de sua assessoria de imprensa, negou que o desembargador Ênio Santarelli Zuliani tenho pedido a retirada do site do ar, como publicou o IDG Now!, mas sim quer impedir o acesso ao vídeo de supostas cenas de sexo da apresentadora Daniella Cicarelli e o seu namorado Renato Malzoni, em uma praia na Espanha Medida eficaz? O bloqueio ao site enfrentaria dificuldades técnicas, na opinião do procurador do Ministério Público Federal em São Paulo, Sérgio Suiama. “É tecnicamente inviável. A Justiça vai intimar os provedores de acesso de todo o País para bloquear o conteúdo?”, questiona o procurador. Para Renato Opice Blum, advogado especialista em direito digital, os provedores não são réus no processo, portanto não deveriam ser responsáveis pelo bloqueio. “Caberia ao YouTube, mas se eles sequer removeram os vídeos é difícil acreditar que eles fariam o bloqueio”, opina. | 125px The largest telecom company in Brazil, BrasilTelecom, has blocked its users from accessing YouTube following a court order to shut down the popular video sharing website. BrasilTelecom did not issue an official statement regarding YouTube, but its customers are complaining that all access to the website is blocked. A ban on YouTube was ordered by Brazilian courts after celebrity Daniela Cicarelli sued the website for hosting unauthorized videos of her having sex on the beach. YouTube removed the videos, as is standard for videos it receives legal complaints about, but was unable to stop other users from uploading copies since it does not screen videos before they are uploaded. |
S. Korean soldiers fire at Asiana passenger jet SEOUL — South Korean troops have fired at a passenger jet flying from China with 119 people on board after mistaking it for a North Korean aircraft, amid increasingly fraught relations on the divided peninsula. Two soldiers at a guard post on Gyodong island, just 1.7 kilometres (one mile) south of the North Korean coast, fired their K-2 rifles on Friday towards the plane, descending as it approached Seoul's Incheon International Airport. Ties between the two Koreas are at their lowest ebb in more than a decade after Pyongyang announced late last month it was breaking all contacts with the South's conservative government. The South Korean Asiana aircraft was flying southeast over Jumun island, 12 kilometres south of Gyodong, towards Incheon, when the soldiers fired a total of 99 rounds including two blanks, Yonhap news agency said. "The firing continued (for) about 10 minutes but the plane was too far off the rifle's range and it did not receive any damage," Yonhap quoted a Marine Corps official as saying. "When the plane appeared over Jumun island, soldiers mistook it as a North Korean military aircraft and fired." A Marine Corps spokesman confirmed the incident to AFP but declined to give further details. An aviation controller told AFP that the Asiana Airbus 321 was flying from the southwest Chinese city of Chengdu with 119 people on board, including crew members, and was following a normal route. "It was flying normally. It did not deviate from its normal route," the controller said. An Asiana spokesman said there was no damage to the plane as it was too far away from the guard post, adding that the military had inquired whether the plane had suffered any damage. Following the incident, the Marine Corps will step up training for soldiers to help them distinguish between civilian aircraft and enemy planes, Yonhap said. South Korean soldiers had been alerted to possible provocative acts by North Korea amid simmering cross-border tensions. After a few months of relative calm, since late May the North has been using harsher rhetoric against the South's conservative government -- describing it as a US puppet bent on fuelling confrontation. The South's Defence Minister Kim Kwan-Jin has told frontline troops that if the North Koreans attack, they should strike back immediately without waiting for orders from top commanders about how to respond. "Don't ask your commanders whether to fire back or not. Take actions first and then report afterwards," Kim was quoted as saying when he visited the western frontline in March. The minister's remarks came after the South's military was widely criticised for a perceived weak and slow response when North Korea last November shelled Yeonpyeong island, one of five frontline islands, and killed four people. The arrival by boat in South Korea of nine refugees from the North on June 11 has further heightened tensions. South Korea has rejected Pyongyang's demand to send the nine back to the communist state, but the North's Red Cross warned Thursday that relations could worsen unless they are returned immediately. Seoul's policy is to accept all North Koreans who wish to stay in the South, while repatriating those who stray across the sea border by accident. The arrival in February of a boatload of North Koreans sparked weeks of acrimony. That boat drifted across the Yellow Sea border in thick fog, possibly accidentally. The North's military has also threatened an attack in protest at the use by some South Korean troops of photos of Pyongyang's ruling family as rifle-range targets. The practice has been stopped but the North is demanding an apology. Media reports on Friday said the South has deployed missiles capable of hitting the North Korean capital Pyongyang near the tense border. The deployment of the surface-to-surface missiles was in response to a recent rise in tensions, Yonhap news agency and Dong-A Ilbo newspaper reported. Copyright © 2011 AFP. All rights reserved. More » ||||| The South Korean jet was coming in to land at Seoul's Incheon International Airport - close to the border with North Korea - when Marines opened fire with rifles. The Asiana Airlines jet carrying about 119 people was undamaged and no one was hurt. The incident highlights how persistent tensions near the heavily armed inter-Korean border pose the possibility for dangerous miscalculation. The Korean peninsula has remained in a technical state of conflict since the Korean War ended in a truce in 1953. A peace treaty has never been signed. South Korea's defence officials and civil aviation officials could not immediately be reached for comment on the report. An Asiana official reached by telephone confirmed that marines fired small weapons at one of the airline's planes coming from China and that there was no damage. Two marine guards stationed on Gyodong island near the border fired rifle rounds at the flight as it approached Incheon International Airport west of Seoul, mistaking it for a North Korean military plane, the Yonhap report said. The jet was flying out of range of the rifles and avoided damage, it said. The airport is located about 25 miles south of the inter-Korean border. Yonhap quoted its source as saying the marines claimed the plane was flying off course. The Asiana official, described the plane's route as normal. News of the incident comes as South Korea on Friday refused to send back a group of North Koreans who crossed into southern waters by boat last weekend, saying all nine have expressed the desire to defect. North Korea has demanded the immediate repatriation of all nine people who landed on a South Korean-held island last Saturday aboard two small boats. Pyongyang warned on Thursday that failure to send them back would aggravate ties between the two Koreas. North Korea threatened earlier this month to retaliate for the South Korean military's use of photos of leader Kim Jong Il's family for shooting practice. Seoul also blames Pyongyang for two deadly attacks that killed 50 South Koreans last year. US-made missiles capable of striking Pyongyang were deployed to South Korean sites near the Demilitarized Zone earlier this year, South Korean media reports said. South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff declined to confirm the reports. ||||| By Simon Hradecky, created Saturday, Jun 18th 2011 09:14Z, last updated Saturday, Jun 18th 2011 09:36Z An Asiana Airlines Airbus A321-200, registration HL7763 performing flight OZ-324 (scheduled departure Jun 16th) from Chengdu (China) to Seoul Incheon (South Korea) with 119 people on board, was on approach to Seoul's Incheon Airport just about intercepting the localiser of Incheon Airport about 15nm northwest of Incheon Airport and a few nautical miles south of the border to North Korea when two South Korean soldiers on guard at Gyodong Island (about 5.5nm north of the aircraft position) thought the aircraft was a military one intruding the airspace from North Korea and opened the fire with their K-2 rifles. The aircraft was out of range of the rifles, was not hit and continued for a safe landing at 04:42L (before daybreak). South Korean Marine Officials said the two soldiers on guard fired a total of 99 rounds at the aircraft, the shooting lasted for about 10 minutes, the airplane however was out of range of their K-2 rifles by about 500-600 meters (0.3nm). The soldiers claimed the aircraft was substantially north of the normal approach route to Seoul's Incheon Airport. The soldiers had just been alerted to increased provocations by North Korea due to the increased tensions between the two Koreas. Orders have been issued by South Korea Defense Ministry to immediately open the fire upon such provocative acts without waiting for instruction from superiors following an incident in November last year when North Korean military took Yeonpyeong Island under fire killing 4 inhabitants. Training of military personnel will be improved especially with regards to identifying military and civilian aircraft. The airline said, the aircraft did not divert from its normal track. They got knowledge of the shooting only after the military inquired whether the aircraft suffered any damage. Aviation sources said, the airplane was following an entirely normal approach route. The K-2 rifles have an overall maximum range of 2400 meters (1.3nm) with an effective range of about 600 meters (0.3nm). Map (Graphics: AVH/Google Earth): | An Asiana A321, from file Troops in South Korea attacked a passenger jet Saturday after mistaking it for a North Korean aircraft. The plane was out of range and escaped undamaged; the 119 on board were unharmed. Soldiers fired 99 rounds, including two blanks, from their at the as it approached on a flight from China. That airport serves Seoul and is 25 miles (40.2 kilometres) from the border between the two Korean states. The plane's route is disputed. One aviation controller said that the plane was "flying normally" and "did not deviate from its normal route," a claim with which Asiana agrees. However, '''' reports that the South Korean marines who attacked the aircraft say it was off-course. A Marine Corps official said the shooting lasted ten minutes as the plane flew over island. The marines fired from nearby . The troops opened fire with K2s, but the jet was out of range. Relations between the two Korean countries have been tense since the end of open hostilities in the 1953 . The South Korean military has recently used photos of North Korean leader 's family for target practice, with the north threatening retaliation. South Korean media claimed yesterday that the south has US-built missiles capable of reaching the northern capital, Pyongyang, and blamed the north for twin bombings that killed 50 people last year. One current dispute involves nine refugees arriving in the south by boat on June 11. Yesterday, the south said that all wish to defect and, per its policy, refused to hand them back. The north's warned on Thursday that failure to do so could lead to further deterioration in Korean relations. South Korean troops have been told by Defence Minister to fire at attacking North Koreans without waiting for or seeking instructions. "Don't ask your commanders whether to fire back or not. Take actions first and then report afterwards," he said on the front line in March. The South Korean military was criticised in November for a slow response to the north's shelling of island, which killed four. The two marines who attacked the plane yesterday had recently been told that the North was increasing military action due to heightened tensions. As a result of the incident, increased training on aircraft identification will be performed. Asiana said they were unaware of the attack until contacted by the military and asked if the jet had been hit. |
Analysts loyal to the ruling ZANU-PF at the University of Zimbabwe's political science department have predicted that President Robert Mugabe will easily win a new term in Saturday's election. Peta Thornycroft reports from Harare that the prediction comes as Mr. Mugabe faces his stiffest competition yet, from two powerful candidates. President Robert Mugabe attends campaign rally, 28 Mar 2008 In the violent 2002 presidential election Mr. Mugabe won the vote with a 52 percent majority. The run up to Saturday's voting has been mostly peaceful and there has been a resurgence of popularity for main opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai as well as rejection of ZANU-PF in several key rural areas, but the prediction in the state controlled daily, The Herald, is that Mr. Mugabe will win by 57 percent this time. The researchers from the political science department at the University of Zimbabwe are openly supportive of ZANU-PF. The department's chairman Joseph Kurebwa also predicted that the now seriously divided ZANU-PF will also win more than two thirds of parliamentary, senatorial and local government seats in voting on Saturday. He said his department conducted interviews with more than 10,000 people around the country. However, founding legal secretary of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change, David Coltart, disputes claims of Mr. Mugabe's continued popularity. He says in the southern Matabeleland provinces Mr. Mugabe is trailing badly. Matabeleland accounts for about 20 percent of the vote. Morgan Tsvangirai, leader of the main opposition party in Zimbabwe addresses a press conference in Harare, 20 Mar 2008 "What is absolutely clear is that Robert Mugabe is in enormous difficulty in Matabeleland," he said. "At the very least, the hardcore support of ZANU-PF that is provided to him by the old ZIPRA war veterans, I think is gone. What we don't know is whether Simba Makoni or Morgan Tsvangirai will benefit from that swing." It does appear though that in Harare, and some of the cities and suburban areas in the North and East of the country, that Morgan Tsvangirai has benefited more from that than independent presidential candidate Simba Makoni. Complaints about flawed election practices have again surfaced. David Coltart says, in particular, the voter's roll has many names of people who are long dead. "We are very concerned about the voters roll," he noted. "The voters roll is seriously deficient in a variety of respects, there are many dead people on it. The voters roll that I have got for example in my constituency is missing a whole chunk of names, all the surnames between C and M are completely missing." Coltart has also expressed concern about the Zimbabwe electoral commission, the body that conducts the election, because the person in charge of that appears to be partisan. He says the police have also been partisan in the past, and of course Robert Mugabe has made it very clear in recent statements that he simply will not allow the opposition to win. In rural areas some voters say openly that they had voted for Mr. Mugabe in the past, but that they are now suffering and will vote for Mr. Tsvangirai in the presidential election. Zimbabwe has been suffering from hyper-inflation and at least a third of the population is receiving food handouts from the west. There are more than 9,400 polling stations for Saturday's election. All counting has to be done at the polling station and those results forwarded to a central command center in Harare for the presidential poll. Tendai Biti, Morgan Tsvangirai's secretary-general says he fears this is where the main rigging could take place, the transfer of vote counts from deep rural areas to Harare. Officials from Mr. Mugabe's Cabinet say he is a democrat and will accept the results, even if he should lose. ||||| Social bookmarking allows users to save and categorise a personal collection of bookmarks and share them with others. This is different to using your own browser bookmarks which are available using the menus within your web browser. Use the links below to share this article on the social bookmarking site of your choice. Read more about social bookmarking at Wikipedia - Social Bookmarking ||||| President Mugabe is trying to extend his 27 years in office President Robert Mugabe has been confirmed as his party's candidate. The opposition is threatening to boycott the elections unless it gets guarantees they will be free and fair at talks with Mr Mugabe's party. The United States said it regretted the decision, taken without measures "that would have levelled the playing field for all parties". The Southern African Development Community (SADC) has been trying to promote dialogue between the government and opposition. But on Wednesday, police used tear gas to disperse a banned march staged by the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC). At the moment the conditions in Zimbabwe do not allow for free and fair elections Arthur Mutambara Opposition leader The US State Department said the police action was "further illustration of the government of Zimbabwe undermining the spirit of the SADC process". The MDC said Wednesday's violence went against the spirit of a promise made last December to relax tough security laws, which have been used to hinder opposition campaigns. MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai was briefly detained ahead of the march. "If this is the reaction of this dictatorship, then the elections are a farce," he said. Recent elections have been characterised by violence against the opposition and accusations of rigging - charges denied by Mr Mugabe. 'Madness' The MDC and Mr Mugabe's Zanu-PF are holding talks mediated by South Africa and the SADC in an effort to end the political impasse. The opposition wants constitutional changes to be enacted before the elections, which were due in March. Wednesday's march was broken up by the police "It's an act of madness and arrogance," Nelson Chamisa, spokesman fro the Tsvangirai faction, told the AFP news agency. "At the moment the conditions in Zimbabwe do not allow for free and fair elections and so we are heading towards illegitimacy if we go ahead with the elections," Arthur Mutambara, leader of the other MDC faction, told the BBC's Focus on Africa programme. Mr Mutambara said a new constitution was needed to ensure a free poll and "pre-empt what has happened in Kenya". Earlier this month, the BBC was told that former Finance Minister Simba Makoni would challenge Mr Mugabe, either from within Zanu-PF and by launching a break-away party. Zimbabwe is suffering from an acute economic crisis, which Mr Mugabe's critics blame on his seizure of white-owned farms. He says he is the victim of an international plot intended to bring him down. Zimbabwe has the world's highest rate of annual inflation - 8,000% - while just one in five has an official job. ||||| Zimbabwe's ruling party on Friday adopted a motion to hold elections in 2008 and endorsed President Robert Mugabe as its presidential candidate, allowing him to stand for another term as leader of the crumbling country. "The resolution was accepted by the central committee ... and so both the presidential and parliamentary elections will now be held in 2008," Nathan Shamuyarira, national ZANU-PF spokesman said after the meeting. "The candidate of the party will be the President (Mugabe) himself. He was endorsed by the central committee at the meeting," said Shamuyarira, adding the presidential term will be cut to five years from the current six. Mugabe has faced international condemnation over a brutal crackdown on opponents this month, which left opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai injured and hospitalised after police stopped a banned prayer rally to protest against a deepening economic crisis. Justice Minister Patrick Chinamasa told journalists at the same briefing the central committee had also decided that if a presidential vacancy occurred in between elections an acting president would be chosen by parliament to complete the term. Chinamasa said local government polls would also be held in 2008 and the parliamentary lower house of assembly would be expanded from the current 150 members to 210. Parties would fill the upper house - Senate - with representatives on the basis of their proportional vote in parliament. The Senate would be expanded from 66 to 84 members. Critics say Mugabe, Zimbabwe's sole ruler since independence from Britain in 1980, has plunged the country into crisis through his policies, including the seizure of white-owned farms to give to landless blacks. But Mugabe earlier told the central committee to resist "the machinations of the West", which he has blamed for an outbreak of violence following the police crackdown on the opposition. "Our organs ... have to adopt a high sense of vigilancy and militancy," he said, one day after winning regional backing for his crackdown despite calls for tough action from the West. Mugabe, 83, has accused the main opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) of mounting a "terrorist" campaign to remove him from office and defended violent police sweeps this month which saw dozens of MDC activists arrested. On Thursday, a special crisis summit of Southern African leaders publicly expressed solidarity with Mugabe, while calling for renewed political dialogue and an end to Western sanctions against his government. The veteran leader had sought to win ZANU-PF backing to extend his rule over Zimbabwe, which now faces its worst crisis in history with inflation running at more than 1,700 per cent, soaring joblessness, and regular food and fuel shortages. Mugabe had suggested extending his term by two years to 2010 but ran into resistance in his party. He then proposed running for president again when his current six-year term ends in 2008 - outflanking opponents who planned to oppose the 2010 option. Mugabe's candidacy had already won backing from the party's key women and youth leagues, whose members make up a sizeable number of the 245-member central committee. Analysts had seen little opposition to Mugabe, saying his nomination was a formality because the ZANU-PF constitution stipulates that the party president, elected at a congress every five years, automatically becomes the presidential candidate. Mugabe was elected at the party's last congress in 2004 and has not faced an election since then. He said his fellow African leaders understood that his government was under attack by the West as revenge for his policy of seizing white-owned farms to give to landless blacks. "We are a family. Our detractors have been shamed," he said, accusing some major television news networks of demonising his government and laughing off British and US suggestions that he might be on the way out. Mugabe said he had told SADC leaders that Tsvangirai deserved beating by police earlier this month in an incident which drew outrage, including from some Western countries which threatened stiffer action against the veteran leader. | A parliamentary election and a presidential election will be held in Zimbabwe on Saturday, March 29, 2008. The parliamentary election is for both the House of Assembly and the Senate. In the presidential election, ''Voice of America'' has reported that analysts in Zimbabwe have predicted a victory for incumbent Robert Mugabe. With the last parliamentary election having been held in 2005, the subsequent election was initially planned to be held in 2010, but after an abortive plan to delay the 2008 presidential election to 2010, it was decided to instead bring the parliamentary election forward by two years so that it could be held concurrently with the 2008 presidential election. The House of Assembly is being expanded from 150 to 210 members, all elected, in the 2008 election, while the Senate is being expanded to 93 seats, 60 of which will be directly elected (six from each province). There are 29 constituencies in Harare, 28 in Midlands, 26 in Manicaland, 18 in Mashonaland Central, 23 in Mashonaland East, 22 in Mashonaland West, 26 in Masvingo, 13 in Matabeleland North, and 13 in Matabeleland South, and 12 in Bulawayo. Unlike in past elections, when constituency voter rolls were used, ward voter rolls will be used in the 2008 election. The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission delimited 1,958 wards. On January 25, 2008, the specific date of the election was announced as March 29. A spokesperson for the faction of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) led by Morgan Tsvangirai denounced this as "an act of madness and arrogance", while the leader of the other MDC faction, Arthur Mutambara, said that a free and fair election could not be held under the existing conditions, calling for a new constitution to be adopted prior to the election. Prior to the election being held, ZANU-PF has already won two seats where it was unopposed: the House of Assembly seat from Muzarabani South, won by Edward Raradza, and the Senate seat from Rushinga, won by Damien Mumvuri. While not inviting any observers from the European Union or the United States, Zimbabwe has invited 47 observer teams, including observers from the Southern African Development Community (SADC), the African Union, China, Russia, and Iran. On March 11, the arrival of the first 50 observers from SADC was reported, with more expected. SADC had already conducted a preliminary mission in February, in which its team looked at constituencies, their boundaries, and the number of candidates, and used that information to determine the number of observers that would be necessary. There are about 5.6 million registered voters and there will be about 11,000 polling stations, compared to about 4,000 polling stations in the 2005 parliamentary election. |
You are at: Home > News > Latest Media Releases Latest Media Releases Untitled Man arrested on Mount Panorama for displaying pornographic material Saturday, 11 Oct 2008 01:28pm ( NOTE: Footage available via Channel 7. Images available via Police Media Unit) Police arrested and charged a 35-year-old man from St Helens Park for displaying pornographic material whilst camping at Mount Panorama for the Bathurst 1000. At around 9pm last night (Friday 10 October) the Public Order & Riot Squad police were conducting a foot patrol of the McPhillamy Park Campsite when they came across a man who was displaying pornographic material on a television which he had mounted on a home made trolley. The man had been walking his trolley around the park displaying the material. Police arrested and conveyed the man along with his trolley to the on site police station where he was questioned in relation to the offence. Police conducted a search of the mans tent where they located and seized in excess of 20 pornographic DVDs. The man was subsequently charged with displaying pornographic material. Assistant Commissioner Shearer said, Camping on the mountain are families with young children and for someone to deliberately walk around displaying pornographic material is completely unacceptable Police are working tirelessly to ensure that the event remains a family friendly event where by all spectators can enjoy the V8 Super cars as they intended. The behaviour displayed by some individuals is extremely disappointing, however, overall the fans have been very well behaved Another incident occurred at 10.10pm involving the assault of a police officer in the Max Cameron Campsite. A 22-year-old man from Moss Vale launched at a male police officer who was seated inside a police vehicle and struck him in the head with an adult sex toy. The officer was un-injured. The man was arrested and charged with assault police. Both men were issued banning notices and cannot return to the Mount Panorama racing precinct for the remainder of the event. The two men were bailed to appear at Bathurst Local Court on the 10 November. ||||| ONE man has attacked a police officer with a dildo at the Bathurst 1000 motor racing event while another man has been caught wheeling around a television set showing porn. And both have been thrown out of the the major annual racing event, police say. A 22-year-old Moss Vale man was arrested shortly after 10pm (AEDT) yesterday after launching himself at a male police officer sitting inside a police car, hitting him on the head with a sex toy. The officer was not hurt, but the man has been charged with assaulting police. Earlier in the evening, a 35-year-old St Helens Park man was arrested after police found him wheeling around a television set showing porn. "The man had been walking his trolley around a park campsite displaying the material," a police statement said. A search of the man's tent revealed more than 20 pornographic DVDs. The man and his trolley were taken to a police station on Mount Panorama where he was charged with displaying pornographic material. "Camping on the mountain are families with young children and for someone to deliberately walk around displaying pornographic material is completely unacceptable," Assistant Commissioner Lee Shearer said. Both men have been issued with banning notices and are prohibited from returning to the Mount Panorama racing precinct for the remainder of the weekend's event. They have been bailed to appear at Bathurst Local Court on November 10. ||||| Man charged for Bathurst porn display Posted Police have charged a man with displaying pornographic material at the Bathurst 1000 V8 Supercar race. It is alleged the 35-year-old man played pornographic videos on a television which he had mounted on a home-made trolley. Officers say he had been walking the trolley around the Mount Panorama camp site, displaying the material. Police conducted a search of the man's tent and found more than 20 pornographic DVDs. In another incident, police say a 22-year-old man assaulted a police officer by striking him in the head with an adult sex toy. The officer was uninjured. The man was arrested and charged with assaulting police. | A police officer at the annual Bathurst 1000 motorsport event in Bathurst, New South Wales has been assaulted by a dildo, with another man arrested for publically displaying pornography. Police allege that a 22-year-old man from Moss Vale approached a male police officer seated inside a police vehicle. It is alleged the man launched at the officer hitting him in the head with a "sex toy". The officer was uninjured in the incident. The man was arrested and charged with assaulting police. Earlier in the evening, police from the Public Order and Riot Squad came across a man displaying pornographic material on a television he had mounted on a trolley walking around the McPhillamy Park Campsite. The 35 year-old man from St Helen's Park was arrested and taken to the on site police station where he was questioned. Police conducted a search of the man's tent where around 20 pornographic DVDs were located. The man was charged with displaying pornographic material. Assistant Commissioner Shearer said, “Camping on the mountain are families with young children and for someone to deliberately walk around displaying pornographic material is completely unacceptable.” “Police are working tirelessly to ensure that the event remains a family friendly event where by all spectators can enjoy the V8 Super cars as they intended. The behaviour displayed by some individuals is extremely disappointing, however, overall the fans have been very well behaved.” Both men were ejected from the event and cannot return to the Mount Panorama circuit for the remainder of the event. |
Seven poultry workers found to be infected, but no evidence of transmission between humans A H5N8 strain of bird flu has been detected in humans for the first time, among seven workers who were infected at a Russian poultry plant in December. There is no evidence of the strain being transmitted between humans, but Russia has reported the transmission to the World Health Organization. The workers now feel well, and “the situation did not develop further”, according to Dr Anna Popova, head of consumer health watchdog Rospotrebnadzor. She said the workers had been infected during an outbreak of the strain at the plant. Outbreaks of the strain have been reported in Russia, Europe, China, the Middle East and north Africa in recent months, but only in poultry. Other strains of bird flu, including H5N1, H7N9 and H9N2, have been transmitted to humans before. The H5N8 strain is deadly for birds, and this marks the first transmission of the strain from animals to humans. While Popova said the strain didn’t appear to be able to spread among humans, “only time will tell how soon future mutations will allow it to overcome this barrier”. The discovery of this strain “gives us all, the whole world, time to prepare for possible mutations and the possibility to react in a timely way and develop test systems and vaccines,” she said. The Vector Institute in Siberia said on Saturday that it would start developing human tests and a vaccine against H5N8, according to RIA news agency. Speaking on state TV, Popova said that Russia had reported the developments to the WHO several days ago, “just as we became absolutely certain of our results”. Most cases of human bird flu infections have been linked to direct contact with infected live or dead poultry, though properly cooked food is considered safe. The cases tend to be spread via migrating wild birds, leading producing countries to keep their poultry indoors or segregated from wildlife. Outbreaks of bird flu often lead poultry plants to kill their birds to prevent the virus spreading further, and often prompts other countries to impose trade restrictions. In the UK, five outbreaks of the H5N8 strain in Gloucestershire, Dorset, Devon, Cheshire and Kent were detected in November, leading officials to implement a prevention zone in England, Scotland and Wales. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said that all birds in the affected areas had been culled “humanely” and control zones introduced. ||||| "The discovery of these mutations when the virus has not still acquired an ability to transmit from human to human gives us all, the entire world, time to prepare for possible mutations and react in an adequate and timely fashion," Ms Popova said. ||||| MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russia said on Saturday that seven workers at a poultry plant in its south had been infected with a bird flu virus, TASS news agency quoted Anna Popova, head of consumer health watchdog Rospotrebnadzor, as saying. It appears to be the first case of bird flu being passed to humans from birds in Russia, but there is no sign of transmission between humans so far, she was quoted as saying. Russia has reported the case to the World Health Organization, she added. ||||| MOSCOW, May 17. /TASS/. The situation with the coronavirus spread has been stabilizing across Russia, the country’s chief sanitary doctor, Anna Popova, said on Sunday. "We have stopped the growth today. Day by day there is nearly no growth. Stabilization is seen across the entire country," Popova said in an interview with Pavel Zarubin, the host of "Moscow. Kremlin. Putin" program on Rossiya 1 TV channel. According to Popova, who heads the Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing, this progress has been achieved due to Russians’ careful attention to their health. To date, a total of 281,752 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia, with 67,373 patients having recovered from the virus. Russia’s latest data indicates 2,631 fatalities nationwide. Earlier, the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation. ||||| Aside from the concrete block buildings tessellating out into forever, Novosibirsk is actually more like Minneapolis than many Americans realize. Photo by Valery Titievsky/AFP/Getty Images On July 1, a researcher cleaning out a cold storage room at the Food and Drug Administration came across a stash of six vials of smallpox virus stored inside a cardboard box. Considering that the World Health Assembly deems smallpox a public health threat so apocalyptic that live samples may be handled only in hermetically sealed labs by scientists wearing full-body suits with their own air supplies, this was the equivalent of finding an atomic bomb in a dorm fridge next to last night’s cheese fries. The discovery was only the latest in a string of discomfiting incidents involving deadly pathogens. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, where the newfound samples were sent for testing and destruction, recently closed down some major labs while it reviews mishandling of live anthrax and highly virulent strains of avian influenza. The stray smallpox renewed interest in the two lonely remaining stores of live variola virus left in the world, one of which is housed at the CDC repository in Atlanta, Georgia, the other of which can be found at the State Research Center of Virology and Biotechnology, also known as the Vector Institute, about 12 miles from the Siberian city of Novosibirsk. Remarkably, the fact that there’s smallpox in Siberia has some people more freaked out than the discovery of smallpox in Besthesda, Maryland, 650 miles away from the nearest authorized facility. As someone who lived and worked in Novosibirsk on and off for six years, I’m well aware of Westerners’ unchanging impression of Siberia as the sinister home of permafrost, gulags, and mysterious hunks of rock that fall from the sky. Smallpox was officially eradicated in 1978. The Soviet GULAG system was officially dismantled in 1960. Yet neither of these horrors ever died in the public imagination. Tell an American that smallpox is housed in Siberia, and the image that comes to mind is that of a grizzled man perched on the wrecked spire of a prison watchtower, waving a test tube with all the accumulated pain of Stalin’s purges shining in his eyes. But aside from the concrete block buildings tessellating out into forever, Novosibirsk is actually more like Minneapolis. It’s not even that cold. Novosibirsk is the third largest city in Russia. It is home to a devastatingly clean and efficient subway system, a cool alternative paper, and enough coffee chains and sushi joints to put the entire cast of Girls at ease. Siberia is also a surprisingly progressive place. Far from the commotion in Moscow over Pussy Riot, the mayor of Novosibirsk recently quietly approved a plaque honoring the late Siberian punk singer Yanka Dyagileva. There’s even an Ikea—just like in Atlanta! But just because Siberia is no longer the stuff of Solzhenitsynian nightmare, does that mean that it’s a safe place for smallpox? The answer is a definite … sort of. The good news is that Siberia’s isolation and the comparative ease of quarantining anyone accidentally exposed to the virus is a big plus. Prior to 1994, Russia’s variola strains were stored in a defense lab at the back of a former Moscow school. Smallpox was moved to Vector because it was safer, and because the more sophisticated facilities there would allow scientists to study the virus, not merely Alcatraz it. Vector had been expanding continuously since it was first established in 1975, and by the time of the smallpox transfer, it occupied a sprawling campus of almost 50 acres and employed more than 4,500 people. After the fall of the Soviet Union, the U.S. government invested heavily in Vector, helping it grow into a world-class facility. A reinforced concrete wall already encircled the perimeter, and high-tech fences, motion detectors, and other infrastructure improvements designed to reduce biohazards were soon added. Two years ago, an evaluation team from the World Health Organization spent six days at Vector and identified no significant security risks. Perhaps most importantly, scientists at Vector have made impressive contributions to smallpox research. According to Kevin Hendzel, an expert on U.S.–Russian nonproliferation issues, the scientists at Koltsovo don’t get enough credit for the “huge volume of important work to sequence [smallpox] genetic code and work out various vaccines and treatments for outbreaks in collaboration with the U.S.” The researchers at Vector are also smart enough not to accidentally spark a global pandemic while doing so. “It takes years of advanced training and a massive infrastructure to even touch this stuff without inadvertently killing all the scientists and support staff,” Hendzel points out. “Any adversary without the training, infrastructure, means of transport, and ability to isolate or weaponize the material is far more likely to do something stupid and die before they can use it as a weapon. Like 10,000 times more likely.” Case in point: In 2004, when a worker at Vector accidentally pricked herself with Ebola virus, she was the only one who died. See? Safe.* On the other hand, Vector has not been devoid of sketchiness. In 1992, Kanatjan Alibekov, a defector to the United States who had been involved in Russia’s biological warfare program, identified Vector as a site where research was being conducted on weaponizing viruses. More troubling is the institute’s post-Soviet reputation for secrecy. According to Jonathan B. Tucker, author of Scourge: The Once and Future Threat of Smallpox, transparency at Vector “decreased sharply” after 2005, when the Russian government put a Communist-throwback apparatchik, Ilyia G. Drozdov, in charge. Since then, attendance of Vector virologists at WHO meetings has grown spotty. When Vector reps do appear, they make unnerving pronouncements. At a WHO Advisory Committee meeting in late 2008, Vector scientists announced they’d shifted all their smallpox from glass to plastic vials (highly risky due to the aforementioned threat of mass annihilation) and decided to destroy nearly 25 percent of their smallpox stock without warning. But ultimately, there are so many other things to worry about when it comes to smallpox that the potential for dodginess at the Vector Institute should be the least of our worries. First off, as the discovery of the smallpox samples in Bethesda proves, there is no guarantee that we’ve truly eliminated all remaining stocks save for those at the CDC and Vector. In 1980, the WHO essentially asked any countries possessing live smallpox to raise their hands and voluntarily destroy extant samples. But as the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty proves, the honor system is far from foolproof when it comes to geopolitics. Even if a rogue nation hasn’t managed to get its hands on variola, that doesn’t mean a rogue scientist with the right credentials can’t just walk into either of the WHO-approved reference labs and steal some. After all, the FBI determined that the culprit behind the 2001 anthrax attacks wasn’t some zealot in a balaclava, but microbiologist and senior bio-defense researcher Bruce Edwards Ivins. Then there’s the looming threat that scientists will soon simply be able to manufacture synthetic smallpox using off-the-shelf chemicals. But if we really want to focus our worries on smallpox in Siberia, why not fixate on the human smallpox carriers popping up outside the Vector Institute, en plein air? I’m talking about corpses: ancient smallpox victims, emerging from the permafrost. Whereas recent discoveries of 19th-century smallpox victims (or just their scabs) in the United States have failed to turn up viable variola samples, scientists hold out hope that frozen Siberian mummies might better preserve the virus and help answer questions about the virus’ longevity. Scientists at Vector actually trekked up to Yakutia back in 1991 when centuries-old remains of a family that had died of smallpox surfaced. They failed to extract any viable virus, but a second cache of smallpox mummies discovered in the same area in 2004 did yield enough DNA for scientists to partially reconstruct its sequence. So weighing the accumulated smallpox threats, accidents, security breaches, and SNAFUs on both sides of the globe, I say go to Novosibirsk and relax. Take in the opera, marvel at the Constructivist architecture, and check out the Museum of the Sun. But if you stumble across a thawing corpse—just hold your breath and whatever you do, don’t eat its scabs. *Correction, June 4, 2015: This article misstated the year in which a worker died of Ebola. It was in 2004, not 1994. | Russian officials said on Saturday they had reported to the World Health Organization (WHO) the first case of an bird flu passed to humans. Head of consumer rights protection agency and chief sanitary officer Dr announced workers have been infected with the virus A(H5N8) in December, but "all seven ... are now feeling well" and "the situation did not develop further". She said they reported it to the WHO "several days ago, just as we became absolutely certain of our results". Popova said transmission between humans has not yet been detected, while noting the potential of mutations able "to overcome this barrier". She concluded the discovery "gives us all, the entire world, time to prepare for possible mutations and react in an adequate and timely fashion". The WHO's European Regional Office said in an e-mail "the reported cases were ... asymptomatic and no onward human to human transmission was reported", according to "preliminary information". The e-mail continued "we are in discussion with national authorities to gather more information and assess the public health impact". The strain's genetic material was isolated from infected workers by the , which announced its intention to develop human tests and an H5N8 vaccine. Outbreaks of H5N8 in poultry have been found in the past few months in China, Europe, , the Middle East, and Russia. Strains of bird flu have occasionally infected or killed humans before. Most transmissions were attributed to direct contact with live or uncooked dead poultry. |
Barack Obama garnered his 11th consecutive primary win this week, when Democrats Abroad announced from Geneva, Switzerland, that the Illinois senator had won the party's Global Primary. Obama got about 65 per cent of more than 20,000 votes submitted overseas. As Eve Troeh reports, Democrats in more than 160 countries cast ballots by mail, fax, in person and - for the first time - online. Barack Obama About six million U.S. citizens live outside the United States, including students, business people and members of the military. Some say the Global Primary is a step toward better voting rights for them. But others see the event as more symbolic than practical. On Super Tuesday, when voters in 22 states went to the polls, more than 1,500 Americans gathered in London's Grand Central Library to vote in the Democratic Global Primary. They split into two caucuses: for Obama or for Clinton. Democrats overseas had a choice this primary season: Vote, as usual, by paper absentee ballot from their home state. Or waive that right, and cast a vote by mail, online or in person in the Democrats Abroad Global Primary. The group set up voting sites in more than 30 countries. The polls were open for one week, starting on February 5. Most were not typical polling stations - balloting was held in bars, private clubs, or coffee shops. In New Delhi, India, voters met at a restaurant called Ploof. They voted upstairs, and partied downstairs. "There were 100 and something voters who brought their kids, their friends, their families. Because they wanted that sense of being together for a really important political moment," said Carolyn Sauvage-Mar, the chair of Democrats Abroad India. She says it was especially important for the fastest-growing democracy in the world to see that Americans take their right to vote seriously. "There were many many first-time voters. A couple of 18 year-olds. There was a naturalized citizen from Ghana, and a naturalized citizen from the UK. There were of course many Indian-Americans. We had another younger person who actually flew to Delhi from Mumbai, a two hour flight, just to vote," he said. Back in 2004, when she started Democrats Abroad India, she says it was chaotic to coordinate absentee ballots all over the country. This year's option to vote online eliminated some of the challenges of the vast distances and erratic mail service. In Oslo, Norway, Fulbright scholar Elizabeth Wiley cast her ballot online. "I got an email with my ballot number and a personal identification number and directed me to the website...so I entered my name in full, my street and mailing address in Norway...," she said. For her, the decision to vote in the Global Primary versus an absentee ballot was easy. Wiley's home state of Michigan was stripped of its delegates by the Democratic Party this year. Democrats Abroad gets just 11 of the 4,000-plus votes at the national convention. But that's more of a say than Wiley would have had if she voted at home. And, it was faster. "I was asked to give my PIN number, and then my ballot was submitted. Took less than a minute," she said. The Global Primary has been touted in the news media and by the Democrats as progressive and inclusive. But Republicans Abroad has described it as more idealistic than realistic. Unlike Democrats Abroad, the Republican group isn't directly tied to the GOP, and doesn't get delegates at its convention. Members say this allows them to focus on making sure their constituents get their traditional absentee ballots… and mail them back. American Enterprise Institute researcher John Fortier, who has studied absentee voting, says within the Democratic Party, the Global Primary was a good way to increase participation in choosing its presidential candidate. But when it comes to battling Republicans at the polls in November, overseas voters won't have the online, fax, or in person options. Only paper absentee ballots from a state are counted in federal elections. And Fortier says problems still plague those ballots. "That system hasn't changed dramatically at all. We have problems with military ballots not having postmarks. And the difficulty of the voter overseas ensuring they get their ballots in time, ensuring that their ballots are back and counted in time. And here I think we are falling short," he said. But Democrats Abroad Executive Director Lindsey Reynolds says the Global Primary does influence the November election. It sends the message that every vote is valuable. "In a practical sense, it allows Americans in South Africa, the Congo, Afghanistan to vote in our primary and have a voice in our nomination. And I think it has certainly made a symbolic gesture to them that we're out there trying to find them and make sure their voice counts," he said. She says if overseas voters, of any political stripe, feel that someone is reaching out to them, and looking out for their rights, they're more likely to take the extra effort to vote this fall," she said. ||||| Obama Wins Democrats Abroad Primary Barack Obama won the Democrats Abroad global primary in results announced Thursday, giving him 11 straight victories in the race for the Democratic presidential nomination. The Illinois senator won the primary in which Democrats living in other countries voted by Internet, mail and in person, according to results released by the Democrats Abroad, an organization sanctioned by the national party. Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton has not won a nominating contest since Super Tuesday, more than two weeks ago. More than 20,000 U.S. citizens living abroad voted in the primary, which ran from Feb. 5 to Feb. 12. Obama won about 65 percent of the vote, according to the results released Thursday. Voters living in 164 countries cast votes online, while expatriates voted in person in more than 30 countries, at hotels in Australia and Costa Rica, at a pub in Ireland and at a Starbucks in Thailand. The results took about a week to tabulate as local committees around the globe gathered ballots. "This really gives Americans an opportunity to participate," said Christine Schon Marques, the international chair of Democrats Abroad. Italian Sports Minister Giovanna Melandri, who has dual citizenship, cast a vote for Obama in Rome. "It wasn't an easy choice for me. I would still love seeing a ticket with Obama and Hillary," Melandri told The Associated Press in a telephone interview. "A drive for change is what is needed in the U.S. and I think that Obama has that drive." There is no comparable primary among Republicans, though the GOP has several contests this weekend in U.S. territories, including party caucuses in Puerto Rico Sunday. The Democrats Abroad controls seven pledged delegates at the party's national convention this summer. However, the group's system of dividing the delegates is unique, and could create an anomaly in which Obama and Clinton end up with fractions of delegates. The party will send 14 pledged delegates to the convention, each with a half vote. The primary was used to determine nine people, or the equivalent of 4.5 delegates. Obama won 2.5 and Clinton won two, according to Schon Marques. The Democrats Abroad will hold a global convention in Vancouver, Canada, in April to select the other five people who will attend the convention. They will represent the remaining 2.5 votes. The system creates the possibility that Obama and Clinton could each end up with a fraction of a delegate at the convention, Schon Marques said. Democratic parties in U.S. territories use similar systems, in which they send twice the number of delegates, giving them each a half vote. But their systems are designed to ensure that that candidates do not end up with fractions of delegates. Stacie Paxton, a spokeswoman for the Democratic National Committee, said party rules allow for delegates with a half vote so that more people can attend the convention from far-flung places. Obama's delegate total, which includes new superdelegate endorsements, increased to 1,358.5 Thursday. Clinton was at 1,264. It will take 2,025 delegates to claim the nomination at this summer's convention. ——— Associated Press Writer Ariel David contributed to this report from Rome. ||||| Barack Obama garnered his 11th consecutive primary win this week, when Democrats Abroad announced from Geneva, Switzerland, that the Illinois senator had won the party's Global Primary. Obama got about 65 per cent of more than 20,000 votes submitted overseas. As Eve Troeh reports, Democrats in more than 160 countries cast ballots by mail, fax, in person and - for the first time - online. Barack Obama About six million U.S. citizens live outside the United States, including students, business people and members of the military. Some say the Global Primary is a step toward better voting rights for them. But others see the event as more symbolic than practical. On Super Tuesday, when voters in 22 states went to the polls, more than 1,500 Americans gathered in London's Grand Central Library to vote in the Democratic Global Primary. They split into two caucuses: for Obama or for Clinton. Democrats overseas had a choice this primary season: Vote, as usual, by paper absentee ballot from their home state. Or waive that right, and cast a vote by mail, online or in person in the Democrats Abroad Global Primary. The group set up voting sites in more than 30 countries. The polls were open for one week, starting on February 5. Most were not typical polling stations - balloting was held in bars, private clubs, or coffee shops. In New Delhi, India, voters met at a restaurant called Ploof. They voted upstairs, and partied downstairs. "There were 100 and something voters who brought their kids, their friends, their families. Because they wanted that sense of being together for a really important political moment," said Carolyn Sauvage-Mar, the chair of Democrats Abroad India. She says it was especially important for the fastest-growing democracy in the world to see that Americans take their right to vote seriously. "There were many many first-time voters. A couple of 18 year-olds. There was a naturalized citizen from Ghana, and a naturalized citizen from the UK. There were of course many Indian-Americans. We had another younger person who actually flew to Delhi from Mumbai, a two hour flight, just to vote," he said. Back in 2004, when she started Democrats Abroad India, she says it was chaotic to coordinate absentee ballots all over the country. This year's option to vote online eliminated some of the challenges of the vast distances and erratic mail service. In Oslo, Norway, Fulbright scholar Elizabeth Wiley cast her ballot online. "I got an email with my ballot number and a personal identification number and directed me to the website...so I entered my name in full, my street and mailing address in Norway...," she said. For her, the decision to vote in the Global Primary versus an absentee ballot was easy. Wiley's home state of Michigan was stripped of its delegates by the Democratic Party this year. Democrats Abroad gets just 11 of the 4,000-plus votes at the national convention. But that's more of a say than Wiley would have had if she voted at home. And, it was faster. "I was asked to give my PIN number, and then my ballot was submitted. Took less than a minute," she said. The Global Primary has been touted in the news media and by the Democrats as progressive and inclusive. But Republicans Abroad has described it as more idealistic than realistic. Unlike Democrats Abroad, the Republican group isn't directly tied to the GOP, and doesn't get delegates at its convention. Members say this allows them to focus on making sure their constituents get their traditional absentee ballots… and mail them back. American Enterprise Institute researcher John Fortier, who has studied absentee voting, says within the Democratic Party, the Global Primary was a good way to increase participation in choosing its presidential candidate. But when it comes to battling Republicans at the polls in November, overseas voters won't have the online, fax, or in person options. Only paper absentee ballots from a state are counted in federal elections. And Fortier says problems still plague those ballots. "That system hasn't changed dramatically at all. We have problems with military ballots not having postmarks. And the difficulty of the voter overseas ensuring they get their ballots in time, ensuring that their ballots are back and counted in time. And here I think we are falling short," he said. But Democrats Abroad Executive Director Lindsey Reynolds says the Global Primary does influence the November election. It sends the message that every vote is valuable. "In a practical sense, it allows Americans in South Africa, the Congo, Afghanistan to vote in our primary and have a voice in our nomination. And I think it has certainly made a symbolic gesture to them that we're out there trying to find them and make sure their voice counts," he said. She says if overseas voters, of any political stripe, feel that someone is reaching out to them, and looking out for their rights, they're more likely to take the extra effort to vote this fall," she said. | left Barack Obama, the junior senator from Illinois and 2008 US presidential candidate won another primary this time in the support of Democrats living outside the United States winning the Democrats Abroad Global Primary after the results from the contest held across the globe have been tallied. Obama got about 65 per cent of more than 20,000 votes submitted overseas. Democrats in more than 160 countries cast ballots by mail, fax, in person and for the first time, online. The group set up voting sites in more than 30 countries. The polls were open for one week, starting on February 5 and ending February 12. Most were not typical polling stations - balloting was held in bars, private clubs, or coffee shops. Democrats Abroad is a officially sanctioned organization recognized by the national Democratic party. This means that Democrats Abroad gets 14 of the 4,000-plus votes at the national convention and is treated like a "state committee" despite not being an American state. However, the votes are half votes and not full votes. So far 9 delegates have been awarded due to the Global Primary, the other 5 will be chosen at a Democrats Abroad convention in Denver in April. The chair of Democrats Abroad India, Carolyn Sauvage-Mar said, "There were 100 and something voters who brought their kids, their friends, their families. Because they wanted that sense of being together for a really important political moment." Also adding, "This really gives Americans an opportunity to participate." Sauvage-Mar noted that new and younger voters showed up to the events, including a couple of 18 year olds, Indian-Americans and naturalized citizens from Ghana and the United Kingdom. Giovanna Melandri, the Italian Minister for Youth and Sports holds dual citizenship in Italy and the United States, and is a Democrat, cast her vote for Obama. "It wasn't an easy choice for me. I would still love seeing a ticket with Obama and Hillary, a drive for change is what is needed in the U.S. and I think that Obama has that drive," Melandri noted in a telephone interview with the ''Associated Press''. The Republicans have their own organization for citizens overseas, Republicans Abroad, however, it is not treated as a "state committee" by the Republican National Committee which heads the Republican Party. As such, they do not hold a primary and do not seat delegates at the convention. |
Retrieval efforts to begin for blackbox of sunken Indonesian jetliner JAKARTA, Indonesia: An American salvage ship arrived in Indonesian waters Thursday to see if it can recover the flight data recorders of a jetliner that plunged into the sea on New Year's Day, killing all 102 people onboard, an official said. "If their studies show it is possible to do so, they will immediately try to retrieve the black boxes," Adam Air spokesman Danke Drajat said as the vessel operated by Phoenix International docked at the Makassar port on Sulawesi island. Indonesia is trying to improve its safety image after three plane accidents this year prompted the European Union to blacklist all of country's airlines. The U.S. Federal Aviation Authority also downgraded the nation's rating to its lowest category. Signals for the Adam Air plane's flight data recorders were detected by a U.S. Navy ship on the seabed at a depth of 1,700 meters (1 mile) weeks after the crash, but disagreements over who should pay held up recovery efforts. It could cost up to US$6 million (€4.45 million). Experts have cautioned that strong currents may have buried the black boxes — which record conversations in the cockpit and instrument readings — with sediment or swept them away. The recovery vessel "Eas" is equipped with a mini submarine that can dive up to 6,000 meters (20,000 feet), sonar and deep sea cameras, one of its 16 crew members said. The Boeing 737 plunged into the sea after running into high winds at around 10,000 meters (33,000 feet), but the cause of the crash remains a mystery. The fuselage is relatively intact on the ocean floor, indicating the plane did not explode in midair. ||||| JAKARTA (Reuters) - A U.S.-operated salvage ship has arrived at the coastal area where an Indonesian plane crashed with 102 passengers on board, and will try to recover the aircraft's black box, an airline official said on Thursday. The Boeing 737-400, operated by budget carrier Adam Air, went down on New Year's day in the sea off south Sulawesi in one of the country's worst air disasters. No survivors were found, and while wreckage from the plane showed up weeks after the crash, the black box has never been retrieved, making it difficult to determine the cause of the disaster. A U.S. navy ship with specialised equipment detected signals in January which were thought to be from the plane's flight recorder, when the ship was part of the search for the missing plane. Adam Air spokesman Danke Sudrajat said that crew from the salvage ship, operated by Phoenix International, would first survey the area where the plane crashed off Sulawesi island. "It is our moral commitment to have the black box retrieved," Sudrajat said, adding that the survey would take several days. Efforts to recover the black box, which refers to the flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder, were delayed due to disagreements between the government and Adam Air over who should bear the cost. Experts said in January that retrieving the flight recorder, set up to give off a signal for 30 days to aid detection, may be difficult as it could be at a depth of up to 1,700 metres (5,600 feet). Locating the black box may be even tougher now as it may have shifted position or been covered by sediment. The 17-year-old plane was heading from Surabaya in East Java to Manado in northern Sulawesi when it vanished in bad weather. The plane made no distress call, although the pilot had reported concerns over crosswinds. | A salvage ship owned and operated by the United States firm Phoenix International has arrived in the Makassar port on the island of Sulawesi, Indonesia. It intends to recover the cockpit voice recorder and flight data recorder (collectively referred to as "black boxes") from the wreckage of Adam Air Flight 574, which crashed into the ocean nearby early on new year's day, killing all 102 on board. Adam Air spokesman Danke Drajat told reporters that the company would first survey the area, and that "If their studies show it is possible to do so, they will immediately try to retrieve the black boxes," adding, "it is our moral commitment to have the black box retrieved." He also said the survey alone would take several days. A US navy vessel, the ''Mary Sears'', sent to the scene of the plane's disappearance had located the black boxes within weeks of the disaster, along with the rest of the wreckage, but recovery was significantly delayed because of a dispute over who would foot the bill for their recovery. With the recorders at a depth of approximately 1,700 meters (1 mile), salvage operations could cost as much as US$6 million (€4.45 million). Experts have predicted that the recovery could be further complicated by strong currents in the area, which may have buried the recorders in sediment or else dislodged them from their original location. According to one crew member, the recovery vessel - the ''Eas'' - has a 16-member crew and carries a mini submarine, which can reach depths of 6,000 meters (20,000 feet), as well as being equipped with sonar and deep sea cameras. The crash is one of three this year, which in combination have caused all Indonesian airlines to be added to the list of air carriers banned in the EU. The other two are Adam Air Flight 172 and Garuda Indonesia Flight 200. The cause of the Boeing 737s loss currently remains a mystery. It is known that while cruising at 33,000 feet (10,000 meters) the aircraft encountered a storm immediately before its disappearance, and, based on the distribution of wreckage on the seabed, it is also known that the aircraft did not experience an in-flight breakup. |
Agreement has been reached by Scottish Radio Holdings to buy Highland Radio in Donegal for a sum in the region of €7m. The deal has been approved in principle by the BCI and is now conditional on the approval of the Competition Authority and the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment. It is understood that Highland Chief Executive Charlie Collins will remain on at the station. Highland's licence area is north Donegal and since it began broadcasting in 1990 it has consistently been among the most-listened to local radio stations in the country. Its studio is based in Letterkenny. Scottish Radio Holdings already own Today FM and FM104. ||||| The sale has been approved in principle by the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland and is now conditional on the approval of the Competition Authority and the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment. Reports today indicate that Highland's Chief Executive Charlie Collins will remain on at the station. Highland's licence area is north Donegal and since it began broadcasting in 1990 it has consistently been among the most successful local radio stations in the country. Scottish Radio Holdings already owns Today FM and FM104 here, while it has also bought several regional newspapers including the Longford Leader and Kilkenny People. SRH said it expects the purchase to enhance its earnings immediately. | Media group, Scottish Radio Holdings (SRH), has reached an agreement to purchase Donegal's popular Highland Radio for around €7 million (USD $8.6 million). The Broadcasting Commission of Ireland has approved the deal in principle; but both the Competition Authority and the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment still are entitled to block the deal. Highland Radio, which broadcasts in north Donegal, Ireland, first hit the airwaves in 1990. It is based in Letterkenny. SRH is a major player in the Irish media market; already owning both Today FM and FM104. Apart from operating radio stations, SRH is also a major player in the weekly newspaper market in the UK and Ireland, owning 45 titles. |
A set of lyrics proposed only last week for Spain’s wordless national anthem have been withdrawn amid criticism that they harked back to the country’s right-wing past. Alejandro Blanco, president of the Spanish Olympic Committee, which in June organized a contest seeking proposals for lyrics and got 7,000 entries, said four stanzas announced last Friday as the official candidate were being shelved because of a “lack of consensus.” The proposed lyrics started off with “Viva España!” the rallying cry of Franco’s dictatorship. ||||| MADRID, Spain (AP) -- A set of lyrics proposed only last week for Spain's wordless national anthem have been yanked amid criticism that they smacked of the country's right-wing past and did not reflect its rich cultural diversity. Spanish Olympic officials want an anthem that fans can sing at sporting events. Alejandro Blanco, president of the Spanish Olympic Committee, which in June organized a contest seeking proposals for lyrics and got 7,000 entries, said four stanzas announced Friday as the official candidate were being shelved because of a "lack of consensus." "The lyrics have generated controversy and, in some cases, rejection," he said. "I have to accept reality, but this does not mean I no longer believe in the idea." The proposed lyrics started off with the "Viva Espana!" rallying cry of the late Gen. Francisco Franco's dictatorship and called on Spaniards to "love the fatherland." That drew criticism from many Spaniards, who said the words seemed to hark back to Franco's obsession with Spain as a unitary state fending off the independence-minded zeal of regions like Catalonia and the Basque country. A gala event scheduled for Jan. 21, at which Spanish tenor Placido Domingo was to sing the lyrics for the first time, has been canceled, Blanco said at a news conference. Blanco said the search for words to accompany the 18th century military march that serves as Spain's national anthem would continue. For centuries, Spaniards have only been able to hum along to the song, whose author is unknown. It made for awkward moments at official ceremonies and sporting events. "It is something I have always felt disappointed and frustrated about," Domingo said Wednesday in Milan, Italy, where he is performing. "If there is an important event, you cannot sing along." But the tenor acknowledged that "for something as important as a national anthem of your country, we need to have consensus." The lyrics had been selected by a six-member jury that included a musicologist, a history professor, a former judge and an Olympic athlete, sailor Theresa Zabell. Zabell said the panel felt its choice "could not offend anyone and contained 'Viva Espana"' as an expression of national pride. The idea had been to collect at least a half million signatures and present the lyrics to Parliament for debate and approval that would end the anthem's wordlessness. The news was certain to be a crushing disappointment for Paulino Cubero, the Spaniard who soared to fame when it emerged that his entry had won the lyrics contest. Cubero is a 52-year-old unemployed engineer who dabbles in writing songs and poetry. His last job was running a small photocopy shop, which he gave up to take care of his ill mother. At the news conference at which the lyrics were announced, he described himself as "a loser." Cubero said earlier that he had not meant to write divisive lyrics, just show pride in Spain. Indeed, his words addressed the plurality of a country with four official languages, saying: "Let us all sing together, with different voices and one heart." "I could have written lyrics that spoke of generals and the military, but I hope the Spain of 2008 is one of respect and understanding," Cubero said. E-mail to a friend Copyright 2008 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. ||||| Controversy over lyrics stalls Placido Domingo's dream of singing Spanish anthem MILAN, Italy: Placido Domingo says he's always longed to lead his country in a national anthem that unites Spaniards — but acknowledged Wednesday that he'll have to wait a little while longer. The Spanish tenor was to premiere the new lyrics of his country's anthem — a military march long performed without words — later this month. But the proposed lyrics were withdrawn Wednesday in Madrid amid criticism that they highlighted the country's right-wing past and do not reflect Spain's cultural diversity. Domingo said Wednesday that he and the Spanish Olympic Committee that commissioned the lyrics have postponed the Jan. 21 Olympic Committee dinner debuting the lyrics. "For something as important as a national anthem of your country, we need to have consensus," Domingo said in an interview at La Scala, where he is singing the lead in the opera "Cyrano de Bergerac." Critics have complained that the proposed anthem — opening with a phrase, "Viva Espana," associated with the late dictator Gen. Francisco Franco — reflects the country's nationalistic past and not its linguistic and cultural diversity. The Olympic committee had received 7,000 entries, and a jury of six experts — including a musicologist, a historian, a composer and an athlete — settled on one as its official candidate to accompany the 1761 military march that has long been Spain's anthem. The plan was to collect half a million signatures to seek formal approval in parliament. But controversy erupted after a newspaper last week leaked the lyrics, which also include a call on Spaniards to "love the fatherland" — seen by some as a swipe at the culturally unique regions of Catalonia and the Basque country. Domingo said a process would be sought to ensure the words unite Spaniards. It was not yet clear if the proposed text would be tinkered with or if they would start from scratch. "With so many great writers in Spain, I am sure a solution can be found," he said. Domingo said he only hopes the idea will not be abandoned entirely. "It is something I have always felt disappointed and frustrated about," Domingo said. "If there is an important event, you cannot sing along." While there is no deadline to the project, Domingo said it "would be great" if Spain's Olympians had lyrics to sing at this year's Olympic Games in Beijing. ||||| MADRID, Spain - Spaniards never have to worry about forgetting the words to their national anthem. It has none. Now, however, the country has embarked on trying to come up with lyrics — a task that some see as leading to a perilous fight. The wordless anthem has often caused consternation among onlookers from other nations at international events such as soccer matches and Olympics because all Spaniards can do is hum along to its tune. Story continues below ↓ advertisement advertisement “It gives me a very odd feeling that people should sing ‘La, la, la,’ or ‘Chunda, chunda, chunda,”’ said Alejandro Blanco, president of Spain’s Olympic Committee. “Spain is a country with cheerful people who sing at any opportunity, so why shouldn’t they be able to sing the words of a national anthem?” Staunchly Catholic Spain has for centuries intoned religious rites such as the “Angelus devotion” instead of rallying around an anthem, although one existed mainly for use at military occasions. Paradoxically, during the 1939-75 military dictatorship of Gen. Francisco Franco, the national anthem was rarely heard and it has only re-emerged with a return to democracy in 1977. Franco’s iron grip on government and the destructive civil war that preceded it have left a nation that is divided not just along traditional regional lines — based on the ancient kingdoms that united centuries ago to form modern Spain — but also politically. Click for related content Spanish athletes push for words to anthem “I doubt very much anyone will be able to come up with words that everyone will be happy with,” said Jose Guzman, a 42-year-old businessman. Rising above politics? Although the idea of setting words to the national anthem was first voiced by the Association of Victims of Terrorism, a group linked to the conservative opposition Popular Party, Blanco said the current initiative is free of politics. “The politically independent Spanish Olympic Committee put forward the idea,” said Blanco, who added that many sectors of society have responded with enthusiasm. Some observers think trying to find words most people will have no qualms about intoning at public functions is going to be a near-impossible task. “Look, Spain has so many languages, what are they going to do, set each stanza in a different tongue?” said Juan Suarez, presenter of musical radio show “La Ciudad Invisible” — “The Invisible City” — on national station Radio 3. Spaniards speak at least five regional languages — not including dialects — and share the distinction of having no words to their anthem with a handful of countries, including Bosnia-Herzegovina, whose anthem was written in 1985, and tiny San Marino, whose tune was penned in 1894. Aiming to unite country The competition to write words to the anthem is open to anyone, said Blanco, who expected the first 300 suggested lyrics from sports daily Marca on Wednesday. Blanco said his committee expected more than 5,000 suggested lyrics to the anthem by September, when the candidates are to be assessed by parliament. “The final choice will be left to lawmakers in government,” said Blanco, who said he was convinced the outcome would unite rather than divide the country. © 2007 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. | The Spanish people will have to wait a little longer before they can sing to their national anthem. ''La Marcha Real'' (The Royal March) has been wordless since its conception in 1761, but on June 5, 2007, Alejandro Blanco, the president of the Spanish Olympic Committee, advocated the creation of lyrics to La Marcha Real. "The lyrics have generated controversy and, in some cases, rejection. Spain is a country with cheerful people who sing at any opportunity, so why shouldn’t they be able to sing the words of a national anthem?," stated Blanco. Just half a year later, the proposed lyrics were withdrawn being due to criticism that it represents Spain's right-wing past, not its cultural diversity. Among the reasons for it being withdrawn include the first phrase of each stanza, "Viva España!" (Long live Spain!), which refers to a rallying cry by the late dictator General Francisco Franco. It also said that Spaniards should love the "fatherland." Blanco also stated that the lyrics "lacked consensus." "I have to accept reality, but this does not mean I no longer believe in the idea," added Blanco. Spanish tenor Placido Domingo, a supporter of giving La Marcha Real lyrics, was due to be the first person to sing the Spanish national anthem at the Olympic Committee dinner on January 21. |
760 WTNT35 KNHC 151430 TCPAT5 BULLETIN Post-Tropical Cyclone Theta Advisory Number 23 NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL AL302020 300 PM GMT Sun Nov 15 2020 ...THETA BECOMES A REMNANT LOW... ...THIS IS THE LAST ADVISORY... SUMMARY OF 300 PM GMT...1500 UTC...INFORMATION ---------------------------------------------- LOCATION...31.5N 18.2W ABOUT 670 MI...1080 KM SE OF THE AZORES MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...30 MPH...45 KM/H PRESENT MOVEMENT...N OR 360 DEGREES AT 2 MPH...4 KM/H MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...1010 MB...29.83 INCHES WATCHES AND WARNINGS -------------------- There are no coastal watches or warnings in effect. DISCUSSION AND OUTLOOK ---------------------- At 300 PM GMT (1500 UTC), the center of Post-Tropical Cyclone Theta was located near latitude 31.5 North, longitude 18.2 West. The post-tropical cyclone is moving toward the north near 2 mph (4 km/h) and a faster north or north-northeast motion is forecast for a day or two until the low dissipates. Maximum sustained winds are near 30 mph (45 km/h) with higher gusts. The low should gradually decay and dissipate by Tuesday. The estimated minimum central pressure is 1010 mb (29.83 inches). HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND ---------------------- None. NEXT ADVISORY ------------- This is the last public advisory issued by the National Hurricane Center on this system. Additional information on this system can be found in High Seas Forecasts issued by the UK Met Office under WMO header FQNT21 EGRR and on the web at metoffice.gov.uk/weather/specialist-forecasts/coast-and-sea/high- seas-forecast/. $$ Forecaster Blake ||||| 000 WTNT45 KNHC 151432 TCDAT5 Post-Tropical Cyclone Theta Discussion Number 23 NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL AL302020 300 PM GMT Sun Nov 15 2020 Theta has run out of theta-e. The cyclone has been without significant deep convection for many hours now and has been gradually spinning down today. It no longer meets the qualifications of a tropical cyclone, so this is the last advisory. The initial wind speed is set to 25 kt per the latest scatterometer pass. The low is meandering this morning. It is expected to be picked up to the north-northeast by the next trough over the northeastern Atlantic, along with an increase in forward speed. The remnants of Theta should gradually lose strength due to strong shear, very dry air and little instability before dissipating in a day or two. Additional information on this system can be found in High Seas Forecasts issued by the UK Met Office under WMO header FQNT21 EGRR and on the web at metoffice.gov.uk/weather/specialist-forecasts/coast-and-sea/high- seas-forecast/. FORECAST POSITIONS AND MAX WINDS INIT 15/1500Z 31.5N 18.2W 25 KT 30 MPH...POST-TROPICAL 12H 16/0000Z 31.9N 18.1W 25 KT 30 MPH...POST-TROP/REMNT LOW 24H 16/1200Z 33.7N 17.7W 20 KT 25 MPH...POST-TROP/REMNT LOW 36H 17/0000Z 36.5N 16.5W 20 KT 25 MPH...POST-TROP/REMNT LOW 48H 17/1200Z...DISSIPATED $$ Forecaster Blake | Tropical Storm Henri (pronounced ''awn-'REE''), the eight named storm of the , formed on Tuesday approximately 600 miles east of the . Forecast track map of Tropical Storm Henri The storm currently has winds of about 40 miles per hour (65 kilometres per hour), with slightly higher gusts. Henri is moving north-northeast at 18 mph (30 kph). The storm is predicted to be weak and short-lived, avoiding any land masses. The tropical storm could die out as soon as Wednesday. However, the storm's intensification has already surprised some meteorologists: "The formation of Henri illustrates how difficult it is to anticipate the changes in convection that distinguish strong tropical disturbances from weak tropical cyclones", said a National Hurricane Center forecaster. |
Colombo, envoyé spécial Des chiffres étouffés. Des rapports sans suite. Un bilan des victimes très vraisemblablement sous-estimé. Des principes reniés. Bien qu'elle ait disposé d'éléments accablants sur la conduite de l'armée sri-lankaise, la hiérarchie de l'ONU a, selon une enquête du Monde, gardé le silence, de peur de compromettre ses activités dans ce pays.Tandis que se préparait ce qu'elle a fini par décrire comme un "bain de sang", l'ONU a fait le choix de la conciliation avec Colombo, au risque de faillir à son devoir envers des centaines de milliers de civils en danger. Le refus de l'ONU de publier le bilan des victimes est emblématique. Tout au long de l'offensive de l'armée contre l'une des plus vieilles et des plus violentes guérillas dans le monde, les séparatistes des Tigres de l'Eelam tamoul (LTTE), une cellule onusienne a collecté et recoupé des données auprès d'employés locaux de l'ONU, d'ONG, de médecins ou de prêtres. Son total, entre le 20 janvier et le 13 mai (une semaine avant l'assaut final), est de 7 720 morts (dont 678 enfants) et 18 465 blessés (dont 2 384 enfants). Il y a eu "une tentative de suppression systématique de ce matériel", affirme un officiel onusien. Quand les chiffres ont été communiqués à la presse par des voies détournées, le coordonnateur local de l'ONU, Neil Buhne, a exigé d'être, désormais, le seul destinataire de ces bilans. En public, les responsables onusiens ont pris leurs distances avec ces chiffres. Contre l'avis du secrétaire général, Ban Ki-moon, et de Vijay Nambiar, son chef de cabinet, le haut-commissaire de l'ONU aux droits de l'homme, Navi Pillay, a jugé qu'il était de la responsabilité de l'ONU de publier ces données "crédibles", selon elle (le décompte était alors de 2 800 morts). De peur de provoquer l'ire de Colombo, le chef des affaires humanitaires de l'ONU, John Holmes, a dû prévenir l'ambassadeur du Sri Lanka à l'ONU. Bien qu'il ne tienne pas compte des lourdes pertes des derniers jours, le chiffre de 7 700 morts continue à faire référence dans la presse. Mais Vijay Nambiar a été informé que le bilan final "dépasserait sans doute les 20 000 morts". Ce chiffre, non vérifié, est une extrapolation des rares informations disponibles. Imparfait, il reste méthodologiquement plus solide que le bilan de 300 000 morts au Darfour cité par M. Holmes, en 2008. Dès le début, l'ONU aurait dû s'attendre au pire. Le 23 janvier, 17 de ses employés, dont deux "internationaux", sont au centre de distribution de nourriture de Udaiyaarkaddu (Nord), dans la zone dite de "sûreté", lorsque l'armée sri-lankaise pilonne l'endroit. Des dizaines de personnes sont tuées. Dans l'hôpital le plus proche, les fonctionnaires onusiens prennent des photos des femmes blessées, d'enfants défigurés, brûlés, amputés. Dans les semaines suivantes, les responsables onusiens restent informés de l'évolution des combats à travers les SMS désespérés d'employés locaux de l'ONU et d'ONG, coincés dans la zone des combats. Les hôpitaux sont frappés par des bombes sri-lankaises. Les SMS égrènent les morts, par centaines. Les blessés, par milliers. Un message du 9 mars : "S'il vous plaît, demandez à l'ASL (armée sri-lankaise) d'arrêter." Le 14 mars : "Où est la zone de sûreté ?" Au milieu du chaos, les LTTE recrutent de force. Le 12 mars : "Les deux camps nous torturent." "Nous mourrons ! Deux obus ont atterri à 10 m." Le 19 mars : "Les jeunes sont emmenés au combat, très triste. Quelle est la réaction de la communauté internationale ?" Le 21 mars : "Des centaines de gens qui essayaient de s'échapper ont été arrêtés par des dictateurs locaux. Ils ont été battus avec des bâtons, sans distinction d'âge ni de sexe. Je les entends pleurer très fort." "Pourquoi la communauté internationale reste-t-elle silencieuse ?" A situation nouvelle, nouveaux outils. Incapable d'être sur le terrain, l'ONU fait appel à une de ses agences (Unosat) pour suivre les déplacements de population sur des photos satellite. Les clichés révèlent des cratères, certains de 12 m de diamètres, produits par des bombardements aériens du gouvernement. "Malgré les assurances données au plus haut niveau de l'ONU, le gouvernement n'a jamais arrêté de bombarder, pas une seule fois", explique un responsable. L'ONU détient la preuve de violations du droit international, mais n'en fait pas grand cas. Mi-avril, lorsqu'il arrive pour sa première mission au Sri Lanka, Vijay Nambiar délivre aux responsables onusiens un message étonnant : l'ONU devrait garder "un profil bas" et jouer "un rôle d'appui", "compatible avec le gouvernement", explique-t-il. A cette époque, les morts et les blessés se comptent par milliers. A son retour, l'ONU annonce que Colombo accepte la venue d'une mission humanitaire dans la zone des combats. Elle ne verra jamais le jour. L'attitude de la hiérarchie onusienne, de New York à Colombo, suscite un profond malaise chez plusieurs cadres. "On savait qu'on se préparait à un carnage", explique l'un d'eux. "On a tiré la sonnette d'alarme pendant des mois, mais ils n'ont jamais frappé en public sur le gouvernement." "Tout le monde a peur que son agence soit jetée dehors", explique une fonctionnaire. De fait, les autorités sri-lankaises n'hésitent pas à menacer d'expulsion ou à intimider quiconque sort du rang. Le 11 mai, après la mort de plus de 100 enfants, le porte-parole de l'ONU à Colombo, Gordon Weiss, évoque enfin un "bain de sang". Le gouvernement le somme de s'expliquer. Sa hiérarchie le lâche. Sur la BBC, Amin Awad, le chef local du Haut-Commissariat pour les réfugiés (HCR), explique qu'il est difficile de démêler les accusations des contre-accusations. Le 17 mai, sur Al-Jazira, M. Awad encore, abondant dans le sens des déclarations victorieuses du gouvernement, affirme qu'il ne reste presque aucun déplacé dans la zone de combat ; 20 000 réfugiés en sortiront le lendemain. "C'était donner un chèque en blanc au gouvernement pour lâcher un tapis de bombes sur la zone", déplore un responsable onusien. La fin des combats n'a pas marqué la fin des dilemmes. Dans les camps où sont détenus 300 000 déplacés tamouls, les ONG éprouvent une gêne croissante. "Les compromissions, ça suffit", résume une responsable d'ONG qui accuse l'ONU ne pas se battre pour faire appliquer les principes élémentaires de l'aide humanitaire : l'accès aux victimes, la liberté de mouvement des réfugiés, la démilitarisation des camps... Dans une lettre envoyée le 11 mai à Neil Buhne, 7 ONG s'inquiètent de l'aide apportée par l'ONU au gouvernement pour étendre le camp de Menik Farm (Nord), qui comprend "une installation d'internement semi-permanente" dont les extensions pourraient "représenter le stade initial d'un site plus permanent". "Nos opérations ne devraient pas seulement satisfaire des besoins matériels mais aussi promouvoir et respecter la dignité des déplacés", assure le document. ||||| But aid officials say that conditions in the camps clumped around the northern district of Vavuniya remain horrifically crowded and that basic items like cooking pots and blankets are in short supply. “These people in the camps need more assistance,” said Elizabeth Byrs, a spokeswoman for the United Nations in Geneva. “They are in a dire situation. The camps are overcrowded, and we need to build much more shelters.” At the Vavuniya hospital, where thousands of the wounded have been treated since the last weeks of brutal fighting between the rebels and the government, nearly 2,000 patients are packed into a facility with 400 beds, according to Doctors Without Borders. Surgeons who normally would perform five surgeries a day are doing more than two dozen. Newsletter Sign Up Continue reading the main story Please verify you're not a robot by clicking the box. Invalid email address. Please re-enter. You must select a newsletter to subscribe to. Sign Up You agree to receive occasional updates and special offers for The New York Times's products and services. Thank you for subscribing. An error has occurred. Please try again later. View all New York Times newsletters. “The hospital is very packed,” said Hugues Robert, head of mission for Doctors Without Borders in Sri Lanka. The United Nations estimates that at least 7,000 civilians were killed in the bloody final push of the battle to defeat the rebels, known as the Tamil Tigers, who had waged guerrilla warfare for 25 years. Human rights groups have accused the government of shelling civilians who had fled to safe zones. Verifying the total civilian death toll has been impossible because access to the displaced by rights investigators and independent journalists has been severely restricted. Despite this, Sri Lanka successfully fought off efforts to begin an investigation by the United Nations Human Rights Council this week into possible war crimes in Sri Lanka. Several European nations supported a resolution calling for an investigation of both the actions of the Tamil Tigers, who are accused of using civilians as human shields, and the government, but Sri Lanka introduced its own resolution, in effect congratulating itself on its victory. Several crucial allies, like India, China and Pakistan, helped pass that resolution, which contained much weaker language urging the government to allow access to displaced people by aid groups. The displaced say they are being held hostage by the government in camps that have become little more than open-air prisons. Government officials say that the displaced are being corralled for their own safety and to allow the military to flush out Tamil Tiger fighters hiding among the civilians. United Nations officials said that the civilians must be allowed to return to their homes quickly. “The civilians should be able to leave the camps and go back their families,” Ms. Byrs said. “It is a trauma for these people to be kept in these camps.” ||||| Human Rights Council ROUNDUP RELEASE 27 May 2009 The Human Rights Council concluded its eleventh Special Session today after adopting a resolution on assistance to Sri Lanka in the promotion and protection of human rights in which it encouraged the Government to continue to pursue its existing cooperation with relevant United Nations organizations in order to provide, in cooperation with the Government, basic humanitarian assistance, in particular, safe drinking water, sanitation, food, and medical and healthcare services to the internally displaced persons. It also urged the Government to continue strengthening its activities to ensure that there was no discrimination against ethnic minorities in the enjoyment of the full range of human rights. In the resolution, which was adopted by a vote of 29 in favour, 12 against, and 6 abstentions, the Council commended the measures taken by the Government of Sri Lanka to address the urgent needs of the internally displaced persons and welcomed the continued commitment of Sri Lanka to the promotion and protection of all human rights, and encouraged it to continue to uphold its human rights obligations and the norms of international human rights law. It also welcomed the announcement of the proposal to safely resettle the bulk of the internally displaced persons within six months, and encouraged the Government to proceed in these endeavours with due respect to persons belonging to national, ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities. The Council further acknowledged the commitment of the Government to provide access as may be appropriate to international humanitarian agencies in order to ensure humanitarian assistance to the population affected by the past conflict, in particular internally displaced persons, with a view to meeting their urgent needs. It also encouraged the Government to continue to persevere in its efforts towards the disarmament, demobilization and rehabilitation of former child soldiers that were recruited by the non-state armed actors in the conflict in Sri Lanka, and their physical and psychological recovery and reintegration into society, in cooperation with relevant United Nations organizations. The Council welcomed the resolve of the Sri Lankan authorities to begin a broader dialogue with all parties in order to enhance the process of political settlement and to bring about lasting peace and development in Sri Lanka based on consensus among and respect for the rights of all the ethnic and religious groups inhabiting it. It further urged the international community to cooperate with the Government of Sri Lanka in the reconstruction efforts, including by increasing the provision of financial assistance, including Official Development Assistance, to help the country fight poverty and underdevelopment and continue to ensure the promotion and protection of all human rights, including economic, social and cultural rights. General Assembly Resolution 60/251 which created the Human Rights Council states in its operative paragraph 10 that the Council "shall be able to hold Special Sessions when needed at the request of a member of the Council with the support of one-third of the membership of the Council". This was the eleventh Special Session of the Human Rights Council. The Council's previous Special Sessions related to grave human rights violations in the Gaza Strip, the Occupied Palestinian Territories, Lebanon, Darfur, Myanmar, the Global Food Crisis, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Global Financial and Economic Crises. ____________ For use of the information media; not an official record ||||| [ Video Inside ] Times photographs expose Sri Lanka’s lie on civilian deaths at beach - by Catherine Philp and Michael Evans. On Wednesday evening the Sri Lankan delegation at the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva was celebrating after its victory in fending off an investigation into alleged war crimes committed by its army. Sri Lanka’s Government has consistently denied killing civilians in the battle to wipe out the Tamil Tigers and blamed the rebels for any deaths. It hailed the vote by the council as a vindication of its action. An investigation by The Times into Sri Lanka’s civilian casualties, however — which was conducted in a week-long visit to Sri Lanka — has found evidence of a civilian death toll of 20,000, almost three times that cited previously. The majority perished under government guns. Confidential UN documents, the testimony of witnesses who lived through the bombardment and expert analysis of photographs that were taken on a helicopter flight over the no-fire zone attest to the deaths of thousands of Tamils, killed while acting as unwilling human shields by the Tamil Tigers, who claimed to be their liberators. Intended as a haven for civilians, the no-fire zone became a killing field instead for the thousands trapped between the rebels and the army. Summaries of UN documents leaked this month confirmed almost 7,000 dead in the first four months of the year. More than 13,000 civilians were killed until May 19, the day after the death of Velupillai Prabakharan, the leader of the Tigers, was announced. That figure is based on the growth in the intensity of shelling in May, resulting in an average of 1,000 civilian deaths every day. “These figures are not even complete yet,” the UN source said. “It’s going to end up way more.” The Times has acquired a full set of the documents showing the previously unreleased breakdown of the weaponry that caused each death and revealing the scale of carnage from shelling which defence experts said could have come only from the army’s side. The UN figures until the end of April, which are based on death records, show that 2 per cent of deaths in January, the beginning of the final offensive, were caused by gunfire and more than 80 per cent by shelling. Many of those shot were killed by the Tamil Tigers when they opened fire on civilians to prevent them from escaping after being held as hostages in the no-fire zone. In February, 15 per cent were killed by gunfire as more civilians attempted to escape and 64 per cent were killed by shelling. The numbers killed by shelling doubled from March to April, with an average of 129 every day. Three independent defence analysts who examined photographs of army and rebel firing positions taken over the no-fire zone confirmed that the range of the rebel weaponry and the narrowness of the zone make it unlikely that rebel munitions caused significant civilian casualties. One told The Times that rebel mortars would have hit civilians only if their weapons had malfunctioned. “It’s possible that some of the mortars might have misfired causing some of the damage but this sort of occurrence is rare,” Charles Heyman, a former army officer and editor of the magazine Armed Forces of the UK, said. “It looks more likely that the firing position has been located by the Sri Lankan Army and it has then been targeted with air-burst and groundimpact mortars.” Mortars are an indiscriminate weapon employed usually to take out groups of fighters on an open battlefield. Use of imprecise weapons of this kind in densely populated civilian areas is a war crime under Common Article 3 of the 1949 Geneva Convention — to which Sri Lanka is a signatory. Mortars — the Sri Lankan Army has 81mm, 82mm and 120mm rockets — can detonate on the ground where the impact would be absorbed partially, or between 100ft and 200ft above the ground, causing a mass of shell fragments. Air-burst and ground-impact mortars can cause wide destruction and reduce trees to burnt stumps — one of the sights seen frequently in The Times photographs. According to a former Sri Lankan army officer, the Tamil Tigers did not possess air-burst mortars. Their heavy weaponry had a range of 7 to 27km, meaning that most of their fire would have fallen outside the zone. UN projections based on the last five days of April predicted an average May death rate of 341 every day, but the month was to prove bloodier. Until the end of April, the death toll was collated from the number of bodies arriving at improvised medical centres or reports from doctors, priests and humanitarian workers inside the no-fire zone. Bodies taken to the medical centres or casualties who died undergoing treatment accounted for not more than 19 per cent of the total death toll. In one day, when the names of 198 dead were collected, only 39 bodies were taken to the medical centre. In the four days leading up to and including May 13, an average of 220 bodies were taken to medical points. On the worst day, the toll reached 480. Workers were unable to collect reports of other deaths because of the intensity of the bombing. Based on the previous ratios, a conservative estimate still comes out at more than 1,000 civilian deaths each day, one UN source noted. Counting of any kind was abandoned on May 13 when the bombardment reached such an intensity that most humanitarian staff had left and others were unable to leave their bunkers. Still unaccounted for are 3,000 wounded civilians who were left in the last medical post in the no-fire zone when the remaining medical staff fled. One humanitarian worker told The Times that makeshift hospitals had been repeated targets for the Government, which claimed that rebels were hiding in them. In some cases, he said, the medical posts were bombed within hours of doctors telephoning their co-ordinates to the International Committee of the Red Cross so that the military could avoid bombing them. UN sources accused the Government of waging “a war without witnesses”. “They didn’t want anyone left to say what had happened,” one said. Three Sri Lankan doctors who reported on civilian casualties within the no-fire zone are being held on charges of spreading false information. UN sources said that their workers were trying to discover the fates of thousands more who are missing. The task is complicated by the internment of Tamil civilians in military-run camps beyond the reach of humanitarian organisations. No independent observers have been given access to the war zone. The Times was able to photograph the no-fire zone while travelling with Ban Ki Moon, the UN Secretary-General. It is the only British publication to do so. The Times has made two official visits to Manik Farm camp in the last week, during which those who had fled the no-fire zone testified to their grim experiences there. With the backing of its power ally China, there appears little prospect that the Government will be investigated for alleged war crimes. All of the Tiger leadership have been killed, leaving only middle-ranking cadre to face justice. Common Article Three of the Geneva Convention prohibits the use of indiscriminate fire against civilian areas, even when a military force is using them as a shield, as the Tigers can be seen to have been doing in the photographs. The Government’s restriction of humanitarian law may constitute a war crime. Sri Lanka’s 2006 Geneva Conventions Act purports to enshrine the conventions in its law but, according to the Rule of Law in Armed Conflict Project at the Geneva Academy of Humanitarian Law and Human Rights, it specifically excluded internal conflicts. Legal experts said, however, that the loophole, designed to exclude the war with the Tamil Tigers, did not exclude Sri Lankan commanders from international prosecution. The Government’s words January 31 President Rajapaksa I urge the LTTE, within the next 48 hours, to allow free movement of civilians to ensure their safety and security. For all those civilians, I assure a safe passage to a secure environment. April 27 President’s office O ur security forces have been instructed to end their use of heavy calibre guns, combat aircraft and aerial weapons, which could cause civilian casualties. April 28 Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara We have not used any shelling or mortaring, only small arms. We know how we are fighting. May 1 Palitha Kohona, Foreign Secretary A s long as the retaliation is proportionate it is perfectly legitimate and what we did exactly was locate these guns and retaliate against those guns. But I would challenge anybody to say that these shell holes were created once the civilians moved into the area May 11 Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Defence Secretary Nothing could be as ridiculous as a claim of more than 2,000 civilians being killed in a single barrage. May 17 Mahinda Samarasinghe, Human Rights Minister Soldiers saved all Tamil civilians trapped inside the war zone without shedding a drop of blood May 21 The government minister, former Tiger leader, Vinayagamoorthy Muralitharan There are casualties and we have to appreciate the casualties because without them you can’t rescue the people. Material Courtesy:Times,UK. Photos: AP,Reuters Other related articles from Times Online: The hidden massacre: Sri Lanka’s final offensive against Tamil Tigers Photographs show destruction and despair of Sri Lanka’s no-fire zone Slaughter in Sri Lanka Bunkers and carnage: picture that shows how Tamil refugees were caught in conflict | French newspaper ''Le Monde'' published on Friday an article accusing the United Nations (UN) of deliberately hiding facts about civilian killings during the last months of the civil war in Sri Lanka in order to protect their own activities in the country. According to investigative journalism by ''Le Monde'', The UN did not publish the number of civilians killed until it was finally leaked. According to a UN confidential report, people were killed (among them children) and were injured (among them children) between January 20 and May 13. A UN official declared to ''Le Monde'' that his hierarchy tried to suppress these figures to remain in good terms with the government. When these numbers were leaked, Neil Buhne, the UN official coordinator in Sri Lanka, asked to be the only recipient of the figures in the future. Even the secretary general Ban Ki-moon tried to hide the numbers, according to ''Le Monde''. Despite the heavy bombings in the last days of the war, the dead people are still given as an official figure which was repeated in ''The New York Times''. According to Vijay K. Nambiar, Ban Ki-moon's chief-of-staff cited by ''Le Monde'', the numbers could be closer to ; these figures are corroborated by ''The Times''. The paper discovered compelling evidence showing that on average 1,000 Sri Lankan civilians perished each day during the first 19 days of May. "These figures are not even complete yet. It’s going to end up way more" said a UN source. ''The Times'' relied on aerial photographs, confidential UN documents, witnesses and independent defense experts to understand the final days in the 26 year old Sri Lankan civil war. survivors are interned in the Manik Farm refugee camp. The camp was visited twice by ''The Times'' investigators. wounded civilians are still missing from the last known makeshift hospital. A survivor reported hospitals were bombed by the government which claimed the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) rebels were using them as hideouts. “They didn’t want anyone left to say what had happened,” say UN sources. “We reject all these allegations. Civilians have not been killed by government shelling at all. If civilians have been killed, then that is because of the actions of the LTTE rebels who were shooting and killing people when they tried to escape.” said a representative for the Sri Lankan High Commission. Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara of Sri Lanka added "We have not used any shelling or mortaring, only small arms. We know how we are fighting". The aerial images taken by ''The Times'' suggest the contrary. ''Le Monde'' also wrote that the United Nations did not help its people on the ground. Text messages sent by local employees in the war zones asked to "stop the war" and "what is the international community doing". "Hundreds of people trying to flew where caught by local dictators and beaten, without distinction of age and sex. I hear them crying." said another one. In April, Vijay Nambiar asked the locals to keep a "low profile" and play an active role in supporting the government. The Sri Lankan government denied any wrongdoing. On Wednesday, the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland cleared Sri Lanka of any alleged war crimes. Sri Lanka gained the support of China, Egypt, India and Cuba. |
STUCK IN TUBBATAHA. File photo of the USS Guardian during a port visit to Okinawa, Japan by the US Navy MANILA, Philippines (3rd UPDATE) – A US Navy minesweeper ran aground near Tubbataha Reef in the Sulu Sea and the Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park management is now investigating coral damage, a park official said on Thursday, January 17. Protected area superintendent and head of the Tubbataha management office Angelique Songco told Rappler that the ship "entered without a permit" in violation of section 19 of Republic Act 10067 or the Tubbataha Reefs National Park (TRNP) Act of 2009. Asked if there will be damage to the coral, she said: "Definitely, yes." The Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park official explained that the amount of damage to the coral will be determined by a joint team of the USS Guardian and personnel from the marine park, designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1993. Songco added that the once the damage is assessed, the owner of the ship – the US Navy – can expect to pay P12,000 per sqm of destroyed reefs. "The most probable cause is mis-navigation," said Major Oliver Banaria, commander of the AFP's 6th Civil Relations Group based in Palawan. In a statement, the Philippines' Department of Foreign Affairs said it is closely coordinating with the US Embassy, the Department of National Defense, the Armed Forces of the Philippines, and the Philippine Coast Guard on this. The DFA also said it expects the Philippine government to look into the incident. DIVING PARADISE. Tubbataha is a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1993 and considered a paradise for scuba diving. From from the Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park official website Rangers barred by US Navy The US ship ran aground in Tubbataha Reef early morning Thursday. A statement from the US Pacific Fleet revealed that the USS Guardian, an Avenger-class mine countermeasures ship, ran aground at 2.25 am near the world heritage site, which is about 98 nautical miles from Puerto Princesa City. The Park sent its Rangers Thursday morning to visit the ship but were barred by the Americans, according to Songco. "We have not yet been able to approach the boat as there are armed soldiers on deck," she said. As well as unauthorized entry, the USS Guardian is also liable to be charged with destroying and disturbing resources inside the marine protected area under section 26 of the TRNP Act. Park officials have not heard yet from the US Navy, the source added. RICH IN MARINE LIFE. From tiny pygmy seahorses to the gigantic whale shark, Tubbataha is teeming with marine life. Photo by Jiggy Santillan US ship came from Subic Banaria said the incident was reported to them at 3 am. The ship came from a routine port call in Subic, Zambales last Monday, January 14. "The Avenger-Class ship had just completed a port call in Subic Bay, Olongapo City and was en route to her next port of call when the grounding occurred. The ship is currently stuck on the reef, approximately 80 miles east-southeast of Palawan. The crew is currently working to determine the best method of safely extracting the ship," the US Navy added in its statement. No injuries were reported among the 80-man crew and no fuel leak has been discovered. A Nomad Islander plane from the Philippine Air Force conducted air reconnaissance over the area, while a patrol gunboat from the Coast Guard is on standby to assist the US ship. PRISTINE REEFS. The coral reefs of Tubbataha are healthy and free from parasites such as the nasty crown-of-thorns starfish that eats polyps, the live organisms that make up the coral. Photo by Lory Tan/WWF 'Baffling and lamentable' In a statement, the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) called the incident "baffling and lamentable" and said that "a quick ocular inspection" shows that at least 10 m of the ship's hull have damaged the reef. WWF called on the US Navy to coordinate directly with the park management through the embassy. "The extent of damage to the reef must be determined. Furthermore, the swift, safe, and proper extrication of the vessel, should cause no further damage to the Park. This must be done without delay," the statement added. Tubbataha – a multi-awarded conservation project and one of the world's best dive sites – is a 97,030-hectare World Heritage Site with two main atolls home to a huge variety of marine life species including large pelagics such as manta rays and sharks as well as pristine coral. 2013 is the 25th anniversary of the area's recognition by UNESCO. - Rappler.com ||||| SASEBO NAVAL BASE, Japan — A Sasebo-based minesweeper ran aground Thursday off the coast of the Philippines, Navy officials said. The USS Guardian, a 224-foot Avenger-class mine countermeasures ship with a crew of about 80, struck the Tubbataha Reef at 2:25 a.m. local time, according to a Navy statement. No one was injured and the cause of the grounding was under investigation. The ship had been transiting the Sulu Sea between the southwest Philippines and Malaysia after a port visit to Subic Bay, the statement said. The ship was stuck about 80 miles east-southeast of Palawan Island. “We’re making attempts to free the ship,” CTF-76 spokesman Lt. Brian Wierzbicki said Thursday afternoon, adding that no information on damage was immediately available. The government of the Philippines was notified of the incident. The Guardian is helmed by Lt. Cmdr. Mark Rice, a former instructor at the Navy’s Surface Warfare Officer School. Rice arrived in Sasebo in October 2011 after serving in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation New Dawn and Operation Enduring Freedom, according to his Navy biography. He had previously been the Guardian’s executive officer. Often times, commanders are relieved of duty when incidents such as this occur. Capt. Chuck Litchfield was fired from commanding the amphibious assault ship USS Essex last June after crashing into a refueling ship while en route from Sasebo to California. On Aug. 30, Cmdr. Martin Arriola was fired from helming the USS Porter after the missile destroyer collided with a tanker in the Persian Gulf. Cmdr. Sara Santoski was fired from commanding Helicopter Mine Countermeasures Squadron 15 on Sept. 1 after two sailors died in a crash. Twenty-five Navy commanding officers were relieved in 2012 and 23 the year before. burkem@pstripes.osd.mil ||||| MANILA, Philippines - A United States (US) minesweeper that docked at Subic last Sunday ran aground at the Tubbataha Reef in Palawan province at dawn Thursday. Maj. Oliver Banaria, commander of the 6th Civil Relations Group of the Armed Forces of the Philppines (AFP), was quick to clarify that it has yet to be determined if the ill-fated US warship -- USS Guardian (MCM5) -- hit the corals or simply sailed right into a shallow portion of the country’s declared national marine park. Citing initial reports, Banaria said the scene of the mishap is about 98 nautical miles from Puerto Princesa City. The mishap took place at around 3 a.m. “It’s already near Puerto Princesa, but not at the side of the West Philippine Sea,†Banaria said, referring to the Sulu Sea area where the mishap occurred. A surveillance plane and a Philippine Navy gunboat (PG-383) were dispatched to the area to check the condition of the vessel and its crewmembers. In press statement recently released by the US Embassy, it said the USS Guardian will be dropping anchor at Subic Bay to refuel and replenish its supplies before proceeding to Puerto Princesa City in Palawan for another port call. The embassy said that the Subic port call of the USS Guardian will also give an opportunity to her 80 crewmembers, eight of them Filipino-Americans, to an overnight furlough. On the other hand, the US Pacific Command (USPACOM), confirming the mishap, said that no crewmember of USS Guardian was hurt in the incident. “The Avenger-Class ship had just completed a port call in Subic Bay, Olongapo City and was en route to her next port of call when the grounding occurred,†it said. It added: “The ship is currently stuck on the reef, approximately 80 miles east-southeast of Palawan Island. The crew is currently working to determine the best method of safely extracting the ship, while the cause of the grounding is currently being investigated.†Last year, a Chinese warship also ran aground at Half Moon Shoal in the West Philippine Sea, 70 miles south of Palawan. | left The , a United States vessel used for , ran aground in the Philippines' National Park in the on Thursday, according to the US Navy. The US Navy said the incident occurred at 2:25 a.m. local time about 130 km east-southeast of the province of in the Philippines and about 98 nautical miles from , the capital of the province. There were no reports of injuries nor signs of . The ship has a crew of 80 and had previously completed a port call at earlier in the week. The US Navy also said they were investigating the incident. They also said in a statement, "The crew is currently working to determine the best method of safely extracting the ship". An , the ship was on its way to Puerto Princesa in Palawan. It is assigned to the U.S. Navy’s and based in , in Japan. The in Manila stated, "The was promptly informed of the incident and offered to assist the U.S. Navy, and we greatly appreciate their offers of assistance ... The safety of the Guardian’s crew and preventing harm to the environment are the U.S. Navy's top priorities". An official of the based in Palawan told reporters they have deployed a force offering to assist the Guardian. Under sections 19 and 26 of the Tubbataha Reefs National Park Act of 2009, Republic Act 10067, the US Navy can be charged with unauthorized entry and could pay 12,000 for each square meter of reef destroyed. A similar incident occurred in 2005 when the '''' ran aground in the same vicinity. Greenpeace, an environmental advocacy group and owners of the ''Rainbow Warrior'', were fined 384,000PHP (6,857) for damaging a reef area of 32 by 3 meters (105 by 10 feet). has been a since 1993 and covers 97,030 . A diverse variety of and marine life currently take refuge within the park including and . The reef is also known as a popular site. == Sources == * * * * |
Belgian ship 'Pompei' (file photo) Somali pirates attacked two new ships off the Horn of Africa Saturday. Somali pirates attacked two new ships off the Horn of Africa Saturday. In one assault, a NATO commander said pirates captured a Belgian vessel, the Pompei , traveling south to the Seychelles islands. The ship was carrying 10 crew members, including two Belgians, four Croatians and three Filipinos. Belgian officials said the ship had sent out two distress signals. Further north, in the Gulf of Aden, the NATO commander said forces responded to a distress signal sent out by a Marshall Islands-flagged tanker that also came under attack. He said the Dutch forces responding to the call caught up with the pirates responsible and ended up rescuing 20 Yemeni hostages being held on another vessel, which the pirates had been using as their "mother ship." The commander said the Dutch forces chased the pirates to the hijacked Yemeni fishing dhow after spotting them fleeing on a skiff. In addition to rescuing the 20 fisherman, who had been held for about a week, the forces also briefly detained seven pirates. On Friday, American ship captain Richard Phillips returned home, five days after a U.S. Navy operation freed him from pirates in the same area. Phillips' vessel was attacked April 8 as it sailed off the coast of the northern Puntland region of Somalia. Nearly a dozen countries are running naval patrols off Somalia to combat pirates who have hijacked some 60 ships since the start of 2008. ||||| Benoit Ramacker, of the crisis management centre, said: "The ship has been spotted and we can confirm that it has been taken hostage." He did not give further details, but said the double alert made by the ship is a standard practice linked to anti-terrorism measures, according to the crisis centre. Peter Martens, also from the crisis management centre, said the Belgian authorities were trying to establish contact with the ship through diplomatic and military contacts and that they would "find out more in the coming hours hopefully". Alexandre Fernandez, a Nato conmmander travelling with a fleet patrolling the Gulf of Aden, told Al Jazeera that the ship was hijacked at night. "We know that the ship has 10 crew members - two Belgians, one Dutch, three Filipinos and four Croatians," he said. The 1,850-tonne Pompei, belonging to the Jan de Nul group, has accommodation for 19 people. It is used for installation of rock protection on offshore pipelines or for underwater rockberm construction, according to the company website. Earlier, the Dutch navy embarked on a rescue operation that freed 20 Yemenis who had been held for more than a week. Seven pirates, who surrendered without exchanging fire, were captured but were later freed by the navy for legal reasons. Fernandes said that Nato did not have jurisdiction to prosecute pirates. | A Belgian ship has been hijacked by Somali pirates in waters off the coast of the Horn of Africa, according to a Belgian government's crisis management centre spokesman. The vessel involved in the incident was the 65-metre, 1,850 ''Pompei'', en route to the Seychelles islands, located further south. The ship sent out two alarms at 04.30 and 05.00 GMT on Friday. Aboard the vessel were ten crew members, including four Croatians, three Filipinos, two Belgians and the Dutch captain. "The ship has been spotted and we can confirm that it has been taken hostage," Benoit Ramacker of the crisis management centre said. Meanwhile, in the Gulf of Aden, located further north, a NATO commander announced that the authorities had responded from a distress call sent by a Marshall Islands tanker, which had also come under attack by pirates. Piracy is rampant in the waters off Africa's eastern shores, with sixty ships having been hijacked by pirates since the beginning of last year. |
Published: 8/2/2006 BAALBEK - Israeli commandos swooped deep inside Lebanon in a night helicopter raid near the town of Baalbek Wednesday, seizing five men they alleged were Hezbollah militants and killing 16 civilians, including seven children. Venturing deep into central Lebanon close to the Syrian border, some 100 kilometres (60 miles) north of Israel, the forces landed after midnight and attacked a hospital run by Hezbollah just outside the city, sparking firece clashes. The operation on the eastern town of Baalbek, a Hezbollah bastion 10 kilometres from the Syrian border, followed an intensive Israeli air bombardment of the area, police said. The raid was the most northerly ground attack by Israeli forces since the start of the crisis on July 12, and coincided with regular Israeli army units stepping up operations in southern Lebanon against Hezbollah positions. "We have carried out this operation to prove that we can hit everywhere in Lebanon," Israeli chief of staff Dan Halutz said. He said that "during the Baalbek operation special forces captured five members of Hezbollah while more than 10 others were hit." Hezbollah did not confirm any casualties among its ranks. Sixteen civilians, including seven children, were killed and 20 wounded in the Israeli raids, hospital sources said. Five Lebanese men were captured and taken into Israel by the commando team, police said. Lebanese police gave the names of the five captured civilians as Hassan Dib Nasrallah, Bilal Hassan Nasrallah, Ahmad Auta, Hassan Burji and Hussein Shokr. An Israeli military spokeswoman said that during the raid "several members of Hezbollah were hit while others have been taken prisoner and brought back to Israel." She said all the Israeli troops involved in the raid had returned to their base. But a Hezbollah statement said "the Islamic Resistance announces that it has foiled an Israeli landing operation in Baalbek and denies that the enemy had captured any of its members," saying instead that civilians had been abducted. The raids, which mainly targeted a hospital at the northern entrance of Baalbek, the site of a world famous complex of Roman temples, met heavy resistance from Hezbollah gunmen, police said. Gunships hovering at low altitude tried to land on hilltops overlooking Baalbek, a main Hezbollah stronghold, but faced fierce resistance from Hezbollah guerrillas who opened up with anti-aircraft batteries, they said. One helicopter landed for a few moments on Ain Jawzeh hill, east of Baalbek, but was forced to flee because of intense Hezbollah fire. A spokesman for the Shiite militia said earlier that the Israeli special forces were surrounded in the hospital for over an hour. Witnesses told AFP that an Israeli helicopter had dropped the commandos at the Dar Al-Hekmah hospital before it was forced to clear the area because of Hezbollah fire. The gunship then headed to a nearby wheatfield to await the end of the commando operation. Parallel to the battles on the ground and in the air, a war of rumors was also raging. Israeli voice messages received in Lebanon said "the courageous" operation was meant to "save our (two) soldiers" who were captured by Hezbollah on July 12. The capture triggered the massive Israeli onslaught on its northern neighbour. Hezbollah sources said the group had lured the Israelis by spreading rumours about the presence of an important Hezbollah figure in the hospital, which had been emptied of patients, doctors and staff since the start of the offensive. They said the group also sent several convoys into the hospital in the last few days, including the personal car of Sheikh Mohamad Yazbek, member of the Hezbollah Shura consultative council and representative in Lebanon of Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. But Halutz denied that "the goal of the operation was to seize a particular Hezbollah leader." 08/02/2006 12:29 GMT ||||| An Israeli helicopter landed and fierce clashes with Hezbollah fighters broke out near a hospital, local reports said. Israel has refused to comment. Israeli forces have also pushed deeper into south Lebanon aiming to set up what Israel dubs a "security zone". Israel said it would resume air strikes after a 48-hour partial halt. The Israeli security cabinet on Tuesday unanimously approved widening Israel's ground offensive in Lebanon. Some reports said troops would push as far as the Litani River - up to 30km (18 miles) from Israel's border. Israel warned civilians north-east of the river to leave their homes. Mr Olmert said it was not in Israel's interest to declare an immediate ceasefire. But he added that a diplomatic process was under way which he believed would "lead in the end to a ceasefire under totally different conditions from those which existed previously on our northern border". 'Aircraft over Baalbek' Tuesday's Israeli operation in eastern Lebanon started with several air strikes in the Baalbek area. Israeli views on their army's offensive in southern Lebanon In pictures Israeli gunships are hovering at low altitude above hilltops overlooking the city, the BBC's Kim Ghattas in Beirut says. Hezbollah spokesman Hussein Rahal told the Associated Press news agency that Israeli troops had landed at the hospital in Baalbek. He said there had been fierce fighting as Israeli soldiers had entered the hospital and become trapped inside as Hezbollah fighters had surrounded the building. Witnesses told Reuters news agency there was fierce fighting with assault rifles, grenade-launchers and machine guns around the hospital. Two petrol stations in the area were also targeted and set on fire, our correspondent reports. In other developments European Union foreign ministers meeting in Brussels meanwhile called for an "immediate cessation of hostilities", to be followed by a "sustainable ceasefire" - rather than the immediate ceasefire urged by some members. US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said an agreement on ending the fighting was possible within "days, not weeks". A French official told the AFP news agency that France would boycott a meeting on Thursday of potential contributors to an international stabilisation force - the official said France considered the meeting "premature". Aid agencies said six convoys were unable to deliver humanitarian supplies to conflict hit areas because Israel had not given safe passage guarantees. Clashes Tuesday saw fierce fighting across southern Lebanon, with casualties on both sides. Israel said three of its soldiers died when an anti-tank missile hit the house they were in, in the town of Ait al-Shaab. HAVE YOUR SAY Surely the lives of the innocent should take precedence Nikki, Warwickshire Send us your views In pictures: Lebanese in flight The Israelis say that they "hit dozens of Hezbollah gunmen" but could not give more details. Hezbollah said four of its fighters died in battles in Kfar Kila, Adiasse and Taibe, while a mother and her two daughters were killed in an Israeli air strike on the southern town of Lweizeh, Lebanese officials said. Fighting is also reported to have flared around the former Hezbollah stronghold of Bint Jbeil, from where Israeli troops withdrew last week. Israel launched its offensive after Hezbollah militants seized two of its soldiers in a cross-border raid. After nearly three weeks of fighting, about 750 people - mainly civilians - have been killed by Israeli action in Lebanon, according to Lebanon's health minister. A total of 54 Israelis, including at least 18 civilians, are known to have been killed by Hezbollah. ||||| » Israel strikes deep into Lebanon Peres: End of fighting 'counted in measures of weeks' BEIRUT, Lebanon (CNN) -- Israeli troops landed Tuesday near the eastern Lebanese town of Baalbeck, Lebanese security sources said, and the Israeli military engaged in fierce fighting with Hezbollah forces just across the border with Lebanon. Israeli aircraft flew support missions as troops hit the ground about 10 km north of Baalbeck in the Bekaa Valley near the Syrian border, the sources said. The Lebanese army also reported heavy helicopter traffic east and west of the town. Israeli troops entered Hikma Hospital in northern Baalbeck, where they checked the identification cards of all staff and patients, the sources said, adding that there was no indication that anyone was taken from the hospital. The Israel Defense Forces had no comment on the reports, but earlier in the day the Israeli Security Cabinet approved an expansion of Israel's three-week-old military campaign in Lebanon. Tuesday's fighting was concentrated near the Lebanese villages of Tayba, just outside the Israeli town of Metulla, and Aita Al-Shaab further west. The IDF said three of its soldiers were killed and 25 wounded in the fighting in Aita Al-Shaab. Five other soldiers were wounded on the Israeli side of the border when they were hit by a mortar shell, it said. In two days of fighting, the IDF said forces have killed or wounded more than 20 Hezbollah fighters across southern Lebanon. Hezbollah issued a statement saying four of its forces died in Tuesday's fighting. Israeli forces entered the Aita Al-Shaab around noon on Monday, the IDF said. (Watch Israeli bombardment pound Aita Al-Shaab -- 3:09) Just outside the village, the U.N. Interim Force in Lebanon reported intensive Israeli shelling in the villages of Ramia, Dibil and Qawzah on Monday and Tuesday morning. (See where the fighting is taking place) In Tayba, the IDF said it took control of several strategic positions that it said have been used by Hezbollah fighters to launch missiles at northern Israel. Israeli police reported 14 cross-border strikes hitting northern Israel on Tuesday, two using Katyusha rockets and 12 using mortar shells. East of Tayba, Israeli forces Tuesday heavily shelled the town of Kfar Kela a day after pounding it with airstrikes, according to U.N. observers. Israeli forces have also been operating in the areas of Odaise and Rab Talateen for the past two days, according to the IDF. To the west, U.N. officials said, Israel gunboats in the Mediterranean Sea pounded southern Lebanon, while Lebanese security sources said militants fired three salvos of Katyusha rockets into Israel from the central section of south Lebanon. Since Sunday, Hezbollah gunmen have fired on Israeli troops with anti-tank missiles and mortar shells, according to the IDF. Hezbollah has fired about a dozen mortar shells into northern Israel in the past two days, according to Israeli police. UNIFIL also reported that the Israeli military is maintaining its presence in Maroun Al-Ras, which Israel described as its first foothold in southern Lebanon, to create a security buffer to stop Hezbollah attacks on northern Israel. Israel: Hezbollah taking a beating Israel said it has killed 300 of the estimated 2,000 Hezbollah fighters in Lebanon during its three-week offensive. A Hezbollah spokesman said 43 of its fighters have been killed, Reuters news service reported. "Hezbollah has taken a serious beating, and that is why the pressure of a ground offensive will produce the expected results," Israeli Justice Minister Haim Ramon said Tuesday on Israeli Channel 10. Ramon said the Israeli military has said it needs at least another month "to accomplish their goals." But Deputy Prime Minister Shimon Peres, in Washington to meet with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, told reporters he was pleased with the progress and that the end of the war could be "counted in measures of weeks, not months." Ramon said the Lebanese militia has increased the number of rocket launches from areas north of the Litani River -- about 20 miles from the border -- where the Israeli military has asked residents in two locations to evacuate. In its initial quest to create a security buffer to protect northern Israel from Katyusha rockets, the Israeli military said it wanted Hezbollah fighters to push back to the Litani River. Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said Israeli forces were weakening Hezbollah daily and that no cease-fire would come until Israel was safe from a future war. "Every additional day is a day that drains the strength of this cruel enemy," Olmert said in a speech Tuesday. Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad held the United States and Britain responsible for the bloodshed in Lebanon, The Associated Press reported. "The U.S. and Britain are accomplices in all crimes committed by the occupying Zionist regime and have to answer to these crimes," he said in a speech, drawing shouts of "Death to America" from the crowd in northeastern Iran. British Prime Minister Tony Blair had sharp words for Iran and Syria on Tuesday. "We need to make it clear to Syria and Iran that there is a choice: Come into the international community and play by the same rules as the rest of us, or be confronted," he said. Aid process difficult Meanwhile, the United Nations said it has not had much success getting aid into southern Lebanon during Israel's self-declared 48-hour lull in fighting. "We did not achieve much," spokesman Khaled Mansour said. The U.N. asked Israel to allow three convoys through with about 30 trucks, but Israel denied permission for two of them, he said. The European Union on Tuesday said it approved $64 million in humanitarian aid for Lebanon, and EU foreign ministers, meeting in emergency session Tuesday, called on Israel and Hezbollah to agree to an "immediate cessation of hostilities" followed by international efforts to get agreement on a sustainable cease-fire. (Full story) The conflict began July 12 when Hezbollah captured two Israeli soldiers and killed three others in a cross-border raid. (Watch captured soldier's wife plead -- 5:54) As of Tuesday, 557 Lebanese civilians and soldiers have died and 2,128 have been wounded in the conflict, according to Lebanon's Internal Security Forces. Israel has reported 54 deaths, including 19 civilians killed by Hezbollah rocket attacks. CNN's Nada Husseini, John Roberts, John King, Elise Labott, Richard Roth and Ben Wedeman contributed to this report. | Israeli commandos landed Wednesday at Baalbek in northeast Lebanon, an area considered to be a Hezbollah stronghold. The soldiers were airlifted in by helicopter, supported by Israeli warplanes which targeted at least five suspected Hezbollah positions near Baalbek. The helicopters came under heavy Hezbollah fire and had to retreat while the Israeli raid was ongoing. Israeli aircrafts hit several locations near Baalbek and there was a large amount of helicopter activity east and west of Baalbek, according to the Lebanese army sources. Hezbollah said Israeli commandos were pinned down inside the Dar al-Hikma Hospital near Baalbek when Hezbollah fighters surrounded the building. The Israeli soldiers inside were said to be checking the identification papers of patients and staff. The skirmishes between the Israeli commandos and Hezbollah fighters lasted several hours. Five Lebanese men were captured by the commandos and subsequently airlifted from the area. Israeli forces claimed it had killed up to ten Hezbollah fighters and seized five more in Jemmaliyeh, near the eastern Lebanese city of Baalbek. Between 16 to 19 civilians, including 4 to 7 children, were reportedly killed. Hospital sources said that 20 people were wounded in the Israeli raids. Police reported that five Lebanese men were captured and taken into Israel by the commando team. Dan Halutz, Israeli chief of staff, said: "We have carried out this operation to prove that we can hit everywhere in Lebanon". He added: "during the Baalbek operation special forces captured five members of Hezbollah while more than 10 others were hit." A Hezbollah statement said "the Islamic Resistance announces that it has foiled an Israeli landing operation in Baalbek and denies that the enemy had captured any of its members". Hezbollah claimed those abducted were civilians. |
Suspected fentanyl located by child in playground Kamloops City, B.C. Southeast District 2020-07-06 14:00 PDT File # 2020-21849 On July 5, 2020 at 9:52 a.m. RCMP was contacted by a concerned mother who had discovered a suspected controlled substance in a small bag in a playground. Initial investigation revealed the complainant's 11 month old child was playing in McDonald Park at 262 King Street, Kamloops and found a small container of suspected drugs. Thankfully, this attentive parent managed to secure the item without any injury to the child. Kamloops, like many other communities in Canada, is still in the grips of an opiod crisis. In BC, this has been considered a public health emergency since April 2016. Unfortunately this means issues like found needles and drugs are something that all parents must be mindful of while in public settings. Thankfully in the case at hand an attentive parent caught her child with these found drugs before any harm could be done. It serves as a good reminder to speak with your kids about the reality of hazards that could be found in any public spaces, - S/Sgt Simon Pillay - RCMP Kamloops Plain Clothes Commander. In order to assist residents in knowing what to look for, a picture of this exhibit is attached. View larger image : Taken of the small baggy containing a purple substance believed to be fentanyl; Investigators have been seeing fentanyl in Kamloops since 2014. Since then, fentanyl has become the drug of choice (for both traffickers and users) in Kamloops over heroin because of its potency. Drug traffickers acquire fentanyl fairly cheap and mix it with a buffing agent such as caffeine to be sold on the street. Some drug traffickers add colouring to their product to make it a signature product. The most common colour that Kamloops RCMP have been seeing is purple fentanyl, states Cst. Gary Gray of the Kamloops RCMP Targeted Enforcement Unit and court acknowledged expert in fentanyl. The importation, production and trafficking of fentanyl has been associated to the involvement of organized crime groups. The Kamloops RCMP is focussed on targeting organized crime groups which seize upon and exploit all opportunities to profit from the sale of illicit drugs. If you have information pertaining to local drug trafficking activities, please contact the RCMP at 250-828-3000. -30- Currently our MRO is not on duty. If you would like to follow up with this story kindly contact the author at simon.pillay@rcmp-grc.gc.ca and calls will be returned as operations allow. Released by: S/Sgt. Simon Pillay Kamloops RCMP Plain Clothes Commander Follow Us: ||||| “I took it from my eldest’s hands, looked at it and realized it was a packet that was absolutely chock full,” said Elliott. “I realized at that moment, oh my God, this was an extremely close call.” Elliott works in the field of mental health and substance use. She believes the substance her daughter found was purple heroin. “We’ve had many warnings about purple heroin and I just assumed from the colour that’s maybe what it was,” Elliott said. “[It] is notorious for having fentanyl or carfentanil in it and I know that, if my baby had ingested that, it would have been instantaneous.” Kamloops RCMP, meantime, believe the substance may be purple fentanyl. A small amount of fentanyl can be fatal if ingested. In a news release, Staff Sgt. Simon Pillay says RCMP are distributing their own photo of the substance in order that residents know what to watch for. Image Credit: Kamloops RCMP “Thankfully in the case at hand an attentive parent caught her child with these found drugs before any harm could be done,” said Pillay. “Investigators have been seeing fentanyl in Kamloops since 2014,” added Cst. Gary Gray. “Since then, fentanyl has become the drug of choice (for both traffickers and users) in Kamloops over heroin because of it’s potency. Drug traffickers acquire fentanyl fairly cheap and mix it with a buffing agent such as caffeine to be sold on the street. Some drug traffickers add colouring to their product to make it a signature product. The most common colour that Kamloops RCMP have been seeing is purple fentanyl.” “It all happened within 30 seconds. It was so immediate,” said Elliott. “And I watched it all happen; I just didn’t understand what it was that she was holding.” Elliott, who lives near the park, says she has found drug and harm reduction material and related garbage in the park before, but never an actual quantity of drugs. McDonald Park is a popular sleeping location for homeless people, according to Elliott. She is calling on City of Kamloops bylaw services staff to be more vigilant when clearing homeless people away from parks in the morning. “Is that someone’s job? I have been trying to suss that out from the City. I’d like to know, is there any accountability there that our play structures are at all reviewed? It’s a known issue that people are sleeping there at night. They’re not unaware of that.” CFJC Today has reached out to the City of Kamloops for comment and will update the story when it is available. “This is a great community that I live in. (It’s) a great community park that’s wonderful for toddler-aged kids. We should all feel safe to go and have fun with our kids in the park,” said Elliott. “It shouldn’t have to be like we’re instinctually having to defend our children from imminent danger. It shouldn’t be like that.” ||||| A swift response to the COVID-19 outbreak seems to have kept the number of deaths in B.C. well below that of many other jurisdictions in North America. But overdose deaths have been on the rise this year and some people, including Bob Hughes, executive director of the Ask Wellness Society, believe the two are related. article continues below “I think I’ve been pretty vocal about the perfect storm of COVID-19 and the need to isolate,” he said. “You have more folks that are being asked to stay inside because of social-distancing measures, so that’s obviously a factor.” Kamloops recorded 22 overdose deaths between January and the end of May. Another factor, Hughes said, is a contaminated drug supply, something ASK Wellness has been dealing with for several years. The third factor is additional funds coming from the federal and provincial governments, such as the Canadian Emergency Response Benefit payouts, which, Hughes said, “add fuel to the fire.” According to BC Coroners Service statistics, fatal overdoses increase by between 35 and 40 per cent in the five days after income assistance payments each month. Michaela Jyrkkanen, clinic and advocacy manager for The Mustard Seed Kamloops, also pointed to contaminated drugs as a cause, but cautioned against placing too much blame on support payments. “It’s hard to correlate it with CERB payments,” she said. “Many of our guests have received money and have used that for housing, food, hygiene items and an opportunity to get back on their feet, but there are always those who may not have the financial management skills to handle this influx of cash. The influx of resources can lead to an increased opportunity to consume.” The Mustard Seed has kept notices from the BC Centre for Disease Control posted in the day room at its West Victoria Street outreach centre, with the intention of warning users to be careful of the increased toxicity in the drug supply and to always carry a Naloxone kit. Jyrkkanen said The Mustard Seed outreach staff are available to connect people to services and programs, including nutritious meals, spiritual care, emotional support and connections to skills and employment training. ||||| Illicit drug users seem to overwhelmingly appreciate being able to use take-home test strips to detect the extremely common presence of dangerous fentanyl in opioids and other drugs, a new study finds. More than 95% said they’d use the inexpensive strips again. “These tests accurately detect fentanyl in the drug supply, and they can be a valuable addition to other drug prevention strategies,” said study lead author addiction medicine specialist Sukhpreet Klaire, MD, of the British Columbia Center on Substance Use in Vancouver, in an interview. Dr. Klaire presented the study findings at the virtual annual meeting of the College on Problems of Drug Dependence. Researchers in Vancouver distributed take-home fentanyl test strip kits at 10 sites that allow users to test their illicit drugs. The 218 participants performed 1,680 tests, mainly (73%) for opioids, over 3 months in 2019. Of the participants, 61% were male, and the average age was 36 (interquartile range, 29-47). About 30% described themselves as indigenous Canadians (First Nations). About 90% of the opioid samples tested at home were positive for fentanyl, about the same level as samples tested at clinics. Fentanyl is very potent and linked to the huge rise in overdose deaths in the United States. Fentanyl test strips aren’t new. According to the Harm Reduction Coalition, they originally were developed to detect fentanyl in urine samples but were jury-rigged in Vancouver to work on samples of illicit drugs. “We literally just repurposed it,” Dr. Klaire said. “It’s the same strip.” Users test their drugs by dissolving a small sample in water. Then then dip the test strip, which provides readings similar to those in a pregnancy test. If a sample turns up positive for fentanyl, Dr. Klaire said, users may discard the drug or “be more careful with it.” When asked what they would do if a sample turned up positive, 27% said they’d make a “positive change,” such as using less or using more slowly (n = 45) or making sure that someone else is present in case of an overdose (n = 26). But most, 71%, reported no change in behavior. Previously, researchers in Rhode Island and North Carolina also found that some users adopted safer behaviors – such as throwing out their drugs or using less often – after testing their drugs with the strips. The strips cost about 75 cents, Dr. Klaire said. Harm-reduction strategies are controversial, and fentanyl test strips aren’t any exemption. “The entire approach is based on the premise that a drug user poised to use a drug is making rational choices, is weighing pros and cons, and is thinking completely logically about his or her drug use. Based on my clinical experience, I know this could not be further from the truth,” wrote Elinore F. McCance-Katz, MD, PhD, assistant secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use with the Department of Health & Human Services, in a 2018 blog post. But Dr. Klaire said the patients in the new study are highly dependent on opioids. “The drug supply is heavily contaminated [with fentanyl],” he said, “but even when people know it’s contaminated, they still need to go ahead and use it.” In an interview, epidemiologist Brandon Marshall, PhD, of Brown University, Providence, R.I., who has conducted fentanyl test strip research, called the study results “compelling.” “The researchers found that the fentanyl test strips had a very high level of acceptability – over 95% said they would use the strips again – which is remarkably similar to what we found in our work here in Rhode Island,” he said. “Taken together, these studies show that take-home test strips are a feasible, acceptable, and effective strategy for people who use drugs to reduce their risk of fentanyl overdose.” He added that “fentanyl test strips help people make more informed decisions about their drug use and reducing their risk of overdose.” However, he said, “one of important limitations of the strips is that they do not detect all contaminants that put persons at risk of overdose. Just because a test result is negative does not mean that the drug is 100% safe.” Kimberly Sue, MD, PhD, medical director of the National Harm Reduction Coalition, said in an interview that the research is “important,” but noted that many drug users already have been using fentanyl test strips on their own. “We should be focusing on investing in variety of other interventions that could keep more people safe against nonfatal and fatal opioid overdoses, including structural interventions such as safe supply, housing and community with appropriate supports, low barrier access to medication for opioid use disorder, and safe consumption spaces,” she said. No study funding was reported. Dr. Klaire disclosed participating in a research fellowship and a research in addiction medical scholars program, both funded by the National Institute of Drug Abuse. Dr. Sue reported no relevant disclosures. Dr. Marshall reported that he has collaborated frequently with one of the coauthors of the Vancouver study. ||||| Provincial police say the closure of the Canada-U.S. border during the COVID-19 pandemic has driven up the price of illicit street drugs and driven down the quality of what is being sold in eastern Ontario. Street-level dealers also seem to be stretching their supplies further, mixing dangerous drugs that can lead to irreversible overdoses, police say. "We've seen our traffickers actual modify their ways of doing business," said OPP Det. Const. Daniel Dubé of the major crime unit of the Ontario Provincial Police. "They will stop [at] nothing, they will adjust." Dubé said that in the months since COVID-19 closed the border between New York State and Quebec, the drug trade in eastern Ontario has had to adapt. "They are motivated by money, by profit, and they will not slow down because of [the border] measures." Last fall, a kilogram of cocaine could sell for between $45,000 and $50,000, he said. However, since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the same quantity has traded on the street for more than $70,000. The pressure the pandemic has put on supply has lowered the quality of cocaine, he said, with the purity falling from 90 per cent in pre-COVID times to 70 per cent. Collateral effects? When drugs make it to street level, the purity falls even more, said Dubé. Earlier this month, the Eastern Ontario Health Unit issued a warning about the prevalence of "purple heroin" in the Cornwall, Ont., area. "People are desperate ... really taking whatever they can," said Dr. Paul Roumeliotis, medical officer of health and CEO of the Eastern Ontario Health Unit. Paul Roumeliotis, chief medical officer with the Eastern Ontario Health Unit, says border closures are limiting the supply of illegal drugs coming from the United States, causing dealers in Ontario to stretch supplies by adding dangerous substances. 1:02 In seized purple heroin samples, a drug which is normally heroin laced with fentanyl, the sedative etizolam has also turned up. A medication from the benzodiazepine family, etizolam, or "benzos" as they are called on the street, functions as a central nervous system depressant. Overdoses of etizolam can cause dangerously slow breathing that may lead to overdose and death. More worryingly, since it is not an opioid, it does not respond to naloxone, the medication normally used to reverse the effect of opioid overdose. In an email, a spokesperson for Ottawa Public Health said overdoses were a continuing problem in Ottawa, too. "Our message," said Roumeliotis, "is please do not use anything off the streets." ||||| This report would not be possible without the collaboration and dedication of provincial and territorial (PT) offices of Chief Coroners and Medical Examiners as well as PT public health and health partners and Emergency Medical Services data providers. We would also like to acknowledge the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI) for collecting and providing the data used for reporting opioid-related poisoning hospitalizations. | A mother called the police in , British Columbia (B.C.), Canada on Sunday morning after her 11-month daughter discovered a bag full of a substance that appeared to be , a dangerous drug, according to Kamloops Police, at the McDonald Park playground. She managed to get a hold of the small bag and kept her child safe. The baggie of Fentanyl which was found by the child. In a statement issued on Monday, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) confirmed they seized the substance, stating "In B.C., this has been considered a public health emergency since April 2016. Unfortunately this means issues like found needles and drugs are something that all parents must be mindful of while in public settings." Kamloops RCMP Constable Gary Gray said fentanyl had become a popular drug in Kamloops because it was potent, and colors such as purple were used as a signature by traffickers. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the opioid crisis claimed 15,393 lives in Canada between January 2016 and December 2019, according to the Canadian Public Health Infobase. In Ontario, provincial police Detective Constable Daniel Dubé stated to the CBC in late June that the border closure between New York State and Quebec drove up the prices of illicit drugs, and traffickers had been stretching their products further. He explained that heroin, which had normally been laced with fentanyl, had been mixed with the sedative , or , another drug of the nervous system depressant class. The Executive director of the Ask Wellness Society, Bob Hughes, told '''' that CERB () payments, a program related to the COVID-19 pandemic, presented an additional factor in a spike in overdose deaths this year. According to the B.C. Coroners Service, there were 170 suspected deaths in May alone, shortly after the CERB payments started, resulting from the abuse of illicit drugs. That showed a 93% increase from 88 deaths in May 2019. Clinic and advocacy manager Michaela Jyrkkanen, of Christian anti-poverty organization The Mustard Seed Kamloops, disagreed with the correlation between the overdoses and the CERB payments. Last year, Vancouver researchers distributed take-home test strip kits which were capable of detecting fentanyl presence in other drugs. Dr Sukhpreet Klaire, the lead author of the study and an addiction medicine specialist, said the cost of the accurate test strip kit was 75 . More than 95% of the participants in her study indicated they would use the strip kits again. |
The gunman who charged into one of the Pentagon's main entrances and opened fire has died from gunshot wounds to the head and authorities are looking into his recent rants against the government as a potential motive. A shooter opened fire at a security checkpoint Thursday night. John Patrick Bedell, 36, died at the hospital Thursday night after Pentagon police returned fire. Police told ABC News that the two police officers wounded in the shooting have been released from the hospital after suffering minor injuries. They are now on administrative leave pending the investigation of the incident, police said. The attack seems to be another suicide mission aimed at the government. While police have said they are not certain of a motive, they are investigating Internet postings in which Bedell wrote and recorded audio expressing his anger toward the government. "The moral values of individuals and communities are increasingly attacked by a political system where deceit is routine and accepted and the only standard is power," he said in the online video. Authorities say Bedell's had brushes with the law in the past and his Internet musing mentioned charges for marijuana possession as a reference to the government's intervention in his life. The shooting came just weeks after Joe Stack flew his plane into the IRS office in Austin, Texas, after leaving a lengthy manifesto in which he told the IRS to "take my pound of flesh and sleep well." Bedell opened fire at 6:40 p.m. Thursday after officers asked him for an access pass, police said. "It came at the time of night when thousands of Pentagon employees were trying to leave the building at one of the Pentagon's main entrances," ABC News correspondent Martha Raddatz told "Good Morning America's" George Stephanopoulos. ABC News' Luis Martinez was inside the Pentagon when the shooting started. As a building-wide announcement notified workers that the Metro had been locked down, employees began trying to make their way to various exits only to find each one blocked. "I headed towards one of those exits as the building operations center is located nearby. That's when I started to see a backlog of people milling the length of the corridor to the exit," Martinez said. "They'd just been told that those exits had been closed as well and that the building was locked down." The officers that were shot, he said, were manning an open-air checkpoint where people with badges can walk in without having to go through security. Pentagon Police Chief Richard S. Keevill said that the gunman appeared to have acted alone. He was carrying two 9 mm semi-automatic guns and many magazines of ammunition, according to police. Keevill said there was "no indication at this point [of] any domestic or international terrorism at all." ||||| Vancouver Sun Headline News Sign up to receive daily headline news from the Vancouver Sun, a division of Postmedia Network Inc. Email Address There was an error, please provide a valid email address. By clicking on the sign up button you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. You may unsubscribe any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link at the bottom of our emails. Postmedia Network Inc. | 365 Bloor Street East, Toronto, Ontario, M4W 3L4 | 416-383-2300 Thanks for signing up! A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it please check your junk folder. The next issue of Vancouver Sun Headline News will soon be in your inbox. We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try again ||||| Washington - The gunman in the Pentagon shootings may have harbored resentment for the military and had doubts about the facts behind the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. John Patrick Bedell, 36, died after exchanging gunfire with two police officers, both of whom were wounded. In an Internet posting, a user named JPatrickBedell wrote that he was determined to see justice for the 1991 death of Marine Col. James Sabow in Orange County, which was ruled a suicide but has long been the source of coverup theories. The writer said the case would be a step toward revealing the truth behind the 9/11 "demolitions." The same posting railed against the government's enforcement of marijuana laws and included links to the author's 2006 court case in Orange County for cultivating marijuana and resisting a police officer. Court records available online show the date of birth on the case mentioned by the user JPatrickBedell matches that of the John Patrick Bedell who was killed after opening fire outside the Pentagon. ||||| An armed man walked up to an entrance to the Pentagon on Thursday evening, approached two police officers, calmly pulled a gun from his coat pocket and opened fire, wounding the officers before they shot him. The suspect later died, the Associated Press reported early Friday. There was no immediate explanation for the attack at a doorway to the nation's defense headquarters, one of the busiest, most prominent and closely guarded buildings in the Washington area. The wounds to the two officers did not appear serious. Richard S. Keevill, chief of the force that guards the Pentagon, described them as grazing wounds. The officers, members of the Pentagon Force Protection Agency, fired their .40-caliber Glock pistols and wounded the man critically, Keevill said at a news conference about two hours after the shooting. A third officer apparently also shot at the suspect. "The officers acted very quickly and decisively to neutralize him as a threat," Keevill said. "No one else was injured." The gunman and the two wounded officers were taken to George Washington University Hospital in the District. The gunman's body arrived at the D.C. medical examiner's office shortly after midnight, the office's chief of staff, Beverly Fields, told the AP. Police declined to identify the suspect, but two federal law enforcement sources identified him as John Patrick Bedell, 36. One of the sources said Bedell was seen on a surveillance video near the Pentagon talking to another man. Police were looking for the second man Thursday night but did not know whether he was involved in any way in the shooting, which occurred at 6:40 p.m., near the end of rush hour. One federal law enforcement source said the second man was not thought to be involved. A man who identified himself as John Bedell answered a call placed to a Hollister, Calif., home and said he had a 36-year-old son named John Patrick Bedell "who is in the Washington area" before saying, "I'm sorry, I can't talk about this," and hanging up. Officials would not speculate about what prompted the gunman's actions. A spokesman for the National Security Council said it was too soon to determine whether the sudden and wordless attack was connected to terrorism. President Obama was following the case and was being provided updates from the FBI, assistant White House press secretary Nicholas Shapiro said. Keevill said that witnesses reported that the gunman "walked up very cool" and displayed "no real emotion on his face." ||||| Here are excerpts from tonight's press conference held at the Pentagon by Richard Keevill, chief of the Pentagon Force Protection Agency: "About 6:40 tonight, a person came (to) the Pentagon . . . area . . . (and) appeared to be pretty calm. As the officers started to ask him for his pass . . . he drew a weapon from his pocket and started shooting. . . . He did not say anything." Keevill said the suspect's "situation is pretty critical" after officers returned fire and struck him. He did not identify the suspect. -- Asked whether the suspect was wearing military fatigues, Keevill responded, "I cannot confirm that." He also said that the suspect fired his shots with a handgun. -- Asked the suspect's nationality, Keevill said, "He's an American citizen as far as I know." -- Keevill did not detail where in their bodies the officers were struck, but he said the officers' "injuries were grazing." -- "The injuries to the suspect are a lot more severe," he said. -- Keevill said that Pentagon police officers wear ballistic vests. -- Keevill said that witnesses "said he walked up very cool . . . no real emotion in his face . . . and he reached in his pocket . . . and came out with a gun." -- He said investigators did not yet know the shooter's motive. -- "We have a theory, but it's still a theory," he said. "It's going to take time to develop that." -- Keevill said "the suspect was wearing a coat" but would not say whether the suspect was wearing body armor. -- He said the Pentagon was locked down successfully. "We train with some regularity to see we can do it very quickly, and we did it very quickly tonight." -- Keevill said he did not know how many shots were fired. ||||| (CNN) -- A man coolly and calmly approached the screening area outside the Pentagon Thursday evening and opened fire, grazing two Pentagon police officers before they returned fire, critically wounding him, officials said. The incident happened at 6:40 p.m., when the man wearing a coat -- with "no real emotion in his face" -- approached the officers outside the Pentagon Metro station, said Pentagon Police Chief Richard S. Keevill. "As the officers started to ask him for his pass to get into the Pentagon, he drew a weapon from his pocket and started shooting immediately at the officers" from a few feet away, Keevill told reporters. "He drew a gun and just started shooting immediately." The two Pentagon Force Protection Agency officers returned fire with their semi-automatic Glock .40-caliber weapons and the suspect, thought to be a U.S. citizen, was critically wounded, Keevill said. He praised the police officers for acting "quickly and decisively to neutralize him as a threat" without hurting anyone else. Asked how many shots were fired, he said, "Many." Keevill would not identify the man. The Pentagon Force Protection Agency is the Pentagon's police department. Pentagon entrances were locked briefly but all were reopened with the exception of the Pentagon Metro entrance, the Pentagon said in a statement. Lisa McDonald, a spokeswoman for George Washington Hospital, said three people were being treated there -- both officers and the suspect. The Pentagon police department, the Arlington County Police Department, U.S. Secret Service and the FBI were all involved in the investigation, Keevill said. The Pentagon is one of the largest office buildings in the world with three times the floor space of New York's Empire State Building, according to its official Web site. Some 23,000 military and civilian employees work there. Are you there? Send images, video Though it contains 17.5 miles of corridors, a person can walk between any two points in the World War II-era building in no more than seven minutes. CNN's Mike Ahlers, Larry Shaughnessy and Jeanne Meserve contributed to this story. | The Pentagon. An armed man opened fire at an entrance to the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. on Thursday at 6.40 p.m (0140 UTC), injuring two police officers, before being shot and killed by them. According to the officers, the man calmly approached an entrance to the building near the Metro station, pulled a gun from his coat pocket and opened fire at them. No one else was injured in the incident. The attacker has been identified as 36 year old John Patrick Bedell of Hollister, California. He was armed with two nine millimeter semiautomatic weapons and several magazines of ammunition and acted alone. Chief of the United States Pentagon Police Richard S. Keevill conducted a press conference two hours after the incident. He said that the wounds to the two officers were not life threatening as the bullets just grazed them. The suspect was critically injured as he was not wearing a bullet-proof vest. The two officers were taken to George Washington University Hospital for treatment and were released few hours later. He praised Officers Jeffrey Amos and Marvin Carraway for acting "quickly and decisively to neutralize him as a threat" without hurting anyone else. Bedell died hours after being admitted in critical condition. Keevill added, "About 6:40 tonight, a person came to the Pentagon ... area ... and appeared to be pretty calm. As the officers started to ask him for his pass ... he drew a weapon from his pocket and started shooting. ... He did not say anything." Keevill confirmed that the shooter was a American citizen but denied knowledge of any motive behind the shooting. He said, "We have a theory, but it's still a theory. It's going to take time to develop that." Bedell's car was driven from California and more ammunition was found there. Keevill said there is a surveillance video showing the suspect that "pretty much confirms what we've been saying, that he acted alone." He has dismissed the possibility of Bedell being a terrorist. An Internet posting has come forward where a user named JPatrickBedell argued that the 9/11 attacks and death (ruled a suicide by court of law) of Marine Col. James Sabow in Orange County in 1991 had been "cover-ups" and that he was determined to uncover the truth. In the same posting he protests strict US marijuana laws and has included links to a 2006 court case in Orange County where he was prosecuted for cultivating marijuana and resisting a police officer. Online Court records show the date of birth mentioned by the user JPatrickBedell matches that of the John Patrick Bedell. Bedell said in an online video, "The moral values of individuals and communities are increasingly attacked by a political system where deceit is routine and accepted and the only standard is power." Pentagon entrances were locked shortly after the shooting, during the evening rush hour but all were reopened with the exception of the Pentagon Metro entrance which is adjacent to the main entrance of the Pentagon in Virginia, across the Potomac River. Transit officials decided to close the busy Pentagon subway station for Friday as a part of the investigations.The Pentagon police department, the Arlington County Police Department, U.S. Secret Service and the FBI are investigating the incident. The Pentagon has total five entrances: Mall Terrace Entrance façade, the River Terrace Entrance façade, the Concourse Entrance (or Metro Station) façade, the South Parking Entrance façade, and the Heliport façade. |
Mr Brown said the money was not lawfully declared He told reporters he had had "no knowledge" of more than £600,000 of donations from David Abrahams, which could "not be justified". "The money was not lawfully declared so it will be returned," he said. Harriet Harman has also pledged to return £5,000 she received "in good faith" for her deputy leadership bid. Labour's general secretary Peter Watt resigned on Monday after it emerged that Mr Abrahams donated the money to the party over four years, under three associates' names. Advice on safeguards It has emerged that a fourth donor was also used. Janet Dunn, the wife of one of Mr Abrahams' employees, donated £25,000 to the Labour Party in January 2003. But, when questioned, she said she was a Conservative supporter and "knew nothing about it". Another donation of £55,000 through solicitor John McCarthy has also come to light, bringing the total given via him to £257,125. At his monthly press briefing Mr Brown said it appeared to have been a practice which had been going on "for some years" - but he was first told about it on Saturday evening. Once the facts were established, Mr Watt's resignation was "a necessary first step" but the party would also return the money. DONORS Ray Ruddick - £196,850 Janet Kidd - £185,000 since 2003 John McCarthy - £257,125 since 2004 Janet Dunn - £25,000 Source: Electoral Commission Analysis: Fighting fires Q&A;: Donations row Mr Brown said he had appointed the retired judge Lord McCluskey and the former Bishop of Oxford, Lord Harries, to advise on the changes that needed to be made in relation to donations. Meanwhile Labour veteran Lord Whitty will draw up a report on what had happened. Mr Brown said a donation from Janet Kidd had been offered to his own leadership campaign, but had been rejected as only donations from people known to the campaign had been accepted. 'Mistakes made' Asked if he knew Mr Abrahams, Mr Brown said: "I am sure I may have met him but I have no recollection of any conversations about any of these issues. "I had no knowledge until Saturday night, either of the donations or of the practice which had grown up where they were improperly declared to the Electoral Commission. No knowledge at all." There is a time in the life of every government when it slips over from complacency into arrogance, and from arrogance into even indifference for the law David Cameron Conservative leader Key figures react He said mistakes had been made and changes were needed to ensure Labour imposed "the highest standards in future". The Electoral Commission is investigating whether the donations breached the Political Parties and Referendums Act 2000 and has confirmed it has been "in touch" with the Crown Prosecution Service. 'Who gets money?' Under the law, those making donations on behalf of others must give details of who is providing the money. It's a whole sleazy area; it needs cleaning up because of lack of public confidence Vince Cable Lib Dem acting leader Profile: Peter Watt Profile: David Abrahams UKIP leader Nigel Farage, who is still embroiled in a row with the Electoral Commission over forfeiting "impermissible donations" from a man who was not on the electoral roll, asked who the money would be paid back to. He said: "Surely the money cannot be returned to Mr Abrahams because he is not the donor of record. Does that mean it all goes back to the jobbing builder, the secretary and the solicitor?" HAVE YOUR SAY It just adds to the sleaze of the Labour party. The same sleaze that Tony Blair said would not happen again Paul, Milton Keynes Send us your comments The Tories say this explanation "defies credibility". Conservative leader David Cameron accused the government of demonstrating "an indifference for the law" over issues like the donations and lost data discs. Deputy campaign He told business leaders at the CBI conference: "They say you've got to have this bit of security, that bit of compliance, and whether it's their own government departments or their own party machines, they simply don't obey the law. "There is a time in the life of every government when it slips over from complacency into arrogance, and from arrogance into even indifference for the law. I say we've reached that point and it is time for real change in our country." Mr Watt said he had resigned "with great sadness" Money was also offered to Hilary Benn and Harriet Harman's deputy leadership campaigns, in Janet Kidd's name. Ms Harman accepted it but Mr Benn's team turned it down because he was told it was on behalf of Mr Abrahams. He later accepted it when it was donated in Mr Abrahams' name. Ms Harman said she had no reason to think the money came from Mr Abrahams and she had accepted Mrs Kidd as a "pre-existing Labour donor". Mr Brown was repeatedly asked whether he had faith in Ms Harman - he referred to her statement that she had taken the money in good faith and gave her his support. 'Can of worms' According to the Electoral Commission, Mr Ruddick has donated £196,850; Mrs Kidd has donated £185,000 since 2003; and Mr McCarthy £257,125 since 2004. Mrs Dunn made the earliest known donation, £25,000 in January 2003. Whatever the final calculations, the facts are simply gob-smacking BBC political editor Nick Robinson Read Nick's thoughts in full Newspapers report that Mr Ruddick and Mrs Kidd are listed as directors of a property company, Durham Green Developments, which won planning permission for a multi-million pound business park - and Durham City Council had confirmed Mr Abrahams was involved in negotiations. Acting Liberal Democrat leader Vince Cable said that "an enormous can of worms had been opened up" and the government should have brought in new party funding regulations. "It's a whole sleazy area; it needs cleaning up because of lack of public confidence, " he said. He added: "Harriet Harman has a lot of questions to answer ... the issue about why she accepted money that Hilary Benn and Gordon Brown had refused." A ComRes survey suggests that Labour has suffered a six-point slump to 27% in a month, giving the Tories a large lead despite falling one point themselves to 40%. It surveyed 1,002 adults by telephone on 23 to 25 November and the results were weighted. WHO GAVE WHAT WHEN ||||| The treasurer of Harriet Harman's deputy leadership campaign has claimed she had no "direct contact" with the intermediary acting on behalf of a secretive millionaire donor to the Labour party. Lady Gale, who was responsible for checking that donations were valid, said the money came in the form of a cheque, and she did not have any "direct" contact with Janet Kidd, one of four known proxies used by property tycoon David Abrahams to funnel money into Labour coffers. "I had no reason to believe that it was from anyone else. I would have checked that she was a legitimate donor by the rules of the Electoral Commission. I reported it to them in the normal way." The peer insisted she had no contact with other campaign teams who had refused money from Kidd. Asked whether Harman or anyone else on the team was aware that Kidd was acting on behalf of another donor, Gale replied: "As far as I am concerned, no. As far as I was concerned, we had a legal donation." The acting leader of the Liberal Democrats has now called on the beleaguered deputy leader to repay the £5,000 donation. Speaking to Sky News, Vincent Cable said Harman had a "legal requirement" to repay the gift she received from Kidd. He fell short of demanding Harman's resignation, saying she was "not guilty until proven otherwise". But he added that she had "some explaining to do" about why her campaign team failed to investigate the origin of the funding while Hilary Benn's team had been "smart enough" to notice that the donation given to him through the same proxy was suspect. He went on to say that party politics had been "polluted by these opaque dealings" and called on the government to redouble its efforts to put legislation in place to "stop the arms war" and clean up party funding. ||||| Why did this happen? Please make sure your browser supports JavaScript and cookies and that you are not blocking them from loading. For more information you can review our Terms of Service and Cookie Policy. | Gordon Brown, in the United States on July 30, 2007. The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Gordon Brown has announced that donations made to his political party, the Labour Party were "not lawfully declared" as they were donated through a middleman. According to UK law, all donations over £50,000 must be declared along with the name of the donator and all donations made through middlemen must declare the original donator. David Abraham officially donated the money, which totaled almost £600,000, through 3 third parties. They have been named as; Ray Ruddick who donated £196,850 since 2003, Janet Kidd, who has donated £185,000 since 2003 and John McCarthy, who has donated £202,125 since 2004. Gordon Brown said he had "no knowledge" of these donations and said "they can not be justified" and that it will be returned. Brown said that although this practice has happened for some years, he was first aware of it on Saturday evening. "The money was not lawfully declared so it will be returned," he said. As well as returning the money, the general secretary of the Labour Party has stood down as a result of this incident. This scandal emerged just months after it was announced there will be no charges in the cash for honours inquiry, which was related to donations to the Labour Party as well as other political parties. This could be another blow to the Labour Party, who appear to be facing a sharp decline in popularity, with some polls suggesting they are even less popular than in the last days of Tony Blair's premiership, despite a large surge in popularity when Brown came to power. The acting leader of the Liberal Democrats, Vince Cable, whose party suffered from the increase in Labour's popularity said "an enormous can of worms had been opened up" and that the UK government should have introduced new regulations on the funding of political parties. |
DNA evidence frees man after 19 years 'The court system is not perfect, but it works,' he says PITTSBURGH, Pennsylvania (AP) -- A man who spent 19 years behind bars for a rape he didn't commit was released from prison Monday after new tests of DNA evidence cleared him. Friends and family broke into applause when a county judge dismissed charges against Thomas A. Doswell. About 30 minutes later, Doswell walked out of the county jail a free man -- expressing thanks, not bitterness. "I'm thankful to be home," he told The Associated Press from his mother's house. "I'm thankful justice has been served. The court system is not perfect, but it works." Doswell, 46, was convicted in the 1986 rape of a 48-year-old woman at a hospital in Pittsburgh. When he was convicted, he was 25 and the father of two young children. He was sentenced to 13 to 26 years in prison and was denied parole four times because he refused to accept responsibility for the crime. Prosecutors originally opposed DNA testing for Doswell, but a judge ordered it. When the tests came back last month showing that semen taken from the victim was not from Doswell, prosecutors filed motions to vacate his sentence and release him. "These tests confirmed what Mr. Doswell has been saying from the moment he was charged, that he was innocent and that this was a misidentification brought about by police officers who may have engaged in misconduct," said Colin Starger of the Innocence Project at the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law at Yeshiva University in New York. The victim and another witness had picked out Doswell's photo from a group of eight shown to them by police. At the time, Pittsburgh police identified mug shots of people charged with rape with the letter "R." Doswell insisted witnesses identified him as the rapist only because the letter "R" appeared under his mug shot. His photo was marked because an ex-girlfriend had accused him of rape, but he was acquitted of that charge. Police officials say they no longer mark photos of rape suspects with an "R." Authorities plan to compare the DNA sample taken from the victim with national databanks, but so far do not have any suspects. Although Doswell spent nearly two decades in prison, neither he nor his family said they were angry. "I couldn't walk around with anger and bitterness," said Doswell, speaking on a cell phone for what he said was the first time. "It would have done me more harm than good." Doswell spent his years in prison getting an associate's degree, learning to speak Spanish and mastering seven musical instruments, including the guitar, saxophone, flute, drums and trumpet. "I am so happy to be actually seeing him at home instead of in jail," said Crystal Glover, Doswell's girlfriend. "Now we can get on with our lives." ||||| Man goes free after 19 years in prison for rape he did not commit DNA testing exonerates Thomas Doswell, who speaks of forgiveness Tuesday, August 02, 2005 By Bill Moushey, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Thomas Doswell missed out on many things during the 19 years he served in prison for a rape he didn't commit. Martha Rial, Post-Gazette Thomas Doswell leaves the Allegheny County Jail with his arms around his mother Olivia Doswell, left, and one of his sisters, Olivia Doswell Jr. Click photo for larger image. Not the least was being refused permission to attend his father's funeral. Confined behind bars that day, Doswell did what he could: He sang "Amazing Grace" over the telephone during the services. It was just one of the memories of events unattended and embraces missed that flooded Doswell yesterday amid tears and hugs from family and friends. Just hours after Allegheny County Common Pleas Judge John A. Zottola released Doswell and apologized for "the tragedy ... that you were convicted of this crime," the newly freed Doswell was the center of attention at a party featuring barbecued ribs, fried chicken, collard greens and dumplings served in heaping piles outside his 80-year-old mother's Homewood townhouse. Included in his sad recollections was not being able to raise his two children, who only remember occasional visits with their father and letters from prisons. Yet during his first hours of freedom since 1986, the 44-year-old Doswell expressed no anger toward those who wrongfully convicted him -- only forgiveness. "Having the faith I have in Jesus has taught me that I couldn't walk around for 20 years with anger bottled up in me. It would have killed me. It would have done more damage to me than good." A flurry of legal action on Doswell's case culminated yesterday in a brief hearing before Zottola, where a representative of Allegheny County District Attorney Stephen A. Zappala Jr. requested dismissal of rape and related charges against him because DNA testing had proven he did not commit the crime. Martha Rial, Post-Gazette Thomas Doswell holds his girlfriend, Crystal Glover, after his release after 19 years' imprisonment yesterday. Click photo for larger image. Zottola, who cut into his vacation to preside at the hearing, told Doswell: "I wish you Godspeed and the best of luck" and then sent him back to the jail for processing to "take the first steps toward your freedom." Doswell was followed by his mother, Olivia, and a crowd of tearful, smiling relatives and friends chanting "God is good." "I was thankful. I knew 20 years ago I was a free man, yet to hear it officially from the authorities that held me, it was a relief," he said later. He forgave the police officer -- retired Detective Herman Wolf of the Pittsburgh police -- who he claims focused the rape investigation on him just an hour after it was reported because Doswell had been acquitted of a sexual assault charge against his girlfriend just a year before. He forgave the 48-year-old rape victim at the former Forbes Hospital and another witness who identified him despite clear differences between his appearance and that of the assailant. He forgave prosecutors who fought against his appeals, and who for a time tried to stop DNA testing of the semen samples taken after the rape. He also forgave the judges who repeatedly denied his appeals, some of them because he filed a petition a few weeks late. Finally, he forgave the parole authorities who refused to free him after he served his minimum sentence of 13 years because he would not take responsibility for the crime. His voice trembling as he remembered the pain of missing his father's funeral, he said: "I'd hope it would never happen to ... anyone else. "I want to go to the grave site, to see where my dad was buried. I still have to go make peace with him," he said. While he said he had constant support from family and communication and visits with his two sons -- one is on a path to graduate from college next year and the other is working -- he said he has a lot to make up for. And a lot to be thankful for. "Despite being away from your family and being away from your freedom that you had always rightfully deserved to have, God has blessed me and I managed to come through it in a positive light," he said. As Doswell soaked in the hot afternoon sun, Zappala joined Peter Neufeld and Colin Starger of the Innocence Project at the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law at Yeshiva University in New York City, which did most of the legal work on the case, and James E. DePasquale, Doswell's Pittsburgh lawyer, to deal with the fallout from the first case of posttrial DNA exoneration in the history of Allegheny County. "As much as there is to celebrate, it is also a moment for reflection ... Unless we begin to address the causes, then other people like Tommy will continue to be wrongfully convicted in the future," Neufeld said of the 160th DNA exoneration accomplished by the Innocence Project. Neufeld has urged police to reform procedures for witness identifications to eliminate bias and reduce the likelihood of inaccuracies. According to appeals papers in the Doswell case, less than two hours after the rape occurred, Wolf showed up at a hospital with a photo array that included Doswell's picture, which had a large "R" underneath it. The letter was there because of the previous rape accusation made against Doswell. Pittsburgh police no longer mark rape suspects' photos in that way. The victim and another woman picked Doswell's photo out of the array. Armed with the identifications, Doswell said detectives shrugged off his protest that he was more than a mile away from the rape scene at the old Forbes Hospital on Frankstown Avenue, now Forbes Nursing Center and Hospice. Detectives also ignored the fact that Doswell did not have a beard and had no visible marks on his face, despite the victim's claim that her assailant was bearded and that she had bloodied him after hitting him with a food platter. While a bill was proposed this year in Harrisburg to compensate victims of wrongful convictions, it received little attention. Twenty other states have such laws. As a result, DePasquale said, the only way Doswell can be compensated for his losses is if a legislator seeks a private settlement for him, or, after a legal review of the case, he sues for violation of his civil rights. Yesterday, Doswell wasn't thinking about anything like that. He stood outside the gate of his mother's home, content to hug friends and relatives, exchange small talk and just smell the rich food -- he was worried that his digestive tract, accustomed to prison food, would take some time before it could handle rich fare. He said he was content instead to drink up the love of those who stood behind him. (Bill Moushey can be reached at bmoushey@pointpark.edu or 412-392-3416.) Today: Only in Print News: Vaccine bid for bird flu uses 'reverse genetics' ploy News: Group child-care studies show higher skills, poorer behavior Page 2: Calvin and Hobbes -- The classic comic strips My Generation : Childrens' fairy tales that don't fit the usual mold For more information: Subscribe today Buy a copy near you See today's front page | Thomas Dowell was released after serving nearly 20 years in prison for the rape of a 48-year-old woman at a Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania hospital. He was acquitted after a judge ordered a DNA test on the semen taken from the rape victim. In 1986, Dowell was sentenced to spend 13 to 26 years in prison on the rape charge. He was denied parole four times because he would not accept responsibility for the crime he was convicted of. He was released from prison and acquitted of all charges. |
Bernardo Hees, 40, told a group of students in Chicago that “here the food is good and you are known for your good-looking women”. Comparing the city to his student days at the University of Warwick, where he studied for an MBA, he recalled of his time in England: “The food is terrible and the women are not very attractive." His gaffe came only six months after taking the helm at the chain, which has 11,500 outlets worldwide, and unsurprisingly were not welcomed in Coventry, where Warwick University is based. Charli Fritzner, women’s campaigns officer at the University’s student union, said: “If he views women as potential distractions in academia, I wonder how he views them in the workplace? Marcus Wareing, a Michelin-starred chef at London’s Berkeley Hotel, who specialises in English produce, said his comments were an “insult to British gastronomy”, especially given what the Burger King menu contains. After Mr Hees’ comments, which were made in an unguarded moment, were picked up and reported in America, a spokesman for the company said he regretted them, adding: “Mr Hees apologises if his comment has offended anyone. It …. was intended as a humorous anecdote to connect with his audience.” One way for British women to make themselves more attractive might be to avoid a visit to one of Mr Hees’ fast food outlets. Boasting 950 calories, a Burger King Double Whopper with cheese accounts for half of a woman’s recommended daily calorie intake of 1940 calories. The burger has twice the calorie count and, with 22g of saturated fat, more than double the saturated fat count than its comparable rival, the McDonald’s Big Mac. ||||| Global boss of Burger King brands British food 'terrible' ...and he says the women are 'unattractive' too As far as foot in mouth moments go, it's a bit of a whopper. The global boss of Burger King has had to apologise after branding British women unattractive and describing our country's food as 'terrible'. The comments were made as Brazilian-born Bernardo Hees, 40, spoke to a group of U.S. students about the time he spent at the University of Warwick, where he was studying for an MBA. Brazilian-born Bernardo Hees, 40, made the comment as he was speaking to a group of U.S. students about the time he spent at the University of Warwick (below left) where studied for an MBA Charli Fritzner, of the University of Warwick, pictured, where Hees studied, said his opinion 'doesn't make Burger King an attractive employer for women' Explaining he was able to focus on his studies because of a lack of distractions, he told the audience in Chicago: 'The food is terrible and the women are not very attractive. 'Here in Chicago, the food is good and you are known for your good-looking women.' Hees has been in charge of the chain since October last year, shortly after it had been bought for $4billion by Brazilian private firm 3G. He was an unexpected choice for the job of leading the firm's 11,500 restaurants as he had no experience in the sector and was previously chief executive officer of America Latina Logistica, South America's largest railroad and logistics company. Michelin-starred chef Marcus Wareing called Hees's outburst 'an insult to British gastronomy' Hees's unguarded remarks were carried in the University of Chicago's student newspaper, the Chicago Maroon, and have now been read by millions around the world. Charli Fritzner, women's campaign officer at the University of Warwick, told The Observer: 'If he views women as potential distractions in academia, I wonder how he views them in the workplace? 'It doesn't make Burger King an attractive employer for women.' Michelin-starred Marcus Wareing, whose dishes using home-grown food such as Cornish cod and Dorset crab at London's Berkeley Hotel have helped enhance Britain's glowing reputation on the world culinary stage, also found the insults hard to swallow. He said it was staggering they had come from someone in charge of a firm churning out fast food, adding: 'It's an insult to British gastronomy.' The most memorable example of corporate foot-in-mouth errors was when jewellery tycoon Gerald Ratner described his products as 'total crap' in an after dinner speech in 1991, causing the business to plummet in value. He also said his firm's earrings were cheaper than a Marks & Spencer prawn sandwich and 'probably wouldn't last as long'. The comments became so notorious that such damaging utterances by business leaders have since been known as 'doing a Ratner'. Others include Goldman Sachs boss Lloyd Blankfein claiming his company does 'God's work', Whole Foods chief executive John Mackey announcing 'we sell a bunch of junk', and new Asda boss Andy Clarke last year admitting his supermarket's food wasn't up to scratch. Burger King didn't try to garnish the situation yesterday and admitted its boss regretted his words. 'Mr Hees apologises if his comment has offended anyone,' a spokesman said. 'It... was intended as a humorous anecdote to connect with his audience.' | A Burger King restaurant in London, England , the CEO of American fast food chain . was caught insulting British women during a speech to students in Chicago. Hees was talking to the university students about his time at the in England. He compared the United States to Britain by saying "here the food is good and you are known for your good-looking women." He then spoke about the UK by saying that "the food is terrible and the women are not very attractive." A spokesman for Burger King released a statement after Hees's comments were reported by the US press. "Mr. Hees apologises if his comment has offended anyone. It ... was intended as a humorous anecdote to connect with his audience," the statement said. Hees's remarks have caused controversy in the United Kingdom. , who is a women's campaign officer at the University of Warwick said that "if he views women as potential distractions in academia, I wonder how he views them in the workplace?." "It doesn't make Burger King an attractive employer for women," she added. Hees joined Burger King in October of last year. He oversees the company's 11,500 stores worldwide. |
Saskatchewan farmers battle infestation of insidious boars As he sighted the razor-tusked porker in his crosshairs, Bob Brickley was pretty sure the boar was already dead. "I thought it was one we'd wounded the day before," says the Saskatchewan farmer, who was on a boar-eradication trip. "I figured I'd shoot it again, just to be safe. Well, turns out he was alive and well." And plenty angry. The boar charged Mr. Brickley, all 180 kilograms of it snorting toward him at 50 kilometres an hour, tusks first. The second shot from Mr. Brickley's .223-calibre rifle didn't faze it. Nor did the second or the third. Only after taking a fourth bullet did the raging hog finally stagger. "He dropped about three feet from me," Mr. Brickley said, his breath quickening as he tells the tale. The encounter was as close as anyone in boar-infested southern Saskatchewan has come to being mauled. But with populations of the feral swine exploding in excess of 2,000 across the prairies, wildlife experts say it's only a matter of time. At a Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities conference this week, members put forward a resolution urging the province to impose a moratorium on wild-boar ranching and intensify its efforts to kill all boars that have escaped into the wild. "They are a threat to society," said Ken Engel, executive director of the association. "We should close down the farms and eradicate the escapees, that's what this resolution calls for." A close relative of the domestic pig, wild boars might seem innocuous. They first galumphed across the prairies in the late 1970s, imported as part of an agricultural diversification initiative that also marked the arrival of emus and ostriches. But with escape rates as high as 3 per cent, they quickly made in impact in the wild. "They kill and eat anything," said Darrell Crabbe, executive director of the Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation. "They'll kill fawns and ground-nesting birds. They'll wreck crops and put the chase on cattle. They're not afraid of anything or anybody. They're like a roaming gang." One cell of boars recently destroyed six hectares of Mr. Brickley's oat crop in less than two weeks. Mr. Brickley farms adjacent to Moose Mountain Provincial Park, roughly 230 kilometres east of Regina, a hotspot for the boars. Over the past several years, Mr. Brickley has helped organize numerous boar eradications hunts. At first, they didn't have much success. Two years ago, they incorporated air surveillance into the hunts. Now, with assistance from the provincial Ministry of Agriculture, they perform a complete survey of a cell before moving in to eliminate it. Over the past five years, Mr. Brickley's hunts have killed at least 400 animals. But boorish breeding habits can quickly undo the hunters' work. Sows have two litters of up to 12 piglets every year. "A population can pretty much triple in a very short amount of time," said Erin Gardiner, a councillor in the Rural Municipality of Wawken. "As a mom and a landowner, that's a bit frightening. I'm much more afraid of boars than bears or cougars." ||||| Wild boars plaguing Saskatchewan farmers Related Searches "executive director" search results "Canadian farmers" search results "aggressive measures" search results REGINA, Saskatchewan, March 11 (UPI) -- Canadian farmers in Saskatchewan are calling for more aggressive measures to cull some 2,000 fast-breeding wild boars playing havoc with livestock and crops. At a Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities conference this week, attendees called not only for more provincial support in eliminating the aggressive boars but also a ban on the farming of them, the Globe and Mail reported from Regina. The province began allowing boar farms in the late 1970s but since the escape rate has been about 3 percent and females can have as many as 12 piglets per litter, the report said. Ken Engel, executive director of the association, said the razor-tusked swine will eat anything. "They are a threat to society," he said. "We should close down the farms and eradicate the escapees, that's what this resolution calls for." Darrell Crabbe, executive director of the Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation, agreed. "They kill and eat anything," Crabbe said. "They'll kill fawns and ground-nesting birds. They'll wreck crops and put the chase on cattle. They're not afraid of anything or anybody." ||||| Sask. agriculture minister pledges action on wild boars The days of wild boar farming in Saskatchewan may soon be over, with Agriculture Minister Bob Bjornerud saying he's open to a moratorium or a ban on the porkers. Wild boars have been a regular topic of conversation at Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities conventions in recent years, and this year's gathering in Saskatoon has been no exception. Delegates have repeatedly asked the province to do something about boars that have escaped from farms and are now running wild in the bush. The boars were once seen as a way of diversifying farm income, and the provincial government even encouraged their production. Now, people like Glen McMillan, who farms near Kipling in the southeast part of the province, wants government to put a stop to their production. The Kipling region is home to hundreds of wild boars that have escaped farms, survived frigid winters and are thriving, McMillan said, and have become a nuisance. "Livestock are terrified of them. Cows will run through brand-new fences, they're just terrified of them. Horses are the same way," he said. The boars also do a lot of damage digging up fields and golf courses, McMillan said. He wants to see a moratorium or a ban on any production of wild boars. Bjornerud said he wouldn't rule that out. "It's certainly something I would consider, knowing just how much damage they can cause to farms of all sorts," he said. "We are going to work with groups like SARM and try to come up with a solution to actually deal with this problem." It's a provincewide problem and needs to be dealt with as quickly as possible, Bjornerud said. ||||| SWF Annual Convention Highlights The Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation held its annual convention February 7th-9th in Prince Albert. Some highlights include: Wild New President The Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation is pleased to report that Ray Wild was elected President of the Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation on February 9th at the SWF 79th Annual Convention in Prince Albert. Wild is an avid angler and hunter with a keen interest in the outdoors and the environment. Aside from having a very fitting name, Wild will bring years of experience to the position, including: 5 years as Board Member of the Fish and Wildlife Development Fund 5 Years as member of the Saskatchewan Environment Fisheries Advisory Committee 4 years as member of the Saskatchewan Watershed Authority Advisory Committee 6 years on the Board of the Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation 5 years as Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation Fisheries Chairperson 8 years as President of the East Shore Wildlife Federation 7 years on the Board of the Wecan Credit Union including time as President Wild is an electrical contractor and has run a mixed farming operation for 25 years. Wild and his wife Darby live in Silton, Saskatchewan. They have one son; Christopher (wife Carrie) and one granddaughter; Mallory. David Holmes Makeover David Holmes from the Thickwood Hills Branch of the SWF agreed to a complete makeover to raise money for Youth Education Programs. It added a lot of fun to the Convention weekend to watch the transformation of David, and added over $6,000 to SWF Education. Click Here for slide show of makeover. If you would like a DVD of the makeover, you can order from Split Tine Productions: Saskatchewan Wildlife Federations 79th annual convention presents The David Holmes Makeover Project DVD To order a copy send $20.00 plus $2.00 shipping for each DVD to Split Tine Productions Box 153 Prince Albert, Sk. S6V 5R5 All profits from the sale of this DVD goes to the SWF Education Fund. Specify wide screen or full screen when ordering. Additional Fundraising On Saturday afternoon branches lined up to donate money to the SWF. In approximately 20 minutes a parade of cheques were presented to the SWF totaling over $127,000. Branches donated to the Habitat Trust Fund, Education Programs, SWF Building Fund and to other programs. Thoughout the Convention over $100,000 was raised for the Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation. Sunday Hunting One of the resolutions passed at the Convention was to support Sunday Hunting. The resolution that read “Be it resolved that Sunday hunting be implemented for all game on all Unoccupied Crown lands, WDF lands and SWF lands.” was passed with 73.11 % in favour. See further down for a listing of all resolutions presented at the Convention. Scott Schultz Saskatchewan Roughrider Scott Schultz shared moments from games and talked about the comradery in the CFL. Scott also introduced the new Public Service Announcement that he is in encouraging people to join the other green team – the SWF. Wild Boars & Cougars Delegates at the SWF Convention were informed by biologists about Wild Boar and Cougars in Saskatchewan. 2010 Convention The 2010 Convention will be held in The Battlefords. Next year’s Convention, celebrating 80 years, will be held in Moose Jaw. Archery in Schools Education Program Coordinator Joe Milligin talked about the exciting new National Archery in the Schools programs that the SWF introduced to Saskatchewan. Presently 11 schools are piloting the program across the province. Firearms SWF Firearms Chair, Greg Illerbrun reported on a number of issues. Click here for the full report. Resolutions Passed at the 79th Annual Convention Be it resolved that individual licenses be purchased for archery, muzzleloader and rifle (amended) Carried 75% Be it resolved that bull elk and cow elk be treated as separate species, the same as mule deer. Carried 89.87% Be it resolved that the Government of Saskatchewan develop a better system of issuing Health Service Cards and hunting licenses. Carried 92.64% Be it resolved that the government supply sufficient funds to allow Saskatchewan Environment to immediately bring over forty full time Conservation Officers onto the force. Carried 96.03% Be it resolved that Sunday hunting be implemented for all game on all Unoccupied Crown lands, WDF lands and SWF lands. Carried 73.11% Be it resolved that the Government of Saskatchewan declare feral Sus scrofa (wild boar) a nuisance species that may be dispatched on sight and in accordance with provincial legislation. Carried 98.77% View Slide Show Click Here to see some pictures from Convention. If you have photos you would like to share, please email them to Maureen Horrocks at maureenh.swf@sasktel.net For more information, please contact: Darrell Crabbe, Executive Director Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation 306-692-8812 Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation 9 Lancaster Road Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan S6J 1M8 Ph: 306-692-8812 www.swf.sk.ca ||||| Specialized Livestock White-tailed deer. Tourism Saskatchewan Specialized livestock raised for economic livelihood by Saskatchewan farmers and ranchers includes prominent species such as elk (wapiti), white-tailed deer, bison, and wild boar. Other species raised in Sasatchewan that are also included under the definition of specialized livestock are: ostriches, emus, llamas, alpacas, reindeer and fallow deer. Prior to 1987, specialized livestock species were managed by the provincial Department of the Environment, recognizing the owners with zoo licenses. In 1987, the government transferred the management of licensing producers to the Department of Agriculture. Today, the Departments of Agriculture and Environment work together in regulating and managing the specialized livestock industry. It should be recognized that some of the species, such as white-tailed deer, mule deer, elk, and reindeer are indigenous wild species in the province. Hence, this results in the need for regulation by both departments as these animals fall under their respective regulations. In 1995, the Crow Rate Transportation subsidy was eliminated in Canada, resulting in agriculture diversification in Saskatchewan. From 1995 to 2000, both the number of specialized livestock producers and the number of animals in western Canada grew by approximately 26%–30% per year. In 2000, chronic wasting disease was discovered in Saskatchewan farm-raised elk and in free-ranging wild mule deer. This discovery forced the closure of export markets for the elk and deer industries, which halted the rapid expansion the industry had experienced. Saskatchewan is currently home to approximately 25% of the Canadian deer herd, 36% of the Canadian elk herd, and 24% of the Canadian Bison herd. According to Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food 2001 statistics, over 580 deer and elk operations are raising an estimated 7,250 mule deer, white-tailed deer and reindeer, and 38,000 elk. Approximately 560 bison producers are raising 41,500 bison. The wild boar population of Saskatchewan is estimated between 15,000 and 20,000 head (including approximately 2,700 sows), raised by an estimated 150 producers. With the rapid expansion of the specialized livestock industries in the 1990s, infrastructure and support expanded as well. The white-tailed deer, elk, wild boar and bison industries each have provincial producer associations, with both the elk and bison associations having developed national associations to address such issues as animal health, marketing, and relations with other countries. As well, governments and university research and support groups in western Canada exist to assist the specialized livestock industries. For example, at the University of Saskatchewan individuals were assigned to examine marketing, nutrition, meat science and Veterinary Medicine for specialized livestock species. For all species the single most prominent challenge is developing and expanding new and current markets. Elk. The primary market for the elk industry is in breeding stock and export sales of antler velvet to countries such as Korea, while competing against other countries such as the United States, New Zealand, China and Russia. When the price for velvet antler products dropped in the late 1990s, owing to the Asian economic downturn, interest was spurred in the marketing of elk for venison and bulls for trophy hunt ranches. Since the legalization of elk Farming in Saskatchewan in 1987, the elk industry has demonstrated innovation in the areas of handling, nutrition, and artificial insemination. Current issues challenging the elk industry include the investigation and live animal diagnosis of chronic wasting disease, the determination of specific nutrient requirements that match digestive physiology and optimize production, disease issues such as better tuberculosis testing methods, developing diagnostic tests for parasites such as Parelaphostrongylus tenuis and Elaphostrongylus cervi to facilitate live animal trade, factors affecting antler growth, velvet antler efficacy trials, velvet antler quality assurance standards, venison production, and marketing and product development. White-tailed Deer. The primary market for white-tailed deer is the sale of adult male bucks to trophy hunt ranches and breeding stock. In the early 1990’s white-tailed deer operations were few, as most of the “specialized livestock” interest was being directed toward the elk and bison industries. However, as the value of elk and bison breeding stock increased, more interest was being generated in the white-tailed deer industry. Much like the elk industry, the white-tailed deer industry has shown innovation and expertise in the development of feeding programs, handling systems, and artificial insemination methods. Challenges for the white-tailed deer industry include better testing/investigation of chronic wasting disease, how antler growth can be enhanced through nutrition and genetics, control/eradication of necrobacillosis, developing diagnostic tests for parasites such as Parelaphostrongylus tenuis and Elaphostrongylus cervi to facilitate live animal trade, better testing/investigation of tuberculosis, marketing structures for trophy ranches and venison markets, venison quality and product development, as well as several aspects revolving around nutrition as related to digestive physiology and production requirements. Bison. The commercial production of bison is also relatively new to western Canada, with rapid increases in animal and producer numbers throughout the 1990s. However, what sets bison apart from the deer and elk industries is that in Saskatchewan, bison are classified as a domestic species and require fewer regulations. In federal jurisdiction, however, bison are regulated as a captive ungulate. The main product of the bison industry is a red meat that is low in fat and cholesterol and high in protein. Other products of the bison industry include sales of breeding stock, hides, bleached skulls for art work, trophy Ranching, and tourism. The main advantage of bison is that no other continent outside of North America commercially farms a significant number of bison. Thus, North America is the only major supplier of bison products to the world. The bison industry has also made strong advancements in the areas of handling and nutrition throughout the 1990s. However, much like the deer and elk industries, the bison industry is going through a series of growing pains. Bison meat production is at a disadvantage in Saskatchewan because there is no federally licensed or European-licensed bison slaughter facility located within the province. Without this licensing, bison meat products cannot be exported beyond provincial borders to importing countries such as the United States and Europe. As such, the Saskatchewan industry is currently transporting live animals to licensed slaughter plants in Alberta or the United States. Another primary challenge to the industry is the marketing of its red meat while competing with high-volume meat protein sources such as beef, chicken, and pork. Other obstacles that need to be addressed include bull fertility between and within age groups, growth characteristics and differences between “plains” and “wood” bison, and if differences exist, how to optimize bull feeding and production through the wintering period, and investigation into diseases such as malignant catarrhal fever, Johnes disease and testing of tuberculosis. Wild Boar. The main product of the wild boar industry is domestic red meat sales and export to Europe and Asian countries. Other saleable products include breeding stock, animals sold to trophy hunt ranch operations as well as animals sold into ethnic markets. Both full-blooded wild boar and commercial standard-bred (hybrid cross with domestic swine) are being raised. The main challenge for the wild boar industry is the marketing of the red meat and structures/infrastructure involved. Federal and European-licensed slaughter plant availability for wild boar also needs to be developed. Issues involving animal handling and containment, meat consistency and quality, marketing and product development are challenges to the wild boar industry. Other Species. Other species that are termed “specialized livestock” include mule deer, reindeer, fallow deer, ostrich and emu. Challenges to these industries are specific to each species. However, as with the elk, white-tailed deer, bison and wild boar, most of the emphasis is placed on market development and access, market identification, product development and supply, development of production targets, optimization of production, and enhanced knowledge of nutrition and health as it relates to each species. Murray S. Feist | The Wild Boar (Sus scrofa) is the wild ancestor of the domestic pig. At the Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities (SARM) conference, a resolution was passed that encourages the Government of Saskatchewan, Canada to place a moratorium on specialty livestock farms raising wild boar. All wild boars that have escaped to roam wild should be killed, according to the resolution. Agriculture Minister Bob Bjornerud endorses a ban on wild boar farming. The wild boar population is expanding exponentially. There are over 2,000 feral ''Sus scrofa'' swine roaming the prairies. Two litters of approximately 12 piglets are sired by each wild boar sow every year. The Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation (SWF) likewise passed a similar resolution at their 79th annual convention to urge the Saskatchewan Government to declare the wild boar as a nuisance species which can be killed on sight. 3% of farmed "wild" boars escape. Cells of wild boars are ravenous creatures killing and eating everything in their path. Horses, cows, and other livestock run from wild boars, breaking through fences in the process. Ostriches, emus, llamas, alpacas, reindeer, wild boar, and fallow deer were amongst the animals introduced to farms in Saskatchewan during the agricultural diversification program in the late 1970s. Production of wild boars was promoted throughout the 1980s. According to the Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food 2001 statistics, there were 150 wild boar producers raising approximately 15,000 and 20,000 head. Of these there were about 2,700 sows. On the 2006 Census of Agriculture, 401 farms reported 4,926 boars. The boar's red meat is an export commodity to Europe and Asia. The live breeding stock are also sold to trophy hunt ranches. Full blooded wild boar and hybrid crosses are raised. |
Logan Clements canvassed for signatures in Weare About 60 people rallied in the small New Hampshire town of Weare on Sunday, where Justice David Souter has a house. The protesters say they have enough signatures from Weare residents to put their proposal to a town vote in March. They want a compulsory purchase order on the 200-year-old farmhouse, and say they will build a hotel in its place. Campaign organiser Logan Clements, from Los Angeles, told supporters in Weare the Supreme Court had "shot a hole in the [US] Constitution". I don't want my house to be taken away to be the next Disneyland Campaign supporter Eric Dellinger Judge Souter was in a 5-4 majority on the court panel that ruled last June that the city of New London in Connecticut could seize homes to make way for a hotel, convention centre, office space and flats. The ruling gave government the right to seize homes for "public benefit", where previously they could only be taken for "public use". Many fear the ruling means land can now be requisitioned for commercial ventures that benefit the local economy, not just public projects like road building. The Supreme Court ruling has prompted many states, including New Hampshire, to consider tightening their laws on "eminent domain", or compulsory purchase. 'Very scary' Mr Clements needed only 25 signatures calling for Mr Souter's house to be compulsorily purchased, to put the issue to a ballot of the 8,500 residents of Weare. Mr Clements wants to turn Mr Souter's home into a hotel He says he already has 188 names. Weare resident Eric Dellinger signed the petition. "I'm not sure that going after a justice is really the right way to do it," he told the Los Angeles Times. "But this eminent domain thing is very scary. I don't want my house to be taken away to be the next Disneyland no matter how much good it would be for other people." There was no comment on the petition from Justice Souter. ||||| Eminent domain protest lands in Souterís back yard WEARE - Activists who want U.S. Supreme Court Justice David Souter to pay a personal price for ruling New London, Conn., could seize private property for a development project rallied Sunday in Souterís small hometown, arguing the town should take Souterís home to build a hotel. Their leader also urged the group to be ready to head to Connecticut on a momentís notice to try to save homes in line to be destroyed. Logan Darrow Clements, of Los Angeles, was greeted by applause from about 60 people who attended Sundayís rally, some coming from as far away as Texas and Pennsylvania. At issue is the Supreme Courtís 5-4 decision in a case called Kelo v. City of New London. Souter joined the majority in ruling the city could seize homes to make way for a hotel, convention center, office space and condominiums near Pfizer Inc.ís new research headquarters. The court said the city had the authority because the development would benefit the public by creating jobs and increasing tax revenues. Clements said the justices who sided with the Connecticut city on eminent domain "shot a hole in the Constitution." He said he and volunteers gathered 188 signatures Saturday in support of having the town take Souterís home so the property could be turned into a hotel - the "Hotel Lost Liberty." Souter has declined comment. ||||| WEARE, N.H. --Activists who want U.S. Supreme Court Justice David Souter to pay a personal price for ruling New London, Conn., could seize private property for a development project rallied Sunday in Souter's small hometown, arguing the town should take Souter's home to build a hotel. Their leader also urged the group to be ready to head to Connecticut on a moment's notice to try to save homes in line to be destroyed. "We need to be ready to surround the homes," said organizer Logan Clements of Los Angeles. "We have to have a set of minutemen to stop the bulldozers." Clements was greeted by rousing applause from about 60 people who attended Sunday's rally, some coming from as far away as Texas and Pennsylvania. He said the five Supreme Court justices who sided with the Connecticut city on the eminent domain controversy "shot a hole in the Constitution." He said opponents should organize nationwide and vote officials out of office if they push similar projects. Doug Schwartz, of New London, Conn., urged the crowd on. He said eminent domain problems have plagued the city for decades. Clements said he and volunteers gathered 188 signatures Saturday in support of having the town take Souter's home so the property could be turned into a hotel -- the "Hotel Lost Liberty". Souter has declined to comment. William Deans, of Allentown, Pa., said he joined the effort because Allentown officials are dealing with urban blight by seizing homes and property in his neighborhood. At issue is the Supreme Court's 5-4 decision in a case called Kelo v. City of New London. Souter joined the majority in ruling the city could seize homes to make way for a hotel, convention center, office space and condominiums near Pfizer Inc.'s new research headquarters. The court said the city had the authority because the development would benefit the public by creating jobs and increasing tax revenues. New London officials last fall rescinded eviction notices sent to the home owners. They have been abiding by a voluntary moratorium on the seizing of homes until the state legislature can debate possible changes to the state's eminent domain laws. A group of Weare residents called the Committee for the Preservation of Natural Rights already has gathered the 25 signatures required to place the seizure question on the town ballot in March. Public outrage at the Supreme Court decision prompted many states, including New Hampshire, to consider tightening their eminent domain laws. State Rep. Neal Kurk, a Republican from Weare, is sponsoring two proposed amendments to the state constitution that would limit eminent domain seizures to taking land for public use, such as building highways, and require higher payments to the former property owners. © Copyright 2006 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. ||||| ABC News Group Seeks Souter Eviction As Protest Group Descending on Justice Souter's N.H. Hometown in Eminent Domain Protest Eric Marquis listens as Logan Darrow Clements talks about his plans to seize the home and property of U.S. Supreme Court Justice David Souter Saturday Jan. 21, 2006. Clements is going door-to-door getting signatures and leading an effort to seize U.S. Supreme Court Justice David Souter's property and buid an inn for being one of five justices who sided with a decision favoring government power to seize private property by eminent domain. (AP Photo/Jim Cole) Winner of Record Jackpot Remains a Mystery U.S. Marines 'Devastated' After Crash Symbol of America Is One Town's Headache By KATHY McCORMACK CONCORD, N.H. Jan 21, 2006 (AP) Angered by a Supreme Court ruling that gave local governments more power to seize people's homes for economic development, a group of activists is trying to get one of the court's justices evicted from his own home. The group, led by a California man, wants Justice David Souter's home seized to build an inn called the "Lost Liberty Hotel." They submitted enough petition signatures only 25 were needed to bring the matter before voters in March. This weekend, they're descending on Souter's hometown, the central New Hampshire town of Weare, population 8,500, to rally for support. "This is in the tradition of the Boston Tea Party and the Pine Tree Riot," Organizer Logan Darrow Clements said, referring to the riot that took place during the winter of 1771-1772, when colonists in Weare beat up officials appointed by King George III who fined them for logging white pines without approval. "All we're trying to do is put an end to eminent domain abuse," Clements said, by having those who advocate or facilitate it "live under it, so they understand why it needs to end." Bill Quigley, Weare deputy police chief, said if protesters show up, they're going to be told to stay across the street from a dirt road that leads to Souter's brown farmhouse, which is more than 200 years old. It isn't known whether Souter will be home. "They're obviously not going to be allowed on Justice Souter's property," he said. "There's no reason for anybody to go down that road unless they live on that road, and we know the residents that live there. The last time (Clements) showed up, they had a total of about three or four people who showed up to listen to him." Clements, of Los Angeles, said he's never tried to contact Souter, who voted for the decision. "The justice doesn't have any comment about it," Kathy Arberg, a Supreme Court spokeswoman, said about the protesters' cause. The petition asks whether the town should take Souter's land for development as an inn; whether to set up a trust fund to accept donations for legal expenses; and whether to set up a second trust fund to accept donations to compensate Souter for taking his land. | Supreme Court Justice David Souter In the town of , New Hampshire, a movement is under way to force Supreme Court Justice to sell his home for "public benefit," an expansion of the provision in the of the that the Supreme Court legalized in the controversial 5–4 decision in where Souter was on the majority side. In the June 2005 decision this majority ruled that "public use" included "public benefit," stating that a local council could use the Fifth Amendment to compulsorily acquire private property for the express purpose of selling it to other private parties whose use was expected to yield increased tax revenues. The decision left many worried that homes would be seized for commercial enterprises or that the decision could be used as a means to remove minority property owners deemed inconvenient. The campaign to have Souter's house removed is headed by , who is petitioning to replace it with the , a tongue-in-cheek name for what he says will be a memorial to lost freedom. Clements already has 188 signatures to put the issue on a ballot, and only 25 are needed. Once it is on the ballot, the measure can be approved as soon as March. Weare has 8,500 residents. So far, neither Justice Souter nor Kathy Arberg, Supreme Court spokeswoman, have commented on the matter. |
Newsnight is set to be blacked out because of Monday's BBC strike, with Jeremy Paxman refusing to cross picket lines and management resigned to losing their flagship BBC2 current affairs programme on the day. Paxman, who was due to present Monday night's edition of Newsnight, is understood to have told BBC news executives he was not willing to cross the picket lines that will be set up by broadcasting unions outside Television Centre in west London. But it would not matter even if Paxman was willing to work, because there will not be enough Newsnight production staff around to make the show anyway, according to a senior BBC insider. "There won't be a Newsnight. The reality is the strike is very strong among video editors and film crews. There's no way that we can put a show out. The priority is to keep the bulletins going," the source said. All eyes on Monday will be on who will cross the picket lines to keep BBC news and current affairs going - news-presenter-turned-royal-reporter Nicholas Witchell was famously branded a scab after agreeing to read the 6 O'Clock News on the day of the last high-profile strike in April 1989. At the time he explained that he agreed with the pay claim but said he did not agree with the tactic of strike action. Dermot Murnaghan and Natasha Kaplinksy are due to present breakfast on Monday, with George Alagiah and Sian Williams to host the 6 O'Clock News and Fiona Bruce pencilled in for the 10pm bulletin. Jeremy Dear, the general secretary of the NUJ, said the union was certain there would be no edition of Newsnight on Monday because BBC management had been telling journalists who were willing to work on the programme that they would be reassigned to other shows. "We know for a fact that Newsnight is off. They have made a decision that they can't get it out. They haven't got presenters, journalists, researchers or technical staff," he said. "What we are expecting is very serious disruption to news programmes. They will of course use managers to get a skeleton service out but it will be a shadow of what it normally is." Mr Dear predicted that the regular BBC1 news bulletins, including the 10 O'Clock News, were likely to be shorter than normal and rely more heavily on pre-recorded material rather than live reports. Severe disruption on radio, internet and News 24 too The NUJ leader said the feedback from union members also suggested there would be disruption to radio news, News 24, the BBC News website, the World Service, regional TV and radio. There is only understood to be one presenter willing to work on News 24 on Monday and Mr Dear predicted that in the regions, where support for the strike is particularly strong, the BBC's TV and radio news output would be "decimated". The NUJ expects the BBC to deploy what staff are available on the day to provide a core news service for on-the-hour radio and TV bulletins. But live news programmes, and particularly those that pride themselves on their original, in-depth journalism, such as Newsnight and Radio 4's Today, will be particularly vulnerable to the strike. "They will pull as many people together as possible to provide a core news service. There will be things that are pre-recorded," Mr Dear said. "I would imagine that they will put together some sort of show [for the main BBC1 news bulletins]. But it will not be recognisable as the TV news. "Some [bulletins] will be shorter, there will be pre-recorded material and they will repeat material throughout the day. And there will be stories they don't have that they normally would have." Mr Dear said that the strike, called to protest against plans by the director general, Mark Thompson, to axe 4,000 BBC jobs, had also boosted NUJ membership, with 500 new applications in the past month. · To contact the MediaGuardian news desk email editor@mediatheguardian.com or phone 020 7239 9857 · If you are writing a comment for publication, please mark clearly "for publication". ||||| The Today programme and other flagship Radio 4 shows, including The World at One and PM, have joined the growing casualty list for Monday's BBC strike, which will take huge swathes of the corporation's TV and radio news output off air. Radio 4 listeners will have to do without their regular fix of Today, The World at One, PM and The World Tonight on Monday because of the strike - more than five hours of news programming in total. The only news output on the station on May 23 will be five-minute bulletins on the hour between 6am and midnight, according to senior BBC insiders, with the Radio 4 controller, Mark Damazer, left to fill the remaining airtime as best he can. BBC1's flagship news bulletins will also be hard hit, with BBC managers understood to be planning to put out shorter 15-minute shows in place of the 1, 6 and 10 O'Clock News programmes, which normally run for half an hour. Viewers are also likely to notice a marked difference in the BBC1 news output that does make it to air, with those BBC staff responsible for the increasingly complicated computer graphics that are a feature of modern day bulletins also joining the strike. TV news bulletins will probably look like a throwback to the 60s or 70s, with just a presenter and desk and no fancy graphics. Rolling news services Radio 5 Live and News 24 also face major disruption. The Radio 5 Live controller, Bob Shennan, is understood to be making plans to put pre-recorded output in place of regular programmes such as Breakfast. On News 24, contingency planning is said to focus around putting out a live programme in the first half of each hour, but resort to pre-recorded material in the back half hour. Outside London, BBC1's 6.30pm regional news bulletins are expected to be cut from their normal length of half an hour to just five minutes. The scale of the disruption that Monday's strike will cause to BBC TV and radio news programmes and services began to emerge yesterday when it was revealed that Newsnight would be blacked out on the day. · To contact the MediaGuardian news desk email editor@mediatheguardian.com or phone 020 7239 9857 · If you are writing a comment for publication, please mark clearly "for publication". ||||| Members of three unions at BBC voted for strike action Unions say a fourth stoppage will also be announced to create the "greatest amount of disruption" possible. BBC employees are protesting at plans to cut 3,780 jobs and privatise parts of the corporation. The unions said the cuts were the most damaging in BBC history. The corporation said it regretted the decision to take industrial action. We will, of course, do everything we can to bring the best possible service to viewers and listeners during any industrial action BBC response to strike action "By threatening the BBC's output, the unions put at risk the BBC's relationship with the public which is not in anyone's interest," it said. "Industrial action will not remove the need for further consultation or the need for the BBC to implement changes which will enable us to put more money into improved programmes and services." The BBC has yet to finalise TV and radio schedules for the strike-affected days, but its coverage of the Chelsea Flower Show may be affected as the event runs from 23 to 28 May. Unions want to disrupt as many programmes as possible Other TV shows that could be affected include BBC One's Breakfast show, The Daily Politics and Working Lunch on BBC Two, and Wednesday's midweek lottery draw on BBC One. All national and regional news programmes, including Newsnight on BBC Two and BBC News 24 output, could also face disruption. Radio and online output may be similarly affected. Three unions - Amicus, the National Union of Journalists and Bectu - were involved in the decision. Gerry Morrissey, assistant general secretary of broadcasting and technicians union Bectu, said: "We will aim to cause the greatest amount of disruption possible to highlight our anger at the scale of job cuts and our concern about the effect these will have on the future of the BBC. Staff are keen to take part in action to leave director general Mark Thompson in no doubt that he is out of touch Gerry Morrissey, Bectu "We expect overwhelming support for the strikes and we hope the BBC will return to the negotiating table to discuss these unacceptable job cuts with us." All of the strikes will be held on weekdays and will not affect coverage of the FA Cup Final, which is on 21 May, as had been feared. The BBC is expected to try to minimise disruption but Bectu previously said it would seek "black screens and dead air". News and live broadcasts could be hardest hit. Mr Morrissey said unions had decided to stage strikes on days when most staff would normally be in work so they could show their anger. Director general Mark Thompson says savings will go into new shows "Staff are keen to take part in action to leave director general Mark Thompson in no doubt that he is out of touch," he said. NUJ general secretary Jeremy Dear said he thought staff walkouts would cause "major disruption to programme output". He added: "It is regrettable that it has come to this, but there is an easy way for the BBC to avoid the chaos they have brought on themselves." HAVE YOUR SAY There is no place in the 21st Century workplace for 20th Century industrial action Adam Stone, Exeter, UK Send us your comments Union members voted in favour of strike action on Wednesday. Bectu voted about 80% in favour of strike action, on a turnout of about 50%. The National Union of Journalists voted 84% in favour, with a 64% turnout. | The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) looks tonight to be resigned to losing its flagship radio and television news, politics and current affairs broadcasting. Staff at the technicians' union BECTU, the manual workers' union Amicus and the National Union of Journalists (NUJ) are taking part in a one day strike in protest to the 4,000 job cuts announced earlier this year. The job cuts amount to almost 20% of the BBC's workforce and are part of a £355 million cost-cutting move by the new Director General Mark Thompson, which unions say will compromise the quality of the BBC's output. On Thursday the BBC were forced to concede that BBC TWO's flagship current affairs show ''Newsnight'' would fall casualty to the strike after presenter Jeremy Paxman said he would not cross the picket line. Radio 4's four main current affairs programmes, ''The Today Programme'', ''The World At One'', ''PM'' and ''The World Tonight'' are expected to be replaced with short news bulletins and pre-recorded material. Other shows which are usually live are expected to be pre-recorded or produced by management. Television news bulletins are expected to be shortened and will not contain their usual high-tech graphics. The rolling news channel BBC News 24 has prepared to air 50% pre-recorded material tomorrow, and rolling news radio station Five Live has also pre-recorded some shows. Coverage of the Chelsea Flower Show on BBC ONE and BBC TWO which begins tomorrow is likely to be affected. It is unclear how hard BBC News Online and the World Service will be hit, and how many of the BBC's field journalists will break the strike. A 48 hour strike is scheduled for the 31st of May and 1st of June, and further strikes will be announced if talks do not advance, though the strikes have so far avoided clashing with major outside broadcasts such as Saturday's FA Cup final. Gerry Morrisey of BECTU says that "Staff are keen to take part in action to leave director general Mark Thompson in no doubt that he is out of touch," and the NUJ secretary Jeremy Dear predicted major disruption. |
Gunmen Attack Rawalpindi Mosque in Pakistan Police say gunmen attacked a mosque Friday near the country's army headquarters, killing at least 35 people and wounding more than 40 others. Police in Pakistan say gunmen attacked a mosque Friday near the country's army headquarters, killing at least 35 people and wounding more than 40 others. Pakistani state television say authorities still are searching for the attackers. The attack occurred in Rawalpindi, just outside the Pakistani capital Islamabad, at the conclusion of Friday's prayers at the Parade Lane mosque. Regional police officer Aslam Tareen spoke to reporters shortly after the assault. He says when the prayer leader finished his sermon, two to three attackers entered the mosque's main hall and opened fire on the crowd. He says the attackers then threw hand grenades, which caused huge explosions. The mosque is located in a high-security area dominated by Pakistani military personnel, with many military residential complexes and offices nearby. Security analyst and retired Brigadier-General Mahmood Shah tells VOA that retired army officers frequently visit this mosque. He also says that he suspects the country's Taliban militants, who attacked the nearby army headquarters in October, are focusing on so-called "soft targets" to create confusion and strike at the country's military. "They are nibbling around the area at whatever they can get," Shah said."It is not possible to cover the complete [Rawalpindi] area. Prayer places are considered to be respected." A day earlier, a suicide bomber killed two guards and wounded 11 other people at the Pakistani naval headquarters, which is located in Islamabad. Hundreds of people have died in Pakistan's escalating violence since the government launched in mid-October an offensive against Taliban militants near the Afghan border. ||||| Please turn on JavaScript. Media requires JavaScript to play. Advertisement Militants are said to have killed at least 35 people, including 17 children, at a mosque near the Pakistani army's headquarters in Rawalpindi. At least four attackers opened fire on worshippers during Friday prayers attended by many military staff in the garrison city. Security forces fought back in an hour-long gun battle before three attackers blew themselves up, reports say. The Pakistan Taliban later said they had carried out the strike. ANALYSIS Orla Guerin, BBC News, Rawalpindi This attack happened inside a so-called red zone, supposed to be a very secure location. It is close to military facilities and in an area where many senior army officers live. They were known to attend this mosque for prayers. Once again, the militants are taking this fight to the army and showing they can strike inside a secure protected location. Certainly, this is part of a pattern of targeting military and security sites. It is something not only restricted to Rawalpindi, but happening in other Pakistani cities as well. Ten adult civilians were also among the dead, as well as military staff, the army said. The Pakistani security forces have been attacked recently, and this attack has shown that the militants can still penetrate supposedly secure areas, says the BBC's Orla Guerin in Islamabad. One witness told Pakistan's Dawn TV: "They attacked the mosque from the side ... the windows. They took the people, got hold of their hair, shot them." The attackers reportedly started hurling grenades around and firing indiscriminately, before two were killed in the battle with security forces and two blew themselves up. Military spokesman Maj Gen Athar Abbas said the latest attack had been co-ordinated. It ended once the military had made sure all the gunmen were dead, AFP news agency quoted him as saying. Revenge motive? Interior Minister Rehman Malik said explosions from at least one suicide bomber caused the roof of the building to collapse. "They are taking revenge for the Pakistan army's successful operations in the Swat and Waziristan region," Mr Malik told the ARY television channel. RECENT MILITANT ATTACKS 24 Sept - Seven pro-government tribal elders killed by militants in town of Janikhel, north-western Pakistan 26 Sept - At least 16 people killed in two suicide car bombs, in Peshawar and Bannu 5 Oct - Suicide bomber attacks UN offices in Islamabad killing five 9 Oct - At least 50 killed in suspected suicide bombing in Peshawar 10 Oct - Six soldiers die in attack by militants on an army base in Rawalpindi 4 Dec - At least 35 worshippers die in a Rawalpindi mosque when attackers strike Pakistan's Taliban dilemma Who are the Taliban? One witness, Nasir Ali Sheikh, told the BBC he had seen three attackers, one of whom threw hand grenades into the mosque. He said two grenades had landed in the men's section of the mosque and one in the women's. Other attackers were firing randomly in the Parade Lane mosque, said Nasir Ali Sheikh, adding that visitors had had to go through tight security, including metal detectors, to get inside the building. "As soon as we finished prayers, I heard a blast and firing," witness Bakhtawar Hussain told Reuters. He said he had seen wounded people lying in the courtyard of the mosque. Police cordoned off the area around the mosque. The mosque is a short distance from the army headquarters, in an area housing several offices of the defence establishment and the intelligence agencies. Nineteen people were killed in an army base attack in Rawalpindi in October. There has been a pattern of militant groups trying to attack security targets inside Pakistan recently as the army pursues an offensive against militants in South Waziristan. Bookmark with: Delicious Digg reddit Facebook StumbleUpon What are these? E-mail this to a friend Printable version | An attack on a mosque has killed at least 32 people, near Pakistan's military headquarters in the city of Rawalpindi. There have been conflicting accounts of the attack, but police reported gunfire and at least one explosion at the mosque soon after prayers on Friday morning. It is thought that one or more suicide bombers may have been involved. Location of the Rawalpindi district in Pakistan. The attack took place at the Parade Lane mosque, in a part of the city containing several defence department buildings. Security workers cordoned off the scene while ambulances rushed to take victims to the hospital. "There was certainly more than one attacker, so there is a possibility that some of them may still be hiding in the vicinity," said Athar Abbas, a spokesman for the military. It is the latest in a series of attacks that have rocked Pakistan since the government launched an offensive against al-Qaeda and the in the northwest region bordering Afghanistan. On Thursday, a bomb blast at a police checkpoint wounded at least two policemen in the northwestern city of Peshawar. On Wednesday, a suicide bomber killed two guards and wounded eleven other people at naval headquarters in Pakistan's capital Islamabad. The same day, the military said troops killed fifteen suspected miltants, including a top militant commander, in the , the site of a major offensive earlier this year. |
The bodies of two students of the Indian Institute of Management, Indore (IIM-I), who were swept away in flash floods, were recovered here on Sunday. Choral (MP), Aug 5 : The bodies of two students of the Indian Institute of Management, Indore (IIM-I), who were swept away in flash floods, were recovered here on Sunday. The bodies were fished out from Surthi Khera and Purtipura villages. The students - Neha Singh from Hyderabad and Nitesh Agarwal from Delhi- were on a pleasure trip to a picnic spot on a riverside in Choral, when flash floods washed them away on Saturday. "A couple was sitting on a rock. Initially, the water was very (clean) and calm but there were rains in the mountains and because of that there was a flash flood in the river," said Piyush, an eyewitness, adding that villagers had asked them to stay away from the place. Both were second year post-graduate students. They had reportedly gone to the Choral picnic spot along with two other friends. ||||| Why did this happen? Please make sure your browser supports JavaScript and cookies and that you are not blocking them from loading. For more information you can review our Terms of Service and Cookie Policy. ||||| Northern India, Bangladesh and Nepal suffer from heavy rains and flooding during the annual monsoon season. GAUHATI, India - Hospitals in eastern India were packed on Saturday with people suffering from waterborne diseases, and marooned villagers clashed with police as some of the worst floods in living memory ravaged South Asia. More than 230 people have died over the past 11 days after torrential monsoon rains lashed the region, including much of Bangladesh, causing rivers to burst their banks. About 10 million people are homeless or cut off in their villages, with little or no access to food and health care. Story continues below ↓ advertisement advertisement Working around the clock Health workers and aid groups in Assam in northeast India were working around the clock to treat and feed many of the 3 million people displaced or surrounded by flood waters in the state with the limited medicines and supplies available. Elsewhere, villagers were getting desperate and hungry. "Our family survived for a week on buffalo milk but now the animal has stopped producing milk as it has gone without food for days," said Meghu Yadav, a villager in the Samastipur district of impoverished Bihar state. Many people were suffering from diarrhea, dysentery and fever, and in Assam hospital wards in affected areas were full. Officials have warned of outbreaks of malaria. On Friday the United Nations Children's Fund said the scale of the disaster posed an "unprecedented challenge" for aid workers. "The victims are left to survive on their own," an aid worker with an Indian voluntary agency that is supervising relief work in Assam told Reuters in Guwahati, the state's main city. More rain expected Although it had stopped raining in the state on Saturday, further downpours were forecast for early next week. And for many farmers the end of the floods is only the beginning of their misery: receding water has left a thick layer of silt over thousands of hectares of land and no new rice crop will be possible until next year. Every year monsoon rains leave a trail of death and destruction across South Asia, but much of the economy of a largely agricultural region depends on the downpours. In Bihar, where 10 million people have been hit, thousands of hungry villagers forced from their homes staged angry protests after one villager was killed and more than 20 injured in overnight clashes with police, officials and witnesses said. The violence flared in the state's flood-hit Madhubani district late on Friday when police tried to move the displaced from elevated train tracks where they had taken refuge, in order to dig a ditch and drain floodwaters from a nearby village. Police open fire Police opened fire, killing one villager, witnesses said. NBC VIDEO 'Worst flooding' Aug. 3: Monsoon rains have forced 20 million people from their homes and left 200 dead in Southeast Asia — with little sign of relief. Nightly News The NDTV news channel reported officers had been pelted with stones. More than 35 million people have been affected in South Asia, with 7 million marooned in Bangladesh. Sixteen more people, including six children, drowned overnight taking that country's death toll to at least 81, an official at the government's flood monitoring cell said. "We have been virtually starving for several days but there seems to be no one to come to help us," said Majeda Begum, perched on the roof of her house in Manikganj district with her five-year-old granddaughter, just above the swirling floodwaters. Flooded Bangladesh The floods have spread to 41 of Bangladesh's 64 districts. Gautam Singh / AP Residents wade through water on a flooded road in Mumbai, India, on Friday. In the Shibalaya area of Manikganj, about 105 miles north of the capital, Dhaka, reporters saw Muslim villagers offering prayers on boats as mosques had been flooded. Parts of Dhaka were under water and more areas might flood in the next few days, officials said. In Nepal, a United Nations body said incessant rains over the last few weeks had triggered floods and landslides in both the west and east that had killed 84 people and affected 270,000, citing government statistics. The army and rafting companies — used to shipping thrill-seeking tourists over rapids — had joined rescue operations, the U.N. said in a statement. Copyright 2007 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters. ||||| News note Millions of people across South Asia affected by monsoonal flooding NEW DELHI, 3 August 2007 – UNICEF today highlighted the crisis developing across South Asia as monsoonal rains continue to pound northern India, Nepal and Bangladesh, creating havoc and chaos with heavier rains forecast in upcoming days. Some 20 million people are believed to be affected in all three countries in what is being described as the worst flooding in living memory. Unknown numbers of people are either stranded or have been displaced and lack any form of shelter. Hundreds of thousands have lost their homes, possessions, livestock and fields and will have to begin their lives from scratch when flood waters recede. Access to the worst affected areas is a major concern as vast swathes of land are completely submerged and rising waters continue cutting off more villages and communities. Landslides have been reported in the highlands of Nepal, posing an additional threat for communities already suffering from the monsoonal deluge. The sheer size and scale of the flooding and the massive numbers of people affected poses an unprecedented challenge to the delivery of desperately needed humanitarian assistance by governments, and the aid community at large across the region. Shelter and access to fresh water, food, emergency medical supplies and basic household items are urgently required given the loss of infrastructure, including basic health units and hospitals. Major threats include starvation, waterborne diseases and skin infections due to the lack of food, clean water and any form of sanitation. Many water supply systems have been either damaged or no longer exist. UNICEF is particularly concerned about the situation of women and especially children and adolescents who make up 40 per cent of South Asia’s population. They are especially vulnerable to dehydration, exposure and diarrhoea. This follows on from the devastating flooding in Pakistan caused when Cyclone Yemyin struck Balochistan and Sindh in late June affecting some 2 million people. FOR BACKGROUND Bangladesh The five worst affected districts are Sirajganj, Kurigram, Jamalpur, Bogra and Tangail as well as Netrokona, Gaibandha and Nilphamary which have also been hit hard. The nation’s capital Dhaka has only been partially affected though there are fears that the eastern side of the capital could be inundated in the next few days as waters make their way towards the lowlands. As of 1 August there were 881 cases of diarrhoea and 65 cases of acute respiratory infection reported through the Ministry of Health, and eight deaths from drowning. So far, about 1,022 primary schools in Dhaka division and 2,353 schools elsewhere have been shut. Another 10 schools in these two divisions were completely destroyed due to river erosion. An Emergency Monitoring and Coordination Cell established under the office of the Chief Advisor of the present Caretaker Government has deployed 601 medical teams to assist flood affected people – though it had not declared an emergency as of 1 August). At the request of the Ministry of Health, UNICEF is providing essential drugs, oral rehydration salts (ORS) and 15.77 million water purification tablets. UNICEF is also making available propositioned essential items including BP-5 nutritious biscuits, plastic sheets, family and educational kits. India The flood situation in the two northern Indian states – Bihar and Uttar Pradesh – has worsened in recent days. These states, the most densely populated in the country, both count large numbers of poor and vulnerable people with limited capacity to respond. According to government estimates, the number of deaths stands at 1,103 in 138 affected districts. More than 112,000 houses have been damaged or destroyed, with more expected as the situation unfolds. Safe drinking water is in short supply with most tube-wells submerged and many affected people reportedly using flood water for drinking purposes. The flood situation in Bihar (pop. 83 million) is becoming grimmer by the day. Government of Bihar reports 7 million people in 14 districts are badly affected by floods. In Uttar Pradesh (pop. 166 million), more than 5,000 schools have been affected, with classes suspended. Some schools are being used for shelter. School buildings will require major repair after the floods. The Government, so far, has undertaken rescue operations with the help of police and relief materials have started reaching people, however the needs are immense. Twenty-five of Assam’s 27 districts have been inundated, affecting an estimated 5.5 million people. So far 480 relief camps and 264 temporary shelters serving 260,000 people have been established. UNICEF has conducted rapid assessments in all affected areas to help ascertain the extent of the humanitarian response and needs. Apart pre-positioned items which have been provided to affected people, such as ORS, bleaching powder, chlorine tablets, mosquito nets, jerry cans and PUR sachets, UNICEF is considering more requests for assistance from state governments. Nepal Floods According to the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Nepal Red Cross Society (NRCS), 84 people have been killed and some 270,000 people displaced by floods and landslides in 32 districts in the last two weeks. Food, potable water, and temporary shelter have been identified as major needs, while reports of fever, acute respiratory infections, diarrhoea, water borne diseases and snake bites have been reported from at least five districts. Of particular concern is that flood waters this year have remained stationary, and are not flowing as in the past, which could lead to the collapse of many more adobe homes in the coming days. Thousands of hectares of agricultural land have been destroyed at the peak rice planting season, in the Terai region, the country’s bread basket. UNICEF, through the Nepal Red Cross Society, has been providing water purification materials for 30,000 families, 6,000 packets of ORS and non-food items (NFI) such as tarpaulins, buckets, blankets and first aid kits from pre-positioned supplies. UNICEF Nepal has allocated a further $260,000 to respond to immediate needs and support the Government’s response, ensuring that socially excluded groups, including children and women, get access to emergency supplies. Nationally, the Ministry of Finance has released additional resources and instructed district Governments to do the same. Most of the relief operations and support is being undertaken by the NRCS with major contributions from UNICEF, Save the Children US and the Office for Foreign Disaster Assistance. *** About UNICEF UNICEF is on the ground in over 150 countries and territories to help children survive and thrive, from early childhood through adolescence. The world’s largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS. UNICEF is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments. For further information, please contact: Katey Grusovin, UNICEF New Delhi, 91 11 24606247, kgrusovin@unicef.org Patrick McCormick, UNICEF Media New York, 1212 326 7426, pmccormick@unicef.org Rafael Hermoso, UNICEF Media New York, 1212 326 7516, rhermoso@unicef.org Véronique Taveau, UNICEF Media Geneva, 41 22 909 5716 vtaveau@unicef.org | Monsoon rains in Cambodia last month. Torrential monsoon rains for the past 11 days have inundated parts of Southeast Asia, heavily flooding areas of India, Nepal, and Bangladesh and affecting over 20 million people. An estimated 1,400 have been killed across the region, as waterborne diseases have proliferated and become highly virulent in the humid and wet conditions. The United Nations Children's Fund, UNICEF, is currently providing relief to affected areas. |
Toyota apologised to European consumers as it unveiled new models at the Geneva car show [EPA] Toyota apologised to European consumers as it unveiled new models at the Geneva car show [EPA] February's 8.7 per cent drop was led by a nearly 20 per cent plunge for its best-selling Camry sedan, according to figures released on Tuesday. Japanese carmaker Toyota's sales in the US have dropped nearly nine per cent in the wake of its recent spate of safety recalls. Toyota's loss appeared to be its competitors' gain, as Ford leapt to the industry's top spot for the first time since 1998, with sales rising 43 per cent. Nissan also surged, gaining 29 per cent while Honda chalked up a 12 per cent increase. Toyota's declining sales come as a US congressional panel's hearing into its safety lapses continued on Tuesday, with a rebuke that the company had let profit considerations trump safety issues. US probe John Rockefeller, the chairman of the senate commerce committee, said US regulators had also failed to move aggressively in their investigation of cases of unintended acceleration. In video Al Jazeera's Jonah Hull reports on Toyota's efforts to win back customers He disclosed documents showing that Toyota's senior US executive had warned back in 2006 that the quality of the company's vehicles was slipping, and warned of growing problems with US regulators. "A year and-a-half later, Chris Tinto, Toyota's top safety official in Washington, tried to warn his superiors in Japan that quality problems were growing and, in his words, 'we have a less defensible product that's not typical of the Toyota that I know'," Rockefeller said. Among the issues that have emerged from Toyota's quality issues is that the carmaker's regional entities did not communicate enough with each other to allow earlier identification of issues. At the hearing Toyota executives said the company would provide US safety regulators electronic data recorders to enable them to read the "black boxes" in vehicles to determine the cause of accelerator problems. Yoshimi Inaba, the president of Toyota in North America, said the company would be delivering three of the devices on Wednesday, and hoped to make the data more accessible to other systems by the middle of 2011. He said Toyota would dispatch its engineers to the US to train technicians on the use of the devices. Europe apology Over in Europe, Andrea Formica, Toyota Europe's vice-president, apologised to European consumers for the global recall of 8.5 million vehicles worldwide since October for sticky accelerator pedals, faulty floor mats and glitches in braking software that have stained its reputation for quality. "All the vehicles currently being produced meet the highest safety and quality standards," Formica added as Toyota launched its new global hybrid Auris at the Geneva motor show on Tuesday. Formica's apology follows similar acts of contrition in China and the US by Akio Toyoda, the company's president, in the past week. ||||| Toyota Offers Discount Loans, Leases to Lure Back U.S. Buyers (For more coverage of Toyota’s recalls, see {EXT2 }) By Alan Ohnsman March 3 (Bloomberg) -- Toyota Motor Corp. will offer incentives including no-interest loans and discounted leases to win back buyers as the world’s largest carmaker tries to offset a U.S. sales slump amid record vehicle recalls. From this month, Toyota buyers can choose either a loan with no interest for as long as five years or a low-cost lease on models including Camry, Corolla, Matrix, Prius and Yaris cars, Venza wagons, RAV4 and Highlander sport-utility vehicles and Tundra pickups, Bob Carter, group vice president of U.S. sales, said in a conference call yesterday. Toyota owners who buy a new vehicle also get two years of free maintenance. Toyota is introducing the low-cost offers as the Toyota City, Japan-based company battles to regain sales after recalling more than 8.5 million vehicles worldwide to fix flaws ranging from unintended acceleration to braking software. The carmaker reported an 8.7 percent U.S. sales decline in February. The move may lead competitors including General Motors Co. to offer similar enticements and spark a “breakdown in industry pricing discipline,” said Brian Johnson, a Barclays Capital analyst in Chicago. “These expensive programs should represent a material step up in cost of incentives,” he said in a research report. ‘Unprecedented’ Subsidizing a zero-percent, 60-month offer will cost about $4,657 over the life of an average car loan at current auto-loan interest rates, Johnson said. Toyota currently spends about $1,600 in incentives per vehicle while GM averages about $3,000, he said. Toyota’s Carter declined to discuss the cost of the program. The incentives, which include lease offers for Corolla compact cars from $179 a month and $199 for Camrys, will run until April 5. Carter called the program “unprecedented” for Toyota. “In March, we’ll be getting back to the business of sales,” Carter said. In February, the automaker focused on “taking care of customers” by fixing their vehicles, he said. Toyota has no plan to also offer longer warranties to U.S. customers, Carter said. Toyota advanced 2.3 percent to 3,390 yen as of 10:21 a.m. in Tokyo trading. Separately, Toyota executives including Yoshimi Inaba, the company’s North American president, testified yesterday before the Senate’s Commerce Committee in the third congressional hearing on safety issues in the past week. Toyota’s U.S. sales unit headquarters is in Torrance, California. --Editors: Jamie Butters, Ian Rowley To contact the reporter on this story: Alan Ohnsman in Los Angeles at aohnsman@bloomberg.net To contact the editor responsible for this story: Kae Inoue at kinoue@bloomberg.net Related Articles | Toyota Motor Corporation, the Japanese automobile maker, posted an overall 8.7% drop in sales in the United States for last month. This comes after recent safety recalls of its vehicles, as well as congressional investigations over Toyota's safety standards. The model that had the highest drop in sales was the Camry sedan, with a 20% decline, figures released yesterday indicate. Toyota sold a total 100,027 vehicles in the US in February, a number somewhat higher than what economic analysts predicted; they estimated a decline of ten percent. Bob Carter, the vice president of the group's Toyota division, commented on the figures. "I'm surprised that we sold as many vehicles as we did," he said in a conference call, as quoted by Ninemsn. "We did see a drop in our first-time Toyota buyers. But we haven't seen any major outflows of Toyota buyers to other brands." "Clearly we have some work to do. We stubbed our toe in terms of our image. There's nothing I can come up with in terms of an incentive program to make that go away. It's something we're going to work on with all consumers," the vice president added. Toyota said it would have zero per cent financing for most of its models, as well as free scheduled maintenance. "In March, we’ll be getting back to the business of sales," said Carter. Meanwhile, Toyota stock increased by 2.3% at the Tokyo stock exchange to 3,390 yen in morning trading. |
BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) -- Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki shrugged off U.S. doubts of his government's military and political progress Saturday, saying Iraqi forces are capable and American troops can leave "anytime they want." At a news conference Saturday, Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki said his government needs "time and effort" to enact the political reforms that Washington seeks. One of his top aides, meanwhile, accused the United States of embarrassing the Iraqi government by violating human rights and treating his country like an "experiment in a U.S. lab." Al-Maliki sought to display confidence at a time when pressure is mounting in Congress for a speedy withdrawal of U.S. forces. On Thursday, the House passed a measure calling for the United States to withdraw its troops by spring, hours after the White House reported mixed progress by the Iraqi government toward meeting 18 benchmarks. During a news conference, al-Maliki shrugged off the progress report, saying that difficulty in enacting the reforms was "natural" given Iraq's turmoil. "We are not talking about a government in a stable political environment, but one in the shadow of huge challenges," al-Maliki said. "So when we talk about the presence of some negative points in the political process, that's fairly natural." Al-Maliki said his government needs "time and effort" to enact the political reforms that Washington seeks -- "particularly since the political process is facing security, economic and services pressures, as well as regional and international interference." But he said that if necessary, Iraqi police and soldiers could fill the void left by the departure of coalition forces. "We say in full confidence that we are able, God willing, to take the responsibility completely in running the security file if the international forces withdraw at anytime they want," he said. One of al-Maliki's close advisers, Shiite lawmaker Hassan al-Suneid, bristled over the American pressure, telling The Associated Press that "the situation looks as if it is an experiment in an American laboratory [judging] whether we succeed or fail." He sharply criticized the U.S. military, saying it was committing human rights violations and embarrassing the Iraqi government through such tactics as building a wall around Baghdad's Sunni neighborhood of Azamiyah and launching repeated raids on suspected Shiite militiamen in the capital's slum of Sadr City. He also criticized U.S. overtures to Sunni groups in Anbar and Diyala provinces, encouraging former insurgents to join the fight against al Qaeda in Iraq. "These are gangs of killers," he said. In addition, he said that al-Maliki has problems with the top U.S. commander, Gen. David Petraeus, who he said works along a "purely American vision." "There are disagreements that the strategy that Petraeus is following might succeed in confronting al Qaeda in the early period but it will leave Iraq an armed nation, an armed society and militias," al-Suneid said. Al-Suneid's comments were a rare show of frustration toward the Americans from within al-Maliki's inner circle as the prime minister struggles to overcome deep divisions among Shiite, Sunni and Kurdish members of his coalition and enact the U.S.-drawn list of benchmarks. But the U.S. focus on the benchmarks has rankled the deep sense of Iraqi pride, even among those who share the goals set forth by the Americans. U.S. forces have been waging intensified security crackdowns in Baghdad and areas to the north and south for nearly a month. The goal is to bring calm to the capital while al-Maliki enacts the political reforms, intended to give Sunni Arabs a greater role in the government and political process, lessening support for the insurgency. But the benchmarks have been blocked by divisions among Shiite, Sunni and Kurdish leaders. In August, the parliament is taking a one-month vacation -- a shorter break than the usual two months, but still enough to anger some in Congress who say lawmakers should push through reforms while American soldiers are dying. Two more American soldiers were killed Saturday in bombings in the Baghdad area, the U.S. military reported. One of the bombs used was an explosively formed penetrator -- high-tech devices that the U.S. military believes are smuggled from Iran. The Iranians deny the charge. In other violence, a car bomb leveled a two-story apartment building, and a suicide bomber plowed his explosives-packed vehicle into a line of cars at a gas station. The two attacks killed at least eight people, police said. Also Saturday, the U.S. military said it captured an alleged high-level al Qaeda in Iraq cell leader at Baghdad's international airport. The suspect, believed to have organized mortar and roadside bomb attacks in the capital and nearby area, surrendered "without a struggle," the military said in a statement. It did not give details on the suspect or say whether he was traveling in or out of the country when seized. The Reuters news agency said one of its Iraqi translators was shot to death in Baghdad on Wednesday along with two of his brothers, apparent victims of sectarian death squads. He was the third employee of the news agency killed in Baghdad this week. An Iraqi reporter for The New York Times, Khalid W. Hassan, was killed by gunmen Friday as he drove to work in southern Baghdad. E-mail to a friend Copyright 2007 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. All About Nouri al-Maliki ||||| Maliki: Iraq Able to Keep Security After U.S. Exit Weekend Edition Saturday, Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki said Saturday that the Iraqi army and police are capable of keeping security in the country when American troops leave "any time they want," though he acknowledged the forces need further weapons and training. The embattled prime minister sought to show confidence at a time when congressional pressure is growing for a withdrawal and the Bush administration reported little progress had been made on the most vital of a series of political benchmarks it wants al-Maliki to carry out. Al-Maliki said difficulty in enacting the measures was "natural" given Iraq's turmoil. But one of his top aides, Hassan al-Suneid, rankled at the assessment, saying the U.S. was treating Iraq like "an experiment in an American laboratory." He sharply criticised the U.S. military, saying it was committing human rights violations, embarassing the Iraqi government with its tactics and cooperating with "gangs of killers" in its campaign against al-Qaida in Iraq. Al-Suneid's comments were a rare show of frustration toward the Americans from within al-Maliki's inner circle as the prime minister struggles to overcome deep divisions between Shiite, Sunni and Kurdish members of his coalition and enact the American-drawn list of benchmarks. In new violence in Baghdad on Saturday, a car bomb leveled a two-story apartment building, and a suicide bomber plowed his explosives-packed vehicle into a line of cars at a gas station. The two attacks killed at least eight people, police officials said on condition of anonymity because they were not authorize to release details of the attacks. Thursday's White House assessment of progress on the benchmarks fueled calls among congressional critics of the Iraqi policy for a change in strategy, including a withdrawal of American forces. Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari warned earlier this week of civil war and the government's collapse if the Americans leave. But al-Maliki told reporters Saturday, "We say in full confidence that we are able, God willing, to take the responsibility completely in running the security file if the international forces withdraw at any time they want." But he added that Iraqi forces are "still in need of more weapons and rehabilitation" to be ready in the case of a withdrawal. On Friday, the Pentagon conceded that the Iraqi army has become more reliant on the U.S. military. The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Peter Pace, said the number of Iraqi batallions able to operate on their own without U.S. support has dropped in recent months from 10 to six, though he said the fall was in part due to attrition from stepped-up offensives. Al-Maliki told a Baghdad press conference that his government needs "time and effort" to enact the political reforms that Washington seeks - "particularly since the political process is facing security, economic and services pressures, as well as regional and international interference." "These difficulties can be read as a big success, not negative points, when they are viewed under the shadow of the big challenges," he said. In the White House strategy, beefed-up American forces have been waging intensified security crackdowns in Baghdad and areas to the north and south for nearly a month. The goal is to bring quiet to the capital while al-Maliki gives Sunni Arabs a greater role in the goverment and political process, lessening support for the insurgency. But the benchmarks have been blocked by divisions among Shiite, Sunni and Kurdish leaders. In August, the parliament is taking a one month vacation - a shorter break than the usual two months, but still enough to anger some in Congress who say lawmakers should push through the measures. Al-Suneid, a Shiite lawmaker close to al-Maliki, bristled at the pressure. He called Thursday's report "objective," but added, "this bothers us a lot that the situation looks as if it is an experiment in an American laboratory (judging) whether we succeed or fail." He also told The Associated Press that al-Maliki has problems with the top U.S. commander Gen. David Petraeus, who works along a "purely American vision." He criticized U.S. overtures to Sunni groups in Anbar and Diyala, encouraging former insurgents to join the fight against al-Qaida in Iraq. "These are gangs of killers," he said. "There are disagreements that the strategy that Petraeus is following might succeed in confronting al-Qaida in the early period but it will leave Iraq an armed nation, an armed society and militias," said al-Suneid. He said that the U.S. authorities have embarrassed al-Maliki' government through acts such as constructing a wall around Baghdad's Sunni neighborhood of Azamiyah and repeated raids on suspected Shiite militiamen in the capital's eastern slum of Sadr City. He said the U.S. use of airstrikes to hit suspected insurgent positions also kills civilians. "This embarrasses the government in front of its people," he said, calling the civilian deaths a "human rights violation." From The Associated Press | Iraqi prime minister Nouri al-Maliki The Iraqi Prime Minister Al-Maliki held a news conference on Saturday to address the Iraqi government's headway in response to a report given Thursday to the U.S President and U.S Congress on his government failures to comply with some of the 18 benchmarks the Iraqis are required to comply with in order to maintain U.S troops presence in Iraqi. The Prime Minister stated that it would take time and effort to accomplish the political reforms that Washington recommended considering the natural turmoil in the country. On the subject of the Iraqi military Al-Maliki expressed his belief that his military could conduct military operations without U.S forces and that "U.S Troops could leave anytime they wanted" saying if necessary Iraqi police and soldiers would replace the U.S troops on the front lines. One of Al-Maliki top aids accused the U.S of embarrassing his government by violating human rights of Iraqis and treating his country like a U.S lab experiment. This all came after a vote passed on Thursday by U.S. House of Representatives to withdraw all troops from Iraq. |
Five Doctors Held Over Attacks Five doctors are now being held in connection with the recent attempted terror attacks - one is an Iraqi doctor who trained in Baghdad. Sky sources named him as Iraqi Bilal Abdulla - he was left relatively unscathed in an attack on Glasgow airport, in which two men drove a flaming jeep into the airport terminal. Two doctors were arrested in Paisley, Glasgow, another in Liverpool and one on the M6 on Saturday night. Abdulla was pictured being led away from the explosion by police and worked at the Royal Alexandra Hospital near Glasgow. The other man detained at Glasgow airport had severe burns and remains in a critical condition at the Royal Alexandra. Police used two controlled explosions to detonate two suspect cars outside the hospital. Advertisement Eight people are now being held by police in connection with the attempted bombing in Scotland and two car bombs found in London's West End. They were arrested at locations throughout the UK. Police have been given another five days to question the two men arrested at Glasgow airport and until Saturday to quiz three people held at Paddington Green police station in west London. One of those, Dr Mohammed Asha, 26, was arrested on the M6 on Saturday night. The Jordanian was detained with a woman of 27 dressed in traditional Muslim dress, believed to be his wife, on the M6 near Sandbach in Cheshire. Dr Asha, of Newcastle-under-Lyme, worked at the North Staffordshire Hospital, where police have been searching his office. He gained his medical qualifications in Jordan in 2004 and came to Britain the following year. He was seen wearing a stethoscope at his rented home in the village of Houston, near Glasgow Airport, a letting agent said. His father appeared on Jordanian TV on Monday claiming his son was innocent. Sources told Sky News that a third man, aged 26, arrested in Liverpool, was also a doctor. He was reported to have worked at Halton Hospital in Cheshire. The UK remains on a "critical" state of terror alert - the highest possible - after police linked the three failed bombings. Home Secretary Jacqui Smith has refused to comment on reports the suspects were members of a foreign terror cell. She addressed the Commons and thanked the emergency services for their response to the incidents. She said 19 locations had been searched. Assistant Chief Constable John Malcolm has appealed for information on the movements of the Jeep, registration L808 RDT. The Glasgow attack followed the attempted bombings in London early on Friday, when two Mercedes packed with petrol and nails were parked in the West End. Anyone with information is asked to call the anti-terror hotline on 0800 789 321. ||||| Police have continued to search the Royal Alexandra Australian media reports have identified the man as Dr Mohammed Haneef, aged 27, who was detained while trying to board a plane to India. It brings the number of people held to eight. In addition, Australian police are interviewing a second doctor. Two men arrested in Scotland on Monday over the Glasgow attack are being handed over to the Metropolitan Police. 'Precautionary' explosions Controlled explosions have been carried out on a car at a Glasgow mosque and at a station in Hammersmith, west London. British Transport Police said explosives experts performed a controlled explosion on three fire extinguishers left on a pavement outside Hammersmith Tube station, which serves the District and Piccadilly lines. Three explosions were also carried out on the car in Glasgow as a precaution, but Strathclyde Police said there had been "absolutely no specific information" regarding a threat. Australian Prime Minister John Howard said Australian police there had acted on information from the UK authorities. The man detained at Brisbane airport was an Indian national who had been trying to return to India with a one-way ticket, he added. Australian Attorney-General Philip Ruddock said police had executed search warrants at the Gold Coast Hospital in Southport, eastern Queensland - where the detained doctor worked as a registrar - and at other locations across the state. Queensland Premier Peter Beattie said the detained man had been working at the hospital since September, and that he had been based in Liverpool when he answered an advert in the British Medical Journal in March 2006. Dr Haneef is known to have previously worked at Halton Hospital in Runcorn, Cheshire. Mr Beattie said a second doctor, also recruited from Liverpool, was being interviewed by police. In Scotland, the Lord Advocate approved the transfer of two men, who had been held in a high security police station in Govan, to the Met. M6 arrest ARRESTS TIMELINE 30 June Two men arrested at Glasgow airport after burning car driven into doors of main terminal 30 June A 26-year-old-man, Dr Mohammed Asha, and a 27-year-old woman arrested on the M6 near Sandbach, Cheshire 1 July A 26-year-old man arrested near Liverpool's Lime Street station 1 July A 28-year-old man and a 25-year-old man arrested in Paisley 2 July A 27-year-old male doctor is detained in Australia, and a second doctor is questioned Timeline: Failed bomb attacks Speaking at a Muslim Council of Britain press conference, Dr Muhammed Abdul Bari said those who sought to kill or maim innocent people were "enemies of all of Muslims and non-Muslims". He reiterated the government's view that it was "unacceptable to hold any one faith group or any community as being somehow collectively responsible for the actions of the few". Meanwhile, it is understood Iraqi Bilal Abdullah - a doctor arrested at Glasgow airport on Saturday - is to be taken from Scotland to Paddington Green police station in London. Another man detained at Glasgow airport along with Dr Abdullah suffered severe burns and remains in a critical condition under armed police guard at the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Paisley - where Dr Abdullah was employed as a locum. A fourth doctor, Mohammed Asha, 26, is also being held at Paddington Green. A forensic team was at the scene of the Glasgow Airport attack Enlarge Image Dr Asha, who was brought up in Jordan and worked as a junior doctor at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital and the Princess Royal Hospital in Telford, was arrested on the M6 in Cheshire on Saturday night along with a 27-year-old woman thought to be his wife. Two men, aged 28 and 25, were arrested on Sunday at residences of the Royal Alexandra Hospital and another man, aged 26, was arrested in Liverpool on Sunday. Security raised Dr Abdullah is said to have qualified in Baghdad in 2004 and first registered as a doctor in the UK in 2006. It has emerged that detectives visited a taxi company in Paisley six hours before the Glasgow attack on Saturday to search for details about Dr Abdullah, who had used cabs to go to work at the Royal Alexandra Hospital. Taxi firm owner, Denis O'Donnell, said police had come to his office on Saturday morning to look through records to find out more about Dr Abdullah's movements. Property searches This follows the news that police also tried to contact a letting agent in Paisley the same afternoon asking for information about the suspected plotters. Detectives are trying to trace the movements of the green Jeep Cherokee - registration L808 RDT - loaded with gas cylinders, which crashed into the doors of Glasgow airport's main terminal and burst into flames on Saturday afternoon. The attempted attack came a day after two Mercedes containing petrol, gas cylinders and nails were found outside a nightclub in London's Haymarket and in a nearby street. Home Secretary Jacqui Smith said 19 locations had been searched by police investigating the attacks. These included properties in Houston, near Glasgow; Merseyside and two addresses in Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire. Police are also searching Dr Asha's office at the University Hospital of North Staffordshire, in Stoke-on-Trent. Police have urged anyone with information to phone the confidential Anti-Terrorism hotline number on 0800789321. Send your pictures and moving footage to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 07725 100 100. At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. Name: Email address: Town and Country: Phone number (optional): Comments: The BBC may edit your comments and cannot guarantee that all emails will be published. ||||| Various parts of the airport were cordoned off Bomb disposal experts checked the bag, found near the entrance shortly before 1900 BST, but later concluded it was "not suspicious". A police spokeswoman said the airport was operating normally from 2035 BST and there was no cause for concern. The alert came after police stepped up their presence at Stansted following incidents in Glasgow and London. A man was arrested when he returned to the bag and said it was his property Police spokeswoman "A man was arrested when he returned to the bag and said it was his property. "Police had some concerns over the contents of the bag so the man was detained for questioning," said a police spokeswoman. A cordon was placed around the bag. Police said one man had been arrested and was being held - but not on suspicion of terror offences. BBC Radio Cambridgeshire reporter Emma McLean, who was on a flight to Stansted from Edinburgh, said no one was being allowed in or out of the airport for a time. Ms McLean said earlier: "Police officers started cordoning off various parts of the airport. Sniffer dogs "There must be a couple of hundred people here waiting to leave the airport. "From what I understand flights are still departing from the airport but people can't get in and out of the airport. "Police have just told us a package was found at the front of the airport." Roddy MacPhee, 64, who had flown to Stansted from Glasgow said: "There is an armed response unit, sniffer dogs, a bomb disposal unit and the fire brigade here. "Passengers are being pretty patient, but we are unaware of what has happened." ||||| Police sealed off the doctors' accommodation in Paisley Iraqi Bilal Abdullah, who was arrested at Glasgow Airport, worked as a locum doctor at the Royal Alexandra Hospital. Strathclyde Police said two further men were detained at residences there, though officers would not confirm whether they were doctors. Two controlled explosions were carried out on two vehicles at the hospital. One of the two suspected of driving the flaming Jeep loaded with gas canisters into the arrivals hall at Glasgow Airport, suffered severe burns and remains in a critical condition. He is under armed police guard at the same Paisley hospital. The two men, aged 25 and 28, who were held at the hospital were detained under the Terrorism Act. Police confirmed that an eighth man was arrested abroad on Monday. Five people had already been arrested in connection with the Glasgow attack and the attempted London bombings. Paisley - Burning car driven into doors of Glasgow Airport on Saturday. Two people arrested at scene London - Two car bombs that failed to detonate found in West End on Friday Paisley - Controlled explosion carried out on car at Royal Alexandra Hospital Cheshire - Man and woman arrested on M6 on Saturday night, then taken to London for questioning while in Liverpool a man is arrested and police search two addresses Houston - Police searching houses in the Renfrewshire village, near Glasgow Airport Newcastle-under-Lyme - Police searching two addresses in Staffordshire Strathclyde - Two men, aged 28 and 25, are arrested by Strathclyde Police Paisley - A second controlled explosion is carried out at the doctors' quarters at the Royal Alexandra At a glance: Terror alert impact A second doctor being held is Mohammed Asha, 26, of Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire, who was arrested in a dramatic police swoop on the M6 motorway. Dr Asha, who trained in Jordan, is being held with his 27-year-old wife at Paddington Green police station. Those arrested are believed to be of Middle Eastern nationalities. Greater Glasgow and Clyde Health Board said they could not comment because of the ongoing police inquiry. An initial controlled explosion was carried out on a car parked at the Royal Alexandra Hospital over the weekend. On Monday, a second controlled explosion took place at the hospital's residential block just two miles from the airport building. Police have been searching houses in the Renfrewshire village of Houston, near Glasgow Airport. The terror alert level was raised to critical - its highest level - after a Jeep Cherokee, loaded with gas cylinders, crashed into the doors of Glasgow Airport's main terminal and burst into flames on Saturday afternoon. Detectives are trying to trace the movements of the green Jeep Cherokee - registration L808 RDT - which crashed into the airport. The attempted attack at the airport came a day after two Mercedes containing petrol, gas cylinders and nails were found outside a nightclub in London's Haymarket and in a nearby street. The devices failed to detonate. Police are linking the failed bombings and the UK remains on high alert amid fears of a possible further attack. It is understood the Metropolitan Police will be taking charge of both inquiries and are to transfer Bilal Abdullah held in Scotland to the UK capital. Bomb disposal experts carried out a controlled explosion It has emerged that detectives tried to contact a letting agency, believed to have rented out a house to one of the suspects, 10 minutes before the attack at Glasgow airport. Daniel Gardiner, director of the Paisley-based Let-It agency, said officers had traced his company after tracking phone records linked to the foiled London car bomb attacks. The UK's top counter-terrorism officer, Deputy Assistant Commissioner Peter Clarke, of the Metropolitan Police, said the links between the three attempted car bombings were becoming "ever clearer". He described the investigation into the failed bombings as "extremely fast-moving", with forensic searches of vehicles proving "extremely valuable" and thousands of hours of CCTV being sifted through. ABC News in America has reported that US law enforcement officials received warnings two weeks ago of terror attacks in Glasgow and Prague, the Czech Republic, against "airport infrastructure and aircraft". Police have urged anyone with information to phone the confidential Anti-Terrorism hotline number on 0800789321. ||||| A forensic team was at the scene of the Glasgow Airport attack Enlarge Image The others include two men held in the Paisley area near Glasgow on Sunday - the latest to be arrested. Neither of these is thought to be of UK origin. This evening Stansted Airport in Essex has closed because of a security alert. It has also emerged that police may have been trying to trace the airport bomb suspects before Saturday's attack. Daniel Gardiner, director of a Paisley-based letting agency believed to have rented out a house to one of the suspects, said officers had traced his company after tracking phone records linked to the foiled London car bomb attacks. "The police wanted to know why we had dialled a certain phone number. They had the phone records from the situation down in London," he said. Police said the latest arrests were of two men aged 28 and 25 and came as a result of "intensive police operations in the Paisley area". Assistant Chief Constable John Malcolm, of Strathclyde Police, said: "This continues to be a fast-moving investigation and I am grateful to the public for their perseverance and support during these difficult times." Detectives are linking the failed bombings, and the UK's terror alert system has been raised to its highest level - critical. In a Commons statement, Home Secretary Jacqui Smith said the UK would not be "intimidated" by "those who wish to destroy our way of life and our freedoms". She said 19 locations have been searched by police investigating the attacks. Severe burns Two of those being held by police are doctors. Dr Mohammed Asha, 26, who was brought up in Jordan and worked as a junior doctor at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital and the Princess Royal Hospital in Telford, was arrested on the M6 in Cheshire on Saturday night along with a 27-year-old woman thought to be his wife. And an Iraqi doctor, Bilal Abdullah, suspected of the attack on Glasgow Airport, worked in Paisley. ARRESTED DOCTORS Mohammed Asha: Brought up in Jordan Qualified in Jordan Came to UK in 2005 Married with 18 month-old child Bilal Abdullah: Iraqi, qualified in Baghdad, first registered in UK in 2006 Unity 'will defeat terrorists' In pictures: Terror hunt How safe do you feel? It is believed he was employed as a locum at the Royal Alexandra Hospital, just two miles from the airport building attacked on Saturday. The other man detained at Glasgow airport had severe burns and remains in a critical condition, and under armed police guard, at the Royal Alexandra. The fifth person, a 26-year-old man, was arrested in Liverpool on Sunday. Warrants have been issued which allow police to further detain the three people arrested in England - who are being held at Paddington Green police station - until Saturday. All the first five people held are believed to be of Middle Eastern nationalities. Dr Asha was described by family and university colleagues in Jordan as a "brilliant" physician who had not been involved with extremist organisations. Holding a picture of his son, his father Jamil, said he only learnt of the arrest through the media and called on Jordan's King Abdullah II to intervene. He said his son obtained a medical degree in Jordan in 2004 and came to the UK in the same year to specialise in neurology. Dr Abdullah is said to have qualified in Baghdad in 2004 and first registered as a doctor in the UK in 2006. The alert at Stansted started at 1910 BST after a suspect package was found near the front of the terminal. No one is being allowed in or out and people have been sent to the rear of the terminal. Planes are still taking off and landing. Extra delays Detectives are trying to trace the movements of a green Jeep Cherokee - registration L808 RDT - loaded with gas cylinders, which crashed into the doors of Glasgow airport's main terminal and burst into flames on Saturday afternoon. The attempted attack in Paisley came a day after two Mercedes containing petrol, gas cylinders and nails were found outside a nightclub in London's Haymarket and in a nearby street. The devices failed to detonate. In other developments: A controlled explosion has been carried out the Royal Alexandra Hospital, which is being searched as part of the investigation Commuters and air travellers were being warned to expect extra delays to journeys, with extra police patrols and vehicle searches taking place at airports and transport hubs The prime minister has held meetings with Scottish Secretary Des Browne, Transport Secretary Ruth Kelly and MPs affected by the attack on Glasgow airport Gordon Brown's official spokesman dismissed suggestions the attacks were linked to either Mr Brown taking over as prime minister or his Scottish origins, saying: "These attacks could have happened any time, anywhere in the country." Alex Salmond, Scotland's First Minister, said life was already getting back to normal in Scotland The United States has increased security at airports, with extra US air marshals on flights to Britain Houses have been searched in Houston, near Paisley; in Merseyside, and Bradwell and Chesterton, Newcastle-under-Lyme, north Staffordshire Earlier, the home secretary defended the decision not to raise the terror alert level to critical earlier in the light of suggestions that the new Brown administration could be a target. She told the BBC that decisions on the level of alert were taken by an independent committee, which properly raised the level to critical after the attempted bombings. She said the government had put sufficient focus on counter-terrorism and was looking at ways of "tackling the ideology that recruits people to terrorism" and at further legislation. Ms Smith has declined to comment on reports that US Intelligence had recently warned the UK that Glasgow could be a target. Police have urged anyone with information to phone the confidential Anti-Terrorism hotline number on 0800789321. ||||| Patrols of airport terminals have been increased Cars, including taxis, are being banned from approaching terminals at many airports, and vehicle searches at railway stations are being increased. Passengers are being urged to travel to airports on public transport or allow extra time if arriving by car. Police said the increased presence would act as a "visible deterrent". The UK moved to its highest level of terror alert - critical - after a Jeep Cherokee crashed into the doors of Glasgow Airport's main terminal and burst into flames on Saturday afternoon. The incident came a day after two cars loaded with petrol, gas cylinders and nails were found in London's West End. 'Armed response patrols' Security has been increased across the country, with travellers expected to experience the worst disruption. Scotland Yard said there would be a heightened police presence in the capital at mainline stations and on the streets to "act as a highly visible reassurance". I'd like to reassure the public that we're doing everything possible to make them safe Assistant Commissioner Tarique Ghaffur US ups air marshal numbers Armed response vehicles will also be patrolling major transport hubs and officers will be using stop and search powers. A spokesman said: "As a visible deterrent and disruptive tactic, officers will continue to use their powers of stop and search under the Terrorism Act." Today's travel situation: Traffic at Heathrow Airport "busy but moving" and no flight delays Glasgow Airport back to normal but delays and cancellations possible Congestion at Gatwick Airport from police checks on approach roads Stansted, Liverpool John Lennon, Southampton, Edinburgh and Aberdeen airports all reporting normal service Metropolitan Police Assistant Commissioner Tarique Ghaffur praised the public for "showing such resilience during this challenging time for London". He said it was important for people to carry on with their normal daily lives while remaining alert and vigilant. He added: "I'd like to reassure the public that we're doing everything possible to make them safe by putting out extra patrols and deploying other protective measures. Safety and security is our number one priority." Restricted access A number of airports have already taken extra security measures, including Heathrow, Edinburgh, Newcastle, Birmingham, Manchester and Blackpool. BAA said access to forecourts and drop-off zones at terminals across the country would be "severely restricted". A spokesman said people who usually drive up to entrances were being advised to use public transport or to use short-stay car parks. John Morris, head of corporate affairs at Birmingham Airport, told BBC News how the increased security was affecting the airport. "We are geared up to do this indefinitely, people recognise that we'll do this as long as we need to," he said. "People are listening to instructions and doing what we want, so there are no flight delays at all." The US is increasing the number of air marshals on flights between the US and UK in response to the failed attacks. High visibility British Transport Police said police patrols were being stepped up across the rail network and random searches on vehicles approaching stations and passengers were being increased. A spokesman added: "We continue to work closely with our colleagues from Home Office forces to ensure high visibility patrols in and around stations. "Passengers and station staff have been briefed to be extra vigilant and report any suspicious activity immediately." Security is also being increased at the Wimbledon Championships, in south-west London, which are resuming after a day's break. Road blocks have been set up in front of the gates to the All England Club. Police said tennis fans were being advised to use public transport rather than cars, unless they had already obtained accredited parking. ||||| Five Doctors Held Over Attacks Five doctors are now being held in connection with the recent attempted terror attacks - one is an Iraqi doctor who trained in Baghdad. Sky sources named him as Iraqi Bilal Abdulla - he was left relatively unscathed in an attack on Glasgow airport, in which two men drove a flaming jeep into the airport terminal. Two doctors were arrested in Paisley, Glasgow, another in Liverpool and one on the M6 on Saturday night. Abdulla was pictured being led away from the explosion by police and worked at the Royal Alexandra Hospital near Glasgow. The other man detained at Glasgow airport had severe burns and remains in a critical condition at the Royal Alexandra. Police used two controlled explosions to detonate two suspect cars outside the hospital. Advertisement Eight people are now being held by police in connection with the attempted bombing in Scotland and two car bombs found in London's West End. They were arrested at locations throughout the UK. Police have been given another five days to question the two men arrested at Glasgow airport and until Saturday to quiz three people held at Paddington Green police station in west London. One of those, Dr Mohammed Asha, 26, was arrested on the M6 on Saturday night. The Jordanian was detained with a woman of 27 dressed in traditional Muslim dress, believed to be his wife, on the M6 near Sandbach in Cheshire. Dr Asha, of Newcastle-under-Lyme, worked at the North Staffordshire Hospital, where police have been searching his office. He gained his medical qualifications in Jordan in 2004 and came to Britain the following year. He was seen wearing a stethoscope at his rented home in the village of Houston, near Glasgow Airport, a letting agent said. His father appeared on Jordanian TV on Monday claiming his son was innocent. Sources told Sky News that a third man, aged 26, arrested in Liverpool, was also a doctor. He was reported to have worked at Halton Hospital in Cheshire. The UK remains on a "critical" state of terror alert - the highest possible - after police linked the three failed bombings. Home Secretary Jacqui Smith has refused to comment on reports the suspects were members of a foreign terror cell. She addressed the Commons and thanked the emergency services for their response to the incidents. She said 19 locations had been searched. Assistant Chief Constable John Malcolm has appealed for information on the movements of the Jeep, registration L808 RDT. The Glasgow attack followed the attempted bombings in London early on Friday, when two Mercedes packed with petrol and nails were parked in the West End. Anyone with information is asked to call the anti-terror hotline on 0800 789 321. | Police have arrested three more men in connection with the failed terror attacks of the past few days on London and Glasgow bringing the total number of arrests to eight. Sky News has revealed the identity of one of the practising doctors arrested yesterday as Dr Mohammed Asha, who trained in Jordan before coming to the UK to practise. Police are continuing house raids throughout the country, in Paisley, Merseyside and Staffordshire. One suspect, badly burned after the attack on Glasgow airport, is currently receiving treatment at the Royal Alexandra Hospital. The eighth suspect was arrested abroad this evening, but police are refusing to reveal details of the country in which the arrest took place. It has been revealed that five of those arrested are qualified doctors, practising in the UK, three of those in the Royal Alexandra Hospital. The UK's terror threat warning level remains ''"critical"'', meaning that an attack could be ''imminent''. Heavy security is in evidence at airports and public transport centres, with many airports asking passengers not to bring vehicles close to the terminal buildings. This evening, at around 1900 BST, Stansted Airport, Essex. was closed for a short time following the discovery of a suspicious bag. The owner of the bag was arrested while the airport closed its doors, not allowing passengers into or out of it. The BBC reports that, by 2035, the airport had been fully re-opened. The owner of the bag remains under arrest, but not for terrorism related offences. Strathclyde Police is continuing its appeal for any details of earlier movements of the green Jeep Cherokee with registration L808 RDT, which was driven into the terminal building at Glasgow International Airport. The Metropolitan Police has now taken over the inquiry, with suspects held in Scotland to be moved to London. |
NEW YORK In an interview billed as his first since leaving the top Pentagon post, Donald Rumsfeld calls Afghanistan "a big success," but says U.S. efforts in Iraq are hampered by the failure of Iraq 's government to establish a foundation for democracy. "In Afghanistan , 28 million people are free. They have their own president, they have their own parliament and they've improved a lot on the streets," Rumsfeld says in the October issue of GQ magazine. While "that's been a big success," he said, the Baghdad regime "has not been able to ... create an environment hospitable to whatever one wants to call their evolving way of life, a democracy or a representative system, or a freer system. And it's going to take some time and some effort." Rumsfeld stepped down as Secretary of Defense in November, a day after congressional elections that cost Republicans control of Congress. Dissatisfaction with his handling of the Iraq war was cited by many as a major element of voter dissatisfaction. Rumsfeld said the Department of Defense and the U.S. military are not responsible for any failures there or in Afghanistan . "In a very real sense, the American military cannot lose a battle, they cannot lose a war," he tells the magazine. "On the other hand, they can't win the struggle themselves. It requires diplomacy, it requires economic assistance, it requires a range of things that are well beyond the purview of the Department of Defense." In the interview, conducted at his ranch near Taos , N.M. , the 75-year-old spoke at length about his career and offered guarded comments on former colleagues, policy decisions in Iraq and his own forced resignation. When asked if he has any "regrets" about the last six years, Rumsfeld replied, "Well, sure. I mean you'd always wish things were perfect, but they never are." He said the refusal of Turkey , a NATO ally, to allow U.S. troops to cross its border into Iraq at the outset of the war, gave would-be insurgents "free play for a good period of time. I mean, there's a dozen things like that." As to what he might have done differently, Rumsfeld says, "If you do anything, someone's not going to like it, someone's going to be critical of it. So if you're in the business I was in, that goes with the territory." Rumsfeld, the nation's youngest U.S. defense secretary in the Ford administration and the oldest under President Bush, also served four terms in Congress, and as ambassador to NATO and numerous other posts. He also said he believes Bush "is a lot more intelligent and curious than people give him credit for." Rumsfeld said he couldn't recall the last time he and the president spoke. Do you miss him? "Um, no," Rumsfeld said. ||||| In a new interview with GQ, former Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld makes it clear that he’s not ready to discuss any of his “regrets.” “I mean you’d always wish things were perfect, but they never are,” he states. One area where he has no regrets is on the war in Afghanistan: “Look at Afghanistan. In Afghanistan, 28 million people are free. They have their own president, they have their own parliament. Improved a lot on the streets.” All your theories worked there, in other words. “It’s been a big success!” Perhaps in comparison to Iraq, Afghanistan has been a “big success.” But in reality, the country has been abandoned in the war on terrorism: – Afghanistan’s embattled president, Hamid Karzai, recently said that security in his country had “definitely deteriorated.” A former national security official called it “a very diplomatic understatement.” – At least 20 Afghans were killed in two suicide bombings today. Such attacks are on the rise, with the Taliban carrying out “103 suicide bombings in Afghanistan in the first eight months of 2007, a 69 percent increase over the same period last year.” – For the second year in a row, “Afghanistan produced record levels of opium in 2007,” led by a “staggering 45 percent increase in the Taliban stronghold of Helmand Province.” Despite taking credit for the toppling the Taliban, Rumsfeld had a role in Afghanistan’s deterioration. In Feb. 2002, then Secretary of State Colin Powell proposed that “American troops join the small international peacekeeping force patrolling Kabul and help Karzai extend his influence beyond the capital.” Yet Rumsfeld blocked his proposal. Rumsfeld only “reversed course and cajoled European allies into sending troops” when the situation was clearly spiraling out of control. When asked by the GQ interviewer whether he misses President Bush, Rumsfeld gave a “wry Rummy smile” and replied, “Um, no.” But he said he still sees Cheney. He also claimed that he continues to receive “hundreds and hundreds” of letters “complimenting” him on his service to the country. | Donald Rumsfeld (File photo) In Donald Rumsfeld's first interview since leaving the Pentagon, he hailed the efforts in Afghanistan as a "big success", but attributed the failures in Iraq to the Iraqi's government inability to build a foundation of democracy. "In Afghanistan, 28 million people are free. They have their own president, they have their own parliament and they've improved a lot on the streets," Rumsfeld says in the October issue of GQ magazine. But he stated that reaching a similar situation in Iraq would take "some time and some effort". Rumsfeld also defended President Bush, saying " is a lot more intelligent and curious than people give him credit for." |
Crash plane out of water Salvage crews have hoisted a passenger jet from the Hudson River and on to a barge, days after its pilot landed on water to avoid a "catastrophic" crash. Investigators in New York retrieved the plane's black boxes, which were filled with water, and sent them to Washington for examination. The aircraft's torn and shredded underbelly revealed the force with which it had hit the water. ||||| NEW YORK (CNN) -- The pilot who landed a crippled US Airways jetliner on the Hudson River thought there would have been "catastrophic consequences" if he tried to make it to a nearby airport, a National Transportation Safety Board official said Saturday night. US Airways Flight 1549 remained in the icy Hudson River on Saturday. more photos » Instead, pilot Pilot C.B. "Sully" Sullenberger decided to ditch the plane in the Hudson River close to vessels moving about the water "to improve chances of recovery," NTSB board member Kitty Higgins said. It was the first time the public heard comments from Sullenberger and first officer Jeffrey B. Skiles describing Thursday's emergency landing. Skiles was flying US Airways Flight 1549, bound for Charlotte, North Carolina, when he noticed a flock of birds less than 90 seconds after the plane had taken off from New York's LaGuardia International Airport, Higgins said. In an instant, the plane was rocked by loud thuds and both engines went out, Higgins said. Watch the plane hit the water » "He commented on the formation, and he said the next thing he knew, the windscreen was filled with birds. There was no time to take evasive action," Higgins said. Sullenberger took control of the aircraft while Skiles began complicated procedures to try to restart the engines, Higgins said. Sullenberger thought the plane was moving "too low, too slow" to risk returning to LaGuardia through the maze of buildings. Nor did Sullenberger think the powerless aircraft could make it over the densely populated New Jersey area to Teterboro, Higgins said. "There could be catastrophic consequences if we didn't make it," she quoted Sullenberger as saying. Watch CNN's Lisa Sylvester report on the pilots » City officials, passengers and aviation experts have lauded Sullenberger and the flight crew for their handling of the landing and also praised first responders who acted quickly to minimize passengers' injuries in below-freezing temperatures. All 155 people on board the plane survived. "These are both very experienced pilots. They knew what they had to do," Higgins said. Neither Sullenberger nor Skiles attended the news conference. Earlier in the day, the NTSB revealed the content of communications between the cockpit and controllers at LaGuardia in the brief period during which the incident unfolded. "This is cactus 1549, hit birds, we lost thrust in both engines," Sullenberger told controllers at approximately 3:27 p.m. Thursday. "We're turning back towards LaGuardia." Controllers immediately began preparations to clear a runway for an emergency landing, but less than a minute later, Sullenberger reported that the aircraft wouldn't make it, Higgins said. The last communication from the plane to controllers, Higgins said, was the pilot saying, "We're gonna be in the Hudson." Watch a former pilot tell how to water-land a plane » Higgins also quoted two of the flight's attendants, who were in jump seats at the front of the aircraft when they heard a loud thud shortly after takeoff. "It was a sound that neither one of them had ever heard before," Higgins said. "They said all the engine noise ceased. They described it as complete silence, like a library." Efforts to raise the jetliner from the river proved successful late Saturday, as cranes lifted it clear of the water about 11:30 p.m. ET following several hours of work by crews in frigid conditions. Video from the scene showed the right side of the aircraft with the engine intact but its covering mangled. It was not clear visually whether the damage was from an in-flight incident or from the landing impact. Investigators planned to tow the plane on a barge to an undisclosed location for their examination. Watch water wash over the plane » Searchers using sonar think they have found the left engine on the river bottom. Divers will try to confirm the finding, Higgins said. Watch workers begin the retrieval process » The flight data and cockpit voice recorders -- both crucial to determining exactly what happened Thursday -- remained on the aircraft, which was still largely submerged in the Hudson River but was secured to moorings. Strong currents and cold water thwarted divers' efforts to retrieve the recorders from the tail section of the jetliner, Higgins said. Also Saturday, authorities released audio and transcripts of two 911 calls from people who said they saw that the plane was in trouble. Listen to callers report plane in the river » One caller said he saw the plane descend and reported hearing a loud noise shortly after the aircraft took off. "Oh, my God! It was a big plane, I heard a big boom just now. We looked up, and the plane came straight over us, and it was turning. Oh, my God!" a man calling from the Bronx told a 911 operator at 3:29 p.m., three minutes after the plane left LaGuardia. Minutes later, at 3:33 p.m., a woman called 911 and reported seeing the plane in the water. "A plane has just crashed into the Hudson River," she told an operator. "A US Air big DC-9 or -10 has crashed into the Hudson River. ... Oh, my gosh!" CNN's Mike Brooks, Jeanne Meserve, Richard Davis and Mike Ahlers contributed to this report. All About US Airways Group Inc. • Air Travel • U.S. National Transportation Safety Board | The occupants stand on the wings after the crash Salvage crews have dragged US Airways Flight 1549 out of the Hudson River in New York City. The Airbus A320 performed a successful emergency landing on water on Thursday after losing power shortly after departing La Guardia Airport. The aircraft was tied up at Nelson A. Rockefeller Park, Battery Park City for the last two days before the overnight lift. Efforts were complicated by strong currents and freezing temperatures, but the aircraft was successfully retrieved by a large crane from its Manhattan dock. The lift was completed slowly to allow the flooded cabin to drain as it was raised. The waterlogged cockpit voice recorder and flight data recorder have been removed and sent to Washington. When the plane was lifted, extensive damage to its underside was revealed. The aircraft's right engine remains attached and was retrieved with the aircraft, but the left separated. Sonar has located what is thought to be the engine on the riverbed. The jet was landed on the Hudson by Captain Chesley Sullenberger, who is credited with saving the 155 passengers and crew on board. He testified that it was almost certainly birds ingested on both engines that brought down the jet. |
Putin's Party Ahead in Russian Elections Russian PM Vladimir Putin gives an interview to Abkhaz media in Sochi, 12 Aug 2009 Preliminary results from Sunday's local and regional elections in Russia indicate a strong showing for Prime Minister Vladimir Putin's party -- but the opposition is claiming widespread fraud. Central Elections Commission official Leonid Ivlev said vote counts Monday show Mr. Putin's United Russia party won nearly 80 percent of the local races. These include elections for mayors and regional and city legislatures. In Moscow, the pro-Kremlin United Russia has 66 percent of the vote for city council. The opposition Communists are second, with 13 percent. Other parties failed to reach the seven-percent mark needed to secure a seat. At least one party -- the liberal Yabloko party -- says it will appeal the election results. Election officials are expected to release final results later this week. E-mail Print Digg Yahoo Buzz Facebook del.icio.us StumbleUpon ||||| While Prime Minister Vladimir Putin's United Russia party claims sweeping victory in regional elections, opposition leaders say the vote was rigged. According to official results reported Monday, United Russia captured a wide margin in elections which are being widely viewed as a test of Russia's democracy. Leonid Ivlev, a member of the Central Elections Commission, told reporters that the ruling party had garnered almost 80 percent of seats up for grabs in the 75 regional and local elections held up and down the country on Sunday. Ivlev said Putin's party picked up 107 of the 135 regional seats and 189 of the 235 seats available in municipal legislatures. They also emerged victorious in the eagerly-watched race for Moscow's city legislature. With 99 percent of votes in, the RIA-Novosti news agency reported a 66 percent win for United Russia. Praise from the president The opposition Communists were the only rivals to score any seats in the high-profile ballot, which only managed to attract a 35 percent voter turnout. In comments on the United Russia party website, President Dmitry Medvedev told his country, which has been particularly hard hit by the economic downturn, that they had voted for the right party. "Only together can we surmount the hardships of the financial crisis," he wrote, "and the vote obtained by United Russia demonstrates that we are together and this is most important." He went on to say that the 30 million-strong electorate clearly knew what it wanted. "Taking account that elections in the capital are practically federal ones, we can state that in the crisis situation voters have demonstrated they stay together with the ruling party." Claims of fraud But the liberal Yabloko party, which came away from the vote completely empty-handed, has made claims of systematic vote rigging. Yabloko, which failed to reach the 7 percent hurdle in Moscow's local election, has condemned the 17-year-reign of Mayor Yury Luzhkov, accusing him of carrying out "one of the all-time election frauds in Russia's recent history." On Sunday, while the ballot boxes were still open, Yabloko said it had received a "storm of calls" from the Moscow electorate, complaining that they were unable to cast their vote because someone else had already done so using their name. "United Russia used so-called carousel voting," said Yabloko spokesman Sergey Mitrohin. "This time, it was busloads of soldiers and police that they took from one polling station to another and had them cast their votes for United Russia over and over. We also have serious reason to believe that the ballot boxes were stuffed with additional ballots." Yabloko and Communist Party representatives have already said they will contest the results of the municipal poll in court. "We cannot recognize these elections or consider them normal," Communist Party deputy chairman Vladimir Kashin told RIA-Novosti. The independent election watchdog Golog has come out behind the opposition parties, and has said it will provide proof of fraud. Earlier, head of the watchdog, Liliya Shibanova, lamented the lack of political competition in Russia. "Medvedev says we need competition, we need a multi-party system, but election results show the exact opposite," she said. tkw/dc/AFP/Reuters/dpa Editor: Andreas Illmer | Preliminary results from Sunday's local and regional elections in Russia indicate that the United Russia party won a significant majority of votes throughout the country. Dmitry Medvedev (2007) Central Elections Commission official Leonid Ivlev said vote counts on Monday showed the United Russia party won nearly 80% of the local races. These included elections for mayors, as well as regional and city legislatures. In Russia's capital of Moscow, the pro-Kremlin United Russia obtained 66% of the vote for city council. The opposition Communist Party came in second, with 13%. Other parties on the ballot failed to reach the required seven-percent needed to secure a seat. Russian president Dmitry Medvedev said that the victory indicated "the authority the party has acquired from our people in recent years." "Only together can we surmount the hardships of the financial crisis," he said in a statement on his party's website. "... The vote obtained by United Russia demonstrates that we are together and this is most important." Some opposition members, however, have claimed fraud in the elections. They have said that they were not given places on the ballot and were prevented from campaigning. At least one party — the liberal Yabloko party — said it will appeal the election results. The election authorities are expected to release final, official results later this week. |
Saskatchewan to make federal bid for isotope facility, premier confirms Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall suggested the province could take a leading role in nuclear medicine with the production of medical isotopes. (CBC) Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall suggested the province could take a leading role in nuclear medicine with the production of medical isotopes. (CBC) Saskatchewan is officially making a qualified bid to produce medical isotopes, Premier Brad Wall confirmed Wednesday, as government and University of Saskatchewan officials worked to finalize a proposal that must be submitted to the federal government by July 31. Wall repeated his position that the proposal could be short-circuited if current public consultations about uranium development determine there is no support for nuclear reactors in the province. A report on the consultations will not be ready until the fall. "We're dealing with some circumstances as they present themselves," Wall told reporters Wednesday about the decision to submit a formal proposal on medical isotope production. The federal government is seeking input on how to deal with a current shortage of medical isotopes, which are radioactive material used in diagnostic tests. In May, the problem-plagued Chalk River reactor in Ontario, which had supplied one-third of the world's medical isotopes, shut down and will remain closed at least until the end of the year. "We campaigned on the general notion that we should add some value to uranium [mined in Saskatchewan]," Wall said, defending the decision to move forward on a proposal. "But we've taken this consultation process very seriously." University studying research reactor Richard Florizone, a vice-president of the University of Saskatchewan, said Wednesday that the institution had been examining the feasibility of building a research reactor for the past year. Studies have suggested that the production of medical isotopes could be a value-added offshoot of a research facility. "We're a long ways away from moving ahead with any expenditures," Wall said about the provincial proposal. "We're just seeing if we can't get the federal government's attention as a place that could possibly supply these isotopes." Wall said he expected the cost of building a reactor would be borne by the federal government and partners from the private sector. "We can always opt out of the process," Wall said, adding that he believed there was an opportunity for Saskatchewan to take a leading role in nuclear medicine. "I think Saskatchewan should be exploring the opportunity to be a leader, a world leader," he said. "In 1949 … cobalt-60 treatment was tried for the first time here in Saskatchewan, where it saved a woman battling cervical cancer," Wall said. "Maybe we can lead again in terms of nuclear medicine." ||||| The StarPhoenix Headline News Sign up to receive daily headline news from the Saskatoon StarPhoenix, a division of Postmedia Network Inc. Email Address There was an error, please provide a valid email address. By clicking on the sign up button you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. You may unsubscribe any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link at the bottom of our emails. Postmedia Network Inc. | 365 Bloor Street East, Toronto, Ontario, M4W 3L4 | 416-383-2300 Thanks for signing up! A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it please check your junk folder. The next issue of The StarPhoenix Headline News will soon be in your inbox. We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try again ||||| The StarPhoenix Headline News Sign up to receive daily headline news from the Saskatoon StarPhoenix, a division of Postmedia Network Inc. Email Address There was an error, please provide a valid email address. By clicking on the sign up button you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. You may unsubscribe any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link at the bottom of our emails. Postmedia Network Inc. | 365 Bloor Street East, Toronto, Ontario, M4W 3L4 | 416-383-2300 Thanks for signing up! A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it please check your junk folder. The next issue of The StarPhoenix Headline News will soon be in your inbox. We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try again ||||| Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall says the government and the U of S have inked a deal to pursue a reactor to supply medical isotopes. Photograph by: Roy Antal, Canwest file photo The provincial government and the University of Saskatchewan have struck a partnership to pursue a nuclear research reactor that will produce medical isotopes in Saskatoon, Premier Brad Wall said Wednesday. Work continues apace on a proposal that will be submitted by the end of the month deadline to the federal government as it considers how Canada can secure a long-term supply of isotopes, he said outside a meeting of the Saskatchewan Party cabinet at the legislature. A small reactor focused on nuclear material science and isotope production could cost somewhere in the range of $500 million, said the premier. "We could just be a world leader in this and again it has to make sense. There are some longer-term funding issues here. We think there is a role for the federal government. We're not rushing into anything but there is an opportunity for our province to lead and I think we should at least explore it aggressively, Wall told reporters. Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd. announced Wednesday that its problem-plagued Chalk River reactor — supplier of a third of the world's medical isotopes before being shut down in May — will remain closed at least until the end of the year, causing a significant world-wide shortage of the isotopes used for cancer treatment and diagnosis. Wall has attracted criticism for his pursuit of a nuclear research reactor before public consultations are completed on the findings of the government-appointed Uranium Development Partnership, which aims to "add value" to Saskatchewan's world-leading supply of uranium. He said again Wednesday that the government is working against tight federal timelines and it will listen closely if it is found there is strong public opposition to a research reactor. The research reactor working group formed by the government, the university and the Saskatchewan Cancer Agency is being co-chaired by U of S vice-president of finance and resources Richard Florizone, who chaired the UDP, and Crown Investments Corp. vice-president and long-time Sask. Party insider Iain Harry. The UDP report said that a medical isotope reactor by itself did not make economic sense for Saskatchewan but recommended the province pursue a broader research reactor that could produce medical isotopes, the tack the province is taking. Florizone said the university is developing the concept of an interdisciplinary centre of nuclear excellence and sees a research reactor as a potentially good fit. There is also a strong potential research tie-in with the Canadian Light Source Synchrotron located on campus, he said, noting that facilities such as the one in Grenoble, France, have research reactors and synchrotrons located together. While that is an attractive option, safety and environmental questions would need to be dealt with, said Florizone. He added that a reactor would not necessarily be located on campus but would be sited somewhere in the Sasktoon area. "We've had faculty that are interested in this. We have an issue of national importance, We see a reason why the U of S and the province could assist in this national issue. We see how it could help the country. We see how it could build on the university's research strength," he said. There are also possible industrial research applications for a reactor and the university is investigating potential revenue streams. Wall acknowledged that the research reactor could be a money-loser for the province for some time but said he believes there would be a long-run economic benefit for the province. "Governments should be involved in pure research. I think that's one of the ways we can diversify our economy away from relying on commodities," he said. Saskatoon is already home to a very small 20 kilowatt research reactor located at the Saskatchewan Research Council facility at Innovation Place that tests water, soil, vegetation and animal tissue. The province is currently embroiled in debate over Saskatchewan's nuclear future, with the UDP recommending the development of an electricity-generating nuclear reactor and Ontario-based Bruce Power contemplating a two-reactor power plant capable of producing 2,000 megawatts. Peter Prebble, director of energy and water policy for the Saskatchewan Environmental Society, notes that a research reactor would be significantly smaller, likely around 10 megawatts. But the history of the Chalk River plant, with its most recent shutdown stemming from a radioactive water leak, illustrates that there are issues with research reactors that need to be examined thoroughly before any decision is made, he said. A research reactor also produces radioactive waste, although on a much smaller scale than a nuclear power plant. "The issues are the same but the scale is very different," said Prebble. "In the case of a power reactor, in Saskatchewan we have much better alternatives. In the case of a medical isotopes research reactor, this may be a circumstance where the benefits outweigh the risks. But there would definitely still be risks." © Copyright (c) The StarPhoenix | The Saskatchewan provincial government alongside the University of Saskatchewan (U of S) have come together to establish a CA$500 million, 10 megawatts research nuclear reactor to produce medical isotopes. Brad Wall, the Premier of Saskatchewan "In 1949 … cobalt-60 treatment was tried for the first time here in Saskatchewan, where it saved a woman battling cervical cancer. Maybe we can lead again in terms of nuclear medicine," said Brad Wall, the Premier of Saskatchewan, "Governments should be involved in pure research. We're dealing with some circumstances as they present themselves" "We've had faculty that are interested in this. We have an issue of national importance, We see a reason why the U of S and the province could assist in this national issue. We see how it could help the country. We see how it could build on the university's research strength," said Richard Florizone, U of S vice-president of finance and resources. The research conducted at the Canadian Light Source Synchrotron on campus would be enhanced by a research reactor. "In the case of a power reactor, in Saskatchewan we have much better alternatives. In the case of a medical isotopes research reactor, this may be a circumstance where the benefits outweigh the risks," said Peter Prebble, director of energy and water policy for the Saskatchewan Environmental Society. U of S located in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan (red star on map) The nuclear reactor at Chalk River, Ontario in Canada was shut down on Thursday, May 14 by the Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (AECL) due to a leak of heavy water and will not re-open until late 2009 or spring of 2010. The repairs of the NRU are complex and challenging. "I've heard it described as . . . trying to change the oil in your car from your living room. We're faced with conducting remote investigations in a radioactive environment with high radiation fields, conducting the examinations and inspections through small openings in the top of the reactor and accessing over great distances," said David Cox, director of the NRU engineering task force. "The unplanned shutdown of the NRU will result in a significant shortage of medical isotopes in Canada, and in the world, this summer," said Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of Health and Lisa Raitt, Minister of Natural Resources. The Petten reactor in the Netherlands is another of the six extant nuclear reactors globally. It must also be shut down between mid July and mid August. Medical isotopes are used in diagnostic procedures for cancer, heart disease and other medical conditions. When radioactive isotopes are injected into the body, radiologists can view higher radiation via medical imaging, enabling them to make a more accurate diagnosis. |
IWF statement regarding Wikipedia webpage A Wikipedia webpage was reported through the IWFs online reporting mechanism on 4 December 2008. As with all potentially illegal online child sexual abuse content reports we receive, the image was assessed according to current UK legislation and in accordance with the A Wikipedia webpage was reported through the IWFs online reporting mechanism on 4 December 2008. As with all potentially illegal online child sexual abuse content reports we receive, the image was assessed according to current UK legislation and in accordance with the UK Sentencing Guidelines Council (page 109). The content was considered to be a potentially illegal indecent image of a child under the age of 18, hosted outside the UK. As such, in accordance with IWF procedures, the specific webpage was added to the IWF list. This list is provided to ISPs and other companies in the online sector to help protect their customers from inadvertent exposure to potentially illegal indecent images of children. Following representations from Wikipedia, IWF invoked its Appeals Procedure and has given careful consideration to the issues involved in this case. The procedure is now complete and has confirmed that the image in question is potentially in breach of the Protection of Children Act 1978. However, the IWF Board has today (9 December 2008) considered these findings and the contextual issues involved in this specific case and, in light of the length of time the image has existed and its wide availability, the decision has been taken to remove this webpage from our list. Any further reported instances of this image which are hosted abroad, will not be added to the list. Any further reported instances of this image which are hosted in the UK will be assessed in line with IWF procedures. IWFs overriding objective is to minimise the availability of indecent images of children on the internet, however, on this occasion our efforts have had the opposite effect. We regret the unintended consequences for Wikipedia and its users. Wikipedia have been informed of the outcome of this procedure and IWF Boards subsequent decision. Notes IWF is the UKs internet Hotline for the public and IT professionals to report potentially illegal online content within our remit. We work in partnership with the online industry, law enforcement, government, the education sector, charities, international partners and the public to minimise the availability of this content, specifically, child sexual abuse content hosted anywhere in the world and criminally obscene and incitement to racial hatred content hosted in the UK. We are an independent self-regulatory body, funded by the EU and the wider online industry, including internet service providers, mobile operators and manufacturers, content service providers, filtering companies, search providers, trade associations and the financial sector as well as other organisations that support us for corporate social responsibility reasons. We help internet service providers and hosting companies to combat abuse of their networks through our national notice and take-down service which alerts them to potentially illegal content within our remit on their systems and we provide unique data to law enforcement partners in the UK and abroad to assist investigations into the distributers of potentially illegal online content. As sexually abusive images of children are primarily hosted abroad, we facilitate the industry-led initiative to protect users from inadvertent exposure to this content by blocking access to it through our provision of a dynamic list of child sexual abuse URLs. As a result of the blocking initiative it is possible to: Reduce the occasions when innocent internet users might be exposed to traumatic and unlawful images. Diminish the re-victimisation of children by restricting opportunities to view their sexual abuse. Disrupt the accessibility and supply of such content to those who may seek out such images. Created: Tue, December 9th, 2008 | Last Modified: Fri, January 16th, 2009 Back to Top ||||| Britain's internet censor has backtracked on its decision to ban a Wikipedia page for containing a "potentially illegal" image of a naked child. Over the weekend it emerged that the Internet Watch Foundation, which operates a blacklist to screen out images of child abuse that is used by the majority of British internet providers, had banned the image of a 32-year-old album cover by German rock group The Scorpions. The decision resulted in a technical glitch which prevented thousands of British web surfers from editing any pages on Wikipedia, as well as confusion over why the image was deemed "potentially illegal" – particularly since the album itself has been on sale in high street shops for more than 30 years. But after conducting a review of the decision, and amid protests from the Wikimedia organisation on Monday, the IWF today said that it would make the unprecedented decision to reverse its position and remove the image from its blacklist. In a statement, the IWF said that it had taken a number of factors into account, as well as representations from Wikipedia. "The IWF board has today considered these findings and the contextual issues involved in this specific case, and – in the light of the length of time the image has existed and its wide availability – the decision has been taken to remove this web page from our list," it said. Although the organisation "confirmed that the image in question is potentially in breach of the Protection of Children Act, 1978", it also said that further reports concerning the image would be ignored if the files were hosted abroad. However, it said it could be blocked again if they are on UK-based web servers. The article in question, about the Virgin Killers album from 1976, included an image of the record's controversial cover – which featured a young, naked girl with her genitals obscured only by a crack in the camera lens. Although the cover caused a storm at the time, and was later replaced by a more family-friendly alternative, it was never banned in Britain or the United States. The IWF acknowledged that its decision to block the image had the opposite affect than intended – resulting in the image being spread further around the internet, instead of removing it. "IWF's overriding objective is to minimise the availability of indecent images of children on the internet, however, on this occasion our efforts have had the opposite effect. We regret the unintended consequences for Wikipedia and its users," it said. The ban affected users of some of Britain's biggest ISPs, including Virgin Media and Be internet, and led to criticism of the way the IWF operates. Although not an official censorship body, the Cambridge-based organisation has become the UK's de facto online watchdog, largely focused on preventing images of child abuse from being accessed by British users. The reversal is a surprising move, because it opens up the possibility that any site which finds itself blocked could appeal against the decision and claim that its content is, contextually, artistic. It also throws into question the way the banning system – which is carried out by a four-strong team of analysts who work with the police's Child Exploitation and Online Protection (Ceop) unit - is applied. ||||| Censorship in the United Kingdom disenfranchises tens of thousands of Wikipedia editors Wikimedia Foundation opposes action by internet watchdog group to blacklist encyclopedia article San Francisco CA, December 7, 2008: As of December 6, 2008, most Internet users in the United Kingdom no longer have full access to Wikipedia. Due to censorship by the UK self-regulatory agency the Internet Watch Foundation (IWF), most UK residents can no longer edit the volunteer-written encyclopedia, nor can they access an article in it describing a 32-year-old album by German rock group the Scorpions. Wikipedia visitors in the UK have also reported performance issues accessing the site. The IWF has confirmed to the Wikimedia Foundation that it has added Wikipedia to its blacklist, which also had the unintended consequence of rendering UK-based internet users unable to edit the encyclopedia, and possibly harming the site's performance inside the UK. The IWF says its blacklist is used, on a voluntary basis, by 95% of UK-based residential Internet Service Providers. A statement on the IWF website says it added the Wikipedia article to the blacklist after the article was reported by a user, and an IWF assessment found it to be “potentially illegal.” “We have no reason to believe the article, or the image contained in the article, has been held to be illegal in any jurisdiction anywhere in the world,” said the Wikimedia Foundation's General Counsel, Mike Godwin. “We believe it's worth noting that the image is currently visible on Amazon, where the album can be freely purchased by UK residents. It is available on thousands of websites that are accessible to the UK public.” “The IWF didn't just block the image; it blocked access to the article itself, which discusses the image in a neutral, encyclopedic fashion,” said Sue Gardner, Executive Director of the Wikimedia Foundation. “The IWF says its goal is to protect UK citizens, but I can't see how this action helps to achieve that – and meanwhile, it deprives UK internet users of the ability to access information which should be freely available to everyone. I urge the IWF to remove Wikipedia from its blacklist.” The Wikimedia Foundation is proud of the work done by its volunteer editors, who have created an encyclopedia which external studies repeatedly validate as equal or better in quality compared with conventional encyclopedias. Wikipedia's editors take care to ensure the quality of the content of the encyclopedia, and to safeguard the core community values of freedom, independence, and neutrality. The Wikimedia Foundation will continue its discussions with IWF to resolve this matter. Questions and answers about this issue can be found here. About us About the Wikimedia Foundation The Wikimedia Foundation Inc. is a nonprofit, charitable organization dedicated to encouraging the growth, development and distribution of free, multilingual content, and to providing the full content of its wiki-based projects to the public free of charge. It operates some of the largest collaboratively-edited reference projects in the world, including Wikipedia, one of the world's 10 most-visited websites. For a full list of projects, visit Our projects. All projects of the Wikimedia Foundation are collaboratively developed by volunteers using the MediaWiki software. Their content may be freely used, freely edited, freely copied and freely redistributed subject to the restrictions of that license. The goal of Wikipedia, the largest encyclopedia in history, is to create free encyclopedias in all languages of the world. Anyone with Internet access is free to contribute by writing new articles and editing existing articles. Wikipedia was ranked the fourth most visited website on the internet in November 2008 according to comScore. Wikipedia started in January 2001, and currently offers over eleven million articles in over 260 languages. The largest Wikipedia is in English, with more than 2.6 million articles; followed by the German and French editions, each of which contain more than six hundred thousand articles. Nine other language editions contain 200,000+ articles, and more than 150 other languages contain 1,000+ articles. Wikipedia is entirely created and maintained by a community of active volunteers. Press inquiries | On December 7, ''Wikinews'' first reported that some Internet Service Providers (ISPs) in the United Kingdom, were filtering access to an image and an article on the popular, free online encyclopedia ''Wikipedia'', amid allegations that they contain child pornography. The filter was brought into play by the Internet Watch Foundation (IWF), which has stated that today they have removed the ban. Users attempting to access the page on the ''Virgin Killer'' album, or the image itself, have been subjected to it not loading, 404 pages, or messages explaining the block. The IWF said, in a statement on its website, that "the decision has been taken to remove this webpage from our list." However, the organization does maintain that "the image in question is potentially in breach of the Protection of Children Act 1978." At approximately 19:45 UTC, the ban was removed for customers of Virgin Media, who were previously unable to access the Virgin Killer article or the associated image. The image and article in question is that of the 1976 album ''Virgin Killer'', a studio album by the Scorpions, a German rock band. The controversy began after the image of the album's original cover, which depicted a naked prepubescent girl, was reported to the IWF in early December. ''Wikinews'' first discovered the controversial image in May 2008 after there were several attempts to delete it on ''Wikipedia''. The image had been blocked because the IWF considered it to be "potentially illegal". As a result, the IWF have contacted authorities in the United States and in the UK. British visitors to Wikipedia can now see the full article and the associated image The measures applied redirect ''Wikipedia''-bound traffic from a significant portion of the UK's Internet population through a small number of servers which can log and filter the content that is available to the end user. A serious side-effect of this is the inability of administrators on Wikimedia sites to block vandals and other troublemakers without potentially impacting hundreds of thousands of innocent contributors who are working on the sites in good faith. Contributors or individuals attempting to view an affected image or file, depending on their ISP, may get a warning saying, "we have blocked this page because, according to the Internet Watch Foundation (IWF), it contains indecent images of children or pointers to them; you could be breaking UK law if you viewed the page.". Other ISPs provide blank pages, 404 errors, or other means of blocking the content. |
China urges denuclearisation of Korean peninsula BEIJING - China urged calm and restraint Wednesday after North Korea warned of retaliation over the United States' suspension of much-needed food aid following Pyongyang's recent failed rocket launch. In a defiant statement late Tuesday, the isolated nation also broke off an agreement with Washington to halt testing of nuclear weapons and long-range missiles, raising fears Pyongyang would stage a new atomic test. "We believe that maintaining peace and stability on the Korean peninsula is in the interest of all parties ... Dialogue and negotiation is the only correct way out," foreign ministry spokesman Liu Weimin told journalists. "We hope relevant parties will exercise calm and restraint, maintain engagement and dialogue and continue to uphold the denuclearisation process on the Korean peninsula." The North on Friday went ahead with what it said was a rocket launch to put a peaceful satellite into orbit, drawing condemnation from world leaders who said the exercise was a disguised ballistic missile test. The launch quickly failed when the rocket exploded over the Yellow Sea, and the United Nations Security Council on Monday issued a condemnation that was also backed by China -- the North's only major ally. Analysts say they expect the North to now stage a third nuclear weapons test, following previous tests in 2006 and 2009, or launch another long-range missile. Liu urged the International Atomic Energy Agency to resume contact and dialogue with North Korea in the apparent hope the two could seek a way forward for the UN atomic agency to inspect North Korean nuclear facilities. But he would not comment on reports that Beijing has suspended a deal with Pyongyang to repatriate North Korean refugees who had fled to China because it was not consulted about the launch. - AFP/ir ||||| China has joined other world powers in warning North Korea that they will not tolerate any more provocations after the isolated nation's failed rocket launch last week. U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said late Monday in Brasilia that the U.N. Security Council members, including China, are agreed there will be "further consequences" in the event of another provocative act by North Korea. Recent satellite photographs show Pyongyang may be preparing for an underground nuclear test. China's state-controlled media are also showing signs of frustration with Pyongyang, noting that China took "a clear attitude in condemning" its longtime ally when it backed a U.N. Security Council statement criticizing the rocket launch. China's Communist Party-controlled Global Times newspaper said Tuesday that Pyongyang should not be misled into thinking it can ignore Beijing's wishes with impunity. The paper said North Korea will "pay the price if it tries to abduct China's North Korea policy." In its unanimous statement Monday, the Security Council condemned Friday's rocket launch as a "serious violation" of existing U.N. resolutions, and ordered its sanctions committee to tighten measures aimed at preventing North Korea from developing and exporting nuclear and missile technology. The statement said the council will respond accordingly to any further provocations. Pyongyang had announced the failed launch as an effort to put a weather satellite into orbit, but the United States and other countries condemned it as a covert attempt to test a ballistic missile that could later be used to fire a nuclear warhead. Existing U.N. resolutions bar it from any use of ballistic missile technology. Japanese media reported Tuesday that Pyongyang has also withdrawn an invitation for International Atomic Energy Agency inspectors to visit its facilities in retaliation for the U.S. cancelation of a food aid package. U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Susan Rice, who heads the Security Council this month, said in New York Monday that the failed space shot had caused "grave security concerns" across much of East Asia. "The swift and unanimous adoption of this strong presidential statement shows that the international community is united in sending a clear message to North Korea that such provocations are serious and totally unacceptable. Critically, the Security Council made clear there will be consequences for any further North Korean launch or nuclear test," she said. "If North Korea chooses again to defy the international community, then the Council has expressed its determination to take action accordingly." Hours later in Brasilia, Clinton stressed China's commitment to punishing any further provocations. China has long been North Korea's most reliable ally and is believed to have more influence over its behavior than any other country. Several analysts have noted that two previous failed North Korean missile launches were shortly followed by underground nuclear tests. South Korean officials last week made available satellite photos of new activity at North Korea's nuclear test site. However, Global Times quotes the dean of the Center for Korean Peninsula Studies at Tongji University in Shanghai as saying Pyongyang knows the consequences of another nuclear test would be much graver than in the past. "The rocket launch has already cost the state roughly $850 million, enough to buy 2.5 million tons of corn," Cui Zhiying told the paper. "Does it have enough money to carry out another nuclear test? I seriously doubt it." Some information for this report was provided by AP and AFP. ||||| China has joined other world powers in warning North Korea that they will not tolerate any more provocations after the isolated nation's failed rocket launch last week. U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said late Monday in Brasilia that the U.N. Security Council members, including China, are agreed there will be "further consequences" in the event of another provocative act by North Korea. Recent satellite photographs show Pyongyang may be preparing for an underground nuclear test. China's state-controlled media are also showing signs of frustration with Pyongyang, noting that China took "a clear attitude in condemning" its longtime ally when it backed a U.N. Security Council statement criticizing the rocket launch. China's Communist Party-controlled Global Times newspaper said Tuesday that Pyongyang should not be misled into thinking it can ignore Beijing's wishes with impunity. The paper said North Korea will "pay the price if it tries to abduct China's North Korea policy." In its unanimous statement Monday, the Security Council condemned Friday's rocket launch as a "serious violation" of existing U.N. resolutions, and ordered its sanctions committee to tighten measures aimed at preventing North Korea from developing and exporting nuclear and missile technology. The statement said the council will respond accordingly to any further provocations. Pyongyang had announced the failed launch as an effort to put a weather satellite into orbit, but the United States and other countries condemned it as a covert attempt to test a ballistic missile that could later be used to fire a nuclear warhead. Existing U.N. resolutions bar it from any use of ballistic missile technology. Japanese media reported Tuesday that Pyongyang has also withdrawn an invitation for International Atomic Energy Agency inspectors to visit its facilities in retaliation for the U.S. cancelation of a food aid package. U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Susan Rice, who heads the Security Council this month, said in New York Monday that the failed space shot had caused "grave security concerns" across much of East Asia. "The swift and unanimous adoption of this strong presidential statement shows that the international community is united in sending a clear message to North Korea that such provocations are serious and totally unacceptable. Critically, the Security Council made clear there will be consequences for any further North Korean launch or nuclear test," she said. "If North Korea chooses again to defy the international community, then the Council has expressed its determination to take action accordingly." Hours later in Brasilia, Clinton stressed China's commitment to punishing any further provocations. China has long been North Korea's most reliable ally and is believed to have more influence over its behavior than any other country. Several analysts have noted that two previous failed North Korean missile launches were shortly followed by underground nuclear tests. South Korean officials last week made available satellite photos of new activity at North Korea's nuclear test site. However, Global Times quotes the dean of the Center for Korean Peninsula Studies at Tongji University in Shanghai as saying Pyongyang knows the consequences of another nuclear test would be much graver than in the past. "The rocket launch has already cost the state roughly $850 million, enough to buy 2.5 million tons of corn," Cui Zhiying told the paper. "Does it have enough money to carry out another nuclear test? I seriously doubt it." Some information for this report was provided by AP and AFP. ||||| April 14, 2012: North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, left waves as North Korean military officers clap in a stadium in Pyongyang during a mass meeting called by the Central Committee of North Korea's ruling party on Saturday.AP North Korean leader Kim Jong Un spoke publicly for the first time Sunday, just two days after a failed rocket launch, praising his father Kim Jong Il's "military first" policy during celebrations marking the 100th birthday of the nation's late founder. Kim, who has been seen but not publicly heard since taking over after Kim Jong Il's death in December, stepped to the podium to speak before tens of thousands of people gathered in Pyongyang's main square for meticulously choreographed festivities meant to glorify his grandfather, North Korea founder Kim Il Sung. Kim Jong Un said the era when nuclear arms could be used to threaten his country was "forever over." He called for strengthening the country's "military first" policy by placing the "first, second and third" priorities on military might. He said his country had built a "mighty military" capable of both offense and defense in any type of modern warfare. "Superiority in military technology is no longer monopolized by imperialists," he said. Soldiers are more important than rockets and artillery, Kim said, and military officers should treat their troops "like brothers and sisters." He said he is "heartbroken" that the rival Koreas have been divided for decades, and said North Korea "will cooperate with anyone" who truly wishes for reunification. North Korea defied the U.S. and others Friday by firing a long-range rocket that space officials said was mounted with an observational satellite despite warnings against pushing ahead with the provocative launch. Washington and others say it was a covert test of long-range missile technology. Hours after the rocket splintered into pieces over the Yellow Sea, the country made an unusual admission of failure, but Kim did not mention the launch in his remarks Sunday. Kim Jong Un has since underlined the country's "military first" policy with a budget that allocates a sizable chunk of funding to defense spending. International condemnation of the rocket firing was swift, including the suspension of U.S. food aid, and there are worries that the North's next move could be an even more provocative nuclear test. The U.N. Security Council denounced the launch as a violation of resolutions that prohibit North Korea from developing its nuclear and missile programs. The council imposed sanctions on North Korea after its first nuclear test in 2006 and stepped up sanctions after its second in 2009. ||||| SEOUL | SEOUL (Reuters) - Smarting from a failed rocket launch, North Korea's leader Kim Jong-un has little choice but to stick to his father's playbook of milking an impoverished country to develop weapons and blackmail the international community for aid and recognition. Far from fearing a coup or instability after Friday's public fiasco, the third of his line to rule North Korea will lead celebrations on Sunday to mark the centenary of the birth of his grandfather, the founder of the world's only Stalinist monarchy, "Eternal President" Kim Il-sung. The state that Kim inherited in December after the death of his father Kim Jong-il boasts a 1.2 million-strong military, wants to possess a nuclear weapon and to develop the ability to hit the United States with it - the aim, critics say, of the failed rocket launch. Behind those ambitions are 23 million people, many malnourished, in an economy whose output is worth just $40 billion annually in purchasing power parity terms, according to the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency, compared with South Korea's $1.5 trillion economy. The puny size of the economy means development is not the answer, tying Kim into the "military first" policies of his late father Kim Jong-il who oversaw the development of the state's nuclear and missile ambitions. "For Kim Jong-un, opening North Korea means the end of a system that his grandfather and father fostered," said Virginie Grzelczyk, a North Korea expert at Nottingham Trent University in Britain. "Kim Jong-un is unlikely to be losing power over the launch, as the elite and the military need his legitimizing and mythical presence in order to pacify the North Korean population." The small scale of the economy is matched by North Korea's limited diplomatic clout. It has few friends other than China, whose strategic interest is in keeping a buffer between it and South Korea which has U.S. military bases. Even China sounded increasingly exasperated in the run-up to Friday's rocket launch as Pyongyang ignored its pleas for restraint, despite aid pumped in by Beijing, and its diplomatic protection at bodies like the United Nations. Without real weight in the international arena, Pyongyang is forced to rely on periodic rocket launches, nuclear tests and attacks on South Korea, such as the one in 2010 when it shelled an island, to remind the world of its existence, analysts say. That is likely to mean sticking to the same script as in 2009, when North Korea followed a failed attempt to put a satellite into orbit with a nuclear test. Intelligence satellite images showing a tunnel being dug at the site of two previous tests imply that it either wishes to remind the world of the possibility, so as to prompt a return to aid for disarmament talks, or is actually preparing for one. "Internationally, now they have to do a nuclear test, preferably using uranium, just in order to show that they should be taken seriously," said Andre Lankov, a North Korea expert at South Korea's Kookmin University. SOME LIES ARE TOO BIG EVEN FOR PYONGYANG Pyongyang did depart from its previous practise when it publicly admitted on state television that the Unha-3 rocket had failed to deliver its weather satellite into orbit in time for Kim Il-sung's birthday. A 2009 launch that the international community said had failed was hailed as a success by North Korea, where the only news available to its people is from the state. But to read into the announcement signs of new openness is to overstate the issue, most commentators on North Korea say. The presence of so many foreign journalists and the spread of cellphones, of which there are now more than a million, made it too risky. "For all its habitual lying, the propaganda apparatus shies away from lies it can too easily be caught out on," said Brian Myers, a North Korea expert at Dongseo University in South Korea. In parallel with the short announcement on the rocket's failure, North Korea continued to churn out reams of propaganda aimed at bolstering the legitimacy of Kim Jong-un and his claim to power based on his bloodline. "The idea and feats Kim Il-sung performed in the 20th century have been fully carried forward and his glorious history continues uninterruptedly along with prospering Songun (military-first) Korea," state news agency KCNA reported on Friday. The anniversary of Kim Il-sung's birth was supposed to usher in a "strong and prosperous" nation. North Korea claimed that industrial output grew 2 percent last year, but according to United Nations data its economy is in fact the same size as it was 20 years ago after being devastated by a famine in the 1990s. It appears to fund itself through exports of its mineral wealth to China, sales of weapons technology to states such as Syria and Iran as well as a variety of criminal enterprises such as narcotics and faking $100 bills. Last June it was caught smuggling weapons to Myanmar, an income stream that has been cut off with that country's opening. Periodically, it confiscates the wealth of its own citizens as it did in a 2009 revaluation of its currency and a crackdown on hoarding of foreign currency, something it may need to do more of as financial sanctions bite and old allies, like Myanmar, halt their purchases. A defector, surnamed Ryu, who entered South Korea in 2011 and is now living in Seoul, said there was simply no choice but to comply with the forced confiscation. "There were so many who were beaten," said Ryu, aged in his mid-40s, who declined to give his full name for fear of reprisals. "People were at each other's throats; there was no telling who would rat on you for having a secret stash of foreign cash." Chon Hyun-joon, an expert on North Korea at the state-run Korea Institute for National Unification in South Korea, estimates that as much as $2 billion to $3 billion could have been raised, although other experts say the figure was lower. Whatever the state of the economy, missile and nuclear weapons development will take priority for North Korea, experts say. Figures published in South Korean media suggest that $3 billion has been spent on the nuclear and missile programme over the years. "Even Kim Jong-il admitted that the first rocket launch required millions of dollars," said Kim Yeon-su, a professor at the National Defense University in Seoul. "He said at the time the cost would be paid even at the expense of the North Korean people." (Additional reporting by Ju-min Park and Jeremy Laurence; Editing by Raju Gopalakrishnan and Daniel Magnowski) ||||| Failed launch is setback for NKorea's new leader In this April 13, 2012 photo, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, second from left, points out the sky after the fireworks were set off during an unveiling ceremony for statues of late leaders Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il in Pyongyang, North Korea. (AP Photo/Kyodo News) (AP) PYONGYANG, North Korea - North Korea's much-touted satellite launch ended in a nearly $1 billion failure, bringing humiliation to the country's new young leader and condemnation from a host of nations. The United Nations Security Council deplored the launch but stopped short of imposing new penalties in response. The rocket's disintegration Friday over the Yellow Sea brought a rare public acknowledgment of failure from Pyongyang, which had hailed the launch as a show of strength amid North Korea's persistent economic hardship. For the 20-something Kim Jong Un it was to have been a highlight of the celebratory events surrounding his ascension to top political power. It was timed to coincide with the country's biggest holiday in decades, the 100th birthday of North Korean founder Kim Il Sung, the young leader's grandfather. The United States and South Korea declared the early morning launch a failure minutes after the rocket shot out from the North's west coast. North Korea acknowledged its demise four hours later in an announcement broadcast on state TV, saying the satellite the rocket was carrying did not enter orbit. Security Council deplores NK rocket launch After failed North Korea missile launch, a waiting game for Obama The launch brought swift international condemnation, including the suspension of U.S. food aid, and raised concerns that the North's next move could be even more provocative a nuclear test, the country's third. The U.N. Security Council denounced the launch as a violation of two resolutions that prohibit North Korea from developing its nuclear and missile programs, and met behind closed doors to consider a response. U.S. Ambassador Susan Rice, the current council president, refused to speculate on what action the council might take. The council imposed sanctions on North Korea after its first nuclear test in 2006 and stepped up sanctions after its second in 2009. U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, a former South Korean foreign minister, called the launch "deplorable" and urged North Korea "not to undertake any further provocative actions that will heighten tension in the region," U.N. spokesman Martin Nesirky said. Despite Friday's failed launch, Pyongyang pressed ahead with grandiose propaganda in praise of the ruling Kim family. Hours after the explosion, the young Kim was installed as the new head of the powerful National Defense Commission during a meeting of the Supreme People's Assembly in Pyongyang. It was the last of the top military and party posts intended to consolidate his power after the death of his father, longtime leader Kim Jong Il, four months ago. At a massive gathering later Friday, Kim Jong Un and other senior officials watched the unveiling of an enormous new statue of Kim Jong Il, which stood beside an equally massive one of Kim Il Sung. On Saturday, the North's official media announced Kim Jong Un has promoted dozens of general-grade officers to mark the centennial of the birth of his grandfather. The military's top political officer, Choe Ryong Hae, was also elected a member of the National Defense Commission in the latest reshuffle meant to tighten Kim's grip on power, the Korean Central News Agency said. North Korea had trumpeted the launch of its Kwangmyongsong, or Bright Shining Star, satellite as a scientific achievement and a gift for its late founder. It cost the impoverished nation some $850 million, according to South Korea's Yonhap news agency, which estimated the cost of the rocket and its payload alone at $450 million. In downtown Pyongyang, university student Kim Kwang Jin was optimistic despite Friday's failure. "I'm not too disappointed. There was always the chance of failure," he said. "Other nations including China and Russia have had failures while building their space programs so why wouldn't we? I hope that in the future, we're able to build a better satellite." The rocket's destruction suggests the country has yet to master the technology needed to build long-range missiles that could threaten the United States. Still, worries remain about North Korea's nuclear program amid reports that it may be planning an atomic test soon. The launch was condemned by the foreign ministers of the Group of Eight industrialized nations meeting in Washington, including Russia, while Washington said it was suspending plans to contribute food aid to the North in exchange for a rollback of its nuclear programs. North Korea announced weeks ago that it would launch a long-range rocket mounted with an observational satellite, touting it as a major technological achievement to mark the centennial of Kim Il Sung's birth. The failure "blows a big hole in the birthday party," said Victor Cha, former director for Asia policy in the U.S. National Security Council. "It's terribly embarrassing for the North." Experts say the Unha-3 carrier was the same type of rocket that would be used to strike the U.S. and other targets with a long-range missile. The Unha-3's launch was monitored by a host of U.S., Japanese and South Korean military assets, which were expected to capture vital data on North Korea's ballistic missile capabilities. U.S. Navy minesweepers and other ships in the area were expected to begin scouring the sea for debris from the rocket, which can offer evidence of what went wrong and what rocket technology North Korea has. At the Pentagon in Washington, officials said it was believed the failure occurred during the second stage of flight, though it was unclear whether there was a controlled separation from the first stage. "It was an obvious and very quick failure," Pentagon press secretary George Little said. Asked whether the failure suggests North Korea poses less of a military threat to the U.S. than has been suggested by the Obama administration, Little said, "their recent track record is not good." But, he added: "We are not discounting the possibility of advancements in North Korean missile technology, notwithstanding their failures." Greg Thielmann, a former intelligence officer with the U.S. State Department, said it appears the North Koreans haven't mastered the technology they need to control multistage rockets a key capability if the North is to threaten the United States with intercontinental ballistic missiles. North Korea has tested two atomic devices but is not yet believed to be able to build a nuclear warhead small enough to be mounted on a long-range missile. Cha, who was an Asia adviser for former President George W. Bush, said the next step would be to watch whether North Korea conducts a third nuclear test, as has been speculated by the South Korean intelligence community. State media said the satellite was fired from the Sohae Satellite Launching Station in the hamlet of Tongchang-ri but "failed to enter its preset orbit." "Scientists, technicians and experts are now looking into the cause of the failure," the state-run Korean Central News Agency said. North Korean space officials said the Unha-3, or Galaxy-3, rocket was meant to send a satellite into orbit to study crops and weather patterns its third bid to launch a satellite since 1998. Officials had brought foreign journalists to the west coast site to see the rocket and satellite Sunday in a bid to show its transparency amid accusations of defiance. But the dozens of foreign journalists invited to cover the launch were not allowed to view the liftoff live. The acknowledgment of the rocket's failure both to the outside world and to North Koreans was a surprising admission by a government that in the past has kept tight control over information. "The failure, which was impossible to hide from the North Korean people given the advance publicity and presence of international media, will be a major source of domestic and international embarrassment for the Kim Jong Un regime," said Ralph Cossa, president of Pacific Forum CSIS, a Hawaii-based think tank. Attempts to put satellites into orbit often pose problems even for developed nations. In 2010, a South Korean rocket carrying a climate observation satellite exploded 137 seconds into its flight. An earlier 2009 attempt, Seoul's first from its own territory, also failed. | The United Nations Security Council met behind closed doors Friday and issued tough statements right before North Korea's holiday. North Korea's Unha-3 rocket ready to launch at Tangachai-ri space center on April 8.It was launched April 13.China has joined other members of the United Nations Security Council in openly warning North Korea against future provocations and took several diplomatic measures on Tuesday and Wednesday. China's foreign ministry released a statement Wednesday that urged a return to talks: "We believe that maintaining peace and stability on the Korean peninsula is in the interest of all parties ... Dialogue and negotiation is the only correct way out." The statement came after North Korea's announcement Tuesday that it would no longer honor the testing agreements that have been made with the United States. The United States halted its food aid, which had been part of the agreements, after Friday's failed launch. Also on Tuesday, China delivered another stern warning to the nation through its party newspaper Global Times. In the statement, China expressed impatience with its neighbor and said China's foreign policy toward North Korea would not be hijacked by North Korea's leaders. Behind the scenes, China has ceased the repatriation of North Korean nationals on Chinese territory. Diplomatic pressure on North Korea continued this week as the country remained defiant during its celebration Sunday. Kim Jong-un gave his first formal address on Sunday in the aftermath of Friday's failed attempt to launch a multistage rocket into orbit and in honor of the anniversary of 100th birthday. North Korea publicly acknowledged that its rocket broke up in flight and over before ever taking orbit Friday morning. The United Nations criticized North Korea over the weekend for a satellite launch that member states saw as a "provocative" move, which followed shortly after the country's launch. UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon called the attempt "deplorable" and said it "threatens regional stability." Corinne Momal-Vanian, UN spokesperson, said, "The Secretary-General urges the (North Korean government) not to undertake any further provocative actions that will heighten tension in the region." The UN Security Council met in a closed session Friday. , who is both the current UN Security Council president and US ambassador to the United Nations, said, "The United States' view of this is quite clear, we have condemned the launch. We view it as a direct violation of resolution 1718 and 1874. We think it’s important that the Council respond credibly and we will be working in that direction." While China is being openly critical of North Korea, it has a veto right on the UN Security Council that has prevented further sanctions. US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said China stood with other member nations of the Security Council in penalizing North Korea for future actions. In a nation where speeches by leaders are rare, the young North Korean leader on Sunday said, "Superiority in military technology is no longer monopolized by imperialists." The public event finished with the display of a new rocket and it further punctuated Kim Jong-un's call for making the military the nation's number one priority. |
Daily GVRD Turbidity Readings date Monday, August 4, 2003 Watershed Turbidity (in NTUs)* Capilano 0.30 Seymour 0.48 Coquitlam 0.48 * NTUs are nephelometric turbidity units, an industry-wide measure. Turbidity Each day, the GVRD tests drinking water for cloudiness, or turbidity. Cloudy water is created when fine particles like sediment or organic matter wind up in the reservoirs through heavy rainfall. Other causes of turbidity can be construction or changing of pipes, high water flows due to a fire or flusher truck filling, or high flows due to hot weather. Turbidity is measured in units called nephelometric turbidity units (NTUs), and is tested both by a built-in monitoring system in the reservoirs, and daily laboratory tests. Canadian Drinking Water Guidelines prescribe a goal of one NTU, although higher levels are acceptable if water is properly disinfected and doesn't contain coliform bacteria. Testing has shown that during periods of higher turbidity, coliform bacteria counts don't increase in Lower Mainland water. Fast Facts: ||||| Boil Water Advisory Lifted 11:30AM, Monday, November 27, 2006 On the recommendation of the Medical Health Officers of Vancouver Coastal Health and Fraser Health, the boil water advisory that has been in effect for Vancouver, North Shore and Burnaby is now lifted for these areas. Hospitals, care facilities, schools, food premises and the public are no longer being advised to boil drinking water or to use an alternate drinking water source. There is no boil water advisory for any area receiving water from the Greater Vancouver Regional District (GVRD). Turbidity is on a downward trend but still remains above pre-storm levels. Water may continue to appear cloudy or discoloured for some time. Turbidity levels will continue to be posted on the GVRD website at http://www.gvrd.bc.ca/water/default.asp, and in the Vancouver Sun newspaper. Users are asked to open unused taps for three minutes to move stagnant water through the distribution system. While increased turbidity can be associated with increased risk of gastrointestinal illness, our extensive monitoring and testing leads Medical Health Officers to believe the water in the above areas is now safe to drink. Results are consistent with turbidity events in previous years, where bacteriological testing has also been negative. The results provide reassurance that while this event produced much higher levels of turbidity than usual, disinfection has not been compromised. Immune compromised individuals should always boil drinking water or ensure their drinking water has been treated to the same level as boiling. | On Monday, November 27, 2006 the Medical Health Officers of the Vancouver Coastal Health and Fraser Health recommended that the boil water advisory that had been in effect for the City of Vancouver, North Vancouver, and Burnaby could now be lifted. Hospitals, care facilities, schools, food premises and the public are no longer being advised to boil drinking water or to use an alternate drinking water source. The boil water advisory for the Greater Vancouver Regional District (GVRD) had been lifted days before but had remained in effect for the listed areas. Turbidity is on a downward trend but still remains above pre-storm levels. Water may continue to appear cloudy or discoloured for some time. The Medical Health Officers, monitoring and testing the water, at no point found the water un-safe, but felt the boil water advisory was justified as a safety precauction. It has been advised that people with comprised immune systems should continue to boil drinking water or drink filtered water. |
ROMA—�Questo governo � come la torre di Pisa. Pende, pende, ma non cade mai�. Molti dicono che accadr� presto, ministro Clemente Mastella. �Non prima delle Amministrative. Non voglio darmi arie, ma se Prodi non � caduto sulla fiducia � anche perch� io ho fatto tanto. Ho parlato con Follini, poi con Andreotti... Voleva astenersi, ma ha vinto l’affetto che ha per me�. Tutto merito suo, dunque. �La mia lealt� a Prodi � forte. Altri si mostrano leali, ma gi� guardano al dopo �. Lei no? �S�. Ma il mio "dopo" � quando Prodi lascer� il campo. Invece c’� stato chi in questa crisi si muoveva a sostegno di Prodi, ma intanto parlava con tutti�. Nomi e cognomi. �Non voglio litigare. Per� ho sentito troppi dire che non si poteva andare avanti�. Il grande inciucio? �L’attacco ai piccoli. Questa crisi ha sventato il tentativo di realizzare, oggi e subito, un governo di larghe intese. Uno comemeche sta in politica da tanti anni sa quando i leader di Margherita, Ds, Forza Italia e An si incontrano o si sentono al telefono�. E Casini? �In quel progetto, l’Udc doveva entrare o uscire a seconda delle circostanze. Mentre Casini deve capire che bisogna realizzare un centro autentico e la tappa finale sono le Europee. �un principio biblico della nuova stagione politica �. Lei e Casini, senza Follini? �Con Follini. La nostra spinta � ritrovarsi tutti assieme in un partito del 10 per cento. Senza un centro vitale non c’� governabilit� per una maggioranza che in nove mesi ha visto il suo blocco sociale decomporsi�. Bipolarismo, addio. �Siamo interessati alla governabilit� o al bipolarismo? Io lavoro perch� Prodi abbia lunga vita, ma nel frattempo devi costruire all’interno al di sotto e accanto una modalit� nuova sul piano politico�. Poi dice che lei non inciucia. �Guardi, nel ’98 gli attori erano gli stessi di oggi ma non c’ero io e questa rispetto ad allora � l’unica variante. Prodi cadde perch� io non ero alleato con lui. E questa volta i Dico hanno rischiato di innescare una slavina�. Finch� Prodi ha svoltato al centro. �La svolta al centro c’� di fatto. Diceva mia madre, "fatti il nome e vai a rubare". Nell’opinione pubblica � stata la frana a sinistra a determinare l’ingovernabilit� e ora temo che, passato il santo, passi anche la devozione�. Traduzione? �Il rischio � che la sinistra ricominci. Sappiano che il programma non � la Bibbia e che la prossima volta che fanno i boy scout della politica io mi tiro da parte. Preoccupato per la riforma elettorale? �Lo siamo noi dell’Udeur e lo � la Lega. Una legge elettorale che mortificasse i piccoli porterebbe in crisi il governo. Le preferenze, poi. Ci sono ovunque, perch� da noi no?�. Condivide le indicazioni di Prodi sul sistema di voto? �Prodi pu� guidare il processo, perch� appena dice cosa vuole si indebolisce �. D’Alema ha aperto al modello tedesco che piace all’Udc. �� giusto che D’Alema parli con Casini, ma non mi pu� scavalcare. Non � che poi mi dici "Clemente, parla con Follini". Io vengo dalla Dc, da una cultura di prestigio e non di subordinazione. Non porto ceri. Tu vuoi farti il giochetto con Casini e gli altri? Fallo,maattraverso di me devi passare�. La Bicamerale? �Non c’�. Chi la fa? Nessun leader si azzarda a presiederla�. Fassino, forse. �Non esiste�. Monica Guerzoni 01 marzo 2007 ||||| Story Highlights • NEW: Senate vote ensures survival of Prodi's center-left government • Prodi still faces vote in the lower house, where he has a comfortable majority • Prodi left temporarily last week after senate failed to endorse his foreign policy • Long term stability of Prodi government still doubtful Adjust font size: ROME, Italy (AP) -- Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi won a confidence vote in the Senate on Wednesday, ensuring the survival of his center-left government. The vote was 162-157. Prodi resigned last week after a defeat in the Senate on the government's foreign policy. But the Italian president had asked him to stay on and put his Cabinet to new confidence votes in parliament. The prime minister faced his toughest test in the Senate -- the upper house -- which was almost evenly split between the ruling center-left and the conservative opposition. Any defections could have swung the vote. On Friday, Prodi faces a confidence vote in the lower house, where he has a comfortable majority. Prodi asked for the senators' support in a non-confrontational speech Tuesday meant to woo both Christian Democrats and far leftists in his fractious coalition. Frantic counting of senators over the past days suggested Prodi would survive the test, and the prime minister himself expressed optimism ahead of the vote. "The coalition has reached a strong, cohesive agreement," Prodi told the Senate shortly before voting began. "We have the firm intention of moving forward." Coalition allies have put differences aside, at least momentarily, and vowed to support Prodi -- largely to avert a return to power of their archenemy, conservative leader Silvio Berlusconi. A centrist senator who is a former Berlusconi ally, an independent senator elected abroad and at least four of seven honorary senators appointed for life also assured their support to the government. If the government had lost the vote of confidence, it would have had to resign -- which might have meant early elections just as opinion polls are showing that the conservatives would likely win. But even as the government won the vote, its long-term stability is doubtful. Prodi narrowly defeated Berlusconi in April elections, ousting the conservatives after five years in office. But between the Senate's minimal majority and a divided coalition behind him, Prodi has had a hard time mustering the necessary support for key policies. Last week, in the parliamentary defeat that led Prodi to resign, the Senate failed to endorse the government's guidelines in foreign policy, including its commitment to keep 1,800 Italian troops in Afghanistan. The defeat was blamed on defections from far leftists, as well as opposition by some life senators. In a sign of continuing difficulties for Prodi, some coalition senators said that while they supported the government in the confidence vote, they maintained their opposition to the country's military presence in Afghanistan and would vote against an upcoming measure to refinance the mission there. "Today is the day of hypocrisy," said Renato Schifani, Senate whip for Berlusconi's Forza Italia party. "Some senators who will give their vote of confidence today will vote against the government tomorrow." Schifani said that with such deep differences, the government was "born dead." Italians doubt government will survive A poll published Wednesday in the country's largest daily, Corriere della Sera, said almost 40 percent of Italians thought the government would last only a few more months, even if it won the confidence vote. The poll by the ISPO institute had a margin of error of 3.5 percentage points. The government's five-year mandate expires in 2011. Prodi's speech to the Senate on Tuesday reflected the fragility of his leadership. The prime minister acknowledged deep differences within his coalition and stayed away from controversial themes that have created tensions in the past. "Poor soul, he couldn't do much more than that," said Berlusconi, commenting on the speech. Earlier, Prodi had boiled down a 281-page electoral program to a 12-point plan he said would be "nonnegotiable" and would serve as the government's new platform. On Wednesday, Prodi did touch upon a controversial theme -- a government proposal to legally recognize unmarried couples. Prodi sought to smooth over tensions by saying the government had "exhausted its duty" by proposing the legislation, and that it was now up to parliament to "draft a law on which there can be ample agreement." Copyright 2007 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. ||||| Prime Minister Romano Prodi of Italy, second from left in back row, was applauded Wednesday after speaking to the Senate in Rome. (Franco Origlia/Getty Images) In Italy, a slim vote of confidence for Prodi ROME: Italy's political crisis ended, for the moment, on Wednesday night after the Senate narrowly passed a vote of confidence in Prime Minister Romano Prodi's fragile government. "The government is like the Tower of Pisa — it leans but doesn't fall," Justice Minister Clemente Mastella said after the 162-to-157 vote. But the voting suggested less a strong and viable government than one aimed at electoral reform, and then a new election before its five year term is over. In speeches before the vote, even some of Prodi's supporters said that while they would vote for renewing the government, they would not back him on several contentious issues where every vote counts. Indeed, another crisis may not be far off: a vote on Italy's peacekeeping mission in Afghanistan — one of the same issues that temporarily knocked down Prodi's government a week ago — is set for the next two weeks. In his speech in the Senate, Franco Turigliatto, of the Refounded Communists, one of the senators who provoked the crisis a week ago, said he could not support the peacekeeping measure, or others like a planned high-speed train line in the north and pension reform. "This is not the mandate we received," Turigliatto told his colleagues. Still, Prodi said he was relieved that this crisis was over and that he could resume his nine-month-old government — the 61st in Italy since 1945. "I am very satisfied," he told reporters after the vote. "Now we go to the Chamber." He was referring to the lower house of Parliament, the Chamber of Deputies, where the government faces a second vote of confidence on Friday. The government enjoys a larger majority in that house, and the vote is expected to favor Prodi's government. The crisis began a week ago after Turigliatto and another far-left senator abstained from a key vote on Prodi's foreign policy, in disagreements over Afghanistan and the government's support of the expansion of an American military base in Vicenza, in Italy's north. The vote went against Prodi, and he resigned. But on Saturday, the Italian president, Giorgio Napolitano, said there was "no concrete choice" and asked Prodi to try again. Even though Prodi was able to bolster his support among bickering parties, political leaders and analysts began focusing on the larger, structural problems underlying Italy's politics. In recent days, Prodi himself pledged to tackle the most pressing of them: an electoral law that virtually guarantees a small majority in the Senate. In speeches in the Senate on Tuesday, and again just before the vote on Wednesday, he promised immediate changes. But that will prove difficult in itself, because, he noted, it will require support from across the nation's divided political interests. "The new electoral law must guarantee governability and continuity in politics," he told senators on Wednesday. He added that the solution "must be shared by everyone." The present law was passed by the government of Silvio Berlusconi, then the prime minister, before last year's elections, despite the opposition by Prodi and his allies. Now even Berlusconi's allies concede that the law was deeply flawed, and they are urging changes, partly because they are eager to go to the polls to try to regain power. Another weakness underscored in the crisis is the vast ideological distance in Prodi's nine-party center-left coalition, which ranges from moderate Catholics to Communists. Some centrist politicians have been calling for greater cooperation in the middle, and one former ally of Berlusconi's, Marco Follini, supported the vote of confidence for Prodi as the start of a new centrist force. "Here, at one time, there was a bridge between the left and the moderates," he said in the Senate. "Now there is a wall. It would serve us to build that bridge again." ||||| In his speech in the Senate, Franco Turigliatto, of the Refounded Communists, one of the senators who provoked the crisis a week ago, said he could not support the peacekeeping measure, or others like a planned high-speed train line in the north and pension reform. “This is not the mandate we received,” Mr. Turigliatto told his colleagues. Still, Mr. Prodi said he was relieved that this crisis was over and that he could resume his nine-month-old government — the 61st in Italy since 1945. “I am very satisfied,” he told reporters after the vote. “Now we go to the Chamber.” He was referring to the lower house of Parliament, the Chamber of Deputies, where the government faces a second vote of confidence on Friday. The government enjoys a larger majority in that house, and the vote is expected to favor Mr. Prodi’s government. The crisis began a week ago after Mr. Turigliatto and another far-left senator abstained from a key vote on Mr. Prodi’s foreign policy, in disagreements over Afghanistan and the government’s support of the expansion of an American military base in Vicenza, in Italy’s north. Newsletter Sign Up Continue reading the main story Please verify you're not a robot by clicking the box. Invalid email address. Please re-enter. You must select a newsletter to subscribe to. Sign Up You agree to receive occasional updates and special offers for The New York Times's products and services. Thank you for subscribing. An error has occurred. Please try again later. View all New York Times newsletters. The vote went against Mr. Prodi, and he resigned. But on Saturday, the Italian president, Giorgio Napolitano, said there was “no concrete choice” and asked Mr. Prodi to try again. Even though Mr. Prodi was able to bolster his support among bickering parties, political leaders and analysts began focusing on the larger, structural problems underlying Italy’s politics. In recent days, Mr. Prodi himself pledged to tackle the most pressing of them: an electoral law that virtually guarantees a small majority in the Senate. In speeches in the Senate on Tuesday, and again just before the vote on Wednesday, he promised immediate changes. But that will prove difficult in itself, because, he noted, it will require support from across the nation’s divided political interests. Advertisement Continue reading the main story “The new electoral law must guarantee governability and continuity in politics,” he told senators on Wednesday. He added that the solution “must be shared by everyone.” The present law was passed by the government of Silvio Berlusconi, then the prime minister, before last year’s elections, despite the opposition by Mr. Prodi and his allies. Now even Mr. Berlusconi’s allies concede that the law was deeply flawed, and they are urging changes, partly because they are eager to go to the polls to try to regain power. Another weakness underscored in the crisis is the vast ideological distance in Mr. Prodi’s nine-party center-left coalition, which ranges from moderate Catholics to Communists. Some centrist politicians have been calling for greater cooperation in the middle, and one former ally of Mr. Berlusconi’s, Marco Follini, supported the vote of confidence for Mr. Prodi as the start of a new centrist force. “Here, at one time, there was a bridge between the left and the moderates,” he said in the Senate. “Now there is a wall. It would serve us to build that bridge again.” | Romano Prodi. Romano Prodi, prime minister of Italy, won a confidence vote in the Italian Senate, after attempting to resign last week. His victory means that the l'Unione coalition of leftist parties will remain in power. The vote was 162-157. Justice minister Clemente Mastella reacted in an interview: "This government is like the Tower of Pisa. It leans, leans, but never falls." The expected vote in the Chamber of Deputies on Friday is expected to be only a formality, since Prodi has a much more comfortable coalition there. Prodi faced competition from the opposition centre-right Casa delle Libertà coalition, led by former prime minister and media magnate Silvio Berlusconi. Despite the win, l'Unione's hold on the Senate is weak, due to the narrowness of its majority. Prodi had tendered his resignation to Italian president Giorgio Napolitano on February 21, but Napolitano rejected the resignation on February 24, leading to a vote of confidence for Prodi in the Italian Senate. Main contentions between the coalitions include the presence of Italian military units in Iraq and Afghanistan and Italy's relations with the United States. |
Beijing Dispatch Ideological classes have long been a part of the college curriculum in China. But they are more important than ever to the Communist Party even if many students call them propaganda. ||||| Situation confuse à la gare Saint-Lazare. Le trafic va reprendre quasi normalement, ce soir, mardi 13 janvier, sur la ligne L du Transilien après que l'agression, lundi soir, d'un conducteur du RER A a déclenché une grève massive des agents. L'ensemble du trafic sur les lignes SNCF de banlieue, Corail intercités, et le RER A a été interrompu toute la journée de mardi. A priori, le mouvement spontané de ce mardi n'avait rien à voir avec les perturbations qui durent depuis le 14 décembre sur la ligne L et qui portent sur la durée du travail des conducteurs. Mais selon le principal syndicat engagé dans cette grève de longue durée, SUD-Rail, les deux mouvements sont liés. Le syndicat va jusqu'à accuser la direction d'avoir "mis le feu aux poudres" par des propos hostiles aux conducteurs et en laissant pourrir le mouvement. "On voyait fleurir sur Internet des menaces en ce genre (...). On a alerté la direction qui a préféré continuer dans la démagogie pour alimenter la haine du conducteur", s'emporte Willy Wesnoker, représentant de SUD-Rail pour la gare Saint-Lazare. La direction préfère condamner un "acte isolé" et fait remarquer que l'agression a eu lieu sur une ligne qui ne connaît pas de perturbations. LES ORIGINES D'UN MOUVEMENT QUI DURE Depuis le 14 décembre, la ligne L a vu son trafic diminuer au moins de moitié tous les jours. Les conducteurs en grève dénoncent de nouvelles charges de travail qui ne sont pas compensées par des augmentations de personnel. Direction et syndicats ont des interprétations différentes : la SNCF tient compte des heures travaillées et du kilométrage, qui n'auraient pas augmentés, SUD-Rail parle de "robustesse" du travail et d'un temps de concentration ininterrompu. Avec moins de pauses, les dangers de la conduite augmentent, assurent les syndicalistes. "Le nombre d'incidents de sécurité a beaucoup augmenté ces derniers temps, tous les voyants sont dans le rouge", indique Willy Wesnoker. Depuis le passage, le 14 décembre, aux nouveaux horaires et au cadencement, les cheminots ont mis en place une grève tournante de 59 minutes par jour. L'astuce est la suivante : jusqu'à récemment, un conducteur qui manquait sa prise de service n'avait ensuite pas d'autre train à prendre en charge. Moins d'une heure de débrayage faisait donc perdre une journée entière de travail. Depuis la rentrée de janvier, le système a changé, ce qui a fait passer les fréquences à plus de deux trains sur trois. Une grève à moindre coût pour les employés, mais qui perturbe fortement la circulation des trains. La direction de la SNCF a appelé en renfort des agents d'autres lignes et d'autres régions. Sans l'agression de lundi soir, le trafic serait presque revenu à la normale ce mardi... avant une nouvelle grève totale vendredi appelée par la CGT, SUD-Rail et la Fgaac (conducteurs autonomes). QUELLE SORTIE DE CRISE ? Soixante conducteurs devaient êtres formés en 2009 et 29 détachés d'autres régions. Une solution qui ne satisfait pas SUD-Rail. Le syndicat estime que ces nouveaux postes compensent à peine les diminutions des dernières années. Fin décembre, la direction a enrichi sa proposition en passant à 72 nouveaux conducteurs et 52 conducteurs venant de province. La CGT a accepté cette proposition, SUD l'a refusée. La direction dénonce une surenchère à l'approche des élections professionnelles, qui ont lieu en mars. Concernant les usagers, il est "encore bien trop tôt pour étudier un quelconque dédommagement", estimait fin décembre un porte-parole de la SNCF, sans plus de précisions. "Avec ce mouvement qui s'amplifie à nouveau, ils ne pourront pas y couper", estime de son côté un porte-parole de la Fédération des associations d'usagers des transports. | The west-end of Gare Saint-Lazare. Services were slowly restored after an unscheduled strike by SNCF drivers closed one of Paris's six main railway stations. was closed from 10 am local time on Tuesday morning. Members of the Sud Rail labour union later voted to return to work, and the station re-opened at 7 pm the same day. Gare Saint-Lazare is Europe's third busiest station, and its lines serve Paris suburbs, as well as inter-city routes to Normandy in northern France. |
» Koforidua, GNA - Ghanaians have been re-assured that the Electoral Commission (EC), is working around the clock to meet its statutory obligations of conducting the 2008 Election to avoid any constitutional crisis. ||||| Ghana's first female Chief Justice, Mrs Georgina Theodora Wood and 77 other individuals have been awarded state honours for their distinguished service to the nation. Chief Justice Wood together with the Omanhene of Juaben Traditional Area, Nana Otuo Serebour II and the Governor of the Bank of Ghana, Dr Paul Acquah, received the Order of the Star of Ghana, the highest state honour. The other awards were in three categories, Order of the Volta (Companion), Order of the Volta (Member) and the Grand Medal. The recipients cut across all fields of human endeavour, including politics, education, public service, medicine, industry and commerce, religion, social service, arts, music and sports. President John Agyekum Kufuor called for dedicated and selfless service from all Ghanaians to enhance national productivity. He said they should accept at all times, to strive to outdo themselves. "Like the Olympic medallist, we should seek to surpass existing limits to set new records hitherto deemed unattainable. This way, Africa, including Ghana, can excel in the competition and thereby carve a dignified niche for itself in the Global Village." President Kufuor noted that inherent in the present world of globalisation, were myriads of opportunities, which were not restricted to Ghanaians or Africans alone but open to others around the globe. The ability to take full advantage of these opportunities, he said, demanded best skills, self-application and innovative thinking. President Kufuor said Government would continue to acknowledge those who excelled in their fields of endeavour and expressed the hope this would inspire all to do their best in the service to their communities and the nation. Nana Otuo Serebour said it was their expectation that as a nation "we shall continue to strive towards creating a national environment that nurtures creativity, rewards risks and encourages excellence". Among the winners were Professor F.O. Kwami, former Vice Chancellor of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Dr Jones Ofori Atta, Economist and Politician, Dr G.K. Agama, Banker, Mr Paul Victor Obeng, Politician, Professor Akilagpa Sawyer, former Vice Chancellor of the University of Ghana, Legon, the Reverend Professor E. Addo-Obeng, Vice Chancellor, Cape Coast University, Naa Professor J.S. Nabila, Traditional Ruler and Educationist, and Mr Kwaku Owusu, alias "Kowus", an Industrialist. The others were Professor S. Ofosu Amaah, Medicine, Professor Holdbrooke-Smith, Orthopaedic Specialist, Dr Edward Atterh Narh, Physician Narh Beta Clinic, Ms Alice Darkoa Asare, President of the Ghana Registered Nurses Association, Mr Smart Y. A. Chigabatia, Civil Servants Association, Professor Atukwei Okai, Writer, Poet and Educationist, Mr Freddie Blay, Politician, Mr K.S.P Juantuah, Politician, Nana Kwame Ampadu, Musician and Ike Quartey, Boxer. Source: GNA ||||| General News of Friday, 15 June 2007 Kpegah urges new Chief Justice to unite judges Accra June 15, GNA - Mr. Justice Francis Y. Kpegah, Acting Chief Justice on Friday handed over the Scale of Justice to Mrs Georgina Theodora Wood, the first female Chief Justice of Ghana in Accra to symbolize her authority. He urged her to endeavour to unite Justices of the Superior and Lower courts. Mr. Justice Kpegah called for teamwork to enable the courts influence public policy through its judgements. Handing over the mantle at the Supreme Court, Mr. Justice Kpegah said his brief occupancy of seat in the judiciary opened his eyes to a lot of disappointment of a large number of staff who had complained of victimisation in various forms and reasons. Mrs Justice Wood was appointed to succeed the late Chief Justice George Kingsley Acquah, who died early this year. Mr. Justice Kpegah called for the immediate solutions to all the complaints on victimisation and discrimination and asked judges not to keep their thoughts to themselves. "It should be possible for one judge to say in his or her judgment that he has read the judgement of another judge and that he or she disagrees on this or that issue and proceed to state his or her own views without any offence to the other colleague. "This would only go a long way to enrich the development of the law," he said. Hugging and offering his shoulder for the new Chief Justice to lean on, Mr. Justice Kpegah further suggested the re-introduction of the criminal assizes, which he noted, was one of the ways of combating the current crime wave. Mr. Justice Kpegah said Mrs. Justice Wood, the 24th Chief Justice and first female Chief Justice was more qualified and experienced to appreciate the demands of her office. He said her success would depend on how effectively and efficiently she combined her administrative role and judicial functions. "I believe with your qualities, it will not be an unattainable feat..... you have my shoulder to lean on," he added. Mr. Justice Kpegah expressed concern about the gradual surrender of Ghana's values to foreign values, adding, all those were "furiously consuming the morals of the youth, all in the name of freedom." Accepting the mantle, Mrs Justice Wood said leadership was not just about vision and strategies but having relevant persons to join as partners to bring ones dream to reality. "My earnest prayer therefore, is that we work as a team to achieve the objectives of the judiciary." Overwhelmed by the support shown over the past weeks, the Chief Justice said it was her prayer that "all these deeds of kindness will be translated into real and concrete work." Touching on the current disturbing criticisms about the judiciary, Mrs Justice Wood urged all to make integrity their priority in order to redeem the image of the system. "However big the head, it must stand on the body. I need your support and with God's guidance, I will be able to discharge my duties and responsibilities as Chief Justice of our nation." She assured the staff that issues pertaining to their welfare, emoluments and promotion would be attended without delay. Mr. Kwame Osei Prempeh, Deputy Minister of Justice and Attorney General expressed government's appreciation to Mr. Justice Kpegah for holding the fort, adding that the days of the Acting Chief Justice were fruitful. He said Mr. Justice Kpegah had laudable ideas, which needed to be passed on to the new Chief Justice. He said government was ready to support Mrs Justice Wood in order to build a "judiciary that we can all lean on." Mr. Solomon Kwami Tetteh, President of the Ghana Bar Association congratulated the Chief Justice on her assumption of office and reminded her of the heavy task ahead. "The seat is hot, but you can count on the bar's support and cooperation, call on us at all time and we will come," he said. In attendance were Justices of the superior and lower courts, members of the General Legal Council, members of the Judicial Council. Others were Mr. Peter Ala Adjetey former Speaker of Parliament and Dr (Nana) S.K.B. Asante, a legal expert. Source: GNA Comments: View All (13) Comments Send Your Comment | The first female Chief Justice of Ghana, Georgina Theodora Wood was among 77 others who received national awards in Accra today. The awards are for distinguished services to Ghana. Georgina Wood, who became Chief Justice on June 15, 2007, received her award from President John Kufuor. She was given the ''Order of the Star of Ghana'', the nation's highest award. Two others who received this award as well were Dr Paul Acquah, Governor of the Bank of Ghana and the Omanhene (King) of the Juaben Traditional Area, Nana Otuo Serebour II, a former head of Ghana's Statistical Service, for his contribution to industry and public service (traditional category). President Kufuor is quoted as saying at the award ceremony that "Like the Olympic medalist, we should seek to surpass existing limits to set new records hitherto deemed unattainable. This way, Africa, including Ghana, can excel in the competition and thereby carve a dignified niche for itself in the Global Village." As Dr. Paul Acquah received the award, the audience shouted "The value is the same" which is the catchphrase for the Ghanaian cedi redenomination in process at present. Nana Otuo Serebour did a short Adowa dance much to the admiration of the audience. The loudest ovation was however reserved for Georgina Wood as she received her award. Professor Atukwei Okai, a writer, poet and educationist, recited a poem which translates as "You are because we are". Other awards given out were the in the Order of the Volta (Companion), Order of the Volta (Member) and the Grand Medal categories. Among the winners were Paul Victor Obeng, influential member of Jerry Rawlings' military government in the 1990s, Dr G.K. Agama, a former governor of the Bank of Ghana, Ike Quartey, former WBA welterweight champion. Some popular musicians, including Nana Kwame Ampadu, Kofi Ghanaba, Diana Akiwumi, Pat Thomas and Sidiku Buari also received honours. |
Last updated: 9th October 2007 Rossi: In hot water Lazio coach Delio Rossi has been charged with attempting to influence the performance of another team, the Italian Soccer Federation (FIGC) has confirmed. The charge relates to an allegation that Rossi asked Lazio president Claudio Lotito to contact Lecce officials and discuss tactics ahead of the clash between the two sides, which took place in April 2006. The FIGC has confirmed Rossi's pleas were not successful but Lazio, as the responsible club, have also been charged. "The coach Delio Rossi, has been charged with trying to ask, without success, the Lazio president Lotito to start talks with Lecce directors in a bid to affect the technical performance of the squad ahead of a match on April 30, 2006," a statement on the FIGC website confirmed. A disciplinary commission will now meet to decide whether Rossi is guilty and if a punishment is deserved. This latest scandal is likely to rock Italian football to its core, given the adverse publicity attracted by similar cases in the past few years. ||||| ROME, Oct 9 (Reuters) - Lazio coach Delio Rossi has been charged with trying to influence the performance of an opposing team in April 2006, the Italian Soccer Federation (FIGC) said on Tuesday. The federation alleged that Rossi, who took over at the Rome club in 2005, attempted to ask club president Claudio Lotito to contact Lecce officials and discuss their tactics ahead of their match, which Lazio won 1-0. FIGC gave few details in a statement but did say that Rossi's attempts had been unsuccessful. 'The coach Delio Rossi, has been charged with trying to ask, without success, the Lazio president Lotito to start talks with Lecce directors in a bid to affect the technical performance of the squad ahead of a match on April 30, 2006,' a statement on the FIGC website said. Lazio, as the responsible club, have also been charged and were not immediately available for comment. A disciplinary commission will now decide if Rossi is guilty and deserves punishment. Media reports said the case had come to light because of phone tap evidence. Lazio finished sixth in the 2005/06 season and in a UEFA Cup spot while Lecce were relegated. However, Lazio were later deducted 30 points and placed in 16th place as punishment for their part in a match-fixing probe, which involved trying to gain favourable referees. Italy has only just recovered from the scandal which led to Juventus being demoted to Serie B and Lazio, AC Milan, Fiorentina and Reggina having points deductions. Juventus were promoted straight back to the top flight in May but criminal proceedings connected to the match-fixing are ongoing. Your views on this story? Email newsdesk@soccernet.com Join the discussion on our Message Boards Club Pages Lazio Adjust Font Size: | Italian professional sports club Lazio and their coach Delio Rossi have been accused and charged with trying to influence the performance of Lecce in April 2006. The Italian Football Federation said that Rossi attempted to ask Lazio president Claudio Lotito to contact Lecce officials and discuss their tactics ahead of the match and how their attempt was unsuccessful. Lazio won the match 1-0. Media reports say that the case started because of phone tap evidence. |
Published: Tuesday, September 18, 2007 Police Release Tasered UF Student A University of Florida student who was Tasered by police during U.S. Sen. John Kerry's Monday speech exited the Alachua County jail Tuesday afternoon and rushed to embrace his father. Andrew Meyer, a 21-year-old UF student, was arrested Monday afternoon on charges of disturbing a public function and resisting arrest with force. Meyer declined to talk to reporters as he exited the jail, wearing the same blue shirt and shorts he had on at Kerry's "town hall forum" Monday in the University Auditorium. During the forum, Meyer approached an open microphone to pose a question to Kerry, but University Police Department officers tried to physically remove him when he raised his voice and peppered Kerry with a series of questions. Videos of Meyer's arrest, followed by a Tasering that made him scream in pain, have streamed across the Internet and been played by national media outlets. Critics have charged that the UPD officers involved, two of which have been placed on paid administrative leave, used excessive force. When Meyer was Tasered, he was being held to the floor by six officers. Robert Griscti, a local attorney representing Meyer, did not comment on the case to reporters assembled at the jail Tuesday. Griscti said Meyer wanted to spend time with his family, who rushed him away in a white sport utility vehicle. Meyer is a student in UF's College of Journalism and Communications and graduated from a South Florida high school. He is from Weston, and he lists his political views on facebook.com as Libertarian. He turned 21 earlier this month. Photos and video of Meyer's arrest had been posted on numerous Web sites. Meyer has a college graduation date of 2008, according to sites. He also is listed as a 2004 graduate of Cypress Bay High School. Several people had posted messages to Meyer about his arrest. Take it to the supreme court, one wrote. Joseph Benavides, a recent UF graduate and friend of Meyer's, said Tuesday that he thought the police acted inappropriately and anticipated Meyer would take legal action against the department. Benavides, who was not at the event, said the video indicated to him that Meyer would have left the building on his own if officers hadn't grabbed him. "He definitely was giving in. He was in the video saying 'I'll walk away. I'll walk out of here,' but they just kept grabbing him. " said Benavides, who was standing outside the jail when Meyer was released. "He was already walking on his own, but they decided to take things in (further). You've got to respect the law of course, but at the same time let people speak." Benavides, 24, said he found the video very disturbing. "Just looking at it, hearing him screaming, that hurt me personally," he said. "So nobody would want to get shocked with a high voltage. That's too much. You're basically putting electricity into someone's body. It's painful. You might as well just put somebody in the electric chair. That's the same concept." Last modified: September 18. 2007 5:55PM ||||| Mr Meyer was pinned to the floor before being stunned Stun gun incident Andrew Meyer was questioning Senator Kerry on why he did not contest the results of the 2004 election. University officials said he exceeded his allotted time and became disruptive after his microphone was cut off. Video footage shows police pulling Mr Meyer from the audience and pinning him to the ground before stunning him. The 21-year-old student can be heard screaming for help as the stun gun is administered. Mr Meyer was arrested and charged with resisting an officer with violence and disturbing the peace, reports local newspaper the Gainesville Sun. After spending the night in Alachua County jail, he was released on Tuesday morning, the Gainesville Sun reports. A spokesman for the university, Steve Orlando, said campus police would conduct an internal investigation into whether the weapon had been used appropriately. | US Military Taser A 21-year old American student has been tasered by campus police at a political forum held at the University of Florida. Andrew Meyer was taking part in a forum with former Presidential Candidate John Kerry and was asking Mr. Kerry why he did not contest the previous election results. Mr. Meyer was removed from the crowd, after becoming disruptive when he exceeded his allotted questioning time, and attempted to arrest the man for breach of the peace. After attempting to resist arrest, he was wrestled to the ground by six officers. He was then tasered. The student can be heard in video clips screaming during his arrest and also shouting for help. Mr. Meyer was charged with breaking the peace and was detained overnight by local police. The move by the campus police has drawn criticism from many including fellow students who have called for the officers concerned to be suspended. A campus spokesman said that an internal review would be carried out to determine if the use of the taser was appropriate. |
Explosion & Radiation Leak on Southside Start Video Scene Video & Witness Reaction Unison Statement JFRD Decontamination JFRD Spokesman Tom Francis Interview 5 p.m. Reports 6 p.m. Reports JACKSONVILLE, FL -- An explosion at a Southside company sent eight people to the hospital and another forty people through decontamination. The explosion happened Monday morning at Unison Industries, located at 7575 Baymeadows Way. Unison, according to its "We believe one cylinder of gas may have exploded," said Unison spokesperson Wayne Moles. The cylinder contained Krypton gas. Jacksonville Fire & Rescue spokesperson Tom Francis says the explosion led to the release of a radioactive material, which firefighters detected as they gave emergency aid to the victims. Francis said the radiation level is similar to what is found in a single x-ray, which is not life-threatening, or a threat to other employees and the general public. The Unison building was evacuated Monday afternoon. Firefighters say there was no need for any additional evacuation measures in the vicinity of the explosion. Firefighters say at least forty people possibly became exposed to the low-level radiation. All underwent decontamination measures as a precaution. No one became exposed to an unhealthy level of radiation. Decontamination is a two part process, starting with a dry decontamination check. Hazmat teams remove the clothing of the victim who is then scanned for radiation. If the person needs additional radiation treatment, they'll undergo what's called a wet decontamination, which essentially involves a wash-down. Unison took employees with high blood pressure or a heart condition prior to this incident to the hospital for further evaluation once they passed through decontamination. Firefighters responded with a Level 3 response, due to the volume of individuals involved. First Coast News reporters at the scene counted at least fourteen ambulances and almost as many fire trucks at the scene. "This is one of those interagency activities that we're always very proud of to see it come off this way," said Francis. The Red Cross was also on scene, providing food and counseling to those impacted by the explosion. "Sometimes they need people to talk to, and that's why our mental health counselors are here," said Red Cross spokeswoman Christian Smith. By First Coast News StaffJACKSONVILLE, FL -- An explosion at a Southside company sent eight people to the hospital and another forty people through decontamination.The explosion happened Monday morning at Unison Industries, located at 7575 Baymeadows Way. Unison, according to its website , manufactures aviation equipment."We believe one cylinder of gas may have exploded," said Unison spokesperson Wayne Moles. The cylinder contained Krypton gas.Jacksonville Fire & Rescue spokesperson Tom Francis says the explosion led to the release of a radioactive material, which firefighters detected as they gave emergency aid to the victims.Francis said the radiation level is similar to what is found in a single x-ray, which is not life-threatening, or a threat to other employees and the general public.The Unison building was evacuated Monday afternoon. Firefighters say there was no need for any additional evacuation measures in the vicinity of the explosion.Firefighters say at least forty people possibly became exposed to the low-level radiation. All underwent decontamination measures as a precaution. No one became exposed to an unhealthy level of radiation.Decontamination is a two part process, starting with a dry decontamination check. Hazmat teams remove the clothing of the victim who is then scanned for radiation.If the person needs additional radiation treatment, they'll undergo what's called a wet decontamination, which essentially involves a wash-down.Unison took employees with high blood pressure or a heart condition prior to this incident to the hospital for further evaluation once they passed through decontamination.Firefighters responded with a Level 3 response, due to the volume of individuals involved.First Coast News reporters at the scene counted at least fourteen ambulances and almost as many fire trucks at the scene."This is one of those interagency activities that we're always very proud of to see it come off this way," said Francis.The Red Cross was also on scene, providing food and counseling to those impacted by the explosion."Sometimes they need people to talk to, and that's why our mental health counselors are here," said Red Cross spokeswoman Christian Smith. Created: 1/30/2006 11:30:39 AM © 2006 First Coast News . All rights reserved. This material may not be published, rewritten, or redistributed. ||||| January 30, 2006 Radiation checked in N. Florida explosion 40 workers exposed to low doses of radiation at defense contractor ASSOCIATED PRESS ADVERTISEMENT JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - About 40 workers were exposed to a small amount of radiation today when a container filled with krypton gas exploded at a defense contractor, company and fire officials said. The exposure level was so low that the employees of Unison Industries did not need to be decontaminated, said Jacksonville Fire-Rescuse spokesman Tom Francis. About 30 firefighters and other rescue personnel were tested for exposure and came back clean, he said. One person who suffered cuts in the explosion was taken to the hospital for treatment. Fifteen others were transported as a precaution after complaining of being lightheaded, nauseous, having high-blood pressure or other conditions. The seventh most common gas in the atmosphere, krypton is colorless and nontoxic. It can be made artificially radioactive for use in manufacturing. Fire officials said no radiation escaped the building. Unison makes alternators for turbine engines and ignition generators for Tomahawk cruise missiles. | WTLV news channel in Florida reports an explosion that released radioactive materials at Unison Industries, located at 7575 Baymeadows Way. One person was injured, according to the report. Unison spokesperson Wayne Moles said "We believe one cylinder of gas may have exploded". The cylinder was filled with krypton gas according to AP. Firefighters say at least 40 people became exposed to the low-level radiation. All are undergoing decontamination measures. Unison manufactures aviation equipment and military applications like ignition generators for Tomahawk cruise missiles. |
DNA evidence has given detectives hope of solving the case Detectives trying to solve the murder of a teenager from Bath 25 years ago are to make a national TV appeal for information. Melanie Road, 17, was sexually assaulted and stabbed to death as she made her way home from a city nightclub in the early hours of 9 June 1984. Her killer has never been caught but a cold case team believe a single tip-off could be enough to find the offender. Police will appeal for information on the BBC One Crimewatch programme later. Her brother Adrian Road has also taken part. He said: "Over the last 25 years it's been a living nightmare to know someone out there killed my sister. This person took Melanie from me." Avon and Somerset Police's Major Crime Review Team is responsible for investigating unsolved murders. No-one charged Officers believe they have the killer's DNA from the crime scene. The profile does not match anybody on the national database. Melanie left friends to walk home after a night out at the old Beau Nash nightclub in Kingston Road, Bath. Her body was found yards from her house at St Stephen's Court at 0530 BST by a milkman and his 10-year-old son. More than 90 arrests were made in connection with the murder, but no-one has ever been charged. Det Ch Insp Mike Carter said: "If there was someone acting suspiciously, at that time, we can check them against our DNA sample." ||||| Plea to woman caller in Melanie murder probe Police want to speak to a woman who could hold the key to solving the brutal murder of a teenage girl in Bath 25 years ago. At least 40 calls were made to officers after an emotional appeal on the BBC’s Crimewatch programme over the killing of Melanie Road last night. Officers believe that one woman, who contacted the show at around 11pm, could have vital information which might help them catch the murderer. Melanie was 17 when she was sexually assaulted and stabbed to death in the early hours of June 9 1984 after a night out with friends in the city centre. Her body was found in St Stephen’s Court in Lansdown – just yards from her home – by a milkman and his 10-year-old son, but the murderer has never been caught. Now a cold case team from Avon and Somerset Police is looking into the incident once again and the night of Melanie’s murder was reconstructed for the BBC1 programme. Detective Chief Inspector Mike Carter, head of Avon and Somerset Police’s Major Crime Review Team, said there had been a “great response.” He said he was “really pleased”, with 11 people naming the possible murderer – two giving the same name. Speaking today, DCI Carter said there was one particular person that the police were now interested in tracing and appealed to one woman who phoned the show to get in touch. He said: “This woman provided the senior investigating officer with what could be a vital piece of information. “We would urge you to come forward and rest assured that you are not in any trouble. “So far we have had about 40 calls and there may be a few more over the coming days. “Some of them are names that we already know about in the inquiry and one of them is particularly interesting to us. “That has given us a bit of hope, but it is still in the very, very early stages.” DCI Carter said he had been pleased with the response from the public and that about half of the calls had been from people in Bath and the rest from further afield. He said: “We have now just got our fingers crossed. “The first thing will be researching to see whether or not these people were possibly in the area at the time of the murder. We will also be looking at other intelligence we know in relation to these names.” Police have DNA evidence from the scene which would conclusively pin a suspect to the killing and are desperate to end the 25-year agony of Melanie’s family. DCI Carter said the police only had the power to demand DNA from suspects if they had been arrested, but they could ask people to provide it voluntarily. Her sister Karen and brother Adrian spoke of their ongoing torment in interviews on the show. Karen, who had been shopping with Melanie before her sister went out for the night, said: “She was my little sister and I should have taken care of her. She should be with us. “I just want someone to be caught. I don’t want anybody else to go through this.” Her brother said: “Over the last 25 years it’s been a living nightmare to know someone is out there who killed my sister. This person took Melanie away from me.” The milkman, Anthony Noonan, said he was also still haunted by the events of 1984. “I just have nights when I run it over in my mind. If it’s like that for me, what can it be like for the family?” Crimewatch presenter Kirsty Young said the emotions of those involved were still “red raw.” She urged anyone with information to get in touch: “Please pick up the phone – do it for Melanie’s family.” DCI Carter said people need not worry about pointing the finger of blame at the wrong person. “The DNA we have only fits one person. We will be able to eliminate anyone else.” His unit is responsible for investigating the force’s 27 unsolved murders. Mr Road appealed for anyone with any kind of information, no matter how small, to come forward. He said: “I want this person to be caught, so if there is anybody out there that has any information then I would ask them to please contact the police. “It has been a long time, 25 years, and for the person to be caught now would certainly relieve myself of the nightmare that I have been going through.” Speaking today, Mr Road said he had been pleased with how it had gone. He said: “I did watch the programme last night and I thought they were very sensitive to our family and the issues. “They were very good and when I heard DCI Carter say they had already had that many responses, that was great.” Mr Road added that he was wary of getting his hopes up that Melanie’s killer would now be caught. He said: “I don’t want to feel too hopeful, but I am hopeful because we really need to draw a line under this whole episode.” Melanie, an A-level student at Bath High School, now the Royal High School, lived with her parents Anthony and Jean in St Stephen’s Close. Her last hours were spent at the old Beau Nash nightclub on Kingston Road, before she refused an offer of a taxi ride home and decided to walk the 20-minute journey back to Lansdown. A reconstruction was filmed in the Second Bridge club on Manvers Street in June and a Facebook appeal was put out to find volunteers to act as extras in the scenes. At the time of the murder, detectives made more than 90 arrests in connection with the crime, but no one has ever been charged. Speaking on the anniversary of Melanie’s death earlier this year, DCI Carter had urged members of the public to try to think back to the time of the murder. He said: “If anyone had concerns about the behaviour of individuals at the time, but were unsure whether to provide the information for any reason, I urge them to come forward. “The lapse in time is not an issue as persons can be easily eliminated due to the evidence now available to the investigation.” Advances in technology over the past quarter of a century mean that DNA evidence extracted from the scene at the time could be used to find the killer now. Although there have been no matches on the national database so far, the police are hopeful that one day it will lead to a breakthrough. The investigation has been subject to three reviews in the past. Anyone who has any information about Melanie Road’s death is asked to contact the police on 0845 4567000 or phone Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111. ||||| Update: Police are urging a woman who rang in after the Crimewatch reconstruction was shown on 2 September to call back. BBC News: Police plea to Crimewatch caller Twenty-five years ago, Melanie Road was a bright, confident, 17-year-old schoolgirl taking her A-levels and planning her future. Friday 8 June 1984 was the final day of Bath's annual International Festival, the city's biggest party of the year. Melanie had received offers for several places at universities and had decided to go out with her boyfriend and friends that night to celebrate. But as sunrise crept over the city the following morning, her body was discovered by a milkman just yards from her home in St Stephen's Close, Lansdown. She had been sexually assaulted and stabbed to death. Melanie left her home on Friday evening to join her boyfriend, his brother and friend. She was dressed for a night out, wearing pink slip-on shoes, a black cardigan, a pair of calf-length cotton trousers and black dangly earrings. She met her friends and they all went to a nightclub, known at the time as Beau Nash, on Kingston Road, which is now part of a new shopping development. It was the start of their summer and they partied until the early hours. The four of them left at about 1.30am and walked to Parade Gardens. The friend left the group to buy some food and Melanie's boyfriend and his brother walked with her as far as Pulteney Bridge. Her boyfriend was worried about his girlfriend walking home alone. He offered to pay for a taxi. Tragically, Melanie refused. They kissed and she walked off along Bridge Street and the brothers crossed Pulteney Bridge. It was 1.45am. This was the last time Melanie was definitely seen alive. Melanie had less than a mile to walk home. It was a journey she'd made countless times before, so she probably took her usual route which was up Broad Street, past the old Monarch Rooms disco, up the hill along Lansdown Road, then right at the Old Farmhouse pub onto Camden Row. She turned left onto Stephen's Road, and then uphill towards her house. The attack most likely happened here. After sexually assaulting her, Melanie's killer stabbed her several times and left her in the street. She died through blood loss. At 5.30am milkman Anthony Noonan was doing his rounds. He'd brought his 10-year-old son Ian with him. The boy was picking up some empty milk bottles when suddenly he stopped and shouted to his father. Mr Noonan rushed over and recognised the body as the daughter of one of his customers. It's an image that has haunted him ever since. For Melanie's parents Anthony and Jean, her brother Adrian and sister Karen, the past 25 years have been a living nightmare. "I feel that we, as well as Melanie, were cheated about everything – about her life and our relationship that could have been with her," said Adrian. More than 100 officers were drafted in, the crime scene was combed and 10,000 people were interviewed. Police issued several appeals but no one could provide any significant leads. Now, thanks to new DNA evidence left at the scene the case is under review once more. | An appeal for information on a 25-year-old murder case has been broadcast on national television on the BBC One show ''Crimewatch''. Seventeen-year-old Melanie Road was murdered in the early hours of June 9, 1984 in Bath. The team responsible for investigating the murder is the Avon and Somerset Major Crime Review Team. Road's brother Adrian took part in the appeal saying "Over the last 25 years it's been a living nightmare to know someone out there killed my sister. This person took Melanie from me". Detective Chief Inspector Mike Carter said "If there was someone acting suspiciously, at that time, we can check them against our DNA sample". Melanie Road was both murdered and sexually assaulted as she walked home after leaving a night club. She was stabbed yards from her house on St Stephens Court in Bath. Her body was discovered on the Sunday morning by a milkman. 90 arrests have been made in connection with the murder but no one has been convicted. ''Crimewatch'' was first broadcast on June 7, 1984 and has contributed to several convictions on unsolved murders, rapes and other crimes. Original anchor Nick Ross left the show after 23 years, in 2007. The show has featured cases such as the murder of Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman, Sarah Payne and former ''Crimewatch'' presenter Jill Dando which has been unsolved since Barry George was released. |
MIAMI, Florida (CNN) -- Former Chicago gang member Jose Padilla was found guilty Thursday of guilty supporting Islamic terrorism overseas. Jose Padilla was originally accused of planning a "dirty bomb" attack in the United States. Co-defendants Adham Hassoun and Kifan Jayyousi were also found guilty of the three counts charged: conspiracy to murder, kidnap, and maim people in a foreign country; conspiracy to provide material support for terrorists; and providing material support for terrorists. Padilla was originally arrested on accusations that he planned to set off radioactive "dirty bombs" in the United States. Thursday's convictions are not related to those accusations, and prosecutors did not present the "dirty bomb" plot to the jury. A federal court jury in Miami deliberated for just under two days before handing down the verdict. Jurors declined to speak to the media. "They've had enough," said court clerk Ivan Marchena. Watch latest news of Padilla verdict from CNN's Susan Candiotti » All three defendants face life in prison when they are sentenced on December 5. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales -- who is on vacation this week -- issued a statement saying, "The conviction of Jose Padilla -- an American who provided material support to terrorists and trained for violent jihad -- is a significant victory in our efforts to fight the threat posed by terrorists and their supporters." Padilla received a "fair trial and a just verdict," the White House said in a statement. "We commend the jury for its work in this trial and thank it for upholding a core American principle of impartial justice for all," the statement said. Defense attorneys argued at trial that Padilla went overseas only to study Islam. Padilla's mother, Estela Lebron, told CNN her son will appeal the verdict. "I'm not surprised by anything in this place anymore," she said. "This is a Republican city." Lebron blamed President Bush for the outcome of the trial and said there was not enough evidence in the case to convict her son. Attorneys for the other defendants also vowed to appeal, saying they were "stunned" by the decision. "An innocent man was wrongly convicted today and we're going to do what we can to clear his name," said William Swor, the attorney for Jayyousi. "We're all stunned ... because Dr. Jayyousi is innocent, because there was no evidence presented except pieces of conversations spun from another language that have so many different meanings. "We're going to fight to get him released," he added. Padilla attorney Anthony Natale declined to comment on the outcome. The verdict is a "critical vindication" for the U.S. Department of Justice and its post-9/11 strategy for prosecuting terrorism cases, said Kendall Coffey, former U.S. attorney in Miami who comments on legal matters for CNN. "I think this is huge for DOJ," he said, "given the case's background of controversy and the government's mixed results in other (terror) trials." He said the verdict also raises questions about whether military tribunals are necessary. "Critics of the post-9/11 war on terrorism can point to this and say you don't need military tribunals, you can get the job done with civilian trials," Coffey said. During the trial, prosecutors played more than 70 intercepted phone calls among the defendants for jurors, including seven that featured Padilla, 36. He is a Brooklyn-born convert to Islam. FBI agent John Kavanaugh testified that the calls were made in code, which Padilla used to discuss traveling overseas to fight with Islamic militants, along with side trips to Saudi Arabia and Afghanistan. In closing arguments, Padilla's lawyers argued he never spoke in code. His voice is heard on only seven of 300,000 taped conversations. They also tried to rebut a key piece of prosecution evidence -- an al Qaeda terrorist training camp application or "mujahedeen data form." A covert CIA officer -- who testified in disguise at Padilla's trial -- said he was given the form in Afghanistan, and a fingerprint expert found Padilla's prints on the form, prosecutors said. "The al Qaeda application virtually sealed his fate," said Jonathan Turley, a professor at George Washington University Law School. He compared the document's value as evidence to "putting a duffle bag with severed heads on the table." But Michael Caruso, Padilla's defense attorney, said the prints on the form were not consistent with someone who filled out the document. "Jose at some point handled the document, but did not fill out the form," Caruso said. Just as prosecutors did not present the dirty bomb plot to the jury, neither were jurors told that Padilla was held in a Navy brig for 3½ years without charges before his indictment in the Miami case. Turley said the case was troubling because it appears Padilla was kept in the brig in violation of his rights, for no legitimate reason. "The evidence changed very little in the 3½ years Padilla was held without charges or access to a lawyer as an 'enemy combatant,' " he said. Before trial, his lawyers tried to argue that he was no longer mentally competent to stand trial after years of solitary confinement and abuse -- allegations the government strongly denied. Padilla was taken into custody in Chicago as he stepped off a flight from Pakistan in 2002, and Bush declared him an "enemy combatant" and had him transferred to military custody. He was never charged as an "enemy combatant" and was eventually transferred from military to civilian custody where he was finally charged. The Supreme Court ducked the chance to rule on the legality of Padilla's military detention in 2006, arguing that the issue was moot after his transfer to civilian custody for the Miami trial. E-mail to a friend All About Jose Padilla • Al Qaeda ||||| Padilla and his two co-defendants could face life in prison His two co-defendants, Lebanese-born Palestinian Adham Amin Hassoun and Jordanian-born Kifah Wael Jayyousi, were convicted on the same counts. All three denied charges of conspiring to murder in Chechnya, Afghanistan, Bosnia and elsewhere from 1993 to 2001. They now face possible life in jail. Padilla was once suspected of, but not charged with, plotting a "dirty bomb". The three men are due to be sentenced on 5 December, the judge in Miami said. The jurors took only a day-and-a-half to find them guilty on all three counts against them. They were convicted of conspiracy to murder, kidnap and maim; conspiracy to provide material support for terrorism; and providing material support for terrorism. 'Coded calls' Padilla's mother, Estela Lebron, said she expected her son's lawyers to appeal against his conviction. JOSE PADILLA Born to Puerto Rican parents in New York, moved to Chicago when 4 Involved in gang crime as a youth, jailed in 1991 Brought up a Catholic, thought to have converted to Islam in jail Alleged to have learned bomb-making with al-Qaeda in Pakistan Profile: Jose Padilla Meanwhile, the White House was quick to welcome the verdict. "We commend the jury for its quick work in this trial and thank it for upholding a core American principle of impartial justice for all," said White House spokesman Gordon Johndroe. "Jose Padilla received a fair trial and a just verdict." The chief evidence presented against Padilla was what the prosecution called an al-Qaeda application form bearing his fingerprints and date of birth that was found in Afghanistan. The defence had suggested that Padilla handled the document once he was in custody. FBI recordings of telephone conversations in Arabic between the defendants were also produced, containing, according to the prosecution, coded references to terrorist activity. Defence lawyers argued that the three men had links with countries such as Afghanistan and Bosnia because they were involved in humanitarian aid for Muslims and said the charges against them were exaggerated. A lawyer for Hassoun said he was "very disappointed" by the verdict but that his legal team would continue to fight for justice. Legal battle Padilla, a former Chicago gang member of Puerto Rican descent, is a convert to Islam. He was arrested at Chicago's O'Hare Airport in May 2002 after returning from Pakistan. He was accused of planning to detonate a radioactive dirty bomb and held in US military custody for more than three years. Following a long battle between the Bush administration and civil liberties groups, Padilla was transferred to the civilian courts in 2006. The indictment against him made no mention of the alleged bomb plot. Padilla has said he was tortured while in military detention, an accusation US officials deny. ||||| Jose Padilla, a former Chicago gang member who converted to Islam, was today found guilty of helping terrorists orchestrate attacks on American targets in a range of countries over the past decade. He and two co-defendants, Adham Hassoun, a Lebanese-born Palestinian, and Kifah Jayyousi, a naturalised US citizen from Jordan, were charged with providing material support for Islamist terrorist groups and conspiring to "murder, kidnap and maim" people in Afghanistan, Chechnya, Bosnia and other countries from 1993 to 2001. The jury at the federal court in Miami returned its verdict after only a day and a half of deliberation at the end of the three-month long trial. Justice Marcia Cooke could sentence the defendants to life in prison. Padilla, 36, a Puerto Rican-born in Brooklyn, who later changed his name to Abdullah al-Muhajir, was a member of the Chicago-based Maniac Latin Disciples street gang before converting to Islam. He left the US in 1998 for the Middle East and was arrested in 2002 at Chicago's O'Hare airport on his return to the States. The prosecution claimed that Hassoun, 45, a computer programmer, and Jayyousi, also 45, an engineer and schools administrator, had set up a cell. They were alleged to have recruited Padilla at a Florida mosque and sent him to an al-Qaida camp in Afghanistan. The case relied on 300,000 FBI wiretap intercepts collected from 1993 - 2001, mainly involving Hassoun and Jayyousi, with Padilla recorded on only seven. Speaking in Arabic, they purportedly used codewords such as "tourism" and "football" for jihad or "zucchini" and "eggplant" for military weapons or ammunition. Padilla took no part in conversations using the alleged codewords. In the feverish atmosphere in the aftermath of 9/11, the US authorities claimed Padilla had been planning to detonate a dirty bomb and, in a separate operation, filling flats in Washington with gas and igniting it. After a month in a civilian jail, he was designated an enemy combatant and handed to the military who held him for three years on a military brig in South Carolina. He was transferred to the Miami court in 2005. But, because he had been interrogated on the brig with no lawyer present by the military, all the alleged evidence was deemed to be inadmissable. The serious allegations were dropped and he was tried on lesser charges. As well as the problems with evidence obtained while in military custody, there were also question marks over the fact that the allegations were being made by another alleged terrorist, Khalid Sheik Mohammed, who has allegedly claimed responsibility for an extremely lengthy list of terrorist incidents. The key piece of physical evidence was a five-page form Padilla supposedly filled out in July 2000, to attend an al-Qaida training camp in Afghanistan, which would link the other two defendants as well to Osama bin Laden's al-Qaida. The form, apparently recovered by the CIA in 2001 in Afghanistan, contains seven of Padilla's fingerprints and several other personal identifiers, such as his birth date and abilities in Spanish, English and Arabic. "He provided himself to al-Qaida for training to learn to murder, kidnap and maim," said Brian Frazier, the assistant state prosecutor, said in closing arguments. Padilla's lawyers insisted the form was far from conclusive and denied that he was a "star recruit," as prosecutors claimed, of a North American support cell intending to become a terrorist. They said he traveled to Egypt in September 1998 to learn Islam more deeply and become fluent in Arabic. "His intent was to study, not to murder," said his lawyer, Michael Caruso, adding that the prosecution had not produced any hard evidence that Padilla had filled out an application to attend the al-Qaeda training camp in Afghanistan. Mr Caruso said the government had buckled under pressure to hunt down terrorists after 9/11 and unjustly pursued Padilla. Most of the FBI intercepts deal with conversations involving Hassoun and Jayyousi discussing helping Muslims in Chechnya, Bosnia, Somalia, Afghanistan and Lebanon. Jayyousio ran an organisation called American Worldwide Relief and published a newsletter called the Islam Report. "It wasn't a terrorist operation. It was a relief operation," said Jayyousi's lawyer, William Swor. Prosecutors said they were providing supplies, money and recruits for violent extremists; defence lawyers claimed they were trying to help persecuted Muslims with relief and humanitarian aid. | Jose Padilla, who is a former Chicago gang member, was found by jury to be guilty of supporting Islamic terrorist groups abroad. The co-defendants, Adham Hassoun and Kifan Jayyousi, were also found guilty on conspiracy to murder, kidnap, and maim people in a foreign country; conspiracy to provide material support for terrorists; and providing material support for terrorists. All three defendants face life in prison. The sentencing is on December 5. The Attorney General Alberto Gonzales issued a statement saying "The conviction of Jose Padilla -- an American who provided material support to terrorists and trained for violent jihad -- is a significant victory in our efforts to fight the threat posed by terrorists and their supporters." Attorneys for the defendants claimed they will appeal the decision. |
The Wikipedia Foundation hopes to sell an English version of Wikipedia on CD-ROM and DVD before the end of the year. Jimmy Wales, the president of the Wikimedia Foundation, told ZDNet UK on Tuesday that there is still a lot of work to be done before it can be put on disk, but he expects it to be available by the end of 2005. A boxed CD and DVD set of the German language version of Wikipedia has been available since last year. An updated version of the German Wikipedia was launched on Amazon.de this week, and the e-commerce site has received 8,000 pre-orders, according to Wales. Wales said it was easier to put the German version of Wikipedia onto CD as there are significantly less pages than there are for the English language version. He said that English Wikipedia would "barely fit on 2 DVDs". The Wikipedia community will decide what will be omitted from the CD, although many of the size savings are likely to be made by omitting or reducing the size of images and by getting rid of incomplete articles, known as stubs. Many in the community are already working hard to prepare the English Wikipedia to be put on CD. "There's a huge amount of motivation [to put Wikipedia on CD]," said Wales. "There's a lot of work going on, for example, tagging images, working out what's good." Before creating the CD it is important that all articles are checked to ensure they are acceptable. "We want one last level of review to get to a stable branch," said Wales. Wikipedia volunteers will also double-check articles to ensure there is no plagiarism or copyright violation. "We already have a strong policy against plagiarism and copyright violation, but we'll be reading through things again and making sure everything's confirmed," said Wales. Making Wikipedia available on CD is another step towards the organisation's goal of providing the world with a free encyclopaedia, said Wales. The online encyclopaedia has already reached a large audience, averaging around 500 million page views a month, and is trying to reach an ever larger audience by starting up language versions. Wikipedia is available in around 200 languages, of which 19 language versions have over 10,000 articles. A couple of months ago it was rumoured that some of Wikipedia could soon be hosted on Google servers. Wales said that it is "still talking to Google" and will hopefully be able to make an announcement within two weeks. According to reports on Thursday, Yahoo is also offering hardware and other resources to Wikipedia. The main problem facing Wikipedia at the moment is lack of development resource. At FOSDEM last month Wales urged the assembled audience of open source developers to get involved with the work of the foundation. The German Wikipedia CD is available for €9.90 (£6.80) from Amazon.de. The majority of this money pays for the production cost, VAT and the discount to Amazon, according to the Wikipedia Web site. The CD or DVD images can also be downloaded free of charge from various Web sites. It's not clear how much the forthcoming English version will cost. ||||| Die von Internet-Nutzern aufgebaute und gepflegte Online-Enzyklopädie Wikipedia ist jetzt auch in einer DVD-Ausgabe als Download kostenfrei verfügbar. Nach Angaben des Vereins Wikimedia bietet das ISO-File, mit der sich eine Kopie des Internet-Lexikons erstellen lässt, sämtliche deutschsprachigen Beiträge, die bis zum März 2005 bei Wikipedia veröffentlicht wurden. Insgesamt sollen so über 200.000 Artikel und mehrere tausend Abbildungen integriert sein. Über eine Bedienoberfläche lässt sich dieser Datenbestand mit diversen Suchoptionen erkunden. Bilder können nach Stichwörtern gefiltert werden. Außerdem soll eine Sortierung nach Personen- und Sachartikeln möglich sein. Der Download der DVD-Ausgabe hat eine Dateigröße von rund 2,7 GByte. Alternativ wird das DVD-Lexikon auch im Buchhandel für knapp 10 Euro angeboten. Wikipedia-Downloads Titel Stand Download DVD-Ausgabe März 2005 Download CD-Ausgabe September 2004 Download Handy & PDA Februar 2005 Download (mihu) | '''April 11, 2005''' The German Wikipedia DVD is a popular item on European FTP sites. The DVD project with Directmedia publishing GmbH was built from the March 3, 2005 database archive, and has been packaged as ISO image files to be made available online. Graph of the server load on release of the German Wikipedia on DVD images When the news was reported @ heise online, FTP requests to the University of Erlangen quickly overloaded the 622mbit connection server. The average load is still above 482.39 compared to 20 before the announcement. In the afternoon, the FTP server Belnet joined in also hosting these files which can also be downloaded by using the peer-to-peer file transfer software Bittorrent. The DVD image is 2.7 Gigabytes in size, and includes browsing software for Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X and Linux. The download is large, but is also available from DirectMedia for about €10 on DVD - although their initial printing of 10,000 sold out within 3 days. Stimulated by the success of this DVD project, several English news services have raised the question of when an English DVD of Wikipedia will be available. |
(CNN) -- At least four people have been killed and 52 injured -- six critically -- after a car bomb exploded in the Turkish city of Diyarbakir Thursday, prime minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said. The explosion in the southern Turkish city of Diyarbakir killed at least four people Thursday. In a nationally televised address broadcast from Ankara, Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan blamed terrorists for the blast, but offered no evidence. Some local media sources later put the number of dead as high as five, with 68 wounded, including 30 troops, The Associated Press reported. Security officials told CNN Turk that a car bomb was detonated by remote control during a military convoy's passage through a busy section of the city center. At least one soldier was among those wounded in the explosion, which occurred about 4:55 p.m. (9:55 a.m. ET), damaging nearby buildings and incinerating at least six vehicles, most of them parked cars. Watch the aftermath of the attack. » Television pictures have shown a large ball of flames billowing out from the shell of the bus with other vehicles nearby also alight. The explosion site includes a shopping mall, a luxury hotel, a military post and military housing. Journalist Begum Donmez told CNN it was not yet known who was responsible for the blast, and that security forces had cleared the area in case of a second attack. She said no information had been released about the exact type of bomb used in the attack. "A bomb left in a car ... was set off with a remote control. It was a very strong one. It was targeting a military service bus," Governor Huseyin Avni Mutlu said in comments reported by The Associated Press. The wounded were taken to a military hospital in the largely Kurdish city, in southeastern Turkey, which has a population of 1.5 million. The city had been quiet since September 12, 2006, when a bomb killed more than 10 people, five of them children. Authorities have blamed Kurdish rebels for the latest attack, according to The Associated Press. Last month Turkey said it had killed between 150 and 175 Kurdish militants in strikes in northern Iraq in December. The operation was part of the Turkish military's long-running fight against rebels from the Kurdistan Workers' Party, or PKK, which has been launching cross-border attacks against Turkey from Iraq. The PKK has spent two decades fighting for autonomy for Kurds in southeastern Turkey. The United States and European Union consider the group a terrorist organization. E-mail to a friend CNN Producer Talia Kayali in Atlanta and CNN Turk's Begun Donmez in Istanbul contributed to this story. Copyright 2008 CNN. All rights reserved.This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Associated Press contributed to this report. All About ||||| There have been a number of explosions in Diyarbakir in the past It was set off remotely and targeted a military bus as it passed through the city centre, a local governor said. Two of the five people killed were students, while some 30 soldiers were among the injured. Police said they suspected Kurdish militants. Diyarbakir is the biggest city in the mainly Kurdish south-east. Speaking in the capital, Ankara, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan condemned the blast as a "terrorist act". Turkish troops who are fighting PKK Kurdish rebels both inside Turkey and in nearby northern Iraq are based in the area. Last week, Turkish warplanes launched strikes on Kurdish rebel targets in northern Iraq. There have been a number of explosions in Diyarbakir in the past, the most recent of which was caused by a bomb at a bus stop in 2006. An unexploded bomb was found two years ago near the location of Thursday's blast. Huge blaze The explosion happened during rush hour in an area close to a military residential complex and a helicopter base, reports say. A correspondent for the BBC Turkish Service who was only about 70 metres away from the blast said there was an enormous explosion, which caused a number of vehicles to catch fire and windows to shatter. "Our car shook violently, then we saw flames going up towards the sky. We ran towards the flames and saw injured people scattered all over. Their screams were unbearable. "Fire crews arrived within four to five minutes, but the flames were such that they could not get to the injured either. They had to deal with the flames before tending to them." Turkish television has been carrying pictures of the huge blaze caused by the blast, which it says could be heard 3km (two miles) away. Have you been affected by this story? Send us your comments using the form below. Name Your E-mail address Town & Country Phone number (optional): Comments ||||| At least five people have been killed after an explosion struck a military vehicle in the southeast Turkish city of Diyarbakir, Turkish media reported today. Police said at least 68 people had been injured in the blast in Diyarbakir, home to large numbers of troops currently fighting PKK Kurdish rebels both in Turkey and in nearby northern Iraq. "A bomb left in a car ... was set off with a remote control. It was a very strong one. It was targeting a military service bus," governor Huseyin Avni Mutlu, said. Mutlu said that 30 soldiers were among the injured. Police are searching for two suspected Kurdish militants following the blast that injured civilians and military personnel, said NTV and CNN-Turk. A bus reportedly transporting military personnel was passing by a hotel when the bomb exploded, the state Anatolia news agency said. The bomb struck a military vehicle in the centre of the city, witnesses told Reuters. Several people could be seen lying unconscious amid burning car, and a bus was engulfed in flames, reports said. "Unfortunately, terrorism showed its bloody face once more in Diyarbakir," Turkish prime minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said. "Such events will not disrupt our determination against terrorism. Our struggle both on international and national levels will continue with the same determination." ||||| Car bomb kills five in Turkey's main Kurdish city DIYARBAKIR, Turkey (AFP) — A powerful car bomb exploded Thursday near a military base in Diyarbakir, Turkey's main Kurd-dominated city, killing five people and wounding about 70, officials said. The bomb went off on a road in the city centre, some 100 metres (yards) from a military base and billets, as an army vehicle carrying some 50 soldiers was passing, Governor Huseyin Avni Mutlu told reporters. There was no claim of responsibility for the blast but immediate suspicion fell on the separatist Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), which has carried out a number of previous attacks in the area in recent years. Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and the US embassy in Ankara condemned the blast as a "terrorist act." The PKK, listed as a terrorist group by Ankara and much of the international community, has threatened retaliation following Turkish air strikes on its bases in northern Iraq last month. The blast destroyed the military vehicle and five cars and ignited a large blaze that was later extinguished by firefighters. Two of the five victims were young -- one a high school girl arriving for evening classes in a nearby private school, the other a boy selling tissues in the streets, officials said. Those hurt included about 30 soldiers as well as civilians and teenage students. Several of them suffered serious injuries. The car bomb was set off by remote control, Governor Mutlu said, as bomb experts combed the scene and police collected tapes from the security cameras of nearby shops. A teacher at the private school training pupils for university exams spoke of a "great disaster" being avoided as about 500 students were set to leave the building at the end of classes. "There was a loud bang and the lights went off. We evacuated the students from the back door," Nesim Cecen told AFP. "Had it happened 10 minutes later, it would have been a great disaster as all the children would have been in the street," he said. Another witness, Cabir Ocal, who was shopping at the site of the bombing described his narrow escape. "I had just returned to my workplace when it went off," he said. "The windows of the building and their frames were all shattered." Police said they were looking for two people that witnesses had seen fleeing the scene. "Terrorism has reared its ugly head again. But these incidents will not affect our determination to fight terrorism both at home and abroad," Erdogan said in Ankara. The US embassy condemned the blast as "a horrible example of the meaningless tragedies caused by terrorism" and vowed "determination to stand by Turkey in the struggle against all kinds of terrorism." The blast came as the Turkish army, aided by US intelligence assistance, stepped up action against PKK rebels who use neighbouring northern Iraq as a springboard for attacks across the frontier in Turkey. The military has confirmed three air strikes on PKK positions in northern Iraq since December 16, in addition to a cross-border land operation to stop a group of rebels from infiltrating Turkey. Local Iraqi officials have reported two other air raids. At least 150 militants have been killed and more than 200 PKK positions destroyed in the raids so far, according to the Turkish military. PKK rebels have been blamed for several bomb attacks in Diyarbakir and other major cities in the recent past. Seven people were injured in June when a bomb, blamed on the PKK, exploded near a bus stop in central Diyarbakir. In 2006, 10 people, including seven children, were killed and 14 injured in a bomb blast at a crowded city park, which officials also blamed on the PKK. More than 37,000 people have been killed since the PKK took up arms for Kurdish self-rule in the southeast in 1984. ||||| Analysis The mayor is dependent on the central government for most of their funds, so how much power do they really have? | Diyarbakir Province in Turkey. A car bomb has exploded in Diyarbakir, a city in the southeastern part of Turkey. According to the prime minister of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, at least 4 people have died in the attack and 52 others have been injured. The bombing, which took place in the city center, approximately 100 yards from a military post, was apparently targeting a passing military vehicle. Many Turkish troops currently fighting rebels from the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) are based in the city, which also has a large Kurdish population. The prime minister blamed the attack on terrorists in a nationally televised speech, while other authorities placed the blame on Kurdish rebels. Two suspects have been apprehended by police. "Such events will not disrupt our determination against terrorism. Our struggle both on international and national levels will continue with the same determination." Recep Tayyip Erdogan said. The explosion occurred at 4:55 p.m. local time, and could be heard up to two miles away. Several cars were engulfed in flames and windows shattered from the force of the blast. Two of the dead were reportedly soldiers. Among the injured were students attending a nearby private school at the time of the explosion. |
OKYO, Tuesday, April 26 - The packed commuter train that crashed into an apartment building in western Japan on Monday morning, killing at least 71 passengers and injuring well over 400 more, may have been speeding to make up for a brief delay, survivors said. The authorities here described the train accident as the deadliest in four decades. The train had been running 90 seconds behind schedule. Five of its seven cars derailed at about 9:20 a.m. at a curve in Amagasaki, a suburb of Osaka. The survivors said the train seemed to have been speeding as it approached the curve. The first two cars slammed into a nine-story apartment building just 20 feet from the tracks, with the front car hurtling into a first-floor parking garage and the second car twisting itself around a corner of the building. Rescue workers continued to comb through the crumpled wreckage, trying to extricate four passengers trapped in the first car and believed to be alive. Early Tuesday, they rescued one - a seriously injured 46-year-old woman - from a train car and took her to a hospital. The condition of the driver of the train, which was carrying about 580 passengers, could not be confirmed. Officials at the West Japan Railway Company, which operates the line, said at a news conference that they had yet to determine the cause of the accident. Investigators, however, were focusing on the driver, an inexperienced, 23-year-old man who had been reprimanded once during his 11 months on the job. The officials said that the speed limit at the curve was 44 miles per hour, and that derailments could occur at speeds over 83 m.p.h. But they said they did not know exactly how fast the train was running and surmised that other factors, including pebbles on the tracks, might have contributed to the accident. "They must respond to this firmly in order to prevent future accidents," Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi said. The accident shook Japan, which has one of the world's most comprehensive railway networks and where most people in urban areas commute by train. In Japan's densely built urban and suburban areas, houses and apartment buildings often stand several feet away from railroad tracks, the same way elevated subway tracks and apartment buildings stand only several feet apart in certain New York City neighborhoods. Trains usually run with such precision that riders can plot complex itineraries on Web sites, secure in the knowledge that they will not miss connections because of delays. Survivors of Monday morning's crash and witnesses told television networks that the train's driver, Ryujiro Takami, seemed to be speeding just before the accident. At a station called Itami, on the way to the site of the accident, the driver overran the platform by 26 feet and was forced to back up. Last June, Mr. Takami had been reprimanded for overshooting a platform by 328 feet. ||||| By MARI YAMAGUCHI, Associated Press Writer Mon Apr 25, 6:54 PM ET AMAGASAKI, Japan - Investigators focused on excessive speed and a 23-year-old train driver's lack of experience after a crowded commuter train jumped the rails on a curve Monday and plowed into an apartment building, causing Japan's deadliest rail accident in four decades. Rescuers worked through the night trying to free survivors from twisted rail carriages left when the train hit the nine-story building's parking garage, killing at least 67 people and injuring 442. It was not clear if any bystanders or apartment residents were among the victims, but the number of dead increased overnight by 10 from 57 to 67 when more bodies were found early Tuesday. Rescuers working under floodlights pulled out a conscious but seriously injured 46-year-old woman and took her to a hospital, and worked to dig out another man, police said. Two men were trapped in the same car. They were conscious and receiving emergency medical care but rescuers were hampered by worries about leaked fuel, said Shohei Matsuda, an Amagasaki fire department official. Others also were caught in the wreckage and feared dead. Distraught people rushed to hospitals looking for relatives who might have been injured or killed. Takamichi Hayashi said his elder brother, 19-year-old Hiroki, might be among those still in the wreck. He said Hiroki had called their mother twice on a mobile phone from inside one of the train cars hours after the crash but remained unaccounted for. "He told my mother: 'I'm in pain. I'm not going to make it,'" Hayashi said. Jammed with 580 passengers, the seven-car train derailed at 9:18 a.m. on a curve near Amagasaki, about 250 miles west of Tokyo, then plowed through an automobile and slammed into the wall of the building's parking garage. Two of the five derailed train cars were flattened and one was bent around a corner of the building. Officials said no cause had been ruled out but added that investigators suspected speed and the driver's less than a year on the job. The driver identified as Ryujiro Takami, 23 was unaccounted for. He got his train operator's license last May. A month later, he overshot a station and was issued a warning, railway officials and police said. Passengers said he also stopped too far past a station platform Monday just before the crash. Tsunemi Murakami, safety director for train operator West Japan Railway Co., said it had not been determined how fast the train was traveling. A surviving crew member told police he "felt the train was going faster than usual," public broadcaster NHK said. That echoed comments from passengers who speculated the driver might have been speeding to make up for time lost when he overshot the previous station by 25 feet and had to back up. The train was nearly two minutes behind schedule, media reports said. The crash occurred on a curve with a speed limit of 43 mph. Murakami estimated the train would have had to be traveling at 82 mph to have jumped the track purely because of excessive speed. Some stretches of track in Japan have safety systems designed to stop trains at any sign of trouble without requiring drivers to take emergency action. But transport ministry officials said the automatic braking system along the stretch of track where the train crashed is among the oldest in Japan and can't halt trains traveling at high speeds. Outside experts predicted investigators would find a combination of factors to blame. "There are very few train accidents in Japan in which a train has flipped just because it was going too fast. There might have been several conditions at work speed, winds, poor train maintenance or aging rails," Kazuhiko Nagase, a train expert who is a professor at the Kanazawa Institute of Technology, told NHK. "For the train to flip, it had to be traveling at an extremely high speed," Nagase said. Murakami said investigators also found evidence of rocks on the tracks, but hadn't determined whether that contributed to the crash. Transport Minister Kazuo Kitagawa told reporters he would order all of Japan's railway operators to conduct safety inspections in the coming days. "It's tragic," Kitagawa said at the scene. "We have to investigate why this horrible accident happened." Deadly train accidents are rare in Japan, which is home to one of the world's most complex, efficient and heavily traveled rail networks. Monday's crash was the worst since 161 people died in a three-train crash in 1963 at Tsurumi, outside Tokyo. ||||| A packed commuter train jumped the tracks in western Japan today and hurtled into an apartment complex, killing 49 people and injuring more than 340 others in the deadliest rail accident here in four decades. Investigators focused immediately on whether excessive speed or the actions of the inexperienced driver caused the crash in an urban area near Amagasaki, about 410 kilometres west of Tokyo. The driver overshot the stop line at last station before the wreck. Several people were still trapped in the wreckage several hours after the crash, local police said, but it was unclear what their condition was. Train operator West Japan Railway Co said at least 343 people had been taken to hospitals. The seven-car commuter train was carrying 580 passengers when it derailed, wrecking an automobile in its path before slamming into a nine-storey apartment complex just metres away. Two of the five derailed cars were flattened against the wall of the building, and hundreds of rescue workers and police swarmed the wreckage and tended to the injured. "There was a violent shaking, and the next moment I was thrown to the floor ... and I landed on top of a pile of other people," passenger Tatsuya Akashi told NHK. "I didn't know what happened, and there were many people bleeding." The Hyogo Prefectural Police said the death toll had reached at least 49. It was not clear how many of the dead were passengers or if bystanders and apartment residents were among the victims. The accident was the worst rail disaster in nearly 42 years in Japan, which is home to one of the world's most complex and heavily travelled rail networks. A three-train crash in November 1963 killed 161 people in Tsurumi, outside Tokyo. "There are many theories but we don't know for sure what caused the accident," Chief Cabinet Secretary Hiroyuki Hosoda said. "The prime minister instructed us to respond with urgency." "Our most important task now is to rescue the passengers from the accident and we are doing our best," West Japan Railway Co President Takeshi Kakiuchi told reporters. Survivors said the force of the derailment sent passengers tumbling through the inside of the cars. Photos taken by an NHK reporter aboard the train showed passengers piled on the floor and some clawing to escape from the busted shells of the cars. Investigators struggled to come up with reasons for the crash. Tsunemi Murakami, the train operator's safety director, estimated that the train would have had to have been going 133kph to have jumped the track purely because of excessive speed. He said it still was not certain how fast the train was running at the time of the accident. The crash happened at a curve after a straightaway, requiring the driver to slow to a speed of 70kph. Kyodo News reported that the automatic braking system at that stretch of track was among the oldest in Japan. The system stops trains at signs of trouble without requiring drivers to take emergency action. The driver's inexperience may also have been a factor. He only had 11 months on the job. He had committed a previous overrun at a station in June 2004 and was issued a warning, officials said. - AP ||||| Aerial view of crash site Enlarge Image The commuter train came off the tracks at Amagasaki near Osaka, 410km (255 miles) west of Tokyo, and the front two carriages rammed into a building. The train company said it was investigating the cause of the crash. Some passengers said the train appeared to have been travelling too fast and began to shake before it derailed. "The train overran a stop at the previous station and so it backtracked, so I guess the driver was in a hurry because the train was running late," one survivor told Japanese television. "The priority for now is to rescue the passengers," the firm's president, Takeshi Kakiuchi, told reporters. The crash happened at 0920 (0020 GMT), shortly after the morning rush hour. The train was carrying almost 600 passengers. "It felt like the train speeded up as it was going around a curve and I thought there were some strange swings, and then the train derailed," passenger Tatsuya Akashi told NHK television. "No one knew what happened and everyone kept screaming." Improvised stretchers As evening fell, some passengers were believed to be still trapped in the wreckage. Rescue crews had to use cutters to open parts of the train and pull out trapped passengers. They used train seats as improvised stretchers. JAPAN'S RAIL SAFETY RECORD 1963: Freight train crashes into derailed commuter train in Tokyo, 163 people killed April 1991 - 42 killed when two trains collide near Shigaraki March 2000 - Tokyo subway train crashes into derailed train, killing five April 2005 - Crash near Osaka kills at least 50 Investigators are focussing on whether excessive speed or the actions of the inexperienced driver may have caused the crash. It happened on a curve after a straight section of track, requiring the driver to slow to a speed of 70km/h (43mph). The driver, 23, is believed to have survived. He became a train driver less than a year ago. HAVE YOUR SAY What started as a day of excitement has ended in terrible tragedy Michael, Japan Send us your comments Company officials said he had committed a previous overrun at a station in June 2004. The BBC's Jonathan Head says Japan's railway system, used by nearly 60 million people every day, is widely considered to be one of the world's safest. This is the worst rail accident in Japan since a three-train crash killed 161 near Tokyo in 1963. ||||| Analysis: Why Biden's securities regulator faces climate crackdown challenges With Democrats at the helm, the U.S. securities regulator is pledging to crack down on companies and funds that mislead investors over climate change risks, but that may be easier said than done, more than a dozen attorneys and former agency officials say. | Hyogo province A seven-car commuter train carrying 580 passengers jumped off the tracks, plowed through a car, and collided with a nine-story apartment building in Amagasaki, Japan on Monday at 9:18 am local time (00:18 UTC). The crash was about 410km west of Tokyo near Osaka in the Hyogo prefecture. Casualties have risen to 101 deaths and at least 440 injuries. The train had 600 people on board at the time, including crew. Rescue workers swarmed the scene where two of the rail cars were flattened against walls of the apartment building. It appears that excessive speed was a factor in the wreck. Investigators are focusing on the 23-year-old driver who overshot the last station on the line before the wreck, and had received a warning in the past for a similar incident. The accident is the worst rail disaster since 1963, when a three-train crash killed 161. The rail is part of the West Japan Railway Co of Fukuchiyama Line. The rail president Takeshi Kakiuchi publicly apologized, telling reporters, "Our most important task now is to rescue the passengers from the accident and we are doing our best." Japan has one of the world's most complex and widely used rail systems. |
Monday, September 05, 2005 PHOTOS VIDEO PHOTO ESSAYS STORIES BACKGROUND Appearing two-thirds through the program, he claimed "George Bush doesn't care about black people" and said America is set up "to help the poor, the black people, the less well-off as slow as possible." The show, simulcast from New York on NBC, MSNBC, CNBC and Pax, was aired live to the East Coast, enabling the Grammy-winning rapper's outburst to go out uncensored. There was a several-second tape delay, but the person in charge "was instructed to listen for a curse word, and didn't realize (West) had gone off-script," said NBC spokeswoman Rebecca Marks. Immediately after the airing was over, Marks said it was undetermined how much, if any, of the tirade would be included in the taped West Coast feed three hours later. The host was NBC News' Matt Lauer, who invited viewers to contribute to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund (search) by phone or on the Web. Some 18 presenters performed musical numbers or gave information on the tragedy's huge scope. (Story continues below) ADVERTISEMENTS Advertise Here Louisiana native Tim McGraw (search) teared up as he told Lauer, "I know the citizens that weren't affected by this directly are gonna stand up and do good things for people." He sang two songs, then became the first of the evening's stars to sign a Gibson Les Paul Special guitar to be auditioned online. Faith Hill (search), a Mississippi native, sang "There Will Come a Time," with the inspiring lyrics, "The darkness will be gone, the weak shall be strong. Hold on to your faith." New Orleans son Aaron Neville performed Randy Newman's soulful "Louisiana 1927" with the memorable chorus, "they're trying to wash us away, they're trying to wash us away." New York governor George Pataki presented the Red Cross with a check for $2.5 million and promised, "This great state will do far more." "In terms of property damage," said actress Hilary Swank, "the estimate is at least $26 billion in insured losses and perhaps twice that in uninsured losses over a 90,000-square-mile area — approximately the size of Kansas." Other speakers included Lindsay Lohan (search), Eric LaSalle, Glenn Close, Richard Gere, John Goodman and Leonardo DiCaprio (search). Comedian Mike Myers was paired with West for a 90-second segment that began with Myers speaking of Katrina's devastation. Then, to Myers' evident surprise, West began a rant by saying, "I hate the way they portray us in the media. If you see a black family, it says they're looting. See a white family, it says they're looking for food." While allowing that "the Red Cross is doing everything they can," West — who delivered an emotional outburst at the American Music Awards after he was snubbed for an award — declared that government authorities are intentionally dragging their feet on aid to the Gulf Coast. Without getting specific, he added, "They've given them permission to go down and shoot us." After he stated, "George Bush doesn't care about black people. Please call _" the camera cut away to comedian Chris Tucker. Concluding the hour a few minutes later, Lauer noted that "emotions in this country right now are running very high. Sometimes that emotion is translated into inspiration, sometimes into criticism. We've heard some of that tonight. But it's still part of the American way of life." Then the entire ensemble performed "When the Saints Go Marching In." In a statement, NBC said, "Kanye West departed from the scripted comments that were prepared for him, and his opinions in no way represent the views of the networks. "It would be most unfortunate," the statement continued, "if the efforts of the artists who participated tonight and the generosity of millions of Americans who are helping those in need are overshadowed by one person's opinion." Friday's program was the first of several TV benefits planned through next weekend. NBC and the five other major commercial broadcast networks, along with PBS, plan to unite next Friday for a special. The same night, BET will air a benefit. And on Saturday, Sept. 10, the MTV networks will air a special. ||||| Saturday, September 3, 2005; Page C01 Why We Love Live Television, Reason No. 137: NBC's levee broke and Kanye West flooded through with a tear about the federal response in New Orleans during the network's live concert fundraiser for victims of Hurricane Katrina last night. The rapper was among the celebs and singers participating in the one-hour special, produced by NBC News and run on the NBC broadcast network, as well as MSNBC and CNBC, because, hey, the numbers couldn't be any worse than usual on a Friday night and hopefully they'd raise a chunk of change for a good cause, the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund. Among the performers, Faith Hill sang "There Will Come a Time," which included the lyrics, "The darkness will be gone, the weak shall be strong. Hold on to your faith." Aaron Neville performed Randy Newman's "Louisiana 1927" with its chorus: "They're trying to wash us away, they're trying to wash us away." West was not scheduled to perform; he was one of the blah, blah, blahers, who would read from scripts prepared by the network about the impact of Katrina on southern Louisiana and Mississippi. West and Mike Myers had been paired up to appear about halfway through the show. Their assignment: Take turns reading a script describing the breach in the levees around New Orleans. Myers: The landscape of the city has changed dramatically, tragically and perhaps irreversibly. There is now over 25 feet of water where there was once city streets and thriving neighborhoods. (Myers throws to West, who looked extremely nervous in his super-preppy designer rugby shirt and white pants, which is not like the arrogant West and which, in retrospect, should have been a tip-off.) West: I hate the way they portray us in the media. You see a black family, it says, "They're looting." You see a white family, it says, "They're looking for food." And, you know, it's been five days [waiting for federal help] because most of the people are black. And even for me to complain about it, I would be a hypocrite because I've tried to turn away from the TV because it's too hard to watch. I've even been shopping before even giving a donation, so now I'm calling my business manager right now to see what is the biggest amount I can give, and just to imagine if I was down there, and those are my people down there. So anybody out there that wants to do anything that we can help -- with the way America is set up to help the poor, the black people, the less well-off, as slow as possible. I mean, the Red Cross is doing everything they can. We already realize a lot of people that could help are at war right now, fighting another way -- and they've given them permission to go down and shoot us! (West throws back to Myers, who is looking like a guy who stopped on the tarmac to tie his shoe and got hit in the back with the 8:30 to La Guardia.) Myers: And subtle, but in many ways even more profoundly devastating, is the lasting damage to the survivors' will to rebuild and remain in the area. The destruction of the spirit of the people of southern Louisiana and Mississippi may end up being the most tragic loss of all. (And, because Myers is apparently as dumb as his Alfalfa hair, he throws it back to West.) West: George Bush doesn't care about black people! (Back to Myers, now looking like the 8:30 to La Guardia turned around and caught him square between the eyes.) Myers: Please call . . . At which point someone at NBC News finally regained control of the joystick and cut over to Chris Tucker, who started right in with more scripted blah, blah, blah. "Tonight's telecast was a live television event wrought with emotion," parent company NBC Universal said in a statement issued to the Reporters Who Cover Television after the broadcast. "Kanye West departed from the scripted comments that were prepared for him, and his opinions in no way represent the views of the networks. It would be most unfortunate if the efforts of the artists who participated tonight and the generosity of millions of Americans who are helping those in need are overshadowed by one person's opinion." ||||| Kanye West's comments were cut from a recorded version of the show The show, which raised funds for relief efforts, featured Leonardo DiCaprio, Richard Gere, Glenn Close, Harry Connick Jr and Wynton Marsalis. But West told the audience: "George Bush doesn't care about black people." The comment went out live on the US east coast, but was cut from a taped version seen on the west coast. West also claimed the US was not set up "to help the poor, the black people, the less well-off as slow as possible". He appeared alongside comedian Mike Myers for a 90-second segment which began with Myers speaking of the devastation Katrina has caused to southern states of the US. But to Myers' surprise, West departed from his script and said: "I hate the way they portray us in the media. If you see a black family, it says they're looting. See a white family, it says they're looking for food." Cut off He conceded "the Red Cross is doing everything they can", but said authorities were deliberately holding up getting aid to the Gulf coast. It would be most unfortunate if the efforts of the artists are overshadowed by one person's opinion NBC statement There has been widespread criticism of the US government's response to the storm, which struck on Monday. The scale of the casualties is not yet known, but tens of thousands of people remain in the devastated city of New Orleans while 75,000 people have been forced to take shelter in neighbouring Texas. NBC, which broadcast the event, said "it would be most unfortunate if the efforts of the artists and the generosity of millions of Americans are overshadowed by one person's opinion". Country star Tim McGraw, who is from Louisiana, sang two songs and said: "I know the citizens that weren't affected by this are gonna stand up and do good things for people." Aaron Neville - who, like Connick Jr and Marsalis, is from New Orleans - performed Randy Newman's Louisiana 1927 with the chorus "they're trying to wash us away, they're trying to wash us away". Actresses Hilary Swank and Lindsay Lohan also took part in the concert, while New York governor George Pataki presented the Red Cross with a cheque for $2.5 million (£1.3m) with a promise of further assistance. | Kanye West during telethon, as he makes his statement live. Grammy award-winning rapper/producer Kanye West appeared on a live on-air telethon simulcast on NBC, MSNBC, CNBC and PAX for Hurricane Katrina victims. Live on air, West said "George Bush doesn't care about black people," after saying "America is set up to help the poor, the black people, the less well-off as slow as possible." He also said "the Red Cross is doing everything they can," and stated that he was going to see what the maximum amount of money he can donate is. West criticized government authorities and stated that "They've given them permission to go down and shoot us." West first deviated from the script he and comedian Mike Myers were using by commenting on the recent uproar over differently captioned photos for black and white people in the aftermath of the hurricane: "I hate the way they portray us in the media. If you see a black family, it says they're looting. See a white family, it says they're looking for food." Though a several-second delay was in place, the comments were let through uncensored on the EST live broadcast as the person in charge "was instructed to listen for a curse word, and didn't realize he had gone off-script," according to an NBC spokeswoman. NBC has released a statement after the broadcast: "Tonight's telecast was a live television event wrought with emotion. Kanye West departed from the scripted comments that were prepared for him, and his opinions in no way represent the views of the networks. It would be most unfortunate if the efforts of the artists who participated tonight and the generosity of millions of Americans who are helping those in need are overshadowed by one person's opinion." The sponsor of the event, the American Red Cross, also issued a statement on the telethon, stating: "During the telecast, a controversial comment was made by one of the celebrities. We would like the American public to know that our support is unwavering, regardless of political circumstances. We are a neutral and impartial organization, and support disaster victims across the country regardless of race, class, color or creed." |
What started out as a quiet day at a Toronto high school escalated into a tragedy and a lockdown, after a student was shot and killed inside C.W. Jefferys on Sentinel Road in the Keele-Finch area on Wednesday. Police initially received reports of a drowning at the school pool at 2:35pm, but when they arrived they found a teenager suffering from a single bullet wound to the chest. The boy, who was found in a hallway, was without vital signs when discovered. A science teacher performed CPR, but the teen, who was rushed to Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, later passed away. He's been identified as 15-year-old Jordan Manners. The school remained in lockdown mode for hours as heavily-armed agents combed classrooms. "We have secured the school," noted Chief Bill Blair from the scene. "I have officers on every floor and in every room, and the Emergency Task Force is now in the school in order to insure the safety of all of the students. We are going through the school to insure that there is no danger presently in the school for those students before we release them." Students finally left on buses for nearby Elia Middle School down the road just before the dinner hour and then home to their anxious parents. Reports indicate an argument at a nearby plaza may have led to the shooting, but authorities won't confirm anything - including if they may know the name of a suspect or if there was more than one person involved. Parents of students rushed to the campus and were shocked about what happened inside. Several tried to contact their kids on cell phones to assure their safety. Two people, one identified as the victim's mother, the other his sister, also came to the scene. The mother apparently collapsed in grief and tears when she heard the news and was taken away to accompany her son on an emergency run. She collapsed again at Sunnybrook when she learned the grim news that her son had died. Officers gently tried to pick her up and escort her in, as she was paralyzed by grief. Toronto Mayor David Miller addressed councillors at City Hall with the sad news. He also re-confirmed his commitment towards building a safer city. "We need to redouble our efforts," the grim-faced mayor said. "Part of that is to deal with the guns that are part of these tragedies. I never thought I would have a moment like this in Toronto when they mayor would had to rise and say that a student in a high school in our city has been shot. "None of us want to have to look into eyes of another (parent) in this city and say, 'you have lost your child.' "Part of it is about supporting young people and bringing hope and opportuntiy and part of it is about supporting our law enforcement." Classes are cancelled for Thursday, but grief counsellors will be there for students who want to talk to them. Friends recall "good guy with no enemies" Student recalls lockdown Facebook site remembers victim Sadly, this isn't the first time a Canadian school has been confronted with this kind of violence. Here's a look at some others: May 23, 2007: Gunman shoots and kills 14-year-old student at C.W. Jefferys Collegiate Institute in Toronto. Sept. 13, 2006: Kimveer Gill, 25, opens fire at Dawson College in Montreal, killing one woman and injuring 20 people. April 20, 2000: Four students and one staff member wounded in knife attack at Cairine Wilson High School in Orleans, Ont. Occurs on first anniversary of Columbine massacre. April 28, 1999: 14-year-old boy shoots two students, one fatally, at W.R. Myers High School in Taber, Alta. Feb. 8, 1999: Man fires shot at Woodland Elementary School in Verdun, Que. No one injured. October 1997: 35-year-old man fatally shoots teacher at Montreal language school for immigrants. October 1994: Two guidance counsellors at Brockton High School in Toronto shot and wounded by student unhappy with grades. June 1993: Teen wounded outside Gladstone Secondary School in Vancouver in drive-by shooting. Aug. 24, 1992: Valery Fabrikant, professor at Concordia University in Montreal, goes on shooting rampage at school, killing four colleagues and wounding one. February 1990: Jilted teenager shoots and wounds estranged girlfriend at General Brock High School in Burlington, Ont. December 1989: Marc Lepine, 25, shoots dead 14 women at University of Montreal's Ecole polytechnique engineering school, then kills himself. October 1978: 17-year-old student shoots 16-year-old to death at Sturgeon Creek Regional Secondary School in Winnipeg. Oct. 27, 1975: Robert Poulin, an 18-year-old militia sharpshooter, shoots six people at Ottawa's Saint Pius X school and then kills himself. One wounded student dies just over a month later. Poulin had killed a girl at a youth home before he went to the school. May 1975: Michael Slobodian, 16, kills teacher and student and wounds 13 others at Centennial Secondary School in Brampton, Ont., before turning gun on himself. ||||| Select a Global Show --------------- MOVIES ON GLOBAL 24 American Dad Amne$ia Back To You Big Brother Big Love Bones Brothers and Sisters Celebrity Apprentice da Kink In My Hair Entertainment Tonight ET Canada Family Guy Friday Night Lights Global Currents Global National The Guard Heroes House House & Home Journeyman King of the Hill Kitchen Nightmares Knight Rider Las Vegas Life My Name is Earl NCIS Numb3rs The Office Power of 10 Prison Break Saturday Night Live Shark The Simpsons Survivor: Fans Vs Favorites 'til Death ||||| Boy, 15, dies in Toronto school shooting Melissa Leong and Matthew Coutts, CanWest News Service Published: Wednesday, May 23, 2007 TORONTO -- A 15-year-old boy was shot to death inside a Toronto high school Wednesday, causing students to hide under their desks while police locked the school down for hours. Police were called to C.W. Jefferys Collegiate Institute in the city’s troubled northwest end about 2:30 p.m. Jordan Manners, a Grade 9 student, was taken to hospital without any vital signs. He was later identified as the victim. Police had not made any arrests Wednesday night and had not recovered a weapon. The incident reportedly stemmed from a fight at a nearby pool. Members of the force’s tactical unit conducted a room-by-room sweep of the school, which has about 850 students, and secured all of its exits. When Anthony Shulz and his classmates first heard the shots, they thought it was firecrackers. But his Grade 10 math teacher told the students to crouch under their decks, away from the door, as practised. “We had a practice lock-down after Virginia Tech so we thought it was someone imitating that,” the 16-year-old student said after police, with guns drawn, had led the students out single-file. “It was panic. No one knew what to do. I was nervous, shocked. How could this happen at our school?” Meanwhile outside, a crowd of anxious, grim-faced parents and family members massed along the police tape in front of the school. Many became increasingly frustrated with the lack of information and spoke of security concerns, of shootings at Virgina Tech, at Dawson College. Several parents approached Victoria Zorzella as she spoke on a cellphone to her 14-year-old daughter, Michelle, who was being kept in a library under the watch of teachers. They shouted out the names of their children so Zorzella could confirm with Michelle that they were fine. “My concern is the shooter is still at large,” Zorzella, a 48-year-old mother of six, said over the growl of two overhead helicopters. Her twin daughters had been standing with Manners in the hallway; they left and returned shortly to find that he had been shot. “It was real quick,” Zorzella said. “They were all just standing right there. He was only a little guy.”“We are in that school. I have put officers in every hallway, every classroom,” Police Chief Bill Blair told media from behind the police tape. After 5:30 p.m., hundreds of students in the school were lead out into waiting buses and taken to a middle school down the street to be reunited with family. Earlier that afternoon, the dead boy’s mother had arrived at the school; upon hearing the news, she collapsed. “She was hyper-ventilating, close to passing out. So I just wanted to help keep her together until she got to the hospital,” said another parent, Julie Clyke.Toronto Mayor David Miller told reporters Wednesday night he planned to meet with the family, but will wait until a time that is “more appropriate.” He added: “What we’ve been doing to try to make Toronto safe and ensure that tragedies like this don’t happen is very clear. We put 400 more officers on the street, the chief has changed the approach to policing, they now try to get intelligence first.”Toronto filmmakers Mark Simms and Paul Nguyen featured Manners in their CBC documentary Lost In the Struggle. The film traced the lives three men grew up in the Jane and Finch neighbourhood where they encountered violence both as victims and perpetrators. Manner’s story did not make the film’s final cut which first aired in October 2006, Simms said. He remembered Manners as a “good kid,” whom he had at one time given fitness instruction. Nguyen suspected Manners had been the victim of a retaliation. “From what I heard, it was probably some sort of beef. Usually that’s the case anyways,” he said. “I don’t know specifically, but I just heard on the street it’s a beef. That’s just what’s on the street.” National Post, with files from Natalie Alcoba, Katie Rook and Kelly Patrick ©CanWest News Service 2007 ||||| School shooter still at large Toronto A teenage boy has been shot dead inside his Toronto high school. Toronto Mayor David Miller and Toronto Police Chief Bill Blair confirmed late Wednesday that a 15-year-old student at C.W. Jefferys Collegiate Institute was killed by a single gunshot wound. The Globe and Mail has confirmed the boy's name is Jordan Manners. The high school in the area of Finch Ave. West and Keele St. was locked down and students were kept inside by police until after 6 p.m. “Students have a right to a safe school environment. It's shocking that such [an event] could take place in our schools,” Chief Blair said. “The event that took place today ... is a very serious matter. A young man lost his life. A young student lost his life in this school,” he said. Neighbours remembered Manners Wednesday night as a “sweet little boy.” “I just feel sorry for the kid and his family,” said a neighbourhood friend who had known Manners since he was in kindergarten. “He just didn't deserve that.” The neighbourhood is in mourning, said a woman who would only identify herself as Elaine. “Every mother is crying,” she said. “He's very friendly, active and loves kickball.” Students leaving the school after the lockdown said the shooting happened near a pool area on first floor. “It was scary because a guy from my class got shot,” said a 15-year-old girl who asked that her name not be used. She said her friends were crying and were told to stay in class, where the doors and windows were shut. Chief Blair said the teen was found in a hallway with a single gunshot wound at about 2:35 p.m. Police had initially responded to a drowning call, which was a miscommunication, the chief said. Mayor David Miller broke the news of the fatal shooting to council. “I never thought that we would have to have a moment like this in Toronto when the mayor had to rise and say that a student of a high school in our city was found shot,” he said. “I have met with so many mothers in this city who have lost usually their sons to violence and it is impossible to console another in those circumstance. We need to redouble our efforts,” Mr. Miller said. “We have to deal with guns that are causing these tragedies. Guns are different than anything else. They're designed to kill.” The teen was rushed to Sunnybrook Hospital by emergency run in “grave condition,” said Peter Macintyre, a spokesman for Toronto EMS. Chief Blair had sought to assure parents whose children were still in the school and appealed for “calm, patience.” “I have officers in every hallway, in every classroom ... simply as a precautionary measure,” the chief said. “In order to ensure the safety of all of the students, we are going through the school to ensure that there is no danger presently in the school for those kids before we release them.” Sixteen-year-old student Jonathan Martin said C.W. Jeffreys has a reputation as a rough school, but the violence that erupted was too much for one teenage girl. “A girl in my class fainted ... she was crying and vomiting,” said Martin. Suzanne Leduc, spokesperson for the Toronto District School Board, referred all questions to Toronto Police. Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty offered his condolences to the families and friends of the victim. “I also know I speak for all Ontarians when I condemn and deplore the violence we've seen here today,” Mr. McGuinty said in a statement. “I want the entire community at C.W. Jefferys C.I. to know that they are in my thoughts and prayers at this difficult time.” Yellow police tape surrounded the school, and outside the barrier, police vehicles and curious onlookers — including many parents of students — jammed the streets. Some parents were able to reach their children inside the school on cellphones. The school is located near the Jane-Finch corridor, a poor area of Toronto noted for years for its high crime rate. Police said no weapon had been found by early Wednesday evening. | In Toronto, Canada's largest city, a high school shooting this afternoon at around 2:35 p.m. killed one teenager. A grade 9 student, Jordan Manners, 15, was shot in the chest while near the swimming pool of C. W. Jeffreys Collegiate Institute in the Jane-Finch neighbourhood of Toronto. The boy was found lying in a school hallway at approximately 2:35 p.m. ET with a single bullet wound to the chest. He was then rushed to Sunnybrook Hospital, but died soon after the incident. The school quickly went into lockdown mode and students stayed in their classrooms for hours, though several came out in stretchers and were taken to Sunnybrook Hospital for hyperventilation. Police searched the building for weapons but found none. Shortly after, an Emergency Task Force (ETF) crew entered the building. An officer was stationed in every room during the lengthy lockdown. The school was taken out of lockdown at approximately 6:15 p.m. and students are being bused on TTC buses to a nearby middle school. "Students have a right to a safe school environment. It's shocking that such an event could take place in our schools," said Bill Blair, Toronto Police Chief. Mayor David Miller interrupted the city council to make a brief speech to the councilors when he heard the news. "I never thought that we would have to have a moment like this in Toronto when the mayor had to rise and say that a student of a high school in our city was found shot," he said. This is the first major violent incident to take place at an Ontario high school since 2000, when four students and one staff member were wounded in a knife attack at Cairine Wilson High School in Orléans, Ontario. This is the 13th Toronto killing involving gun-violence in 2007, and brings up Toronto's murder rate to 26 so far. '''This story has ''new developments''.''' ''Updated information can be found here'' |
« The rights of the people: now available, for the first time, to the people! | Main | Mr Brian Beutler explains it all » So Ann Coulter apparently said we'd be better off if women couldn't vote, because women vote for social democratic policies. The left half of the blogosphere seems to think she's getting a pass because she's conservative, as rounded up by Ryan Avent: Garance spots the loathsome Ann Coulter dreaming of a world where women can’t vote, and Ezra laments the hack gap–if we had more hackish Democratic firebreathers, this kind of thing would never, ever get a pass. Good point, Ez. Imagine, if you will, that a prominent liberal commentator, the kind who might appear at major Democratic speaking events with Democratic presidential candidates, said he longed for a day when whites or southerners couldn’t vote. You couldn’t get the volume dial low enough to tune out the Limbaughs and O’Reillys. So I’ll do my part. This is despicable. Outrageous. We shouldn’t tolerate another moment of the conservative illiberality that loves torture, war, and xenophobia, and delights in racism, sexism, and homophobia. Denounce her statement, GOP candidates, or fear the voters. You know, more than you already should. They seem to be missing the rather obvious point: Coulter isn't getting away with this because she's a Republican; she's getting away with it because she's a woman. If a conservative male had called for taking away the vote from women, Republicans wouldn't be able to get to the microphone fast enough to denounce him. They know where their political interests lie. Just like only white male southerners are allowed to complain about crackers (well, and Al Sharpton), and Bill Cosby has a lot more leeway to criticize black cultural norms than I do, Ann Coulter gets to fantasize about taking the vote away from women because she is a member of the class that would be disadvantaged. Garance thinks that "The idea that today’s G.O.P. leaders are craven and idiotic enough to associate themselves with someone who could say such a thing will catapult women to the polls." I think this is extremely wishful thinking. If a man had said this, it might. But when a woman says it, you don't think "tool of the patriarchy"; you just think she's kind of crazy. And the political parties are crawling with all sorts of moonbats; have you read some of the stuff that comes out of the environmental movement? I mean, some of it is even stuff I agree with, but informal survey indicates that when I voice this agreement, most Americans think I'm . . . kind of crazy. Just to be clear, I hate Ann Coulter as much as the next person, and don't criticize her more only because I can't bear to read anything about or by her. But I don't buy the notion that her looniness is protected by the vast right-wing conspiracy--and what she said isn't exactly a far cry from the "expel Jesusland" jokes I seem to recall hearing from quite a few liberal journalists after the 2004 election. Update: what about her other crazy statements, asks a commenter? Good question. In the end, I think she gets a general pass because she's a woman; you certainly don't hear any male conservatives publicly referring to politicians as "faggots". Or maybe there's a generalized "Ann Coulter exception" that has nothing to do with her second X chromosome. But whatever it is, I don't think it applies to white male commentators. ||||| Coulter: "If we took away women's right to vote, we'd never have to worry about another Democrat president" An October 2 New York Observer blog post featuring excerpts of an interview with right-wing pundit Ann Coulter quoted her as saying: "If we took away women's right to vote, we'd never have to worry about another Democrat [sic] president. It's kind of a pipe dream, it's a personal fantasy of mine, but I don't think it's going to happen. And it is a good way of making the point that women are voting so stupidly, at least single women." Coulter went on: "It also makes the point, it is kind of embarrassing, the Democratic Party ought to be hanging its head in shame, that it has so much difficulty getting men to vote for it. I mean, you do see it's the party of women and 'We'll pay for health care and tuition and day care -- and here, what else can we give you, soccer moms?' " Additionally, a separate October 2 Observer article printing excerpts of the interview quoted Coulter as saying during a discussion of terrorism: "Now this isn't the Cold War, these aren't sane but evil white men -- these are crazy Islamists. This country -- people are under the impression that it could never change, that this can be taken for granted, it can't be taken away, and this is a terrifying time. I mean, it's terrifying to think what could happen with a one-term Democrat, any of those Democrats." Coulter made her comment as part of her response to interviewer George Gurley's question, "How much blame does Bill Clinton deserve for 9/11?" The New York Observer website states that Coulter's interview "was published in the October 8, 2007, edition of THE NEW YORK OBSERVER." From Gurley's October 2 New York Observer article headlined "Tea With Miss Coulter": How much blame does Bill Clinton deserve for 9/11? "A lot. Jimmy Carter got the whole thing started, Bill Clinton let it build, build, build, build, build. He wouldn't deal with it, because he had no credibility on deploying the military. He was a pot-smoking draft dodger, and so when he was presented with credible evidence that this or that country was behind a terrorist attack, he'd just have to look the other way: 'No, don't let me hear that. Call in Monica!'... Jimmy Carter gave Islamic craziness its first real foothold. There was no state-sponsored-they were just living in the dirt hating us until they had Iran. How did that happen? Because Americans forgot what it's like to put a Democrat in charge of national security. Then we have eight years of Bill Clinton ignoring, ignoring, ignoring, ignoring-they're ginning themselves up, Osama is saying, 'You have six dead in Somalia and you pull out? We have boys lining up.' Now this isn't the Cold War, these aren't sane but evil white men-these are crazy Islamists. This country-people are under the impression that it could never change, that this can be taken for granted, it can't be taken away, and this is a terrifying time. I mean, it's terrifying to think what could happen with a one-term Democrat, any of those Democrats." From the October 2 New York Observer post headlined "Coulter Culture" on its blog The Daily Transom: Ann Coulter's new book, If Democrats Had Any Brains They'd Be Republicans, hits bookshelves today, and as is his wont, George Gurley sat down with the self-proclaimed right-wing polemicist for a long chat [UPDATED: read the complete interview here]. George gave us a few bits of wit and wisdom from his interview, while the television is going wild about the beminiskirted babe. [...] On women: If we took away women's right to vote, we'd never have to worry about another Democrat president. It's kind of a pipe dream, it's a personal fantasy of mine, but I don't think it's going to happen. And it is a good way of making the point that women are voting so stupidly, at least single women. It also makes the point, it is kind of embarrassing, the Democratic Party ought to be hanging its head in shame, that it has so much difficulty getting men to vote for it. I mean, you do see it's the party of women and 'We'll pay for health care and tuition and day care -- and here, what else can we give you, soccer moms?' —M.B.B. ||||| Rush & Molloy Can you guess who this is? Read the last item for the answer. Credit Ann Coulter with giving equal-opportunity hatred a shot. The conservative may have called four 9/11 widows millionaire harpies "reveling in their status as celebrities" and said they had no right to criticize President Bush — but now she's dissing him herself, even if the oh-so-funny right-winger means it as a joke. "President George W. Bush is evidently the first mentally retarded person to get a Harvard M.B.A., graduate from the U.S. Air Force Flight School, be elected governor of Texas and then be elected President of the United States twice. I guess this is what they call 'mainstreaming,'" Coulter writes in her new book, "If Democrats Had Any Brains, They'd Be Republicans." "Admittedly," she adds, "it took Bush two weeks to learn how to pronounce 'Shiite,' but he had higher grades at Yale than John Kerry." The book is mostly a collection of her supposed "career-ending" quotes, including epithets like "Eva Braun" for Katie Couric and "old Arab" for White House correspondent Helen Thomas, and critiques from the right and the left. She can't remember them all, Coulter complains, as they are "as forgettable as Judith Nathan Giuliani 's first husband." Coulter also bemoans her fame, saying that because so many people now hate her, "the thrill is gone. The liberal lynch mobs and conservative collaborators are beginning to bore me. ... It's becoming nonstop." Meanwhile, Media Matters, the liberal watchdog group that forced Don Imus off the air, challenged NBC to explain why it "continues to provide Coulter with an open forum." The group's action was prompted by "Today's" Monday interview of Coulter by Meredith Viera — after Matt Lauer, Brian Williams and Jay Leno all criticized Coulter's 9/11 widow comments. Said an NBC exec: "Regardless of what you think of Ann Coulter, she's a compelling interview." Chef full of baloney, says Furtado Food Network chef Guy Rubino is giving us indigestion. As we reported on Sept. 19, the "Made to Order" star complained to us and others at the Bon Appetit awards at Del Posto that singer Nelly Furtado and an entourage of 15 were supposedly rude and demanding when they visited his Toronto restaurant. He even said, "Her manager came into the kitchen and said of their order, 'Just f—ing do it!' "Furtado's lawyers tell us that not only is the whole story false, but Furtado has never even been to Rubino's eatery. Though he's now denying he said anything about Furtado, others at the awards luncheon confirm to us that Rubino told the story; Rubino did not return our call yesterday. Maybe it was the mushrooms. Side Dish John Mayer was blocked from buying stuff at a Circuit City in Santa Monica — and the musician never once asked, "Do you know who I am?" He just looked "embarrassed" after he presented his Amex Black Card and the clerk asked for ID, which he'd lost, US Weekly reports. Fortunately, he had "Friday Night Lights" beauty Minka Kelly there to rub his back as the clerk finally figured it out. Wyclef Jean was speaking in tongues Saturday night at the Apollo as he rapped in Japanese, Spanish, German and French. But it was Chris Rock who spoke plain English at the Clinton Global Initiative event, to a college student who claimed he doesn't have enough time for charities: "I bet if you had AIDS, you'd find the time, wouldn'tcha?" Meanwhile, Susie Essman is as brash as her character on "Curb Your Enthusiasm." At Self mag's Laugh Out Loud comedy benefit for breast cancer awareness, she told the Tribeca crowd, "A reporter walked up to me tonight and asked, 'Why are you doing this?' And I said, 'What the f— kind of stupid question is that?!'" Get ready for high-def booty: "Law & Order: SVU" star Ice-T revealed the other night at Noel Ashman's party at The Plumm that his wife, Coco, has a big part in an upcoming episode. The callipygous cutie will play the widow of a dead wrestler. Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's taste is as bad as his politics, Chris Meloni said at the DKNY store the other night. "I can assure you, DKNY does not dress the Iranian president. You're the head of state and you dress like that?" said the actor, who showed up to support the idea of building a replica of Shakespeare's Old Globe Theatre on Governors Island. Supermodel Helena Houdova is so nice that her ex-boyfriend couldn't stop praising her at Capitale the other night at a benefit for her Sunflower Children's Foundation. "Dating Helena made me selfless and a better person," Platinum Rye CEO Ryan Schinman told us. "She donates 70% of all her model earnings to Sunflower, and she is not obsessed with designer duds. She'd actually rather shop at Old Navy so that she can give more of her money." Their relationship ultimately ended, Schinman mused, because "she was too smart for me. Her favorite pastime was reading books and quizzing me on them afterward." New York's first green nightclub will get an eco-preview tonight in Paris at a fete hosted by Jon Bakhshi. Greenhouse, set to open on 10th Ave. in December, will collect rainwater, use Earth-friendly building materials and feature lighting that will last 20 years. Surveillance Anna Nicole Smith's mother, Virgie Arthur, will make an appearance at Pacha tonight at the party for Rita Cosby 's best seller "Blonde Ambition: The Untold Story Behind Anna Nicole Smith's Death." Awkward! As Jon Bon Jovi and his bandmates walked into Cipriani Wall Street last week, a N.Y. Post reporter shouted out, "Do you have any warm wishes for Richie in rehab?" — right at Richie Sambora. The guitarist left Utah's Cirque Lodge, where he'd been drying out, to be honored by New York's NARAS, the Grammys org. "Big Love" star Chloe Sevigny admitted at the Public the other night that if she was polygamous in real life, she'd want to be with Sean Penn, Benicio Del Toro and Clive Owen. "I love really masculine men," she confided. "Darjeeling Limited" star Jason Schwartzman got lucky in the short film "Hotel Chevalier," doing a nude scene with Natalie Portman. But his luck apparently ran out at the after-party, where he was overheard asking a blond, "Well, I mean, we could hang out in L.A., though, right?" Meanwhile, Portman showed up at the Palace Hotel to support Seeds of Peace, a charity that sends Israeli and Palestinian kids to camp together. But the pint-size beauty just skulked around looking uncomfortable — perhaps because she was in a skirt and flip-flops, while dignitaries like Queen Noor of Jordan mingled in St. John suits. Nickelback lead singer Chad Kroeger met fellow rocker Tommy Lee at Southern Hospitality over the weekend. When Nickelback's hit song "Rockstar" played, the duo stood up on chairs and sang along to the delight of the crowd. Nightclubs, parties, high-speed car chases … pumpkin picking? Lindsay Lohan proved that rehab can do wonders as she took a breather from Cirque Lodge in Utah yesterday. Funnygirls Judy Gold and Sherri Shepherd brought the laughs to Lincoln Center's "Heart On" gala, benefiting the fight against heart disease in women. Mario Lopez showed his "Dancing With the Stars" moves with choreographer Maria Torres at a "Smart Spot Dance" event in Washington, D.C. No wonder the Josef K's gig at the Cutting Room last week was sold out: They're good. Gus Wenner must have learned something from the greats who visited his father, Jann Wenner, the publisher of Rolling Stone magazine. Gus and his bandmates, like Jack Byrne, the son of Gabriel Byrne and Ellen Barkin, named the group after the protagonist of Franz Kafka's "The Trial." Who could this mistress of the macabre be? Hint: She knows how to whip up a delicious eye of newt and is not afraid of dungeons. That's right, it's Martha Stewart, channeling her inner witch for the Halloween issue of her Holiday magazine, on stands now. ||||| Getty Images Ann Coulter's new book, If Democrats Had Any Brains They'd Be Republicans, hits bookshelves today, and as is his wont, George Gurley sat down with the self-proclaimed right-wing polemicist for a long chat [UPDATED: read the complete interview here]. George gave us a few bits of wit and wisdom from his interview, while the television is going wild about the beminiskirted babe. On how much blame Bill Clinton deserves for the terrorist attacks of 9/11: A lot. Jimmy Carter got the whole thing started, Bill Clinton let it build, build, build, build, build. He wouldn't deal with it, because he had no credibility on deploying the military. He was a pot smoking draft dodger, and so when he was presented with credible evidence that this or that country was behind a terrorist attack, he’d just have to look the other way: “No, don't let me hear that. Call in Monica!” On women: If we took away women's right to vote, we'd never have to worry about another Democrat president. It's kind of a pipe dream, it's a personal fantasy of mine, but I don't think it's going to happen. And it is a good way of making the point that women are voting so stupidly, at least single women. It also makes the point, it is kind of embarrassing, the Democratic Party ought to be hanging its head in shame, that it has so much difficulty getting men to vote for it. I mean, you do see it’s the party of women and 'We’ll pay for health care and tuition and day care -- and here, what else can we give you, soccer moms?' On why global warming is religion on the left: Because we can't prove them wrong for a thousand years, and I think the other thing about it is, it goes back to Chesterton’s statement: that when people stop believing in God, the problem isn't that they believe in nothing, it's that they'll believe anything. And that's what you constantly see with people who don't believe in God: They're always imitating the most ridiculous, primitive religions. And it is like a primitive religion, thinking if we just change these lightbulbs, we can change the temperature of the ocean. It's the craziest thing! Even primitive people wouldn't believe something that silly. | Ann Coulter Promoting her new book ''If Democrats Had Any Brains They'd Be Republicans'', Ann Coulter told a New York City paper: She continued, saying that she doesn't think it will happen, and says that she places the blame on single women. The comment, part of an interview published October 2 in the ''New York Observer'', has gained headlines from numerous media outlets. Megan McArdle of ''The Atlantic Monthly'' criticized Coulter's statements. McArdle comments: "Coulter isn't getting away with this because she's a Republican; she's getting away with it because she's a woman. If a conservative male had called for taking away the vote from women, Republicans wouldn't be able to get to the microphone fast enough to denounce him. They know where their political interests lie." Coulter went on in the interview to blame former Presidents Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter for the September 11, 2001 attacks and criticized women for "voting stupidly". |
X MEETS Y: Yahoo!7 CEO Ian Smith, left, and Telecom Chief Operating Officer Consumer Kevin Kenrick announce the launch of a new partnership in Auckland. Telecom's Xtra is set to launch its internet portal partnership with Australia's Yahoo!7 tomorrow as it strives to grab a dominant position in the burgeoning online advertising market. Yahoo!Xtra goes live on Thursday with the aim of becoming the country's leading online revenue earner. Yahoo!Xtra replaces the 2001 Telecom agreement with MSN, part of Microsoft, which is due to expire in March. Yahoo!7 and the Seven Network of Australia will have 51 per cent of Yahoo!Xtra, and Telecom 49 per cent. Xtra email customers will be migrated to a new platform in June but retain their existing email addresses. Kevin Kenrick, Telecom's chief operating officer for consumer products, said Yahoo!Xtra aimed to bring the best available international content and technology into a New Zealand context. "We do think Yahoo!Xtra will become an extension of New Zealanders living rooms," Mr Kenrick told an Auckland media briefing. Ian Smith, chief executive of Yahoo!7, will also chair the Yahoo!Xtra board. Mr Smith said online advertising now comprised about 2-3 per cent of the total New Zealand advertising market compared to 8 per cent, or $A1 billion annually, in Australia. He expected online advertising to grow to 8-10 per cent of the total New Zealand market over the next few years. "We have the objective of being the market leader," Mr Smith said. He said Yahoo! would bring some of its successful international products such as music, Answers and photo service Flicker to the venture and make its 500 million strong international community available to Kiwis. Both Mr Smith and Mr Kenrick declined to say how much the joint venture partners were investing in Yahoo!Xtra but Mr Kenrick said it was expected to be profitable in the "very near-term". ||||| The former state-owned monopoly, which controls around 80% of New Zealand's total telecommunications market, estimated at NZ$8 billion a year, is looking for new revenue streams to shore up earnings ahead of government moves to open its fixed-line network to competitors later this year. The new site, scheduled to go live Thursday, gives Telecom access to Yahoo's global scale and huge consumer following, and includes an enhanced range of news, sport, weather and messaging services. Telecom's Xtra customers will also have access to a range of e-mail, enhanced spam and virus protection services, online photo sharing, localized news and Internet radio. "Yahoo!Xtra will be the best of New Zealand linked to the best the rest of the world has to offer, and puts us in a prime position to capitalize on changing trends in media consumption and media usage," Kevin Kenrick, chief operating officer of Telecom's consumer division, said in a statement. New media businesses are viewed as key growth assets by telecom operators globally as faster broadband Internet services mean consumers are spending more time online and less on traditional revenue generators like voice calling. Telecom has a 49% stake in the joint venture, with Yahoo! and Seven holding the remaining 51%. No financial details have been disclosed. Yahoo! and Seven have an existing joint operation - Yahoo!7 - in Australia. Yahoo!7 Chief Executive Ian Smith will chair the board of the new joint venture. Other board members include Kenrick, Telecom's general counsel Mark Verbiest and its strategy and development head Rod Snodgrass, as well as Seven's director of digital media, Rohan Lund and Yahoo!'s director of corporate development in South Asia, David Gowdey. The deal follows similar tie-ups between Yahoo! and other telecoms operators, including UK-based BT Group PLC. (BT), Canada-based Rogers Communication INC. (RG), and U.S.-based Verizon Communications INC. (VZ). Yahoo! and rival Internet search engine Google INC. (GOOG) dominate the global directories market. -Edited by Craig Lewis | The partnership between New Zealand's monopolistic ISP, Xtra and Microsoft New Zealand, XtraMSN has expired today and has been replaced with a partnership between Xtra and Yahoo!7, YahooXtra. Yahoo!7 is also a partnership, between Yahoo! and the 7 television station in Australia. The partnership's website was launched today, as well as a new MSN New Zealand homepage. Yahoo!Xtra are trying to become the homepage of all New Zealanders with the claim the partnership will beef up content, as well as being the biggest website in New Zealand in terms of revenue. Kevin Kenrick, Telecom's consumer products chief operating officer, who own Xtra, said the aim of Yahoo!Xtra was to, "Yahoo!Xtra aimed to bring the best available international content and technology into a New Zealand context." "We do think Yahoo!Xtra will become an extension of New Zealanders living rooms." Chief executive of Yahoo!7, Ian Smith, said that two to three percent of all the advertising market was from online advertising. In Australia, that number is around eight percent, which Mr Smith expects to become the number for New Zealand. Mr. Smith said: "Yahoo!Xtra will be the best of New Zealand linked to the best the rest of the world has to offer, and puts us in a prime position to capitalize on changing trends in media consumption and media usage." Yahoo!7 will own 51% of the partnership, with Xtra owning the other 49%. Mr Smith will chair the board that will be created. The partnership also means that current Xtra subscribers will receive a new e-mail messaging platform, but current e-mail addresses will remain the same. This will mainly happen because of the mail technology currently offered by Yahoo! Other services owned by Yahoo!, such as Flickr and Answers, will also be brought into the new portal. Mr. Kenrick and Mr. Smith both denied to disclose how much money from either sides has been invested, but do say that it will be profitable in the near future. Other ventures between Yahoo! and telecommunication ISP's have occurred internationally as well. |
Pressure getting to Novak? CNN contributor and syndicated columnist Robert D. Novak stormed off CNN's set after using vulgar language during a live discussion with CNN contributor James Carville on the "Strategy Session" segment of the August 4 edition of CNN's Inside Politics. While discussing Rep. Katherine Harris's (R-FL) plan to run for a Senate seat against Sen. Bill Nelson (D-FL), Novak told Carville, "Just let me finish what I'm going to say, James, please. I know you hate to hear me." Carville said to host Ed Henry, describing Novak: "He's gotta show these right-wingers that he's got backbone, you know. The Wall Street Journal editorial page is watching you. Show 'em you're tough." Novak responded: "Well, I think that's bullshit, and I hate that." He then said to Henry, "Just let it go." As Henry asked Carville a question, Novak walked off the set. After the segment ended, Henry apologized to viewers for Novak's leaving the set "a little early," adding: "I had told him in advance that we were going to ask him about the CIA leak case. He was not here for me to be able to ask him about that. Hopefully, we'll be able to ask him about that in the future." Posted to the web on Thursday August 4, 2005 at 5:09 PM EST Subscribe to our newsletters to receive items via e-mail ||||| October 5, 2003 A Chicago Sun-Times investigation that showed how lawmakers and government employees used legal loopholes and other measures to boost their pensions has been named a top story in the 2003 Illinois Associated Press Editors Association News contest. Reporter Tim Novak's ''Pension Jackpot'' series won first place for investigative journalism in the large-newspaper division. It also was honored with a Sweepstakes Award for superior writing. Novak's series was praised by judges as ''a fine example of shoe-leather style journalism in a database world.'' It showed how several officials increased their pensions -- sometimes to more than their original salaries -- by taking other government jobs after retirement or exploiting a little-known provision in state law. Gov. Blagojevich signed legislation in August that eventually will close that loophole. Besides Novak's series, the Sun-Times received first-place awards for its "Why are They Landlords" series in the public service division and coverage of then-Gov. George Ryan's decision to empty Death Row in spot news. Mark Brown received a first-place award for column writing. Copyright 2003 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. ||||| St. Patrick’s Day is often celebrated with corned beef and cabbage, soda bread and Irish beef stew and then wash it all down with a tall pint of Guinness. Those tried and true recipes are a tradition. But for those of you who really enjoy the green foods, gimmicky cocktails and desserts decorated with four leaf clovers and pots of gold, these are the recipes for you. Fulfill your Pinterest goals with these Instagram-worthy St. Patrick’s Day recipes. | The journalist who first revealed in print the Valerie Plame CIA connection, Robert Novak, angrily left the set of an ''Inside Politics'' segment Thursday night. The discussion, led by Ed Henry of ''CNN'', centered on the Florida republican House representative Katherine Harris election prospects in a possible square-off against Florida’s democratic Senate representative Bill Nelson. The ''Chicago Sun-Times'' syndicated columnist and ''CNN'' contributor, Novak took offense when co-appearing James Carville interrupted Novak when he was defending the Harris election victory chances. "Let me just finish, James, please," Novak said. "I know you hate to hear me, but you have to." Carville countered with, "He's got to show these right-wingers that he's got a backbone, you know. It's why the Wall Street Journal editorial page is watching you. Show 'em that you're tough." The discussion was shortened when Novak responded to Carville saying, "Well, I think that's bullshit, and I hate that." Then, with a wave of his hand to moderator Henry, Novak said, "Just let it go." Novak stood and then left the set. Henry never got to ask Novak about his role in the federal probe on the Plame leak led by Patrick Fitzgerald. ''CNN'' suspended Novak indefinitely, despite his apology to the organization. The network said in a statement. "Mr. Novak has apologized to CNN, and CNN apologizes to its viewers for his language and actions. We've asked Mr. Novak to take some time off." |
Patel 'will get a fair trial' Updated Federal Member for Hinkler Paul Neville says surgeon Jayant Patel will get a fair trial if he is extradited to Australia from the United States. This morning Patel, who has been linked to the deaths of 17 patients at Bundaberg Base Hospital, was remanded in custody by a court in the US state of Oregon after Australian authorities put in a request for his extradition. The former Bundaberg Base Hospital surgeon was arrested by FBI agents at hIs home in Portland, Oregon overnight. The US court decided that 14 of the 16 charges against him were strong enough to proceed with. This morning Queensland Premier Anna Bligh told State Parliament the charges included three manslaughter charges, two grievous bodily harm charges, one negligent act causing harm charge, and eight fraud charges. Mr Neville, whose seat includes Bundaberg, says that Patel's case would be treated like any other despite the extensive media coverage. "We have a record in Australian courts of treating people fairly, and I think any judge who presided over a case like this would make it abundantly clear that that these sorts of sideshows are to be put to one side," he said. Earlier an international law expert said it could take years to extradite Patel to Australia. Australian National University Professor Donald Rothwell says Patel's US citizenship could prevent him from facing trial in Queensland. "The American courts will perhaps be even more concerned to ensure that all the technicalities have been met," he said. "The American courts won't easily give up one of their own citizens, even to an Australian court system. So that will mean that this extradition request will receive even greater scrutiny by the American courts." Queensland Nationals Senator, Barnaby Joyce, says the case against Dr Patel has been mishandled by the State Government and the Director of Public Prosecutions. He says the delay has only heightened the distress for former Bundaberg patients. "This saga has gone on for too long, Dr Patel has a lot to answer to those who suffered under his stewardship in Queensland, especially around Bundaberg," he said. "The sooner we can get Dr Patel back and the sooner he can see a court, then that is only way a lot of people can get solace." Topics: crime, health, doctors-and-medical-professionals, law-crime-and-justice, united-states, australia, qld, bundaberg-4670 First posted ||||| March 12, 2008 - 4:44PM Jayant Patel, the surgeon wanted for alleged botched surgeries in Queensland, has spent his first night in a high security prison in the US after FBI officers swooped on his Oregon home. Patel put up no resistance when officers knocked on his door in Portland just after 7.30am local time (1.30am AEDT), FBI officials said. The Indian-born 57-year-old, linked to the deaths of 17 patients at Bundaberg Base Hospital, later appeared in court and was remanded in custody. He will seek bail when he reappears in court on Friday, Australian time, ahead of an extradition hearing scheduled for April 10. Patel was arrested following a request by Australian authorities, who want him to stand trial on 16 charges, including three of manslaughter. Former patients of Patel in Australia expressed relief at his arrest. "I can't tell you how happy I am," said Judy Kemps, wife of Gerry Kemps, a former Bundaberg patient of Patel who died after being operated on in December 2004. But Patel's return to Australia may not be as simple as his arrest. Friends believe he will fight attempts to extradite him to Queensland on charges that could put him behind bars for the rest of his life, if convicted. Extradition proceedings in the US can take more than two years before a final decision is reached. Patel is expected to argue that widespread publicity given to his case in Australia, including being dubbed Dr Death in the media, will prevent him receiving a fair trial in Queensland. "If Osama bin Laden can get a fair trial in the United States, Jayant Patel can get a fair trial in Australia," supporter and friend Vijay Mehta, a Texas-based surgeon, told ABC Radio. Queensland Premier Anna Bligh described the case against Patel as being "as rock solid as it can be", while Opposition Leader Lawrence Springborg said the arrest was good news, but a long time coming. Patel, former director of surgery at the Bundaberg Base Hospital from 2003 to 2005, was forlorn as he was escorted into Portland's Federal Court and unsuccessfully applied for bail. "The government respectfully requests that Jayant Mukundray Patel be held without bail pending extradition proceedings against him," read an affidavit, filed with the court by US government prosecutors. Dressed in a brownish, checked jumper, Patel was represented by legal aide lawyer Susan Russell and supported in court by his wife Kishoree, who sat among the media inside the courtroom. "Most likely not," Patel quietly replied when Judge Dennis Hubel asked if he thought he could afford his own attorney. Russell argued Patel should be released on bail, but Judge Hubel delayed a decision until the follow-up meeting on Friday (AEDT). "Mr Patel does not present a flight risk to this court," Russell told the judge. Patel was taken away to be held at Portland's high security prison, the Multnomah County Detention Centre. His arrest follows years of protests and political debate in Australia, with irate former patients critical of the Queensland government for allowing the doctor to take up a senior position in Bundaberg despite "professional misconduct" in hospitals in New York and Oregon. Affidavits filed by the US District Attorney's Portland office detail horrific allegations about Patel's surgical ability. Patel was found guilty in 1984 by New York medical regulators of "gross negligence and incompetence" and was fired, the documents say. He moved to Oregon in 1989, but his employer, US medical group Northwest Permanente, eventually limited his scope of practice and the Oregon Board of Medical Examiners barred Patel from "doing certain surgeries". In 2001, Providence Portland Hospital "revoked his surgical privileges" while other hospitals "required that he have a second surgeon present for any surgery". Patel applied for the Bundaberg position in 2002 and was hired. The affidavit claims Patel failed to tell his new employer about his work history in New York and Oregon. "Patel actively hid his history of professional misconduct and lied repeatedly on forms required for registration in Australia as he sought employment at Bundaberg," the affidavit alleges. "Once employed by Bundaberg Base Hospital, Patel's tenure had tragic results." Patel is charged with three counts of manslaughter, three of grievous bodily harm, two of negligent acts or omissions causing harm and eight fraud offences. The fraud charges relate to his failure to disclose his work history. "Patel held himself as something he was not - a qualified physician licensed for full practice in the US - in order to obtain employment and retain employment at Bundaberg Base Hospital," the affidavit states. The court documents also detail alleged errors Patel made during operations. In 2003, Bundaberg patient Mervyn Morris complained of rectal bleeding and Patel allegedly wrongly diagnosed his illness and performed a procedure "conducted only in an emergency situation". Patel had been barred from performing the procedure in Oregon. Morris' bleeding did not stop and he died several weeks later, with the surgery contributing to Morris' death, the affidavit states. In another alleged incident, Patel was "supposed to remove a cancerous gland" from patient Darcy Blight, but instead "removed a healthy gland - leaving the cancerous gland in the patient to continue its destructive course". | Booking photo of Dr. Patel. , wanted for manslaughter, grievous bodily harm and fraud in Australia, was arrested by FBI agents in Oregon, United States and is scheduled to face an extradition hearing on April 10. According to an affidavit filed by US prosecutors, Patel, previously restricted from performing surgery in the US due to "professional misconduct", lied about his professional history in order to work at in , Queensland. Patel performed surgeries at Bundaberg that are alleged to have directly led to the deaths of several of his patients, including one procedure which he had previously been banned from performing in Oregon. The incidents led to Patel being nicknamed "Dr Death". If successfully extradited to Australia, Patel "will get a fair trial", according to the Federal Member for , , whose electorate includes Bundaberg, although the extradition may take some time due to Patel's US citizenship. |
HOUSTON, Texas (AP) -- The space shuttle Endeavour began its return to Earth Tuesday morning. Commander Scott Kelly and pilot Charles Hobaugh fired Endeavour's engines at 11:25 a.m. ET to begin the descent to Earth. Endeavour is scheduled for a 12:32 p.m. ET landing in Florida on Tuesday. The weather outlook in Cape Canaveral, Florida, was fairly good, although forecasters were keeping an eye on the crosswind. Endeavour's landing path will take the crew over the Pacific Ocean, Central America and Cuba before touching down at Cape Canaveral in Florida. Endeavour's seven crew members woke early Tuesday to Simon and Garfunkel's "Homeward Bound," a tribute from all of their families. "That's very nice of them to think of that," Kelly told Mission Control. "Although it's been a short two weeks, we've accomplished a lot and we still look very much forward to coming home today." Endeavour's two-week mission wasn't supposed to end until Wednesday, but over the weekend mission managers decided to cut its space station visit short. At the time, it was uncertain whether Hurricane Dean might threaten Houston, home to Mission Control. The forecast Monday afternoon had Houston out of harm's way. But with the shuttle astronauts already packed up, NASA held to a Tuesday landing. NASA cleared Endeavour for landing after engineers finished evaluating the latest laser images of the shuttle's wings and nose and concluded there were no holes or cracks from micrometeorites or space junk. The astronauts inspected the especially vulnerable areas Sunday, after undocking from the international space station. NASA reiterated Monday that the unrepaired gouge in Endeavour's belly posed no danger to the shuttle or its crew. A week of thermal analyses and tests also indicated that no lengthy postflight repairs should be required, said flight director Steve Stich. Stich noted, however, that re-entering the Earth's atmosphere is always risky. A piece of foam insulation or ice from a bracket on the external fuel tank broke off at liftoff August 8. It fell onto a strut lower on the tank, then bounced into Endeavour and gashed it. Brackets have shed debris in previous launches, but it wasn't until Endeavour's flight that such debris caused noticeable damage. NASA does not plan to launch another space shuttle until the problem is solved. During the mission, the astronauts delivered 5,000 pounds of cargo to the space station, attached a new truss segment to the outpost and replaced a gyroscope which helps control the station's orientation. The crew completed four spacewalks, two of which were cut short. One was halted after a spacewalking astronaut noticed a cut in his glove. The other was abbreviated to give the crew enough time to prepare for an early departure from the space station. Learn more about the mission » Teacher-astronaut Barbara Morgan spent time answering questions from students in Idaho, Virginia and Canada. Morgan, who was Christa McAuliffe's backup for the doomed Challenger flight in 1986, is the first teacher to train as a full-fledged astronaut. The rest of the crew includes mission specialists Alvin Drew, Tracy Caldwell, Dave Williams and Rick Mastracchio. E-mail to a friend Copyright 2007 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. All About NASA • Space Shuttles ||||| Endeavour made a perfect touch down in Florida Endeavour landing Nasa had feared that Mission Control in Houston would have to be evacuated if the storm lurched towards Texas, but in the end, the facility was not affected. The space agency also opted not to repair a 9cm (3.5in) gouge in the shuttle's underside before its return. But the damage appears to have posed no problem to Endeavour on re-entry. The US shuttle made a perfect touch down at Kennedy Space Center at 1732 BST (1232 EDT). Its seven crew members spent 13 days in space on a mission that spanned 8.5 million km (5.3 million miles). Their aims were to continue construction work on the ISS, replace a faulty space station gyroscope and deliver vital supplies to crew members on the orbiting outpost. On the way down, Endeavour would have reached speeds of up to 30 times the speed of sound and its underside would have been exposed to temperatures of 1,650C (3,000F). Nasa officials had already decided that a hole in Endeavour's heat shield tiles would not be repaired by astronauts on a spacewalk before the shuttle attempted to return. Engineers had been worried the 9cm gash could lead to structural damage on re-entering the Earth's atmosphere, but extensive tests concluded it should pose no problem. During launch on 8 August, a chunk of insulating foam hit the shuttle, creating the square gouge. Foam damage has been a major concern for Nasa since the Columbia disaster in 2003 when a briefcase-sized chunk of foam insulation broke off during launch and pierced the shuttle's left wing. This caused the shuttle to disintegrate on re-entry into the atmosphere, killing all seven crew members. | High-resolution image showing the damage to the tiles. Space Shuttle Endeavour is scheduled to touchdown at 12:32 p.m. EDT today in Cape Canaveral, Florida. Rockets were fired to slow down the shuttle at 11:25 a.m. EDT to begin the re-entry procedure. Weather conditions at the Kennedy Space Center are not forecast to be a problem, and the landing will take place as planned given a favorable crosswind. A second landing in Florida is possible at the Kennedy Space Center at 2:06 p.m. Also, NASA says that usual back-up landing sites at Edwards Air Force Base in California and White Sands in New Mexico are not expected to be used. Commander Scott Kelly was given the go-ahead for re-entry preparations after evaluation of the shuttle's wings and nose was completed, indicating no damage from space debris. The three-inch (7.6 cm) gash in the shuttle's belly reported earlier is likely not a safety risk, and should not lead to damage that requires any lengthy repair, NASA said. The shuttle will pass above Hurricane Dean on the approach to Florida, but the shuttle will be too high to be affected. The threat of Dean heading toward Texas earlier last week prompted NASA to cut the mission a few days short in the case that Dean tracked north toward Houston's Mission Control Center, potentially disabling operations. |
The body that was found near the Connoquenessing Creek in Beaver County was that of a local m... Read more ||||| Saxonburg beating suspect in custody Attack injured woman, 86 Thursday, June 30, 2005 By Karen Kane, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Saxonburg police had an eye on Joshua J. Goyette even before he was caught in Massachusetts in December 2003 with identification stolen from a Saxonburg woman. Joshua J. Goyette -- Authorities say he preys on women -- especially the elderly. Now, authorities say a portrait is emerging of Goyette as a serial burglar who preys on women, especially the elderly; who watches and stalks them and collects their pictures and underwear. Goyette, 25, is soon to face charges of felony burglary and assault in the beating Saturday morning of an 86-year-old woman. He also has been named as a suspect in two other assaults and a series of burglaries and prowlings, all of which occurred at The Commons of Saxonburg, a 26-unit senior citizen apartment complex less than a mile from the residence of Goyette's mother, Maria Philomena Azevedo. Goyette, who is said to have lived both with his mother in Saxonburg and with his father in New Bedford, Mass., is being held in a Massachusetts jail on a fugitive warrant. The warrant was issued after Pennsylvania State Police filed charges of receiving stolen property against Goyette on Monday in connection with an ID theft that occurred in November 2003 in Saxonburg. Lt. Richard Spirlet of the New Bedford police said Goyette turned himself in to police at about 5:30 p.m. Tuesday. State Trooper David Boggs of the Butler barracks said the theft charges will keep Goyette behind bars while authorities here finish investigating the burglary and assault charges. Boggs is obtaining a search warrant for a blood sample from Goyette to see if it matches DNA on a bloody T-shirt that was found Saturday in a Dumpster a few feet away from his mother's apartment. A search warrant affidavit filed Tuesday noted that Azevedo told authorities her son came home early Saturday morning "covered with blood," though he had no injuries that she could see. "We expect Massachusetts will hold him for a week and then he'll be extradited to face our charges,'' Boggs said yesterday. Meanwhile, Gertrude "Trudy" Johanson is recuperating from serious injuries she suffered when she was awakened about 4:50 a.m. Saturday to someone beating her head with a glass candlestick. The beating was so severe some of her fingers were nearly severed as she tried to shield her head from the blows, police said. It was the third assault since 2001 at The Commons, along Pittsburgh Street. Boggs verified that in November 2001, Eileen Devlin, now 74, was awakened by someone's hands on her body. She chased off the intruder with a walking stick she keeps at her bedside. And police said that on May 21, someone groped a sleeping 90-year-old woman, leaving her bruised and terrified before fleeing. In addition to the assaults, property owner Presbyterian SeniorCare of Oakmont confirmed there have been reports of suspicious sightings by residents on and off for months. Eric Bergstrum, officer-in-charge of the Saxonburg Borough police, said yesterday that Goyette had been in their sights for some time but there was never enough evidence to arrest him. Bergstrum confirmed that New Bedford police notified his department in December 2003 that they found stolen ID and credit cards that had been taken during a Nov. 28, 2003, burglary of Shari Lauer's Saxonburg apartment. "We weren't going to extradite him on a misdemeanor and that's all we would have had. They [Massachusetts authorities] had him already,'' Bergstrum said, alluding to the fact that Goyette faced three felony charges there, accused of breaking into a woman's apartment and rubbing her breasts while she slept. According to New Bedford District Court, he pleaded guilty Jan. 22, 2004, to breaking and entering, assault and battery and larceny and was sentenced to six months in jail and two years of probation to be served in Pennsylvania. Bergstrum said local authorities learned this week that Goyette had been living with his mother for about two months but hadn't known that until after the attack on Johanson. A police affidavit noted commonalities in the crimes Goyette has been convicted or accused of: Entry to homes was gained through ground windows; break-ins occurred toward early morning; sleeping women were assaulted; victims' family pictures were either moved around or stolen. In the Massachusetts case, authorities said he had stalked his victim for perhaps six years. Police said the incidents in Saxonburg coincide with times that Goyette was either living with or visiting his mother. Azevedo, who has lived in Saxonburg for about five years, did not answer her door yesterday and could not be reached at her workplace. Police searched her home on Saturday and again on Tuesday, taking a computer at that time. According to an affidavit, Azevedo told authorities that Goyette used the computer in her apartment early Saturday morning before they both left town for Massachusetts. (Karen Kane can be reached at kkane@post-gazette.com or 724-772-9180.) ||||| The body that was found near the Connoquenessing Creek in Beaver County was that of a local m... Read more ||||| SAXONBURG, Pa. -- Police charged a Massachusetts man with trying to kill an 87-year-old woman with a candlestick and said he is a suspect in assaults and other crimes at an apartment complex for the elderly. State police on Friday were traveling from New Bedford with Joshua J. Goyette, 25. He sometimes lived there with his father, and also stayed with his mother in Saxonburg, about 30 miles north of Pittsburgh, police said. The mother's home is less than a mile from a senior-citizen apartment complex where police were investigating a rash of crimes. Goyette is charged in Pennsylvania with attempted homicide, aggravated assault, and burglary in an attack last Saturday. Gertrude Johnson told police she was awakened at 4:50 a.m. by someone beating her with a glass candlestick. The attack was so brutal that some of Johnson's fingers were nearly severed as she tried to ward off the blows, police said. It was not immediately clear whether Goyette had an attorney. Goyette served four months in jail for a 2001 burglary conviction in Kansas, and six months in jail after pleading guilty in January 2004 in New Bedford to breaking into a woman's apartment and fondling her while she slept. Goyette was still serving two years' probation for that crime when he moved in with his mother in early May, police said. Police said Goyette is suspected of groping a sleeping 90-year-old woman May 21, also in the 26-unit Pennsylvania apartment complex. In November 2001, resident Eileen Devlin, now 74, told police she woke up to find someone's hands on her; she chased off the intruder with a walking stick she keeps nearby. Goyette is a suspect in that case, too, police said. Those attacks and other reports of prowlers in recent months all occurred when Goyette was known to be staying with his mother, police said. Earlier this week they searched her house and seized a computer Goyette allegedly used before they both left for Massachusetts yesterday. Goyette's mother told police her son returned home earlier that day ''covered with blood" but appeared to be uninjured, according to an affidavit. The warrant noted other similarities in the crimes Goyette has been charged with or convicted of in the past. © Copyright 2005 Globe Newspaper Company. | The Commons of Saxonburg retirement home entrance Joshua J. Goyette allegedly confessed to breaking into a Saxonburg, Pennsylvania retirement home and beating 86-year-old Gertrude "Trudy" Johanson in the early morning of June 25, 2005. The crime, which shocked the small community north of Pittsburgh, was not the only one which occurred recently at area retirement homes. Goyette is also suspected in a May incident where another apartment at the Commons of Saxonburg was broken into through a first floor window and the 90-year-old woman inside was groped while she slept. Goyette, 25, has addresses listed in court documents in New Bedford, Massachusetts; and in Saxonburg, Pennsylvania, his mother's home. The alleged confession was given last Thursday, June 30, 2005, in New Bedford, Massachusetts, to Pennsylvania state police investigators. Goyette is currently being held in the Butler County prison in lieu of $300,000 cash bond. He faces charges of attempted homicide, aggravated assault, burglary and criminal mischief. |
SEOUL (Reuters) - North Korea said on Monday it would start implementing a nuclear disarmament deal struck in February and awaits a visit by U.N. inspectors now that a dispute over its funds frozen at a Macau bank had been resolved. A video grab shows a North Korean military parade in central Pyongyang, April 25, 2007. North Korea said on Monday it would start implementing a nuclear disarmament deal struck in February and awaits a visit by U.N. inspectors now that a dispute over its funds frozen at a Macau bank had been resolved. REUTERS/KRT via Reuters TV A team of International Atomic Energy Agency inspectors arrived in Beijing on Monday and is scheduled to go to Pyongyang on Tuesday to help lay the groundwork for shutting down the North’s reactor and source of bomb-grade plutonium. “As the funds that had been frozen at Macau’s Banco Delta Asia have been transferred as we demanded, the troublesome issue of the frozen funds is finally resolved,” North Korea’s KCNA news agency quoted a Foreign Ministry spokesman as saying. He said there could now be “action for action”. “As part of that, there will be discussions with (IAEA) delegates on June 26 in Pyongyang on shutting down nuclear facilities and inspections and monitoring.” The North said the amount of the funds may not have been all that large but the freezing the assets was an example of what it saw as a hostile policy toward it by Washington. Analysts said the main reason Pyongyang was upset about the U.S. action was that it effectively cut off their access to international banking. The North said it would use the frozen funds for humanitarian purposes, which analysts said is highly doubtful in a country that has one of the worst human right records on the planet. U.S. nuclear envoy Christopher Hill, who made a rare and surprise overnight visit to Pyongyang last week, said he expects the North to start shutting its Soviet-era Yongbyon reactor in the next two to three weeks. Impoverished North Korea had refused to honor the disarmament-for-aid deal struck by the two Koreas, the United States, Japan, Russia and China until it got the money back. The Yongbyon complex is at the heart of the North’s nuclear arms program and includes a plutonium reprocessing plant. LONG ROAD AHEAD While the first step of the deal calls for a closure of the North’s nuclear facilities in exchange for fuel oil, the goal of the six-way discussions is for the North to completely scrap its nuclear arms program in exchange for massive aid, security guarantees and better diplomatic standing. “Now we are going to negotiate how to verify and make sure the reactor will be shut down and sealed, so this is the next step on this long trip,” Olli Heinonen, the IAEA’s deputy director in charge of global nuclear safeguards, told reporters at Beijing’s international airport. Heinonen’s four-member team is expected to stay for five days in North Korea. The North ejected IAEA inspectors in December 2002 after the United States charged it with having a secret program to enrich uranium. It tested its first nuclear device in October 2006, drawing widespread condemnation and U.N. sanctions. Olli Heinonen, chief inspector of the U.N.'s nuclear watchdog, is surrounded by journalists upon his arrival at Beijing's airport June 25, 2007. The chief inspector of the U.N.'s nuclear watchdog arrived in China on Monday on his way to North Korea, where he hopes to arrange the return of an IAEA team to monitor Pyongyang's promised reactor shutdown. REUTERS/Claro Cortes IV Despite signs of a reduction in tension, Pyongyang’s official Rodong Sinmun newspaper accused Washington earlier on Monday — the anniversary of the June 25, 1950 surprise assault by the North on the South to start the Korean War — of preparing for an attack. “The U.S. anachronistic hostile policy and moves for military confrontation... (are) escalating the tensions on the Korean peninsula and increasing the danger of war,” the newspaper said, according to KCNA. Meanwhile, South Korea’s spy agency in a report to parliament shot down reports about Kim Jong-il’s ailing health, saying he may be showing signs of aging with a heart condition and diabetes, but that is not serious enough to affect his activities. ||||| The IAEA team has arrived in Beijing en route to Pyongyang The foreign ministry said in a statement: "The issue of the frozen funds has finally been settled." Pyongyang said the money would be used for humanitarian purposes. The ministry also confirmed it would begin implementing a deal to shut down its main reactor - a day before UN nuclear inspectors are due to visit. Now we are going to negotiate how to verify and make sure the reactor will be shut down and sealed, so this is the next step on this long trip Olli Heinonen Head of IAEA delegation The team from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is travelling at the request of Pyongyang to discuss procedures for monitoring the shut down of the Yongbyon nuclear reactor. Washington's chief nuclear negotiator, Christopher Hill, said at the weekend that Pyongyang had agreed to shut down the reactor within three weeks. Banking concerns "As the funds that had been frozen... have been transferred as we demanded, the troublesome issue of the frozen funds is finally resolved," a foreign ministry spokesman was quoted by official media as saying. The money will be used "for improving the lives of our people and other humanitarian purposes as planned," the spokesman went on. He also confirmed that North Korea "is set to start negotiations on the shutdown" of Yongbyon with the IAEA team. N KOREA NUCLEAR DEAL N Korea to "shut down and seal" Yongbyon reactor, then disable all nuclear facilities In return, will be given 1m tons of heavy fuel oil N Korea to invite IAEA back to monitor deal Under earlier 2005 deal, N Korea agreed to end nuclear programme and return to non-proliferation treaty N Korea's demand for light water reactor to be discussed at "appropriate time" Q&A;: The bank row Earlier the Russian bank Dalkombank - in the country's Far East - confirmed it had transferred the money to North Korea's Bank of Foreign Trade. The money had frozen for nearly two years in a Macau bank after the US said it had been gained through drug smuggling and counterfeiting. The block on the money was lifted after North Korea agreed in a landmark deal last February to "shut down and seal" Yongbyon in return for badly-needed fuel aid and other benefits. But the transfer of the money had been held up because of concerns within the international banking community about handling the funds. After weeks of stalling, progress on the nuclear issue finally picked up when the Russian bank agreed to act as an intermediary in the transfer of funds. It led to North Korea's invitation to IAEA inspectors, and a surprise visit by US chief nuclear negotiator Christopher Hill to Pyongyang last week. Mr Hill said at the weekend that the North had agreed to shut Yongbyon within three weeks, and that a fresh round of multi-party disarmament talks would be held in July. The four-member IAEA team arrived in Beijing on Monday en route for the five-day visit to Pyongyang. "Now we are going to negotiate how to verify and make sure the reactor will be shut down and sealed, so this is the next step on this long trip," the head of the team, Olli Heinonen, told reporters. It will be the first time the IAEA has visited the country since inspectors were forced to leave in 2002. | North Korea has confirmed that it is in receipt of US$25 million that was frozen at a Macau bank. The funds had become a major sticking point in the ongoing nuclear negotiations. The were frozen at the Macau bank after the United States accused North Korea of and . quoted an official at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as saying: "As the funds that had been frozen at Macau's Banco Delta Asia have been transferred as we demanded, the troublesome issue of the frozen funds is finally resolved." He continued, "there will be discussions with International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) delegates June 26 in Pyongyang on shutting down nuclear facilities and inspections and monitoring." A team from the arrived in , China, on their way to Pyongyang for a five-day visit. This will be the first visit by the IAEA since December 2002 when North Korea ejected inspectors. The head of the team, Olli Heinonen, said "Now we are going to negotiate how to verify and make sure the reactor will be shut down and sealed, so this is the next step on this long trip." The is at the heart of the . |
Fiji court of appeal rules interim regime unlawfully appointed Posted at 04:00 on 09 April, 2009 UTC The Fiji Court of Appeal has found in favour of ousted Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase, who challenged the High Court’s decision in regards to the President’s reserve powers. It ruled that the interim government led by Commodore Frank Bainimarama was unlawfully appointed two years ago and that the President needs to appoint a caretaker Prime Minister. The court has made the decision on the basis that if the President’s powers of prerogative did exist after Fiji became independent, they did not exist after the 1997 constitution came into effect. The interim regime, which seized power in amilitary coup in 2006, based its claim to be legitimate on last year’s ruling which had validated President Ratu Josefa Iloilo’s decisions. The state’s lawyers applied for a stay on the decision but it was denied. ||||| Fijilive Hibiscus National Appeal Qarase’s removal unlawful, Fiji court rules 09/04/2009 Fiji’s Court of Appeal has declared that the removal of Laisenia Qarase and his ministers from government in a military takeover in December 2006 was unlawful, and has ruled it lawful for the President to appoint a caretaker Prime Minister to issue a writs for general elections. However, it has ruled against the argument by Qarase’s lawyers that he be reinstated and that he advise the President to dissolve Parliament and call fresh elections, given the length of time since Qarase’s removal. Instead, the three judges have ruled that the President appoint an independent person as caretaker Prime Minister, who would then advise President to dissolve parliament and make way for elections. The court has made the decision on the basis that if the President’s powers of prerogative did exist after Fiji became independent, they did not exist after the 1997 Constitution came into effect. The issue of the President’s powers of prerogative, through which the interim administration was appointed, has been the crux of the appeal brought by Qarase against a High Court ruling last year that validated the President’s actions and his appointment of the interim government. The court has granted Solicitor-General Christopher Pryde leave to appeal the judgment. After the court handed down the decision, Pryde asked that a stay be granted on the decision, given the seriousness of the case. However, the judges ruled it was not an appropriate case to grant a stay. Fijilive Reader Comments Name Email Comment Posted Comments No comments posted ||||| Fijilive Hibiscus National Appeal Ousted PM comfortable with outcome 09/04/2009 Ousted Fiji prime minister Laisenia Qarase said he was comfortable with today’s ruling by the Fiji Court of Appeal that deemed the 2006 removal of his government unlawful. Qarase told reporters after the court delivered the ruling that he was happy with the declarations made by the Court of Appeal. “We are very happy with the decision of the Court of Appeal today. One thing is for certain that the Constitution of Fiji 1997 is the supreme law of Fiji and it has to be respected by everybody including the President,” Qarase said. “Now the decision today has restored the correct legal position when the recent illegal overthrow of an elected government or the dissolution of the government, has become very clear,” he added. “The president will be seeking advice and it is up to him to follow the declaration of the court. It is not for me or anyone else to tell him what to do, he will do the right thing and appoint a caretaker prime minister.” Today’s judgment rules against the push by Qarase’s lawyers to have him reinstated, ordering instead that the President appoint an independent person as caretaker prime minister, who would then advise the President to dissolve elections and issue writs for general elections. Qarase said his SDL Party did not want the caretaker position and would wait for elections. “We don’t want to go back into government, into the current mess that we are facing, we want to go back when there is an elected as elected government.” Fijilive Reader Comments Name Email Comment Posted Comments Posted By: jone Posted On: Apr 09 2009 17:05:32 Comment: The blaming game has been the hallmark of Fiji politics, it only shows corruptible and unprofessional attitude by most of our prominent politicians. Politicians should put the nation's interest first and put aside their own personal agendas. A very good reason why we should opt for the People's Charter than on unreliable politicians. jone Posted By: John Posted On: Apr 09 2009 18:51:38 Comment: Same situation as 2001 yeah? John Posted By: mejool Posted On: Apr 09 2009 23:29:13 Comment: Where was the justice when Labour won and then a coup happened? mejool Posted By: Ponipate Posted On: Apr 10 2009 01:16:04 Comment: I hope you don't get elected again because it's not other people who are creating problems because you are the main root of the problem. Ponipate Posted By: Jack Lal Posted On: Apr 10 2009 09:18:04 Comment: There is no chance of you or your party getting a caretaker role so there is no question of wanting or not. If by chance you get in there it will be not for long. Jack Lal Posted By: rkm Posted On: Apr 10 2009 12:32:27 Comment: Let me tell Qarase again that if he was an able leader this day would not have come. His failure to listen to the Military and people of Fiji led him to this day. You will not become a Prime Minister again. Calm down, you have dug your own grave. rkm Posted By: jone dina Posted On: Apr 11 2009 04:34:24 Comment: Where is people's rights in Fiji? All taken away. Remember, everything has a beginning and ending. jone dina Posted By: jone dina Posted On: Apr 11 2009 04:39:11 Comment: To rkm, digging of graves is not new in this world. Just remember that once graves are dug prematurely, then they do not have the power to stop it. It is also easy to dig theirs too. jone dina Posted By: aisake Posted On: Apr 11 2009 19:17:12 Comment: Qarase you will no longer become the Prime Minister of Fiji again. Because of your leadership style this nation has been suffering to this date. aisake ||||| Fijilive Hibiscus National Appeal Decision creates vacuum, says Fiji A-G 09/04/2009 Fiji’s interim Attorney-General said the Court of Appeal had not recognised that its decision today for the President to appoint a caretaker Prime Minister on the way back to general elections would create a vacuum in the day-to-day running of the country. “There is a vacuum, because the court has not said that (ousted prime minister Laisenia) Qarase comes back as Prime Minister, the court has simply said that the President has to appoint a caretaker Prime Minister, a third party,” Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum said outside court. “So there is a vacuum. That’s what we tried to impress upon the court that there is a vacuum, the State of Fiji needs to continue, people need to catch the bus, people are coming to this country, orders need to be signed, and there are various machinations of the country that is at stake. Unfortunately the court has not recognised this.” Sayed-Khaiyum said the government would be studying the court’s decision. “It is a fairly complex manner in which they have arrived to the decision. We obviously need time to study it, we have put the court on notice that we will be appealing the decision but you’ve also seen the second deck of orders that the discretion is up to the President in the appointment of a caretaker Prime Minister. We obviously will be appealing the ruling.” When asked if the interim government would be vacating office, he said: “We will have to see, we are filing an appeal, we will have to see our avenues of getting a stay on the order.” The Court of Appeal granted Solicitor-General Christopher Pryde leave to appeal its decision, moments after the decision was handed down. Fijilive Reader Comments Name Email Comment Posted Comments No comments posted ||||| NZ condemns Fiji judge sackings Fiji's constitution revoked, 2014 date for elections JOHN SELKIRK/Dominion Post ILLEGAL: Fiji's appeal court has ruled the government of Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama is illegal. Democracy lost in Fiji Relevant offers New Zealand has condemned the Fijian president's decision to abolish the constitution and sack appeal court judges who ruled the military-appointed interim government illegal. Foreign Minister Murray McCully called the move by President Ratu Josefa Iloilo to disband the Court of Appeal after their unfavourable decision "a serious step backwards", although he did not commit to doing anything about it. "The events of the past few days will merely compound the problems faced by ordinary Fijians," Mr McCully said in a statement. "The decision of the Court of Appeal declaring the Interim Government unlawful provided a way out for Commodore Bainimarama and his colleagues. It is a great pity that they did not take the opportunity they were afforded." Mr McCully said he had little doubt the president's decision was prompted by the country's military leader, Cdre Bainimarama. President Ratu Josefa Iloilo announced in a nationally broadcast radio address that he had abolished the constitution, assumed all governing power and revoked all judicial appointments. "I hereby confirm I have abrogated the 1997 constitution and appointed myself as head of state in the new order," Iloilo said in the address. The move came one day after the country's second-highest court ruled that armed forces chief Commodore Frank Bainimarama's government that took power after a 2006 coup was illegal, effectively creating a power vacuum. In response, Bainimarama went on national television to announce he had met Iloilo and told him he was relinquishing the prime minister's post. He said the armed forces would continue to enforce security. Observers said Friday's announcement by the aged and ailing Iloilo had the stamp of Bainimarama, and that the measures he announced appeared to prepare the way for the president to reappoint Bainimarama as prime minister. "It looks like a prepared statement by Bainimarama, delivered by Iloilo," Rod Alley, a senior fellow at New Zealand's Center for Strategic Studies, told The Associated Press. "This is extraordinary and doesn't look good for Fiji." Labour leader Phil Goff said New Zealand's South Pacific neighbour had to "break out of its coup culture" and democratically form consensus among its communities and respect the rights of its citizens. "New Zealand can play a constructive role by working with Fiji and through the Fijian community in New Zealand to help ensure that happens," Mr Goff said. Iloilo said he would appoint an interim prime minister soon. "You cannot have a country without a government," he said. "The machinery of government must continue." Under the constitution, Fiji's president has a mostly ceremonial role as head of state and governing power is held by an elected prime minister and cabinet. Iloilo also said Fiji would hold elections in 2014. The date of those elections – which are supposed to restore democracy – has been a sore point both domestically and internationally since Bainimarama seized power in December, 2006 – the country's fourth coup in 20 years. Bainimarama has long promised elections but has baulked at setting a timetable, saying he would overhaul the constitution and electoral laws first – a process likely to take years. Bainimarama has been under intense international pressure – led by Australia and New Zealand – to hold elections this year under the existing constitution. US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton this week backed that view. A three-judge Court of Appeal panel on Thursday upheld a challenge to Bainimarama's rule by ousted Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase, saying the military government was illegal and urging Iloilo to replace it with an interim government. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon appealed for calm following the ruling and urged "full respect for human rights, the rule of law and the judicial process," UN spokeswoman Michele Montas said. She added that the UN is reviewing its role in mediating the crisis. Bainimarama seized power after months of bickering with Qarase, whom he accused of discriminating in favour of indigenous Fijians who made up his power base and against the large ethnic Indian minority. After the coup, Bainimarama persuaded Iloilo to formally install his government to prevent further instability – a move that Bainimarama claimed made his government legitimate. Fiji has been internationally isolated ever since, and its tourism and sugar-export dependent economy has plunged, sending more of the nation's 800,000 population into poverty. - AP and NZPA ||||| / Front page / Archives » Article Index THE powers of the President, Ratu Josefa Iloilo, to remove an elected government and appoint a caretaker government were questioned in the Fiji Court of Appeal yesterday. Ousted prime minister Laisenia Qarase is appealing against the High Court's decision of October last year where the court ruled in favour of the President using his reserve powers and declared that the interim Government and its promulgations were legal. This question was raised by the Soqosoqo ni Duavata ni Lewenivanua senior legal counsel Brad Walker. Mr Walker, in his submission, said his client Mr Qarase wanted the Fiji Court of Appeal to rule whether the action taken by the President in exercising his reserved powers was valid or not. This submission was made before Fiji Court of Appeal judges Justice Randall Powell, Justice Ian Lloyd and Justice Francis Douglas yesterday. Mr Walker told the court that the reserve powers of the President should not be used as prerogative powers under the Constitution. He said under the Constitution if the President exercised those powers, it should be based on the advice of the PM or the minister before exercising those powers. Mr Walker said the court did not have the authority to modify the Constitution in any aspect and only the role of the court was to interpret and make a decision which was lawful. In his submission Mr Walker suggested Mr Qarase should be appointed as caretaker PM to follow the constitutional process in dissolving parliament and allow the process of election to take place. Questions were raised from the Fiji Court of Appeal judges whether Mr Qarase had officially resigned from office. Mr Walker told the court Mr Qarase had not resigned and that made him the constitutional PM of Fiji. The case continues today. ||||| / Front page / Archives » Article Index + Enlarge this image No laughing matter ... SDL's Solomoni Naivalu and Laisenia Qarase during a court break yesterday. THE President, Ratu Josefa Iloilo, has the powers to dismiss the Prime Minister and to act outside the Constitution in the interest of the country in times of crisis. This was the argument put forward by the State counsel Richard Gordon QC at the Fiji Court of Appeal case yesterday. Mr Gordon said under the Constitution, the President possessed the power to act outside the Constitution which included appointing a caretaker government. He said the Constitution states that the President has the power to act in the best interest of the nation in times of crisis. He said there were cases in the High Court that reflected the issues concerning the prerogative powers of the President. He said the powers of necessity President Ratu Josefa Iloilo used when giving legality to the military-proposed interim government was common law. "The crisis situation in Fiji was such that the head of state had to move outside the boundaries of the Constitution, however there is no clear definition on what the head of state may or may not to do," said Mr Gordon. The case will run for four days and continues today. ||||| Fiji High Court dismisses Qarase case 09/10/2008 Fiji’s High Court has dismissed the case brought by deposed Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase that questioned the legality of the 2006 military takeover. The ruling on notice comes seven months after arguments on the case ended in the High Court. A ruling handed down by acting Chief Justice Anthony Gates – as head of a three judge panel including Justices Devendra Pathik and John Byrne – said they found that the President Ratu Josefa Iloilo’s actions during the period in question were lawful and valid. Other actions the panel upheld as valid and lawful were the appointment of Dr Jona Senilagakali as caretaker prime minister and his submission that Parliament be dissolved; the President’s decision to rule directly by promulgation; the President’s power to promulgate laws and the decision to grant immunity to those behind or involved in the takeover. Justice Gates said the panel did not consider it appropriate to issue directions on the conduct and timing of elections – a declaration sought by Qarase. The panel also found that the President’s actions during the period in question were valid because there was no other course of action reasonably available. “We find that the President’s actions were designed to protect a wide variety of competing interests,” Justice Gates said. “The Constitution remained and remains intact and we therefore find the President’s actions to be valid. "No one has suggested His Excellence failed to act honestly, impartially, neutrally and what he gauged was in the best interest of the nation; that is, of all of the inhabitants of Fiji. "It is not for this court to inquire into the details of his act at that moment on whether one action would have been better done in another way but it is certainly open to conclude his intention were to unify the people of Fiji." The case was brought by ousted Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase and his SDL party two years after the coup. Qarase and members of his multi-party Government had asked the court to make several declarations, including the legality or otherwise of his December 5, 2006, ousting by the military and other ensuing events such as the appointment of the interim regime. It is understood that several legal actions, either before the court or yet to be filed, are waiting on the High Court decision today. Fijilive Reader Comments Name Email Comment Posted Comments Posted By: amini Posted On: Oct 09 2008 12:38:17 Comment: Praise the Lord. amini Posted By: mags Posted On: Oct 09 2008 12:38:49 Comment: It looks like the bomb threat did rule. mags Posted By: Idiot/Savant Posted On: Oct 09 2008 12:42:11 Comment: Can you post a scan of the decision? I'd love to know how they reached those conclusions, given the Fijian Constitution very explicitly rules around the dismissal of a Prime Minister. Idiot/Savant Posted By: Katalina Balawanilotu Posted On: Oct 09 2008 12:46:01 Comment: ... and it is therefore legal to overthrow an elected government. Katalina Balawanilotu Posted By: Moira Reiher Posted On: Oct 09 2008 12:50:06 Comment: Gates ruled in favour of the President & the interim party ... Moira Reiher Posted By: Ula Nejad Posted On: Oct 09 2008 12:52:12 Comment: Well. Therefore I say the Presidential system should be the way to go. Ratu Iloilo is the President of the Republic of Fiji. Now go on and work towards the political forum. Ula Nejad Posted By: Tamana Posted On: Oct 09 2008 12:53:31 Comment: The truth will always prevail. No man can go against the will of the Lord. I call upon the Methodist padres be ashamed of yourselves and do your matanigasau to the Fiji soldiers up at QEB. Lai, the whole of Fiji knew that you called upon the Aussie and Kiwi soldiers to invade our country but the difference within the three Armies is that the Aussies/Kiwis rely on their firepower whilst we Fiji soldiers we rely on the strength of our heavenly Father. Tamana Posted By: ratumelicanada Posted On: Oct 09 2008 12:56:06 Comment: Qarase and company should now retire to their respective koros and let the rebuilding of our beloved Fiji take place, where all citizens are equal and no one is seen as second class under the disguise of indigenous rights. Let's march forward towards a truly democratic society. Well done Bainimarama and the High Court. ratumelicanada Posted By: Sam Posted On: Oct 09 2008 12:59:51 Comment: That's a good judgment. Can the NCCBF change their election stance so that we elect a President instead of a Prime Minister, so at least he has the people's mandate like USA, or we just don't have election cause it's a waste of money and my time? Sam Posted By: Apenisa Naigulevu Posted On: Oct 09 2008 13:06:55 Comment: Does this means that the coup of 2006 was legal after all? Apenisa Naigulevu Posted By: Shukla Shankar LA-USA Posted On: Oct 09 2008 13:12:09 Comment: Qarase can rest in peace now. Shukla Shankar LA-USA Posted By: jhc Posted On: Oct 09 2008 13:14:21 Comment: This was expected. This High Court decision will never be accepted by the international community and Fiji better get ready for sanctions if elections are not held in March 2009. Fiji will be destroyed and will surely become the Zimbabwe of the Pacific. jhc Posted By: Sam Posted On: Oct 09 2008 14:22:03 Comment: Io Vinaka. The judges have spoken. Sam Posted By: Neil Mani Posted On: Oct 09 2008 14:23:31 Comment: Proof in the pudding. Even the High Court is in favour of the opinion that the interim government was legally appointed. Why can not some people accept the fact? Neil Mani | Fiji's Court of Appeal has ruled that the removal of Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase and the appointment of Fiji's interim regime following the military coup in 2006 was unlawful. It has ordered President Josefa Iloilo to appoint a caretaker Prime Minister to dissolve Parliament and call elections. However, it has denied former Prime Minister Qarase's argument that he should be reinstated, instead ruling that the President should appoint an independent person. Former Prime Minister Qarase welcomed the decision. "We are very happy with the decision of the Court of Appeal today... the Constitution of Fiji 1997 is the supreme law of Fiji and it has to be respected by everybody including the President," he said. Interim Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum said that the ruling had created a power vacuum. "There is a vacuum, because the court has not said that (ousted prime minister Laisenia) Qarase comes back as Prime Minister, the court has simply said that the President has to appoint a caretaker Prime Minister, a third party," he said. He said the government would be appealing the ruling. Fiji's military government was reportedly on alert in anticipation of the ruling, with police manning roadblocks throughout Suva, the capital city. The case was brought by former Prime Minister Qarase. It questioned whether President Iloilo had constitutional authority to replace the Qarase administration with an interim government headed by military strongman Voreqe Bainimarama. Soqosoqo ni Duavata ni Lewenivanua Party lawyer Brad Walker argued that the President's powers to dismiss the Prime Minister were constrained by the constitution. State counsel Richard Gordon QC argued that the President had powers to act outside the Constitution to protect the country in times of crisis. But the court ruled that the President's prerogative powers had been extinguished by the 1997 constitution. A previous decision by Fiji's High Court ruled that President Iloilo's actions were lawful and valid. The case was heard by Judges Justice Randal Powell, Justice Ian Lloyd and Justice Francis Douglas. |
At least 50 people, mostly women and children, are feared dead after a boat capsized in a river during a storm in eastern India, a government official has said. About 75 people, most of whom were returning from a village fair, were on board the boat when it capsized on the Bagmati river in Bihar state on Tuesday. "We have recovered 11 bodies so far and search is on for 40 other missing people," Rajendra Prasad, an official from Bihar's Khagaria district where the incident occurred, told the Reuters news agency. "But their survival chances look very thin," he added. ||||| NEW DELHI, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- At least 10 people were killed and more than 40 others were missing after a boat carrying over 60people on their way back from the Hindu Durga Puja festivities capsized Monday evening in the Bagmati river in Khagaria district, Bihar in eastern India, reported the Indo-Asian News Service Tuesday. The villagers were returning from a fair to mark the conclusion of Durga Puja in Khagaria, about 200 km from the state capital Patna. The boat, which was with a capacity of carrying 30 people, was carrying over 60 villagers, mainly women and children, said the report quoting police sources. Fifteen of the passengers managed to swim to safety, but chances of survival for the 40 missing people are remote, said the report. A team from the National Disaster Response Force launched operations to search for the missing people with the assistance of local police. But the search operation was hampered when night fell, it added. The Chief Minister of Bihar, Nitish Kumar, has announced a compensation of 150,000 rupees (3,000 U.S. dollars) to the families of the victims. | Fifty people are feared to have drowned after a boat capsized in the Bagmati, an Indian river, on Tuesday, according to the government. Batmati river (March 2009) 75 people, mainly women and children, were aboard the vessel when it flipped over during a storm. They had been returning from a fair that marked the end of the Durga Puja, an annual Hindu festival that celebrates the worship of the Hindu goddess Durga. Fifteen people were able to swim to safety, but it is unlikely the other passengers of the boat were able to survive, according to a report. An official from the district where the accident occurred said that "we have recovered 11 bodies so far and search is on for 40 other missing people. But their survival chances look very thin." A search operation was launched by the Indian National Disaster Response Force, but efforts were hampered by nightfall. |
PERTH'S Hollywood actor Heath Ledger was farewelled Saturday - his closest friends then taking an emotional swim at Cottesloe Beach to say a special goodbye to the much-loved star. Hundreds of mourners farewelled him at an emotional service at Penrhos College, Como, before his body was cremated at Fremantle Cemetery. Mourners at the star's funeral, then moved to the upmarket Indiana Tea House in Cottesloe for a wake to celebrate Ledger's life. Pictures from the Cottesloe wake Video from the funeral Pictures from the funeral Heath Ledger's life in pictures Celebrity friends arrive to say goodbye Autopsy results spark drugs doctor investigation Heath to share Ledger family plot His former fiancee, Michelle Williams, was among a group of people who left the wake to splash in the surf Saturday night at Ledger's favourite beach. They hugged, watched the sunset and some went for a short swim - including Williams. The group were there for about 15 minutes, standing in front of the Indiana tea house. The beautiful summer evening drew hundreds to Cottesloe Beach late Saturday, but a good number were there just to be close to Heath Ledger's wake. Despite not being on the invitation list, they maintained a vigil on the grass outside the Indiana tea-house. Others told The Sunday Times they heard about the wake on the news, and headed down for some star spotting. Katie Fairclough, 15, of Peppermint Grove, was in New York when news of Heath's death broke. She said: "I was on holiday with my godfather in Manhattan, and when I heard the news I was just devastated. I loved him, he was one of my favourite actors.'' Katie's friend, Alice McCormac, 13, of Claremont, said she saw Ledger at Cottesloe beach on his last trip to Perth at Christmas. She said he had looked relaxed and happy. East Fremantle couple Nadia Mustone and Craig Petzke were enjoying a family picnic with their 10-month-old daughter, Elena, when they asked a photographer what was going on. "It's really sad,'' Ms Mustone said. "We were just here eating some fish and chips, enjoying the perfect day. What can I say, it's just really tragic. I was a big fan of Heath Ledger. I especially liked him in The Patriot and A Knights Tale.'' Edna Burgess of Armadale was at Cottesloe yesterday, showing her brother and his wife from England one of WA's most stunning beaches. "What a sad loss -- so talented and so young,'' she said. Anna Downie, 14, remembered their favourite actor with these few words: "Rest in peace, we love you Ledge.'' Hundreds mourn Perth's Hollywood hero The Penrhos service, that drew mourners from the world of entertainment, football, politics and his hometown mates, was followed by a private cremation attended by only 10 close family members. Mourners left the service at Penrhos College chapel just after 2.30 pm looking visibly distraught. Supermodel Gemma Ward, who had been very close to Ledger during his Christmas holidays in Perth, was comforted by a friend as she left the chapel. Australian actress and Hollywood star Cate Blanchett spoke at the service and there was a special video tribute called Matilda's montage. A song called Matilda, written by Australian pop star Ben Harper, was one of several songs that were played to an estimated 300 mourners during the 90-minute service. These included These Days by Powderfinger, Wish You Were Here by Pink Floyd, The Times Are A Changin' by Bob Dylan and 7 Nation Army by White Stripes, the Past and Pending by The Shins and Superstition by Stevie Wonder. Heath's former partner Michelle Williams arrived at the service at 12.30pm with Ledger's family in a convoy of four black vehicles. Ledger's daughter Matilda with Williams was not with her mother. Williams forewent the traditional black mourning dress and instead wore a sedate cream dress with black trim. Australian actors who filed in to the service to pay their last respects included Bryan Brown, Michael Caton, Joel Eggerton, Rose Byrne and Shane Jacobsen, from Kenny. After the Penrhos service, family members were given a police escort to Fremantle Cemetery for a service that last half an hour. Private security, hired by family kept the media at bay, barring them access to the cemetery and the cremetoriam. Family members left independently without police escort and headed to a wake, believed to be at Cottesloe's Indiana Tea House, overlooking the surf at the famous Perth beach. Former West Coast Eagle Ben Cousins, his father Brian and David Wirrpunda attended Ledgger's fuyneral. Band members from Eskimo Joe, also Perth boys done good, mingled with mourners, as did politicians Sheila McHale and Troy Buswell. An entourage of two black BMW four wheel drives and two black BMW sedans left Ledger's mother Sally Ledger-Bell's Applecross home at 12.20pm to make the 4km journey to Penhros College in Como. Three unmarked police cars, with six officers dressed in suits and holding handheld radios, waited outside the Applecross property until the funeral procession departed. One officer told The Sunday Times they were there to "make sure no one gets hurt''. He said officers did not attend in marked police cars or wear uniform because they wanted to minimise their presence. "(Recently deceased former Premier) Charles Court didn't get this treatment,'' he said. Two of the police vehicles then escorted the entourage to the Penhros chapel -- one at the front, the other at the back. The procession, without the hearse, made its way along Canning Highway and to the school where the media pack waited atop a hill for the family to arrive. Kim Ledger and Sally Ledger-Bell travelled in the first 4WD with what was believed to be their respective partners. Ledger's older sister Kate and Michell Williams travelled in another car together. Outside the Penhros grounds a group of about 30 paparazzi including photographers from the US, Britain and Eastern States photographed guests as they walked up steps into the college grounds. News helicopters hovered overhead. Mourners were required to produce identification in order to get admission to the college chapel and signs forbade the use of cameras at the service, which began at about 1pm. Wearing dark sunglasses and dressed in a black suit, Heath's father Kim arrived briefly at his former wife Sally's house earlier at 10.30am to front the waiting media. Mr Ledger stoically spoke to a 50-strong international media pack, flanked by family friend and media manager Alison Carroll-Jung. He said: "I'm sorry we really haven't had a chance to expose ourselves to you guys (the media and the public). It is a pretty sad time and we are finding it difficultto cope by ourselves, let alone cope with everybody around the world.'' "Having said that, we really appreciate the outpouring and the emotional support from all over the globe which, suffice to say, we are luckier than families that are in our position, in our grieving position, don't receive that kind of support. So thank you all very much.'' Private security has blocked off the Applecross street, where Ledger's mother lives, from early yesterday morning. ||||| Mourners gather for Heath Ledger funeral in Perth PERTH, Australia -- Mourners began gathering Saturday for Hollywood star Heath Ledger's funeral in his hometown of Perth, an Agence France-Presse photographer at the scene reported. The actor's ex-girlfriend, supermodel Gemma Ward, was among the first to arrive at the private funeral for Ledger, who was found dead in his New York apartment on January 22, the photographer said. ||||| Ananova: 100 mourners bid farewell to Ledger More than 100 mourners, including family and celebrities, gathered to bid farewell to actor Heath Ledger at a memorial service in his Australian home town. The star's former fiancee, actress Michelle Williams, arrived in a cavalcade with his parents Kim Ledger and Sally Ledger-Bell and sister Kate, at Penrhos College, a Uniting Church girls' school in Perth, after most of the mourners had arrived. Ms Williams, wearing dark glasses and a white dress with black trim, was not accompanied by Matilda, her two-year-old daughter fathered by Ledger. Australian actress Cate Blanchett, who starred with Ledger in the Bob Dylan bio-flick, I'm Not There - a role that earned her an Oscar nomination for best supporting actress - was among the celebrities present. Among the first to arrive at the high-security ceremony was Australian model Gemma Ward, a former girlfriend of the 28-year-old Brokeback Mountain star who died of an accidental prescription drug overdose in his Manhattan apartment last month. Mourners filed through a screened side gate where two women dressed in black checked their identification. Mr Ledger said the service would be followed by a private funeral in Perth. He appealed for privacy and did not disclose the time or location. "The funeral will be very, very private and there will only be 10 people there, immediate family and nobody else," he told a press conference outside the house of his former wife. "It's a pretty sad time. We're finding it difficult to cope by ourselves, let alone cope with everybody around the world. Having said that, we do really appreciate the outpouring and the emotional support from all over the globe." Ledger's death on January 22 spawned outpourings of grief from New York to Hollywood to Perth. ||||| PERTH, Australia (AP) -- Heath Ledger's family joined celebrities and hundreds of other mourners Saturday to bid farewell to the actor at a memorial service in his Australian hometown that began with a haunting Aboriginal dirge. Former fiancee Michelle Williams, left, and sister Kate Ledger arrive at a memorial service more photos » Ledger's former fiancee, actress Michelle Williams, arrived along with his parents and sister at Penrhos College, where other mourners had gathered to honor the late actor. The 28-year-old "Brokeback Mountain" star died of an accidental prescription drug overdose in his Manhattan apartment last month. An emotional Williams, wearing dark glasses and a white dress with black trim, was not accompanied by Matilda, her 2-year-old daughter with Ledger. Williams was ushered in clutching the arm of Ledger's older sister, Kate. Watch mourners arriving at service » Australian actress Cate Blanchett, who starred with Ledger in the Bob Dylan bio-flick, "I'm Not There," a role that earned her an Oscar nomination for best supporting actress, was among the celebrities present. Blanchett spoke of the times she shared with Ledger in New York and Los Angeles, Barbara Stott, a state lawmaker, told reporters after the 75-minute service. Other speakers included his parents, sister and Neil Armfield, who directed Ledger in his last Australian film, "Candy," released in 2006. A video tribute compiled by family and friends included footage from Ledger's films and of his daughter, over whom he doted. The music reflected his eclectic tastes: Dylan's "The Times They Are A-Changin," the Beatles' "Here Comes the Sun," "Wish You Were Here" by Pink Floyd and Neil Young's "Old Man." "It was a wonderful tribute to a wonderful West Australian; an outstanding guy with great talent," Stott said. Ledger's father Kim said the service would be followed by a private funeral in Perth. He appealed for privacy and did not disclose the time or location. "The funeral will be very, very private and there will only be 10 people there, immediate family and nobody else," Kim Ledger told reporters earlier in the day. "It's a pretty sad time. We're finding it difficult to cope by ourselves, let alone cope with everybody around the world," he said. "Having said that, we do really appreciate the outpouring and the emotional support from all over the globe," he added. Among the first to arrive at Penrhos College was Australian model Gemma Ward, a former girlfriend of the star. Wearing dark glasses with a black top and skirt, Ward filed with other mourners through a screened side gate where two women dressed in black checked their identification. Local musician Levi Islam told reporters outside that he opened the service in a theater by playing an ancient Aboriginal dirge with a didgeridoo, a traditional wind instrument. Ledger's death on Jan. 22 drew outpourings of grief from New York to Hollywood to Perth, a small and remote city on the verge of the Outback in Australia's southwest. The New York City medical examiner announced Wednesday that Ledger died from the effects of taking six types of painkillers and sedatives. Family members returned home from the United States this week to lay Ledger to rest following a memorial service in Los Angeles last weekend. Mourners gathered after the service for a wake at a colonial-style waterfront restaurant at Cottesloe Beach, a resort on Perth's coast that was a favorite spot of the actor's. Williams, 27, and Ledger became a couple during filming of "Brokeback Mountain," in which the two costarred as husband and wife. Ledger was nominated for an Oscar for his performance in the film. They later moved to New York, where Matilda was born in October 2005. E-mail to a friend Copyright 2008 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. All About Heath Ledger ||||| NEW YORK (AP) -- Michelle Williams broke her silence Friday, saying her "heart is broken" over Heath Ledger in her first statement since the "Brokeback Mountain" actor's death. Michelle Williams and Heath Ledger had a daughter, Matilda, together. more photos » The 27-year-old actress and Ledger became a couple during filming of 2005's "Brokeback," in which they costarred as husband and wife. They later settled in New York, and had a daughter, Matilda, born October 2005. "Please respect our need to grieve privately," Williams said in a statement. "My heart is broken. I am the mother of the most tender-hearted, high-spirited, beautiful little girl who is the spitting image of her father. All that I can cling to is his presence inside her that reveals itself every day." Ledger, 28, died in his Manhattan apartment January 22. Authorities suspect a possible drug overdose, but the cause of his death is still pending the outcome of toxicology tests. Don't Miss Hollywood muscle quashes Ledger video airing Police said several prescription drugs were found in the Manhattan apartment where the actor's body was found. Gallery: A look back at Ledger's life » "His family and I watch Matilda as she whispers to trees, hugs animals, and takes steps two at a time, and we know that he is with us still," Williams said. "She will be brought up in the best memories of him." E-mail to a friend Copyright 2008 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. ||||| "He was found unconscious at the apartment and pronounced dead," the New York Police Department said, adding that pills were found near the body. Police are reportedly investigating if the Australian actor - nominated for an Oscar for Brokeback Mountain - died of an overdose of prescription pills. Father Kim Ledger said that the death of his 28-year-old "dearly loved son" had been "tragic" and "accidental". Speaking in the actor's home town of Perth, in Western Australia, Mr Ledger said that his son had been a "down to earth, generous, kind hearted, life-loving, unselfish individual". "Heath has touched so many people on so many different levels during his short life that few had the pleasure of truly knowing him." The actor was found dead in the apartment he had been renting for several months at 1526 (2026 GMT) on Tuesday. Split New York police said they did not suspect foul play and that his body had been discovered with prescription pills nearby. "We are investigating the possibility of an overdose," police spokesman Paul Browne told Reuters news agency. "There were pills within the vicinity of the bed." He was just taking off and to lose his life at such a young age is a tragic loss Mel Gibson Obituary: Heath Ledger The BBC's Matthew Price in New York says the exact cause of death was still being investigated, but suicide has not been ruled out. Police, journalists and crowds of fans gathered outside the Broome Street apartment in the fashionable SoHo area. Investigators said Ledger had been due to have a massage at the flat. His family said Heath was "generous" and "life-loving" The housekeeper went to tell him the masseuse had arrived and found him dead on Tuesday afternoon. The medical examiner's office said an autopsy would be carried out on Wednesday. In September the Perth-born actor split from his girlfriend Michelle Williams, with whom he has a two-year-old daughter, Matilda. Williams played his wife in the 2005 film Brokeback Mountain. Hollywood mourning Hollywood stars were quick to offer their tributes and mourn Ledger's death. HAVE YOUR SAY Terrible to see his young daughter lose her father. I've been looking forward to seeing him in the new Batman movie Mark, Houston "I had such great hope for him," said Oscar-winning actor-director Mel Gibson. "He was just taking off and to lose his life at such a young age is a tragic loss." In 2001, Mr Gibson had cast Ledger to play his son in the American war of independence epic, The Patriot. "What a terrible tragedy. My heart goes out to his family," said fellow Australian actress Nicole Kidman. American actor John Travolta, who was in Australia at the time of Ledger's death, said the young actor had been one of his favourite performers. "His abilities are rare...it's a tremendous loss," said Mr Travolta. Brokeback breakthrough Ledger had split up with fellow Brokeback star Michelle Williams Brokeback Mountain director Ang Lee said Ledger's performance had been a "miracle" of acting, echoing a young Marlon Brando. He won an Oscar nomination for his role as a gay cowboy in the film but the award went to Philip Seymour Hoffman for his role as Truman Capote. Ledger starred in I'm Not There, as one of several actors in a role representing singer Bob Dylan. He also plays the Joker in yet-to-be-released Batman film, The Dark Knight. Ledger also starred in A Knight's Tale and The Patriot, and played a suicidal son in Monster's Ball. | Heath Ledger at the Berlin Film Festival in 2006. A memorial service has taken place for Australian actor Heath Ledger, who died January 22 in New York. Hollywood celebrities and many other loyal fans bid farewell to the well known actor. His death has been deemed accidental by the New York City Medical Examiner and was attributed to a toxic mixture of prescription drugs and pain killers. The star died in his Manhattan apartment last month. The service was held at Penrhos College in Perth, Australia and was attended by over 100 people, although the actual funeral was only attended by Ledger's close family. Before the funeral, Heath's father, Kim Ledger, said that "the funeral will be very, very private and there will only be 10 people there, immediate family and nobody else." In addition to family, the memorial service was attended by actors and actresses who have worked with Ledger, including Cate Blanchett who starred with Ledger in the Bob Dylan bio-flick, I'm Not There. Blanchett spoke of the times she shared with Ledger in New York and Los Angeles. The Other speakers included his parents, sister and Neil Armfield, a director of Ledger's last Australian film, Candy. An emotional Williams, was wearing dark glasses and a white dress with black trim, she was not accompanied by her daughter Matilda. Williams walked in clutching the arm of Ledger's older sister, Kate. Williams issued a statement following Ledger's death saying, "My heart is broken. I am the mother of the most tender-hearted, high-spirited, beautiful little girl who is the spitting image of her father. All that I can cling to is his presence inside her that reveals itself every day." The Ledger family asked the media not to visit the funeral because they claim they will find it easier to cope without the media present. Ledger's father said, "It's a pretty sad time. We're finding it difficult to cope by ourselves, let alone cope with everybody around the world." He continued, however, by saying that the family does, "really appreciate the outpouring and the emotional support from all over the globe." Ledger starred in the 2005 movie ''Brokeback Mountain'' which earned him Academy Award and Golden Globe Award nominations for Best Actor. It was on the set of Brokeback Mountain where he met Michelle Williams and their relationship began. He additionally starred in the 2000 movie ''The Patriot'' with Mel Gibson. |
The blast targeted a game taking place in the town of Tal Afar, around 60km west of the city of Mosul. Suicide bombers have struck a football match in northern Iraq, leaving at least 25 people dead and many more wounded. A local police official said a car bomb exploded at about 6pm local time (1500GMT) near a crowd of spectators. As people fled the scene of the first blast, two more bombers activated explosive belts in the crowd, other sources said. Local hospital officials put the number of injured at 125. "Many people were gathered to watch the match," Hussein Nashad, who witnessed the attack, told the AFP news agency. "We heard a loud explosion and the people behind me shielded me from the shrapnel. "I ran away, but then I heard someone shout 'Allahu-akbar' [God is greatest], and then there was another explosion," he said, speaking from hospital where he was being treated for shock. 'Dark days' Many of the wounded were taken by ambulance to Dahuk, 95km away, because local hospitals were unable to cope with the influx of wounded spectators. Tal Afar is a predominantly Shia Turkomen town and has been a regular target for suicide bombers in the past. Speaking from Baghdad, Al Jazeera's Zeina Khodr said that the area is a former al-Qaeda stronghold. "There was no claim of responsibility for the Tal Afar attack but authorities are pointing the finger at al-Qaeda," she said. Friday's attacks follow blasts in the city last October and July that left dozens of people dead. In March 2007, 152 people were killed when truck bombs targeted markets in the town. The violence came as the new leader of al-Qaeda in Iraq said that a campaign of attacks against the country's Shia community was under way, warning the community that "dark days soaked with blood" lay ahead. Al-Nasser Lideen Allah Abu Suleiman was named as the group's new 'minister of war' earlier on Friday. The bombing comes as Iraq reels from a series of co-ordinated attacks carried out in 10 cities on Monday which left 119 people dead. There are fears that the political deadlock following Iraq's inconclusive election two months ago is fuelling a new wave of sectarian violence. ||||| Iraq double bomb attack kills 25 at football match MOSUL, Iraq — A double bomb attack at a football match in northern Iraq, which was unprotected by security forces, killed 25 people on Friday in the second incident this week to cause mass casualties. The explosion, which also left 120 people wounded according to hospital officials, occurred at around 6:00 pm (1500 GMT) in Tal Afar, 380 kilometres (240 miles) north of Baghdad, a police officer told AFP. Eyewitnesses said around 250 people were watching the game when the attackers struck and that no police or soldiers were on duty. "We heard a loud explosion and the people behind me shielded me from the shrapnel," said spectator Hussein Nashad, 29. "I ran away, but then I heard someone shout 'Allahu akbar' (God is greatest), and then there was another explosion." The police officer said the double blasts were caused by a car bomb followed by a suicide attack. An interior ministry official said 25 people were killed and hospital officials said 120 others were wounded. The incident came four days after a devastating series of attacks in five cities blamed on Al-Qaeda killed 110 people, in the bloodiest violence this year. Around five dozen bombings and shootings shattered a lull in unrest on Monday, as Iraq moved closer to forming a government two months after a general election seen as crucial to US combat troops leaving the country by August 31. The government pinned the blame for those attacks on Al-Qaeda, while Iraq's deputy interior minister conceded that the nation's security apparatus was at fault and an inquiry into its shortcomings was underway. In March 2006, Tal Afar was hailed as a model town by then US president George W. Bush, but exactly a year later it witnessed one of the biggest attacks to hit the country. Some 155 people were killed in a day-long massacre, the deadliest violence to ever strike Tal Afar, when gunmen murdered 70 men in an overnight rampage on March 27 in revenge for bombings that killed 85 people earlier that day. Friday's attacks were the deadliest to strike Tal Afar since July 9 last year, when a double suicide attack targeting the home of a police sergeant and his brother killed 35 people and left 61 others wounded. A further four people were killed and eight were wounded Friday by a roadside bomb in Adhamiyah, a Sunni district in northern Baghdad, the interior ministry official added. The latest violence came as political wrangling over the outcome of Iraq's March 7 election rumbles on. A recount of votes in Baghdad yielded no evidence of fraud, Iraq's electoral commission said on Friday. Tallies from the 12-day process were still to be entered into the commission's computer system, with results expected on Monday, spokesman Qassim al-Abboudi told reporters. "We finished the recount of 11,298 ballot boxes and no violations or fraud have been found," Abboudi told a news conference in the capital's heavily fortified Green Zone. He added that political parties could still contest the results from the recount, but offered no timetable for the complaints procedure. Electoral authorities began a manual recount of votes in Baghdad, which accounts for 68 seats in Iraq's 325-member Council of Representatives, on May 3, nearly two months after the election. Copyright © 2010 AFP. All rights reserved. More » | Multiple bomb explosions hit a football match in northern Iraq earlier today, killing at least 25 people and injuring at least 120 more. The incident occurred in , a town located approximately sixty west of . According to a local security official, a car bomb was detonated at around 18.00 local time (1500 ), near some spectators; as the crowd fled, two suicide bombers blew up vests with explosives. Many of the wounded had to be transported 95 kilometres away, to , because local hospitals were filled to capacity. Hussein Nashad was a witness to the incident. He recounted his experiences to the Agence France-Presse news service: "Many people were gathered to watch the match. We heard a loud explosion and the people behind me shielded me from the shrapnel. I ran away, but then I heard someone shout 'Allahu-akbar' God is greatest, and then there was another explosion." This attack comes four days after multiple attacks throughout Iraq, attributed to al-Qaeda, killed 100 ten people in the deadliest violence of the year. Nobody has yet claimed responsibility for this incident, although a correspondent for Al Jazeera says that "authorities are pointing the finger at al-Qaeda". |
Type at least three characters to start auto complete. Recently searched locations will be displayed if there is no search query. The first option will be automatically selected. Use up and down arrows to change selection. Use escape to clear. Search City or Zip Code ||||| October 22, 2011 If you are planning a trip this fall, now is the time to make reservations! This information provided by Marek D. Rzonca, The Foliage Network. Next Report: Wednesday, October 26, 2011 ||||| October 18, 2008 The best foliage viewing is in southern Minnesota, southern Wisconsin, Michigan's Lower Peninsula and eastern Upper Peninsula and in Ohio. In these locations, foliage color is mostly high (61% - 80% change) to peak. Peak has passed in northern Minnesota, northern Wisconsin and in the western Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Leaf drop is low to moderate across much of the region. However, where peak has passed, leaf drop is high. This information provided by Marek D. Rzonca, The Foliage Network. Next Report: Wednesday, October 22, 2008 ||||| October 23, 2010 The foliage season has passed in the western half of the region and in the northern tip of Michigan's Lower Peninsula. Elsewhere in Michigan's LP, foliage color is at peak. In Ohio, foliage color change is high to peak. Leaf drop is mostly moderate where color change is moderate to high. Where color is at or past peak, leaf drop is high to nearly complete. This information provided by Marek D. Rzonca, The Foliage Network. Next Report: Wednesday, October 27, 2010 | This week, a taste of autumn is in the air throughout northern portions of the United States. Cold air is slowly seeping in from the arctic, and the leaves are just beginning to change in certain areas as summer fades away. In the Northeastern U.S., fall colors have begun to arrive atop mountains in parts of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont and New York. The highest elevations of the Adirondack Mountains are already at their mid-point in terms of fall foliage. However, most trees remain green in the Midwest and the Southeast, with some color on a few diseased trees. Parts of the Western United States, especially higher elevations of Utah, have reported slight to moderate color. Greenfield, Massachusetts, early September |
Monday, February 13, 2006 STORIES Credit luck and acumen: MySpace learned from predecessors and figured out the right tools to package. And when its founders noticed heavy usage among musicians and fans, MySpace embraced that community with custom features. "It's like being at a giant music conference 24 hours a day every day," said Greg McIntosh, 27, guitarist for Ann Arbor, Mich.-based Great Lakes Myth Society. College students, meanwhile, can rate their professors and find classmates or alumni. Others play games, view classified ads, send online party invitations or rate the brave on how "hot" they are. Sure, none of these features is unique, but what's the point of going elsewhere if your friends are already on MySpace? "I noticed a lot of my friends talking about it, so I went on it and signed up," said Magda Olszanowski, 24, a University of Toronto senior. "And I've really pressured my friends who don't have it to get it." (Story continues below) ADVERTISEMENTS Advertise Here Instead of using e-mail and instant messaging, Olszanowski keeps in touch with many friends simply by posting bulletins on her personal MySpace page, known as a profile. There, friends can send her a private message or post a public comment; they can see her photo album or read her Web journal, called a blog. The free, ad-supported site has gotten so popular among teens — a quarter of its users are registered as minors — that parents, schools and law enforcement officials have taken notice, warning of sexual predators and other dangers. Big media noticed, too. Last year, News Corp., the media conglomerate controlled by Australian native Rupert Murdoch, bought MySpace's owner for $580 million in cash. The U.S.-heavy site now wants to expand internationally and on wireless devices, and it is adding such features as video-sharing to become more like a Web portal. "We want people to stay on MySpace," said Tom Anderson, its president. "We'll give them whatever they might want to do." The development comes as the leading portal, Yahoo Inc., becomes more like MySpace, starting a social-networking service called 360 and buying content-sharing sites such as Flickr and Del.icio.us. MySpace was by no means first. In early 2003, Friendster Inc. introduced a system that connects people for networking and dating through existing circles of friends, rather than randomly or by keyword matches alone. But just a half-year after MySpace launched, it surpassed Friendster in monthly visitors and now ranks 13th among all sites, according to Nielsen/NetRatings. ComScore Media Metrix places it fourth by total page views, two notches above Google. Compared with rivals', MySpace profiles are more customizable — hence the "my" in MySpace. Users can obtain Web programming code elsewhere to create their own layouts, change background colors or incorporate photos and video stored at other sites. (Friendster, already trailing MySpace in usage, added a similar feature last fall.) "MySpace gives you more freedom to express yourself," said Zlatan Stankovic, 21, a sophomore at Hudson Valley Community College in Troy, N.Y. "You can leave different kinds of comments, pictures, movies, stuff like that." Brad Greenspan, an early MySpace investor no longer affiliated with the site, said that after observing Friendster, "we just realized that to allow people more personalization and control would give people more attachment to their Web pages." MySpace profiles are also more accessible. A challenger named Facebook requires an affiliation with a high school or college, while LinkedIn focuses on professionals. Friendster, meanwhile, requires registration before viewing full profiles. MySpace not only promotes openness, it also adds Anderson as your first friend, immediately connecting you with everyone else. But ultimately music is what made MySpace special. McIntosh's band can update fans on new gigs, when sending too many e-mail messages might otherwise appear to be spamming. People who happen to catch a performance can look up the band's MySpace profile and "friend it" when they get home. Users can easily discover emerging and independent artists and instantly hear their tunes through a built-in music player. "All you have to do is press `play,'" said Rob Theakston, 28, Detroit-based music editor for the site AllMusic and a co-worker of McIntosh's. Other sites, he said, require you to download a file and open up a separate player. Given the success, MySpace has even started its own recording label, and it is now hoping to bring that magic to filmmakers, and later to comedians and fashion designers, said Chris DeWolfe, MySpace's chief executive. But success also draws a spotlight on MySpace's darker side. In Middletown, Conn., police suspect that as many as seven teenage girls recently were fondled or had consensual sex with men they met on MySpace who turned out to be older than they claimed. In schools across the country, students have been suspended for threatening classmates on MySpace, and in a case outside Pittsburgh attracting the attention of the American Civil Liberties Union, for creating a phony profile under the principal's name and photo. Parry Aftab, who runs the Internet safety group WiredSafety, said most MySpace teens behave, but a good number are creating online alter egos with which they brag about nonexistent drinking and sexual conquests in a bid to appear cool. And as parents discover their kids' profiles, Aftab said, they start to worry and tell other parents, who in turn spread the alarm. Parents, in some cases, try to ban their children from MySpace or the Internet completely. "Just about every parent is aware of it and every kid is on it," Anderson said. "Some kind of reaction (is expected) as MySpace becomes part of the mainstream." DeWolfe said the company has worked with WiredSafety to create guidelines and improve practices — dozens of employees now monitor profiles and images 24 hours a day — and encourages parents to talk with their kids about online safety. The worries are bound to grow along with the site, which gets as many as 180,000 new members a day. It now has more than 54 million registered users, compared with more than 24 million for Friendster. But it's not a given that MySpace will grow forever, particularly as its youth-oriented base matures and gets busier. In fact, the flashy icons and colorful lettering that MySpace enables are already too much for some. "This isn't their bedroom," said Rina Raphael, 23, a New York magazine publicist who prefers Friendster. "People don't want to spend tons of hours creating a home page." Complaints also have been directed at News Corp.'s purchase, including accusations of censorship as MySpace occasionally blocked video stored elsewhere and embedded in profiles, just as MySpace was readying its own video-sharing service. DeWolfe denied any connection, explaining that links and entire sites may be blocked as MySpace investigates complaints of pornography or racism. Anderson said e-mails expressing concerns about the new owners have subsided as users realize that MySpace continues operating as a quasi-independent unit of News Corp. Yet DeWolfe and Anderson were largely mum about what they — or News Corp. — have in store. For now, size helps MySpace grow even bigger. Call it the network effect: The service's value grows the more people use it. And growth gives MySpace more reason to add features. "They may have gotten lucky," said Amanda Lenhart, a researcher at the Pew Internet and American Life Project. "Enough people started using it that it became the place to be." MySpace.com is owned and operated by News Corporation, which also owns and operates FOXNews.com. ||||| MySpace reverses course on Revver Yesterday, I wrote a blog saying that the giant social networking service MySpace was banning all references on its site to the video sharing service, Revver. Well, there's no way to know if it's a coincidence, because MySpace did not return a request for comment yesterday, nor did it respond to another request today, but last night, nearly four hours after my blog went live, all the Revver references were reinstated. If it was because of my blog entry, I'm happy to know that I'm serving the interest of openness and free expression. If it was entirely unrelated, then it's one heck of a happy coincidence. Either way, the blogosphere and the MySpace community is likely to be happy that Revver can resume promoting itself on the popular News Corp.-owned social networking site. Whether the community wants it or not is another matter. But at least they should be able to choose for themselves. ||||| Copyright © 2014 Dice. All Rights Reserved. Trademarks property of their respective owners. Comments owned by the poster. ||||| MySpace banning Revver? Last year, News Corp's purchase of social networking site MySpace raised the ire of the blogosphere by blocking all references on its site to online video aggregator YouTube. The blogosphere squawked. And last month, MySpace seemed to capitulate. Or at least they reinstated YouTube on the site. But now MySpace seems to be up to its old tricks, having banned all mentions of the video sharing service, Revver. According to Revver co-founder Oliver Luckett, references to his service were banned because MySpace saw it as competition. MySpace could not immediately be reached for comment. In any case, there's no doubt that the blogosphere and a service's members can have an effect when it comes to situations like this, as seemed to be proven with the YouTube drama. Whether MySpace will reverse course with Revver remains to be seen, but as a service whose real value comes from its members, it's hard to justify--at least on moral grounds--banning references to anything that's not outright obscene. ||||| Angry members of MySpace, the personal file-sharing website for young adults, are accusing Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation of censoring their postings and blocking their access to rival sites. The 38 million subscribers to MySpace, which News Corp bought for $629m (£355m) last July, discovered that when they wrote to each other about rival video-swapping site YouTube, the words were automatically deleted, and attempts to download video images from YouTube led to blank screens. Article Length: 355 words (approx.) ||||| When Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation bought MySpace, the social-networking Web site, in July, some of its users gloomily predicted that the site would be altered to suit the company's corporate interests. Proof for many of those people came earlier this month, when MySpace users began to notice that any references to YouTube, a video-sharing site and a competitor, were erased or blocked from appearing on My-Space. Some MySpace users also reported that when they tried to download videos from YouTube, a patch of white space appeared instead. Ever-sensitive to corporate meddling, many MySpace users got angry. "My friends and I are trying to make the blogging community aware of a stealth censorship campaign that is being conducted by MySpace," one MySpace user, Ellis Yu, wrote to the Blog Herald, a Web site about blogs. "They are not admitting to it, and are trying to do this in secret." Matthew McCullough, a blogger from Montclair, N.J., wrote in a Dec. 22 blog post that "if you even mention the word YouTube on your MySpace profile, it will be literally ripped out and only an empty white space will remain." ||||| A blogstorm is starting to gather pace in the MySpace blogging community after the now News Corp owned company started deleting links and references to YouTube videos. Ellis Yu wirtes to the Blog Herald and says: “My friends and I are trying to make the blogging community aware of a stealth censorship campaign that is being conducted by MySpace. They are not admitting to it, and are trying to do this in secret.” “For the last few days they have been trying to eradicate all mentions of the site YouTube from our profiles on MySpace. Tons of MySpace profiles have embedded YouTube videos because it is a great service, but now MySpace is feeling threatened by this site and is modifying member profiles to remove any mentions of it. If you mention YouTube in your MySpace profile it gets replaced with “..” We also can’t discuss this on the boards because MySpace is censoring YouTube there as well!” “There was an outcry by some members after MySpace’s acquisition by News Corp. People were afraid they might start monitoring or censoring MySpace. At the time their CEO said that nothing like that would happen. Well, now it has. MySpace was built on an open community and now they are trying to censor us, putting business interests above its members! We are going to fight back.” The MySpace group fighting the censorship can be found here. ||||| Get Started On MySpace! Join for free, and view profiles, connect with others, blog, rank music, and much more! Learn More Create Your Profile! Tell us about yourself, upload your pictures, and start adding friends to your network. Start Now Browse Through Profiles! Read through millions of profiles on MySpace! See pix, read blogs, and more! Browse Now ||||| The Wayback Machine requires your browser to support JavaScript, please email info@archive.org if you have any questions about this. | In December 2005, MySpace members discovered that mentions and links to content hosted by rival video-swapping site YouTube were disabled. Debate concerning this issue was apparently even stifled on the site's message boards. Regardless, member unrest grew, culminating in a campaign led by 600 MySpace members to boycott and relocate to rival sites such as Friendster, LinkedIn (linkedin.com), Revver, and Facebook. Subsequently, MySpace reenabled the YouTube links and content in late December. However, it appears that MySpace also closed down a blog forum where members were complaining about this issue. MySpace was also apparently banning Revver, another video swapping site, but had relented as of early January. To this, Revver co-founder Oliver Luckett responded, "References to his service were banned because MySpace saw it as competition". Overall, the blocking of video stored on YouTube and other sites or embedded in user profiles has led to accusations of censorship from MySpace members. Chris DeWolfe, MySpace's chief executive denies any this, as well as any connection between recent events and the advent of MySpace's own video-sharing service, stating that blocking links or entire sites are sometimes necessary when MySpace investigates complaints of pornography or racism. There has been concern among groups of bloggers operating out of MySpace that News Corp would monitor or censor their activities, ever since they purchased Intermix, then MySpace's parent company. Ellis Yu told the Blog Herald that "their CEO said nothing like that would happen. Well, now it has. MySpace was built on an open community and now they're trying to censor us, putting business interests above its members!" |
FORMER WWE superstar Lance Cade has died from heart failure at the age of 29. The wrestler, real name Lance McNaught, started his career as a student under Shawn Michaels in 1999. He made his professional debut shortly afterwards and worked in Japan before being signed to a developmental contract with Vince McMahon's promotion. In 2003, Cade and Mark Jindrak were paired together as a tag team and given a spot on Raw but split a year later. He then joined forces with Trevor Murdoch and the duo spent three years together — winning the tag team championship on three occasions. But despite that success, Cade failed to hit the heights as a singles' competitor and was released by WWE two years ago. A statement from the wrestling company read: "World Wrestling Entertainment was informed Friday morning by Lance McNaught's father that he has passed away of apparent heart failure. "WWE extends its deepest condolences to the McNaught family. Mr McNaught was under contract beginning March 2003, performing under the name Lance Cade and was released October 2008. "He returned to FCW, WWE's developmental territory, in September 2009, and was released in April 2010." A host of stars have sent messages of condolence and tributes to the fallen grappler. Michaels said: "My prayers and thoughts have already been given to his family and will continue. Goodbye Lance, I love you." Hardcore legend Mick Foley added: "I am very sorry to hear about the passing of Lance Cade. Only 29 — I had no idea he was so young. My thoughts go out to his family." And WWE star Matt Hardy said: "I was saddened to hear about the passing of Lance Cade today. My condolences and thoughts are with his family and children. It's a sad situation." ||||| Former WWE superstar and World Tag Team Champion Lance Cade has passed away at 29 according to Mike Johnson at Pwinsider.com. It had been reported that Cade had issues with painkillers and sleeping pills at several points through out his career. WWE confirmed the bad news as well this morning. Cade had several stints with WWE. In 2008, Cade was released when he suffered a seizure related to excessive use of painkillers on a plane. This incident forced the plane to be diverted. Cade was released by WWE shortly after this happened. He returned to WWE in the fall of 2009 spending time in the developmental system in Florida Championship Wrestling, but never made it back to the main roster on TV. Cade was released again in the spring of 2009. The family of Lance Cade whose real name was Lance McNaught, passed on word to WWE that he had passed away of heart failure. He was 29. He leaves behind two daughters. Future WWE Hall of Famer Shawn Michaels tweeted this morning about the loss of his first pro wrestling students. Here what he had to say: I ask that all of u wud lift his family up in prayer. My prayers&thoughts have already been given2 his family & will continue. Goodbye Lance I Love You. 5min aft my morning tweet I got the call about Lance. No words will b good enuff. 1 of my boys is gone. Here are links to follow on this story Lance Cade's Bio on Online World of Wreslting Fellow Examiner Dave Schwab also reported on this sad story with quotes from WWE. You can read that article here | Cade performing in 2007 US and former star has been found dead at the age of 29. The cause of death was announced by Cade’s father as apparent heart failure. Cade, whose real name is Lance McNaught was trained by former world champion Shawn Michaels and made his professional debut in 1999. After working in Japan, Cade signed with World Wrestling Entertainment, the largest wrestling promotion in the United States. In 2003 Cade made his first appearance on television and teamed with . After one year the team split and Cade was tagged with another wrestler. With , Cade won the World Tag Team Championship three times in as many years. After five years in the company Cade was released from his contract in October 2008. He was later re-hired in 2009 but again released the next year. World Wrestling Entertainment released a statement on the death Cade through its website. It read “World Wrestling Entertainment was informed Friday morning by Lance McNaught’s father that he has passed away of apparent heart failure. WWE extends its deepest condolences to the McNaught family” Tributes were also made by fellow wrestlers. Former Tag Team Champion and WWE legend paid tributes to Cade. |
87 bodies found and 43 survived Latest - 87 bodies found; 43 survived Public Health Minister Dr Mongkol Na Songkhla said 87 bodies were retrieved from the debris of the One-Two-Go aircraft that crashed at the Phuket Airport on Saturday. The number of passengers injured were 43. There are a total of 130 passengers, including crew. Earlier report said most of the victims who were foreigners, have been retrieved from wreckage of a One-Two-Go plane at the Phuket airport. The budget airliner exploded and broke in two after it crashlanded and skidded off the runway and crashed into nearby walls on Sunday afternoon. More are feared dead. Some reports put the death toll at about 80, but this has yet to be confirmed. The nationalities of those onboard are not immediately known, but Phuket is a highly popular destination for overseas tourists. There were 74 Thais on the plane. It's the first local disaster involving low-cost airline following its profileration about four years ago. A 1126 telephone hotline has been created by the airline to provide immediate information about Flight OG 269. A surviving Thai passenger said the plane "landed hard" and "bounced" and then skidded off the runway. Civil aviation official Chiasak Angkauwan said, "the airplane requested to land but due to the weather in Phuket -- strong wind and heavy rain -- maybe the pilot did not see the runway clearly." "The plane then fell onto the runway and broke into two. It is expected that there will be a lot of casualties." "We are rescuing people from the aircraft ... we know now there were 123 passengers and five crew," he told the news channel. "We won't know what really happened until we get information from the black box." The airliner services Bangkok-Phuket flights six times a week. The ill-fated airline left Don Muang airport at about 2.30pm. Information now coming in said the plane, which was being used by local budget travel company, One-to-Go Airline, had 123 passengers and five crew. Officials said victims could have died on impact, or from suffocation and fire resulting from explosions. According to an initial account, the plane's fuselage was torn open when the aircraft crashed into an earth wall, and some of the survivors were those thrown out through the opening. The aircraft, flight number OG 269, approached the Phuket airport at about 3.40pm from Bangkok. Phuket had earlier been hit by heavy rains. It crashed into trees and walls surrounding the airport. Eye-witnesses said the impact of the crash caused the plane to break in two and they heard a series of explosions. Rescue teams and navy personnel were involved in the rescue operation. All flights in and out of the Phuket airport have been cancelled. An Irish tourist, identifying himself only as "John", said he was on board the flight. He and his friend survived with bruises all over their bodies. "We sat on the 18th row. The weather was real bad and there were lots of unusual noises during the landing. Something was obviously wrong [during the landing]," he said. He and his friend escaped through the emergency door. Meanwhile Transportation Minister Thira Haochareon said Phuket International Airport was temporary closed after the crash. Thira said the body of the aircraft hit the runway and was on fire fire while the pilot made an attempt to pull it off after failed a landing attempt, he said. Key features of MacDonnel Douglas MD82 Passenger capacity: 175 seats Engine type: Pratt & Whitney JT 8D217 A/C Aircraft speed: Faster than sound by 0.76 times; 430 miles per hour Flight ceiling: 37,000 feet Flight distance: 3,500 kilometres [Watch slide show, click here] ||||| Survivor and eyewitnesses tell of the Phuket Airport crash A One-Two-Go crash survivor said the MD82 aircraft descended at an unusually high speed before it crashlanded at Phuket Airport. Marine Keisel, from Paris, was aboard a plane behind the one that crashed and saw the accident happen. "When the plane landed it caught fire," she told AFP at Phuket airport. "We could see the fire coming out of it. It was chaos inside my plane." Meanwhile David McGivney, 23, from Ireland, was on vacation and waiting to return to Bangkok. When the accident happened he was on another plane, which waited on the tarmac for an hour. "Nothing was said to us until we saw it on the news," he said. Asked if he was willing to fly, McGivney said: "Not really, maybe we'll get the bus tonight." Nong Khaonual, a frequent flyer, said he managed to drag his wife Ladda, who was unconscious, to an emergency door at the back and opened it with the help of other survivors. The 10 survivors then jumped into a ditch. He said the plane bounced violently before it skidded off the runway and crash into an earth berm. The plane caught fire immediately after it stopped. Nong said some of the survivors who helped open the door suffered some burns. Most were hurt from the jump into the ditch. Nong tore an earlobe and damaged his shoulder. He said there was no announcement from the crew that landing could be a problem. One of Nong's sonsinlaw said Nong, his wife and all 10 survivors were seated at the back of the plane, where the impact of the crash was less severe. Nong's son Thanawat Fongsrisin said his mother injured her head in the jump from the plane. The couple were taken to Siriroj Hospital. He said his parents went to Phuket to visit his pregnant wife, who is due to deliver next month. [Watch slide show, click here] ||||| List of passengers injured in Phuket Airport's plane crash Update - List of passengers injured in the plane crash at Phuket Airport treated at Siriroj Phuket Hospital and Krungthep Phuket Hospital Krungthep- Phuket Hospital - Witchuhon Singnopon, 25, Thai - John O'donnel, 50, Ireland - Paiboon Pahan, 39, Thai - Christoph Falchetm, 36, Germany - Marcel Squincbal, 37, Austria - Benjamin Zachary Gree, 24, UK - Peter JamesHill, 35, UK - Claus Benjamin Voigt, 24, Germany - Clemens Rothmann, 27, Germany - Ashley Scott Harrow, 27, UK - Claudia Rothmann, 25, Germany - Maryau Mirtaheri, 34, Iran - Claus Benjamin, 24, Netherlands - Redz, 30, UK - Hashem Parviz, 40, Iran - Hasham Madia, Iran - Movahed Abbas Kiyani, 37, Italy - Christopher Edward Cooley, 23, UK - Miss Red, 22, Thai - Porawit Mahasap, 41, Thai - William Burke, 23, UK - Red, UK - Vladimir, 29, Ireland - Isabella Freylikhman, 27, Ireland - Chaolert Jitjamnong, 48, Thai - Chatree Suksawat, 48, Thai - Chawit Jitjamnong, 11 - Robert Borlane, 28, Austria - Mldred Anne Furlong 30 - Menrdhu Kiyan - Mahsa Fatoorechi Vajira Phuket Hospital - Savitri Denny, 35 - Boerkamp, 29 - Netherlands Siriroj - Phuket Hospital - ICU 1. Likhit Liengpansakul - ICU 2. Parinwit Choosaeng - ICU 3. Chainarong maharae - ICU 4. Apichart Pata 5. Eric Nihlen (Sweden) 6. Christopher Marken (Sweden) 7. Nong Kaonual 8. Ladda Kaonual 9. Pratin Lienchamroon 10. Sara (unknown surname) (Netherland) * Foreign names's correct spellings need to be updated. | A One-Two-GO MD-82 parked at Phuket International Airport. A scheduled flight airliner belonging to Thai low-cost carrier One-Two-GO Airlines crashed and split in two on landing at Phuket International Airport in Thailand today. At least 89 people are dead and 41 injured, in the first major incident involving an airliner in Thailand's burgeoning low-cost aviation sector. One-Two-GO Airlines Flight OG 269, a MD-82 jet, had 123 passengers and seven crew members aboard. The plane was on a regularly scheduled flight from Bangkok's Don Mueang Airport to Phuket. It departed Bangkok at around 2:30 p.m. local time (0730 GMT) and reached Phuket at around 3:40 p.m. Upon landing, the plane skidded off the runway, crashed into some trees and burst into flames. There was heavy rain, strong winds, and visibility was poor, officials said. "The airplane asked to land but due to the weather in Phuket – strong wind and heavy rain – maybe the pilot did not see the runway clearly," civil aviation official Chiasak Angkauwan was quoted as saying. The airline's official website redirects to a web page listing the 42 injured passengers (one of whom has since died). Phuket (pronounced, roughly, "Poock-get") is a popular holiday destination for tourists. "We sat on the 18th row. The weather was real bad and there were lots of unusual noises during the landing. Something was obviously wrong during the landing," a survivor identified as "John" was quoted as saying in ''The Nation''. Another passenger, Nong Khaonual, told ''The Nation'' that he felt the plane had descended at an unusually high speed, and that it immediately caught fire after it skidded off the runway and came to rest in some trees. Nong said he was able to drag his wife from the plane. He said he and some other survivors were seated at the rear of the aircraft, where the impact of the crash was less severe. One-Two-GO is the domestic, low-cost subsidiary of Orient Thai Airlines, a small airline that operates a fleet of older Boeing 747 jumbo jets and some smaller MD-82 and MD-83 jets. One-Two-GO is one of several low-cost airlines that have started up in Thailand in recent years. |
Adjust font size: LAS VEGAS, Nevada (CNN) -- A paper license tag, a salad and stories that didn't make sense pricked the suspicions of a state trooper who stopped the car of a wanted fugitive polygamist in Las Vegas. But it was the pumping carotid artery in the neck of Warren Steed Jeffs that convinced Nevada Highway Patrolman Eddie Dutchover that he had cornered someone big. "I knew some type of criminal activity was possibly afoot," Dutchover said after he stopped Jeffs with a brother and one of his wives in a new luxury SUV that had only a paper tag instead of a license plate. (Watch state trooper reveal what gave Jeffs away -- 2:46) Inside the car on Monday night, Jeffs seemed evasive and started to eat a salad. "I noticed Warren was extremely nervous. He was sitting in that right side back seat and wouldn't make eye contact with me," Dutchover said. "But his carotid artery was pumping." Dutchover separated the brothers and questioned them. Isaac Jeffs said they were heading to Utah, but Warren Jeffs said their destination was Denver, Colorado, Dutchover reported. "Their stories didn't make any sense to me," Dutchover said. He called in back-up and later the FBI when he and his fellow trooper realized they had captured one of the FBI's 10 Most Wanted Fugitives with a $100,000 bounty on his head. (See what FBI agents say they found inside Jeffs' car) Jeffs himself later confirmed he is the man who is wanted in Utah and Arizona on a variety of charges including child rape that are linked to his allegedly arranging marriages between girls and older men in his polygamist organization, the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. "He said his full name -- Warren Steed Jeffs -- and he just kind of like sighed. And that was it," the trooper said. Fugitive kit FBI agents said they found many different items that could be the trappings of a life on the run inside Jeffs' maroon 2007 Cadillac Escalade, that retails at nearly $55,000 for a base model. They recovered: 15 cell phones Walkie-talkies A police scanner Laptop computers Wigs Sunglasses Credit cards At least $54,000 in cash A duffel bag recovered from the SUV was stuffed with unopened envelopes that may contain even more money, according to the FBI. (Watch what police found with the self-proclaimed prophet -- 1:35) Law enforcement officials had feared the possibility of a violent showdown in trying to capture Jeffs, who was believed to travel with heavily armed security guards. But in the end, the only people with the polygamist leader when he was captured were his brother and one of his wives, Naomi Jeffs. They were released without charges. Warren Jeffs was "cordial" but uncooperative during questioning, contending he was being subjected to "religious prosecution." The interview ended on Tuesday at about 5 a.m. (8 a.m. ET), according to John Lewis, FBI special agent-in-charge in Phoenix, Arizona. A hearing for Jeffs, who is being held without bail in the Clark County Detention Center in Las Vegas, is scheduled for Thursday at 9:30 a.m. (12:30 p.m. ET), where a judge will review extradition requests from Utah and Arizona. Utah to prosecute first A source involved in the case told CNN on Wednesday that Utah will have the first opportunity to prosecute Jeffs. He is expected to return to Utah some time next week, the source said. Jeffs, considered a prophet by his followers, is expected to be transferred to the Purgatory Jail near St. George, Utah. Utah Attorney General Mark Shurtleff said he wants Utah to get Jeffs first because the charges he faces there -- two counts of rape as an accomplice -- carry a penalty of five years to life in prison, while he faces only a possible six-year sentence in Arizona. "We have the strongest charges. There's no doubt about that," Shurtleff said. Jeffs' FLDS church, which claims 10,000 followers, freely practices polygamy in both Colorado City, Arizona, where it is based, and nearby Hildale, Utah. It also maintains groups of followers in Texas, South Dakota, Nevada, Canada's British Columbia province and Mexico. The mainstream Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, based in Salt Lake City, gave up plural marriage more than a century ago and has no ties to the FLDS. FLDS members consider Jeffs, who took over the sect after his father died in 2002, to be a prophet of God. Law enforcement authorities charge he wields almost total control over his followers, including dictating their marriage partners. (Watch how Warren Jeffs lorded over his followers -- 4:28) Tuesday night in Colorado City, Jeffs' followers, who normally shun the media, had little comment on his arrest, although some of them appeared not to believe that he had been caught. In May, the FBI put Jeffs on its 10 Most Wanted list, a roster that also includes al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden, and offered a $100,000 reward for information leading to his capture. CNN's Ted Rowlands, Gary Tuchman, Kelli Arena and Terry Frieden contributed to this report. ||||| Warren Jeffs faces charges of sexual misconduct with minors Warren Jeffs, 50, was pulled over by a Nevada Highway Patrol on Monday along with his brother and one of his wives. He went into hiding in May after being charged in Arizona with sexual misconduct for allegedly arranging marriages between minors and older men. Mr Jeffs leads the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (FLDS) in Arizona and Utah. Warren Jeffs, who is reputed to have 70 wives, took over the leadership of the church after his father Rulon died in 2002. Road to heaven The 10,000-strong FLDS split from the Mormon Church more than a century ago after the latter renounced polygamy. The sect dominates the towns of Colorado City, in Arizona, and Hildale, Utah, less than a mile away. Polygamy is illegal in the US, but the authorities have reportedly been reluctant to confront the FLDS for fear of sparking a tragedy similar to the 1993 siege of the Branch Davidian sect in Waco, Texas, which led to the deaths of around 80 members. However, correspondents say the church is coming under increasing pressure from authorities in Utah and Arizona. ||||| Photographer Tomer Ifrah travelled between six post-Soviet countries, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Russia, Belarus, Georgia and Armenia, documenting city life on the metro, beginning in Moscow in 2012 and continuing until 2019. The images reveal personal stories of everyday life, intimate portraits, and a background of grandiose architecture ||||| Adjust font size: LAS VEGAS, Nevada (CNN) -- Nevada state troopers found one of the FBI's most wanted fugitives, along with wigs, cell phones, laptop computers and more than $54,000 in cash, on a highway north of Las Vegas, authorities said Monday. Polygamist sect leader Warren Steed Jeffs, 50, was a passenger in a red 2007 Cadillac Escalade that was pulled over along Interstate 15 shortly after 9 p.m. (12 a.m. ET) Monday. He is being held without bail in the Clark County Detention Center in Las Vegas, Utah Attorney General Mark Shurtleff said. Jeffs was scheduled for a hearing Thursday at 9:30 a.m., when a judge will review extradition requests from Utah and Arizona, court officials in Nevada said. (Watch what police found with the self-proclaimed prophet -- 1:35) Jeffs initially gave the troopers an alias before acknowledging who he was, said Steven M. Martinez, FBI Special Agent in Charge of the agency's Las Vegas office. (Watch how a traffic stop turned up one of the FBI's Most Wanted -- 2:32) Jeffs faces charges of unlawful flight to avoid prosecution in Utah and Arizona, sexual conduct with a minor, conspiracy to commit sexual conduct with a minor and rape as an accomplice, according to the FBI Web site. He has been called a religious zealot and dangerous extremist by critics and former members of his church. Authorities would not reveal the alias Jeffs used or identify the trooper who pulled over the Cadillac SUV. The trooper was a member of a team trained by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to spot suspicious vehicles, authorities said. The Escalade was stopped because its temporary tag, issued in Colorado, was not clearly visible, said George Togliatti, Nevada's director of public safety. "These troopers are really highly trained," Togliatti said. "When you get a situation like this, you just bubble inside." The trooper noted a passenger's resemblance to Jeffs, but a positive identification could not be immediately made because the state's computers were down, Togliatti said. When asked for identification, Jeffs offered only a contact lens receipt from another state that identified him as someone else, said John Lewis, FBI special agent-in-charge in Phoenix. Two other occupants, later identified as one of Jeffs' wives, Naomi Jeffs, and a brother, Isaac Steed Jeffs, were questioned and released Tuesday morning. Jeffs alleges religious persecution Inside the Escalade, investigators found "at least $54,000 in cash," 15 cell phones, four portable radios, a duffel bag "containing numerous unopened envelopes suspected of containing additional cash," three wigs, several pairs of sunglasses, four laptops, a GPS device, a police scanner and gift cards worth about $10,000, Lewis said. Also found in the car was "material identified as being associated with a prophet, and there was also material in the car that the officers viewed that suggested one of the occupants could well have been Warren Jeffs," he added. Isaac Jeffs was driving the Escalade, state Trooper Kevin Honea told The Associated Press. An FBI agent was summoned to confirm Warren Jeffs' identity, Honea told AP. Warren Jeffs was "cordial" but uncooperative during questioning, contending he was being subjected to "religious prosecution." The interview ended about 5 a.m., Lewis said. Jeffs was booked into the Clark County jail and is awaiting a federal court hearing on the fugitive warrant. There was a $100,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of Jeffs, who was placed on the FBI's 10 Most Wanted list in May. Utah and Arizona authorities have not yet decided where Jeffs first will face charges, an FBI official said. "He is currently being held on a federal warrant. It would be conceivable that he could be prosecuted in federal court, U.S. Attorney Brett Tolman said at a news conference in Salt Lake City, Utah. "That determination has not been made and there are factors that have to be analyzed." One of the key factors, he added, is a concern that Jeffs would become a fugitive again if released on bail. Utah Attorney General Mark Shurtleff said federal and state authorities would work together ahead of any prosecution, promising there would be no turf battle. 'This is not a rush to glory' In Arizona, Attorney General Terry Goddard said the jurisdiction most ready to prosecute Jeffs would probably get the case first. "This is not a rush to glory," he told reporters in Phoenix. Jeffs is the leader of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, based in Colorado City, Arizona. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, the official Mormon church, has no ties with the FLDS. (Watch how Warren Jeffs lorded over his followers -- 4:28) Goddard said the local sheriff near the FLDS compound told him there were no signs of trouble among Jeffs' followers and family following his arrest. "It's clearly a potentially explosive situation, and we have to take precautions," he said. Polygamy is freely practiced in the remote FLDS enclave. During the four years Jeffs has led the sect, the number of underage marriages, some involving girls as young as 13, escalated into the hundreds, church dissidents said. People expelled from the community said young men were sent away to avoid competition for brides. Older men were cast out and their wives and children were reassigned by Jeffs to new husbands and fathers, the former members said. "If this will bring an end to that, that will be a good thing," Ward Jeffs, an older half-brother of Warren, told AP. "We're excited for the people down there, but we're very concerned about who might step up and take the leadership role." Jeffs had been an elusive target, partly because he traveled among several states, Canada and Mexico, according to the FBI. Copyright 2006 CNN. All rights reserved.This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Associated Press contributed to this report. ||||| Adjust font size: LAS VEGAS, Nevada (AP) -- The leader of a polygamist sect who was on the FBI's Most Wanted List was found with cell phones, laptop computers, wigs and more than $50,000 in cash when he was arrested, authorities said Tuesday. Warren Steed Jeffs, 50, was arrested without incident, and no weapons were found when he and two others were pulled for a traffic stop late Monday and taken into custody, said FBI special agent in charge Steven Martinez. Jeffs was wanted in Utah and Arizona and faces sexual misconduct charges for allegedly arranging marriages between underage girls and older men. He was stopped in a 2007 red Cadillac Escalade by a Nevada Highway Patrol trooper on Interstate 15 just north of Las Vegas and was being held Tuesday in Clark County jail. (Watch what led a trooper to find Jeffs -- 2:02) Jeffs assumed leadership of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 2002 after the death of his 98-year-old father, Rulon Jeffs, who had 65 children by several women. Jeffs took nearly all his father's widows as his own wives. He is said to have at least 40 wives and nearly 60 children. Since May, Jeffs has been on the FBI's Ten Most Wanted list, with a $100,000 reward offered for information leading to his capture. The other two people in the vehicle were identified as one of Warren Jeffs' wives, Naomi Jeffs, and a brother, Isaac Steed Jeffs, both 32, Staretz said. They were being interviewed by the FBI in Las Vegas but were not arrested. Isaac Jeffs was driving a red Cadillac Escalade that was stopped for having no visible registration, said state Trooper Kevin Honea. An FBI agent was summoned to confirm Warren Jeffs' identity, Honea said. Warren Jeffs was in federal custody in Las Vegas awaiting a court hearing on a federal charge of unlawful flight to avoid prosecution, Staretz said. Arizona Attorney General Terry Goddard told KTAR-AM of Phoenix that Jeffs' arrest is "the beginning of the end of ... the tyrannical rule of a small group of people over the practically 10,000 followers of the FLDS sect." He predicted that it will inspire more people to come forward with allegations of sexual abuse. Most of the church's members live in Hildale, Utah, and nearby Colorado City, Arizona. Jeffs was indicted in June 2005 on an Arizona charge of arranging a marriage between a 16-year-old girl and a married man, and unlawful flight to avoid prosecution. He is charged in Utah with two felony counts of rape as an accomplice and for allegedly arranging the marriage of a teenage girl to an older man in Nevada. Half-brother speaks out Jeffs has been called a religious zealot and dangerous extremist by those familiar with his church. During his four-year rule, the number of underage marriages -- some involving girls as young as 13 -- escalated into the hundreds, church dissidents said. They said that although the sect has long practiced the custom of arranged marriages, young girls were rarely married off until Warren Jeffs came to power. People expelled from the community said young men were sent away to avoid competition for brides. Older men were cast out for alleged disobedience, and their wives and children were reassigned by Jeffs to new husbands and fathers, the former members said. "If this will bring an end to that, that will be a good thing," said Ward Jeffs, an older half-brother of Warren. "We're excited for the people down there, but we're very concerned about who might step up and take the leadership role." It remained unclear Tuesday what would happen to the leadership of the church while Jeffs was incarcerated. Federal and state law enforcement agencies will determine whether Jeffs should be extradited first to Utah or Arizona, said Steve Sorenson, a federal prosecutor in Salt Lake City. Utah's charges are more serious, and the federal unlawful flight charge was for leaving Utah, which could influence the decision, Sorenson said. The mainstream Mormon Church disavowed plural marriage more than 100 years ago. Copyright 2006 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. ||||| LAS VEGAS The charismatic leader of a polygamous sect was captured during a traffic stop three months after being put on the FBI's Most Wanted List and faces charges he arranged marriages between underage girls and older men. Warren Steed Jeffs, 50, was arrested without incident just outside Las Vegas late Monday after more than a year on the run, the FBI said. No weapons were found, but the 2007 red Cadillac Escalade he was riding in was filled with items including three wigs, 15 cell phones and tens of thousands of dollars in cash and gift cards, authorities said. Jeffs has led the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints since 2002 and is said to have at least 40 wives and nearly 60 children. Church dissidents say that underage marriages — some involving girls as young as 13 — escalated into the hundreds under his leadership, and that he broke apart families by casting out married men and reassigning their women and children to others. • More coverage available in FOXNews.com's Crime Center. (Story continues below) Advertise Here Advertisements Advertisements Arizona Attorney General Terry Goddard told KTAR-AM of Phoenix that Jeffs' arrest marks "the beginning of the end of ... the tyrannical rule of a small group of people over the practically 10,000 followers of the FLDS sect." He predicted it will lead more people to come forward with allegations of sexual abuse. Most of the church's members live in Hildale, Utah, and adjoining Colorado City, Arizona, but authorities have said they believe Jeffs had "safe houses" in four other U.S. states — including Nevada — and Canada. Jeffs' vehicle was stopped on Interstate 15 for having a temporary Colorado license tag that was not easily readable, FBI and Nevada Highway Patrol officials said. John E. Lewis, special agent in charge of the FBI Phoenix division, said the trooper became suspicious when Jeffs identified himself as John Findley using a contact lens receipt from Florida as identification. "That would commonly say to the average police officer that there is something wrong, so I am going to continue to probe just a little bit," Lewis said. Jeffs confirmed his identity to an FBI agent who was called to the scene. He would not tell investigators where he had been hiding out, but he did say "that he was being subject to what he termed religious prosecutions," Lewis said. Items inside the vehicle included $54,000 (euro42,160) in cash, gift cards totaling $10,000 (euro7,800), the cell phones and wigs, four laptop computers, a GPS device, a police scanner, and numerous unopened envelopes that were thought to contain more cash, Lewis said. Jeffs was being held Tuesday in Clark County jail, awaiting a court hearing on a federal charge of unlawful flight to avoid prosecution. The two people traveling with him, wife Naomi Jeffs and a brother, Isaac Steed Jeffs, both 32, were released and will not be charged, FBI agent Steven Martinez said. Jeffs is wanted in Utah and Arizona on charges of arranging two marriages between underage girls and older men. The charges include two counts of rape as an accomplice in Utah, with each count punishable by up to life in prison. He had been on the FBI's Ten Most Wanted list since May, with a $100,000 (euro78,000) reward offered for information leading to his capture. The FLDS Church split from the mainstream Mormon Church when the Mormons disavowed polygamy more than 100 years ago. Warren Jeffs took over the renegade sect after the death of his 98-year-old father, Rulon Jeffs, who was said to have had 65 children by several women. Warren Jeffs took nearly all his father's widows as his own wives. Jeffs has been called a dangerous extremist by those familiar with his church. Church dissidents said that while the sect has long practiced the custom of arranged marriages, young girls were rarely married off until Warren Jeffs came to power. People expelled from the community said young men were sent away to avoid competition for brides. Older men were cast out for alleged disobedience, and their wives and children were reassigned by Jeffs to new husbands and fathers, the former members said. "If this will bring an end to that, that will be a good thing," said Ward Jeffs, an older half-brother of Warren. "We're excited for the people down there, but we're very concerned about who might step up and take the leadership role." It remained unclear Tuesday what would happen to the leadership of the church while Jeffs was behind bars. Federal and state law enforcement agencies will determine whether Jeffs should be sent first to Utah or Arizona, said Steve Sorenson, a federal prosecutor in Salt Lake City. Utah's charges are more serious. Visit FOXNews.com's Crime Center for complete coverage. ||||| Warren Jeffs is believed to have been at his Texas compound Warren Jeffs, of the Fundamental Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (FLDS), has been charged by the authorities in Arizona with conspiring to commit sexual conduct with a minor. He is already being sued by five so-called Lost Boys, who say they were banished from their community to lessen the competition for wives. The 10,000-strong FLDS split from the Mormon Church more than a century ago after the latter renounced polygamy. They are clearly trying to get rid of the competition. Warren Jeffs himself is reputed to have 70 wives Lawyer Joanne Suder The sect dominates the towns of Colorado City, in Arizona, and Hildale, in Utah, less than a mile away. Members believe a man must marry at least three wives in order to ascend to heaven. Mr Jeffs, 49, who took over the leadership after his father Rulon died in 2002, has not been seen for more than a year. Some believe he could be hiding at an FLDS compound near Eldorado in Texas. The authorities hope the publicity surrounding the indictment, announced on Friday, will help them track him down. "He's going to be held accountable for the charges. That's the bottom line," Utah Attorney General Mark Shurtleff said. "This sends a message that Warren Jeffs is not above the law." If convicted, Mr Jeffs could be jailed for up to two years. The 28-year-old married man faces charges of sexual assault and sexual conduct with a minor. 'Psychologically damaged' It is not the only court action Warren Jeffs faces. Last summer, five boys launched a legal action claiming they had been unfairly expelled from their community. The authorities do not want a repeat of the tragedy in Waco Gideon Barlow says he was banished from Colorado City a year ago for wearing short-sleeved t-shirts, listening to CDs and having a girlfriend. He told the Los Angeles Times he attempted to see his mother on Mother's Day but she told him to stay away, on the orders of the sect's leaders. "I couldn't see how my mum would let them do what they did to me," said Gideon, who believes he is one of 71 children born to the eight wives of his 73-year-old father. The FLDS has in the past denied the boys were competition for wives, and said they were expelled for being delinquents who refused to obey their rules. A Baltimore lawyer involved in the legal action, Joanne Suder, says the experience has left her clients emotionally and psychologically damaged. "They are clearly trying to get rid of the competition. Warren Jeffs himself is reputed to have 70 wives," she was quoted by the LA Times as saying. "These kids are kicked out and lose the only world they ever knew. They leave without an education and can have no further contact with their family. It's horrible." Polygamy is illegal in the US, but the authorities have reportedly been reluctant to confront the FLDS for fear of sparking a tragedy similar to the 1993 siege of the Branch Davidian sect in Waco, Texas, which led to the deaths of around 80 members. "From everything I've been able to discern about Warren Jeffs, he is someone who is capable of some very different things," Jim Hill, an investigator in Utah's attorney general's office, told The Guardian newspaper. "Whether that includes a mass suicide, I don't know. But I worry about it all the time." | Warren Jeffs, the fugitive leader of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (FLDS) has been arrested in Nevada. Around 9 p.m. local time, he was arrested on Interstate 15 in Clark County, Nevada, north of Las Vegas, during a routine traffic stop when he was recognized by a local officer. He was found to be carrying computers, 15 cell phones, disguises (3 wigs), and a total of more than $54,000 in cash with him in the vehicle. Jeffs' red 2007 Cadillac Escalade was pulled over because the vehicle's temporary plates from Colorado were not visible. No weapons were found in the car or at the scene. Naomi Jeffs, one of Jeffs' wives, and Isaac Steve Jeffs, his brother, were both in the vehicle and detained for questioning. Both were released and not charged with any crime. When questioned separately, Warren Jeffs and his brother gave inconsistent responses when asked where they were going, Warren saying Denver, and his brother saying Utah. In addition, the officer responsible for the arrest, Eddie Duchover, stated that when initially pulling the car over, Jeffs would not make eye contact, and nervously ate a salad. The officer also cited Jeffs' throbbing carotid artery as an indication that he had done something big. Jeffs, a recluse, was indicted last June on a sexual misconduct charge in Arizona; prosecutors allege he arranged marriages for under-age girls and older men. Reclusive for over a year, the FBI placed him on its 10 most wanted fugitives list. A $100,000 reward was offered for information leading to his capture. He now faces new charges of unlawful flight to avoid prosecution. It is not yet clear where Jeffs will be tried, though currently he is being held in Clark County jail (Las Vegas) pending a court hearing for the latest charge. He may be extradited to Arizona to face the additional charges there. The FLDS is a separatist movement that split off from the Mormon church more than a century ago due to the latter's changed views on polygamy. FLDS members (estimated at ten thousand) believe that a man must marry at least three times to enter heaven after death. The sect is based in Colorado City, Arizona and Hildale, Utah (although there are other compounds in other parts of America). Jeffs became leader of the group in 2002 after the death of the former leader, his father Rulon Jeffs. |
What do you think? Help us improve The Times. We welcome your feedback, suggestions and ideas. Click here to send us your feedback. Need help from our Customer Services team? You can contact the team via the following channels: Live Chat Twitter Email Telephone: +0044 20 7711 1523 ||||| - Politics/Diplomacy - Society - N.K this week - Vantage point - Industry - Economy - Market - Culture - Sports Home National Politics/Diplomacy Politics/Diplomacy (LEAD) N. Korea to return to negotiations with anointment of Kim's successor: official By Hwang Doo-hyong WASHINGTON, June 2 (Yonhap) -- North Korea may halt provocations and resume negotiations with the United States on its nuclear and missile programs since North Korean leader Kim Jong-il has completed the process to anoint his third son as his successor, a senior U.S. official said Tuesday. "My guess is that the North Koreans are likely to come back to the bargaining table, especially now that it appears that the succession has been secured," said the official, asking not to be named. The remarks come amid reports that Kim Jong-il recently issued orders to North Korean officials and diplomats abroad to pledge loyalty to Kim Jong-un, 26, in an attempt to consolidate a third-generation dynastic power transition in the isolated communist state. The order was issued soon after the North's nuclear test late last month. Kim Jong-il had long made it a taboo to discuss his heir apparent, but he changed his mind after apparently having suffered a stroke and undergone surgery last summer. Chang Song-thaek, Kim's brother-in-law, who was recently appointed to the all-powerful National Defense Commission, is said to be playing the role of regent in a smooth power transition. Kim Jong-il had consolidated power for two decades in various party and government posts until the death in 1994 of his father, Kim Il-sung, North Korea's founding father. Opinions vary on the chances of a successful power transition, with some observers skeptical due to a lack of time for consolidation of power, while others forecast the emergence of a collective leadership surrounding the third and youngest son. "There is growing evidence that a managed succession is under way in Pyongyang. But there also is no guarantee that the chosen successor will actually become the supreme leader or last for very long," said Paul B. Stares, senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations. "The succession process could still play out over many years, however, with much depending on the health of Kim Jong-il." North Korea last week conducted its second nuclear test in three years, fired several short-range missiles and threatened to boycott the six-party talks unless the U.N. Security Council apologizes for its condemnation of North Korea's April 5 rocket launch. Pyongyang also threatened to nullify the armistice that ended the 1950-53 Korean War and shun any dialogue with the U.S. due to what it calls hostile policy, heightening tensions on the Korean Peninsula to the highest level since the war. The North's recent provocations aim to "kill the six-party talks and return to a bilateral U.S.-North Korea arms control process and secure recognition as its status as a nuclear weapons state," the official told a forum here. The six-party talks on ending the North's nuclear weapons programs had already been deadlocked since December over Pyongyang's refusal to agree to a verification protocol on its nuclear activity. The multilateral talks have been on and off since their inception in 2003 as a replacement for the Bush administration to bilateral negotiations between Pyongyang and Washington under the Bill Clinton administration. Then-Secretary of State Madeleine Albright and North Korean Marshal Jo Mong-rok made exchange visits to their respective capitals in the waning months of Clinton's tenure in late 2000. Former President Clinton did not honor his pledge to visit Pyongyang to conclude bilateral talks on the North's nuclear and missile programs, which he recently said he regrets. The anonymous official reaffirmed the Barack Obama administration's policy goal of "complete and verifiable denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula." "The goal of the United States has not changed," he said. "Our goal is that we will not accept North Korea as a nuclear weapons state." The official said he expects China and Russia to join forces with the U.S. in adopting a U.N. Security Council resolution calling for an "arms embargo and financial sanctions" on North Korea for its nuclear test. "Even Russia and China, which in the past have been extremely reluctant to apply pressure to North Korea, now recognize that the North Koreans have gone too far," he said. China and Russia thwarted efforts by the U.S. and its allies in April to adopt a legally binding resolution to sanction North Korea for its rocket launch on April 5. In a rare move, North Korea has depicted China and Russia as "forces flattering the U.S." and denounced them for supporting the council's adoption of a presidential statement calling for tougher sanctions on three North Korean firms for the launch, which Pyongyang insists was to orbit a satellite. A U.S-written draft resolution, under review by the 15-member security council, calls for financial sanctions on North Korea and bars the North from all weapons trade. Treasury Undersecretary Stuart Levey flew to Seoul earlier in the day as a member of a U.S. delegation to Asian capitals, led by Deputy Secretary of State James Steinberg, to discuss financial sanctions against North Korea. It is not clear at the moment whether China, a veto power and North Korea's staunchest communist ally, will approve the kind of financial sanctions that almost paralyzed North Korea's overseas financial transactions in 2005 when the U.S. froze tens of millions of dollars in North Korean assets in Macau's Banco Delta Asia. The unidentified Obama administration official, however, was still optimistic that a carrot-and-stick approach will work in dealing with North Korea. "We have to operate on the basis of an assumption that if we apply the proper mixture of pressure and incentives, the North Koreans will behave rationally, de-escalate and return to negotiations," he said. hdh@yna.co.kr (END) ||||| By Jon Herskovitz SEOUL (Reuters) - North Korean leader Kim Jong-il has signaled the anointment of his youngest son as heir to the ruling family dynasty, South Korean media said on Tuesday as the rival Koreas built up their forces along a disputed sea border. North Korea, whose military posturing after last week's nuclear test prompted U.S. and South Korean forces to raise the alert level, is readying mid-range missiles for test launches, the South's Yonhap news agency reported a lawmaker as saying after a defense briefing. But in Washington, a senior U.S. official said North Korea would probably ease tensions now that the succession issue appeared to have been settled and said Pyongyang would likely return to six-party talks. The news of possible new missile tests unsettled financial markets in Seoul, adding to worries over reports the impoverished state was preparing to test fire a long-range missile that could fly as far as U.S. territory. The main Seoul index closed slightly down. Analysts believe that Kim Jong-il, whose power base stems from his support for the military, may be using the growing tension to give him greater leverage over power elites at home to nominate his own successor. It has raised alarm in the region over how far Kim, 67 and thought to have suffered a stroke last year, may be prepared to take his latest military grandstanding. North Korea has asked the country's main bodies and its overseas missions to pledge loyalty to Kim's youngest son Kim Jong-un, various South Korean media outlets quoted informed sources as saying. "I was notified by the South Korean government of such moves and the loyalty pledges," Park Jie-won, a member of the opposition Democratic Party, said in a statement. He declined to name his source but Yonhap said Park was among a group of lawmakers briefed on Monday night by the country's spy agency about the succession plans. Kim Jong-un, born either in 1983 or early 1984, was educated in Switzerland and intelligence sources have said he appears to be the most capable of Kim's three known sons. Even by North Korea's opaque standards, very little is known about the son, whose youth is a potential problem in a society that adheres closely to the importance of seniority. "There is a significant link between North Korea's recent military provocations and succession issues," said Lee Dong-bok, an expert on the North's negotiating tactics. STOCKPILED AMMUNITION North Korea, which has hundreds of mid-range missiles that can hit all of South Korea and most of Japan, is readying at least three or four missiles for firing, Yonhap quoted the lawmaker as saying after a briefing with defense officials. The missiles could include the Rodong, which has been deployed since the 1990s, and a new intermediate range missile that can fly 1,900 miles, the report said. Continued... ||||| The most delicate issue is whether China will back the inspection of some North Korean vessels, which the North has already warned it would consider an act of war. The inspections were authorized, but not enforced, under a United Nations resolution passed after the North’s first nuclear test, in 2006. A senior administration official said Tuesday that Chinese officials feared that if North Korea gained the ability to fit its nuclear weapons atop its long-range missiles, the United States would increase its military presence in the Pacific and Japan could reconsider its ban on its own nuclear weapons. But if the Chinese press too hard, the official said, “they risk unintentionally causing collapse in North Korea and instability” on their own border. The official spoke at a forum on Tuesday under rules that he not be quoted by name. While Obama administration officials say they want to draw North Korea back into disarmament talks begun by President George W. Bush, they are not interested in negotiating yet another deal to disable the main nuclear facility at Yongbyon, where North Korea produces its bomb-grade plutonium. “The real challenge is to avoid a repetition of the past,” one senior administration official said. Obama administration officials acknowledge that negotiations with the North may be all but impossible at a moment when it is unclear who is running the country and when all players in a succession struggle will avoid any perception of concessions to the United States. There is no indication yet that the heir apparent has been involved in decisions about the nuclear program. The current leader, Kim Jong-il, has three known sons. The eldest, Kim Jong-nam, was once considered the leading candidate to succeed his father, until the Disneyland episode added to rumors that his judgment was less than reliable. Kim Jong-nam is widely reported to have voracious appetites for alcohol and women, and his father apparently grew concerned that North Korea’s generals would never accept him, according to a former American intelligence official. The North Korean leader’s middle son, Kim Jong-chol, 28, was another possibility, but Kenji Fujimoto, who once served as Kim Jong-il’s sushi chef, wrote in a memoir that Kim Jong-il dismissed that son as “girlish,” suggesting that he would not stand up to the West. | South Korean media is reporting that North Korea's leader, Kim Jong-il has named his successor, after ordering his people to pledge their alliance to his youngest son, Kim Jong-un, age 25. Yonhap News Agency reports that the decision was made after North Korea's recent test of a nuclear bomb on May 25. ''The New York Times'' reports that select unnamed embassies overseas received the news to pledge their support for their decision, but that there has been no official confirmation of the decision. The South Korean presidential office refused to confirm, or deny that any change to North Korean leadership was imminent saying, "nothing has been confirmed." If true, the news also comes just nine months after media reported that Jong-il had a "serious stroke." Little is known about Kim Jong-un. His name had only surfaced in 2003 when mentioned in memoirs written by a former chief of the Japanese military. Prior to that time, reports said that Jong-il had only two sons, Kim Jong-chul and Kim Jong-nam. |
By Matthew Robinson NEW YORK (Reuters) - Kurt Vonnegut, whose dark, satirical vision in works including "Slaughterhouse-Five" and "Cat's Cradle" was shaped by the horrors he witnessed during World War II, has died at age 84. Vonnegut died on Wednesday after suffering brain injuries following a fall weeks ago, said Donald Farber, Vonnegut's friend, lawyer, agent and manager. Vonnegut wrote plays, essays and short fiction, but his 14 novels were classics of the American counterculture, resonating with the U.S. antiwar sentiment during the Vietnam War era. The author's Web site, updated after his death, displayed a simple black-and-white image of a bird cage -- a symbolic element in his writing -- empty with an open door. "Kurt Vonnegut, Jr. 1922-2007," the page read. "He was a beautiful man," Farber said. "I never hung up the phone without having laughed, he always left me laughing, no matter what the circumstances of the world." "I last spoke to him the day he fell," Farber said. "He was in good spirits. Every time he spoke with me no matter what the circumstances in the world, he had a funny angle on it even if it wasn't a funny thing." Despite battles with severe depression, Vonnegut was known for his witticisms. "I've had a hell of a good time," Vonnegut once wrote. "I tell you, we are here on Earth to fart around, and don't let anybody tell you any different." Continued... ||||| Vonnegut was a cult figure with students in the 1960s and 1970s Vonnegut interview He became a cult figure among students in the 1960s and 1970s with his classics of US counterculture. The pivotal moment of his life was the bombing of Dresden by allied forces in 1945. The experience informed his best-known work, Slaughterhouse Five. He suffered brain injuries after a fall at his home in Manhattan and died on Wednesday, said his wife Jill Krementz. SELECTED VONNEGUT BOOKS Player Piano (1952) The Sirens Of Titan (1959) Cat's Cradle (1963) Slaughterhouse-Five (1969) Breakfast Of Champions (1973) Jailbird (1979) Deadeye Dick (1982) Timequake (1996) He studied chemistry at New York's Cornell University before enlisting in the US Army during World War II. After leaving the army, he reported for Chicago's City News bureau, then joined the public relations department of General Electric - a job he loathed. His first novel, Player Piano, was published in 1951. The story, which describes a world in which machines have taken over, led to the author being dismissed as a science fiction writer. Vonnegut was initially seen as a science fiction author The novel is a satire on modern science which, according to Vonnegut, promises progress while bringing about the end of the world. In the story, Caribbean islanders adopt a new religion - Bokononism - after scientists create Ice-9, a crystal that turns water solid and eventually destroys all life on Earth. But he will be best remembered for Slaughterhouse Five - which draws directly on Vonnegut's own experience of the firebombing of Dresden, Germany during World War II. 'Extraordinary Success' As a young soldier, Vonnegut had been taken prisoner in the city, but survived with other PoWs by hiding in an underground meat locker. After the bombing, which killed thousands, Vonnegut and his fellow prisoners were forced to dig corpses out of the rubble. Vonnegut married his second wife Jill Krementz in 1979 It was published in 1969 against a background of anti-war protests in the US. The New York Times book review called it "an extraordinary success," adding "it is a book we need to read, and to reread". Vonnegut also wrote several plays, including Happy Birthday, Wanda June, as well as several works of non-fiction and collections of short stories HAVE YOUR SAY In a world with so many problems he inspired and gave hope to millions Xavier Scott, Canada Send us your comments Despite commercial success, Vonnegut battled with depression throughout his life and in 1984 he attempted suicide with pills and alcohol, later joking that he had botched the job. The author is survived by his wife, photographer Jill Krementz, their daughter and his six other children. | stock photo American author Kurt Vonnegut, Jr., best known for works blending satire, black comedy, and science fiction, has died at age 84. After a fall in his Manhattan, New York home, he suffered brain injuries and died on Wednesday from complications related to those injuries. Some of Vonnegut's most famous works include ''Slaughterhouse-Five'' (1969), ''Cat's Cradle'' (1963), and ''Breakfast of Champions'' (1973). He achieved cult-like status among American college students in the 1960s and 70s. |
A GROWING number of New South Wales state Labor MPs are expected to oppose their embattled Government's plan to privatise the electricity sector amid mounting public concern about the proposal. Fifteen Government MPs today joined a 4000 strong protest outside the gates of Parliament House to oppose the Government's plans to sell off the electricity retailers and lease out the power generators. The MPs, including former ministers Kerry Hickey and Grant McBride, current Upper House president Peter Primrose and Blacktown MP Paul Gibson, took the stage to cheers from the crowd, making their opposition known before leaving to attend a caucus meeting. "I'm a member of the Australian Labor Party and I'm sticking to the Labor platform and policy," Mr Gibson said. "If the Labor platform and policy said tomorrow that we were in favour of privatising electricity then I would speak against it, but I would go along with the party. "But this is totally against the party rules." Premier Morris Iemma reportedly spent much of this morning's caucus meeting again stressing to his party the importance of the electricity sell-off. However, some MPs said the number of Government members opposed to the sale is increasing due to opposition being expressed in their local branches and electorates. The Sydney Morning Herald/Nielsen poll published today shows 64 per cent of voters are opposed to the sell-off, while only 25 per cent support it. Other MPs who support the privatisation are said to be uncomfortable with the possibility of caucus defying any resolution from May's state ALP conference to ditch the plan. John Robertson of UnionsNSW said he knew other MPs who did not attend today's protest who were feeling uneasy about the privatisation push. "I think there are a lot of members of the caucus who are not here today who are nervous about this proposal and what it might mean for their futures," Mr Robertson said. However, neither the dissenting MPs nor the poll results altered the Government's position, with Mr Iemma telling the first sitting of Parliament for 2008 that the plan would proceed regardless of the criticisms. "The Government's plan unlocks up to $15bn in funds to spend on transport, roads, schools and hospitals, and is in the best interests of NSW," the Premier said. "My Government has spent a great deal of effort to ensure the public has a clear understanding on our purpose." The Premier then attempted to turn the heat on Opposition Leader Barry O'Farrell for his failure to state the Opposition's position on the sale. Mr O'Farrell has previously said the Coalition would await the detail of the proposal before taking a position. Share this article NEWS.com.au is not responsible for the content of external sites. ||||| ABC New England North West | Local News | Story Tamworth electricity workers join privatisation protest Posted Country Energy and Transgrid staff from across the region are taking part in a 24-hour state-wide stoppage against the New South Wales Government's plans to privatise the sector. Electricity trade union members in most centres have walked off the job. Transgrid staff in Tamworth will hold an in-house meeting and sign a petition to send to the Government. The union says skeleton staff will remain on to respond to emergencies. Regional organiser Russel Wilson says the union fears many people will be affected by the sell-off. "Once the generators get privatised they run them down, they don't look after them," he said. "To the extent that the publicly owned generators services drop out and you get a lack of people who are trained to work in that industry, like electrical technicians. "It's proven that privatisation reduces the amount of apprenticeships in the area, so anyone trying to look for a job in that industry finds it very difficult." | In New South Wales today, thousands of people joined a protest including 15 Labor Members of Parliament about the State Government's plans to privatise the electricity industry. The MPs included Paul Gibson, Upper House president Peter Primrose, and former MPs Kerry Hickey and Grant McBride. Mr Gibson was reported as saying, "I'm a member of the Australian Labor Party and I'm sticking to the Labor platform and policy." The Government seems to have ignored the positions of the protesters, with Premier Morris Iemma expressing to the first sitting of Parliament for 2008 that his Government's plans would proceed. Related instances in Tamworth occurred, when workers in the Electricity Trade Union walked off the job. |
CTV.ca News Staff What started as a relatively quiet byelection campaign has erupted into a heated fight as political parties charged Ontario's governing Liberals with conducting a smear campaign on Wednesday. The accusation came on the eve of a critical byelection vote in the riding of Parkdale-High Park. Voters are replacing former education minister Gerard Kennedy. He left his seat to run for the federal Liberal leadership. The campaign began to heat up with a comment from current education minister Sandra Pupatello. She accused NDP candidate and United Church Minister Cheri DiNovo of comparing media coverage of Karla Homolka's release from prison to the persecution of Jesus Christ. After that, Liberal candidate Sylvia Watson's campaign has released selected portions of DiNovo's past sermons to claim she supports the ordination of pedophiles and axe-murderers. Another Liberal campaign release urged DiNovo to "come clean" about previous remarks, including an admission she smuggled LSD from the U.S. inside hollowed-out Bibles. Watson said distributing the sermon excerpts was not her idea. But she defended the decision to tell the public about her opponent's statements. It's "pretty difficult to smear somebody with their own words," Watson said. "That radical point of view undoubtedly will affect the decisions she makes and the judgements she makes about a variety of issues." New Democratic leader Howard Hampton came to DiNovo's defence, saying the Liberals are worried about losing the riding. "It's pretty clear the (Liberal) government has resorted to unbelievable gutter tactics," Hampton said, adding DiNovo is an accomplished candidate with a history of community involvement. Hampton said the Liberal's actions have alienated Parkdale-High Park voters. "It turns the public off." Conservative candidate David Hutcheon, a former city councillor who claims he was smeared during the 1997 municipal campaign, called the tactic "repugnant" and a sign of desperation. "I think (the Liberals) are desperate. I think they're afraid of losing," Hutcheon said. The race is seen as crucial for the Liberals and an opportunity for opposition parties, especially the NDP. Political parties are doing everything they can to win the riding. The Liberals had 12 cabinet ministers campaigning in the district earlier this week. Federal NDP leader Jack Layton was set to visit on Wednesday. University of Toronto political science professor Nelson Wiseman said much of the momentum toward the 2007 provincial election will be determined by the byelection's result. "If the NDP ever wants to be the official opposition again, it has to win seats like Parkdale," Wiseman said. Kennedy won the riding by one of the highest margins in the 2003 election. But Peggy Nash won for the federal NDP in the last national election. Some see it as an indication of strong NDP support in the provincial riding. But Wiseman said byelections tend to be a referendum on the government's performance. He said voters know they can cast a ballot against the governing party without risking a change in government. "It's a way for people to wake them up by throwing water in their face without defeating them,'' he said. Wiseman added that the aggressive campaigning by Liberals suggests they feel they are in trouble. "It tells me the Liberals perceive it as a very competitive race." With files from The Canadian Press ||||| Viral Inequality This single mother whose four children all have disabilities had to cut off PSW supports amid the pandemic. She says families like hers are in desperate need of help ||||| Premier, cabinet hit hustings before Parkdale-High Park byelection Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty and a dozen cabinet ministers have been knocking on doors in Toronto's Parkdale-High Park riding to build support for Liberal candidate Sylvia Watson days before a provincial byelection. The opposition has condemned the Liberal blitz, calling it a desperate attempt by McGuinty's Liberals to hold on to the west-end riding and demanding to know who has been running the province while cabinet hits the pavement. People in the riding will vote Thursday to replace former education minister Gerard Kennedy, who left the provincial post to join the leadership race for the federal Liberal party. Kennedy won the riding easily in 2003 but Watson is facing a serious challenge from NDP candidate Cheri DiNovo, a United Church minister. The NDP is hoping the party can take the riding as it did in January's federal election. Also running is Progressive Conservative candidate David Hutcheon, a former local councillor and a former vice-chairman of Ontario's Environmental Review Tribunal. On Monday, the reports surfaced that McGuinty and a dozen cabinet ministers had been visiting homes in the riding and shaking the hands of constituents. Provincial Conservative Leader John Tory dismissed the blitz, asking who was running the government back at Queen's Park. Meanwhile, NDP Leader Howard Hampton said people have not been happy with the Liberals. He predicted Parkdale-High Park constituents would send that message to the party by avoiding the Liberal candidate in the byelection. | Voting is underway in a provincial byelection in Parkdale-High Park, Ontario to elect a replacement former education minister Gerard Kennedy who left the provincial post to join the leadership race for the federal Liberal party. The new education minister, Sandra Pupatello, has accused NDP candidate and United Church Minister Cheri DiNovo of comparing media coverage of Karla Homolka's release from prison to the persecution of Jesus Christ. Liberal candidate Sylvia Watson's campaign has released selected portions of DiNovo's past sermons to claim she supports the ordination of pedophiles and axe-murderers. Ontario New Democratic leader Howard Hampton defended DiNovo, saying the Liberals are worried about losing the riding. DiNovo said the remark was taken entirely out of context by the Liberals and suggested she might sue them over it. Political parties are doing everything they can to win the riding. |
The following is a release by the United States Geological Survey, National Earthquake Information Center: An earthquake occurred about 125 km (75 miles) ENE of Iwaki, Honshu, Japan or about 130 km (80 miles) ESE of Sendai, Honshu, Japan or about 305 km (190 miles) NE of TOKYO, Japan at 8:39 PM MDT, Jul 18, 2008 (Jul 19 at 11:39 AM local time in Japan). The magnitude and location may be revised when additional data and further analysis results are available. No reports of damage or casualties have been received at this time; however, this earthquake may have caused damage due to its location and size. ||||| A powerful earthquake has struck off the eastern coast of Japan, with officials warning that some regions could be hit by a small tsunami. Japan's Meteorological Agency measured the 6.6-magnitude quake just before noon off Fukushima prefecture. The agency issued a tsunami warning for Fukushima and Miyagi prefectures. Reports said buildings shook in Tokyo with the force of the quake, but there was not thought to be any serious damage or any casualties. Japan is one of the world's most earthquake-prone countries and experiences thousands of tremors each year. Name Your E-mail address Town & Country Phone number (optional): Comments The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions | A map of Japan showing the location of the earthquake. A tsunami warning has been issued for some parts of Japan's eastern coast after an earthquake with a magnitude of 7.0 struck off the shore, near the city of Iwaki. It is believed, however, that the Tsunami warning was withdrawn as the Japan Meteorological Agency currently lists no Tsunami warnings, with two tsunami warnings from earlier today being listed in the past warnings section of the Agency's website. The initial reports from the scene of the earthquake shown no injuries, although buildings were observed being shook by the quake 300 kilometers away in Tokyo. The withdrawn tsunami warning said there was a possibility of a small Tsunami in Fukushima and Miyagi. Fukushima is 145 km away from the epicenter of the earthquake. |
Alan Johnston has been missing for more than eight weeks It contains no new pictures of Mr Johnston, but shows a picture of his BBC ID card. The tape includes a demand for the release of Muslim prisoners in British jails, and readings from the Koran. Mr Johnston, 44, was seized in Gaza City on 12 March. He had been on his way home when he was taken at gunpoint. The tape was delivered to al-Jazeera in Gaza and was made by a group calling itself Jaish al-Islam (Army of Islam). BBC Deputy Director-General Mark Byford said that the BBC remained deeply concerned for Mr Johnston's safety. "Fifty-nine days after he was abducted, our sole concern is for Alan's welfare, and for that of his family. What we and they want more than anything else is Alan's safe return," he said. "We of course welcome any sign that Alan may be alive and well. We profoundly hope that today's news may be a sign that Alan will soon be safely released." Specific demand The tape does include one specific demand, the release of Abu Qatada, a Palestinian born Islamic cleric who is suspected of close links to al-Qaeda and is currently held by the UK government as a threat to national security. JAISH AL-ISLAM FACTS Small, Islamist armed group operating in Gaza Splinter group of the Popular Resistance Committees Seeks liberation of Palestine and an Islamic state Influenced by, but not affiliated with al-Qaeda Led by Mumtaz Daghmash, also known as Abu Muhammad, a member of a powerful clan One of three groups allegedly holding captured Israeli soldier Cpl Gilad Shalit Until now, the kidnappers have not made their demands public or made any contact with the media. In April, the previously unheard of Tawhid and Jihad brigades claimed it had executed Mr Johnston, though that claim could not be verified. The Palestinian government says it has received information that Mr Johnston is alive, and is working for his release. The BBC's World Affairs correspondent Mike Wooldridge says that not much is known about The Army of Islam, but that it is a known Palestinian group. He adds that if the tape is authentic, then it does represent a development in the lengthiest kidnapping of a Westerner to take place in Gaza. Diplomacy News of the tape emerged hours after a senior UK diplomat held talks with Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniya as part of the effort to secure Mr Johnston's release. Consul-General Richard Makepeace, who is based in Jerusalem, said Mr Johnston's continued captivity remained of "great concern" to the UK. There have been high-level appeals for his freedom, including from Tony Blair and the United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon. Mr Johnston joined the BBC World Service in 1991 and has spent eight of the last 16 years as a correspondent, including periods in Uzbekistan and Afghanistan. He has lived and worked in Gaza for three years and was the only Western reporter permanently based in the often violent and lawless territory. ||||| SkyNews - Wednesday, May 9 11:46 am By Sky News The BBC is examining a tape purportedly from the kidnappers of its missing Gaza correspondent Alan Johnston. It includes a list of demands and shows a number of pictures - one apparently of Mr Johnston's BBC identity card. It was delivered to Arabic TV channel al Jazeera which said the demands included the release of Muslim prisoners. Among those named was the British Muslim preacher Abu Qatada who is facing deportation to his native Jordan. The tape, which was dropped off at al Jazeera's Gaza offices, was made by a group calling itself Jaish e al Islam (The Army of Islam). The BBC said it is checking the tape but would not comment further at this stage. Mr Johnston, 44, was seized at gunpoint on his way home in Gaza City on March 12. If the tape is genuine, it will be the first time his kidnappers have made their demands public or had any contact with the media. Last month, the previously unheard of Tawhid and Jihad brigades claimed it had executed Mr Johnston but that claim could not be verified. The Palestinian government has said it is working for Mr Johnston's release and has received information that he is still alive. Appeals for Mr Johnston to be freed have been made by Tony Blair and UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon. Mr Johnston joined the BBC World Service in 1991 and has lived and worked in Gaza for the past three years. Recommend this article | Alan Johnston in an undated BBC photo The Arabic news television channel, Al-Jazeera has reported that it has received a tape apparently from the kidnappers of BBC Gaza Correspondent Alan Johnston, a citizen of the United Kingdom. The film contains no pictures of Mr. Johnston, but it shows a picture of Johnston's BBC ID card. The tape includes demands for the release of Muslims held in British jails and also readings from the Koran. Alan Johnston was kidnapped on March 12, 2007 and has been held for over 8 weeks, the longest time for any foreigner in the Gaza Strip. The tape was delivered to al-Jazeera in Gaza and was made by a group calling itself Jaish al-Islam (Army of Islam). In response to this video, the BBC has said: The tape does, however, have a specific demand - the demand being the release of Abu Qatada, a Palestinian born Islamic cleric who is suspected of close links to al-Qaeda and is currently held by the UK government as a threat to national security. |
Mr Baynham died after being attacked in Trafalgar Square A vigil for victims of hate crime is taking place in central London's Trafalgar Square. Homophobic attack victims Ian Baynham, who died earlier this month, and James Parkes, who was injured in Liverpool on Sunday, will be among those honoured. Speeches will be made before the two-minutes silence at 2100 GMT. Organiser Mark Healey said: "If we forget about these victims we could become complacent and fail to learn from the past." Mr Baynham, 62, from Beckenham, south-east London, died from brain damage two weeks after being attacked in Trafalgar Square on 25 September. On Sunday night trainee police officer Mr Parkes, 22, was attacked by up to 20 people outside a gay bar in Liverpool's Stanley Street. He remains in hospital with multiple skull fractures. Last week Metropolitan Police figures showed that 1,192 homophobic offences were reported in London in the year to September, up from 1,008 the previous year - a rise of 18.3%. We hope the vigil will also inspire young people to tackle issues of equality in the community Vigil organiser Mark Healey Mr Healey said: "This started off as a vigil for Ian but it soon became clear that it was also important to remember other victims of homophobic attacks and other hate crimes." He added: "Whenever someone is attacked, pain and suffering is not just caused to them, but also to their family and the wider community. "We hope the vigil will also inspire young people to tackle issues of equality in the community." National and international equality groups have been encouraged to hold their own vigils to coincide with the London event, which has received the backing of Stuart Milk, the nephew of late US gay rights activist Harvey Milk. Bookmark with: Delicious Digg reddit Facebook StumbleUpon What are these? E-mail this to a friend Printable version ||||| With thousands of people expected to head to Trafalgar Square this evening for a candle light vigil against hate crime, London Mayor Boris Johnson has sought assurances from the Metropolitan Police Commissioner that everything is being done to tackle the problem of homophobic attacks in the capital. Today's vigil is backed by the Mayor and will be attended by the Deputy Mayor for London Richard Barnes. It follows the death of Ian Baynham as a result of such an attack last month and comes amidst fears that they are on the increase. The Mayor raised the matter with the Police Commissioner Sir Paul Stephenson at yesterday's full meeting of the Metropolitan Police Authority. The Commissioner assured the Mayor that the Met is taking the issue of homophobic crime seriously and he outlined measures that include third party reporting and increased sanctioned detection rates, as well as raising staff and community awareness and efforts to encourage the community to report attacks. The Mayor said today: 'Londoners have become increasingly concerned about the number of homophobic attacks and the recent death of Ian Baynham was particularly appalling. My thoughts are with his friends, family and everyone affected by hate crime. 'London is known around the world as a place where people can be who they want to be. Homophobic attacks and other hate crimes must not be tolerated and we are committed to working with the Metropolitan Police Service to ensure that they are dealt with rigour. We must keep hate crime high on the agenda across London if we are to ensure perpetrators are held to account and reduce the risk of it happening in the first place. So I would urge anyone affected by, or witnessing a hate crime, to report it.' Deputy Mayor Richard Barnes, who is attending the vigil, commented: 'This was a terrible crime and a tragedy for all who knew and loved Ian Baynham. London's strength and dynamism lie in its many communities and every person should have the right to live their lives as they choose, free from persecution and abuse. It is a dark episode, but as Londoners we must seize this opportunity to raise awareness about the tragic consequences of homophobia and to educate our young people.' Commissioner Sir Paul Stephenson said: 'My sincere condolences to Ian Baynham's family and friends. This was a dreadful crime and we are, and will continue to do everything we can to ensure those responsible are brought to justice. 'As I said publicly yesterday, we have seen an increase in reported homophobic crime and that clearly is of concern to us. This is attributed in some ways as a result of increased confidence by the community, however there is still significant under reporting of this crime, which we wish to address. 'The Met is committed to continuing its awareness raising of this type of crime both inside the organisation, and within communities. Working with partners, we have been able to set up third party reporting protocols, engage through local safer neighbourhood teams and continue to support the use of LGBT liaison officers in London boroughs. While this has seen our detection rates in relation to this type of crime increase, there is always more to be done.' The vigil is being organised to bring people together, to show support to all victims of hate crime and make a stand to seek to stop such attacks happening again. The organisers are Facebook group 17-24-30, so named to remember the three communities targeted by the London nail bomber in 1999. | Library image of a candleA silent vigil for the Victims of hate crime is taking place in Trafalgar Square, London this evening. The vigil follows recent homophobic attacks including those on Ian Baynham and James Parkes. London Mayor Boris Johnson, in speaking of tonight's vigil said, "Londoners have become increasingly concerned about the number of homophobic attacks and the recent death of Ian Baynham was particularly appalling. My thoughts are with his friends, family and everyone affected by hate crime." The vigil also comes following the publication of crime statistics showing that the level of homophobic attacks in the UK had risen. Police Commissioner Sir Paul Stephenson acknowledged the concerns of many citizens regarding the increase in homophobic attacks. "My sincere condolences to Ian Baynham's family and friends. This was a dreadful crime and we are, and will continue to do everything we can to ensure those responsible are brought to justice." Mark Healy, one of the organisers of the vigil, was quoted by BBC News as saying "If we forget about these victims we could become complacent and fail to learn from the past." adding that "Whenever someone is attacked, pain and suffering is not just caused to them, but also to their family and the wider community. We hope the vigil will also inspire young people to tackle issues of equality in the community." The vigil is being organised by Facebook group 17-24-30, who take their name from the London nail bomb attacks on Brixton, Brick Lane and Soho in 1999. Confirmed attendees include London Deputy Mayor Richard Barnes and comedienne Sandi Toksvig. A letter from Stuart Milk, nephew of the late Harvey Milk, the first openly gay politician elected in California, will be read out. The Gay Men's Chorus will also be performing. |
By Selcuk Gokoluk and Orhan Coskun ANKARA (Reuters) - A powerful bomb outside a crowded shopping mall in the heart of Turkey's capital Ankara killed six people and injured 80 others on Tuesday, authorities said. It was believed to be the worst in at least a decade to strike near Turkey's power center, which houses the influential armed forces, the presidency and the government. "We have seen a vicious, ruthless terror attack at Ankara's busiest time," Prime Tayyip Erdogan told reporters at the scene of the blast in the city's historic Ulus district. There was no immediate claim of responsibility but a security source said all eyes were on separatist Kurdish rebels in the volatile southeast and Turkey's military chief said he feared similar blasts could hit other large cities. Analysts said the blast was certain to raise tension ahead of July general elections, a contest fraught with strain between Turkey's secularist elite, the ruling Islamist-rooted AK party and Kurdish factions who accuse Erdogan's government of sidelining their candidates. Erdogan said four Turks and one Pakistani were killed in the rush hour blast. State-run news agency Anatolian later said a sixth person had died in hospital and that six Pakistanis were also among the wounded. Anatolian also reported Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul as saying that no Pakistanis were among the dead. Turkish broadcasters CNN Turk and NTV said police were studying whether the bomb was placed in a package by a bus stop or if it was the work of a suicide bomber. Continued... ||||| Rescuers tended to the injured lying in the street next to piles of glass "We have seen a vicious, ruthless terror attack at Ankara's busiest time," said Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who was visiting the scene. The blast occurred during evening rush hour at the entrance to a shopping centre in the district of Ulus. A Pakistan national was among the dead. The area has been cordoned off and an investigation has begun. Unconfirmed reports suggest an explosive device may have been left at a nearby bus stop. Recent attacks Much of the front of one building was ripped off by the blast at the Anafartalar shopping centre. TV footage showed several people lying seriously injured on the pavement surrounded by piles of concrete and glass. Other people, possibly passers-by, were hurt by flying glass. "There was a sudden explosion, everything turned to dust. I could hear people screaming," eyewitness Cenk Yedier told AP news agency. Turkey has been hit by bombings in recent years. Some have been blamed on Kurds and others on Islamic militants. In November 2003, more than 60 people were killed by a series of suicide bombings in Istanbul which the authorities linked to al-Qaeda. Kurdish rebels carried out a spate of attacks on tourist sites in Turkey last year, killing more than a dozen people. Are you near where the explosion happened? Send your pictures and moving footage to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to + 44 07725 100 100 At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. Send us your comments by filling out the form below. Name Your E-mail address Town & Country Phone number (optional): Comments ||||| Story Highlights • NEW: Prime minister calls the rush-hour blast a terror bombing • Death toll rises to 5 in explosion in Turkish capital, officials say • Dozens more hurt by blast in historic neighborhood of Ankara Tuesday • Initially police said explosion was an accident; now believed to be a bomb Adjust font size: ANKARA, Turkey (CNN) -- A powerful blast believed to be a bomb ripped through an Ankara shopping district Tuesday, killing at least five people and wounding dozens more. Anti-terror squad police at the scene said they have found traces of A4 plastic explosives. The rush-hour explosion went off in a busy shopping area of the city -- Ulus -- and during an international defense fair, where companies show their wares to militaries. Investigators are trying to determine whether the bomb was planted or was detonated by a suicide attacker, according to Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Erdogan called the blast a terror bombing and said the "unfortunate event" occurred despite "very heavy precautions" against such attacks. (Watch as ambulances rush to the scene of the deadly blast ) "We have to unite against terrorism," he said. "We have to create a global platform against terrorism." Police said A4 explosive is often used by militants in the radical separatist Kurdistan Workers Party -- known by its Turkish initials, PKK. Its fighters have been staging attacks against Turkey in the country's southeast and from the Kurdish region of neighboring Iraq. Police are also trying to track down a red vehicle that was at the scene. Erdogan confirmed five deaths to news reporters. One of the dead was a Pakistani and the others were Turks. Four of the more than 60 people injured were Pakistanis as well, Erdogan said. The blast went off at the entrance of a seven-story shopping center, according to a CNN Turk journalist. That location is near a bus station, and the area is known for its tourist sites and bazaars. News video showed covered bodies and bloody, injured people, some being carried onto stretchers. Witnesses described seeing body parts. Debris was scattered around the scene, and windows were knocked out of the building. Investigators were searching the rubble for clues. Initially, authorities thought the blast was the result of an accident. Dozens were killed in 2003 when militants bombed two synagogues, the British consulate and a bank in Istanbul, the country's largest city. There have been other bombing attacks as well, claimed by Islamic militants and Kurdish radicals. Turkey is a secular country that is predominantly Muslim. There has been a lot of tension in the country between secularist and traditional Muslims, and the state has been battling Kurdish separatists for many years. Journalist Gokhan Eren contributed to this report. ||||| Posted Sat, 05 Mar 2016 10:50:00 GMT by JW DoweyFrom cougars to tree frogs and tiger to elephant, we protect the wild from many threats. It is not only orangutans that are affected by lack of planning and knowledge in wildlife reintroductions. The situation on the ground and in the labs that unearth genetic mistakes is made clear with painstaking research. The future could leave us with little wildlife in Africa, SE Asia or in fact, anywhere, unless the planning is logical and forward-looking. Posted Wed, 02 Mar 2016 13:10:00 GMT by Dave ArmstrongThe lists for leading nations in annual growth dont often include Central Asia. The slow but steady investment in private enterprise and international partnerships with aid have brought some environmental improvements and greater water security in the dry, extreme climates found in the region. Posted Tue, 01 Mar 2016 12:37:01 GMT by Dave ArmstrongSolar or biofuel? Well, we know which plane will get you there quicker at the moment. Posted Mon, 29 Feb 2016 19:59:00 GMT by Paul RobinsonPlants such as Rafflesia spp. are closest to the Euphorbias, but literally stand out as amazing examples of evolution to attract insects for pollination and mammals for dispersal. We take off our hats, and place it round our noses to a plant that parasitizes and almost paralyses us, and perpetually pleases flies!!! Posted Wed, 24 Feb 2016 09:25:34 GMT by Dave ArmstrongWe have a record for being obsessed with camouflage in the sea or on land. The incredible lengths that species will go to (evolve) in order to resemble an object that is either dangerous or inedible. The name is mimicry (Batesian or otherwise) and the game here is masquerade. Posted Mon, 22 Feb 2016 11:20:00 GMT by JW DoweyWhy do we allow the rainforest to die? How can we possibly encourage the regeneration of large stretches of the habitat needed for organisms large and small? Posted Sat, 20 Feb 2016 10:50:00 GMT by Dave ArmstrongAn important step for many countries now is relieving the strain on health services from the heavy but invisible pollution, not only from our cars but actually drawn into our vehicles. Posted Thu, 18 Feb 2016 11:42:00 GMT by Dave ArmstrongThe revealing of the oceans wealth probably postdates the almost-total human exploitation of perhaps our most valuable resource. Here is an important indication that wealth remains deep below our puny explorations. The hope must be that it can be preserved or conserved and not canned. Posted Tue, 16 Feb 2016 10:00:00 GMT by Dave ArmstrongThe genome is already possibly the most useful tool in fighting disease, enabling conservation, and improving our scientific efficiency all round. Here the most ancient organisms are investigated and found absolutely amazing, if just a little small and hard-to-get! Posted Mon, 15 Feb 2016 09:20:26 GMT by Paul RobinsonIt is impossible to judge exactly how global warming will affect all of us. This includes remote populations of plants and animals, many of which could be important in predicting how climate is changing. We now know just how complex the rainfall, the temperatures, the sea ice and the desertification can become. Posted Tue, 09 Feb 2016 10:47:50 GMT by JW DoweyHow do we evaluate modern humans in their approach to high fidelity learning. We are barely adequate in evaluating teaching, so maybe it is about time we looked more closely at how children really learn. The so-called professionals, from areas that are barely concerned, have failed to agree for generations, even on defining true teaching, instruction, coaching or mentoring properly. That leaves the field wide open for novel or ingenuous suggestions about early (or even late) learning and the teaching that successfully provides it. Posted Fri, 05 Feb 2016 10:50:00 GMT by Dave ArmstrongThe joy of mutualism is in forever finding new connections although in this case, we should have listened to the seers at least as long ago as 1653. Many crows and their relatives hoard food n activity known as scatter-hoarding. Even the giant of the family, the raven, has been recorded as encouraging the limited tree growth in isolated patches of almost-Arctic Shetland. No wonder the Norse regarded the species as among the gods. Posted Wed, 03 Feb 2016 10:50:01 GMT by Dave ArmstrongMore important than food, if you are not starving; more important than children, if you are currently without; the sustainability of civilisation from the ancients to the International Space Station, is connected to waste and recycling, whether it is water or solid obstructions. Here is a compendium of current problems caused by yours truly in his or her own home. Posted Mon, 01 Feb 2016 09:08:19 GMT by JW DoweyThe world's water problems do not simply include the Aral Sea and this Bolivian lake. Whole states and nations are suffering from droughts that go unnoticed internationally. If we can alleviate the suffering of people and renovate some of the environmental conditions, then these neglected regions could achieve some of their former glory. In this case, ancient civilisations thrived in these high, inhospitable mountains, while we fail to maintain even a potable supply of water. Posted Wed, 27 Jan 2016 21:09:00 GMT by Dave ArmstrongThe distribution of animals and plants can be absolutely fascinating. While fossils may not interest everybody, the mammals that occupy our earth currently give us a wealth of information. This concerns climate and geological change, as their ancestors, and those who didnt make it, show us the details of the climate changes that concern us very deeply at this moment in time. Posted Mon, 25 Jan 2016 18:00:00 GMT by JW DoweyAs Parisand April promises yet further promises, how are the pollution and carbon footprints decreasing over some of the major players in world climate change? Posted Fri, 22 Jan 2016 12:11:00 GMT by Dave ArmstrongWhether we eat vegetables or meat, tofu or McDonalds, the basis of human and animal ingestion is the producers. These are the plants that are eaten by us all, in all their incredible varieties, providing food and drink to every living thing on the planet. Wouldnt it be a good idea to safeguard all the variety for our future needs. You bet your fat bottom! Now Norway and Germany are leading the way, along with 137 other nations to conserve what we have, in case we havent much left in 2017. Posted Wed, 20 Jan 2016 01:00:00 GMT by JW DoweyMost recent among a mass of work appearing on dolphin and whale society alongside the equivalent in birds and primates, among many others, the language of sperm whales could well be translated soon as a fascinating set of clan chats. Posted Sun, 17 Jan 2016 15:57:00 GMT by Dave ArmstrongWhatever you think of deadbeat species or lost causes, the kakapo certainly isnt one of them. This year may see an upturn in their fortunes finally after years of dedicated effort on New Zealands islands in the cold, unfruitful and uninspiring situations we have placed this bird in. Posted Tue, 12 Jan 2016 12:36:00 GMT by Dave ArmstrongYou wouldnt want to meet up with the common puff adder. This African species is not only visually camouflaged but your dog (or even a mongoose) would find it more or lesstoo. The Earth Times site and content have been updated. We do apologise, as this may mean that the article or page you were looking for has changed. The Earth Times now focuses on producing and publishing our own unique content on environmental issues, which is written by our own team of expert authors and journalists. We now publish environmental news articles and information on various environmental problems. You can use the site search at the top of each page, otherwise there are links to some of the main site categories and green blogs we publish included on this page. Some of the environmental topics and categories that we now focus on include climate change and the effects of global warming, including their various impacts on both people and the planet as well as conservation issues and news articles relating to nature and wildlife. The site puts an emphasis on sustainability issues, including the use and technological progress made with various types of alternative or renewable energy. Earth Times runs several eco friendly blogs (environmentally friendly) on various topics such as ecotourism (sustainable travel and tourism), eco fashion, green living, green gadgets and clean technology, plus various other environment based news categories including pollution and science news. If you have any questions or queries please contact us. | A large explosion, now confirmed to have been a bomb, shook Ankara, Turkey, killing at least 6 people and injuring at least 80. The explosion happened in the middle of a shopping district in the Turkish capital during the rush hour, while many people were out shopping. At first, the explosion was believed to be an accident, but officials later explained that it may have been caused by a bomb, either triggered by a remote-controlled device or a suicide bomber. There was widespread damage to the area; several buildings had their windows blown out. "This is the most horrific scene I have ever seen. It gives me great grief," Mayor Melih Gokcek said. "We have seen a vicious, ruthless terror attack at Ankara's busiest time," Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan told reporters. "Is it a suicide bomber or a parcel bomb? Technical teams are working on this." |
As North Americans tried to figure out what impact free-falling international financial markets would have on their bottom line, Stephen Harper told a group of Canadians, already hammered by the slumping economy, that Liberal Leader Stephane Dion’s carbon tax will do more damage. "A re-elected Conservative government will make prudent investments to help the southwestern Ontario economy grow," the prime minister said at a rally in London, Ont. on Monday night. Harper, however, did not say what sort of investments he might make. In Halifax, Dion defended his Green Shift carbon tax in an evening ATV interview. He said the plan would cost Canadians about $1 a day in price increases on products, but would return thousands of dollars in tax cuts. “The tax cuts are significant,” said Dion, who is expected to make a health-care announcement in the Nova Scotia capital on Tuesday. But the economy and jobs will likely be on the agenda again Tuesday when NDP Leader Jack Layton makes an announcement outside the Welland, Ont.-based Deere and Co.utility-vehicle plant - which earlier this month announced it would close, moving 700 jobs to the U.S. and Mexico. In Oshawa, Ont., last week to announce his pledge to create 40,000 new “green-collar” jobs, Layton criticized Harper and Finance Minister Jim Flaherty for not doing more to help Central Canada’s ailing manufacturing sector. Earlier Monday, leaders on the campaign trail for the Oct. 14 vote worked to use Monday’s market meltdown - sparked by Lehman Bros Holdings Inc.’s move to seek bankruptcy protection and Merrill Lynch & Co.’s sale to Bank of America Corp. - to their own advantage. Harper, who will be in Kitchener, Ont., Tuesday for a policy announcement, called for a “sober analysis” of the events, but stressed the economic fundamentals here are sound and the finances of the average Canadian household are not at risk. “There are and will be difficulties in the world economy,” Harper said. “At the same time, Canada is not in the same situation as the United States. Our household sector, our government sector, and our financial institutions have solid economic fundamentals.” The Toronto Stock Exchange closed the day at 12,254 points - down 515 points. In St. John’s, N.L., on Monday morning, Dion said Harper’s high-spending policies and “bad choices” have hurt the country. “We have the worst economy in the G8, our labour productivity has fallen for nine months straight and over the summer in July we saw the largest single month of jobs losses in 17 years,” said Dion. The Green party referred to Harper’s “dangerous economic policies.” “Mr. Harper’s fiscal policies have already severely undermined the strength and resilience of Canada’s economic fundamentals,” said party leader Elizabeth May, who will embark on a whistle-stop train tour of Canada on Sept. 21 in Vancouver. Layton said Canada needs to introduce new provisions to give investors more power to hold company administrations to account for their actions. “There are some reforms that we could be and should be looking at here in Canada that could help protect investors,” said Layton, who spent the day campaigning in Nova Scotia. Also on the campaign Monday, the Tories announced they would extend parental leave benefits to self-employed workers in Canada, the Liberals were offering relief to fishermen and the NDP was promising to increase the number of doctors and nurses in the country. The Conservatives estimate their benefits program will pay out about $147 million a year. The plan would be funded by premiums paid into the program, the Conservatives said. About 2.6 million Canadians are self-employed, about one-third of whom are female. The program would be voluntary and self-employed people could opt into employment insurance by paying the premiums and then receive maternity and parental benefits. A self-employed person must opt-in at least six months before any claims for benefits are made and, once in, the self-employed person must continue to pay premiums, even after a period of receiving benefits. Dion announced a Liberal government would implement a number of measures totalling $400 million, including $250 million for a Green Fisheries and Transport Fund to help modernize fishing vessels and onshore equipment. The NDP continued its health-care message with Layton also campaigning in Atlantic Canada. He delivered a $1-billion promise on Monday to boost the number of doctors and nurses in Canada over five years. Bloc Quebecois Leader Gilles Duceppe faced another issue on Monday: Fighting off friendly fire. A story in Montreal’s La Presse newspaper quoted five former Bloc members saying there really is no longer a good reason for the party to exist. On a visit to northwestern Quebec, Duceppe said he’s unfazed by such criticism. © (c) CanWest MediaWorks Publications Inc. ||||| OTTAWA - Liberal Leader Stephane Dion is in St. John's, N.L., trying to capitalize on the feud between Newfoundland's premier and Prime Minister Stephen Harper. Dion's Liberals hold four of seven seats in the province and Harper was sticking to the St. John's area, where Liberal support is weakest. Dion announced more details to adjustments he made last week to his Green Shift carbon-taxation plan, promising $70 million to reduce the fisheries effort and help fishermen retire. Harper, meanwhile, is in Ottawa, where he's expected to make a platform announcement Monday morning before heading to London, Ont. NDP Leader Jack Layton is in Halifax, while Green Leader Elizabeth May continues to canvas in the Pictou County, N.S., riding where she's challenging Defence Minister Peter MacKay. Williams has repeatedly criticized the Conservative prime minister since Harper backed away from an election promise to erase oil revenues from a new equalization transfer formula. The premier has called Harper a "fraud," saying that a Conservative majority government would be a dark moment in Canadian political history. Last week, Harper's campaign convoy was greeted by about a dozen chanting protesters when it arrived in the province. Dion said his Green Plan would also allot more money to manage the fishery, modernize the fishing fleet and invest an additional $100 million in small-craft harbours. He said he agrees with Newfoundland Premier Danny Williams' adopted "A-B-C" slogan for the campaign, urging the province to vote "anything but Conservative." Bloc Leader Gilles Duceppe is in Senneterre, Rouyn-Noranada and Chibougamou, Que. ||||| Leaders trade barbs over economy as markets slide Harper downplays chances of a recession; Dion says Tories 'made bad choices' Canada's political leaders exchanged salvos on the campaign trail Monday over each other's economic proposals, as fears over the stability of major U.S. financial institutions rattled global markets. Conservative Leader Stephen Harper has portrayed his party as prudent stewards of Canada's economy amid global uncertainty. (Tom Hanson/Canadian Press)Monday's trading saw stocks plummet on both sides of the border, as well as in Europe and Asia, following a dual shock from Wall Street that investment bank Lehman Brothers was filing for bankruptcy protection and struggling Merrill Lynch would be sold to Bank of America in a $50-billion US takeover. Speaking in Ottawa, Conservative Leader Stephen Harper downplayed the potential of a recession despite the market turbulence, while again touting his government's record in handling the Canadian economy. "There are and there will be difficulties in the world economy," Harper told reporters during a campaign appearance. "At the same time, Canada is not in the same situation as the United States. "My own belief is if we were going to have some kind of big crash or recession, we probably would have had it by now." He said Canada's economy and its housing, government and financial sectors all have solid fundamentals. Harper also took the opportunity to repeat his fierce criticism of Liberal Leader Stéphane Dion's Green Shift carbon tax plan, which proposes a tax on carbon emissions to pay for income tax cuts and other benefits. "Obviously, this is a time that requires a great deal of prudence," Harper said. "This is not a time for wild experiments in new taxes or grand new spending schemes." Dion: Tories let booming economy 'hit a brick wall' Speaking in St. John's on Monday, Dion said Canada's economic growth had slipped to among the lowest of the G8 nations under the watch of Harper, who has a "record of economic mismanagement that has not been matched since Brian Mulroney." Dion said despite its troubles, the United States's first six months of this year have been better than Canada's in terms of economic growth. "Stephen Harper has allowed what was a booming economy to hit a brick wall," Dion said. "[He] made bad choices regarding the way he spent. He spent more than any other government before him, but he built nothing with it." The Liberal leader said the income tax cuts provided under the Green Shift plan would stimulate the economy in key areas, while Harper's "gimmicks" would pull Canada closer to a recession. He said the Green Shift plan would create jobs in the green economy of the future and wean Canada off its reliance on oil. "Stephen Harper governs for the next day, the next poll. He wants to buy your vote with gimmicks for the next election." Harper won't stand up for small investors: Layton Meanwhile, NDP Leader Jack Layton said Canadians, especially retirees and small investors, want to ensure their prime minister is monitoring the companies entrusted with their money. "Of course with Mr. Harper, we don't see any willingness to really address the need to stand on behalf of Canadian consumers," he told reporters in Halifax on Monday. "He won't even support the notion of the monitoring of gas prices, let alone the kinds of initiatives that really should be taken here in Canada to make sure that the consumers of investment products are being protected." With files from the Associated Press ||||| Dion accuses Tories of economic mismanagement as markets tumble OTTAWA — Prime Minister Stephen Harper sought to reassure voters that the worst is over for the economy after a roiling financial crisis south of the border panicked investors around the world, including Canada. "My own belief is if we were going to have some kind of crash or recession, we probably would have had it by now a year into the (financial) crisis," said Harper, who once taught economics. But the crisis atmosphere that followed the collapse of one large U.S. investment house, and the opportunistic takeover another Monday, had leaders on both sides of the border seeking to calm jittery investors and voters in coming national elections. The Toronto stock market plunged more than 500 points Monday on the news that investment bank Lehman Brothers had filed for bankruptcy while rival Merrill Lynch, the world's biggest brokerage, agreed to be taken over by Bank of America. The Canadian dollar was down almost two-thirds of a cent against the U.S. currency for most of the day, even as the greenback fell against the euro. And Canada's formerly hot housing markets showed more signs of cooling as existing home sales fell 3.4 per cent in August, bringing the year's retreat to 19.3 per cent, the worst since 1998. House prices are down 5.1 per cent for the year, the Canadian Real Estate Association said. Harper maintained the deteriorating economic conditions were no reason for "doom and gloom." While the Canadian economy will continue to creep along at a slow pace, "I think we'll manage that without bloodshed," he predicted. He added that his government is not in danger of falling into a deficit. U.S. President George W. Bush emerged from the White House to calm fears, saying that "in the long run, I'm confident that our capital markets are flexible and resilient." But the avalanche of bad news served to elevate fears that were already just below the surface about an impending economic slump in Canada, and likely thrust the question of which party can be most trusted to deal with the crisis to the forefront. The Liberals jumped into the fray releasing a new attack ad Monday afternoon titled "This is Harpernomics," citing the supposed failures of the government. And Liberal Leader Stephane Dion delivered a stinging rebuke of the Conservative record while campaigning in St. John's, N.L., a province where Conservative Premier Danny Williams has declared an all-out political war on Harper and his candidates. "Stephen Harper has allowed what was a booming economy to hit a brick wall," Dion charged. "Stephen Harper governs for the next day, the next poll. He wants to buy your vote with gimmicks for the next election." Dion accused Harper of doing little to prepare Canada for the downturn - something the Tories dispute, citing tax cuts introduced last fall - nothing to improve productivity, and of overspending to the point of taking the government on the verge of the first deficit in over a decade. And while the U.S. economy is troubled, Canada's is worse, he said. He pointed out that Canada's gross domestic product has been lower than south of the border. Canada's economy shrank by 0.5 per cent on an annualized basis in the first six months of 2008, compared with growth of 2.1 per cent for the U.S. Dion said his Green Shift plan would stimulate the economy by taking money from polluters and shift it to Canadians in the form of income-tax cuts, as well as make investments in modern, green technologies. "What is the main problem that the world has today? It's energy costs," he said. 'If you have a strategy to make this country more energy efficient, you will increase the profitability of our economy, and its productivity. And it will create green jobs." But Harper said uncertain times required adopting a cautious approach to the economy, saying the country is not ready for "wild experiments," referring to Dion's plan to impose a carbon tax and increase spending. NDP Leader Jack Layton was more measured in his criticism, but he too accused the prime minister of adopting a hands-off approach to business. He said the Harper government has failed to put in place stringent oversight of financial institutions to protect Canadian consumers. "He does not even support the monitoring of gas prices," he said. While the financial turmoil in the U.S. continues to worry markets, most economists do not believe Canada is on the verge of a recession, forecasting weak growth rather than outright contraction for the rest of the year. Dale Orr of Global Insight, a private forecasting firm, says the trend line for the Canadian economy is for continued improvement for the rest of the year, saying that the 0.8 per cent gross domestic product retreat in the first quarter was likely the low point. "Stock markets don't cause recessions, they don't effect real economic growth that much," he said. The sparring over the economy came as all three national parties began the second week of the campaign by proposing new spending commitments. In St. John's, Dion unveiled a $70-million package for the troubled fishery, while committing another $100 million on small-craft harbours and on retiring commercial fishing licences in areas hardest hit by the collapse of fish stocks. Meanwhile, the New Democrat's Layton was in Halifax pitching a $1-billion plan in Halifax to dramatically increase the number of nursing and medical students in Canada. Layton said he would spend $200 million a year for five years to allow the number of medical students to increase by 1,200 annually and the number of nursing students by 6,000 a year. With polls showing the Conservatives opening up a healthy lead in the first week, Harper continued his strategy of visiting ridings held by the opposition, this time in the Liberal-held riding of Ottawa-Vanier. Holding an event at a local spa, the prime minister said his government would spend $150 million a year to extend parental leave for self-employed Canadians who don't qualify under the employment insurance system. ||||| NEW GLASGOW – Green Party leader Elizabeth May is calling for attention to Conservative Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s dangerous economic policies today. Wall Street’s weekend meltdown spells a troubled economic future, say the Greens, and Canada cannot afford to have its economic picture further weakened. “Mr. Harper’s fiscal policies have already severely undermined the strength and resilience of Canada’s economic fundamentals,” said Ms. May. “In the short time since Mr. Harper took office, productivity is down, Canada has lost hundreds of thousands of manufacturing jobs Canada has been brought to the brink of a deficit for the first time in over a decade.” Ms. May said she intends to point out the potential for even more serious economic damage should the Harper government be given a second mandate on October 14th. “More now than ever before, Canada needs leadership that will protect us from the shock of the economic collapse south of the border, brought about by the policies of George Bush, Mr. Harper’s ideological twin. Mr. Harper’s economic policy has thus far been built upon a series of misguided moves, like betraying his promise not to tax income trusts, slashing the GST and allowing federal spending to skyrocket. His poor stewardship is increasingly hitting average Canadians in the pocket book and this has to end.” Ms. May said the Green Party’s plan for a sound economy in Canada would reverse the damage done by the Harper regime and would get Canada back on the right track. “Instead of ignoring the business opportunities presented by shifting to a green economy, the Green Party would embrace the challenge to shift to a low-carbon economy. We will make the tax system fairer and use it to promote a healthy environment, a sustainable economy and to drive innovation. We will tax pollution – not people. “Stephen Harper’s leadership deficit is driving us into economic deficit and his failure to manage the economy in uncertain times must not be allowed to continue.” ||||| Layton pledges $1B over 5 years for more doctors, nurses Harper dismisses plan as too costly NDP Leader Jack Layton jokes with the crowd as he addresses medical students and doctors during a campaign stop in Halifax on Monday. (Andrew Vaughan/Canadian Press) NDP Leader Jack Layton jokes with the crowd as he addresses medical students and doctors during a campaign stop in Halifax on Monday. (Andrew Vaughan/Canadian Press) An NDP government would forgive the student loans of new family doctors who remain in general practice at least 10 years, NDP Leader Jack Layton pledged on Monday. The debt amnesty is part of the party's proposed health-care plan, which calls for $1 billion over five years to increase the number of medical students across the country by 1,200 annually and the number of nursing students by 6,000 a year. The increased number of doctors would ultimately improve patient care and reduce wait times for Canadians, which, Layton said, was a key policy promise broken by Conservative Leader Stephen Harper in the last federal election. Layton said his party created the debt forgiveness plan after consulting with those within the medical system who had been forced to abandon their plans to be general practitioners in favour of becoming higher-paid specialists because their student loans were too great. Those studying to be GPs often accumulate tens of thousands of dollars in student loan debt, with the burden sometimes reaching six figures, Layton said at a campaign stop at Halifax's Dalhousie University. "These people wanted to be family physicians," he said. "They wanted to help people to be well from the get-go." Instead, the family doctor shortage across Canada further stretches health-care systems by forcing families to go to the emergency room for every ailment and failing to address health concerns at the earliest stage. Layton said his government would also work closely with the provinces and territories to fix Canada's foreign credentials system and ensure properly trained medical professionals can get to working where they're needed. In Ottawa, Harper said Layton's campaign promises have not been costed. "NDP promises always sound good but the economy has to be able to afford them," Harper said. "[With] the NDP, it's far from clear where they would get all this money to spend billions and billions of dollars at a time of economic uncertainty." Got a question for Jack Layton? Send it to national@cbc.ca for The National's Your Turn with Layton Sept. 17. | With Bay Street in turmoil in sympathy with Wall Street, Canadian party leaders traded slurs over the slowing economy and measures to secure it against the slump happening south of the border. "We have the worst economy in the G8, our labour productivity has fallen for nine months straight and over the summer in July we saw the largest single month of jobs losses in 17 years," Stéphane Dion said as the Liberal leader worked through St. John's, N.L. Dion is hoping to sweep Newfoundland and Labrador's 7 seats, capitalizing on N.L. Premier Danny Williams's feud with the federal Conservatives over broken promises made by Stephen Harper in the Atlantic Accord. Campaigning in Nova Scotia, New Democratic Party's Jack Layton lashed the Conservatives for failing to protect consumers. "Of course with Mr. Harper, we don't see any willingness to really address the need to stand on behalf of Canadian consumers. He won't even support the notion of the monitoring of gas prices, let alone the kinds of initiatives that really should be taken here in Canada to make sure that the consumers of investment products are being protected." Harper was working the Liberal-held riding of Ottawa-Vanier, where he announced a program to allow entrepreneur's to extend their maternal leave up to 6 months using the Employment Insurance program with an estimated cost of $147 million. He said the country wasn't ready for "wild experiments", but should adopt a cautious approach to the economy in uncertain times. "Canada has been brought to the brink of a deficit for the first time in over a decade," Elizabeth May of the Greens said in a press release on their website on Monday. “Stephen Harper’s leadership deficit is driving us into economic deficit and his failure to manage the economy in uncertain times must not be allowed to continue.” The parties also threw out economic planks for their platforms: to support the fishermen of N.L as well as the environment, Dion announced a $250 million dollar fund to help fishermen upgrade their equipment with "green" technology as well as $70 million to retire licenses. The Greens suggested their financial plan, which includes embracing a low-carbon economy, would improve Canada's economic outlook. The NDP promised $1 billion over 5 years for more nurses and doctors. The backdrop to all these economic statements was a 515 point drop on the TSX as markets reacted to the bankruptcy filing of 158 year old financial firm Lehman Brothers, as well as a surprising drop in the Canadian dollar relative to the US dollar which itself lost ground against the Euro and other world currencies. Even as the dollar dropped, so did the price of oil futures and gold, partially explaining the Canadian dollar's weakness. |
By Dan Whitcomb LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Michael Jackson's famed Neverland Valley Ranch in California will be foreclosed and sold on March 19 unless the pop star pays a balance of nearly $25 million, property records showed on Tuesday. FoxNews.com celebrity columnist Roger Friedman reported on the Web site (www.foxnews.com) that Jackson has been formally apprised of the foreclosure and that legal documents have also been filed with the Santa Barbara County Recorder's office. "You are in default of a deed of trust ...," Jackson was told in the five-page filing, according to a copy of the document published by FoxNews.com. "Unless you take action to protect your property it may be sold at a public sale." According to the documents, if Jackson fails to pay the outstanding balance, estimated at $24.5 million, Neverland would be sold to the highest bidder at a public auction on the courthouse steps. The county recorder's Web site shows that a Notice of Trustees Sale was filed against Neverland Valley Ranch on Monday but no further details were available and a spokeswoman for the office declined to comment. Jackson's publicist, Raymone Bain, did not return calls seeking comment on the foreclosure notice. The onetime "King of Pop" has owned the 2,800-acre (1,133-ha) ranch in the rolling foothills above the California coast since 1988, naming it after the whimsical island where children never grow up in J.M. Barrie's Peter Pan stories. Jackson, 49, famously outfitted the property with a private zoo and amusement park and festooned it with statues of Peter Pan characters. Continued... ||||| Michael Jackson Sees Neverland Ranch Foreclosed, Auction Date Set Michael Jackson is about to see a large part of his famous past sold off unless he can come up with nearly $25 million as his famous Neverland Ranch has been foreclosed and is set to be sold on March 19. The auction will include everything on the property which means the new owner will take possession of any games, amusement rides, furniture and personal property that may be inside the house. It has been more than two years since Jackson stepped foot on the Neverland property, a site that once featured zoo animals, amusement park rides, and the screams of little kids. On Monday Jackson was notified by Financial Title Company that if he didn’t come up with $24, 525, 906.61 by March 19 the sale of the property would proceed. That auction is set to take place in front of the county courthouse in Santa Barbara , CA . For more Entertainment related stories please go to: http://news.finditt.com/NewsList.aspx?cat=2&wcat=6 View Profile Visit Blogs NEWS ALERTS Receive alerts for Finditt Entertainment to your inbox. Sign up for TransWorldNews Alerts ||||| Michael Jackson’s Neverland Ranch is about to be put on the auction block - because he owes more than $24.5 million in loans on the mansion. Jacko finally paid the taxes on his Neverland ranch earlier this month - but is still in danger of losing the property to foreclosure. The former King of Pop coughed up a staggering $600,000 in property taxes on Neverland, which is in Los Olivos, California. But, now according to reports in the US, he still owes a staggering $24,525,906.60 on the property - and now the Financial Title Company, the trustee of Neverland, have said unless he pays up, Neverland will be put up on the auction block. According to Fox columnist Roger Friedman, Jacko has until March 19 to settle his monstrous debt before it will be put up for sale on the steps of the Santa Barbara County Courthouse. The Santa Barbara County Recorder website reportedly confirms that a “Notice of Trustees Sale” was filed on Monday by Financial Title Company. And it seems it will not just be the house that will be up for sale - it’ll be everything on Neverland’s property. That means all of Jacko’s personal property that’s still inside the house, appliances, fixtures, rides, games and all ‘merry go round type devices’ in the grounds which includes a carousel, pirate ship, train station, bumper cars and a ferris wheel. The report says everything that isn’t nailed down must go - and the trustee wants everything sold cheap Jacko’s reps have made no comment on the latest development in the future of Neverland. Just three weeks ago the singer finally paid the taxes on the all-but abandoned property. According to records in Santa Barbara County, Jackson finally satisfied a state tax lien on the all-but-abandoned Neverland. The total, according to the assessor’s office, came to just over $600,000, including penalties and fees. However, the payment didn’t cover the $23 million for which Jacko is still in default on loans he’s taken against Neverland since last April. That amount has now increased to just over $24.5 million in the past few weeks and Fortress Investments which holds the loan is now a month past its foreclosure deadline, which means it could start proceedings against Jacko at any time. Jacko, 49, moved out of Neverland and vowed to never return after he was accused - and cleared - of child abuse allegations. He said the ranch brought back too many bad memories for him to continue living there. In its heyday, Neverland was abuzz with life - and attractions such a zoo and a fairground on its extensive grounds. But now the majority of the estate has shut down, most of the animals are gone, and a lone guard monitors the gated driveway. The foreclosure notice is not the only financial problems facing Michael Jackson. The star still faces a $7 million lawsuit from Prince Abdullah of Bahrain after he allegedly reneged on a recording contract, but kept the upfront money. But it is hard to believe that Jacko is struggling for cash. The singer owns a 50 percent stake in Sony/ATV Music Publishing, including the Beatles catalog, which has an estimated value of $600 million. If Jacko were to declare bankruptcy, however, that stake would be liquidated and auctioned to the highest bidder. | Michael Jackson with his eldest son in 2006. Neverland Valley Ranch, owned by Michael Jackson, is to be sold at auction on March 19, 2008, unless Jackson pays over US$24 million. Financial Title Company, the trustee of his Santa Barbara County, California, home and amusement park, has foreclosed on the property. They notified Jackson of the foreclosure and sale on Monday. Jackson had only just recently paid an overdue property tax bill of $600,000. The court filing, addressed to Jackson, says, "You are in default of a deed of trust ... Unless you take action to protect your property it may be sold at a public sale." Fox News published the filing. The foreclosure includes the ranch and all possessions on the property, inside or out. The foreclosure auction will take place in front of the Santa Barbara County Courthouse in Santa Barbara. Jackson has until then to pay $24,525,906.61 he owes the title company. In 2006, Jackson refinanced previous loans that had been bought up by Fortress Investment Group. The $300-million loan was secured with the aid of Sony Music Entertainment. However, the Neverland property was not part of that deal. Jackson has not lived at Neverland since June 30, 2005, when he moved to Bahrain after a rape charge and subsequent acquittal. |
For Immediate Release Office of the Press Secretary April 28, 2008 President Bush Meets with Guatemalan President Alvaro Colom Oval Office In Focus: Global Diplomacy 11:41 A.M. EDT PRESIDENT BUSH: It's been my honor to welcome to the Oval Office the President and First Lady of a close friend of the United States. Mr. President, thank you for coming. We've had a good discussion about a variety of issues. We discussed bilateral relations between Guatemala and the United States, which are very strong. We are friends. We treat each other with respect. Our objective with U.S. foreign policy is to have a neighborhood that is peaceful and prosperous, where social justice is important; want to achieve social justice through good health policy, good education policy, good judicial policy. The United States is pleased to help this government as best as we possibly can help the average citizen get a good education and have good health care. We talked about how CAFTA is working. Exports to the United States have increased; exports from the United States have increased. And that's good. We talked about security and the need for the region -- Mexico, the United States and the countries of Central America -- to fight drug trafficking. I told the President that we are working hard to reduce demand for drugs here in America. And at the same time, we want to work in conjunction with strong leaders to make sure these drug traffickers don't get a stronghold. And that's why it's very important for Congress to fund the Merida project. We talked about the reforms that the government is instituting inside of Guatemala, including tax reform, and reform to make sure that people who break the law are held to account. I was particularly pleased to note that the Guatemalan government and its leadership is promoting laws to make sure women are treated well and that violence against women is prosecuted. And so -- and we're going to talk a little later on about the Millennium Challenge Account. And by the way, we talked about blueberries, and -- so that blueberries are able to come off-season here to the United States, which is a positive development for Guatemalan farmers. And finally, of course, the President brought up the issue of immigration. And he wanted to urge me to think about TPS -- TPS for citizens, as well as comprehensive immigration reform. I assured him that I will consider his request, and I assured him that I believe comprehensive immigration reform is in our nations' best interests. And so we've had a good discussion, and right after this press availability, I'll be taking he and the First Lady to lunch. And I'm looking forward to serving them lunch, and I bet you're looking forward to eating lunch. Thanks for coming. PRESIDENT COLOM: (As translated.) I want to thank President Bush for his hospitality. We've spent a couple of days working here, and we are very happy to hold this meeting, in which we have discussed strengthening our relationship -- an already a strong relationship, in fact. We discussed, as the President mentioned, the fight against drug trafficking. We are doing everything necessary to eliminate drug trafficking and drug traffickers from our territory. We discussed the issue of social investment. We have received support from USAID. We, our two countries, have common aims in this regard. We also discussed the issue of our migrants. We brought up TPS with the President; we will be awaiting a response on that. We described our recent tax reform to the President; that is something we're starting in Guatemala because we need to ensure that we have the public funds to be able to carry out the reforms in the areas of social justice and others that we have discussed. We want to express our appreciation for the support that we have received from the United States to combat drug trafficking. Recently we received four helicopters; this has been extremely helpful to us. We've also achieved good success on this front with the recent cocaine seizures. In fact, an operation was just carried out last night; a very large one, very successful. And on that, we are working not just with the United States but also with Mexico and the entire neighborhood in Central America, because all of us must be involved, as President Bush said, in order to combat that scourge at all levels. And so we are very happy to be here and very happy to be moving forward. Thank you. PRESIDENT BUSH: Gracias, señor. Thank you all. END 11:48 A.M. EDT ||||| President Bush meets with Guatemalan President Alvaro Colom, Monday, April 28, 2008, in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington. Translator in background is unidentified. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) Bush praises Guatemalan president for reforms WASHINGTON (AP) — President Bush is voicing support for Guatemala's effort to halt drug trafficking and root out corruption within its borders. After an Oval Office meeting with Guatemalan President Alvaro Colom on Monday, Bush said, "The United States is pleased to help this government as best as we possibly can." Colom took office earlier this year and pledged to modernize his nation's crime-plagued police force. He has also sought to put in place tax reform and improve basic services in a country where many live in poverty. Bush said the United States is working to reduce its demand for illicit drugs and coordinating with Central American leaders to halt the flow of drugs. Colom said his country is "doing everything necessary" to eliminate drug crime. | George W. Bush, the President of the United States, met in the Oval Office of the White House with Alvaro Colom, the President of Guatemala. Bush spoke after the meeting: "We've had a good discussion about a variety of issues. We discussed bilateral relations between Guatemala and the United States, which are very strong. We are friends. We treat each other with respect. Our objective with U.S. foreign policy is to have a neighborhood that is peaceful and prosperous, where social justice is important; want to achieve social justice through good health policy, good education policy, good judicial policy. The United States is pleased to help this government as best as we possibly can help the average citizen get a good education and have good health care." George W. Bush listens to remarks by President Alvaro ColomMr. Bush mentioned that they had also discussed the issue of reform. "We talked about the reforms that the government is instituting inside of Guatemala, including tax reform, and reform to make sure that people who break the law are held to account," he said. "I was particularly pleased to note that the Guatemalan government and its leadership is promoting laws to make sure women are treated well and that violence against women is prosecuted," Bush continued. Colom later commented on the meeting: "We discussed, as the US President mentioned, the fight against drug trafficking. We are doing everything necessary to eliminate drug trafficking and drug traffickers from our territory. We discussed the issue of social investment. We have received support from USAID. We, our two countries, have common aims in this regard." "We also discussed the issue of our migrants. We brought up TPS Temporary protection status with the President; we will be awaiting a response on that. We described our recent tax reform to the President; that is something we're starting in Guatemala because we need to ensure that we have the public funds to be able to carry out the reforms in the areas of social justice and others that we have discussed." "We want to express our appreciation for the support that we have received from the United States to combat drug trafficking," Colom noted near the end of the speech. |
2ND LEG: 1 - 0 (Agg) Man Utd 1-0 Barcelona: Scholes' glorious strike Paul Scholes ended nine years of personal torment by blasting Manchester United into the Champions League final with the only goal as they beat Barcelona 1-0. Scholes' 14th-minute strike ensured Moscow will host an all-English affair on May 21, with championship challengers Chelsea or old rivals Liverpool lying in wait to provide the opposition for United. But while Sir Alex Ferguson looks for the second European Cup that eluded Sir Matt Busby and, so far, him, for Scholes the Luzhniki Stadium represents a night to savour. For, when Ferguson is reminded of that spine-tingling victory over Bayern Munich at the Nou Camp, two of his favourite sons are always missing. One is Roy Keane, who famously spoke of his discomfort at being part of proceedings in his grey suit. The other is Scholes. Never one to offer three words when one will do, Scholes has always claimed not to be haunted by the fact he was a bystander on such a famous occasion. But secretly, it must hurt. It certainly hurts Ferguson, who has always regarded the midfield maestro as one of the most influential players of his generation. So there was something fitting about Scholes being the man who should thrash United in front. The hosts had barely threatened the Barcelona penalty area, let alone actually get into it when Xavi slid in to tackle Cristiano Ronaldo. Inexplicably, Xavi tried to force a pass to Yaya Toure, only to find Scholes instead. His last European goal might have been in October 2006 but the 32-year-old lacks nothing in confidence and from 30 yards magnificently belted the ball beyond Victor Valdes. Had Wes Brown or Nani found the net with flicked headers or Park Ji-Sung's precise strike not rolled just wide of the Barcelona net, United could have had the contest wrapped up by half-time. That would have been a supreme injustice on the visitors but on this night, with so much at stake, pity is not an emotion that was felt by any United supporters. The overwhelming feeling at the interval was probably one of fear. If Barcelona did not enjoy quite so much possession as they had on home soil last week, they were not far off. With Samuel Eto'o a formidable battering ram, Lionel Messi weaving his magic on the right wing and Deco a regular threat from deep positions, United spent long periods chasing around the park, attempting to douse fires as they arose. Just as they were six days ago, Rio Ferdinand and Wes Brown - an unused substitute in 1999 - paired together at the heart of United's defence with Nemanja Vidic injured, were towers of strength, bonded in a common desire to keep Barcelona at bay. Yet even they could not prevent Deco unleashing two skimming half-volleys which went narrowly wide. With Wayne Rooney not even fit enough to be risked on the bench in case of emergency, Ronaldo was pushed up front, with Park out wide, a move which benefited the South Korean, if not the new PFA Player of the Year. Ronaldo did provide the cross that Nani thought he had prodded goalwards, only for Eric Abidal to touch it wide as United started the second period with an intent, desire and dominance absent from game-and-a-half. Valdes then produced a fine stop to deny Carlos Tevez as United attempted to turn the screw, knowing full well that, as Thierry Henry took the field, an away goal would send Barcelona through. It was a position made for attack and counter-attack and finally, the players of whom so much is expected gave free rein to their talents. Park was inches away from nodding home at one end, Deco's free-kick deflected wide at the other when many in the stadium feared it was on its way in. Messi; toying and teasing, Ronaldo; striking fear into Barca hearts every time he touched the ball. Henry, so often the scourge of United in his memorable Arsenal days, must have felt he had the equaliser as he met Deco's corner with a firm header, and again when he curled a shot goalwards from the edge of the box but on both occasions Edwin van der Sar saved. The tension was almost unbearable, made worse due to prolonged treatment for Patrice Evra. But in the end, Herbert Fandel blew his whistle, United were back where Ferguson believes they belong and Scholes had his reward. ||||| By Phil McNulty Paul Scholes celebrates the goal that sent Man Utd into the final A spectacular strike by Paul Scholes sent Manchester United into their first Champions League final for nine years on a night of Old Trafford tension. Scholes rifled in a spectacular 25-yard effort after 14 minutes to beat Barcelona and set up an all-English clash with Chelsea or Liverpool. Barcelona dominated possession for long periods, with Deco twice close and Thierry Henry wasting a late chance. But United mounted a rearguard action to seal a date in Moscow on 21 May. There was added poignancy and significance in the victory, coming 50 years after the Munich air crash. And for Scholes, suspended for the 1999 final victory against Bayern Munich in Barcelona, it is a chance to make up for that bitter disappointment. Please turn on JavaScript. Media requires JavaScript to play. United were dealt a double blow before kick-off when Wayne Rooney's hip injury ruled him out and Nemanja Vidic was sidelined by the concussion he sustained at Chelsea. And United almost made a nightmare start when Scholes tripped Lionel Messi as he raced into the area - there was only inches in it and fortunately for the home side German referee Herbert Fandel got the big call right and gave a free-kick. It took United time to settle, but Scholes eased their nerves with a thunderous strike to give them the lead in the 14th minute. Gianluca Zambrotta's wayward clearance landed at Scholes' feet, and he delivered a trademark rising drive from 25 yards that flew high into the net beyond the outstretched hands of Barcelona keeper Victor Valdes. It was only the second goal Scholes has scored this season - but it was a fitting strike to send United to the final. Messi was the real danger man for Barcelona, and he ended a slalom run with a left-foot shot that was turned away by United keeper Edwin van der Sar. 606: DEBATE I have no nails left and my heart nearly stopped a few times but we finally made it!!!! Unitedfan1987 United had chances of their own, with Ji-Sung Park side-footing just wide, but Barcelona regained their composure to enjoy a period of superiority, with Deco twice narrowly off target. Nani, preferred to Ryan Giggs, wasted a chance to grab the priceless second goal three minutes before the interval when he glanced Park's cross wide from eight yards. Barcelona began the second half with a spell of possession, but it was United who carved out a clear opportunity as Valdes blocked Tevez's close-range drive after 56 minutes. The Catalans made a change on the hour, sending on former Arsenal striker Thierry Henry for Andres Iniesta. Please turn on JavaScript. Media requires JavaScript to play. Barcelona, inspired by the brilliant Messi, had United penned back, but they were resisted by defensive discipline and resilience of the highest class from a side normally noted for their attacking verve. United attempted to stem the tide with 13 minutes left by making a double change, with Ryan Giggs and Darren Fletcher replacing Nani and Scholes. Henry almost returned to haunt United with a point-blank header from Xavi's corner which was gratefully clutched by Van der Sar. Barcelona weaved pretty patterns in the closing stages, but United's defence - superbly marshalled by Rio Ferdinand and Wes Brown - stood firm to spark wild scenes of celebration at the final whistle. Man Utd: Van der Sar, Hargreaves, Ferdinand, Brown, Evra (Silvestre 90), Park, Scholes (Fletcher 76), Carrick, Nani (Giggs 76), Ronaldo, Tevez. Subs Not Used: Kuszczak, Anderson, O'Shea, Welbeck. Booked: Carrick, Ronaldo. Goals: Scholes 14. Barcelona: Valdes, Zambrotta, Puyol, Milito, Abidal, Toure Yaya (Gudjohnsen 88), Messi, Xavi, Deco, Iniesta (Henry 60), Eto'o (Bojan 72). Subs Not Used: Pinto, Edmilson, Sylvinho, Thuram. Booked: Zambrotta, Deco, Toure Yaya. Att: 75,061 Ref: Herbert Fandel (Germany). BBC Sport Player Rater man of the match: Barcelona's Lionel Messi 7.98 (on 90 minutes). • Please note that you can still give the players marks out of 10 on BBC Sport's Player Rater after the match has finished. Player Rater Bookmark with: Delicious Digg reddit Facebook StumbleUpon What are these? | Manchester United are heading to Moscow, Russia to play in the UEFA Champions League Final on May 21 after beating Barcelona 1-0 on Tuesday evening. The aggregate score finished 1-0 after last Wednesday's goalless draw in Barcelona, Spain. Former England midfielder Paul Scholes scored the only goal of the match in the 14th minute with a swerving strike from 25 meters after collecting a loose ball that resulted from a Gianluca Zambrotta clearance error. Scholes and team captain, former Wales international Ryan Giggs are the last remaining players from the Manchester United side that beat FC Bayern Munich in the 1999 UEFA Champions League Final, played in Barcelona's own Camp Nou stadium. Manchester United's defensive resiliency continued from last Wednesday's 1st leg and withstood Barcelona's attack as Lionel Messi and company failed to unsettle United's back line, despite a 4-3-3 formation spearheaded by Eto'o, Messi, and Iniesta's persistent pressure in the attacking third of the pitch. Barcelona managed to put several shots near the home goal, but never really tested Dutch international goalkeeper Edwin Van der Sar. The win for Manchester United guarantees the first all-English final in European Champion League and Champions Club Cup history when they face Chelsea in Moscow's Luzhniki Stadium on May 21. |
AUGUSTA, Ga. - Phil Mickelson said it was unnerving to watch the players out in front of him at Augusta National Golf Club for Sunday's final round of the Masters making birdie after birdie. Truth is it must have been at least equally uncomfortable for those players knowing that Mickelson was following them. Mickelson, playing with supreme confidence and in total control of his golf game, won his second Green Jacket in three years with a dominating performance. He shot 69 for a 281 total, seven-under-par, and a two-stroke victory over Tim Clark of South Africa. Five golfers were another shot back at 284: Defending champion Tiger Woods (70); former winners Fred Couples (71) and Jose Maria Olazabal (66); Chad Campbell (71); and two-time U.S. Open champion Retief Goosen (69). Mickelson now has won back-to-back major championships. He won the PGA Championship last August. He first won the Masters in 2004 with a birdie on the 72nd hole. No such dramatics were required this time. Mickelson led by as much as four strokes on the second nine. "I'm having the best time right now playing golf," Mickelson said. "I'm having so much fun being able to compete for major championships. It's just incredible and to win a couple now; it's an amazing feeling." Woods, as the defending champion, helped Mickelson put on the Green Jacket as is the post-Tournament tradition. A year ago, it was Mickelson helping Woods. "I certainly enjoyed having the jacket put on me," Mickelson said. "I love the chance to compete against guys like Tiger, guys like Retief and Ernie and Vijay and Fred who are playing so well. It gives me an incredible feeling of accomplishment to be able to come out on top this week." Two years ago, Mickelson said the overriding emotion was relief to have finally won a major. "Today I felt this great feeling of accomplishment," he said. "Obviously, I'm a little biased and I love it here. I love the golf course, I love the people, love the town and I love coming here to play. This place is so special to the game of golf." Mickelson has made enormous strides in his preparations and approach. "He's a much better player than he was five years ago," Couples said. "He's got more talent than maybe anyone out here in his hands and in his game. I think Phil can overpower a golf course like Tiger can. He drove it really, really great today." Clark's round of 69 was highlighted by five birdies, topped by a hole-out of a sand shot on the 18th. "Pretty much could see the line clearly and had seen a lot of putts go in similar to the one that Mark O'Meara holed," Clark said. "I thought if I could at least get it running down there … you don't make those kind of shots all the time. I knew I had to have a go at it to post five-under." Clark has proven to be a solid player in the biggest events. He showed his mettle again at Augusta National. "I've had a few good major championships and really do feel like I play my best golf in the majors," he said. "I don't know what it is. I guess I get a little bit more geared up for them. I pride myself on being up there on the leaderboard with those guys and when I'm there I'm going to try my best to beat them." Couples, who played with Mickelson stroke-for-stroke until a three-putt at the 11th and another at the 14th, said he was disappointed "but I like the way I played and it was a lot of fun." "I watched a great player win his second Masters and I felt like at least from tee-to-green, I was close, if not maybe a little better," he said. "These guys that win this thing, you've got to putt well. I couldn't get one to go in the hole and get any momentum." Vartan Kupelian is the golf writer at The Detroit News. ||||| Unfortunately we are unable to process your request at this time. This error is usually temporary. Please try again later. If you continue to experience this error, it may be caused by one of the following: You may want to scan your system for spyware and viruses, as they may interfere with your ability to connect to Yahoo!. For detailed information on spyware and virus protection, please visit the Yahoo! Security Center. This problem may be due to unusual network activity coming from your Internet Service Provider. We recommend that you report this problem to them. While this error is usually temporary, if it continues and the above solutions don't resolve your problem, please let us know. Return to Yahoo! | Phil Mickelson at the ''TPC at Sawgrass'' Yesterday in Augusta, Georgia at Augusta National Golf Club, American Phil Mickelson won the 70th Masters with a final round score of 69 and a four round total score of 281, seven under par and two strokes better than South African Tim Clark, the sole second place finisher. This was Mickelson's second consecutive major as well as his second green jacket. In a five-way tie for third place at four under par were José María Olazábal, Retief Goosen, Tiger Woods, Chad Campbell, and Fred Couples. Rounding out the top ten were eighth place finishers Angel Cabrera and Vijay Singh followed by Stewart Cink in tenth place. Although Mickelson had to fire up during the last few holes to take the '04 Masters over Ernie Els, nothing of that sort was required during Sunday's round. He parred the first six holes before making two straight birdies at 7 and 8, and then went on to make two more at 13 and 15 before finishing off with a bogey at 18. Last year, Mickelson put Tiger's jacket on for him. This year, Tiger helped Phil into the jacket. "I certainly enjoyed having the jacket put on me," Mickelson said. "I love the chance to compete against guys like Tiger, guys like Retief and Ernie and Vijay and Fred who are playing so well. It gives me an incredible feeling of accomplishment to be able to come out on top this week." After 42 straight misses at majors, Mickelson is now on track with one major per year for the past three years. Playing partner Fred Couples nearly got within one stroke of Mickelson but went on to miss the birdie putt and another par putt to sink out of contention. Putting was also Tiger Woods's major hindrance. He made three three-putts and had an overall total of 33 putts with a final round of 70. Afterwards, Woods remarked, "It was frustrating. I felt in control of my golf swing from tee to green. Once I got on the green, I was a spaz. I didn't have it all day - even this morning (in the third round) I didn't putt well." Clark capped off a great run and a final round 69 with a chip-in from the sand at 18 for a birdie. Clark moved to number 15 on the Official World Golf Rankings, Woods stayed at number 1, Couples moved to 21st, and Mickelson moved up to 2nd. |
Mr Lula is the first Brazilian president to visit the region Israel's foreign minister is reported to have boycotted the visit to Israel by the Brazilian President, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. Israeli and Brazilian media said Avigdor Lieberman declined to attend meetings with the visiting head of state and his address to parliament. Mr Lieberman was reportedly upset that Mr Lula refused to visit the grave of the founder of the Zionist movement. Mr Lula also opposes sanctions against Iran over its nuclear program. 'Mission of peace' Mr Lula described his visit to Israel as "a mission of peace" that he hoped would help his country emerge as a bigger player in foreign affairs. He informed Israeli President Shimon Peres that Israel had been accepted as the first non-South American partner in the free trade group, Mercosur. Brazil is Israel's largest trading partner in Latin America, and trade between Brazil and Iran has also grown by 40% during Mr Lula's presidency. The Brazilian leader is visiting Israel, the Palestinian territories and Jordan ahead of a more controversial visit to Iran in May. In November last year, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad became the first Iranian president to visit Brazil. On that occasion, President Lula criticised attempts to isolate Iran over its nuclear ambitions but he also urged President Ahmadinejad to engage with the West. ||||| Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman stayed away from the Knesset during Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s address there on Monday, to protest Lula da Silva’s refusal to lay a wreath at the grave of Theodor Herzl, sources close to Lieberman said on Monday evening.Lieberman also boycotted a meeting between Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and his guest afterward to which he had been invited.This policy, however, did not filter down to the Foreign Ministry staff, who throughout the day were downplaying the incident, saying the Brazilian president’s decision not to lay a wrath at Herzl’s tomb on Monday was due more to confusion over protocol than anything else.A Foreign Ministry spokesman said that Israel only informed Lula, as the Brazilian president is commonly referred, of the wreath laying ceremony last week, after the schedule had been meticulously planned weeks in advance.Only last week, she explained, did Israel initiate a policy to honor Theodor Herzl’s 150th birthday by having all visiting heads of state lay a wreath at his grave.The Brazilians, the spokeswoman said, did not understand why they were being asked to do something that other leaders had not been asked to do.US Vice President Joe Biden did lay a wreath at Herzl’s grave, initiating the new policy that was in effect until 1994, but then lapsed when many visiting leaders preferred to pay their respects at the nearby grave of slain prime minister Yitzhak Rabin instead.Nevertheless, World Zionist Organization treasurer Haggai Merom issued a statement saying Lula da Silva’s action was “an insult to Israel’s citizens and to Zionist communities around the world, including to the Jewish community in Brazil.” Avoiding putting a wreath at Herzl’s grave during a state visit, Merom said, “is the same as refusing to visit the graves of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk in Turkey or the tomb of Mahatma Gandhi in India.”Lula da Silva is expect to visit the tomb of Yasser Arafat during a visit to Ramallah on Tuesday for a meeting with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas. | Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in 2007. Israel's foreign minister has reportedly boycotted Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva's tour of the Middle East. Avigdor Lieberman did not attend Lula's address at the Knesset or his meeting with Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu. According to close sources, Lieberman refused to attend over President Lula's refusal to visit and to lay a wreath on the grave of Zionist movement founder Theodor Herzl. Israel created a policy to honour Herzl's 150th birthday by having all visiting heads of state lay a wreath on his grave, however Lula's staff said they were only informed a week before his visit when his schedule had already been planned. Treasurer of the World Zionist Movement Haggai Merom said that Lula's actions were an "insult to Israel's citizens and to Zionist communities around the world, including to the Jewish community in Brazil." He also compared his refusal to visit Herzl's grave to refusing to visit "the grave of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk in Turkey or the tomb of Mahatma Gandhi in India." During his visit, Lula confirmed to President Shimon Peres that Israel had been accepted as the first non-South American partner in the free trade group, Mercosur. Lula is also visiting the Palestinian territories and Jordan, and in May he will visit Iran. |
Mr Benn said this peace movement was the biggest in his lifetime Speaking to up to 1,500 anti-war protesters and activists, Mr Benn condemned the conflict in Iraq as "illegal, immoral and unwinnable". The event at the Royal Horticultural Hall in central London was organised by the Stop the War Coalition. Convenor Lindsey German hopes to find ways to progress the peace movement. "This is a day of people coming together to talk about how we can take the troops out of Iraq and allow the Iraqi people to run their country," she said. 'Positive movement' The morning was dominated by Mr Benn's speech, in which he said the current peace movement calling for troops to be withdrawn from Iraq was "the biggest in my lifetime". "It represents 60% of US opinion now and the same in Britain. It is a very positive movement and has support right across the political spectrum." Meanwhile George Galloway said the people of London were saying they are not part of this war. The MP for Bethnal Green and Bow is often embroiled in controversy. On the day after the July bombs, he said Londoners had paid the price for Iraq and Afghanistan - comments described by a government minister as disgraceful. Fellow speakers included Cindy Sheehan, the mother of a US soldier killed in Iraq, speaking on behalf of Gold Star Families for Peace, and Reg Keys for Military Families Against the War, who also lost his son, a military policeman, in Iraq. ||||| Cindy, who has three surviving children, is weary. She's had to cram her six-foot frame into economy class for the trip, and, besides, her life has become an exhausting series of meetings, rallies, interviews, speeches and anti-war campaigning. She has come a long way from her old life in Vacaville, California - not the sort of place normally associated with political activism. Camp Casey has closed down, at least for the winter, but Cindy remains a powerful symbol of the anti-war movement. Here is a mother who lost her eldest child in a war that was declared, she believes, on dubious grounds. She wants to make sure that the government is called to account. Her son Casey signed up in the final months of the Clinton era, at a time when there seemed to be little possibility of war in foreign fields. "His recruiter told him that even if there was a war, he would never see combat because he had scored so high in the entrance exam - he'd only be in a support role," says Cindy. "He was a good soldier, he liked being in the army. He only went to Iraq because his buddies were going and they all feel a responsibility for each other." She has since met many of his fellow soldiers and the sergeant who tried to talk Casey out of going on the mission that killed him. "Casey just said,` 'Where my chief goes, I go', and he left and he was killed. I get feedback from the troops all the time and 99.9% say, 'Keep on doing what you're doing because it's a nightmare here and we want to come home and it's only people like you in the peace movement that give us hope'." During this trip to Britain, she will address Saturday's International Peace Conference (organised by the Stop the War Coalition), and will also meet members of the Scottish parliament and fellow activists, including Britons who have lost their sons or brothers in the war. Then it will be back to her new home in Berkeley and on with the work for her new book - about how one person can have a political impact by just getting on with it. She is very unimpressed with Bush's rationale for the war. "He keeps coming up with the same inane speech as though that's going to rally people back to support him. As for his 'national strategy for victory' - wouldn't it have been nice if they had started to plan for that before they invaded in the first place and killed so many brave young Americans like Casey? It's gratifying that America is now opening its eyes and I'm not so wacky and out there by myself any more. We are not the 'extreme' people any more. Look at the polls, George Bush, you're the one who's at the extremes." The Democrats have also largely been a disappointment, she says, not least Hillary Clinton. "She's very wishy-washy, she's playing the middle because she wants to be president and I look at all the politicians who want to be president and they are basically playing the middle, too," she says. "It obviously didn't work for John Kerry, and I told him: 'If you had come out strongly against the war and said you would start bringing the troops home, you would have won in a landslide'. But he has this memory that he did come out strongly against the war! Howard Dean [the unsuccessful candidate for the Democratic Party nomination] told me the war is a hard issue. No, it's not. Our kids are there being killed and they're killing innocent Iraqis for lies. It's not brain surgery." Cindy's campaigning work leaves her no time for anything else, she says - something that her other children have had to adjust to. They have been very supportive, though, and recently went to dinner with her and Jane Fonda, another supporter, and Fonda's daughter. Joan Baez has been a frequent and supportive visitor to the camp, as have a surprising array of Republicans, she says. She is not surprised to have been the target of the conservative Fox news channel and others on the right, but is gratified that the mainstream media have given the camp some coverage. "They had been very creative in not covering the anti-war movement up until then." Cindy is 48, too young to have been involved in the anti-Vietnam war movement. "I remember there was a lot of violence on campuses, which was kind of frightening to me." She is hopeful that the current movement will continue beyond the end of the war in Iraq, and she has been in touch with Iraqis who have lost children fighting on the other side. "I don't blame the people who killed Casey but the people who brought us into this, who lied and deceived the world," she says. "But the anti-war movement is growing at all levels. Congress is starting to talk about bringing the troops home and you never saw any of that before." The non-stop campaigning has taken its toll, she says, and Cindy feels in need of a good massage: "I really feel I'm carrying the whole world on my shoulders," she says. There has been talk of her entering politics herself, but at the moment it does not appeal. "An illegal and immoral war isn't a political issue, it's a matter of life and death, and everybody has to do the right thing no matter what party they are in." Then she is off for a couple of hours sleep in Muswell Hill, north London, before addressing yet another meeting, and shaking the hands of yet more politicians. ||||| Building International Movement See Photos and Listen to panel on Building an International Movement with George Galloway "Today, London has declared peace on the world." George Galloway © 2005 Charles Jenks Students Networking Video & photos of student meeting. Students Pav Akhtar, Suzie Wylie (both of the UK's National Union of Students), Elizabeth Wrigley-Field (Campus Antiwar Network) and Peter Leary NUS). The British students are active in the Stop the War Coalition. photo © 2005 Charles Jenks. CAN Meets Students and Activists in London | On Saturday 10 December 2005, Tony Benn spoke to around 1,500 people at the opening rally of a peace conference at the Royal Horticultural Hall in London organised by the Stop the War Coalition in opposition to the occupation of Iraq. Tony Benn told the amassed conference delegates that the anti-war movement, which is calling for troops to be withdrawn from Iraq, is the biggest he had seen in his lifetime. Throughout the long day, from 10am to 8pm, there were 33 speakers in total. Among these was Cindy Sheehan, American anti-war activist whose son, a soldier, died in Iraq. She spoke in a session along with among others Reg Keys and Rose Gentle from Military Families Against the War. Several speakers who had travelled from Iraq spoke, including Hassan Juma, president of the Iraqi trade union the Southern Oil Workers' Union. He condemned what he claimed were attempts by America to strip Iraq through privatizing its services. Sheikh Hussein al Zagani, a representative of Muqtada al-Sadr, was due to speak at the conference but was reportedly denied a visa. George Galloway, the RESPECT MP, closed the conference in a speech in which he urged people to build for a planned international demonstration on the 18th of March next year. |
Canada beats Russia in gold medal game Hoisting the hardware Canada won its third straight gold medal at the world junior championship with a 4-2 win over Russia on Friday in Leksand, Sweden. Canada got goals from Andrew Cogliano, Bryan Little, Jonathan Toews and Brad Marchand to overcome the Russians. "It's unbelievable, a great feeling," Canadian forward Jonathan Toews told TSN. "Tonight was a battle from start to finish. The Russians are a great team but we came out hard and finished hard, too." Team Canada goaltender Carey Price was named tournament MVP and its best goaltender. ''It's not just me. I had a lot of help,'' Price said. ''We're 22 brothers and we stuck together the whole tournament.'' Related Info Habs all smiles about Price's MVP form McKenzie: Hartsburg pushed the buttons Price named tournament MVP Highlights: CAN 4, RUS 2 1-on-1 with Craig Hartsburg Gold Medal Report Gold Medal Analysis Canada-Russia Retrospective The first three goals came in a 2:27 span late in the first period. Cogliano finished a beautiful passing play with Marc Staal and Ryan O'Marra, one-timing a shot past Semen Varlamov into the Russian net to open the scoring at 15:35. ''I hope, looking back as I get older, that this was the start of another great era,'' said O'Marra. Less than two minutes later, Little swept in a powerplay goal to give Canada a two-goal cushion. Thirty-three seconds after that, Toews went upstairs on Varlamov for another powerplay goal to make it 3-0 for Canada. Marchand made it 4-0 six minutes into the second period, converting a feed from Toews after Steve Downie took a hit to set up the play. "The guys that we knew could score came through for us tonight," said Canadian head coach Craig Hartsburg. Canada, however, soon got into penalty trouble and that helped the Russians break through. Pavel Valtenko scored a powerplay goal for Russia at 11:25 of the second period. His point shot appeared to deflect off traffic in front of Carey Price and found the back of the net. Gennady Churilov scored another powerplay goal late in the second period to bring the Russians within two goals heading into the final frame. Russia went 2-for-4 on the powerplay in the second period. The fast-paced game featured several scoring chances for both sides. ''People back home might not understand how hard it is to win over here,'' said Hartsburg. ''At the same time, it's been very rewarding. You'd have to win a Stanley Cup to feel like this.'' Early in the first period, Price stopped Igor Makarov on a breakaway, with some help from Ryan Parent's speed on the back-check. Canada's first good chance came with Churilov in the penalty box. The puck came to Sam Gagne on a rebound, but it bounced over his stick in front of a wide open net. Andrey Kiryukhin's wrap around attempt in the middle of the first period looked dangerous, but was stopped calmly by Price. Kris Russell helped Price out early in the third period by sweeping the puck from the goal-line after a long shot had slipped through the Canadian goalie's pads. Kiryukhin got robbed again late in the second period. With Russia on a powerplay, he had Price down and out but found nothing but leather. Anton Krysanov had a brilliant chance to get Russia within one when he broke in alone on Price while Canada was on a two-man advantage early in the third, but his shot was stopped cold. "We got that quick start and it made it easier for me to play," said Price. It is the third straight year, and the sixth time since 1999, that Canada and Russia were playing for gold in this tournament. Last January in Vancouver, Canada put on a dominating display to win the gold medal with a 5-0 win over the Russians. It was the second straight gold medal win for Canada. "Winning in Europe is unbelievable," Staal said. "From the start (of the tournament) we just kept it simple. We clogged up the middle, teams got frustrated and turned it over." Russia beat Canada for gold in 2003, 2002 and 1999. About 300 fans were among the announced crowd of 5,223 at Ejendals Arena to cheer on the defending champions. A large group of them in the standing section of rink began chanting "We want gold" 10 minutes before the puck dropped and "You've got nothing" when Canada took a 4-0 lead. They were joined by several Swedes, including a Swedish drummer, because the Canadians had cheered for their country in a 2-1 loss to the U.S. in the bronze-medal game earlier. Following the game, the arena announcer specifically thanked the Canadian fans who were in Sweden for their enthusiasm throughout the tournament. Prime Minister Stephen Harper watched the game from Ottawa. During a brief phone with Hartsburg carried live on TSN, he said the team had made all of Canada proud. "You had the whole country cheering for you," said Harper. "I think everybody has taken an early weekend to watch the game." Earlier today, Erik Johnson scored the game-winner as the United States claimed the bronze medal with a 2-1 victory over Sweden. Tournament Awards Most Valuable Player - Carey Price, G, Canada All-star team Goaltender: Carey Price, Canada Defencemen: Erik Johnson, U.S., Kristopher Letang, Canada. Forward: Alexei Cherepanov, Russia; Patrick Kane, U.S.; Jonathan Toews, Canada. IIHF Best Player Awards Goaltender: Carey Price, Canada Defenceman: Erik Johnson, U.S. Forward: Alexei Cherepanov, Russia ||||| Twenty-two Canadian junior hockey players will return from Sweden with a gold medal after capturing a third world title in as many years on Friday. Making its sixth consecutive appearance in the championship game, Canada rode three first-period goals to a 4-2 win over Russia in Leksand. Team Canada players, including tournament MVP goaltender Carey Price, celebrate their gold-medal win over Russia. (Jacques Boissinot/Canadian Press) It's Canada's first world junior gold on the Olympic-size ice in Europe since it defeated the United States in 1997 in Geneva, Switzerland. Jonathan Toews registered the winning goal, his second in two days after he broke the hearts of the Americans with three shootout markers in a 2-1 semifinal triumph on Wednesday. "Tonight was a battle from start to finish," Toews told Canadian cable sports network TSN. "The Russians are a great team but we came out hard and finished hard, too." Goaltender Carey Price, who played every minute of Canada's games, finished with 25 saves and was named the tournament's most valuable player. "I can't believe it yet. It's surreal right now," he told TSN. "I actually didn’t feel [as nervous] as I did during the shootout. When you play behind a [defence] like we have, it’s pretty easy to play. They just let me play my game." Bryan Little and Andrew Cogliano also found the net in the opening 20 minutes as Canada scored three times in a span of two minutes, 27 seconds, before a crowd of 5,223 at Ejendals Arena. Boston Bruins prospect Brad Marchand rounded out the scoring for the Canadians, who finished the 10-day tournament with a 6-0-0 record for the third consecutive year. "It's hard to describe. It's unbelievable," Canadian coach Craig Hartsburg said. "I'm so proud of these kids. It's tough to come over here and win this thing. "And they were a team right from the time we named the team, they were unbelievable and I'm so proud of every one of them." Canadian defenceman Marc Staal also won gold in Vancouver last year but said this year's victory is a "totally different feeling." "Winning in Europe is unbelievable," he said. "From the start [of the tournament] we just kept it simple. We clogged up the middle, teams got frustrated and turned it over." Russia (5-1-0) lost in the final for the third straight year. They have earned five silver medals in the past 10 years. Both sides had power-play opportunities that they couldn't convert in the third period. Russia pressed for a goal, but couldn't solve Price, while Canada withstood being two men down late in the period. U.S. takes bronze medal Earlier Friday, the U.S. edged Sweden 2-1 in the bronze-medal game. Russia's Gennady Churilov scored with 36 seconds left in the second period to cut Canada's lead to 4-2. It was the second power-play goal of the game for the Russians, who entered the final with the best efficiency rating with the man advantage in the tournament. Pavel Valentenko made it 4-1 midway through the frame. Marchand put Canada ahead 4-0 when he redirected a Toews pass past Russian goaltender Semen Varlamov. Little and Toews recorded power-play goals 33 seconds apart late in the first period after Cogliano notched his first goal of the tournament at 15:35. Varlamov and Price came up big early on. A Washington Capitals draft pick, Varlamov was the busier of the two. He made four saves during a Canadian 5-on-4 advantage and later denied Steve Downie. Russia, which doubled the Swedes 4-2 in the semifinals, began Friday's contest having allowed just one even-strength goal in five games. The 2008 world juniors will be held in Liberec and Pardubice, Czech Republic. Tournament Awards Most Valuable Player - Carey Price, G, Canada All-star team Goaltender: Carey Price, Canada Defencemen: Erik Johnson, U.S.; Kristopher Letang, Canada Forward: Alexei Cherepanov, Russia; Patrick Kane, U.S.; Jonathan Toews, Canada IIHF Best Player Awards Goaltender: Carey Price, Canada Defenceman: Erik Johnson, U.S. Forward: Alexei Cherepanov, Russia | For the third time in a row, Team Canada has won the gold medal at the IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship. This year's tournament took place in Leksand, Sweden. Canada clinched gold in a 4-2 victory over Russia. The Canadian team held a perfect 6-0-0 record for the third straight year. Canada's first three goals were all scored in the first period in a span of just under two and a half minutes. Scoring the goals for Canada were Andrew Cogliano, Bryan Little, Jonathan Toews, and Brad Marchand. Scoring for the Russians were Pavel Valtenko and Gennady Churilov. This is the third year in a row that Canada and the Russians have met in the gold medal game. Canadian coach Craig Hartsburg was quoted as saying after the game that "It's hard to describe. It's unbelievable", and that "I'm so proud of these kids. It's tough to come over here and win this thing." Earlier in the day, the United States beat the hosts Sweden 2-1 in the bronze medal game. The Most Valuable Player Award for the tournament, along with the top goalkeeper award were given to Carey Price, Canada's goalkeeper. Erik Johnson of the US received the top defenceman award, and Russia's Alexei Cherepanov got the top forward award. |
Please enable cookies on your web browser in order to continue. The new European data protection law requires us to inform you of the following before you use our website: We use cookies and other technologies to customize your experience, perform analytics and deliver personalized advertising on our sites, apps and newsletters and across the Internet based on your interests. By clicking “I agree” below, you consent to the use by us and our third-party partners of cookies and data gathered from your use of our platforms. See our Privacy Policy and Third Party Partners to learn more about the use of data and your rights. You also agree to our Terms of Service. ||||| WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Capitol Police said one suspect was killed and two officers injured in a shooting near the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday in an incident police said was not related to Capitol security. Police briefly closed a road adjacent to the Senate side of the complex, home to the U.S. Congress, and entrances to the Capitol building were temporarily locked on its North side. The shooting occurred after a Capitol police officer tried to make a routine traffic stop near Union Station, a police spokeswoman said. Sgt. Kimberly Schneider said the driver fled, nearly ran over two officers, struck a parked and then crashed into a police cruiser. "The subject disregarded repeated demands by police officers to put down the weapon that the suspect had. He began shooting a weapon at several U.S. Capitol Police officers. U.S. Capitol Police returned fire, hitting the suspect," Schneider said in statement. Schneider said the suspect, who was not identified, had died. She said the shooting was an isolated incident and no one else was involved. Robert Drumm, visiting Washington from Edmond, Oklahoma said he was walking near the Capitol when he saw police cars engaged in a high speech chase with a white Mercedes. There was a crash and then "boom, boom, boom, boom. A pause and then a bunch more," Drumm added, estimating he heard more than a dozen gunshots. The incident was the second shooting in just over a month near a popular tourist attraction in Washington. On June 10, an elderly gunman linked to an anti-Jewish website shot and killed a security guard at the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum, a short distance from the Capitol. (Reporting by Richard Cowan and Joanne Allen; editing by David Storey) | U.S. Capitol Police shot and killed a man yesterday after a traffic stop became violent; two officers were slightly injured. Police reported that the incident began when officers attempted to pull over a white Mercedes for a routine violation. This occurred at about 5:15pm local time in the 100 block of Massachusetts Avenue NW. The suspect sped away, almost running down two officers, striking a parked car and crashing into a police vehicle. He then crawled out of his car's window brandishing a gun. Officers demanded he drop the weapon, but he began shooting at them. They returned fire, fatally wounding the suspect; he was later declared dead at Washington Hospital Center. Robert Drumm, a food-service manager visiting from Edmond, Oklahoma, reported hearing a collision and then, "boom, boom, boom, boom. A pause and then a bunch more gunshots"; he estimated hearing about a dozen shots in total. According to spokeswoman Sgt. Kimberly Schneider, "The subject disregarded repeated demands by police officers to put down the weapon that the suspect had. He began shooting a weapon at several U.S. Capitol Police officers. U.S. Capitol Police returned fire, hitting the suspect. ... Our officers fired because they believed their lives were in danger." Two officers had minor injuries and were treated on site. As precautions, a U.S. Capitol access road next to the Senate was closed, and doors on the North side were locked. However, police believed the incident was isolated and unrelated to Capitol security. |
The bill makes the provision of aid conditional on the army staying out of politics [GALLO/GETTY] The bill makes the provision of aid conditional on the army staying out of politics [GALLO/GETTY] Obama signed the bill, which will provide the aid to Islamabad over the next five years, behind closed doors at the White House on Thursday. Barack Obama, the US president, has signed off a bill that will provide Pakistan with $7.5bn in non-military aid, despite criticism of conditions attached to the assistance by Pakistani officials. Robert Gibbs, the White House spokesman, in a statement said the signing of the bill was the "tangible manifestation of broad support for Pakistan in the US". Gibbs said Obama wants to engage Pakistan on the basis of a strategic partnership "grounded in support for Pakistan's democratic institutions and the Pakistani people." Conditions criticised "Some of the criticism from within Pakistan has been about the approach of the Bush administration [and whether it could] do more on the economic side, and build up the capacity of the Pakistani people ... This is exactly what the Obama administration has done with this [new] programme" Nicolas Burns, Harvard University Kennedy School of Government The US aid package to Pakistan is designed to fund projects in Pakistan that include schools and roads, agricultural development, energy generation, water resource management and the judicial system. However, the US congress still has to allot the funds set out in the bill, and the law must be renewed each year, subject to the White House declaring that "reasonable progress" is being made to meet the objectives of the aid. Some members of Pakistan's military and parliament had said that some rules in the bill, such as making the release of some funding conditional on fighting al-Qaeda and Taliban fighters, represented a breach of Pakistani sovereignty. But Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Pakistan's foreign minister, said on Wednesday that he was confident that Washington was not seeking to control Pakistan’s domestic politics. John Kerry, a Democratic senator and an author of the bill, issued a statement on Wednesday, saying the legislation was not aimed at limiting Pakistan's sovereignty. Obama 'supportive' Nicholas Burns, a professor of Diplomacy and International Politics at Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government, said that the aid package was a "strong signal of support by the US to the people of Pakistan". "It seems to me that the controversy over the bill within Pakistan is that some people are objecting to reporting requirements," he said. "Any administration in a democratic country, like the US, when it spends money has to be able report back to congress on how the money was spent and who received it. "In the past few years, some of the criticism from within Pakistan has been about the approach of the Bush administration [and whether it could] do more on the economic side, and build up the capacity of the Pakistani people. "This is exactly what the Obama administration has done with this [new] programme." The US, which is the biggest provider of aid to Pakistan, is seeking Pakistani government and military assistance to hunt down al-Qaeda leaders. Many of those suspected fighters are thought to be based in Pakistan’s border region with Afghanistan, where US and Nato forces are fighting al-Qaeda and Taliban loyalists. ||||| Obama Signs Massive Aid Package to Pakistan US President Barack Obama, 14 Oct 2009 U.S. President Barack Obama has signed into law a $7.5 billion aid package for Pakistan. The White House says the law demonstrates broad support in the United States for Pakistan, noting the bipartisan, bicameral, unanimous passage in Congress. The White House notes that President Obama has said the U.S. wants to engage Pakistan on the basis of a strategic partnership "grounded in support for Pakistan's democratic institutions and the Pakistani people." It says the act formalizes that partnership, based on a shared commitment to improving the lives of Pakistanis through sustainable economic development, strengthening democracy and the rule of law, and combating extremism. Wednesday, Pakistan's Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi expressed hope that a furor at home over the aid package will ease after U.S. lawmakers gave him written guarantees that it will not violate Pakistan's sovereignty. U.S. Senator John Kerry and Representative Howard Berman on Wednesday gave Qureshi a document stating that the plan does not impose any conditions on Pakistan or infringe on its sovereignty. The lawmakers said a statement clarifying some points in the legislation will be entered into the congressional record. The bill itself will remain unchanged. Qureshi called the explanatory statement "historic" and a step forward in bilateral relations. He said he will convey to the Pakistani government that the U.S. aid bill is a sign of friendship and not a threat to the country's sovereignty. Qureshi recently visited Washington after Pakistani officials and military leaders alleged the civilian aid plan could interfere with the military and the civilian government. The legislation also calls on the U.S. secretary of state to report every six months on whether Pakistan's weak civilian government maintains effective control over the military. U.S. President Barack Obama has signed into law a $7.5 billion aid package for Pakistan.The White House says the law demonstrates broad support in the United States for Pakistan, noting the bipartisan, bicameral, unanimous passage in Congress.The White House notes that President Obama has said the U.S. wants to engage Pakistan on the basis of a strategic partnership "grounded in support for Pakistan's democratic institutions and the Pakistani people."It says the act formalizes that partnership, based on a shared commitment to improving the lives of Pakistanis through sustainable economic development, strengthening democracy and the rule of law, and combating extremism.Wednesday, Pakistan's Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi expressed hope that a furor at home over the aid package will ease after U.S. lawmakers gave him written guarantees that it will not violate Pakistan's sovereignty.U.S. Senator John Kerry and Representative Howard Berman on Wednesday gave Qureshi a document stating that the plan does not impose any conditions on Pakistan or infringe on its sovereignty.The lawmakers said a statement clarifying some points in the legislation will be entered into the congressional record. The bill itself will remain unchanged.Qureshi called the explanatory statement "historic" and a step forward in bilateral relations. He said he will convey to the Pakistani government that the U.S. aid bill is a sign of friendship and not a threat to the country's sovereignty.Qureshi recently visited Washington after Pakistani officials and military leaders alleged the civilian aid plan could interfere with the military and the civilian government.The legislation also calls on the U.S. secretary of state to report every six months on whether Pakistan's weak civilian government maintains effective control over the military. E-mail Print Digg Yahoo Buzz Facebook del.icio.us StumbleUpon | US president Barack Obama signed a bill that will give Pakistan US$7.5 billion worth of nonmilitary aid into law on Thursday. The bill was signed by the president at the White House. The White House spokesman, Robert Gibbs, said that the law demonstrated the "tangible manifestation of broad support for Pakistan in the US." The plan will provide money for projects to help fund energy generation, roads, schools, and water resource management in Pakistan, among other things. Congress, however, will still need to allot the money indicated in the bill, and the bill will need to be renewed annually. Some members of the Pakistani parliament and military said that they felt some of the rules laid out in the plan might result in a breach of sovereignty. However, the Pakistani foreign minister, Shah Mehmood Qureshi, said he believed that the US wasn't trying to take control over his country's internal politics. |
US Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke says he sees a "reasonable prospect" for an end to the deep recession this year if the numerous rescue and stimulus programs work as intended. But he warned in his semi annual address to Congress on Tuesday that a full economic recovery could take more than two or three years. Bernanke was guarded in his outlook and noted that the US economy is in the midst of a "severe contraction" that has continued into the first quarter of 2009. Despite numerous downside risks to the outlook, Bernanke said a variety of initiatives appear to be steadying jittery financial markets, and if these work as intended, the recession could end in 2009. "It is essential that we continue to complement fiscal stimulus with strong government action to stabilise financial institutions and financial markets," he said. ||||| US recession 'may last into 2010' Please turn on JavaScript. Media requires JavaScript to play. US Federal Reserve chief Ben Bernanke has warned Congress that without the right policies from the government, the US recession could last into 2010. But he said if the Obama administration and the central bank can restore some measure of financial stability, 2010 could be a year of recovery. Mr Bernanke made the comments to the Senate Banking Committee. He also warned that the global nature of the downturn was a threat because exports would be hit. In its attempts to revive the economy, the Federal Reserve has cut its key interest rate to nearly zero, while the Obama administration has recently signed a $787bn (£546bn) economic stimulus package. Mr Bernanke said that the potential economic turnaround would hinge on the success of such measures in getting credit and financial markets to operate more normally again. We just got the worst consumer confidence number ever on record Matt Esteve, Tempus Consulting, Washington US retailers report profit falls "Only if that is the case, in my view there is a reasonable prospect that the current recession will end in 2009 and that 2010 will be a year of recovery," he said. Vicious circle Mr Bernanke reassured legislators that he was, "committed to using all available tools to stimulate economic activity and to improve financial market functioning". But he also outlined long-run predictions for the economy, which he said reflected "the view of policymakers that a full recovery of the economy from the current recession is likely to take more than two or three years". He described a vicious circle of rising unemployment and shrinking house prices and savings forcing consumers to cut back, which would in turn increase unemployment. "To break that adverse feedback loop, it is essential that we continue to complement fiscal stimulus with strong government action to stabilise financial institutions and financial markets," he said. Speaking of the concern about bankers benefiting from bail-outs, he added that the country "ought not abstain from saving the financial system just because it rewards people who erred". Sliding confidence Mr Bernanke's testimony came shortly after data showed that consumer confidence in February had fallen to the lowest level since the Conference Board began reporting the figures in 1967. Its sentiment index fell to a much worse-than-expected 25.0 in February from January's figure of 37.4. "We just got the worst consumer confidence number ever on record," said Matt Esteve, a foreign exchange trader at Tempus Consulting in Washington. "Following yesterday's awful sell-off in the stock market, it just highlights the risk that there is right now." House prices There were also figures showing that the decline in US house prices had accelerated. The S&P; Case Shiller house price index showed the price of a single-family home had fallen 18.5% in December, compared with the same month of 2007. It was the biggest drop since the index began being calculated 21 years ago. "There are very few, if any, pockets of turnaround that one can see in the data," said David Blitzer, chairman of S&P;'s index committee. "Most of the nation appears to remain on a downward path." Bookmark with: Delicious Digg reddit Facebook StumbleUpon What are these? E-mail this to a friend Printable version ||||| By Mark Felsenthal and Alister Bull WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke warned on Tuesday the "severe" U.S. recession could drag into next year, but said banks should be able to weather the downturn without being nationalized, cheering markets. "I don't see any reason to destroy the franchise value or to create the huge legal uncertainties of trying to formally nationalize a bank when it just isn't necessary," Bernanke told the Senate Banking Committee. "What we can do is make sure they have enough capital to fulfill their function and at the same time we exert adequate control to make sure that they are doing what is necessary to become healthy and viable over the longer term," he added. U.S. stocks, which hit a 12-year low on Monday, jumped as investors set aside fears bank shareholders could get wiped out as the government moves to prop up the sector. The broad Standard & Poor's 500 Index shot up 4 percent. "The plan out of the administration with Bernanke's backing seems to have some rationality and the market is factoring that there is something here that might potentially work," said Greg Palmer, head of equity trading at Pacific Crest Securities in Portland, Oregon. Still, Bernanke was somber in his assessment of the economy. If efforts to stabilize banks failed, he said, the fast-shrinking economy could enter a mutually reinforcing cycle of weak growth and financial strain. "To break the adverse feedback loop, it is essential that we continue to complement fiscal stimulus with strong government action to stabilize financial institutions and financial markets," he said. "If actions taken by the administration, the Congress and the Federal Reserve are successful in restoring some measure of financial stability -- and only if that is the case, in my view -- there is a reasonable prospect that the current recession will end in 2009 and that 2010 will be a year of recovery," Bernanke added. BANKS CAN BE STABILIZED The U.S. housing bust has saddled banks worldwide with big losses, leading them to cut back on lending, weakening economies. Governments are grappling with how best to restore the financial system to health and revive economic growth. In the United States, policy-makers are moving into the second phase of a $700 billion financial rescue program, with plans to invest in banks that need capital in return for preferred shares that could convert over time to common stock. "We are committed to ensuring the viability of all major financial institutions," Bernanke said. U.S. regulators will begin "stress tests" at the nation's 19 largest banks on Wednesday. Bernanke said the tests aim to judge whether banks can keep lending even under unexpected economic strains. Regulators want "to ensure that even in a bad scenario, banks will have enough capital, including enough common equity, to meet their obligations to lend," Bernanke said. He expressed faith that authorities were on the right path in taking time to fully diagnose the health of the top banks. Continued... | Ben Bernanke Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke said that the current economic recession in the United States "may last into 2010." The Chairman also predicted that unemployment would remain at relatively high levels until 2011. However, Bernanke added that 2010 could be a year of recovery if the government was able to restore some financial stability. He made the statements to the Senate Banking Committee on Tuesday. "It is essential that we continue to complement fiscal stimulus with strong government action to stabilise financial institutions and financial markets," Bernanke said. "If actions taken by the administration, the Congress, and the Federal Reserve are successful in restoring some measure of financial stability — and only if that is the case, in my view — there is a reasonable prospect that the current recession will end in 2009 and that 2010 will be a year of recovery." Bernanke also warned that there is a risk that the downturn could become steeper. "This outlook for economic activity is subject to considerable uncertainty, and I believe that, overall, the downside risks probably outweigh those on the upside," he said. The chairman also delivered the Federal Reserve's estimates on the economy, which were released last week. They predict that the US economy will shrink by 0.5% to 1.3% this year. The unemployment rate is estimated to increase to between 8.5% and 8.8%, from its current level of 7.6%. Bernanke said that he was "committed to using all available tools to stimulate economic activity and to improve financial market functioning". US stock markets closed higher after Bernanke's testimony, with the Standard and Poor's 500 index gaining four percent. |
(04-10) 04:00 PDT Anaheim -- Steamrolling the Angels, dodging apparent injury - what team is this exactly? The A's, perhaps the most hard-luck club in the league when it comes to the disabled list the past three years, saw one of their top contributors of the first week go down in a heap in the fifth after seemingly twisting his right knee. While his teammates were holding their breath, Daric Barton gingerly rose to his feet ... and resumed playing first base. Barton also had three of the A's 13 hits, including two doubles, and he scored two runs and drove in two as Oakland thumped the Angels 10-4 on Friday. Every player in the starting lineup had at least one hit, and Cliff Pennington added his first homer of the year, a three-run shot in the seventh. The A's have won four of their first five games and stand first in their division. "We're playing real well as a team," Barton said. "We're taking advantage of runners on base. We put bats on the ball, not just me. Everyone contributed." Last year, the Angels won the AL West for the fifth time in six years and they took 12 of 19 games from the A's, outscoring Oakland 96-75 in the process. A healthy Oakland team and a rare hot start might change the complexion of the division. The A's are showing a flair for several things, including aggressive baserunning, and Friday, Barton and Rajai Davis turned in hustle doubles. Davis also had three hits, and he missed a fourth when Torii Hunter made a plunging grab on his dying liner to end the seventh. Combined, Davis and Barton, batting 1-2, were on base seven times. The Angels' first run off fifth starter Gio Gonzalez was a homer that new Angels DH Hideki Matsui crushed to center in the second inning. In the fifth, with men at the corners, Maicer Izturis knocked an RBI single to center off Gonzalez with two outs. That's when Barton slipped on the infield grass, cutting off the throw to the plate, and the replay showed his right leg buckle and his knee bend awkwardly. "Someone in the dugout said, 'He twisted his knee,' and when I ran out there, I could hear fans watching the replay and giving that real ugly 'Ooo,' " Oakland manager Bob Geren said. "Right then, I knew it must have looked ugly. But he said he was fine." Barton said his hip, on which he had surgery in 2008, was what hurt initially. He stayed down a few moments, and given the A's injury history, there was plenty of reason to believe it was something major. The team has used the DL 70 times since the start of 2007. "I didn't know what happened," Barton said. "It hurt, don't get me wrong, but it was more scary than anything. ... I didn't like it." New ballpark? Old Nummi site studied for A's stadium. C1 This article appeared on page B - 1 of the San Francisco Chronicle ||||| Angels hardly looking like themselves Suddenly L.A. is watching other teams play the aggressive style it had perfected ANAHEIM -- There were times Friday night when it looked as if the teams had traded uniforms. The Oakland Athletics were running wild, forcing the Los Angeles Angels into mistakes that would have ticked off a high school coach. Remember when the Angels used to take pride in their ability to take extra bases and make the other team feel rushed and flustered? Welcome to 2010, when, if the Angels aren't careful, they just might be on the other end of those lessons. Early returns suggest they might be the least athletic team in their division. The Angels have certainly looked slow and unsteady lately. Manager Mike Scioscia took a wait-and-see approach for a few games. After watching the Angels make three errors -- only a taste of the slop Friday -- in a 10-4 loss to Oakland, Scioscia sounded a bit more emphatic. The 1-4 start is the worst since two name changes ago, when they were the California Angels back in 1992. If they lose Saturday, they'll be off to their worst start since the franchise's inaugural year, 1961. Looking like the early years of an expansion team doesn't exactly inspire confidence. "We've played four [bad] games," Scioscia said. "That's the best way I can put it, in every aspect. And we're better than that. We will play better baseball than that and it's tough to swallow, because we're a better team than that." [+] Enlarge AP Photo/Chris Carlson Starting pitcher Matt Palmer was one of several Angels to make an error in a 10-4 loss to Oakland on Friday. It was a carousel of mistakes Friday, one only hinted at by the official errors. Catcher Jeff Mathis dropped a one-hop throw from Juan Rivera -- and took a hard shot from Daric Barton anyway -- to let a run score on what should have been an out in the first inning. The A's took extra bases on Torii Hunter twice, including on Rajai Davis' chopper up the middle in the second inning. Rivera took a comically poor route to Barton's first-inning double, and pitcher Matt Palmer dropped a ball while covering first, a gaffe that opened the door for a couple of A's runs. Howie Kendrick had an error. At times, it seemed as if the only guy paying attention on defense was Brandon Wood, and he has one hit in 16 at-bats this year. Oakland's team picture used to be of a bunch of burly guys in white shoes. The A's used to run as well as the average offensive line. Now, they take extra bases relentlessly, lay down bunts and pressure defenses into mistakes. Sound like any team you used to know? "I'm sure everyone was surprised," Palmer said. "We're not trying to give up extra bases. We're playing just as hard as everybody else, so there's really nothing to say. They took them. They were just overaggressive tonight." The offense, meanwhile, has been a mess since opening night. For three games, the Angels couldn't find a hit when it mattered. On Friday they could barely scrounge one at all. Oakland left-hander Gio Gonzalez -- who won Oakland's fifth-starter competition when the other guy, Trevor Cahill, got hurt this spring -- shut them down into the seventh inning. Quote of the day "We could have been playing a Triple-A team these last couple of nights and would have lost." -- Scioscia By the numbers Hideki Matsui, a left-handed hitter, has always had a freakish ability to hit left-handed pitchers exactly as well as he hits right-handers. In his career, he is batting .294 versus lefties and .292 versus righties. The Angels already have seen up-close how comfortable he is against lefties. In his first three at-bats against them, he hit two home runs. He took Minnesota reliever Jose Mijares deep on opening night, and he homered off Oakland's Gonzalez in his first at-bat Friday. Look ahead Jered Weaver (1-0, 4.50 ERA) has a chance to cement his status as the team's ace by ending a four-game losing streak. The big right-hander accepted the inaugural Nick Adenhart award as the team's best pitcher of 2009 before Friday night's game. He got the Angels off to a good start on opening night with six solid innings. Weaver has been good against Oakland in the past. He has given up only two earned runs over his past three starts versus Oakland. He'll oppose A's ace Ben Sheets, who pitched well in a no-decision on Opening Day. Mark Saxon covers the Angels for ESPNLosAngeles.com. | Main entrance Angel Stadium. Yesterday, the Oakland Athletics defeated the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim 10 to 4 at an Angels' home game. All of the A's starting line up got at least one hit. The Angels first hit was in the second inning by new designated hitter Hideki Matsui. A's player Daric Barton reportedly twisted his right knee. This happened after Matsui's hit. Barton tripped on grass attempting to catch Matsui's hit ball. Manager Bob Geren remarked, "Someone in the dugout said, 'He twisted his knee,' and when I ran out there, I could hear fans watching the replay and giving that real ugly 'Ooo.' Right then, I knew it must have looked ugly. But he said he was fine." Mark Saxon, an ''ESPN'' sports writer, reports if the Angels lose today's game, they will be in for their worst season start since 1961, the team's first year. The A's are at a four wins, one loss, only losing their first game, whereas the Angels have a four game losing streak. |
Toronto police have charged three people in connection with elaborate break-ins targeting fast-food operations. A thief inside a box like this would use a glass cutter on a front door. (CBC) Police say the trio are suspects in more than 200 robberies across the GTA that involved the culprits using high-tech surveillance and a low-tech tool: a cardboard box. Since November 2006, fast-food restaurants from Toronto to Waterloo were targeted, with the thieves sneaking inside, bypassing alarm systems and making off with lots of cash, police said. Insp. Brian Smollet of the Toronto Police Service said the criminals used highly sophisticated surveillance equipment and glass-cutting tools. But the genius behind the break-ins was the gang's low-tech tool: a large cardboard box. Police say the thieves would simply prop the three-sided cardboard box against the front door of the business they were targeting. Anyone walking by would never have known anything was amiss. Little did they know there was a thief inside the box, cutting his way through the glass in the front door. "You know they would cut out the glass, slide in, and sometimes they wouldn't even stand up until they got to where they wanted to go," said Smollet. "They would slither along the floor in case there was motion sensors. They would get to where they wanted to go, stand up, take what they need and back out. And by the time they set the alarm off, if they did set if off, if they didn't happen to defeat that alarm, they'd be long gone. "The concealment, I mean, no one would think someone would be hiding in a box," said Smollet. Police say more than $250,000 has been recovered. The investigation took more than a year and involved police from five jurisdictions around Toronto. Police have charged Gordon Michael Edwards, 27, Jason Richard Phillips, 25, and Donna Hofscheier, 23, all of Toronto, with 355 charges in connection with the break-ins. ||||| TORONTO (Reuters) - Two men and a woman who used an ordinary cardboard box to break into over 200 Toronto area fast-food joints were caught by lucky timing, police said on Friday. The trio arrived at their target with an oversized cardboard box, which they propped up against the restaurant's front door. One person hid in the box and used specialized tools to break into the restaurant, while the others stood guard with a police scanner and two-way radios. "They were able to, by experience, literally remove the glass from the pane of the door and then set the glass aside," said Detective Sergeant Reuben Strober of Toronto Police, adding that the burglars managed to disable most alarm systems at the same time. Even if the alarms were triggered, the suspects got away before police arrived. Over the course of their crime spree, they made off with some C$250,000 (127,000 pounds), police said. Strobel said the three were finally caught after police responded to an unrelated call in the neighbourhood. They face 355 charges. | A thief hid in an over-sized box while the others monitored the area. A trio of fast food robbers have been charged today by Toronto Police after a one year investigation over their Greater Toronto Area (GTA) fast food restaurant robberies, which have been carrying on since November 2006. Their many successful break-ins were from the help of a police scanner, two-way radios, and other tools including an oversized cardboard box. Police say one of the trio's members hid in a box while using a glass-cutter to cut through the front door of a restaurant. The two others monitored the area using a police scanner and two-way radios in case of police. The thieves also usually managed to disable any alarm systems. When the thief broke-in he/she would crawl on the floor until they found their desired destination, the cash-registers, then take all the money they wanted, and then discretely leave. Police said the three were finally caught after responding to an unrelated call. The names of the robbers are Gordon Michael Edwards, 27, Jason Richard Phillips, 25, and Donna Hofscheier, 23. They face a total of 355 charges for over 200 robberies totalling CAD250,000. |
SEVEN Gold Coast candidates, from every major and minor party, have backed daylight saving. A Bulletin snap poll of the seven at the Central Chamber of Commerce yesterday revealed unanimous support for a referendum on the daylight saving controversy. Liberal National Party candidates Ray Stevens and Michael Hart, ALP candidate Christina Landis, Greens candidate Anja Light, Daylight Saving for South East Queensland founder Jason Furze and independents Shannon Crane and Ray Speering threw their weight behind a time change. Mr Stevens said he had always been in favour of daylight saving. "I'm quite happy to offer my personal position which is a split zone from Noosa to the border," said Mr Stevens. "This is not an LNP policy for the state but it's my personal position." Mr Hart backed his colleague and said he supported a referendum. Ms Landis said she would support daylight saving despite the stance of the ALP, which has consistently rejected the time change. "I think it would be a benefit for the Gold Coast. It is a difficult situation for businesses and I understand that," said Ms Landis. The candidates have called on 'people power' to change the minds of the major political parties, who do not want to lose key seats in north Queensland. Mr Furze said Queenslanders under the age of 35 had not had their say. "Daylight saving is the elephant in the room," said Mr Furze. "We waste billions of dollars every year by not having daylight saving." Central Chamber of Commerce president Nic Rone said daylight saving was a big issue for local businesses. "Daylight saving costs business money. It would have a great flow-on effect for businesses like golf courses and other tourism operators to be able to take advantage of extra sunshine," he said. Sources have told The Bulletin that LNP Gold Coast candidates have been told that if the LNP wins the election, a daylight saving referendum will be held. A spokesman for LNP leader Lawrence Springborg emphatically ruled out any rethink on daylight saving. "Absolutely not," he said. ||||| DAYLIGHT saving has been backed by Gold Coast candidates from every party - including the ALP and LNP - in a call for a vote on the controversial issue. A poll yesterday revealed unanimous support for a referendum on the daylight saving controversy. Liberal National Party candidates Ray Stevens and Michael Hart, the ALP'se Christina Landis, Green candidate Anja Light and Independents Shannon Crane and Ray Spearing threw their weight behind a time change. Mr Stevens said he has always been in favour of daylight saving. ''I'm quite happy to offer my personal position which is a split zone from Noosa to the border,'' he said. See the full story at goldcoast.com.au | South East Queensland councils with the Gold Coast highlighted Queensland election candidates running for electorates on the Gold Coast have backed the concept of daylight saving. "I'm quite happy to offer my personal position which is a split zone from Noosa to the border," said Liberal National Party candidate Ray Stevens. "This is not an LNP policy for the state but it's my personal position." An unnamed spokesperson of Lawrence Springborg ruled out daylight saving altogether. "Absolutely not," he said. Christina Landis had a similar position within the Australian Labor Party. "I think it would be a benefit for the Gold Coast. It is a difficult situation for businesses and I understand that," she said. "Daylight saving is the elephant in the room," said Daylight Saving for South East Queensland (DS4SEQ) founder Jason Furze. "We waste billions of dollars every year by not having daylight saving." Mr Furze told ''Wikinews'' in January that DS4SEQ is proposing a dual time zone for Queensland which "is a well thought out compromise to the current situation that obviously does not work." Gold Coast Central Chamber of Commerce president has said the daylight saving was an issue for local businesses. "Daylight saving costs business money. It would have a great flow-on effect for businesses like golf courses and other tourism operators to be able to take advantage of extra sunshine," he said. |
Leading Seaman Chris Coe was shown on Iranian television The crew, freed by Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad as a "gift" to the British people on Wednesday, touched down at Heathrow Airport at 1200 BST. They were then flown to a Royal Marines base in Devon to see friends and relatives, and to be de-briefed. Tony Blair welcomed their return but accused elements of the Iranian regime of supporting terrorism in Iraq. 'Dual strategy' In a press conference given outside Downing Street, the prime minister said he was "glad" the crew had been returned "safe and unharmed". He said "no deal" had been done with the Iranians to secure the crew's release. He contrasted the rejoicing at the return of the crew with the "sober and ugly reality" of the deaths of four British soldiers in Iraq in what he described as a "terrorist act". The crew were flown by helicopter to Devon And he repeated allegations that there were "elements of the Iranian regime" that were "financing, arming and supporting terrorism in Iraq". However, he said it was "too early to say" whether the UK troops had been killed by Iranian-backed insurgents. The prime minister said the government had pursued a "dual-track strategy" of remaining open to dialogue with Iran, while "mobilising international support and pressure". "In my view it would be utterly naive to believe that our personnel would have been released unless both elements of the strategy had been present." Defence Secretary Des Browne said the navy crew, most of whom are in their 20s, had "acted with immense courage and dignity". De-briefing The navy personnel arrived at Tehran Airport early on Thursday in a fleet of official cars after 13 days in Iranian custody. They had travelled first class on a British Airways flight. CAPTURED NAVY PERSONNEL Chris Air, 25, from Altrincham in Cheshire Mark Banks, 24, of Lowestoft, Suffolk Paul Barton, of Southport, Merseyside Arthur Batchelor, 20, of Plymouth Felix Carman, 26, of Swansea Gavin Cavendish Christopher Coe, 31, of Huddersfield Dean Harris, 24, of Carmarthen, west Wales Andrew Henderson Simon Massey Danny Masterton, 26, of Muirkirk, Ayrshire Adam Sperry, 22, of Wigston, near Leicester Nathan Summers, of Hayle, Cornwall Joe Tindell, 21, of south London Faye Turney, 26, originally from Shropshire Profiles of navy personnel Two versions of events At Heathrow Airport, the group briefly lined up in front of media before boarding helicopters. They were then flown to Royal Marines Barracks Chivenor, in Devon, where they are being reunited with their families. In emotional scenes, the sailors and marines dressed in military uniform, embraced relatives, friends and colleagues. A de-briefing will take place later and they will undergo health checks. BBC correspondents say military chiefs will be keen to assess the physical and psychological impact captivity has had on the crew. Royal Marine Adam Sperry's family watched his return to the UK on television at home in Leicester. His aunt, Theresa Fowler, told BBC News: "We are just longing to see him and put our arms around him and give him a kiss." And Margaret Sperry, his grandmother, said it had been an emotional and difficult time for the family. "I don't think I would have ever gone out of the door again if anything had happened to him," she said. Iranian television has broadcast pictures and statements from several members of the crew, including the only woman in the group, Leading Seaman Faye Turney. Before they left Tehran, she was shown saying: "Apologies for our actions, but many thanks for having it in your hearts to let us go free." HAVE YOUR SAY The UK government and its forces have been made to look like total fools Bob, Dundee Send us your comments Commentators are divided over whether the release represents a diplomatic triumph for the UK, or a public relations coup for the Iranian president. A senior government source said Iran realised it had made a "clumsy mistake" and had "not done itself any favours". The source added the UK thought the matter might be resolved peacefully but had had no idea President Ahmadinejad would announce their release on Wednesday. The 15 service personnel had disembarked from HMS Cornwall in the Gulf when they were detained by Iran's Revolutionary Guard on 23 March. The Iranians accused the crew of straying into its waters, although the British have insisted throughout that they were in Iraqi territory. ||||| LONDON -- Fifteen British sailors and marines freed from captivity in Tehran began two weeks' leave with their families Saturday, while Iran's ambassador to London urged Britain to help his nation mend relations with the international community. Ambassador Rasoul Movahedian told the Financial Times newspaper in an article published Saturday that Iran had "showed our goodwill" by freeing the Britons. "Now it is up to the British government to proceed in a positive way," he was quoted as saying. "We will welcome in general any steps that could defuse tensions in the region." The British mariners, captured in the Persian Gulf on March 23, were freed Wednesday by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who called their release a gift to Britain. Movahedian told the Financial Times that the release of the British crew was not connected to the fate of five Iranians held by U.S. forces in Iraq. U.S. officials said last week that Iran would be granted access to the detainees, but denied the decision was linked to the fate of British crew. Britain also has denied a link. But Movahedian indicated help from the British on the matter would be appreciated. "If they want to be helpful and use their influence we will welcome that. ... We will welcome in general any steps that could defuse tensions in the region," he said. Movahedian called on Britain to use the resolution of the crisis as a chance to "establish sensible lines of communication with Iran." He said the key issue for Iran was recognition from the West of its right to a nuclear power program. "That's the prime issue for Iran and I think that could help set a new basis for our future relations with Western countries," he said. The United States and allies, including Britain, fear Iran is pursuing a nuclear weapons program under cover of its civilian nuclear program. Iran denies this, insisting it seeks to use the program only for nuclear energy. Britain's Foreign Office had no immediate comment on the Iranian ambassador's remarks. A spokesman said officials "will need time to assess the implication for diplomatic relations with Iran" of the crew's accounts of their treatment in detention. The newspaper said Movahedian spoke before several crew members described Friday how they had been blindfolded, bound, kept in solitary confinement and subjected to psychological pressure during their captivity. The Vatican said Pope Benedict XVI had written to Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, to intercede for the release of the crew. Vatican officials declined to give details of the letter, although The Guardian newspaper reported that the letter had asked Iran to free the crew in time for Sunday's Easter holiday as a religious gesture of goodwill. The sailors' said during their Friday press conference that they were coerced into saying they had been in Iranian waters when they were detained. In a newspaper interview, marine Danny Masterton said he had feared he would be killed in Iranian custody and his body dragged through the streets of Tehran. The sailor, of Muirkirk, Scotland, said the mariners were frequently interrogated and kept in dirty prison cells. On one occasion, guards cocked weapons and lined the crew against a wall. "It was the most terrifying moment of my life. I thought my time had come and just waited for the bang," Masterton said in an interview with Scotland's Sunday Mail newspaper, editions of which were available late Saturday. "All I could think about was my family, and all I could hope was that they would send my dead body home and not drag it through the streets or bury it in a hole in the ground somewhere." Iran dismissed the sailors' news conference as propaganda -- just as Britain condemned the crew members' frequent appearances on Iranian TV during their captivity. The British crew was detained while patrolling for smugglers near the mouth of the Shatt al-Arab, a waterway that has long been a disputed dividing line between Iraq and Iran. Despite the resolution of the crisis, tensions in the Persian Gulf remain high. The U.S. has two aircraft carrier groups off Iran's coast, its largest show of force in the region since the 2003 invasion of Iraq. The Guardian reported Saturday that the U.S. military offered to mount "aggressive patrols" over Iranian Revolutionary Guard bases after the sailors and marines were captured. The newspaper, which did not name its sources, said Britain had declined the offer and asked the U.S. to tone down its military activity in the Gulf. The Guardian said U.S. forces "modified their exercises to make them less confrontational." The British Foreign Office declined to comment on the report. ||||| For its part, Iran had the chance to look magnanimous and found a graceful way to avoid an escalation. “I think Iran was becoming increasingly aware that what they had done was a mistake and that the longer they held these people, the more the whole thing began to resemble the ugly hostage crisis of 1979,” Wayne White, former deputy director of the State Department’s Middle East intelligence office, said in a telephone interview. “In addition, in the context of the ongoing nuclear impasse,” Mr. White said, “the last thing Iran needed was to become involved in yet another affair that furthered the impression — particularly in the West but also in some regional capitals — that Iran was dangerous and could be dangerously irresponsible in its behavior.” Almost from the start, Iran seemed unsure of how to handle the captives. It showed them on television along with poignant handwritten letters from the only woman in the group, Leading Seaman Faye Turney, saying she wanted to go home and confessing, possibly under duress, that the Britons had been trespassing. One Iranian official said Seaman Turney would be released; another said she would not. For the first few days, it appeared that there was little movement on either side. But in addition to seeking the support of the United Nations Security Council and the European Union, Britain also reached out to Turkey and to many of Iran’s neighbors, the government official said, and things began to improve last weekend with an exchange of notes between the sides. Still, the British government was apparently taken by surprise Wednesday by Mr. Ahmadinejad’s announcement, which came in the midst of a long, elaborate and rambling news conference. There was a disapproving lecture about American and British foreign policy, a discussion of the Security Council (equally disapproving) and a burst of lavish praise — and a medal — for the members of the Revolutionary Guards who seized the Britons in the first place. Then, almost as an afterthought, came the announcement. ||||| Mahmoud Ahmadinejad met the crew including Faye Turney He repeated Iran's view that the British sailors and marines "invaded" Iranian waters, but said they were being released as a "gift" to Britain. They are expected to be handed to the British embassy in Tehran on Thursday morning before flying home. British Prime Minister Tony Blair said the news would come as "a profound relief" to the crew and their families. Iranian media said the British crew members "shouted for joy" on hearing the news. The British embassy in Tehran said it had now seen the sailors for the first time, and it was arranging the details of their travel home. But it was not clear where they were spending the night. Earlier, television pictures showed the Iranian president smiling, chatting and shaking hands with the crew at the presidential palace in Tehran. HAVE YOUR SAY Of course diplomacy worked, it was a diplomatic incident Colin Campbell, Stockholm, Sweden Send us your comments Families' joy and relief The Britons were wearing suits, rather than the military uniform and tracksuits they wore in previous pictures. The one female crew member, Faye Turney, wore a blue headscarf and jacket. An unidentified crew member said: "I'd like to say that myself and my whole team are very grateful for your forgiveness. I'd like to thank yourself and the Iranian people... Thank you very much, sir." Mr Ahmadinejad responded in Farsi: "You are welcome." 'Theatrical gesture' Mr Ahmadinejad announced the decision to release the Britons at a news conference In Tehran. The British government was not even brave enough to tell their people the truth Mahmoud Ahmadinejad Ahmadinejad excerpts Ending it with a flourish US welcomes release He repeated allegations that the Britons were captured in Iranian waters, and awarded medals to the Iranian commanders responsible for detaining them. It was all part of the build up to his extraordinary theatrical gesture, says the BBC's diplomatic correspondent James Robbins. "We have every right to put these people on trial," Mr Ahmadinejad asserted. UK VERSION OF EVENTS 1 Crew boards merchant ship 1.7NM inside Iraqi waters 2 HMS Cornwall was south-east of this, and inside Iraqi waters 3 Iran tells UK that merchant ship was at a different point, still within Iraqi waters 4 After UK points this out, Iran provides alternative position, now within Iranian waters Both versions in more detail Dividing lines of Shatt al-Arab Q&A;: Iran's handling He said they were being pardoned to mark both the Prophet Muhammad's birthday on 30 March, and the upcoming Easter holiday. "I'm asking Mr Blair to not put these 15 personnel on trial because they admitted they came to Iranian territorial water," he added, referring to taped "confessions" made by the British sailors and marines. Britain says the 15 were in Iraqi waters under a UN mandate when they were captured nearly two weeks ago. It says the confessions were extracted under duress. "Unfortunately the British government was not even brave enough to tell their people the truth, that it made a mistake," Mr Ahmadinejad said. The Iranian leader said no concessions had been made by the British government to secure the releases, but that Britain had pledged "that the incident would not be repeated". 'We respect Iran' Prime Minister Tony Blair said Britain's approach to the crisis had been "firm but calm - not negotiating but not confronting either". He did not thank or address the Iranian president, but said to the Iranian people: "We bear you no ill will. On the contrary, we respect Iran as an ancient civilisation, as a nation with a proud and dignified history. "The disagreements we have with your government we wish to resolve peacefully through dialogue. I hope - as I've always hoped - that in the future we are able to do so." IRANIAN VERSION OF EVENTS 1 Royal Navy crew stray 0.5km inside Iranian waters 2 Iran gives set of co-ordinates to back up their claims 3 According to seized GPS equipment, the Royal Navy crew had previously entered Iranian waters at several other points 4 Iran informs Britain of the position where the crew were seized, inside Iranian waters She says speculation is likely to continue over whether it had anything to do with developments in Iraq, where an Iranian envoy has reportedly been given access to five Iranians captured by US forces, and where a kidnapped diplomat was released on Tuesday. Earlier on Wednesday Syria revealed that it had been mediating between Iran and the UK over the sailors and marines. The family of one of the captives, Royal Marine Adam Sperry, hailed the announcement as "the best present imaginable". "Whoever has been in the right or wrong, the whole thing has been a political mess, so let's just get them home," said his uncle, Ray Cooper. | The fifteen British navy personnel detained by Iran landed at just gone 12:00 noon BST at Heathrow International Airport, following their release after thirteen days of captivity. The sailors and marines were captured by Iranian border guards on March 23 in the Persian Gulf near the Shatt al Arab waterway. Iran says they were in Iranian territorial waters while the UK insists they were operating in Iraqi waters under the terms of a UN mandate. Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Wednesday announced that he would free the fifteen British captured navy personnel as a "gift to the British people." The crew are back on British soil, after landing in an area usually reserved for VIPs such as the Queen, and have arrived at a military base for de-briefing and thorough mental and physical health checks, and to meet their waiting families. They left Iran at approximately 8:00 a.m local time from Mehrabad International Airport located in Tehran, Iran and were flown to Royal Marines Base Chivenor by Westland Sea King helicopters just minutes after leaving the British Airways BA6634 flight that had taken them back to the United Kingdom. At exactly 12 noon BST, British Prime Minister Tony Blair made a statement outside 10 Downing Street, saying that he was "glad" that the crew had returned safely, and firmly stating that "no deal" had been made with the Iranians to secure the release. He also repeated his government's view that there were "elements of the Iranian regime" that were "financing, arming and supporting terrorism in Iraq". Iranian state television had ran live video showing Mr Ahmadinejad smiling, chatting and shaking the hands of some of the detainees. "We are grateful for your forgiveness," one servicemen said to Mr. Ahmadinejad. After Ahmadinejad's announcement on Wednesday that he was releasing the troops, British Prime Minister Tony Blair had told reporters that "We bear you Iran no ill will. On the contrary, we respect Iran as an ancient civilization, as a nation with a proud and dignified history. The disagreements we have with your government we wish to resolve peacefully through dialogue. I hope - as I've always hoped - that in the future we are able to do so." Ray Cooper, uncle to Royal Marine Adam Sperry one of the fifteen captured, said that this is "the best present imaginable. Whoever has been in the right or wrong, the whole thing has been a political mess, so let's just get them home", whilst his grandmother, Margaret Sperry, said that "I don't think I would have ever gone out of the door again if anything had happened to him." |
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