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Beijing says tech glitch led to sub intrusion By REIJI YOSHIDA Staff writer China extended an apology Tuesday to Tokyo after admitting that one of its submarines intruded into Japan's territorial waters off Okinawa last week, an incident it laid to "technical errors," Japanese officials said. Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Wu Dawei met Tuesday morning with Japanese Ambassador Koreshige Anami in Beijing and apologized for the sub intrusion, Chief Cabinet Secretary Hiroyuki Hosoda told reporters in Tokyo. According to Hosoda, the vice minister did not give details of the "technical errors," which the minister said took place during "the process of normal training." The vice minister called the incident "regrettable," a remark Tokyo interprets as an apology, Hosoda said. The Defense Agency will study if "technical errors" could lead a nuclear-powered submarine into the narrow channel between islands, Hosoda added. The sub, while running submerged, strayed Nov. 10 into Japanese waters near Ishigaki Island, roughly 400 km southwest of Okinawa Island. Japan initially refrained from directly blaming China. But on Friday, it started publicly criticizing Beijing and demanded an apology for the intrusion after confirming the sub was heading for Chinese territorial waters in the East China Sea. The incident came amid bilateral relations that have been strained over a series of issues, and the two countries were having difficulty arranging for a top-level dialogue between their leaders. Speaking to reporters earlier in the day, Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi expressed hope that a meeting can be arranged between him and Chinese President Hu Jintao later this month on the sidelines of the annual summit of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum in Chile. Koizumi told reporters that instead of using a diplomatic gripe as a reason for not holding a meeting, "We should hold it because we have a problem." The Japan Times: Nov. 17, 2004 (C) All rights reserved About us / Contact us / Advertising / Subscribe News / Business / Opinion / Arts & Culture / Life in Japan Sports / Festivals / Cartoons Advertise in japantimes.co.jp. This site is optimized for viewing with Netscape or Internet Explorer, version 4.0 or above. The Japan Times Ltd. All rights reserved. \|\|\|\|\| Constitutional changes eyed to let female on throne, legalize military A Liberal Democratic Party panel has compiled an outline for revising the Constitution that would allow for a "military force for self-defense," the Emperor as head of state and a female on the Imperial throne, LDP sources said Wednesday. The LDP will finalize the plan next November, when the party marks the 50th anniversary of its founding, the sources said. While the LDP would leave the war-renouncing stipulations in the current Constitution unchanged, the panel proposes allowing Japan to have a "minimum military capability" to exercise the right to individual and collective defense, they said. The panel said the military force would be able to make international contributions when it is difficult to solve problems through peaceful measures. According to the outline, Japanese nationals would be obliged to protect the independence and security of the nation but would not be subject to a military draft, the sources said. The prime minister would be authorized to declare an emergency to defend the country, maintain security and deal with natural disasters. In these cases, the military would be dispatched and people's basic human rights would be restricted. Under the government's current interpretation of the Constitution, Japan is forbidden from exercising the right to collective defense and the Emperor is just a symbol of the state. Besides proposing that the Emperor be head of state, the panel allows for a female member of the Imperial family to ascend the throne. On the Emperor's status, the Constitution stipulates, "The Emperor shall be the symbol of the state and of the unity of the people, deriving his position from the will of the people, with whom resides sovereign power." Other proposals include a stipulation that House of Councilors members not be allowed to be Cabinet members, and that some "new human rights" be created, including the right to privacy and the right to know, according to the sources. The panel also proposes establishing a constitutional court. The Japan Times: Nov. 18, 2004 (C) All rights reserved About us / Contact us / Advertising / Subscribe News / Business / Opinion / Arts & Culture / Life in Japan Sports / Festivals / Cartoons Advertise in japantimes.co.jp. This site is optimized for viewing with Netscape or Internet Explorer, version 4.0 or above. The Japan Times Ltd. All rights reserved. \|\|\|\|\| Growing brands in 2021 is all about getting in front of more… Are you getting the most for your money in the digital world?… \|\|\|\|\| Chinese submarine intrusion considered an act of provocation By NAO SHIMOYACHI Staff writer The Defense Agency said Friday the intrusion of a Chinese submarine into Japan's territorial waters was a highly provocative act by the Chinese Navy. Agency officials speculated that the Chinese military was trying to use the brief trespass Wednesday to show off its sea power. They said it was probably an attempt to intimidate Japan and help Beijing's efforts to secure greater resources in the East China Sea, as well as to keep in check the U.S. forces that watch over Taiwan. Military experts have said the Chinese military, which long has been largely reliant on ground forces, has been throwing its efforts behind the modernization of its navy since the late 1990s. But agency officials are puzzled as to why the Chinese Navy, which has been expanding its activities on the high seas in recent years, chose to act in a way that was certain to invoke strong anger from Tokyo. The sub did not appear to be hiding; it was navigating in shallow waters of 300 meters and was apparently an old Han-class nuclear-powered sub, known to be noisier than newer models. They said the Maritime Self-Defense Force found it relatively easy to track. "It is obvious from the sub's movements that it was challenging the MSDF's capabilities. But we can't be sure of China's real intentions unless we ask," one agency official said. The MSDF this year has spotted an increasing number of Chinese scientific research ships and military vessels operating inside Japan's economic exclusive zone in the East China Sea. From January through Wednesday, patrols sighted 10 navy vessels and 16 research ships. In 2003, it said it found seven research vessels and one submarine. Beijing and Tokyo agreed in 2001 to give each other advance notice when their research ships plan to navigate within their respective EEZs. But China has continued to send its vessels without any notice, insisting that the economic zone boundaries that Japan has set are invalid. Defense Agency officials said they consider Wednesday's intrusion a sign that the Chinese military has gone one step further because the sub -- the first sighted in the area this year -- moved into Japan's territorial waters. The Japan Times: Nov. 13, 2004 (C) All rights reserved About us / Contact us / Advertising / Subscribe News / Business / Opinion / Arts & Culture / Life in Japan Sports / Festivals / Cartoons Advertise in japantimes.co.jp. This site is optimized for viewing with Netscape or Internet Explorer, version 4.0 or above. The Japan Times Ltd. All rights reserved. \|\|\|\|\| Japan continues tracking mystery sub Staff report Japan on Thursday continued tracking an unidentified submarine that entered its territorial waters off Okinawa the previous day. Vice Defense Minister Takemasa Moriya said of the submarine, "It is navigating at an extremely slow speed and is not necessarily moving in one direction." He said it is highly possible the sub is nuclear-powered because it has spent a long time submerged. Only the United States, Russia and China have nuclear-powered subs in waters around Japan, he said. A senior Foreign Ministry official said Japan must consider the political implications of the vessel's nationality. "The Japan-China relationship is at a sensitive stage," he said, even though the sub has not yet been formally identified. Media reports have quoted government sources as saying the sub is Chinese. The Defense Agency said the submarine was in international waters west of Okinawa as of Thursday afternoon. Moriya said the agency would continue tracking the sub until its destination becomes clear. A senior agency official said the sub's slow speed and erratic course could mean it's testing the patrol and tracking capabilities of the Maritime Self-Defense Force. China aware, mum BEIJING (Kyodo) China said Thursday it is closely following the intrusion of an unidentified submarine into Japanese waters off Okinawa, but did not comment on whether it was Chinese, as suspected. "China is now paying close attention to this issue," Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Zhang Qiyue said at a regular press briefing. Asked if there were any Chinese submarines in the area, she said, "I have no information." The Japan Times: Nov. 12, 2004 (C) All rights reserved About us / Contact us / Advertising / Subscribe News / Business / Opinion / Arts & Culture / Life in Japan Sports / Festivals / Cartoons Advertise in japantimes.co.jp. This site is optimized for viewing with Netscape or Internet Explorer, version 4.0 or above. The Japan Times Ltd. All rights reserved. \|\|\|\|\| Type 091 Han Class - ChangZheng / Long March As early as 1956, even before China had produced its first diesel boat, nuclear propulsion for submarines was adopted as a national priority by Mao himself. The daunting challenge that this entailed only became fully clear after Moscow refused Beijing's explicit request to share nuclear propulsion technology, on the grounds that it would be premature for the PLAN. Foreshadowing the imminent souring of Sino-Soviet relations, Mao reacted indignantly: "We will have to build nuclear submarines even if it takes us 10,000 years." In July 1958, the Politburo approved an ambitious plan to develop nuclear propulsion and an SLBM simultaneously. The first ship of the Type 091 attack nuclear submarine was activated at the Bohai Shipyard in 1968. It was independently designed and built by the mainland without foreign aid. All parts were made in China. During the development of the Type 091 attack nuclear submarine, it was the extraordinary period in which China experienced three years of natural disasters and ten years of cultural revolution. Although the first-generation nuclear submarines were at the highest level of underwater speed, maximum depth and other hard targets, they were basically at the same level as the nuclear submarines of the Soviet Union. However, compared with the world's advanced nuclear submarines, there is still a considerable gap in the thermal performance and reliability of nuclear power plants. In 1970, the integrated sound sonar, lightning detectors, sound trajectory, reconnaissance sonar and other underwater sound detection equipment equipped in nuclear submarines were limited by the development level and manufacturing capacity of China's defense industry at that time, and its performance was naturally less than the world's advanced nuclear submarines. The water sound detection equipment had a big gap. In terms of the military system, the development process is even more difficult due to the turmoil in the Chinese Cultural Revolution. The fish-3 torpedo (sound-guided deep-water anti-submarine torpedo) was developed in 1972 and was not finalized until October 1983. In 1984, a supplementary type test was also carried out. The fish-4 torpedo (sound-guided anti-ship torpedo) was not developed until December 1982 and was loaded for trial use. Before and after being delayed for more than ten years of research and development, the development of weapons systems that China was not optimistic was even worse, and the problem of generation difference caused Chinaï¿½s first-generation self-guided torpedoes to attack nuclear submarines. Some of the first-generation nuclear submarines were also heavily delayed due to the interference of the Cultural Revolution. The deep-dive, underwater maximum speed and large-depth launching torpedo test that should have been carried out after the first boat service was completed until April-May 1988, and the time for Chinaï¿½s first-generation attack nuclear submarine to form combat power was also delayed. After more than ten years. The decade-long turmoil of the Cultural Revolution seriously interfered with the research and development process of China's nuclear submarines. The development delay caused by the development process and the backward performance of equipment performance made the development of China's nuclear submarines difficult in a period of time. The precious decade of ruin is also the main factor that directly caused Chinaï¿½s second-generation new nuclear submarine to fail to catch up with the worldï¿½s advanced nuclear submarines. The completion of the 091-type attack nuclear submarine means that China has the strength to develop underwater nuclear submarines, and the Chinese navy has entered a new stage of possessing nuclear submarines. China has also become the fifth country in the world to have nuclear submarines. The Type 091 attack nuclear submarine solved the problem of China's nuclear submarines, improved China's defense industry research and development capabilities, improved the submarine manufacturing and repair system, and enabled Chinese submarines to navigate, shoot, air, torpedo, communications, underwater acoustics, radar and other systems. It has developed to a new level, which laid a solid material and technical foundation for China's transformation and development of conventional submarines, independent design of ballistic missile submarines and the continued renewal of attack submarines. The 091 submarine is often cited as an example of Chinese engineering incompetence, since the submarine is viewed as one of the worst in the world. But when considered in the context of when it was built and the state of the Chinese economy and political system at that time, it is actually impressive that the submarine was ever finished. No one denies that the Chinese economy and industrial base made extraordinary strides since that time and that the level of technical expertise in China has risen dramatically. Type 091 Han-class Nomenclature Because it is in the experimental stage, this nuclear submarine is also a scientific research product of the National Defense Science and Technology Commission. It had not been awarded a ship number and was temporarily named as the "No. 1701" nuclear submarine. It has the meaning of "09 Project". Generally, in order to distinguish between nuclear submarines and traditional submarines, the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy is a digital difference. The "9" prefix represents nuclear power. The "3" prefix represents a traditional diesel-powered submarine. At 10 o'clock on the morning of August 1, 1974, the naming ceremony of China's first nuclear submarine delivery boat was held on the bank of Bohai Bay. The commander of the Navy, Xiao Jinguang, read the order of the Central Military Commission: It was now decided to name the boat "Long March No. 1". Listed in the naval battle sequence and awarded to the flag side. The "Han" nomenclature is part of the US Department of Defense Defense Intelligence Agency nomenclature system. The Han ethnic group takes its name from the Han dynasty (206 B.C.-A.D. 220). Although the imperial government never directly controlled the villages, it did have a strong influence on popular values and culture. The average peasant could not read and was not familiar with the details of state administration or national geography, but he was aware of belonging to a group of subcontinental scope. Being Han, even for illiterate peasants, has meant conscious identification with a glorious history and a state of immense proportions. Peasant folklore and folk religion assumed that the imperial state, with an emperor and an administrative bureaucracy, was the normal order of society. The differences among regional and linguistic subgroups of Han Chinese are at least as great as those among many European nationalities. Han Chinese speak seven or eight mutually unintelligible dialects, each of which has many local subdialects. Cultural differences (cuisine, costume, and custom) are equally great. Han ethnic unity is the result of two ancient and culturally central Chinese institutions, one of which is the written language. Chinese is written with ideographs (sometimes called characters) that represent meanings rather than sounds, and so written Chinese does not reflect the speech of its author. The disjunction between written and spoken Chinese means that a newspaper published in Beijing can be read in Shanghai or Guangzhou, although the residents of the three cities would not understand each other's speech. The other major force contributing to Han ethnic unity has been the centralized imperial state. Much of what came to constitute China Proper was unified for the first time in 221 BC. In that year the western frontier state of Qin, the most aggressive of the Contending States, subjugated the last of its rival states. (Qin in Wade-Giles romanization is Ch'in, from which the English China derived.) Once the king of Qin consolidated his power, he took the title Shi Huangdi (First Emperor). Revolts broke out as soon as the first Qin emperor died in 210 BC. After a short civil war, a new dynasty, called Han (206 B.C.- A.D. 220), emerged with its capital at Chang'an. After 200 years, Han rule was interrupted briefly (in A.D. 9-24 by Wang Mang, a reformer), and then restored for another 200 years. The Han rulers, however, were unable to adjust to what centralization had wrought: a growing population, increasing wealth and resultant financial difficulties and rivalries, and ever-more complex political institutions. Riddled with the corruption characteristic of the dynastic cycle, by A.D. 220 the Han empire collapsed.	Tenuous relations between Japan and the People's Republic of China were strained last week when a Chinese nuclear-powered submarine entered Japanese territorial waters southwest of Okinawa. The intrusion occurred on 10 November, Japanese time (UTC+9). The submarine was quickly spotted by Japan's Self-Defence Forces and was tracked by helicopter as it wandered in Japanese waters for two hours before moving north-west. International law requires a tracked submarine to surface and identify its nationality in times of peace; the submarine did not do so. Many Japanese officials in the Defence Agency considered the intrusion an act of provocation and "showing off," as the submarine in question was a particularly noisy model. It continued traveling very slowly after being spotted, and remained in shallow waters. The intrustion caused Japanese Self-Defense Forces to go on alert for the second time since the Second World War. The submarine in question is believed to be a Type 09-1 Han Class attack submarine. It is a nuclear-powered submarine designed in the 1950s and first built in the 1974. This class of submarine is thought to suffer numerous defects, including radiation leakage, noise, and an inability to fire missiles while submerged. Only two of five submarines are thought to be operational. China has recently begun an active modernization of its navy. On 17 November, Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Wu Daiwei met with the Japanese ambassador to China Anami Koreshige in Beijing and offered an apology for the incident, stating that the submarine was on a training mission and the intrusion was due to a "technical error" and was "regrettable." Japan's Defence Agency is studying whether "technical errors" is a feasible explanation for the incident. Japanese Prime Minister Koizumi Junichiro has publicly stated he wishes to speak with Chinese President Hu Jintao about this and other matters of Sino-Japanese contention at the upcoming annual Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Chile later this month. Despite the increasingly close economic ties between the two nations, distrust has long exisited between Japan and China. Many Chinese people still resent the Japanese invasion and occupation of China during World War II and Japan's refusal to formally apologise. Japan, on the other hand, sees China as a potential competitor and an increasing threat to its national security. Japan's Constitution forbids the nation from exercising military strength in matters other than that of self-defence, but Japan's ruling party, the Liberal Democratic Party or LDP, has recently proposed constitutional amendments to give the military more offensive capabilities, among other things.
'God' Gets an Attorney in Lawsuit LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — The mystery of one response to a lawsuit against God has been solved. Eric Perkins, an attorney in Corpus Christi, Texas, said Friday he filed a response to the lawsuit from Nebraska State Sen. Ernie Chambers. "It's kind of a turn on 'What would Jesus do?'" Perkins said. "I thought to myself, "what would God say?" "Defendant denies that this or any court has jurisdiction ... over Him any more than the court has jurisdiction over the wind or rain, sunlight or darkness," according to Perkins' response. As for Chambers' contention that God made terroristic threats, inspired fear and caused "widespread death, destruction and terrorization," Perkins wrote that God "contends that any harm or injury suffered is a direct and proximate result of mankind ignoring obvious warnings." Perkins, who said he is a Christian, faxed one of at least two responses to Chambers' lawsuit. He said while he hopes the lawsuit was just a stunt by Chambers, "maybe his timing has something to do with world affairs. I'd hate to be that person who sat back and did nothing." The problem of serving God a summons could land the lawsuit in the earthly scrap heap of failed legal actions. But whether the issue goes before a judge may largely depend on how hard Chambers pushes the issue. The senator isn't asking that notice be served to God, but says in his lawsuit that if he doesn't get a summary judgment in the case, he wants a hearing — "if the court deems such a hearing not to be a futile act." Chambers, a self-proclaimed agnostic, said he's trying to makes the point that anybody can sue anybody. He said his filing was triggered by a federal lawsuit he considers frivolous. It's still not clear where a second response from "God" came from. There was no contact information on the filing, which turned up on the counter at the Douglas County Court office, although St. Michael the Archangel is listed as a witness. Attempts to reach Chambers by phone Friday were unsuccessful. \|\|\|\|\| Nebraska Democratic State Senator Ernie Chambers has decided to go straight to the top in an effort to stop natural disasters from befalling the world. Chambers filed a lawsuit against God in Douglas County Court Friday afternoon, KPTM Fox 42 reported. Click here for more from KPTM Fox 42 in Omaha. The suit asks for a "permanent injunction ordering Defendant to cease certain harmful activities and the making of terroristic threats." The lawsuit identifies the plaintiff as, "the duly elected and serving State Senator from the 11th Legislative District in Omaha, Nebraska." Chambers also cites that the, "defendant directly and proximately has caused, inter alia, fearsome floods, egregious earthquakes, horrendous hurricanes, terrifying tornados, pestilential plagues..." Chambers says he isn't suing God because he has any kind of beef with the deity. He says the suit is to fight possible laws restricting the filing of frivolous lawsuits. Chambers tells KPTM FOX 42 News that his lawsuit is in response to bills brought forth by other state senators to try and stop lawsuits from being filed. "The Constitution requires that the courthouse doors be open, so you cannot prohibit the filing of suits," Chambers says. "Anyone can sue anyone they choose, even God." Chambers bases his ability to sue God, as, "that defendant, being omnipresent, is personally present in Douglas County." \|\|\|\|\| Nebraska State Senator Ernie Chambers (D - Omaha) filed suit against God Friday, asking a court to order the Almighty and his followers to stop making terrorist threats. The suit (.pdf), filed in a Nebraska district court, contends that God, along with his followers of all persuasions, "has made and continues to make terroristic threats of grave harm to innumerable persons." Those threats are credible given God's history, Chambers' complaint says. Chambers, in a fit of alliteration, also accuses God of causing "fearsome floods, egregious earthquakes, horrendous hurricanes, terrifying tornadoes, pestilential plagues, ferocious famines, devastating droughts, genocidal wars, birth defects, and the like." Likewise the suit accuses God of having his chroniclers "disseminate in written form, said admissions, throughout the Earth in order to inspire fear, dread, anxiety, terror and uncertainty, in order to coerce obedience to Defendant's will." Chambers, who has represented Omaha, Nebraska since 1970, asked the Douglas County district court for summary judgment or to set a quick hearing date "if the Court deems such a hearing not to be a futile act." The senator also wants the court to issue a permanent injunction prohibiting God from issuing plagues and terrorist threats. It's unclear how this could work since God is usually understood to be all powerful. Chambers does admit that God is omnipresent and omniscient, however. Since God is everywhere, the Nebraska court has jurisdiction, Chambers argues, and since God is all-knowing, Chambers need not serve him with a notice of the lawsuit. The lawsuit indicates that Chambers attempted to make God appear in order to serve him by saying "Come out, come out, wherever you are," but the Almight declined, like many defendants, to make it easy for a plaintiff to serve him with court papers. Chambers filed the suit to make a point that the state constitution allows lawsuits to be filed for any reason, according to WOWT. Attempts to reach Chambers for comment were unsuccessful. God did not immediately respond to a non-denominational prayer for comment by this reporter. The suit is Chambers v. God . CC Photo: Soham Banerjee	Michelangelo, face detail of God. Nebraska state Senator Ernie Chambers, who represents legislative District 11 in North Omaha, filed an unusual lawsuit on Friday. According to court documents obtained by Wikinews, Chambers has decided to sue God, looking for a judge to issue a "permanent injunction" against the highest power. Senator Chambers. Chambers says in his suit that God has spread fear across the globe causing "widespread death, destruction and terrorization of millions upon millions of the Earth's inhabitants. God also caused fearsome floods, horrendous hurricanes, earthquakes, plagues, famine, genocidal wars, birth defects, terrifying tornadoes and the like" and he wants the courts to order God "to cease certain harmful activities and the making of terroristic threats." The suit is in an apparent retaliation for a recent ruling where the words 'rape' and 'victim' were banned from a recent criminal case involving a sexual assault incident. The woman who was assaulted, Tory Bowen, filed a lawsuit against Jeffrey Cheuvront, a district judge in the city of Lancaster when he banned the use of those words in her criminal case. Chambers says that her lawsuit is "frivolous" and he filed his suit to show people that "anybody can sue anybody." "This lawsuit having been filed and being of such questionable merit creates a circumstance where my lawsuit is appropriately filed. People might call it frivolous but if they read it they'll see there are very serious issues I have raised." stated Chambers. "The Constitution requires that the courthouse doors be open, so you cannot prohibit the filing of suit. Anyone can sue anyone they choose, even God," he added. Richard Kopf, a U.S. District Judge has ordered that Bowen must show evidence to support her lawsuit, saying that her case does not have "any legal basis whatsoever" until she does so. It is not known when or if any additional hearings have been scheduled. Mr Chambers complaint consists of in part, "despite reasonable efforts to effectuate personal service on Defendant God has been unable to do so." Attempts by a ''Wired News'' reporter to contact God for comment were not successful.
Prosecutors: French Mother Confesses to Killing Her 8 Newborns Photo: AP French prosecutors have charged a woman in her 40s with murder, saying she confessed to killing her eight newborn babies and burying their remains. Prosecutors say Dominique Cottrez did not want any more children and did not want to visit a doctor for contraception. Her husband was apparently unaware his wife had given birth eight times and killed the children. French officials describe Cottrez as a heavy-set woman and say it was easy for her to conceal her pregnancies. Cottrez and her husband live in the northern village of Villers-au-Tertre. The new owners of Cottrez's parents' house found two of the corpses buried in the ground in plastic bags. This led police to Cottrez's current house, where they found six more bodies hidden in the garage. Village residents say they are in shock over what one calls a revolting and monstrous crime. Comments (1) this incident is truly tragic, but it strikes a bit of irony that because she did not have the doctor 'abort' her baby but did it herself it is called murder and not an abortion ... hmmmm - so clinical murder of a child is called abortion and is legal - we are godless Post Your Comment * Required \|\|\|\|\| A picture taken from the Facebook page allegedly shows Dominique Cottrez, who was charged with the "deliberate homicides of minors under the age of 15". The French nursing assistant has admitted suffocating eight of her newborn babies and stashing their tiny bodies in plastic bags in a quiet village. (Xinhua/AFP Photo) Dominique Cortez, the mother murderer, admitted that she stifled voluntarily eight of her infants and hid their corpses in her ex-house in the northern village of Villers-au-Tertre, local prosecutors said. The mother confessed that she did not want to have babies anymore and refused to see a doctor to get contraception, the prosecutors told local reporters, calling it "a non-standard case given the large number of newborns." The eight newborns were found dead on Wednesday when new owners of the house discovered a bag containing human remains. The 45-year-old mother of two girls, arrested on charges of deliberating offense against children under 15, is facing a sentence of life imprisonment. Her husband, accused of not reporting the killings and hiding the bodies, was considered a witness and released. \|\|\|\|\| A 45-year-old woman has admitted suffocating eight babies immediately after giving birth to them, authorities said, in the latest, and worst, case of infanticide to rock France in recent yearsDominique Cottrez, a resident of the quiet northern village of Villers-au-Tertre, said she hid the bodies in the garden of a previous home and in her current garage from 1989 to 2006 or '07, according to authorities.Though the case is unusual in its high death toll, the details are all too familiar in a nation where in recent years infants' bodies have been found, some in freezers and some burned.Dominique Cottrez, a nursing aide, and her husband were arrested Wednesday, after the bodies were discovered. Cottrez was charged with the murder of victims younger than 15, which can bring a life sentence.Her husband, Pierre-Marie Cottrez said he knew nothing about the pregnancies and was freed.Dominique Cottrez, who has two grown daughters, "explained that she didn't want more children," prosecutor Eric Vaillant told journalists. And after a bad experience giving birth to her oldest daughter 22 years ago, Vaillant said, she didn't want to see a doctor about contraception. He said Cottrez, whose stout figure is believed to have helped her hide her pregnancies, claimed to have been "perfectly aware" that she was pregnant "The sky has fallen on his head," the prosecutor said of the woman's husband, who works as a carpenter in the village, home to about 700 people.In March, Celine Lesage, 34, was sent to prison for 15 years for strangling or suffocating six of her newborn infants.And in May, Veronique Courjault, 41, was freed from prison after serving half of an eight-year term for killing three of her newborns between 1999 and 2003, without the knowledge of her husband.Historically, "infanticide has been a way for women to handle their misery," which can be related to poverty, fear of a husband's reaction or preferences for male children in some cultures, said Dr. Felix Navarro, who heads an association in Toulouse that studies and promotes awareness about "pregnancy denial."There are no reliable statistics on the number of infanticides in France, but Navarro estimates that 10 to 20 women suffer from such pregnancy denial here every year."Denial of pregnancy" and infanticide, experts say, are age-old phenomena, and there is no evidence that such cases are becoming more common.Sometimes a woman has " a hard time giving meaning to what just came out of her. The infant is just an object," said Dr. Daniel Ajzenberg, a psychiatrist and judicial expert on the subject. Such suspended belief can lead to the killing of a child, or death through passive neglect.In Courjault's case, the so-called "frozen baby affair," she infamously told a court, "I was conscious of being pregnant, but not of being pregnant with babies."The number of infants makes the Cottrez crime "a beyond normal affair," said Vaillant, the prosecutor.Police began investigating Dominique Cottrez after the new owners of her former home found two bags containing baby skeletons buried in the garden. Cottrez then told authorities that six other corpses were hidden in her garage.Her daughters, ages 22 and 21, said they support her, speaking in an interview with the local daily, the Voix du Nord. The daughters called her a secretive but "courageous" person who "didn't complain."Investigators were still searching for other possible victims in the area, but Cottrez said there were none.	Cottrez's Facebook profile photo French prosecutors confirmed on Thursday that nursing assistant Dominique Cottrez killed her eight newborn infants and buried their remains. Prosecutors called the case "non-standard... given the large number of newborns." According to prosecutors, Cottrez, in her 40s, is heavy-set and she was able to hide her eight pregnancies. Cottrez did not want to visit a doctor for contraceptives nor did she want more children. Cottrez admitted to strangling eight infants and hiding the remains in garbage bags. The killings occurred over a time span of several years, from 1989 to 2006 or 2007. Prosecutors charged her with "deliberate homicides of minors under the age of 15," which could cause Cottrez to serve a life sentence in prison. New homeowners of the Cottrez's former house discovered bags with the remains of two infants. Investigators discovered an additional six children in the Cottrez's house in . Cottrez's husband, Pierre-Marie Cottrez, was unaware of the killings.
NEW YORK, June 22 (Xinhua) -- The world's smallest car, the Peel 50, debuted Monday at Ripley's Believe it or Not museum in Times Square, New York. Designed as a "city car" for Ripley's by the London-based Peel Engineering Company, the one-seater Peel Trident weighs about 68 kilograms, is battery-operated, and travels about 64 kilometers per hour. It costs about 25,000 U.S. dollars to produce. The Peel P50 is recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records as the smallest road legal car ever produced. The Peel Engineering Company made a couple hundred gas-powered versions in the 1960s, but they never really caught on. It even has a handle drivers can use to pull the car, which gets about 480 kilometers per charge, from place to place. \|\|\|\|\| Peel-50! The world’s smallest car comes to Ripley's! The P50 holds the record for being the smallest road-legal car ever produced, measuring just 134 cm (52.8 in) long and 99 cm (39.0 in) wide and weighing only 59 kg (130lb.) The rare one door coupe is small enough to fit inside a VW camper van and is one of just 100 ever made by Peel engineering. It has a single cylinder 49 cc engine and is equipped with a three-speed manual transmission and no reverse gear, having to be manually reversed by the driver using the chrome handle on the rear. Hilariously reviewed by Jeremy Clarkson on Top Gear in October 2007, who deemed it "the best car ever made - if it only had reverse," the P50 was originally launched at the 1962 Earls Court Motorcycle show. In 1963 the car retailed at £199.00 compared to around £250 for a good motorbike. Only 100 came off the production line and just 20 survive today, meaning each car is now worth between £35,000 to £50,000. Believe It or Not! Click here to see the footage! Back to main	Peel P50 The Peel P50, a single door, three wheel microcar went on display at New York's Ripley's Believe It or Not! Museum on Monday. The Peel Engineering Company manufactured 50 to 100 of the one-seater vehicles which weighed 130 lb (59 kg), and are 52.8 in (134 cm) in length, 47 in (120 cm) in height and 39 in (99 cm) in width. The little car can travel as fast as 38 mph (61 kph), and comes equipped with a handle on the car so the driver can pull the car to back up. Only twenty of the vehicles have survived since 1963, and the original price of £199 has soared to approximately £40,000 (US$ 65,000) today.
13.06.05 Ryanair exercise five Boeing 737-800 options valued at over $286 million Ryanair Holdings plc today (Monday, 13th June 2005) announced that it had exercised five Boeing 737-800 options for delivery in 2007 with 1 in February, 1 in March, 1 in April and 2 in May. Ryanair have exercised these 5 Boeing 737-800 options valued at over $286m in order to continue to grow its pan-European route network utilising the lowest per seat operating cost aircraft. Commenting on the exercise of the options, Michael O’Leary, Chief Executive Officer, said: “The Boeing 737-800 has the best technical reliability and insures that Ryanair is the number one on-time major airline in Europe. It has the lowest unit operating cost and the addition of these five aircraft will continue to enable Ryanair to develop more new routes across Europe and bring low fares to many more European consumers.” \|\|\|\|\| 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. \|\|\|\|\| '); //--> AFX News Limited Ryanair exercises options to buy 5 Boeing 737-800's valued at 286 mln usd LONDON (AFX) - Ryanair Holdings PLC said it has exercised five Boeing 737-800 aircraft options valued at 286 mln usd. The aircraft are to be delivered in 2007, with one in February, one in March, one in April and two in May. 'The Boeing 737-800........has the lowest unit operating cost and the addition of these five aircraft will continue to enable Ryanair to develop more new routes across Europe and bring low fares to many more European consumers,' said CEO Michael O'Leary. bam COPYRIGHT Copyright AFX News Limited 2005. All rights reserved. The copying, republication or redistribution of AFX News content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of AFX News. AFX News and the AFX Financial News logo are registered trademarks of AFX News Limited Article Controls Related Sections Home > News & Analysis Subscriptions >	right Irish low cost airline, Ryanair, announced today that it is exercising its options with Boeing to purchase five new 737 aircraft. This brings Ryanair's total number of outstanding orders with the US manufacturer to 230. The new planes, which come from the 737-800 range, will be fitted with blended winglets to boost fuel efficiency by as much as 3%. Ryanair CEO, Michael O'Leary, justified his choice of Boeing by saying, "The Boeing 737-800 has the best technical reliability and ensures that Ryanair is the number one on-time major airline in Europe"..."In addition, it has the lowest unit operating cost. The addition of these five aircraft will continue to enable us to develop more new routes across Europe and bring low fares to many more European consumers." Ryanair is the world's most profitable airline, having reported record profits of €269m earlier this year, and is pursuing an aggressive expansion plan which will see it's total number of passengers jump to 70m over the next few years. At present Ryanair has 91 aircraft and 230 on order.
McLarens Lewis Hamilton scored the fourth victory of his 2008 season here at Hockenheim on Sunday - and he did it the hard way. For the first 34 laps he ran away and hid from his pursuers, led by Ferraris Felipe Massa, but then Timo Glock ran hard into the pit wall after the right-rear suspension of his Toyota appeared to fail, and all hell broke loose. The safety car was deployed as the shards of debris were cleared, and the moment the pit lane opened there was a rush to refuel for the final stints. In came everyone, apart from Hamilton, BMW Saubers Nick Heidfeld and Renaults Nelson Piquet had just been in when Glock crashed. Suddenly, the complexion of the race had changed totally, for Hamilton was still stuck behind the safety car and the rest had a clear run at him and a pit stop in hand. But his trump card was the presence of Heidfeld in second place and Piquet third, ahead of his sternest challenger, Massa. By the 50th lap Hamilton had opened a lead of 15.7s over Massa in fourth place, but it was far from enough. He needed 23. As he finally refuelled he fell to fifth place, behind Heidfeld, Piquet, Massa and McLaren team mate Heikki Kovalainen. Kovalainen soon succumbed, on lap 52. Then Heidfeld stopped to refuel on lap 53. So now it was Piquet leading, with Hamilton thirsting after Massa. Down came the gap, from just under four seconds to virtually nothing, and on the 57th lap the Brazilian fell prey to the Englishman as they braked for the hairpin. He fought back valiantly two corners later, but Hamilton was not in any mood to be denied, and now only Piquet stood between him and victory. Lap by lap he hunted down his old GP2 adversary, until the inevitable happened, again at the hairpin. By the flag he was 5.5s clear, and four points ahead of a resigned Massa in the title stakes - 58 to 54. Piquet clung on to the place fortune had gifted him - for the first half of the race he was down in 14th place - and Massa fended off Heidfeld in the closing stages to take the final podium position. Kovalainen clung on for fifth ahead of fellow Finn Kimi Raikkonen, whose subdued sixth place earned him three points after he had overtaken BMW Saubers Robert Kubica and left him third overall on 51 points. Kubica has 48, for fourth. The final point went to Sebastian Vettel after a feisty run for Toro Rosso saw him see off the likes of Toyotas Jarno Trulli and Renaults Fernando Alonso, who were ninth and 11th after the latter spun at the hairpin late in the race. Nico Rosberg was 10th for Williams, embroiled in the fight late in the race. Sebastien Bourdais was also close to Alonso by the finish in the second Toro Rosso, and the Frenchman was followed home by Red Bulls David Coulthard, who made a poor start and later survived a brush with Rubens Barrichello which resulted in the Hondas demise. Giancarlo Fisichella was 14th for Force India, ahead of Williams Kazuki Nakajima, Force Indias Adrian Sutil and Hondas Jenson Button, who ran into mechanical trouble and finished last. Mark Webbers Red Bull lost its engine as the safety car was deployed, and Glock was taken to hospital for precautionary checks after his heavy backward impact with the pit wall, but is okay. What had looked set to be a low key race literally exploded into life due to Glocks crash and McLarens gamble in keeping Hamilton out when everyone else pitted. Luckily for McLaren, Hamilton had the ability to make sure the gamble paid off. \|\|\|\|\| By Andrew Benson Hamilton took a four-point lead after a dominant weekend Lewis Hamilton moved into a four-point championship lead after a brilliant victory in the German Grand Prix. The McLaren driver led from the start but a comfortable win was put in doubt by his team's decision not to pit him during a safety car period. Hamilton dropped to fifth when he did finally stop under racing conditions. But team-mate Heikki Kovalainen let the Englishman by, and Hamilton was able to catch and pass Ferrari's Felipe Massa and then Renault's Nelson Piquet. Team boss Ron Dennis admitted that McLaren had "got it a bit wrong". He said the team did not expect the safety car to stay out as long as it did following a heavy accident to Toyota's Timo Glock, who crashed into the pit wall following what appeared to be a rear suspension failure. McLaren thought Hamilton would have enough laps after the re-start to build a lead that was big enough to maintain his position. The safer - and more sensible - option would have been to pit Hamilton during the safety car period - as nearly all the other leading teams did with their drivers. The team opted for me to stay out but I think I needed a 23-second gap in about seven laps so I don't know how that would have worked out Lewis Hamilton As it turned out, Hamilton was only 10 seconds ahead of Massa's fourth-placed Ferrari when he pitted on lap 50, about half what he would have needed to stay ahead. But Hamilton quickly caught Massa, and passed the Ferrari on lap 57 when the Brazilian made it too easy for the McLaren driver. Massa appeared to have the inside line into the hairpin covered, but he then went back to the outside, giving Hamilton the chance to take the position. Hamilton then quickly closed the two-second gap to Piquet and passed him in the same place, and in similar fashion, on lap 60. "I would have preferred a comfortable afternoon out in front," Hamilton said. "We had got off to a good start and had two decent stints and the team opted for me to stay out but I think I needed a 23-second gap in about seven laps so I don't know how that would have worked out. "For sure we will learn from this and move on. But we still had the best and quickest car this weekend and we came out on top. Piquet took a surprise second place for Renault "With Felipe, I saw I was a lot quicker than him. "I knew I only had a small window to get past him because of my tyres but the great thing about this track is that you can follow people. "So I got quite close to him - he matched my speed down my straight - it was difficult to get past him but he gave me plenty of room. "I thought my work was done but I still had to get past Nelson. He put on a good battle but again it was very fair." Piquet found himself in the lead because he was on a one-stop strategy, and he had just made his pit stop when the safety car was deployed after Glock's crash on lap 36. He took the lead when first Hamilton and then BMW Sauber's Nick Heidfeld stopped. But the novice was in no position to hold off the charging Hamilton in a much faster car. Piquet was, however, more than capable of holding off Massa, who was unable to catch the Renault before the end of the race. 606: DEBATE A few worried moments there over the safety car jollysilverking It was Renault's first podium finish since the Japanese Grand Prix last year, and it was ironic that it should come from a man who has been overshadowed by team-mate Fernando Alonso this year. By contrast, Alonso had a race to forget - he was stuck behind slower cars for the entire afternoon, but none of his overtaking attempts came off, and several of them ended with him being outfoxed by rivals and losing a place to the car behind him. The Spaniard also spun late in the race, losing a position he had just taken from Nico Rosberg's Williams, and finished in 11th place. It was not a performance to impress the bosses at Ferrari, to whom speculation in the paddock continues to link the double world champion. But if there was any consolation it was that neither of the Ferrari drivers had good weekends. Massa blamed his inability to hold off Hamilton on his car's lack of competitiveness. "I just did not have the pace," he said. " I was on the hard tyres because the soft was so difficult to drive. Stability was difficult, too, for me, and I think I had a little bit of a problem on the brakes as well. Hamilton passed Massa and Piquet in the closing laps to secure victory "I lost a lot of performance. So I didn't have the car to fight. I tried, but it was not possible." While Massa may have erred in letting Hamilton by, he at least outstripped team-mate Kimi Raikkonen, who was uncompetitive all weekend. After qualifying sixth, the Finn never looked like being a factor in the race, and he finished in the same place. He is now seven points behind Hamilton as the world championship battle continues to see-saw from race to race. BMW benefited from their decision not to pit Heidfeld under the safety as the German took fourth place ahead of Kovalainen. Heidfeld had been out of the top 10 for much of the first part of the race. Kubica was running fourth in the first part of the race, having passed Alonso and Raikkonen on the first lap, but he lost out to the Finn once racing resumed after the safety car. Toyota said Glock was not injured but would be kept in hospital overnight as part of standard procedure after a precautionary check-up. German Grand Prix results: 1 Lewis Hamilton (GB) McLaren-Mercedes one hour 31 minutes 20.874 seconds 2 Nelson Piquet Jr (Brz) Renault at 5.586 seconds 3 Felipe Massa (Brz) Ferrari at 9.339 4 Nick Heidfeld (Ger) BMW Sauber at 9.825 5 Heikki Kovalainen (Fin) McLaren-Mercedes at 12.411 6 Kimi Raikkonen (Fin) Ferrari at 14.483 7 Robert Kubica (Pol) BMW Sauber at 22.603 8 Sebastian Vettel (Ger) Toro Rosso-Ferrari at 33.282 9 Jarno Trulli (Ita) Toyota at 37.199 10 Nico Rosberg (Ger) Williams-Toyota at 37.658 11 Fernando Alonso (Spa) Renault at 38.625 12 Sebastien Bourdais (Fra) Toro Rosso-Ferrari at 39.111 13 David Coulthard (GB) Red Bull-Renault at 54.971 14 Kazuki Nakajima (Jpn) Williams-Toyota at 1:00.003 15 Adrian Sutil (Ger) Force India-Ferrari at 1:09.488 16 Giancarlo Fisichella (Ita) Force India-Ferrari at 1:24.093 17 Jenson Button (Gbr) Honda one lap behind R Rubens Barrichello (Brz) Honda 50 laps completed R Mark Webber (Aus) Red Bull-Renault 40 laps R Timo Glock (Ger) Toyota 35 laps completed * Fisichella penalised 25 seconds for safety car infringement Fastest lap: Heidfeld, 1:15.987, lap 52 Key: R = retired Bookmark with: Delicious Digg reddit Facebook StumbleUpon What are these?	Lewis Hamilton at Stars and Cars in 2007. 2008 British Grand Prix. Hokenheimring Vodafone McLaren Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton has won the FIA Formula One 2008 Großer Preis Santander von Deutschland at the Hockenheimring, Hockenheim, Germany. The last time a McLaren driver won the German Grand Prix at Hockenheim was 10 years ago when the Finn Mika Häkkinen won the 1998 race. Rookie Renault driver Nelson Piquet Jr., son of three-time Formula One champion Nelson Piquet, came second after starting 17th on the grid. Timo Glock Toyota crashed due to a sudden rear suspension failure. Piquet even took the lead for a short time in the last part of the race, but his Renault was unable to compete with Hamilton's pace. Hamilton was able to regain the lead after losing it through a mis-timed pit-stop. Another Brazilian, Ferrari driver, Felipe Massa came third. Nick Heidfeld finished 4th for BMW Sauber from his twelfth position on the starting grid. Heikki Kovalainen (McLaren) dropped from third to fifth, finishing in front of another Finn Kimi Räikkönen (Ferrari). Robert Kubica's kept 7th place throughout the race, but was beaten by his BMW teammate Heidfeld. The young German driver Sebastian Vettel racing for Toro Rosso, and who has signed for Red Bull team for the next season, scored one point. He finished ahead of Jarno Trulli (Toyota) and Fernando Alonso (Renault). ''Official standings:'' 1 Lewis Hamilton (McLaren-Mercedes) 1:31:20.874 2 Nelson Piquet Jr. (Renault) +5.586 3 Felipe Massa (Ferrari) +9.339 4 Nick Heidfeld (BMW Sauber) +9.825 5 Heikki Kovalainen (McLaren-Mercedes) +12.411 6 Kimi Räikkönen (Ferrari) +14.403 7 Robert Kubica (BMW Sauber) +22.682 8 Sebastian Vettel (Toro Rosso-Ferrari) +33.299 9 Jarno Trulli (Toyota) +37.158 10 Nico Rosberg (Williams-Toyota) +37.625 11 Fernando Alonso (Renault) +38.600 12 Sébastien Bourdais (Toro Rosso-Ferrari) +39.111 13 David Coulthard (Red Bull-Renault) +54.971 14 Giancarlo Fisichella (Force India-Ferrari) +59.093 15 Kazuki Nakajima (Williams-Toyota) +1:00.003 16 Adrian Sutil (Force India-Ferrari) +1:09.488 17 Jenson Button (Honda) +1 Lap Rubens Barrichello (Honda) Collision Mark Webber (Red Bull-Renault) Engine Timo Glock (Toyota) Suspension
T O P S T O R Y RELATED LINKS $22,000 handbag bidder remains secret 05 June 2006 By MATTHEW TORBIT and JANINE BENNETTS New Zealand's most famous handbag has a new owner, but just who it is remains a mystery. Wanganui's Sue Langmaid was delighted after her winning bid of $22,750 on behalf of an "anonymous friend" on the Internet auction site Trade Me. The Roxy bag bought by Nichole Davis, of Christchurch, for $50 a year ago made headlines when former All Blacks captain Tana Umaga used it to hit Hurricanes teammate Chris Masoe in a Christchurch pub after last week's Super 14 final. The episode led to Masoe who allegedly earlier punched a pub patron being fined $3000 by the New Zealand Rugby Union, though Umaga escaped punishment. But Ms Langmaid said her friend was "inspired" by Umaga's actions in using a handbag instead of his fists to defuse the situation. "That proves Tana's a true sporting icon and an inspiration to all, especially young kids." The buyer's identity would be revealed in a few days, but Ms Langmaid was unsure what he was going to do with the bag. He had been prepared to pay more to get it. "At this stage it will Her final bid of $22,750 was topped by a $22,800 bid, later discovered to be from a Featherston teenager called Damien who had no intention of paying. Stunned by the result of the auction, Ms Davis who owns 17 other handbags was unsure how she would use the money. She has a $10,000 student loan to repay after getting halfway through a double degree in psychology and law at Canterbury University. Ms Davis did not watch the auction herself but once Trade Me rang to confirm the final amount, she had a drink with friends to celebrate. "I probably watched it less than anyone else in the country. It's been an exciting week." Meanwhile, other "memorabilia" was still doing a roaring trade on Trade Me, with a square metre section of carpet where the pair were standing in the incident attracting bids of $1500 last night before it appeared to be withdrawn. A 30-second snippet of security camera footage of the handbag incident was also up for grabs on Trade Me, with bidding last night reaching $1000. »PRINTABLE VERSION »SUBSCRIBE TO FREE HEADLINES »SUBSCRIBE TO ARCHIVESTUFF \|\|\|\|\| Sorry... the page you have requested is currently unavailable. Please try again. Click here to go back or click here to return to the home page. If the problem persists, send an email to editor@thisislondon.co.uk and we will investigate. \|\|\|\|\| Email Password Keep me logged in on this computer Forgot your password? Site Announcements Whats this? 29 September - Daylight Savings Time Change Daylight Savings changes take affect on Sunday 30th September at 2am at which point clocks are to be put forward by one hour. All auctions that are due to close between 2 am and 4 am on Sunday will be extended by 2 hours. 28 September - Scheduled Maintenance Trade Me will be unavailable on Saturday 29th September between 2:00 am and 5:00 am for scheduled maintenance and upgrades. All auctions that are due to close between 2:00 am and 6:00 am will be extended by 4 hours. Saved search emails and category subscriptions will also be delayed. We apologise in advance for any inconvenience this may cause. 26 September - Pay Now prize winners Congratulations to the winners of our Pay Now competition. Sammy01 from Hamilton and rangs from Dunedin both won a Loewe entertainment package from VISA. 25 September - Recent QV sales information We've improved Trade Me Property listings to show price information for houses recently sold in the area. This appears beneath the map on residential property listings that have a street address. 17 September - Site outage this morning Trade Me was unavailable between 8:10 am and 8:30 am this morning. All auctions that were due to close between 8:10 am and 8:50 am have been extended by 40 minutes. We sincerely apologise for the inconvenience and lapse in service. 10 September - Issue Affecting CallPlus/Slingshot Customers We have heard from a small number of CallPlus/Slingshot customers who have experienced some Trade Me issues this afternoon. If you are a CallPlus or Slingshot customer and have experienced any issues we’d like to hear from you. You can email us at 4 September - New Carbon Credits Category Today we've added a Members can sell certified carbon credits if they are registered with a carbon credit registry such as 31 August - Pricing for job listings & job features From midnight tonight, the fee for listing a job on Trade Me will increase from $49 to $69. The fee to "feature" a jobs listing will also increase from $29 to $49. Volume plan rates for contracted advertisers remain unchanged. 29 August - Pay Now special offer - extended We have extended our Pay Now special offer to the 1st of November. Until then, any payments you receive through Pay Now will cost just 1.95% with no fixed fee. This is down from 3% and a 50 cent fixed fee. Members with 100 feedback or more who are Address Verified can 27 August - 6:50pm: Credit Card Payments Problem We experienced some intermittent problems with our Credit Card payment provider between 5:50pm and 6:40pm. This may have caused some credit card transactions to be declined. These issues are now resolved and the service is fully restored. If your credit card was declined please try again. We apologise for this inconvenience. 16 August - Relist fix When relisting an item, the listing duration is now automatically set to the standard listing length (7 days for most categories). This applies to all relists unless you select otherwise. 6 August - Pay Now Relist Fix We have fixed a bug that mistakenly removed Pay Now as a payment option when relisting. Pay Now is now remembered as a payment option when relisting auctions that previously had it set. We apologise for any inconvenience. 3 August - 1:00 pm: Auctions Not Closing Properly We are aware of an issue where some auctions are remaining in the “Closing…” status. These listings will not appear correctly in My Trade Me, and their end-of-auction emails will be delayed. We are working as hard as we can on this issue and hope to have it resolved soon. Please accept our apologies for any inconvenience this may be causing our members. 3 August - 11:30 am: Site outage this morning Trade Me was unavailable between 11:20 am and 11:30 am this morning while we performed some urgent maintenance. All auctions that were due to close between 11:20 am and 11:50 am have been extended by 30 minutes. We sincerely apologise for the inconvenience and lapse in service. 25 July - Pay Now special offer for sellers From now until August 31st, any payments you receive through Pay Now will cost just 1.95% with no fixed fee. This is down from 3% and a 50 cent fixed fee. Members with 100 feedback or more who are Address Verified can Daylight Savings changes take affect on Sunday 30th September at 2am at which point clocks are to be put forward by one hour. All auctions that are due to close between 2 am and 4 am on Sunday will be extended by 2 hours.Trade Me will be unavailable on Saturday 29th September between 2:00 am and 5:00 am for scheduled maintenance and upgrades. All auctions that are due to close between 2:00 am and 6:00 am will be extended by 4 hours. Saved search emails and category subscriptions will also be delayed.We apologise in advance for any inconvenience this may cause.Congratulations to the winners of our Pay Now competition. Sammy01 from Hamilton and rangs from Dunedin both won a Loewe entertainment package from VISA.We've improved Trade Me Property listings to show price information for houses recently sold in the area. This appears beneath the map on residential property listings that have a street address.Trade Me was unavailable between 8:10 am and 8:30 am this morning. All auctions that were due to close between 8:10 am and 8:50 am have been extended by 40 minutes.We sincerely apologise for the inconvenience and lapse in service.We have heard from a small number of CallPlus/Slingshot customers who have experienced some Trade Me issues this afternoon.If you are a CallPlus or Slingshot customer and have experienced any issues we’d like to hear from you. You can email us at ISPIssues@trademe.co.nz Today we've added a Carbon credits category under Business, farming & industry – enabling holders of carbon credits (voluntary greenhouse gas emission reductions) to sell them on Trade Me.Members can sell certified carbon credits if they are registered with a carbon credit registry such as M-co From midnight tonight, the fee for listing a job on Trade Me will increase from $49 to $69. The fee to "feature" a jobs listing will also increase from $29 to $49.Volume plan rates for contracted advertisers remain unchanged.We have extended our Pay Now special offer to the 1st of November. Until then, any payments you receive through Pay Now will cost just 1.95% with no fixed fee. This is down from 3% and a 50 cent fixed fee.Members with 100 feedback or more who are Address Verified can register for Pay Now here Learn more about Pay Now.We experienced some intermittent problems with our Credit Card payment provider between 5:50pm and 6:40pm. This may have caused some credit card transactions to be declined.These issues are now resolved and the service is fully restored. If your credit card was declined please try again.We apologise for this inconvenience.When relisting an item, the listing duration is now automatically set to the standard listing length (7 days for most categories). This applies to all relists unless you select otherwise.We have fixed a bug that mistakenly removed Pay Now as a payment option when relisting. Pay Now is now remembered as a payment option when relisting auctions that previously had it set. We apologise for any inconvenience.We are aware of an issue where some auctions are remaining in the “Closing…” status. These listings will not appear correctly in My Trade Me, and their end-of-auction emails will be delayed.We are working as hard as we can on this issue and hope to have it resolved soon. Please accept our apologies for any inconvenience this may be causing our members.Trade Me was unavailable between 11:20 am and 11:30 am this morning while we performed some urgent maintenance. All auctions that were due to close between 11:20 am and 11:50 am have been extended by 30 minutes.We sincerely apologise for the inconvenience and lapse in service.From now until August 31st, any payments you receive through Pay Now will cost just 1.95% with no fixed fee. This is down from 3% and a 50 cent fixed fee.Members with 100 feedback or more who are Address Verified can register for Pay Now here Learn more about Pay Now.	The handbag used to hit Super 14 Hurricanes player, Chris Masoe by Tana Umanga after Masoe had punched a patron has just been sold on the New Zealand auction site, Trade Me. The brawl occurred in a Christchurch pub, The Jolly Poacher. Masoe was fined $3,000 for his actions, but Umanga received no punishment. The confirmed winning bid was $22,750 (NZD) from Sue Langmaid, a.k.a. susie45, Wanganui, on behalf of an anonymous friend. There were numerous fake bids placed, one reaching one hundred million dollars. The original owner of the bag, 22-year-old Nichole Davis, Christchurch said to the Sunday Star Times "At the moment I'm thinking it's pretty crazy. It's right up there. I thought I would get $600. I'm thinking it's an insane amount of money. I'll worry about it if it actually comes through. Right now I just want to relax. I've definitely been lucky and it's quite like winning Lotto." The auction page got over one million page views, which made the site trademe.co.nz unusable for ten minutes.
Originally published Thursday, May 27, 2010 at 10:05 PM Comments (2) E-mail article Print view Share In a case British newspapers have compared to the Yorkshire Ripper slayings of the 1970s, police Thursday charged a 40-year-old man pursuing a doctorate in 19th-century homicides with the murders of three women identified by the police as prostitutes. LONDON — In a case British newspapers have compared to the Yorkshire Ripper slayings of the 1970s, police Thursday charged a 40-year-old man pursuing a doctorate in 19th-century homicides with the murders of three women identified by the police as prostitutes. One victim was caught on closed-circuit TV last week being killed with a crossbow shot to the head before her dismembered body was put in a nearby river. The man charged with the killings, Stephen Griffiths, is a former van driver with a psychology degree who was enrolled in a postgraduate course in criminology. The Times of London reported that he had told a neighbor in Bradford, the city in West Yorkshire where he lived until his arrest Monday, that he was studying for "a Ph.D. in murder and Jack the Ripper," the pseudonym given to the unidentified serial killer of prostitutes in a London slum in the 1880s. But it was another serial-murder case that helped make the latest killings a newspaper sensation. In a case that terrorized much of northern England, Peter Sutcliffe, the so-called Yorkshire Ripper, was convicted in 1981 of murdering 13 women, including several prostitutes, and of attempting to murder seven others. He was given 20 concurrent life sentences and has been held for nearly 30 years in the Broadmoor high-security psychiatric hospital west of London. Neighbors were quoted in leading British newspapers as calling Griffiths an oddball. One said he was known as "the lizard man" for taking his two pet monitor lizards for walks on leashes around his apartment block. \|\|\|\|\| A man accused of murdering three sex workers in Bradford identified himself in court today as "Crossbow Cannibal". Stephen Griffiths, 40, is accused of killing Suzanne Blamires, Shelley Armitage and Susan Rushworth, who all went missing in Bradford over the last 10 months. When asked for his name in a five-minute appearance before magistrates, he replied clearly: "Crossbow Cannibal." The clerk at Bradford magistrates court, Amarjit Soor, asked Griffiths for his address. "Here, I guess," he replied. Asked to confirm his date of birth, 24 December 1969, he said: "Yeah." Griffiths, who was unshaven with short dark hair, was handcuffed in the glass-fronted dock and accompanied by three security guards. Wearing a black shirt over a white T-shirt and dark blue jeans, he kept his head bowed throughout the hearing and fidgeted and picked at his hands. No pleas were entered. The charges are that he murdered Blamires, 36, between May 20 and 25 this year; Rushworth, 43, who has been missing since June 2009; and Armitage, 31, who disappeared in April. Several of the victims' family members were in court, accompanied by police family liaison officers, and some of them stared intently at Griffiths throughout the hearing. The Blamires family chose not to attend. The case is being fast-tracked and Griffiths was remanded in custody to appear before Bradford crown court at 2.15pm today. Last night, Blamires' mother, Nicky, 55, described her daughter as bright and articulate. She had attended college and wanted to be a nurse. Unfortunately her daughter "went down the wrong path and did not have the life she was meant to have", she said. Griffiths lived in a third-floor flat in Thornton Road, in the heart of Bradford's red-light district. He attended the private Queen Elizabeth Grammar school in Wakefield and had recently been studying for a PhD in criminology at Bradford University. Officers believe the body parts found earlier this week in the River Aire, at Shipley, all belong to Blamires. They are continuing to search for the bodies of Rushworth and Armitage. Dozens of police teams were at work today at a range of locations across Bradford. Much of the activity is focused on the city's red-light district. Many alleyways and streets in the Sunbridge Road area remained sealed off as officers conducted fingertip searches. Sniffer dogs were being used in a number of locations, and officers have been seen taking away a large number of objects in plastic bags. \|\|\|\|\| The 40-year-old is appearing at Bradford Magistrates' Court having been charged with the killing of Suzanne Blamires, Susan Rushworth and Shelley Armitage within the city's red light district in the past 11 months. Miss Blamires, 36, was executed with a crossbow and "severely dismembered" before some of her remains were dumped in a river. Her mother said last night that her daughter had "taken the wrong path" in life but that she was a "much-loved" family member. Nicky Blamires, 54, said: "Nobody deserves this. All these girls were human beings and people's daughters." The Daily Telegraph can disclose that Mr Griffiths had previously been treated for psychiatric problems at the high-security Rampton hospital. The search continues for the bodies of Miss Rushworth, 43, and Miss Armitage, 31, who disappeared from Bradford's red light district – the same streets once stalked by Peter Sutcliffe, the Yorkshire Ripper. Officers were searching waste ground yesterday and planned to trawl landfill sites. Forensic searches at Mr Griffiths's one-bedroom flat in Holmfield Court are expected to continue for up to three weeks. Police were alerted on Monday by a caretaker who was reviewing CCTV footage from the block of flats. The recording showed a man and a woman go into a flat in the early hours of Saturday before she ran out fully-clothed two minutes later. The man followed and beat her to the floor, then produced a crossbow before shooting a bolt through her head and dragging the body out of view. He was later seen carrying bin liners and a rucksack at various times over the weekend. On Tuesday, a day after police had arrested Mr Griffiths, parts of Miss Blamires body were found in the River Aire in nearby Shipley. It is understood that a severed head was discovered in a rucksack. Detectives may widen the inquiry in the next few months to study links with the murder of three other women in the area, but they are not formally linking the cases to the current inquiry at present. Peter Mann, of the Crown Prosecution Service, said there was sufficient evidence to charge Mr Griffiths with all three murders. He will appear at Bradford magistrates' court this morning.	A man accused of being a serial killer has appeared in magistrates court in West Yorkshire today charged with three counts of murder. 40-year-old Stephen Griffiths is accused of killing Suzanne Blamires, 36, Susan Rushworth, 43, and Shelley Armitage, 31, all prostitutes. Griffiths, a former van driver with a degree in psychology and studying for a in criminology, gave his name as "Crossbow Cannibal" when asked. He has been in police custody since Monday when police were alerted to a recording that appeared to show a murder. A caretaker had been reviewing footage from the flats where Griffiths lives when he saw footage of a woman and a man enter a flat early on Saturday morning. Two minutes later, she ran out and was followed by the man, who beat her to the ground and shot her in the head with a crossbow. Over the course of the weekend, the man was seen several times with bin bags and a rucksack. On Tuesday, the day after the arrest of Griffiths, Blamires' remains were found in the in nearby . She had been cut into several pieces and her head was located in a rucksack. Police continue to search for the other two alleged victims; Rushworth has been missing since June last year and Armitage vanished in April. Police have searched much of Bradford's , where Griffiths' third-floor flat is located. Forensic investigations at the flat are expected to last around three weeks. There are plans to search landfill sites for bodies, and police may yet expand the inquiry to cover three more cold cases, although at present they have not been linked to the current inquiry. Sniffer dogs have been used throughout the city, and police have been taking away plastic evidence bags. Some alleyways remain closed off. Police charged their suspect yesterday. Griffiths was known as "the lizard man" in his block of flats owing to his habit of walking his two pet in the area. One neighbour is reported to have quoted him as saying he was studying for "a PhD in murder and ," and he has spent time in a high-security psychiatric hospital. During his five-minute court appearance he did not enter a plea, kept his head bowed and fidgeted with his cuffed hands. He said "Here, I guess," when asked for his address. As he stood in the glass-fronted dock, guarded by three security officers, he was watched by the families of Rushworth and Armitage, who were accompanied by police family liaison officers. Blamires' family chose not to be present, but the victim's mother Nicky Blamires, 54, has told the press that Suzanne was a "much-loved" family member even though she "went down the wrong path and did not have the life she was meant to have." "Nobody deserves this," she said. "All these girls were human beings and people's daughters." Griffiths' morning court appearance was followed by a second one this afternoon, at Bradford . This time, he confirmed his name without incident. He was remanded into custody until next month, when he will appear in court again. British media has been quick to compare the case to , dubbed the "Yorkshire Ripper". Sutcliffe was a Bradford killer responsible for thirteen murders and seven attempted murders, including several prostitutes. Since his 1981 conviction he has spent most of the last three decades in high-security psychiatric hospital near London.
He had successfully defended the gold medal he won in Athens four years ago, and he proved to be measurably better in 2008 than he had been in 2004. In Athens, a time of 54.06 by Peirsol had been good enough to win the gold medal. This morning it would not have gotten him onto the medals podium. In fact, it wouldn't have placed him in the top eight. Swimmers, and the high-tech suits they wear, are that much better in 2008. American Matt Grevers took the silver medal with a time of 53.11 while there was a rare dead heat for the bronze medal. Arkady Vyatchanin of Russia and Hayden Stoeckel of Australia both swam 53.18 and thus each man earned a bronze medal and a stay on the medals podium. "I looked up and saw Matt Grevers next to me, and I was elated," Peirsol said. "Stuff like that is a dream come true. I'm a little bit excited, a little bit relieved and absolutely elated. I am extremely happy for Matt. It means a lot to me and more to him and his family." Gold for Aussie: In a predictable final, Australia's Leisel Jones won the gold medal in the women's 100-meter breaststroke in an Olympic record time of 1:05.17. Rebecca Soni, replacing the doping-positive Jessica Hardy on the U.S. team, earned the silver medal in 1:06.73. The bronze went to Mirna Jukic of Austria in 1:07.34. "I don't even know how I feel yet," Soni said. "It's still registering. Who could have asked for more? Maybe it was yesterday's (men's 4x100 freestyle) relay that inspired us all, who knows? It definitely worked for me." Briefly: American Katie Hoff qualified for the final of the 200 freestyle with a semifinal time of 1:57.01 as she finished second to Slovakia's Sara Isakovic, 1:56.50. World-record holder Federica Pellegrini of Italy won the other 200 free semi in 1:57.23. This article appeared on page C - 9 of the San Francisco Chronicle \|\|\|\|\| MICHAEL Phelps won his third gold medal in three days when he smashed the field in the men's 200m freestyle final with one of the most incredible swims in history. Less than an hour later, Phelps qualified fastest for tomorrow's 200m butterfly final, equalling his Olympic record of 1min 53.70sec in the semi-finals. Pictures: Michael Phelps's bid for eight gold at Beijing Olympics. Phelps led from the gun in the 200m freestyle, was under world-record pace the whole way and pulverised his own world mark - clocking 1min42.96sec, a time Ian Thorpe could only have dreamed of in his prime. Thorpe never broke 1:44.00. Phelps has now won nine Olympic gold medals, equalling the all-time record held jointly by Mark Spitz, Carl Lewis and Paavo Nurmi. Grant Hackett's 1500m rivals, Korea's Park Tae Hwan and Peter Vanderkaay of the US, filled the placings. In Athens, Phelps finished third in the 200m behind Thorpe and Dutchman Pieter van den Hoogenband in what was dubbed "the race of the century". The race also featured Hackett, who finished fourth. It was the only individual race Phelps lost at the 2004 Games, where he won six gold medals and a bronze. See how the excitement unfolded below on Beijing Now's live barrack. \|\|\|\|\| Jones wins 100m breaststroke gold Posted Updated Leisel Jones claimed her first individual Olympic gold medal and Australia's third in Beijing with a thumping victory in the women's 100 metres breaststroke final at the Water Cube. Jones went into the final as a red-hot favourite after swimming more than a second faster than her nearest rival in the semi-final, and comfortably took gold in an Olympic record time of 1:05.17. Jones says all that mattered today was to hit the wall first, something she could not manage as an individual in an Olympic event at either the Sydney or Athens Games. "A little bit of shock, and probably more relief I guess," she said. "It has been a long journey. It's been a long eight years. "And I think just a lot of relief that the training was definitely worth it. I couldn't care less about the time. "An Olympic gold is an Olympic gold. It really didn't matter how it went, how I raced I couldn't care less." Jones says she was excited before the race. "I had a pretty bad sleep last night," she said. "I woke up and I was just so excited. I think I was excited about racing. "I was almost skipping out there I was so excited. I really enjoyed it." Aiming for London Jones suggested she would keep swimming with London in 2012 in mind. "I think I've enjoyed it so much, I think I would hate to finish and know there was still a flame burning inside," she said. "I think I've still got so much more growing to do, and so much more learning. "Amanda Beard's on her fourth Olympics, so it's certainly not out of the question." Jones emerged from the blocks at the head of the field slightly in front of compatriot Tarnee White, and split the 50m inside world record time. She powered away in the final 50m to finish well ahead of American Rebecca Soni (1:06.73) and Austrian Mirna Jukic (1:07.34). White faded towards the back end of the race to finish in sixth position in a time of 1:07.63. While she was happy with the gold, Jones says it was her win at the World Championships in Canada in 2005 that remains her proudest achievement. "Olympic golds are important, but in terms of personal experience and in terms of personal growth I think that was my most important swim. "Olympic gold is really nice, it's what we all come here for. "But certainly Montreal was more about my personal experience. "And I think that will still reign over this Olympic gold, because I found out so much of myself. "After Athens I learned so much. And that was my first individual World Championship [gold]. "I think that one probably still is more important to me than this." Jones says she managed to stay composed after the race until she saw her coach Rohan Taylor. "I certainly wasn't composed once I got through the media and I pretty much lost it when I saw Rohan and then when I saw my mum I just lost it," she said. After bursting onto the scene with a silver medal in the 100m in Sydney as a 14-year-old, Jones could not crack gold in the 100m or 200m in Athens, but she says that experience has helped her enjoy her time in Beijing. "It's hard at the time to deal with criticism, and I copped a lot of it in Athens," she said. "It's really difficult but it's made me a much stronger person and has made this performance much sweeter." Jones swam 1:05.80 to comfortably win the second semi, ahead of second-fastest qualifier Soni. Jukic started from lane three after recording 1:07.27 in the semis. View historical results from the women's 100m breaststroke.	August 12, 2008 is the 4th main day of the 2008 Olympic games, the below article lists some of the highlights. ===Events=== ====Men's 100m backstroke==== 40px American Aaron Peirsol set a new world record and won the gold medal in the final of the men's 100m backstroke with a time of 52.54 seconds. Matt Grevers, who was representing the US with Peirsol, took the silver medal, while Arkady Vyatchanin and Hayden Stoeckel tied for third place with a time of 53.18. ====Men's 200m freestyle==== 40px American Michael Phelps set a new world record and won the gold medal in the final of the men's 200m freestyle with a time of 1:42.96 minutes. Taehwan Park, who was representing South Korea, finished in second place and set a new Asian record, while Peter Vanderkaay, who was representing the US with Phelps, finished in third place with a time of 1:45.14. Phelps beat the old world record by almost one second. The Australian reported that Phelps 'shattered' the previous world record, which was also set by him. ====Women's 100m breaststroke==== 40px Australian Leisel Jones won the gold medal and set a new Olympic record in the final of the women's 100m breaststroke with a time of 1:05.17 minutes. "It has been a long journey. It's been a long eight years," said Jones, after her victory. "And I think just a lot of relief that the training was definitely worth it." Rebecca Soni, who was representing United States, won the silver medal, while Mirna Jukic finished in third place with a time of 1:07.34. ====Men's double trap==== 40px American Walton Eller set a new Olympic record in the qualification round of the men's double trap with a score of 145. Francesco D Aniello, who was representing Italy, finished in second place, while Jeffrey Hologuin, who represented the US with Eller, finished in third place with a score of 140. ====Men's 200m butterfly==== 40px American Michael Phelps set a new Olympic record when he finished in first place in heat six of the men's 200m butterfly with a time of 1:53.70. This record is one of several set by Phelps during the Olympic games. Kaio Almeida, who was representing Brazil, finished in second place, while Takeshi Matsuda finished in third place with a time of 1:55.06, 1.36 seconds behind the time set by Phelps. ====Women's 200m individual medley ==== 40px Zimbabwean Kirsty Coventry set a new Olympic Record in semifinal of the women's 200m individual medley with a time of 2:09.53 minutes. Coventry's first fifty second were the quickest, with her first length taking only 29.17 seconds. Stephanie Rice, who was representing Australia, finished in second place, while Katie Hoff finished in third place with a time of 2:10.90, just over one second behind the time achieved by Coventry. ===Medal Table=== ''Medal Count'' update '''2008 Olympics - Beijing, China ''' Flag Country G S B TOT Rank Other countries Flag Country G S B TOT Rank 40x21px Total 52 52 63 167 - Source: Beijing 2008 Official Site
Nearly two years after the first pictures of naked and humiliated Iraqi detainees emerged from Abu Ghraib prison, the full extent of the abuse became known for the first time yesterday with a leaked report from the US army's internal investigation into the scandal. The catalogue of abuse, which was obtained by the online American magazine Salon, could not have arrived at a worse time for the Bush administration, coinciding with yesterday's United Nations report on abuse of detainees at Guantánamo, the release of a video showing British troops beating up Iraqi youths, and lingering anger in the Muslim world over cartoons of the prophet Muhammad. Bush administration officials had already been fending off a new wave of anger about the torture of detainees - following the airing of graphic images from Abu Ghraib on Australian television - when Salon posted a story on its website yesterday saying it had obtained what appears to be the fullest photographic record to date of the abuse. It said the material, gathered by the army's criminal investigation division, included 1,325 photographs and 93 video clips of suspected abuse of detainees, 546 photographs of suspected dead Iraqi detainees, as well as 660 images of adult pornography, and 29 pictures of US troops engaged in simulated sex acts. Based on date stamps, all were recorded between October 18 and December 30 2003, the same timeframe as the original scandal. The website published 18 pictures from the prison. Aside from the ritualised images of humiliation - naked Iraqi men kneeling or lying on the ground alone or in a heap or wearing women's underwear on their heads - they also reveal the apparent normality of those bizarre scenes within Abu Ghraib. One of the pictures shows an army sergeant standing calmly to fill out paperwork on a wall. Behind him is a hooded, naked detainee. Another photograph shows Staff Sergeant Ivan Chip Frederick - who was tried for his role in the abuse scandal - trimming his fingernails beside an Iraqi who is standing on a box wearing a hood and electrical wires. There are also images of physical violence: a blood-streaked cell, and a picture of the battered face of a corpse packed in ice. "The DVD also includes photographs of guards threatening Iraqi prisoners with dogs, homemade videotapes depicting hooded prisoners being forced to masturbate, and a video showing a mentally disturbed prisoner smashing his head against a door. Oddly, the material also includes numerous photographs of slaughtered animals and mundane images of soldiers travelling around Iraq," Salon said. The magazine said it thought the material included all of the pictures that originally surfaced when the abuse became known in April 2004, as well as the pictures aired on Australian television. Human rights organisations have been fighting for months for the army to release a full record of the abuse at Abu Ghraib. Salon said it received the material from a member of the military who had spent time at the jail and was familiar with the investigation. The first official response from Washington as well as Baghdad was concerned as much with the impact these new pictures of abuse could have in the Middle East at a time when anger against the west is high. A Pentagon spokesman said the release of additional images of abuse "could only further inflame and possibly incite unnecessary violence in the world". Iraq's prime minister, Ibrahim al-Jaafari, while condemning the abuse at Abu Ghraib, noted that US soldiers had already been punished for it. Mr Jaafari's government was also on the defensive about torture yesterday after the first direct evidence emerged that death squads had operated from within the interior ministry. The US general in charge of training the Iraqi police, Major General Joseph Peterson, told the Chicago Tribune that the death squads that had been arresting and killing Sunnis had been operating from within the police force although they wore commando uniforms. "We have found one of the death squads," Gen Peterson told the paper. "They are a part of the police force of Iraq." In another development, ABC television on Wednesday night aired audio tapes of Saddam Hussein's cabinet meetings during the mid-1990s, including a segment in which he says he warned Washington of a terror attack. "Terrorism is coming. I told the Americans," Saddam is heard saying, adding that he "told the British as well". However, he adds: "This story is coming, but not from Iraq." \|\|\|\|\| Newly released photos of detainee abuse by American soldiers and intelligence officers at the Abu Ghraib prison sparked condemnation by U.S. and Iraqi officials Thursday, but little of the populist outrage and street violence that followed release of the first such images nearly two years ago. The pictures, which were posted by the online magazine Salon, depict naked Iraqi detainees handcuffed to bed frames and prison bars. Other images show U.S. soldiers posing near prisoners who are wearing nothing but hoods over their heads. One picture shows a detainee sodomizing himself with an object. Two photos show the bloody floor of a detention cell. The new images come only a few days after a video apparently showing British troops beating Iraqi youths in 2004 was publicized. The new images of Abu Ghraib were aired around the clock Thursday on Arab television channels such as Al Arabiya and Al Jazeera and were front-page stories in several Arabic-language newspapers here. Advertisement But the relatively subdued response in Iraq and the region seemed to allay concerns that the release of the photos, particularly in the wake of the controversy over publication of caricatures of the prophet Muhammad, would cause more violence. U.S. military spokesman Army Maj. Gen. Rick Lynch said Thursday that the photos were not the basis for a recent spike in violence. Moulk Abed Hazzawi, a 42-year-old Baghdad lawyer, said the new images were a dangerous diversion from Iraq’s present-day problems. “This is just another injustice against the Iraqi people,” she said. “We heard about these things two years ago, and we don’t want to be reminded about this now. We are busy trying to form a new government. Whoever is showing these pictures is trying to provoke more violence.” Advertisement Other residents said the pictures renewed old feelings of humiliation and resentment toward U.S. forces. “They make us forget our personal problems and all the big problems Iraqis are suffering and focus on these abuses because they dishonor us so badly,” said Jawad Kraidi, 40, a south Baghdad resident. Mohammed Askari, a Defense Ministry spokesman, cast the pictures as deviations that have since been corrected. “These are violations against proper procedure that were rejected by the American and Iraqi government,” he said. “These were spontaneous actions committed without any official involvement, and we trust there was a fair investigation into these matters.” Interim Prime Minister Ibrahim Jafari’s office issued a statement pledging that such prison abuses would never recur and welcoming “the firm condemnation announced by the U.S. State Department and other American officials.” Advertisement U.S. officials denounced the activities shown in the latest Abu Ghraib photos but said they were the same instances of misconduct that had already been investigated and prosecuted. “I’m told that these photographs that are coming out now are nothing more than the same things that came out before ... the same type of behavior,” said Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld, testifying Thursday before the House Appropriations subcommittee on defense. “That behavior’s been punished.” In a congressional appearance last week, Rumsfeld said that 87 soldiers had received criminal punishment through court-martial proceedings for abusing detainees, and that an additional 91 had been given administrative penalties. Nine low-level enlistees have been convicted or have pleaded guilty to charges of detainee abuse in connection with the earlier highly publicized photos from Abu Ghraib. Advertisement Critics have complained that nearly all of those held criminally liable have been low-level personnel. An Army inspector general’s report last year cleared all high-ranking commanders -- including Lt. Gen. Ricardo Sanchez, the former U.S. ground commander in Iraq -- of wrongdoing. The White House called abuses at Abu Ghraib “appalling” but said Thursday that the military had acted swiftly to hold soldiers accountable for improper conduct. In Iraq, the U.S. military said Thursday that there had been 67 insurgent attacks in the country on Wednesday and 540 in the course of a week, a 17% increase. In the capital, insurgents shot and killed three municipal workers. In a separate incident, a Defense Ministry official, Brig. Gen. Kaleel Yass, was assassinated. In the northern oil hub of Kirkuk, gunmen killed a police captain and his bodyguard. Advertisement * Times staff writers Megan K. Stack in Cairo and Raheem Salman, Caesar Ahmed and Shamil Aziz in Baghdad, as well as special correspondents in Baghdad and Kirkuk and The Times’ Washington Bureau, contributed to this report. \|\|\|\|\| The full extent of US soldiers' abuse of Iraqi detainees at Abu Ghraib became apparent for the first time yesterday with the leak of a report of the US Army's internal investigation. Almost two years after the first pictures of naked and humiliated prisoners emerged, the American online magazine Salon posted a story saying it had obtained the fullest photographic catalogue of the mistreatment yet. It said it included 1,325 photographs and 93 video clips of suspected abuse of detainees, 546 photos of suspected dead detainees, 660 images of adult pornography and 29 pictures of US troops engaged in simulated sex. All were dated between 18 October and 30 December 2003. Coming a day after Australian television aired previously unseen footage from the prison, the revelations come at a bad time for Washington. A spokesman for the Pentagon said the released images "could only further inflame and possibly incite unnecessary violence in the world". The 18 images Salon chose to publish show ritualistic humiliation - the now-recognisable heaps of naked Iraqi men; some hooded, others wearing women's underwear on their heads. They reveal the seeming normality of such scenes within Abu Ghraib: one photo shows Staff Sergeant Ivan "Chip" Frederick, tried for his role in the scandal, clipping his fingernails next to an Iraqi standing on a box wearing a hood and electrical wires. In another, a sergeant can be seen filling out paperwork while a naked, hooded prisoner cowers in the background. Others show a blood-streaked cell and a beaten corpse. Salon said it was leaked the material by a military source familiar with the investigation and who had spent time at Abu Ghraib. \|\|\|\|\| HORROR OF IRAQ PRISON PICS THE true extent of the shocking abuse of Iraqi prisoners at the notorious Abu Ghraib prison was revealed last night in a leaked US army report. It contains 1,325 graphic images of suspected ill-treatment, including 29 photos of US soldiers simulating sex acts and 546 which appear to show the bodies of dead Iraqis. Others feature naked Iraqis kneeling or lying on the ground, some with women's underwear on their heads. One picture shows a prisoner standing on a box wearing a hood while Staff Sergeant Ivan Chip bod Frederick stands nearby trimming his fingernails. Frederick is currently serving eight years for his part in the mistreatment of prisoners at Abu Ghraib. A Pentagon spokesman last night tried to dismiss the revelations, saying: "There is nothing new here." \|\|\|\|\| An unknown detainee with women's underwear on his head, strapped to a bed frame. Photo taken at approximately 1:53 a.m. on Oct. 20, 2003. Feb. 16, 2006 \| Salon has obtained files and other electronic documents from an internal Army investigation into the Abu Ghraib prisoner-abuse scandal. The material, which includes more than 1,000 photographs, videos and supporting documents from the Army's probe, may represent all of the photographic and video evidence that pertains to that investigation. The files, from the Army's Criminal Investigation Command (CID), include hundreds of images that have never been publicly released. Along with the unpublished material, the material obtained by Salon also appears to include all of the famous photographs published after the Abu Ghraib scandal broke in April 2004, as well as the photographs and videos published Wednesday by the Australian television news show "Dateline." The source who gave the CID material to Salon is someone who spent time at Abu Ghraib as a uniformed member of the military and is familiar with the CID investigation. The DVD containing the material includes a June 6, 2004, CID investigation report written by Special Agent James E. Seigmund. That report includes the following summary of the material included: "A review of all the computer media submitted to this office revealed a total of 1,325 images of suspected detainee abuse, 93 video files of suspected detainee abuse, 660 images of adult pornography, 546 images of suspected dead Iraqi detainees, 29 images of soldiers in simulated sexual acts, 20 images of a soldier with a Swastika drawn between his eyes, 37 images of Military Working dogs being used in abuse of detainees and 125 images of questionable acts." The photographs we are showing in the accompanying gallery represent a small fraction of these visual materials. None, as far as we know, have been published elsewhere. They include: a naked, handcuffed prisoner in a contorted position; a dead prisoner who had been severely beaten; a prisoner apparently sodomizing himself with an object; and a naked, hooded prisoner standing next to an American officer who is blandly writing a report against a wall. Other photographs depict a bloody cell. The DVD also includes photographs of guards threatening Iraqi prisoners with dogs, homemade videotapes depicting hooded prisoners being forced to masturbate, and a video showing a mentally disturbed prisoner smashing his head against a door. Oddly, the material also includes numerous photographs of slaughtered animals and mundane images of soldiers traveling around Iraq. Accompanying texts from the CID investigation provide fairly detailed explanations for many of the photographs, including dates and times and the identities of both Iraqis and Americans. Based on time signatures of the digital cameras used, all the photographs and videos were taken between Oct. 18, 2003, and Dec. 30, 2003. It is noteworthy that some of the CID documents refer to CIA personnel as interrogators of prisoners at Abu Ghraib. But no CIA officers have been prosecuted for any crimes that occurred within the prison, despite the death of at least one Iraqi during a CIA interrogation there. Human-rights and civil-liberties groups have been locked in a legal battle with the Department of Defense since mid-2004, demanding that it release the remaining visual documents from Abu Ghraib in its possession. It is not clear whether the material obtained by Salon is identical to that sought by these groups, although it seems highly likely that it is. Barbara Olshansky, deputy legal director at the Center for Constitutional Rights, said, "We brought the lawsuit because we wanted to make sure the public knew what the government was doing, particularly at these detention facilities," and, "It is the public's right to know." Gallery A new selection of photos from the internal Army investigation into the Abu Ghraib prisoner-abuse scandal. Click here to view images Based on a verbal description of the files and images, Olshansky said she believes that the material obtained by Salon represents all of the Abu Ghraib images and video the Pentagon has been fighting to keep confidential. "I'm guessing that what you have is a pretty rare and complete set," she said. The Pentagon initially argued in federal court that release of more Abu Ghraib images would violate the privacy rights of the Iraqi prisoners. Later, government lawyers argued that public release of the records might "endanger" soldiers in Iraq because publication of the pictures could incite further violence. The government's argument was rejected by a federal district court last September. Judge Alvin Hellerstein said in his ruling, "Terrorists do not need pretexts for their barbarism." Release of the photographs in the suit has been delayed as the government appeals Hellerstein's decision. Meanwhile, military trials of the soldiers who served at Abu Ghraib continue. Next month, two more enlisted men, both dog handlers, will face a military court at Fort Meade in Maryland. No high-ranking officer or official has yet been charged in the abuse scandal that blackened America's reputation across the world. Additional reporting by Mark Follman, Page Rockwell and Michael Scherer.	One of several newly published pictures from Abu Ghraib. Wikimedia Commons has similar and more graphic pictures here The online magazine, Salon.com claims to have received a DVD containing what may be all of the material from an Army investigation into the infamous Abu Ghraib prisoner abuse scandal. According to Salon's report, the DVD includes an investigative report by the Army's Criminal Investigation Command (CID). In a report by Special Agent James E. Seigmund, the summary of the content includes, "a total of 1,325 images of suspected detainee abuse, 93 video files of suspected detainee abuse, 660 images of adult pornography, 546 images of suspected dead Iraqi detainees, 29 images of soldiers in simulated sexual acts, 20 images of a soldier with a Swastika drawn between his eyes, 37 images of Military Working dogs being used in abuse of detainees and 125 images of questionable acts." Salon claims their source is a uniformed officer who spent time at Abu Ghraib and is familiar with the CID investigation. The DVD of material is described as all from a period of October 18, 2003 to December 30,2003. In reporting on Salon's scoop, the Guardian reported that a Pentagon spokesman said recent reports, "could only further inflame and possibly incite unnecessary violence in the world". Ibrahim al-Jaafari, the Prime Minister of Iraq condemned the abuse, whilst pointing out that members of US Forces had already been punished for it. Whilst the Salon report concedes that prosecutions related to the abuse continue, it notes that none of the CIA interrogators who were said to operate at the prison have been prosecuted and no high-ranking officer or official has yet been charged in relation to the abuse.
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Karl Rove, President Bush's longtime political guru, refused to obey an order to testify before a House Judiciary Committee hearing Thursday. Karl Rove's lawyers says he is immune from a congressional subpoena. Rove's lawyer asserted that Rove was "immune" from the subpoena the committee had issued, arguing that the committee could not compel him to testify due to "executive privilege." The panel is investigating allegations that Rove and his White House allies dismissed U.S. attorneys and prosecuted officials who they saw as political opponents. The panel subpoenaed Rove in May after his lawyer, Robert D. Luskin, made clear the former White House deputy chief of staff would not appear voluntarily. Luskin responded immediately that Rove still would not appear, prompting a threat of prosecution from the Judiciary Committee chairman, Rep. John Conyers, a Michigan Democrat, and Rep. Linda Sanchez, a California Democrat who chairs the subcommittee on commercial and administrative law. "A refusal to appear in violation of the subpoena could subject Mr. Rove to contempt proceedings, including statutory contempt under federal law and proceedings under the inherent contempt authority of the House of Representatives," Conyers and Sanchez wrote. "We are unaware of any proper legal basis for Mr. Rove's refusal to even appear today as required by the subpoena," Sanchez said Thursday morning when Rove failed to show up. "The courts have made clear that no one -- not even the president -- is immune from compulsory process. That is what the Supreme Court rules in U.S. v. Nixon and Clinton v. Jones." In May, Conyers contrasted Rove's refusal to testify before Congress with his paid work as a commentator for the Fox News Channel and Newsweek magazine. "Although he does not seem the least bit hesitant to discuss these very issues weekly on cable television and in the print news media, Mr. Rove and his attorney have apparently concluded that a public hearing room would not be appropriate. Unfortunately, I have no choice today but to compel his testimony on these very important matters." Rove's lawyer cited a letter from the Justice Department saying Rove is "constitutionally immune from compelled congressional testimony." He said Rove is willing to submit to an "informal interview" or to answer written questions about the prosecution of former Alabama Gov. Don Siegelman, whose ouster Rove is accused of orchestrating. "Threatening Mr. Rove with sanctions will not in any way expedite the resolution of the issue," Luskin wrote in a letter to the panel on Wednesday. Luskin noted in May that his client had already received a separate subpoena from the Senate Judiciary Committee. "While the [House] committee has the authority to issue a subpoena, it is hard to see what this will accomplish, apart from a 'Groundhog Day' replay of the same issues that are already the subject of litigation," the lawyer wrote, referring to a movie in which a person lives the same day over and over again. Luskin added that "issues of executive privilege and separation of powers" could limit Rove's testimony. In response, Conyers said the two committees are focusing on different matters, with the House committee delving into the prosecution of the former Alabama governor, a Democrat who lost his bid for re-election in 2002 and was convicted on corruption charges in 2006. Conyers also noted that other former White House officials have testified under subpoena in the past and have dealt with issues of executive privilege on a case-by-case basis. "Mr. Rove should follow the same course," he said. Rep. Lamar Smith of Texas, the top Republican on the House Judiciary Committee, called the subpoena "a sham." The Democratic-controlled Congress has been battling for months to force the White House to disclose information about the firing of the attorneys and the prosecution of Siegelman. Current and former White House aides have refused to testify, citing executive privilege. All About Karl Rove • U.S. House Committee on the Judiciary \|\|\|\|\| Rove ignores subpoena, refuses to testify on Hill WASHINGTON (AP) — Former White House adviser Karl Rove defied a congressional subpoena and refused to testify Thursday about allegations of political pressure at the Justice Department, including whether he influenced the prosecution of a former Democratic governor of Alabama. Rep. Linda Sanchez, chairman of a House subcommittee, ruled with backing from fellow Democrats on the panel that Rove was breaking the law by refusing to cooperate — perhaps the first step toward holding him in contempt of Congress. The White House has cited executive privilege as a reason he and others who serve or served in the administration should not testify, arguing that internal administration communications are confidential and that Congress cannot compel officials to testify. Rove says he is bound to follow the White House's guidance, although he has offered to answer questions specifically on the Siegelman case — but only with no transcript taken and not under oath. Lawmakers subpoenaed Rove in May in an effort to force him to talk about whether he played a role in prosecutors' decisions to pursue cases against Democrats, such as former Alabama Gov. Don Siegelman, or in firing federal prosecutors considered disloyal to the Bush administration. Rove had been scheduled to appear at the House Judiciary subcommittee hearing Thursday morning. A placard with his name sat in front of an empty chair at the witness table, with a handful of protesters behind it calling for Rove to be arrested. A decision on whether to pursue contempt charges now goes to the full Judiciary Committee and ultimately to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. House Republicans called Thursday's proceedings a political stunt and said if Democrats truly wanted information they would take Rove up on an offer he made to discuss the matter informally. The House already has voted to hold two of President Bush's confidants in contempt for failing to cooperate with its inquiry into whether the administration fired nine federal prosecutors in 2006 for political reasons. The case, involving White House chief of staff Josh Bolten and former White House counsel Harriet Miers, is in federal court and may not be resolved before Bush's term ends in January. Democrats have rejected the offer from Rove to talk with them informally because the testimony would not be sworn and, they say, could create a confusing record. Rove has insisted publicly that he never tried to influence Justice Department decisions and was not even aware of the Siegelman prosecution until it landed in the news. Siegelman — an unusually successful Democrat in a heavily Republican state — was charged with accepting and concealing a contribution to his campaign to start a state education lottery, in exchange for appointing a hospital executive to a regulatory board. He was sentenced last year to more than seven years in prison but was released in March when a federal appeals court ruled Siegelman had raised "substantial questions of fact and law" in his appeal. Siegelman and others have alleged the prosecution was pushed by GOP operatives — including Rove, a longtime Texas strategist who was heavily involved in Alabama politics before working at the White House. A former Republican campaign volunteer from Alabama told congressional attorneys last year that she overheard conversations suggesting that Rove pressed Justice officials in Washington to prosecute Siegelman. The career prosecutors who handled Siegelman's case have insisted that Rove had nothing to do with it, emphasizing that the former governor was convicted by a jury. \|\|\|\|\| Former Bush Aide Rove Defies Congressional Subpoena Karl Rove, the former close political aide to President Bush, failed to appear at a congressional hearing Thursday to testify about allegations he was involved in politicizing the Department of Justice. VOA's Dan Robinson reports from Capitol Hill. The empty chair in front of the House judiciary subcommittee was a reminder of the difficulty Democrats have had in obtaining testimony from Rove, and two other former and current White House officials. Last year, former White House counsel Harriet Miers, and President Bush's current chief of staff Joshua Bolten, defied subpoenas from the House Judiciary Committee, triggering a House vote to hold both in contempt of Congress. Former White House Advisor Karl Rove gestures towards the press at the White House in Washington, D.C. (file photo) Rove was subpoenaed earlier this year in connection with Democratic attempts to determine if he exerted improper political influence in the firing of nine U.S. federal prosecutors, and to answer questions about a government corruption case against a former Democratic governor of Alabama. He offered to speak with lawmakers only about the second of these, and only behind closed doors without a transcript and not under oath, all conditions Democrats rejected. He has denied ever trying to influence Justice Department decisions. Democratic Congresswoman Linda Sanchez described Rove's justification for not showing up on the basis of a White House claim of executive privilege as lacking legal validity. "We are unaware of any proper legal basis for Mr. Rove's refusal even to appear today as required by the subpoena. The courts have made clear that no one, not even the president, is immune from compulsory process," he said. Sanchez said the White House failed to demonstrate that information lawmakers seek is covered by executive privilege, and says neither the White House nor Rove's attorney cited any court decision in support of a former official's refusal to testify. She also pointed to recent testimony by Vice President Dick Cheney's chief of staff David Addington, and voluntary testimony by former White House press secretary Scott McClellan, as well as appearances under subpoena by two former Justice Department officials. Republicans have long accused Democrats of trying to use the controversy over U.S. attorney firings and allegations of politicization of the Justice Department as a political weapon against President Bush. Republican Congressman Chris Cannon accuses Democrats of wasting lawmakers time. "If the majority was serious about getting to the bottom of this issue, it would have taken Mr. Rove and the White House up on these offers. The fact that it hasn't, is proof that their efforts amount to a partisan stunt," he said. As with former White House counsel Miers and chief of staff Bolten, the full House Judiciary Committee will have to decide whether to pursue contempt charges against Rove, after which Speaker Nancy Pelosi will have to determine whether to proceed with a vote in the House. Rove was subpoenaed earlier this year in connection with Democratic attempts to determine if he exerted improper political influence in the firing of nine U.S. federal prosecutors, and to answer questions about a government corruption case against a former Democratic governor of Alabama.He offered to speak with lawmakers only about the second of these, and only behind closed doors without a transcript and not under oath, all conditions Democrats rejected. He has denied ever trying to influence Justice Department decisions.Democratic Congresswoman Linda Sanchez described Rove's justification for not showing up on the basis of a White House claim of executive privilege as lacking legal validity. "We are unaware of any proper legal basis for Mr. Rove's refusal even to appear today as required by the subpoena. The courts have made clear that no one, not even the president, is immune from compulsory process," he said.Sanchez said the White House failed to demonstrate that information lawmakers seek is covered by executive privilege, and says neither the White House nor Rove's attorney cited any court decision in support of a former official's refusal to testify.She also pointed to recent testimony by Vice President Dick Cheney's chief of staff David Addington, and voluntary testimony by former White House press secretary Scott McClellan, as well as appearances under subpoena by two former Justice Department officials.Republicans have long accused Democrats of trying to use the controversy over U.S. attorney firings and allegations of politicization of the Justice Department as a political weapon against President Bush.Republican Congressman Chris Cannon accuses Democrats of wasting lawmakers time. "If the majority was serious about getting to the bottom of this issue, it would have taken Mr. Rove and the White House up on these offers. The fact that it hasn't, is proof that their efforts amount to a partisan stunt," he said.As with former White House counsel Miers and chief of staff Bolten, the full House Judiciary Committee will have to decide whether to pursue contempt charges against Rove, after which Speaker Nancy Pelosi will have to determine whether to proceed with a vote in the House. \|\|\|\|\| Advertisement Search CBS News The Web • » » » Rove Contempt Vote Not To Come Until Later This Month By John Bresnahan E-Mail Story Print Story Sphere Share A A Text Size: A (The Politico) The House Judiciary Committee is not likely to vote on a contempt resolution against Karl Rove until late this month, according to the panel's chairman. Rove, the former White House deputy chief of staff and top political advisor to President Bush, refused to appear today before a subcommittee of the Judiciary Committee to testify on the "politicization" of the Justice Department under the current administration. Citing a claim of executive privilege by Bush, Rove did not show up for today's hearing despite a committee subpoena. Conyers and Rep. Linda Sanchez (D-Calif.), chairwoman of the Commercial and Administrative Law subcommittee, rejected Rove's executive privilege claim as inadequate. "Mr. Rove's absence today is an insult to the American people and to the system of checks and balances that are the basis of our constitution and our democracy," Conyers said in a statement. "Mr. Rove is not above the law and Congress will assert its constitutional role to serve as a check on the power of the executive branch," Sanchez added. The Judiciary Committee could approve both civil and criminal contempt resolutions against Rove, which would then go to the floor of the House for a final vote. But the Judiciary Committee is already in a legal battle with the Bush administration over earlier subpoenas issued to White House Chief of Staff Josh Bolten and former White House Counsel Harriet Miers. Although the House approved criminal-contempt resolutions against both, the Justice Dept., citing earlier legal opinions, refused to bring criminal charges against Bolten and Miers. The Judiciary Committee then filed a civil lawsuit against the White House to enforce the subpoenas. The case is now in federal court, and it is unclear if there will be an decision in the case prior to the start of the August recess. The House Judiciary Committee is not likely to vote on a contempt resolution against Karl Rove until late this month, according to the panel's chairman.Rove, the former White House deputy chief of staff and top political advisor to President Bush, refused to appear today before a subcommittee of the Judiciary Committee to testify on the "politicization" of the Justice Department under the current administration. Citing a claim of executive privilege by Bush, Rove did not show up for today's hearing despite a committee subpoena.Conyers and Rep. Linda Sanchez (D-Calif.), chairwoman of the Commercial and Administrative Law subcommittee, rejected Rove's executive privilege claim as inadequate."Mr. Rove's absence today is an insult to the American people and to the system of checks and balances that are the basis of our constitution and our democracy," Conyers said in a statement."Mr. Rove is not above the law and Congress will assert its constitutional role to serve as a check on the power of the executive branch," Sanchez added.The Judiciary Committee could approve both civil and criminal contempt resolutions against Rove, which would then go to the floor of the House for a final vote.But the Judiciary Committee is already in a legal battle with the Bush administration over earlier subpoenas issued to White House Chief of Staff Josh Bolten and former White House Counsel Harriet Miers. Although the House approved criminal-contempt resolutions against both, the Justice Dept., citing earlier legal opinions, refused to bring criminal charges against Bolten and Miers. The Judiciary Committee then filed a civil lawsuit against the White House to enforce the subpoenas. The case is now in federal court, and it is unclear if there will be an decision in the case prior to the start of the August recess. Copyright 2008 POLITICO E-Mail Story Print Story Sphere Share A A Text Size: A We cover politics with enterprise, style, and impact.	Karl Rove Karl Rove, who served as Deputy Chief of Staff to United States President George W. Bush before resigning last year, failed to appear in front of the House Judiciary Committee today, refusing to testify about allegations of misusing his political power. The congressional panel is trying to determine if Rove had a connection with the prosecution of Don Siegelman, former Democratic governor of Alabama. The committee is also investigating allegations that the former White House adviser dismissed nine federal prosecutors seen as political opponents. Rove has denied ever influencing the decisions of the Department of Justice. In May, the panel subpoenaed Rove in an attempt to force him to offer testimony. He was scheduled to appear at a committee hearing today, but his lawyer Robert D. Luskin made it clear that he would not attend. Luskin argued that his client was "immune" to the subpoena because of executive privilege, which gives executive officials the right to resist a search from the other two branches of government. In a letter written to the committee on Wednesday, Luskin said that Rove is "constitutionally immune from compelled congressional testimony", adding that "threatening Mr. Rove with sanctions will not in any way expedite the resolution of the issue." He said Rove would be willing to talk about the Siegelman case as part of an "informal interview", without a transcript and without taking an oath. Members of the Judiciary Committee argued that executive privilege is not a valid reason to ignore a subpoena. California Rep. Linda Sanchez, who chairs the Subcommittee on Commercial and Administrative Law, said at the hearing, "We are unaware of any proper legal basis for Mr. Rove's refusal to even appear today as required by the subpoena." She cited United States v. Nixon and Clinton v. Jones as legal precedents. Sanchez, along with the Judiciary Committee chairman, Michigan Rep. John Conyers, said that Rove's refusal to testify could result in prosecution for being in contempt of Congress. "A refusal to appear in violation of the subpoena could subject Mr. Rove to contempt proceedings, including statutory contempt under federal law and proceedings under the inherent contempt authority of the House of Representatives," Conyers and Sanchez wrote. If the Judiciary Committee votes to pursue these contempt charges against Rove, they would go to the floor of the House, where Speaker Nancy Pelosi would decide whether to proceed with a final vote. The House has already held two of Bush's advisers in contempt for defying a subpoena: White House Chief of Staff Josh Bolten and former White House Counsel Harriet Miers. Their case is currently in federal court. Republicans have accused Democrats of using these cases as political weapons against George W. Bush. Rep. Chris Cannon, a Republican from Utah, said that "if the majority was serious about getting to the bottom of this issue", they would have accepted Rove's offers to discuss the issue on his terms, informally and without a transcript. "The fact that it hasn't is proof that their efforts amount to a partisan stunt," said Cannon.
The Republic of Ireland again failed to take a decisive grip on their World Cup destiny following a bitter and fractious 2-2 draw with Israel. After conceding a last-minute equaliser in Tel Aviv just over two months ago when the teams last met, on this occasion they threw away a two-goal lead in the Group Four clash at Lansdowne Road. Greek referee Kyros Vassaras and Israeli goalkeeper Dudu Awat were the figures who took centre stage, notably the latter getting Andy O'Brien sent off, after Ian Harte and Robbie Keane had blazed the early trail by the 11th minute. Ireland should perhaps have gone ahead inside three minutes, however Vassaras lacked the courage of his convictions and opted not to point to the spot when Keane was clipped in the area by Ariel Benado. Vassaras clearly looked to his assistant to make the decision, but he remained unmoved, much to the angst of the injured Keane who was then a spectator as his and the Republic's disappointment was shortlived. When Adoram Keisi fouled Kevin Kilbane seven yards outside the area, it allowed left-back Harte to step up and underline his inclusion as a deadball specialist, an area where Ireland failed miserably during the 1-1 draw in Tel Aviv just over two months ago. With recognised right-backs Stephen Carr and Steve Finnan ruled out through suspension and injury respectively, Kerr was forced to switch John O'Shea from the left, resulting in Harte ending his 13-month international exile. Harte's left foot did the trick, for although his delivery lacked pace, it was ideally placed as Awat could do nothing more than push it onto the post, allowing the former Leeds player to celebrate his 10th goal for Ireland. This time, unlike in Israel when Kerr was accused of being conservative in his approach after taking an early lead in that game, Ireland pushed forward and were rewarded with a second goal in the 11th minute. It exuded quality as Andy Reid fashioned a ball from inside the centre circle in behind the Israeli defence and onto the right foot of Ireland's all-time leading goalscorer in Keane who cushioned a volley beyond a stranded Awat for the 25th goal for his country. A 34,000 sell-out crowd roared its approval, and they believed they had a third in the 25th minute when Keane tapped home after Awat had saved a Clinton Morrison drive, only for the flag to be raised. As turning points go, it could not have been more significant as that proved Keane's last action of the game, with the Spurs striker making way for Graham Kavanagh, seemingly as a result of the knock he received early in the game. A reshuffle followed as Kilbane was moved out wide to the left, with Damien Duff sitting in behind Morrison, but even then Ireland continued to look comfortable, and by the 39th minute Shay Given had yet to be tested. That all changed, though, in the blink of an eye as Kerr's side were caught out from a deadball situation, with Yossi Benayoun delivering a left-wing free-kick just inside the area where Avi Yehiel crowned his debut with a 16-yard header that gave Given no chance. Then in injury time drama ensued as Vassaras stepped into the spotlight, initially by penalising O'Shea for holding Benayoun as former Everton midfielder Idan Tal delivered a cross into the area. Vassaras pointed to the spot and booked O'Shea before captain Avi Nimni rifled home the equaliser, albeit with a twice-taken penalty as the Greek official spotted encroachment into the area at the first time of asking. If there was a sense of injustice, then Ireland attempted to right the wrongs with an all-out assault during the second half, but they reckoned without Vassaras who steadily lost control as the period wore on. Yellow cards were dished out like confetti as the game boiled over, notably for the play-acting antics of the Israelis as players dropped like flies, in particular Awat who was booed at one point for his timewasting. It meant chances were fleeting, with two of the most notable coming via corners from Kavanagh, in particular the first in the 48th minute. The ball flew through the area to the far post, only to hit an unsuspecting Duff on his left ear, with the rebound falling into the arms of a grateful Awat. The second 11 minutes from time found Gary Doherty, on for Reid in the 65th minute and pushed up front as Kerr went for broke, but his awkward header ended a yard wide of the right-hand post. After Awat superbly saved at the feet of Duff, he then feigned being hit in the face by O'Brien who had pushed the goalkeeper in the chest, resulting in a shocking 83rd-minute red card, one Ireland will surely appeal against. There followed a remarkable seven minutes of injury time such had been the antics of Awat, who was eventually booked during that period - one of six Israelis cautioned in the game. Unfortunately during that period, Morrison missed an open goal from a Duff pass into the six-yard box, while Ireland were denied three seemingly clear penalty appeals. \|\|\|\|\| 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.”	Having come back in the final minute of time to draw 1-1 with Israel in Tel Aviv two months ago, Brian Kerr's squad were determined not to let it happen a second time in last nights sell out Lansdowne Road Group 4 World Cup qualifier clash. However despite two early goals for the Republic of Ireland, the Israelis still managed to claw back a draw - much to the dismay of onlooking Irish supporters. After just five minutes, Ian Harte scored from a 25 yard free kick putting the homeside ahead just like in the first match. However unlike in the first game, the Irish did not slow down the pace and become conservative. At the 11th minute mark, Robbie Keane scored Ireland's second goal of the match; much to the delight - and even moreso relief of the Irish supporters in the crowd of 34,000. In a seemingly comfortable position, disaster hit the Irish team when Robbie Keane left for the bench with a shoulder injury sustained in the third minute of the game. As the 40th minute approached, Israel's Benayoun and Avi Yehiel combined efforts to put the ball in the back of the Irish net to bring their team back into the game. Things went from bad to worse for the Irish as the first half drew to a close with John O'Shea getting a yellow card in the Irish box - and giving his opposition a penalty. The penalty was scored three time by Nimni, but only on his third attempt did it count - the first two disallowed because the referee had not blown his whistle. The second half proved to be less fruitious for both teams, with no goals scored. The Irish became increasingly frustrated as the game progressed because of perceived Israeli time-wasting. As the game became more scrappy Andy O'Brien got sent off when he attempted to block the Israeli keeper from punching the ball. The game finished 2-2, much to the despair of the Irish squad, who now can only draw encouragement from the fact that they remain ahead of France in the group table.
Nasrin Sotoudeh, a lawyer for Rahmanipour, denied he had played any role in the unrest "Mohammad Reza Ali Zamani and Arash Rahmanipour whose cases were confirmed by a Tehran appeals court were hanged on Thursday morning," the ISNA news agency said. Iran has hanged two men over widespread protests that followed the country's disputed presidential election in June last year, an Iranian news agency has said. The pair were convicted of being "Mohareb" or enemies of God, and members of the Kingdom's Assembly, an outlawed pro-monarchist group and the People's Mujahideen, a religious movement. They were also charged with plotting to topple the Iranian government, ISNA said quoting officials. The executions were the first carried out for election-related incidents. 'Show trial' Iranian authorities arrested around 4,000 protesters including journalists and reformist politicians in a massive crackdown in the weeks after the disputed election. The two were among 11 people sentenced to death on similar charges in the wake of post-election protests. But Nasrin Sotoudeh, Rahmanipour's lawyer, denied that her client had any role in the post-election disruption. "He was arrested in Farvardin [the Iranian month covering March-April] before the [presidential] election and charged with co-operation with the [monarchist] Kingdom Assembly," Sotoudeh told AFP. She also said she was prevented from representing Rahmanipour at his "show trial" in July and that many of the charges were brought against him when he was a minor. "He confessed because of threats against his family," she said, adding that she was shocked at the news of the executions since she and her client's family had still been waiting for word from the appeals court. Crackdown Baqer Moin, an Iranian author and journalist, said the execution was a "political decision", likely intended to "set an example and to frighten some of the people who may shout a slogans that are not of the liking of the authorities". "We don't really know which group they belong to, one of them is a monarchist and the other one is the Mujahideen group, obviously the Mujahideen group is not very popular but little is known about the monarchist group," he told Al Jazeera. "Their lawyers have said that these people were arrested much before the elections, I suppose that they have been used as an example specifically as we are approaching the anniversary of the revolution." He said: "It is an attempt to make sure that the radicals within the opposition movements are not going to take the lead in the anniversary of the revolution." The June 12 presidential election plunged Iran into its deepest internal crisis since the 1979 Islamic revolution and exposed widening political divisions. The reformist opposition says the election was rigged to secure the re-election of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the president. Denying fraud, Tehran portrayed the protests as a foreign-backed bid to undermine Iran's Islamic system of government. \|\|\|\|\| Reporting from Beirut - Iran executed two alleged government opponents Thursday, sentenced nine others to death as "enemies of God" and warned of more public trials of opposition supporters in an apparent attempt to intimidate a widespread protest movement challenging the nation's hard-line establishment.Iran executions: The deck headline on an earlier version of this article said the two opposition figures were alleged members of Mujahedin Khalq. They were alleged members of the Kingdom Assembly.Mohammad-Reza Ali-Zamani, 37, and Arash Rahmanipour, 20, were hanged before dawn as members of an outlawed monarchist group, the Kingdom Assembly, Iranian news reports said.The government has stepped up legal pressure on the opposition movement with another round of confrontations possible Feb. 11, the 31st anniversary of the founding of the Islamic Republic. Protesters have vowed to turn the annual march into an antigovernment rally.Human rights groups have become alarmed by the number of executions in Iran. President Obama, in his State of the Union address Wednesday night, said the United States supports "the human rights of the women marching through the streets of Iran."On Thursday, his administration quickly condemned the hangings."We see it as a low point in the Islamic Republic's unjust and ruthless crackdown on peaceful dissent," White House Deputy Press Secretary Bill Burton said. "Murdering political prisoners who are exercising their universal rights will not bring the respect and legitimacy the Islamic Republic seeks. It will only serve to further isolate Iran's government in the world and from its people."Iran is mired in one of its greatest domestic political crises in decades, triggered by the disputed June reelection of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Authorities blame the unrest on Western nations and Israel working in cahoots with domestic opposition groups seeking to overthrow the government.Officials have vowed to crack down hard on the protesters."The dust has settled and the seditionists have been unmasked," police chief Gen. Esmail Ahmadi-Moghaddam said Thursday, according to the official Islamic Republic News Agency. "There is no more room for leniency. At stake is safeguarding the regime, and we will show no tolerance."There are few signs that the opposition is backing down. Despite a violent crackdown and ongoing threats, the wife of opposition figure Mir-Hossein Mousavi said this week that she and her husband were prepared to die to continue their fight. Reformist politician and former presidential candidate Mehdi Karroubi on Tuesday reiterated his allegation that Ahmadinejad's reelection was fraudulent."The protesters and I continue to question the legitimacy of this way of coming to power and I still believe that the people's right in determining their fate was trampled upon," he said, according to his news website Sahamnews.com . "This government will not survive because it is not born out of the people's vote."The connection between Thursday's executions and Iran's political turmoil remained unclear. Nasrin Sotoudeh, Rahmanipour's lawyer, told Iranian news websites that her client was arrested in April. The website of Iran's state-owned Press TV said Ali-Zamani and Rahmanipour were involved in the deadly April 2008 bombing of a mosque in the southern Iranian city of Shiraz that killed 13 people and injured 200.Tehran prosecutor Abbas Jafar-Dolatabadi told state television that the two had tried to procure explosives and planned to assassinate officials with the aim of overthrowing the government.The nine others sentenced to death on charges of being, or enemies of God, are accused of taking part in recent protests -- including those Dec. 27 during the Shiite Muslim religious holiday Ashura, when demonstrators and security forces clashed in several Iranian cities.The Iranian Students News Agency reported that the nine are accused of plotting to overthrow the Islamic Republic and of being members of the Kingdom Assembly or the Mujahedin Khalq Organization, an outlawed Iranian militant group listed by the United States as a terrorist group.Iranian news reports said an appeals court was reviewing the death sentences.Dolatabadi also said more political prisoners would be put on trial Saturday in "public" forums that could resemble the televised mass hearings last summer that were derided by critics as political show trials."God willing, it will become clear to the people and public opinion what big crimes were carried out by various groups, including hypocrites, leftists, Bahais and antirevolution groupings," Dolatabadi said in an interview with state television. "These grouplets thought that with such measures they could create a rift in people's resolve."Bahais are members of an outlawed religious minority. "Hypocrites" usually refers to the Mujahedin Khalq.Christi Parsons of the Washington bureau contributed to this report. \|\|\|\|\| Thousands of opposition supporters were detained at post-election protests Iran has executed two men arrested during the period of widespread unrest that erupted after June's disputed presidential election, reports say. They had been convicted of being "enemies of God", members of armed groups and trying to topple the Islamic establishment, Isna news agency said. The executions are believed to be the first related to last year's protests. Millions demanded a re-run of June's poll at the largest demonstrations in Iran since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Opposition groups said it had been rigged to ensure the re-election of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, a charge the government denied. At least 30 protesters have been killed in clashes since the elections, although the opposition says more than 70 have died. Thousands have been detained and some 200 activists remain behind bars. He confessed because of threats against his family Nasrin Sotoudeh Lawyer for Arash Rahmanipour Q&A: Iran protests Last month, eight people were killed in clashes at demonstrations on Ashura, one of the holiest days in the Shia Muslim calendar. "Following the riots and anti-revolutionary measures in recent months, particularly on the day of Ashura, a Tehran Islamic Revolutionary Court branch considered the cases of a number of accused and handed down death sentences against 11 of those," Isna said, quoting a statement from the Tehran prosecutor's office. "The sentences against two of these people... were carried out today at dawn and the accused were hanged," the semi-official agency said, adding the sentences had been confirmed by an appeal court. It named them as Mohammad Reza Ali-Zamani and Arash Rahmanipour. "The sentences for the other nine of the accused in recent months' riots are at the appeal stage... upon confirmation, measures will be undertaken to implement the sentences," Isna added. 'Show trial' There has been no independent confirmation of the executions or the names, but opposition groups had previously said Mr Ali-Zamani was sentenced to death in October. He and one other person were believed to have been convicted for ties with the Kingdom Assembly of Iran (Anjoman-e Padeshahi-e Iran), a banned monarchist group. Mohammad Ali-Zamani is reportedly one of those hanged At his trial in August, prosecutors accused Mr Ali-Zamani of plotting political assassinations with US military officials in Iraq before returning to Iran "aiming at causing disruption during and after the election". He is said to have admitted his guilt in court. The Kingdom Assembly of Iran confirmed it had worked with Mr Ali-Zamani, but dismissed the allegations and insisted he had been forced to confess. The group said he had played no role in the post-election protests and had merely passed on news to its radio station. Human rights activists also noted the indictment stated that Mr Ali-Zamani had been arrested before engaging in any actions relating to the protests. Nasrin Sotoudeh, a lawyer for Mr Rahmanipour, also denied he had played any role in the unrest and dismissed his "show trial" in July. "He was arrested in Farvardin [the Iranian month covering March-April] - before the election - and charged with co-operation with the Kingdom Assembly," she told the AFP news agency. Ms Sotoudeh said her client had been 19 when he was arrested, and that many of the charges related to the time when he was a minor. "He confessed because of threats against his family," she said, adding that his family had not known the appeal had failed. RECENT UNREST IN IRAN 19 Dec: Influential dissident cleric Grand Ayatollah Hoseyn Ali Montazeri dies aged 87 21 Dec: Tens of thousands attend his funeral in Qom; reports of clashes between opposition supporters and security forces 22 Dec: Further confrontations reported in Qom 23 Dec: More clashes reported in city of Isfahan as memorial is held 24 Dec: Iran reportedly bans further memorial services for Montazeri except in his birthplace and Qom 26 Dec: Clashes reported in central and northern Tehran 27 Dec: At least eight dead following anti-government protests in Tehran; 300 reported arrested In 2008, the Iranian authorities blamed the Kingdom Assembly of Iran for an explosion at mosque in the south-western city of Shiraz which killed 12 people and wounded more than 200. Correspondents say the executions may further increase tension in Iran ahead of possible new anti-government protests next month. Messages have been circulating on the internet about demonstrations on 11 February, the 31st anniversary of the Islamic revolution. On Wednesday, Iran's state media reported that two German diplomats had been detained and accused of playing a role in last month's anti-government protests. A deputy interior minister was quoted as saying they were detained on 27 December, the day after the demonstrations. He also said a close aide to the opposition leader, Mir Hossein Mousavi, was being held for alleged contacts with German intelligence agents. Germany's foreign ministry said it had no knowledge of the detentions and categorically rejected the accusations. Bookmark with: Delicious Digg reddit Facebook StumbleUpon What are these? E-mail this to a friend Printable version \|\|\|\|\| TEHRAN Iran executed two people on Thursday over widespread street unrest that erupted after the Islamic Republic's disputed presidential election in June, an Iranian news agency reported. The two were among 11 people sentenced to death on charges including moharebeh (waging war against God), trying to overthrow the Islamic establishment and membership of armed groups, the ISNA students agency said. The executions were the first carried out for election-related incidents and may further increase tension in Iran ahead of possible new anti-government protests next month. The presidential election, which was followed by huge opposition rallies, plunged Iran into its deepest internal crisis since the 1979 Islamic revolution and exposed widening establishment divisions. In the most serious violence since the aftermath of the election, eight people were killed in clashes between opposition supporters and security forces on Ashura, the holy Shi'ite day of ritual mourning, that fell on Dec. 27. "Following the riots and anti-revolutionary measures in recent months, particularly on the day of Ashura, a Tehran Islamic Revolutionary Court branch considered the cases of a number of accused and handed down the execution sentences against 11 of those," ISNA said. "The sentences against two of these people ... were carried out today at dawn and the accused were hanged," ISNA said, adding the sentences had been confirmed by an appeal court. It named the two as Mohammad Reza Alizamani and Arash Rahmanipour. "The sentences for the other nine of the accused in recent months' riots are at the appeal stage ... upon confirmation, measures will be undertaken to implement the sentences," ISNA said. ISNA said the charges included membership of two anti-revolutionary groups, including a pro-monarchy association. The reformist opposition says the June election was rigged to secure hardline President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's re-election. The authorities deny this. Officials have portrayed the protests as a foreign-backed bid to undermine Iran's Islamic system of government. Internet messages have been circulating about new protests on Feb. 11, when Iran marks the 31st anniversary of the Islamic revolution that toppled the U.S.-backed shah. (Writing by Fredrik Dahl; editing by Tim Pearce)	Two men were hanged Iran on Thursday, following their conviction for playing a role in the bombing of a Shiraz mosque, which killed thirteen people, last April. Mohammad-Ali Zamani and Arash Rahmanipour were charged with trying to overthrow the government, said the Iranian Students News Agency (ISNA), quoting a statement released by the Tehran prosecutor's office. They were convicted of being "Mohareb", or "enemies of God". They were also charged as being members of a banned monarchist group, the Kingdom Assembly or the Mujahedin Khalq. Prosecutors also claimed that Zamani had met with American forces in Iraq and discussed returning to Iran to carry out political assassinations. Some media reports have suggested the men were actually executed over last year's election protests. Rahmanipour's lawyer, Nasrin Sotoudeh, clarified that her client played no role in the June election unrest, pointing out to Agence France-Presse that "he was arrested in March–April before the election and charged with co-operation with the monarchist Kingdom Assembly". She added that he had confessed because of "threats against his family," adding that many of the charges were filed against him while he was a minor — he is now nineteen. Sotoudeh described the trial as being a "show trial", and commented that she hadn't been allowed to represent him in court. After the June election, which was widely disputed, there were several weeks of demonstrations and protests, which saw 4,000 people arrested by the authorities in a crackdown, among them journalists and reformist politicians. Several million people attended the protests, demanding a re-vote. Opposition groups asserted that the elections were rigged to favour president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, but the government denied it, saying it was a foreign-backed attempt to discredit the Iranian government system.
August 26, 2007 Sunday Sha’aban 12, 1428 N-capable cruise missile test-fired By Our Reporter ISLAMABAD, Aug 25: Pakistan on Saturday successfully test-fired a new nuclear-capable air-launched cruise missile “Hatf-8” (Ra’ad). The indigenously-developed Ra’ad, meaning thunder in Arabic, has a range of 350 kilometres and has been designed exclusively for launch from a variety of Pakistan’s air platforms, providing these with a strategic standoff capability on land and at sea. A statement issued by the Inter Services Public Relations said the missile had a low detection probability due to stealth design and materials. The Ra’ad can carry all types of warheads and has accuracy comparable to Pakistan’s longer-range cruise missile “Babur”. The president and the prime minister congratulated the scientists and engineers involved in the development of the new national strategic capability. \|\|\|\|\| LAHORE, Pakistan (CNN) -- Pakistan, a South Asian nation with nuclear capability, says it has successfully test-fired a new missile that "can carry all types of warheads." The army said in a statement that the country on Saturday fired an "air-launched cruise missile called Hatf-8, or Ra'ad -- which means thunder in Arabic. The missile has "a range of "350 kilometers" or nearly 220 miles "for now." And, it has been designed exclusively for launch from a variety of Pakistan's air platforms." "The missile has a low detection probability due to stealth design and materials used in its manufacturing. The Ra'ad can carry all types of warheads and has an accuracy comparable to Pakistan's longer Babur cruise missile." The development prompted President Gen. Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz to congratulate the scientists and engineers involved in the project. "Pakistan's defense will continue to be strengthened as an imperative of national security, they said, and assured all support to Pakistan's strategic program," the army said. Pakistan and India, its neighbor and nuclear rival, have carried out missile tests in the past and they have become routine. Both countries reached an agreement in 2006 that stipulates each will notify the other before conducting missile tests, and a Pakistani government official told CNN that Pakistan informed India about this latest test. E-mail to a friend All About Pakistan	Pakistan successfully test fired a new cruise missile on Saturday that is capable of carrying nuclear weapons. The announcement was made by the nation's military in a statement, saying that the air-launched Ra'ad (meaning 'thunder' in Arabic) missile has been successfully tested. The missile is constructed using materials and designs specifically developed for stealth and has a range of 350 kilometres, they said. The missile was developed exclusively in Pakistan, and, according to the statement, has been built specifically with Pakistan's existing air force platforms in mind, in order to give these 'a strategic stand-off capability on land and at sea,'. The statement also said that the missile's accuracy was comparable to Pakistan's long-range Babur missile, and that the missile is capable of carrying "all types of warheads". Both the Pakistani prime minister, Shaukat Aziz and the president, Pervez Musharraf, congratulated the team of scientists and engineers who developed the new technology. "Pakistan's defense will continue to be strengthened as an imperative of national security, they said, and assured all support to Pakistan's strategic program," according to the army.
Jay Glazer is a Senior NFL Writer for FOXSports.com on MSN and also appears every week on FOX NFL Sunday as the network's NFL Insider. Updated: August 7, 2008, 3:54 PM EST The Brett Favre era in Green Bay is now officially over. But his legendary career is not. The month-long saga has finally come to an end, with the Packers agreeing to trade their future Hall-of-Fame quarterback to the New York Jets, FOXSports.com first reported Wednesday night. "We're going to take this one year at a time," Jets GM Mike Tannenbaum said on a conference call early Thursday morning. "We're excited to have Brett on the team this year." FAVRE: THROUGH THE YEARS Photos: There will only ever be one Brett Favre. Take a stroll down memory lane and check out There will only ever be one Brett Favre. Take a stroll down memory lane and check out Favre through the years and his greatest moments Favre, who announced his NFL playing career was over in March, is expected to be introduced at a 6 p.m. news conference at Cleveland Browns Stadium before the Jets play their first exhibition game. Needing to get up to speed with the Jets' offensive playbook, Favre wanted to join his new team as quickly as possible so he can get ready for the club's season opener against the Miami Dolphins on Sept. 7. He spent the night at his home near Hattiesburg, Miss., before flying to New Jersey to meet with Jets officials. Favre's summertime soap opera ended Wednesday night when the Green Bay Packers traded their iconic quarterback to the New York Jets, who haven't had a star of No. 4's stature since the days Joe Namath was slinging passes and strolling down Broadway. Thursday's press conference in Green Bay took on a morose tone after the ugly split between Favre and the Packers. "It wasn't Brett's fault, it wasn't our fault but the relationship got to the point where we all had to move on," said Packers president Mark Murphy. "It's like a marriage that ends. It happens. Neither party is at fault." Reports heated up throughout the day Wednesday with both the Jets and Tampa Bay Buccaneers emerging as clear-cut frontrunners to land Favre, who will bring a long list of winning credentials to a franchise in need. Packers general manager Ted Thompson said in Thursday's Packers press conference, "The Jets were very aggressive, were very active and did a great job selling themselves to Brett and his family." In return, the Packers will receive a conditional fourth-round pick that could end up as high as a first-rounder depending upon how the Jets perform during the 2008 season. "I am looking forward to seeing Brett Favre in a New York Jets uniform," Jets Chairman and CEO Woody Johnson said in a statement released by the team. "He represents a significant addition to this franchise, and reflects our commitment to putting the best possible product on the field." Favre's new No. 4 Jets jersey already was for sale on the team's Web site about an hour after the trade was announced. As a result of the trade, the Jets released quarterback Chad Pennington on Thursday to free up space for Favre's contract under the salary cap. "It's a bittersweet moment for us," Tannenbaum said. "I have all the respect in the world for Chad as a person, as a player. We've accomplished a lot of good things with Chad ... He gave his heart and soul to this organization for a long, long time. I really appreciate everything he's done." The Jets went into training camp with an open competition between Pennington and Kellen Clemens after neither established themselves during a 4-12 season. Pennington was 1-7 as the starter and was benched midway through the season. Clemens went 3-5, but Pennington actually had the better season statistically. The Jets who've spent more than $100 million this offseason overhauling their roster were much more aggressive than the Bucs in their pursuit of Favre all along. The bigger issue was getting Favre on the same page as the Packers' front office in terms of being amenable to a trade to the Jets. Finally, late Tuesday, Favre talked to Jets head coach Eric Mangini and others in the organization for the first time as they tried to convince Favre he would be a good fit in New York. "He's coming to a new city," Tannenbaum said. "He's been in one system for a number of years. He doesn't have a lot of connections to our coaching staff. We were able to talk through moving to the Northeast and other issues." The Packers had been hopeful of getting a deal done with the Jets for two reasons. One, it was the better offer on the table as far as the quality of the compensation. Two, it sends Favre out of the NFC. This trade caps a roller-coaster offseason ride for Favre the 38-year-old owner of nearly every meaningful passing record in NFL history and the franchise that became synonymous with his No. 4 jersey. Favre's on-again, off-again retirement has monopolized headlines for the past two months as news began trickling to the media that Favre was second-guessing both his retirement decision and his status in Green Bay. The Packers decided to move forward with Aaron Rodgers as their starting quarterback after Favre announced his retirement in March. Given their commitment to Rodgers, team officials weren't particularly receptive when Favre decided a little over a month ago that he might want to play after all the latest development in several years' worth of flip-flopping about his football future. Favre announced his retirement at a press conference on March 6. At the time, the decision seemed somewhat of a surprise considering the success of Favre's 2007 campaign 4,155 passing yards, 28 touchdown passes, plus career-highs in both completion percentage (66.5 percent) and yards per attempt (7.8). Even Favre admitted at the press conference that he still knew he could play and that he would want to play again at some point before training camp began. Thus began the long road to Wednesday's trade. He requested a release from the team in early July, then gave a TV interview criticizing Packers management a few days later. The Packers filed tampering charges against the Minnesota Vikings, the NFC North rival that they believed was trying to lure Favre away. Favre applied for reinstatement to the league nearly two weeks later, and rumors swirled about his possible fate anything from a trade to a backup spot behind Rodgers on the Packers bench. After some hope for reconciliation between the franchise and perhaps its most beloved player earlier this week, the final split between the Packers and Favre became obvious Tuesday evening. Packers coach Mike McCarthy told reporters on Tuesday that after approximately six hours of what he called "brutally honest" conversations over two days, the coach had determined that Favre doesn't have the right mind-set to play for the Packers. McCarthy said Favre couldn't seem to get past emotional wounds that were opened as tensions mounted in recent weeks even with the chance to win his starting job back potentially on the table. "The train has left the station, whatever analogy you want," McCarthy said Tuesday. "He needs to jump on the train and let's go. Or, if we can't get past things that have happened, I have to keep the train moving." McCarthy spoke to Favre again Tuesday night, but there was no indication that their conversation did anything to change the fractured relationship between Favre and the franchise. "It was just very general," McCarthy said of the conversation with Favre, who was excused from practice Wednesday. "Just how he was doing, where he was with the process, things like that." McCarthy said he was happy the rest of his players were getting a chance to move forward. "We talked about it last night," McCarthy said. "The players want resolution, they want what everybody wants. To come out here every day and talk about somebody that is not here and then shows up, it's gone on too long, and understandably so. They want to play football." The Associated Press contributed to this report. \|\|\|\|\| The Brett Favre era in Green Bay officially came to an end late Wednesday night as the legendary longtime Packers quarterback was traded to the New York Jets, the Packers announced. The exact compensation wasn't immediately available, but it is believed to be a fourth-round draft pick that increases in value depending on how the Jets perform in the 2008 season. According to the NFL Network, if Favre takes 50 percent of total snaps with the Jets in 2008, the fourth-rounder becomes a third-round pick. If he gets 70 percent of the snaps and the Jets make the playoffs, it becomes a second-round pick; and if he gets 80 percent of snaps and the Jets make the Super Bowl, it becomes a first-round pick. The Packers had been talking with the Jets and Tampa Bay Buccaneers since deciding earlier this week that the team and the three-time MVP couldn't coexist. The Packers decided to move forward with Aaron Rodgers as their starter after Favre announced his retirement in March. "Brett has had a long and storied career in Green Bay, and the Packers owe him a tremendous debt of gratitude for everything he accomplished on the field and for the impact he made in the state," Green Bay officials said in a statement. Favre vs. AFC East Brett Favre was 1-3 against the New York Jets in his career, but now that he'll soon be the Jets' new quarterback, here's a look at how he fared against the rest of the AFC East. Team Favre's Record Bills 2-3 Dolphins 3-2 Patriots 2-2 "It is with some sadness that we make this announcement, but also with the desire for certainty that will allow us to move the team and organization forward in the most positive way possible." Packers general manager Ted Thompson, coach Mike McCarthy, and president and CEO Mark Murphy are expected to hold a news conference Thursday morning to discuss the deal. Jets chairman and CEO Woody Johnson issued a statement early Thursday. "I am looking forward to seeing Brett Favre in a New York Jets uniform," Johnson said. "He represents a significant addition to this franchise, and reflects our commitment to putting the best possible team on the field. Mike Tannenbaum and his football administration staff did a great job of navigating this complex process. I am excited about welcoming Brett, Deanna and their family to the Jets organization." The NFL Network also is reporting that the Packers took great pains to ensure that Favre would not be traded to the Vikings by inserting a "poison pill" in the deal. If Favre were to be traded to Minnesota, New York would have to surrender three first-round picks to Green Bay. The overall agreement was first reported by Fox Sports on its Web site. "We just felt like this was an opportunity to go get somebody of Brett's stature and what he's accomplished," Jets GM Tannenbaum said in a conference call early Thursday morning. "We felt it was in the best interest of the team, and when the opportunity presented itself, we felt it was the right move for us to make and we went ahead and did it." A number of fans made it clear throughout training camp that they wanted Favre on the Jets with signs and "Get Brett!" chants. Favre's new No. 4 Jets jersey already was for sale on the team's Web site about an hour after the trade was announced. Far From Great QB Play Since Brett Favre started his consecutive starts streak (which began on Sept. 27, 1992, and is at 253 games), the Jets have gone through 15 QB starters. Here's a look at how Favre compares with those Jets QBs. Favre vs. Jets QBs Since Starts Streak Began Favre Jets QBs W-L 160-93 113-140 TD 440 287 Pass Yds Per Game 242.3 195.7 Tannenbaum, who said he had a "good" conversation with Favre, wouldn't speculate as to whether the quarterback will play in New York beyond this season. "We had discussions with him and his agent, Bus Cook," Tannenbaum said, "and we're going into this and we're going to take this one year at a time and we're excited to have Brett on the team this year." The arrival of Favre signals the end of Chad Pennington's career with the Jets. Tannenbaum said there would be another transaction regarding Pennington, who spent his first eight seasons with the Jets. "It's a bittersweet moment for us," Tannenbaum said. "I have all the respect in the world for Chad as a person, as a player. We've accomplished a lot of good things with Chad. He gave his heart and soul to this organization for a long, long time. I really appreciate everything he's done." Favre left Green Bay on Wednesday, boarding a private plane that left for Hattiesburg, Miss., at 1:25 p.m. ET with his wife, Deanna, and Cook. Favre's family home is near Hattiesburg. In Mississippi, Favre confirmed that he was considering the Jets and Buccaneers. "We're working on it," Favre told Jackson TV station WJTV. "Hopefully, we can get something resolved. I've been saying that for quite a while now. I don't want to say we're running out of time, but I need to get into a camp somewhere." Favre, who is 38, holds most major NFL passing records and led the Packers to the NFC Championship Game last season, where they lost to the New York Giants. Favre threw what would prove to be the decisive interception in overtime. The Jets went into training camp with an open competition between Pennington and Kellen Clemens after neither established himself in a 4-12 season. Pennington was 1-7 as the starter and was benched midway through the season. Clemens went 3-5, but Pennington actually had the better season statistically. Meadowlands' New Tenant Brett Favre played 255 games with the Packers and had many memorable days at Lambeau Field. Now that he's headed to New York, here's how Favre has fared at his new home, the Meadowlands. Favre Career At Meadowlands Comp pct. 60.7 Yds 1,319 TD 8 Int 5 Passer Rating 86.8 W-L 3-2 Back in Green Bay, after some hope for reconciliation between the franchise and perhaps its most beloved player earlier this week, the final split between the Packers and Favre became obvious Tuesday evening. McCarthy told reporters Tuesday that after approximately six hours of what he called "brutally honest" conversations over two days, the coach had determined that Favre doesn't have the right mindset to play for the Packers. McCarthy said Favre couldn't seem to get past emotional wounds that were opened as tensions mounted in recent weeks -- even with the chance to win his starting job back potentially on the table. "The train has left the station, whatever analogy you want," McCarthy said Tuesday. "He needs to jump on the train and let's go. Or, if we can't get past things that have happened, I have to keep the train moving." McCarthy spoke to Favre again Tuesday night, but there was no indication that their conversation did anything to change the fractured relationship between Favre and the franchise. "It was just very general," McCarthy said of the conversation with Favre, who was excused from practice Wednesday. "Just how he was doing, where he was with the process, things like that." McCarthy said he was happy the rest of his players were getting a chance to move forward. "We talked about it last night," McCarthy said. "The players want resolution, they want what everybody wants. To come out here every day and talk about somebody that is not here and then shows up, it's gone on too long, and understandably so. They want to play football." Information from The Associated Press was used in this report. \|\|\|\|\| The Brett Favre era in Green Bay officially came to a close early Thursday morning as the Packers traded their iconic quarterback to the New York Jets. Jets officials — including owner Woody Johnson, coach Eric Mangini and general manager Mike Tannenbaum — clinched the deal by making a strong pitch to convince Favre and his family to come to the Big Apple. "He's coming to a new city, he's been in one system for 16 years," Tannenbaum said in a conference call at 1 a.m. ET. "Not a lot of connections between Brett and our coaching staff but we were able to talk though coming to the Northeast. PACKERS WEIGH IN Murphy says divorce no one's fault "We're excited that he's with us." Interviews with several people with knowledge of the situation earlier Wednesday indicated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers were Favre's preferred, and more likely, destination. However, an insider close to Favre said that although Favre was unhappy the Packers didn't grant his request, the Jets won him over and he will report. "In the last few hours, they really sold him on the idea," a person with knowledge of the situation said. "They actually made him feel more wanted there." Earlier on Wednesday, insiders had indicated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers were Favre's preferred, and more likely, destination. One of the points in the Jets' pitch was that Johnson owns about 1,000 acres of land within 5 minutes of the team's training facility, and Favre could hunt there whenever he wants. The Jets' officials not only worked hard to convince Favre, they also talked to his wife, Deanna, and one of his brothers, Scott, about the benefits of playing for them. The deal still must be approved by the league. Tannenbaum said he was slightly surprised he was able to pull off the trade. "My gut reaction was, I really didn't think this was going to come to fruition," he said. Although the Jets were 4-12 last season, they were active in free agency, signing offensive linemen Alan Faneca and Damien Woody, among others, and have high hopes for this season. "If you truly look at it, at their schedule, with a couple of breaks, they could go 13-3 or 12-4," the Favre insider said. NFL Network reported the Packers received a fourth-round draft pick for Favre that could escalate based on his and the Jets' performance. 'THE HUDDLE' BLOG: Jets could send as much as a first-round pick So ends a 16-year relationship between the Packers and one of their greatest players, in a manner that would have seemed unfathomable until recently — with an extended public feud leading to a parting of ways with the three-time league MVP. The Packers released a statement wishing Favre well. "It is with some sadness that we make this announcement but also with the desire for certainty that will allow us to move the team and organization forward," team president Mark Murphy and general manager Ted Thompson said jointly. FULL PACKERS STATEMENT: In 'The Huddle' blog The trade, finalized around midnight ET, came about 12 hours after Favre left Green Bay on a chartered flight for his home in Hattiesburg, Miss., following two days of talks with Packers coach Mike McCarthy and Thompson that left both sides in agreement they could not reunite. "It's in everyone's best interest to do it quicker than later," Favre told reporters when he arrived in Mississippi, before he knew of the trade. "I won't say we're running out of time, but I need to get into a camp somewhere." The Packers appeared to be waiting for the best deal from the two teams that had shown interest in acquiring Favre since Thompson began serious trade inquiries last month. Favre's trade talks got serious after extended meetings on Monday and Tuesday with McCarthy and Thompson failed to assuage the deep wounds Favre felt from his bitter standoff with the Packers over the past two months. Favre also was unwilling to do what it would have taken to leverage a trade to his first choice, the Minnesota Vikings, so on Tuesday afternoon, he asked Cook to "get the deal done to Tampa," a person close to Favre said. "The bottom line in all of this is playing football," Favre said after he arrived in Hattiesburg on Wednesday afternoon. "I've always been committed to my job. I know people say I should put the personal issues aside, and I agree, but I couldn't do that. On their part, they obviously had taken the stance at some point during this offseason that they were going to move on, and that's OK. They sort of changed that stance when I (first) got back up there. We sort of figured that would happen. Otherwise they would have released me, but they didn't want to do that, which I understand. "As much history as I have in Green Bay and success, I really didn't see the positives that could come out (of competing for the starting job). It was always going to be a distraction. It was best that they had a clear-cut path they were going to go on. If I'm going to play, I'll try to play elsewhere and see what happens." Favre hoped to facilitate the deal to Tampa Bay by giving up any attempt to be traded to the Vikings, which Thompson placed off limits as bitter rivals of the Packers in the NFC North. The only shot Favre had at a deal to Minnesota was to report for the Packers' training camp practices, where his presence would have caused such a disturbance that Thompson might have dealt him to the Vikings if that was the only team Favre would agree to join. "He could have stayed (in Green Bay), he could have forced the issue, he could have been a bad teammate," Cook told The Sporting News. "But that's not Brett. They asked if he was committed to playing for them, but they are in no way committed to him. At no time during this whole situation have they ever told Brett that they want him back. At this point, it's time to go separate ways." The Jets' preseason opener is at 7:30 p.m. ET on Thursday at the Cleveland Browns. Favre is expected to meet with the team in New York on Thursday and it's unclear if he will attend the game in Cleveland. Favre's former teammates with the Packers appeared relieved that his standoff with the team had ended, at least over whether he might return to the team. The pressure of such a public dispute between the team's management and one of the best players of his era had filtered into the locker room. "I think you could just tell (Wednesday), there was more energy at practice," tackle Mark Tauscher said. "(Tuesday's) practice wasn't great, and we're not blaming anything, but I just think there was a lot of tension and the environment wasn't great for it." Cornerback Al Harris said: "You know what got kind of tiresome is that we don't know, here in the locker room, what was going on, what's going on. We kind of wanted to put the pressure on them to answer these questions, because we don't know. Whatever has happened has happened. I still don't know what's going on." Only four days ago, Favre arrived in Green Bay to cheers from a throng of fans welcoming his return. Perhaps as soon as Thursday morning, Favre will board a plane for New York. Contributing: Jane McManus, The (Westchester, N.Y.) Journal News; Scott Zucker, USA TODAY The Green Bay Press-Gazette and The (Westchester, N.Y.) Journal News are owned by Gannett, parent company of USA TODAY	Brett Favre with the Packers in 2006.Quarterback Brett Favre has been traded to the New York Jets for a conditional fourth-round draft selection in the 2009 NFL Draft. The trade was later confirmed by ESPN and the Jets themselves. The multiple National Football League record-holder was the starting quarterback of the Green Bay Packers from 1992 to the end of the 2007 NFL season. Favre, 38, announced his retirement on March 6, 2008 after much speculation over his future. After a long dispute with the Packers' management, Favre was reinstated by the NFL and was pursued in trade discussions with the Jets and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Jets were much more aggressive than the Buccaneers in their pursuit of Favre all along, offering a conditional fourth-round draft choice in the 2009 NFL Draft which could be promoted to a first-round selection based on performance criteria. "Brett has had a long and storied career in Green Bay, and the Packers owe him a tremendous debt of gratitude for everything he accomplished," the Packers said in a press release. Jets general manager Mike Tannenbaum said of the trade, "We just felt like this was an opportunity to go get somebody of Brett's stature and what he's accomplished." The trade caps a roller-coaster off-season ride for Favre and the franchise that became synonymous with his legendary No. 4 jersey, which was planned to be retired in the Packers' home opening game. Favre's on-again, off-again retirement has monopolized headlines for the past two months as news began trickling to the media that the legendary passer was second-guessing both his retirement decision and his status in Green Bay. Favre was offered a $20 million dollar marketing contract from the Packers to remain retired. Now, the Jets may have to clear cap space in order to have Favre on their roster — who is due to make $12 million this season — which may call for the release of Chad Pennington. A comment from Jets GM Tannenbaum all but confirmed the release of Pennington. "It's a bittersweet moment for us. I have all the respect in the world for Chad as a person, as a player," Tannenbaum said, adding that an announcement on a transaction involving Pennington will come later Thursday. The Packer's official website states that they will be holding press conferences at noon and 2:00 p.m. CDT and more information will be released then.
FAIR Fairness & Accuracy In Reporting 112 W. 27th Street New York, NY 10001 MEDIA ADVISORY: CBS 'Memogate' Fallout: Selective punishment shows media's true bias January 12, 2005 From the media interest surrounding CBS's investigation into "Memogate," one would think that the credibility of 60 Minutes' report on George W. Bush's National Guard service was the most pressing media issue facing the nation. Shortly after the report about Bush's National Guard service aired on 60 Minutes (9/8/04), right-wing commentators and bloggers claimed that the documents supporting the CBS report were fraudulent and pointed to the episode as evidence of "liberal media" bias. In fact, the CBS review, headed by former Attorney General Dick Thornburgh (an appointee of Bush's father) and former Associated Press president Louis Boccardi, was not able to state conclusively whether the documents were forgeries or not. The report also found no evidence that political bias was a factor in the network's journalism. Instead, the report documented a series of misjudgments on the part of several CBS staffers, most notably producer Mary Mapes. CBS's investigation did document serious failures in 60 Minutes' efforts to check its source's claims--an endemic problem in commercial news. If "Memogate" had called attention to the general issue of credulous journalism, it would have performed a valuable service for the public. But the media discussion of the incident generally treated it as either an aberration or as an emblem of left-wing media bias. The hours of coverage of the Rather episode managed to ignore what should have been the central question: Did George W. Bush, in reality, properly fulfill his National Guard requirements? On September 14, FAIR noted that CBS was only one of several media outlets to release important reports about documented discrepancies in Bush's service record. Because of the focus on the CBS documents and the accompanying right-wing accusations of media bias on the issue, those stories-- and the important questions they raised-- were quickly dropped by a cowed press corps. The claims that this controversy proves that CBS, or the media as a whole, have a liberal or anti-Bush bias, are ludicrous. When CBS staffers got caught taking shortcuts on a story critical of Bush, it cost them their careers. By contrast, other reporters have received much less scrutiny and punishment for offenses of far greater magnitude-- and with much more significant consequences to society. The New York Times, for example, published numerous allegations about weapons of mass destruction in Iraq that turned out to be false-- such as one source's claim that "all of Iraq is one large storage facility" for WMD (9/8/02). Those stories, many of which were splashed on the paper's front page, did a great deal to sell the White House's bogus case for war against Iraq. While the Times has admitted (5/26/04) that some of its WMD reporting was "insufficiently qualified or allowed to stand unchallenged," the reporter most responsible for those stories, Judith Miller, was never sanctioned by the Times-- and indeed still continues to report on Iraq for the paper. Ironically, after MSNBC's Hardball finished its discussion of CBS and journalistic responsibility on January 10, the show turned to a discussion of Iraq featuring... Judith Miller. The lesson of "Memogate," then, is that journalists may be punished for bad reporting-- if they have offended the wrong people. If they have merely helped steer the country into war under false pretenses, their careers can continue unimpeded. Read FAIR's September 14 release at: http://www.fair.org/press-releases/cbs-bush-documents.html \|\|\|\|\| Four CBS News employees, including three executives, have been ousted for their role in preparing and reporting a disputed story about President Bush's National Guard service. The action was prompted by the report of an independent panel that concluded that CBS News failed to follow basic journalistic principles in the preparation and reporting of the piece. The panel also said CBS News had compounded that failure with a "rigid and blind" defense of the 60 Minutes Wednesday report. Asked to resign were Senior Vice President Betsy West, who supervised CBS News primetime programs; 60 Minutes Wednesday Executive Producer Josh Howard; and Howard's deputy, Senior Broadcast Producer Mary Murphy. The producer of the piece, Mary Mapes, was terminated. "We deeply regret the disservice this flawed 60 Minutes Wednesday report did to the American public, which has a right to count on CBS News for fairness and accuracy," said CBS President Leslie Moonves. The panel said a "myopic zeal" to be the first news organization to broadcast a groundbreaking story about Mr. Bush's National Guard service was a key factor in explaining why CBS News had produced a story that was neither fair nor accurate and did not meet the organization's internal standards. The report said at least four factors that some observers described as a journalistic "Perfect Storm" had contributed to the decision to broadcast a piece that was seriously flawed. "The combination of a new 60 Minutes Wednesday management team, great deference given to a highly respected producer and the network's news anchor, competitive pressures, and a zealous belief in the truth of the segment seem to have led many to disregard some fundamental journalistic principles," the report said. The piece was aired during a tight and hotly contested presidential race between Mr. Bush and Democratic challenger Sen. John Kerry. The timing of the story prompted charges of political bias against CBS News. While the panel found that some actions taken by CBS News encouraged such suspicions, "the Panel cannot conclude that a political agenda at 60 Minutes Wednesday drove either the timing of the airing of the segment or its content." The story, which aired last Sept. 8, relied on four documents allegedly written by one of Mr. Bush's Texas Air National Guard commanders in the early 1970s, Lt. Col. Jerry Killian, who is now dead. Questions about the authenticity of the documents were raised almost immediately. Some critics said the documents were most probably forgeries prepared on a modern word processer. Other critics questioned whether Killian would have - or could have - written them. The documents suggested that Mr. Bush disobeyed an order to appear for a physical exam, and that friends of the Bush family tried to "sugar coat" his Guard service. After a stubborn 12-day defense of the story, CBS News conceded that it could not confirm the authenticity of the documents and asked former Attorney General Dick Thornburgh and former Associated Press President Louis Boccardi to conduct an independent investigation into the matter. Their findings were contained in a 224-page report made public on Monday. While the panel said it was not prepared to brand the Killian documents as an outright forgery, it raised serious questions about their authenticity and the way CBS News handled them. The panel identified 10 serious defects in the preparation and reporting of the story that included failure to obtain clear authentication of the documents or to investigate the controversial background of the source of the purported documents, retired Texas National Guard Lt. Col. Bill Burkett. The producer of the piece, Mary Mapes, was also faulted for calling Joe Lockhart, a senior official in the John Kerry campaign, prior to the airing of the piece, and offering to put Burkett in touch with him. The panel called Mapes' action a "clear conflict of interest that created the appearance of political bias." The panel noted that the Guard segment was rushed on the air only three days after 60 Minutes Wednesday had obtained some of the documents from Burkett and that preparation of the piece was supervised by a new management team of executive producer Josh Howard and senior broadcast producer Mary Murphy. A key factor in the decision to broadcast the piece was a telephone conversation between Mapes and Maj. Gen. Bobby Hodges, Killian's commanding officer during the period in question. Mapes told the panel Hodges confirmed the content of the four documents after she read them to him over the phone. Hodges, however, denied doing so. He also told the panel he had given Mapes information that should have raised warning flags about the documents, including his belief that Killian had never ordered anyone, including Mr. Bush, to take a physical. Hodges said that when he finally saw the documents after the Sept. 8 broadcast, he concluded they were bogus and told Rather and Mapes of his opinion on Sept. 10. "This alleged confirmation by Major General Hodges started to march 60 Minutes Wednesday into dangerous and ultimately unsustainable territory: the notion that since the content of the documents was felt to be true, demonstrating the authenticity of the documents became less important." Mapes' telephone conversation with Hodges was part of a vetting process that the panel concluded was wholly inadequate, largely because it had to be done so quickly. The key executives vetting the piece were West, Howard, and Murphy. After rushing the piece to air, the panel said, CBS News compounded the error by blindly defending the story. In doing so, the news organization missed opportunities to set the record straight. "The panel finds that once serious questions were raised, the defense of the segment became more rigid and emphatic, and that virtually no attempt was made to determine whether the questions raised had merit," the report concluded. The panel believes a turning point came on Sept. 10, when CBS News President Andrew Heyward ordered West to review the opinions of document examiners who had seen the disputed documents and the confidential sources supporting the story. But no such investigation was undertaken at that time. "Had this directive been followed promptly, the panel does not believe that 60 Minutes Wednesday would have publicly defended the segment for another 10 days," the report said. The panel made a number of recommendations for changes, including: Appoint a senior Standards and Practices Executive, reporting directly to the President of CBS News, who would review all investigative reporting, use of confidential sources and authentication of documents. Personnel should feel comfortable going to this person confidentially and without fear of reprisal, with questions or concerns about particular reports. Foster an atmosphere in which competitive pressure is not allowed to prompt airing of reports before all investigation and vetting is done. Allow senior management to know the names of confidential sources as well as all relevant background about the person needed to make news judgments. \|\|\|\|\| Today's Top News Stories • Bush, Merkel seem off to a warm start - • Tornadoes, storms kill 1 in Ala., hurt 13 Fla. children - • Alito heads toward confirmation despite challenges - • Dec. producer prices jump 0.9%, but core PPI is tame - • Iran threatens to block inspections if referred to U.N. council - • Add USATODAY.com RSS feeds E-Mail Newsletters Sign up to receive our free Daily Briefing e-newsletter and get the top news of the day in your inbox. E-mail: Select one: HTML Text Breaking News E-Mail Alerts Get breaking news in your inbox as it happens CBS fires 4 over Bush Guard story By Peter Johnson, USA TODAY CBS News let four staffers go Monday for their role in last fall's disputed story about President Bush's National Guard service. CBS' 60 Minutes II questioned Bush's Vietnam War-era commitment to service in the Texas Air National Guard. George Bush Presidential Library, via AP The dismissals did not include anchor Dan Rather, who reported the story, or the executive who supervised all involved, CBS News President Andrew Heyward. An independent panel, led by former attorney general Richard Thornburgh and retired Associated Press chief Lou Boccardi, concluded that producers failed to follow basic journalistic principles in the preparation and reporting of the Sept. 8 piece. But the panel, in its report Monday, concluded that there was no sign of political or anti-Bush bias in the production of the story, as Bush supporters have charged. Republican National Committee Chairman Ed Gillespie praised CBS for issuing the report but said, "We should remember that today's report would not have come about without a vigilant public." Said White House spokesman Scott McClellan: "We appreciate the steps CBS has taken to hold people accountable, and we hope it will take further steps to prevent something like this from happening again." The panel, without naming names or handing out sanctions, also said CBS News compounded that failure with a "rigid and blind" defense of the 60 Minutes Wednesday report. Asked to resign were Betsy West, a CBS News senior vice president who supervised prime-time programs; and John Howard, executive producer of 60 Minutes Wednesday, and his senior producer, Mary Murphy. Rather's producer, Mary Mapes, was fired. (Rather announced in November that he'll step down as anchor of The CBS Evening News in March.) "We deeply regret the disservice this flawed 60 Minutes Wednesday report did to the American public, which has a right to count on CBS News for fairness and accuracy," CBS President Leslie Moonves said. At the root of the reporting fiasco, the panel said, was a "myopic zeal" to be the first news organization to break new ground about Bush's Guard service. That, the panel said, was key in explaining why CBS News had produced a story that was not fair or accurate and did not meet the organization's standards. The report said at least four factors that some observers described as a journalistic "perfect storm" had contributed to the decision to broadcast a piece that was seriously flawed. "The combination of a new60 Minutes Wednesday management team, great deference given to a highly respected producer and the network's news anchor, competitive pressures and a zealous belief in the truth of the segment seem to have led many to disregard some fundamental journalistic principles." The piece was aired at the height of the presidential race between Bush and Massachusetts Democratic Sen. John Kerry, prompting charges of political bias. But while the panel found that some actions taken by CBS News encouraged such suspicions, it "cannot conclude that a political agenda at 60 MinutesWednesday drove either the timing of the airing of the segment or its content." The story relied on four documents purportedly written by one of Bush's Texas Air National Guard commanders in the early 1970s by the late Lt. Col. Jerry Killian. Questions about the authenticity of the documents arose immediately. The panel said it could not prove that the documents were forged. But it said CBS failed to authenticate them and falsely claimed that an expert had done so. \|\|\|\|\| CBS fires 4 over Bush-Guard story NEW YORK (AP) -- Four CBS employees were fired Monday following the release of an independent investigation into a "60 Minutes Wednesday" story about President Bush's military service that relied on forged documents. The network fired Mary Mapes, producer of the report; Josh Howard, executive producer of "60 Minutes Wednesday" and his top deputy Mary Murphy; and senior vice president Betsy West. Dan Rather, the anchor of the "CBS Evening News" who served as the story's correspondent, announced in November he would be stepping down from his anchor position in March. Rather did not mention the controversy when he made his announcement. According to a CBS statement, an independent panel appointed by the network concluded that CBS News failed to follow basic journalistic principles in putting together the piece, which aired September 8. That failure was compounded with a "rigid and blind" defense of the report, the statement continued. "The combination of a new '60 Minutes Wednesday' management team, great deference given to a highly respected producer and the network's news anchor, competitive pressures, and a zealous belief in the truth of the segment seem to have led many to disregard some fundamental journalistic principles," the report said, according to the CBS statement. The panel, which was led by former Attorney General Richard Thornburgh and former Associated Press President Louis Boccardi, added that -- despite accusations of political bias against CBS -- "[the panel] cannot conclude that a political agenda at '60 Minutes Wednesday' drove either the timing of the airing of the segment or its content." Still, "the bottom line is that much of the September 8th broadcast was wrong, incomplete or unfair," Les Moonves, co-president of CBS parent Viacom, said in a statement announcing the firings.	CBS News dismissed four employees Tuesday, including three executives, in the aftermath of an investigation into a faulty news story about President George W. Bush. , who reported the story, is not included in these dismissals. The discharged employees were: Betsy West, senior vice president and overseer of CBS News primetime programs, Josh Howard, ''60 Minutes Wednesday'' executive producer, Mary Murphy, senior broadcast producer and Mary Mapes, program producer. On Sept. 8, 2004 CBS presented in 60 Minutes Wednesday program, a story about President George W. Bush service during the . The news questioned Bush's commitment to service, saying he refused an order to appear for a physical exam and that Bush family tried to favour him. The news relied on four documents apparently written by Lt. Col. Jerry Killian (already dead), Bush's Texas Air National Guard commanders in the early 1970s. Critics said the documents were fake. After standing its story for about 12 days CBS admitted they could not confirm the authenticity of the documents and asked former attorney General Dick Thornburgh and former President Louis Boccardi to start an independent investigation about it. The independent panel was not able to make any conclusions about the authenticity of the documents and found that political bias was not a factor, but it did criticize the producers for failing to follow basic journalistic principles when they made no attempt to verify their source's claims. CBS President said about the matter: ''We deeply regret the disservice this flawed 60 Minutes Wednesday report did to the American public, which has a right to count on CBS News for fairness and accuracy.''
Prince Charles pays his respects at the Cenotaph The service was the first of a series of events around Britain to commemorate VE Day - proclaimed on May 8, 1945. Parades, street parties and church ceremonies were also held and there will be a special BBC VE Day concert in Trafalgar Square this evening. At lunchtime, about 2,300 servicemen marched through Hyde Park. The prince was accompanied by the Duchess of Cornwall at the 81st annual parade and service of the Combined Cavalry Old Comrades Association at the park's Cavalry Memorial. He laid a wreath at the memorial before attending an open air service at the bandstand. Neville Gillman, 87, from Chesham, Bucks, a former Desert Rat, who is now president of the Sharp Shooters' Yeomanry Association, said it was a "moving occasion". "This lady came up to me and said 'I just want to take this opportunity to thank you'. What can you say. We just did what we had to do," he added. European tribute Ceremonies are also being held across Europe to mark the anniversary. US President George W Bush led commemorations at the US military cemetery in the Netherlands, where 8,000 American servicemen are buried. A service also took place at Berlin Cathedral in Germany and French President Jacques Chirac attended a ceremony on the Champs-Elysees in Paris, where he handed out medals to veterans. Around 265,000 British servicemen and women were killed in World War II, and tens of thousands of civilians died in the Blitz. The Royal Artillery Band played during the earlier Cenotaph service, which was led by Bishop to the Armed Forces David Conner, and attended by former servicemen. Every person in the United Kingdom who values their freedom should mark VE day James, UK VE Day: Your comments Some veterans, who travelled from all over the country to attend the event, were disappointed that the Queen and Tony Blair did not pay their respects at Whitehall. Jack Bruce, 85, of Edmonton, north London, a former glider pilot who served in the D-Day landings and in Arnhem, was expecting a large-scale national celebration. He said: "It's not good having something on such a small scale like this. If we don't have proper memorials the younger generation will never understand what we went through. "They'll have no idea of what it means to be at war." Peter Watson, 84, who fought for the Black Watch in France and Italy was disappointed at the small number of people present at the Cenotaph. "The word 'appreciation' keeps coming into my mind of the enormous effort that the whole country made to win that war," he said. "It has no impact on people's minds today, or very little, and that is a great loss." Better parade But a spokesman for the Royal British Legion said it was satisfied with the memorial plans and stressed that the Queen is due to lead further celebrations later in the year. "Even as late as the end of last year there weren't going to be events today, simply on 10 July," he said. "Veterans said that wasn't acceptable and that they wanted the day to be marked. " We will not repeat the mistakes of other generations - appeasing or excusing tyranny, and sacrificing freedom in the vain pursuit of stability President Bush, in Latvia Scots mark anniversary Welsh veterans remember Service held in NI At 2000 BST a Dakota DC3 will fly at 1,500 feet over Big Ben, Whitehall and Trafalgar Square. The flight by the plane, from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight based at RAF Coningsby, Lincolnshire, will signal the start of the concert, headlined by Will Young and Katie Melua. "Forces' sweetheart" Dame Vera Lynn will make a guest appearance. Up to 15,000 people are expected to gather in Trafalgar Square for the free event, called A Party to Remember. There will also be footage screened of the original Trafalgar Square VE Day celebrations from 8 May 1945. The concert, organised by the Royal British Legion, the BBC and London mayor Ken Livingstone, will also be shown live on giant screens in Birmingham, Liverpool, Manchester and Hull. Guernsey visit The Queen will also lead a day of national remembrance on 10 July - designated as the principal day of commemoration. There will also be ceremonies to mark VJ Day - Victory over Japan - to be staged on 21 August. The Queen and the Duke will visit Guernsey and Jersey on Monday to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Channel Islands' liberation from Nazi occupation. \|\|\|\|\| President Bush: "Freedom is the birthright of all mankind" More than 40 million people had lost their lives by the time World War II ended in Europe on 8 May 1945. President George W Bush laid a wreath at a US cemetery in the Netherlands, where 8,000 US servicemen are buried. Commemorations also took place in Germany, France and the UK, where the Prince of Wales laid a wreath at the Cenotaph in London. Germany was holding a two-day Festival of Democracy at Berlin's famous Brandenburg Gate, in a sign of reconciliation with past enemies and relief at the defeat of the Nazi dictatorship. Battles were fought by normal men who did outstanding things DW, Chicago, USA VE Day: Your comments In pictures: VE Day A planned march by neo-Nazis in Berlin was called off after thousands of anti-Fascist demonstrators gathered to try and stop them. In a speech to parliament, President Horst Koehler said neo-Nazis "have no chance" today because the vast majority of Germans do not support them. Victory's 'terrible price' At the Margraten cemetery near Maastricht, President Bush and Dutch Queen Beatrix laid wreaths after a salute fired by a guard of honour and the playing of the Last Post. "We commemorate a great victory for liberty. And the thousands of white marble crosses and Stars of David underscore the terrible price we paid for that victory," Mr Bush said. We should not forget the things that brought us together, that united us Russian President Vladimir Putin Tough diplomatic test How the Allies won "Americans and Europeans are continuing to work together and are bringing freedom and hope to places where it has long been denied. In Afghanistan, in Iraq, in Lebanon and across the broader Middle East," he said. Dutch Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende paid tribute to the fallen US soldiers, saying "they gave us the most precious gift - freedom". Military planes flew overhead in a "missing man" formation, where one plane breaks away from the group to signify a fallen comrade. Mr Bush later arrived in Moscow, where he and other heads of state will attend Russia's colourful victory celebrations on Monday. From Moscow, Mr Bush will travel on to Georgia. To mark Victory in Europe Day - or VE Day: Germany held a special service at the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church in Berlin and a ceremony at the main Soviet war memorial as well as a special session of the German parliament. In France, President Jacques Chirac attended ceremony on the Champs-Elysees in Paris, where he handed out medals to veterans and met school children. \|\|\|\|\| Prince Charles pays his respects at the Cenotaph Thousands of people across Britain have been commemorating the 60th anniversary of the Allied victory over Germany. More than 40 million people had lost their lives by the time World War II ended in Europe on 8 May 1945. Prince Charles marked VE Day by laying a wreath at the Cenotaph in London before meeting veterans in Hyde Park. Then up to 15,000 people gathered in Trafalgar Square for a special televised BBC VE Day concert, presented by Eamonn Holmes and Natasha Kaplinsky. Live concert At 2000 BST a Dakota DC3 flew at 1,500 feet over Big Ben, Whitehall and Trafalgar Square. The flight by the plane, from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight based at RAF Coningsby, Lincolnshire, signalled the start of the concert, headlined by Will Young and Katie Melua. "Forces' sweetheart" Dame Vera Lynn made a guest appearance. Every person in the United Kingdom who values their freedom should mark VE day James, UK Stars gather for concert VE Day: Your comments Anniversary in pictures "These boys gave their lives and some came home badly injured and for some families life would never be the same," Dame Vera said. "We should always remember, we should never forget and we should teach the children to remember." The free event, called A Party to Remember, also screened footage of the original Trafalgar Square VE Day celebrations from 8 May 1945. The concert, organised by the Royal British Legion, the BBC and London mayor Ken Livingstone, was shown live on giant screens in Birmingham, Liverpool, Manchester and Hull. 'Moving occasion' Prince Charles launched the first service of the day at the London Cenotaph. It was followed by a march of around 2,300 servicemen through Hyde Park. The prince was accompanied by the Duchess of Cornwall at the 81st annual parade and service of the Combined Cavalry Old Comrades Association at the park's Cavalry Memorial. Neville Gillman, 87, from Chesham, Bucks, a former Desert Rat, who is now president of the Sharp Shooters' Yeomanry Association, said it was a "moving occasion". "This lady came up to me and said 'I just want to take this opportunity to thank you'. What can you say. We just did what we had to do," he added. Better parade In Scotland, First Minister Jack McConnell attended a church service in St Andrew's Cathedral, before laying a wreath on behalf of the Scottish people. In Cardiff, veterans marked the day with a service at the cenotaph in Cathays Park and street parties were held in Birmingham, Liverpool and Manchester. Four Spitfire planes also flew low across Duxford near Cambridge - which was a fighter base during World Wars I and II. We will not repeat the mistakes of other generations - appeasing or excusing tyranny, and sacrificing freedom in the vain pursuit of stability President Bush, in Latvia Scots mark anniversary Welsh veterans remember Service held in NI There was some disappointment among veterans at the London Cenotaph that the Queen and Tony Blair did not pay their respects at Whitehall. Jack Bruce, 85, of Edmonton, north London, a former glider pilot who served in the D-Day landings and in Arnhem, was expecting a large-scale national celebration. He said: "It's not good having something on such a small scale like this. If we don't have proper memorials the younger generation will never understand what we went through." But a spokesman for the Royal British Legion said it was satisfied with the memorial plans and stressed that the Queen is due to lead further celebrations later in the year. On Monday the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh are due to visit Guernsey and Jersey to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Channel Islands' liberation from Nazi occupation. European tribute Ceremonies have been held across Europe to mark the anniversary. US President George W Bush led commemorations at the US military cemetery in the Netherlands, where 8,000 servicemen are buried. A service took place at Berlin Cathedral in Germany and French President Jacques Chirac attended a ceremony on the Champs-Elysees in Paris. Around 265,000 British servicemen and women were killed in World War II, and tens of thousands of civilians died in the Blitz. E-mail this to a friend Printable version \|\|\|\|\| Democracy on Bush's Russia agenda MOSCOW, Russia (CNN) -- U.S. President George W. Bush has arrived in Moscow to hold talks with President Vladimir Putin and attend a Red Square military parade marking 60 years since the end of World War II. Talk of democracy will be high on Bush's agenda with Putin, U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice told reporters Sunday aboard Air Force One. "While we need to acknowledge the painful history, it's now time also to honor the memories of those who sacrificed by moving on and building strong, free democracies," The Associated Press quoted Rice as saying. "This is not an issue of lecturing Russia. It is that the United States and Russia have a deep and broad relationship. We'd like it to get deeper and broader," she said. "And the issue of common values and how Russia's democracy progresses is one of the issues on the agenda, an important issue on the agenda." Bush's whirlwind European trip, which has included stops in the Netherlands and the ex-Soviet republic of Latvia, is a delicate diplomatic balancing act that has already led to Kremlin criticism. In the Latvian capital Riga on Saturday, Bush called the Cold War division of Europe after 1945 one of the "greatest wrongs of history" and referred to the "occupation and communist oppression" of the Baltic states. The Kremlin has expressed concern about Bush's visits to Latvia and Georgia, also set for this trip, because of Moscow's strained relationships with its former satellites. Russian officials also have objected to Bush's use of the word occupation in reference to the fate of the Baltics. (Full story) Rice said Bush will tell Putin that Russia should try to improve relations with the Baltic nations because they are neighbors and have a long history, AP reported. "The experience of the Baltics with the Soviet Union was an unhappy and tragic one," she said. "The experience of the Baltics with Russia does not have to be." Bush's private talks with Putin Sunday evening will touch on some of the most contentious issues spurring open disagreement between the two world leaders. While their public remarks are expected to be about the war, their behind-the-scenes discussions are likely to deal with more immediate issues. Those include Russia's moves away from democracy, Putin's recent comment expressing nostalgia for the Soviet Union, his plans to sell anti-aircraft missiles to Syria and Russia's assistance to Iran in building a nuclear-powered electricity plant. The two men have continued to openly express their friendship even amid the concerns over these and other issues, and Rice predicted Sunday's meeting would be no different. "I've watched them together and they are friendly," she said. "Their wives are going to be at this dinner." However, in an interview with CBS's "60 Minutes" to be aired Sunday, Putin said Washington should not criticize Russia's internal affairs because the U.S. system of electing presidents, including the Electoral College, has its own flaws, AP reported. "In the United States, you first elect the electors and then they vote for the presidential candidates. In Russia, the president is elected through the direct vote of the whole population. That might be even more democratic," he said. But he said he would appeal for unity at Monday's ceremonies. "We should not forget the things that brought us together, that united us," Putin said. "We have to look to the future to fight for the future of mankind and to fight especially against terrorism." Bush honors WWII dead Earlier Sunday, Bush paid tribute in the Netherlands to the Americans who died during World War II in the fight to free Europe from the tyranny of Nazi Germany. "On this peaceful May morning, we commemorate a great victory for liberty," Bush said Sunday at Europe's third-largest cemetery for America war dead in Margraten. "The thousands of white marble crosses and stars of David underscore the terrible price we paid for that victory." Bush compared the fight for freedom in Europe 60 years ago to his efforts to spread democracy today. "The world's tyrants learned a lesson -- there is no power like the power of freedom and no solider is as strong as the soldier that fights for that freedom," Bush said. "The free and peaceful world that we hope to leave to our own children is inspired by their example." Before his speech, Bush and Queen Beatrix laid wreaths in a light, chilly rain at the U.S. cemetery at Margraten near the southern city of Maastricht, where 8,301 U.S. war dead are buried. First lady Laura Bush laid flowers at the grave of a soldier, a Medal of Honor winner who served in the same division as her father. A bugler played taps, and military aircraft flew over the cemetery. Dutch Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende read from the diary of Anne Frank: "I feel the suffering of millions and yet when I look up into the skies I somehow feel everything will change for the better, that this cruelty will end, that peace will return again once more." "Freedom is a universal value," Balkenende said. "Faith, freedom and democracy unite us. Day after day we must work hard to cherish and promote our freedom. "Day after day we must remember we can freedom for granted. Day after day we must keep the bond between freedom and other values in mind." Bush held a working breakfast Sunday with Balkenende, while outside six people were arrested in a protest against Bush. The U.S. president is very unpopular in Netherlands, largely because of the Iraq war. CNN's Dana Bash, John King and Jill Dougherty contributed to this report. \|\|\|\|\| Europe marks 60 years since WWII In London, Charles and Defence Secretary Reid place wreaths at the Cenotaph war memorial. YOUR E-MAIL ALERTS Germany Great Britain Europe Prince Charles or or Create your own Manage alerts \| What is this? LONDON, England (AP) -- Solemn commemoration services and street parties drew huge crowds Sunday as Europe celebrated the 60th anniversary of Nazi Germany's defeat and the end of the continent's most devastating war. Prince Charles wore naval uniform as he laid a wreath before London's monument to the dead of both World Wars, while U.S. President George W. Bush paid tribute to American lives lost in the 1939-45 conflict at a cemetery in the Netherlands. "On this day, we celebrate the victory they won and we recommit ourselves to the great truth that they defended: that freedom is the birthright of all of mankind," Bush said at Margraten, Europe's third-largest cemetery for America's war dead. He was joined in the event by Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands. (Full story) French President Jacques Chirac and German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder also attended ceremonies in their countries to mark the close of World War II in Europe. Thousands of people, including Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, traveled to a former Nazi death camp in Austria to mark its liberation. Russian veterans gathered in Moscow to prepare for celebrations on Monday to be attended by dozens of foreign leaders, including Bush. Russia paid the heaviest price of any nation for Adolf Hitler's aggression, losing some 26 million soldiers and citizens. Around 6 million Jews were murdered during World War II, which cost some 50 million lives in total. China and Poland also suffered massive losses, as did Germany, Japan, Britain, France, the United States and many other countries. By comparison, some 10 million people perished in World War I, the previous most bloody conflict in Europe. In Berlin, Schroeder and German President Horst Koehler attended a cathedral service ahead of a wreath-laying ceremony at a memorial to victims of Nazism and war. Most Germans consider Hitler's defeat to have liberated them as well as the rest of Europe from the terrors of Nazism. But hundreds of supporters of an extreme-right party planned to protest the "cult of guilt" they say was imposed on the nation after Germany's surrender. Berlin police stepped up security ahead of the National Democratic Party march which gathered several hundred young men in black with shaven heads, some carrying flags in red, white and black -- the colors used by the Nazis and imperial Germany. Organizers said they expected up to 4,000 marchers. (Full story) In London, meanwhile, World War II veterans and hundreds of other spectators watched Prince Charles place a wreath of blood-red poppies at the Cenotaph memorial in honor of some 260,000 Britons who died fighting Nazi Germany and her allies -- mainly Japan and Italy. Queen Elizabeth II will lead national commemorations on July 10, which has been named Britain's main day of commemoration, and some veterans expressed disappointment at the modest scale of Sunday's Victory in Europe Day event at the Cenotaph. "We are all disappointed that the queen and the Prime Minister (Tony Blair) are not here, when we arrived we looked around and thought that this was a nonentity," said 83-year-old former Royal Air Force Cpl. Leonard Hamer. Further north, in the central city of Birmingham, people brought picnics to a street party, evoking memories of the massive street celebrations that broke out across Britain on May 8, 1945, the day an armistice was signed in Berlin. The Nazi capitulation was signed the day before in Reims, France, a week after Hitler committed suicide in his Berlin bunker. World War II raged on in the Pacific until Japan's surrender on Aug. 15. At the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, Chirac laid flowers at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier watched by troops from the many nations that united to crush Hitler. They included Australia, Belgium, Britain, Canada, the Czech Republic, Greece, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Russia, Slovakia and the United States. Jets flew over the graceful tree-lined Avenue des Champs-Elysees, streaking the sky with red, white and blue smoke -- the colors of the French flag. At the former Mauthausen death camp in Austria, thousands took part in a ceremony to remember some 100,000 inmates killed by the Nazis there. It was the last big Nazi death camp still operating when the U.S. Third Army's 11th Armored Division arrived in early May 1945. About 6,000 of the camp's victims were Spaniards, enemies of fascist Spanish leader Gen. Francisco Franco. Spain's Zapatero paid tribute to them at the camp Sunday. "As prime minister of the government of a democratic Spain, I want to pay homage, remember and express my admiration for all Spaniards who suffered in this concentration camp in its fight for freedom and dignity," Zapatero said. Poland's main V-E Day celebrations took place Saturday in the western city of Wroclaw. On Sunday, Prime Minister Marek Belka paid homage to soldiers who fought in WWII in a ceremony before Warsaw's Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Belka also referred to Monday's ceremonies in Moscow. For Poles, the end of Nazi oppression marked the start of decades of often brutal Soviet rule. "A ceremony in Moscow will pay homage to all soldiers of the anti-Hitler coalition," Belka said. "We want to believe that honest words of truth will be spoken there, about heroism during the war but also about betrayal and enslavement of the postwar years." \|\|\|\|\| WASHINGTON, May 8, 2005 The nation paid tribute to the "Greatest Generation" for the 60th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day today here at the World War II Memorial on the National Mall. World War II-decorated veteran and former Sen. Bob Dole participates in a wreath-laying ceremony with fellow veteran retired Army Gen. Frederick J. Kroesen at the World War II Memorial in Washington on May 8. The ceremony was in commemoration of the 60th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day. Photo by Samantha Quigley (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available. The focus was on the veterans present and the incredible sacrifices they made to protect freedom at home and abroad. Secretary of the Army Francis Harvey attributed the "blessings of liberty and the 60 years of prosperity that have followed to those who fought in World War II" in his address to the estimated crowd of more than 1,000 World War II and their families. "The United States today stands as the beacon of hope for the world because of what these Americans accomplished: victory over defeat, democracy over fascism, good over evil," Harvey said. Today the grandchildren of that generation also were held up as equals to their heroic grandparents, Harvey noted. They, like their grandparents before them, stepped forward when their country needed them and, like their grandparents, are making incredible sacrifices in the current terror war. "Just as Pearl Harbor was the call to arms for that generation, the attacks of Sept. 11 served as the call to duty for today's generation," Harvey said. "And just as America's soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines won the second World War, so too will today's generation, the grandsons and granddaughters of the greatest generation, win the global war on terrorism." Harvey told the group gathered that they had set the example for the today's servicemembers. He illustrated his point with stories of two servicemembers - one who lost his life to save those of his fellow soldiers and another who, despite losing both legs to a rocket-propelled grenade attack in Iraq, wants to return to duty as a Black Hawk helicopter pilot. "The courage and selfless service of (the two soldiers) and countless other soldiers serving today is a direct result of the values and influence of the greatest generation," Harvey said. "They answered the call to duty and set a shining example for today's generation." World War II-decorated veteran and former Sen. Bob Dole echoed the Army secretary's sentiments when he addressed the crowd. He said that President Bush's inaugural address had heartened him with its message of support for democracy and freedom for all people. "As he spoke," Dole said about the president's January speech, "I was reminded that for better or for worse, that commitment must constantly be renewed. "We're proud of what we achieved 60 years ago and what we have become," Dole noted. "We're also proud of the brave Americans who continue to renew our commitment to freedom and democracy." He asked the veterans present to stand, "so we can get an idea of who really won this war." He then asked the crowd gathered to look at those standing and imagine what life might be like had these "young men" not prevailed. What language would the nation be speaking? Dole inquired. Would U.S. citizens have the right to assemble on the National Mall for such a ceremony? "Then take another look at these young men and thank them for their service," Dole said. "There are five magic words: 'Thank you for your service.' It makes our whole day if you tell us that, maybe our whole week, maybe our whole month." Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs Gordon H. Mansfield commended the veterans not only for their courage and determination in war, but also because he said their attitudes didn't change upon their return home. "When they came home, those people in uniform, those men and women, took on the honor title of 'veteran,' rolled up their sleeves and went about the business of reinventing America," Mansfield said. "The change agent that made that reinvention possible was the G.I. Bill of Rights." The effects of that bill of rights can be felt in virtually every aspect of society, he noted. The G.I. Bill provided the opportunity for servicemembers to attend college, which created leaders of industry, doctors, scientists, city planners and statesmen, Mansfield said. "They were responsible for our space programs, for breakthroughs in medicine, the development of our suburbs and the rise of America as the world's most respected economy," he added. James Gillespie, of Christiansburg, Va., was among World War II veterans at the ceremony. He described himself as a former sailor who "brought the boys into the beaches." He came today because his daughters, who were also in attendance, thought he needed to be here. "My daughters brought me up here," he said. "I'll be 81 in June and they wanted me to see this. (The ceremony) is a great honor." Gillespie's view mirrored the overwhelming sentiment among attendees -- that the observance of the day they worked so hard for so long ago and so far away was indeed, an honor. "This ceremony was great," said former Navy radioman Avon R. Blevins. "I was glad to stand in for all my buddies who couldn't' be here."	The Arc de Triomphe during the May 8, 2005, celebrations Jacques Chirac and other officials The 60th anniversary of has been commemorated Sunday across Europe and the . * In Germany: and attended a service at the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church in and a wreath-laying ceremony at the main Soviet war memorial. VE Day is commemorated as Democracy Day in Germany, as Germans consider it to be the day when they, too, were liberated from . * In the United Kingdom: , wearing his uniform of in the , laid a commemorative wreath at the Cenotaph. is scheduled to attend the main commemorative ceremony to be held on July 10, 2005. At 19:00 UTC a Dakota DC3, from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight based at RAF Coningsby, flew over the Palace of Westminster, Whitehall, and Trafalgar Square to mark the beginning of a televised BBC VE Day concert. * In France: Jacques Chirac laid a memorial wreath at the at the . * In the Netherlands: and Queen attended a memorial ceremony at a United States military cemetery near , where the was sounded. * In : gave a controversial speech at a commemorative celebration of victory over fascism in , starting with "Comrades, ladies and gentlemen." He said that , a World War Two Croatian state, was "founded on crime" and is "a discrace and an insult to Croats." The role of and during the World War Two is still a point of debate in Croatia. * In the United States: Former Sen. spoke during a Sunday ceremony commemorating the anniversary of allied victory in Europe, May 8, 1945. The ceremony was held near the in . The 60th anniversary of is scheduled to be celebrated in , and other successor states of the , on May 9, 2005.
Ministers said their budget would get the economy moving again The Scottish Government has been continuing last-minute talks to win enough support to pass its budget. Labour and the Liberal Democrats intend to vote against the £33bn spending plans for 2009-10, after negotiations with ministers broke down. The minority government is hoping to get the budget approved in parliament, with help from the two Green MSPs and the Conservatives. Ministers said rejection of the budget could cost Scotland £1.8bn. Finance Secretary John Swinney told BBC Radio's Good Morning Scotland programme the budget would boost the Scottish economy. He said: "If people vote against the budget at 5 o'clock, they're voting against an increase in public expenditure of £1.8bn. "Members of parliament have to think how are they going to explain to their constituents that they've turned their back on investment in the Scottish economy, the creation of 5,000 jobs to support the construction sector. From a Green perspective, there is a lot of big, bad stuff in this budget Patrick Harvie Green MSP Brian Taylor blogs on the budget "The duty for me is to put forward a budget that convinces parliament and that's what I'm working to do." Scottish Labour, which wanted changes including more money for apprenticeships, said the concessions offered by the government were not enough. The party's leader, Iain Gray, said: "Despite a series of meetings, we regret the response from Finance Secretary John Swinney so far continues to fall short of what needs to be done. "Nonetheless our door remains open in the sincere hope that they will now consider their decision and act in the interests of the Scottish people and the economy." The Liberal Democrats' call for a 2p income tax cut has already been rejected by ministers. Meanwhile, talks have been on-going between ministers and the Greens, who have demanded a £100m-a-year free home insulation scheme. Mr Swinney has offered a lower-price pilot scheme, but Green MSP Patrick Harvie said he did not think his party's demand was unreasonable. He told BBC Scotland: "From a Green perspective, there is a lot of big, bad stuff in this budget. "I know that £100m is a substantial demand, or a substantial request, but there is a substantial amount in this budget we would be asked to overlook if we were to vote for it. "I really hope that John Swinney and others right across the spectrum will see the value of what we are proposing, and that we will see a budget pass this evening." Emergency measures It is thought the Conservatives, whose list of demands includes more action on hospital infections and a town centre regeneration fund, will vote for the budget. Ministers also hope they can secure support from independent MSP Margo Macdonald. The Scottish Government said its budget would support thousands of jobs and bring forward £230m worth of transport, health and education projects to get the economy moving again. It said that rejecting the spending plans would cost Scotland £1.8bn of spending in 2009-10, under emergency measures allowing ministers to spend at the latest version of the current year's budget. Bookmark with: Delicious Digg reddit Facebook StumbleUpon What are these? E-mail this to a friend Printable version \|\|\|\|\| Alex Salmond tonight put the Scottish National party on an election footing after his £33bn budget bill was dramatically defeated by the narrowest of margins after a revolt by three opposition parties. The first minister said he would present his budget for a second time next week, but warned that if it was again rejected by MSPs at Holyrood, his government would have to resign, forcing a major political crisis for the Scottish parliament. That would require Labour, which is the second largest party in Holyrood with one fewer seat than the SNP's 47, to try and form a ruling coalition. If Labour failed to do so, that would force a fresh election, mid-way through the Scottish parliament's normal four-year term. Salmond said: "We believe the budget is crucial to the people of Scotland. We believe it's our responsibility to place a budget back before the parliament. "If the budget can't get through then the government cannot remain in office. Under these circumstances, the normal thing would be to have an election and that's what I would welcome. Of course, other parties could have the option of forming another administration. "However, it's certainly my view that the people of Scotland would want the opportunity to comment and to elect a new parliament. For that reason, I'm putting the SNP on an election footing tonight." Salmond's warning was designed to rachet up the pressure on the Scottish Green party and Labour party, who voted with the Liberal Democrats to reject the SNP's budget for 2009-10, to agree a deal with his government on a revised budget. Salmond lost by only by the single casting vote of the presiding officer, Alex Fergusson, after the SNP secured 64 votes with the support of the Tories and independent MSP Margo MacDonald, tying with the 64 votes commanded by Labour, the Lib Dems and the two Greens. Protocol requires the presiding officer to vote for the status quo in a dead heat; on this occasion for the current £31bn budget. The defeat came after Salmond tried but failed to use his personal influence to persuade the Green party leader, Patrick Harvie, to back the budget, in a dramatic intervention outside the parliamentary chamber. The Greens had demanded an additional £11m to be spent on a free house insulation programme – extra spending that John Swinney, the finance secretary, refused to offer. Salmond's discomfort increased when Iain Gray, the Scottish Labour leader, raised the prospect of a vote of no confidence against the SNP government – a vote which Labour will demand if Salmond fails to get its revised budget bill passed next month. Tonight Gray immediately dismissed Salmond's threat of an election: it would require a two-thirds majority of the Scottish parliament to call one. "Alex Salmond is deluding himself if he thinks he can call an election. The Scottish parliament will call an election, surely he knows the rules." Swinney tonight tabled a new budget bill immediately after the defeat, and said ministers hoped to have a fresh vote by February 19 at the latest. Salmond insisted that he was determined to ensure Scotland's councils, health boards and other services had the £1.8bn in additional spending they needed next year. Swinney had stated his plans were "vital" for the Scottish economy, which was now slipping into recession. "At a time of serious economic difficulty, we need to get every penny into circulation as quickly as possible," he told MSPs. The latest official figures for Scotland's GDP showed yesterday that the economy shrank by 0.8% in the last quarter, and was now following the wider UK economy into a fully-fledged slump. His budget would include £230m in accelerated capital spending brought forward by 12 months from 2010, to invest in hospitals, roads and schools. That accelerated spending would protect 4,000 jobs, he said. Gray said: "They're in this position as a direct result of their own arrogance and incompetence. They've known for weeks and months what they needed to do in order to change the bill to get support from us potentially and the Greens. "They took it to a degree of ridiculous brinkmanship, to the extent that we've the first minister of Scotland skulking around the back of the chamber trying to broker a deal; that's pretty shocking." The collapse of the budget is a severe blow to the SNP. Earlier this month, Swinney and his senior advisers were optimistic they would be able to strike a deal with the Greens, whose two votes, along with the Tories' 16 votes, are essential for the SNP to get a one-vote majority at Holyrood. Over the last few days, it became clear the Greens believed Swinney's original offer to spend just £10m on a pilot project to provide free loft and cavity wall insulation fell far too short of their £100m-a-year proposals for a 10-year programme. During tonight's tense debate, MSPs noticed that Harvie was asked out of the chamber by Salmond, in breach of parliamentary protocols that MSPs must stay in the chamber if they want to speak in a debate. Harvie returned to the chamber and apologised for his absence, then delivered his bombshell: he would vote against the budget unless Swinney raised spending on the insulation programme to £33m - a 50% increase on Swinney's compromise offer of an initial £22m, one-year programme. "This isn't a last-minute, unrealistic or impossible or unwise demand," Harvie told MSPs. The Greens had sent ministers their very detailed proposals for a £1bn, 10-year free insulation programme on 1 November last year.	The debating chamber of the Scottish Parliament at Holyrood The Scottish Parliament has narrowly rejected the Scottish government's proposed £33 billion budget. The devolved parliament was tied 64-64 on the motion to approve the budget after two Green Party MSPs switched away from backing the minority Scottish National Party (SNP) administration. The Presiding Officer (speaker) of the parliament, Alex Fergusson, used his casting vote to reject the budget. Finance Secretary John Swinney of the SNP announced that he would immediately reintroduce it. The budget had the backing of the Scottish Conservatives. Green MSPs had sought a £100 million, 10-year home insulation scheme, whilst the Scottish government had offered a smaller pilot scheme. This offer was increased as the vote approached but failed to convince the Greens to back the budget. If a new budget is not in place by the start of the financial year in April, the current budget will rollover. However, Scottish ministers say this will cause a £1.8 billion cut in spending. Scotland's GDP fell by 0.8% in the last quarter.
NEWTOWN, Conn. (AP) — A former Connecticut death row inmate convicted of fatally stabbing a pregnant woman over a drug debt collapsed in prison Monday and died, according to prison officials. Robert Courchesne, 57, was walking inside the Garner Correctional Center at about 10:35 a.m. when he collapsed, the Correction Department said in a release. He was taken to Danbury Hospital and pronounced dead about an hour later. Courchesne was convicted in 2004 and sentenced to death for killing Demetris Rodgers in Waterbury in 1998. Rodgers was 8½ months pregnant when she was killed. Her baby, Antonia Rodgers, was delivered by emergency cesarean section minutes later, but the infant was pronounced dead after 42 days on life support. Prosecutors had charged Courchesne with capital felony under the section of the statute that allowed the state to seek a death sentence when there is more than one victim. The court upheld Courchesne’s conviction in the slaying of Demetris Rodgers but overturned his two capital felony convictions and his murder conviction for the baby’s death. The court ruled prosecutors failed to prove during the trial that the baby’s brain was functioning when she was born. Prosecutors decided to let Courchesne’s 60-year murder sentence stand rather than retry the capital case. The state has since abolished the death penalty, although it still applies to inmates already on death row when the law was passed in 2012. State police are investigating Courchesne’s death, but the Correction Department said it does not suspect he was the victim of foul play. Copyright 2015 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. \|\|\|\|\| The Connecticut Department of Correction is investigating the untimely death of an inmate at the Garner Correctional Center in Newtown, CT. At approximately 10:35 a.m. Monday, February 2, 2015, inmate Courchesne, Robert collapsed while walking inside the facility. Correctional and medical staff immediately initiated emergency and life saving measures. The inmate was transported via ambulance to Danbury Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 11:23 a.m. Courchesne, 57, was convicted in 2004 and originally sentenced to death for the murder of an 8 and ½ month pregnant woman in 1998. Courchesne stabbed the pregnant woman in a Waterbury bank parking lot over a $400 drug debt. The baby was delivered prematurely and died 42 days later. In 2010, the state Supreme Court ordered a new trial for Courchesne, saying the death penalty was improperly applied. Courchesne was spared the death penalty when then State’s Attorney John Connelly declined to continue his pursuit of the death penalty against him. Although Courchesne was taken off death row, he was serving 60 years for Murder. Even though no foul play is suspected, the Department of Correction and the Connecticut State Police are conducting an investigating of the incident. \|\|\|\|\| NEWTOWN, Conn. – A former Connecticut death row inmate convicted of fatally stabbing a pregnant woman over a drug debt has collapsed in prison and died. The Correction Department says 57-year-old Robert Courchesne (KOHR’-chayne) was walking inside the Garner Correctional Center at about 10:35 a.m. Monday when he collapsed. He was taken to Danbury Hospital and pronounced dead about an hour later. Courchesne was convicted in 2004 and sentenced to death for killing Demetris Rodgers in Waterbury in 1998. Rodgers was 8 1/2 months pregnant, and the baby didn’t survive. The death sentence was applied under a provision that allowed for capital punishment in cases where there were two or more victims. The Connecticut Supreme Court overturned Courchesne’s death penalty in 2010, finding the state hadn’t proved the baby had been born alive.	Connecticut murder convict Robert Courchesne, who had a death sentence overturned by the , collapsed in prison yesterday. He died in hospital an hour later. File photo of Newton, Connecticut. Courchesne was imprisoned at the town's prison. Courchesne, now 57, stabbed heavily pregnant Demetris Rodgers to death in 1998. In 2004 he was convicted of her murder and that of her unborn baby, delivered minutes after the murder by . Baby Antonia Rodgers spent over a month on life support before death was confirmed. Using legislation that provided the death penalty to multiple murderers the court sentenced Courchesne to death. Courchesne reached the Connecticut Supreme Court in 2010 and had the Antonia murder conviction overturned. The court ruled it was not proved the baby was alive at the time of the cesarean delivery. The death penalty was substituted with a 60-year sentence which prosecutors accepted instead of opting for a retrial. Yesterday's death at is being probed by police and prison officials, but is not considered suspicious. Courchesne collapsed while walking in the , at around 10:35 a.m. . Connecticut abolished the death penalty in 2012, but those already on death row remained sentenced to die. == Sources == * * *
Apple Launches iTunes & Online Apple Stores in New Zealand News : Apple, posted 6-DEC-2006 07:54 Apple has launched the iTunes Store in New Zealand, and at the same time started operating the online Apple Store New Zealand. The Apple Store will provide customers with Apple’s complete lineup of products, including the iPod digital music player, the Intel based Mac desktop and notebook computers, the iLife ‘06 suite of digital lifestyle applications, a vast assortment of iPod and Mac accessories from Apple and third parties and Mac OS X. Customers can custom engrave any iPod through the online Apple Store, and can custom configure their Mac to suit their individual needs. The online Apple Store offers special education pricing to teachers and university and college students. With a catalogue of over two million songs, the iTunes Store claims the title for the most music of any digital music store in New Zealand with songs priced at NZ$1.79, music videos at NZ$3.59 and most albums at NZ$17.99. Exclusive music featured on iTunes includes tracks from New Zealand artists Fat Freddy’s Drop, Brooke Fraser, Tim Finn, The Datsuns and Bic Runga as well as extensive catalogues from New Zealand greats including Shihad, Crowded House, The Black Seeds, Breaks Co-Op, Elemeno P and Dei Hamo. International exclusives on iTunes include albums from The Doors, Faithless, Incubus, Foo Fighters, George Michael and more. The iTunes Store features iTunes Originals from international stars Red Hot Chili Peppers, Ben Harper, Black Eyed Peas and Jack Johnson. The iTunes podcast directory currently features over 65,000 podcasts, including featured New Zealand podcasts from TVNZ, The Voice Booth and Radio NZ. Additionally, Apple announced that the iPod nano RED Special Edition is now available in New Zealand, only at the new online Apple Store. The iPod nano RED, available in 4GB and 8GB models, comes in a red aluminum enclosure and features up to 24 hours of battery life, Apple’s Click Wheel and an thin and light design. Apple will contribute a portion of proceeds from the sale of each iPod nano RED to the Global Fund to help fight HIV/AIDS in Africa. More information: http://www.apple.com/nz/itunes... Post or read comments to this article (scroll down). e-mail \| RSS \| del.icio.us \| Digg it! \| Seed at Newsvine \| Bookmark at Yahoo! \| Dot this Enter your email to subscribe to our daily email with news, reviews and articles: Web www.geekzone.co.nz Wi-Fi Hotspot Finder City or Zip/Postal Code: Country/Region: United States Europe Canada Australia Asia S. America S. Pacific Middle East With PriceGrabber you can easily compare prices: Search all Products Computers Photography Electronics Software Video Games Movies Music Books Toys Office Apparel Health & Beauty Home & Garden Babies & Kids Flowers & Gourmet Sporting Goods Musical Instruments for \|\|\|\|\| Renaissance won't handle iTunes or Apple Online Stores in New Zealand News : Apple, posted 6-DEC-2006 08:24, by Juha (website) Apple will look after the newly launched Online Stores in New Zealand for both products and iTunes music/video, its distributor Renaissance said today. The news comes after months of speculation over Apple's plans for the iTunes Store, and denials from Renaissance that it wouldn't be involved in it. The direct online presence for Apple in New Zealand doesn't mean Renaissance loses out on distributing Apple gear however. Renaissance says there are no changes in the contractual agreement between it and Apple; the company will continue as the New Zealand distributor for Apple. Without specifying details, Renaissance says "New Zealand will now come under Apple's worldwide pricing model." It hopes that this will lift demand for Apple products in the country. A quick look at the front pages of the Apple Online Stores in Australia and New Zealand show this sample pricing for the more popular hardware products: MacBook: From A$1,749 - NZ$2,079 MacBook Pro: From A$3,199 - NZ$3,799 Mac Mini: From A$949 - NZ$1,128 iMac: From A$1,549 - NZ$1,848 Mac Pro: From A$3,999 - NZ$4,699 iPod Shuffle: A$119 - NZ$149 iPod Nano: From A$219 - NZ$249 iPod: From A$380 - NZ$449 The figures above are taken from the website, but may not be directly comparable due to configuration differences and local taxes included or excluded. More information: http://www.apple.co.nz... Post or read comments to this article (scroll down). e-mail \| RSS \| del.icio.us \| Digg it! \| Seed at Newsvine \| Bookmark at Yahoo! \| Dot this Enter your email to subscribe to our daily email with news, reviews and articles: Web www.geekzone.co.nz Wi-Fi Hotspot Finder City or Zip/Postal Code: Country/Region: United States Europe Canada Australia Asia S. America S. Pacific Middle East With PriceGrabber you can easily compare prices: Search all Products Computers Photography Electronics Software Video Games Movies Music Books Toys Office Apparel Health & Beauty Home & Garden Babies & Kids Flowers & Gourmet Sporting Goods Musical Instruments for \|\|\|\|\| E N T E R T A I N M E N T S T O R Y RELATED LINKS Apple launches iTunes in NZ 06 December 2006 By REUBEN SCHWARZ Apple has finally launched the New Zealand version of its iTunes music store, letting Kiwis download music legally to their iPods. The iTunes store sells tracks from its two-million song catalogue for $1.79 each, with most albums costing $17.99. Music videos cost $3.59 and games cost $7.99. New Zealand bands on the site include Shihad, Fat Freddy's Drop and Elemeno P. It will also have free podcasts from TVNZ, Radio NZ and the Voice Booth, as well as international ones. Shoppers need a New Zealand credit card to buy from the site, or an iTunes gift card bought from the site by credit card. Many Kiwi music fans were feeling left out after Apple started up the Australian iTunes store last year. There have been sporadic rumours of an imminent launch since, rumours which reached a fever pitch earlier this week. Apple needs to negotiate separately with the recording industry in each country to sell music, which is believed to have delayed the New Zealand launch. The country is the 22nd where iTunes store has launched. Songs from the iTunes store will play on iPods, but not on other MP3 players without first converting the tracks to MP3 files, a process which is still technically illegal in New Zealand. Other music sites, such as Digirama, sell songs in the right format for these players, for $1.75 each. Other sites like Amplifier sell music as MP3s which can be played on any MP3 player, but these tend to be independent bands. It is the tenth digital music store in the country, but it will likely become the dominant player quite quickly, as it has in other markets. With two million songs in its catalogue, it will be the largest digital music store in New Zealand. Advertisement Advertisement www.apple.co.nz »EMAIL THIS STORY »PRINTABLE VERSION »SUBSCRIBE TO FREE HEADLINES »SUBSCRIBE TO ARCHIVESTUFF	Screenshot of Apple welcoming New Zealand to its online stores. Apple Computers announced today that it's long awaited iTunes store is available to New Zealanders. They also launched the online Apple Store New Zealand which provides Apple products, such as iPods, Mac minis, etc. New Zealand is number 22 on the number of countries who have the iTunes store and the tenth music download store in New Zealand. The launch means that New Zealanders can now download music to transfer to their iPods, legally. However the music is only available to iPod's as converting the music to the MP3 standard for other MP3 players is illegal in New Zealand. Some music download sites in New Zealand support MP3 formats, like Digirama which sell their music tracks for $1.75. The New Zealand iTunes store provides the most digital music tracks in New Zealand at around two million and each song costs NZ$1.79 or a music video costs $3.59 of which there around thousands, an album will usually cost about $17.99 and a game will cost $7.99. The music tracks also include New Zealand artists such as Brooke Fraser, Tim Finn, Fat Freddy's Drop, etc and also includes international exclusive albums such as Red Hot Chili Peppers, Ben Harper, etc. Eddy Cue, vice president of Apple, said: "We're thrilled to bring the iTunes Store and the online Apple Store to our customers in New Zealand just in time for the holidays." There were rumours surrounding the launch of a New Zealand iTunes store this week. The podcast section on iTunes also covers a wide range of podcasts, equalling over 65,000. The New Zealand podcasts include such companies as TVNZ (Television New Zealand), Radio New Zealand and The Voice Booth. It is commonly believed that the reason the store was halted until now was because Apple has to make separate contracts with each recording company in each country. iTunes is likely to become the dominant music download store in New Zealand, following the trend of other countries. The special edition iPod nano has also been released in New Zealand. The special edition is red in colour instead of the normal white and black colours. The special iPod is available only on the online store at the same price as the normal iPod nanos but some of the profit goes to help fight HIV/AIDS in Africa. Renaissance is New Zealand's distributor of Apple goods and will still keep its contract despite Renaissance not being directly involved in both of the new online stores. Renaissance said: "New Zealand will now come under Apple's worldwide pricing model."
Gaza blockade amounts to collective punishment: HRW NEW YORK (AFP) — Israel's blockade of Gaza denies 1.4 million Palestinians the food, fuel and medicine they need to survive, Human Rights Watch said on Thursday, calling it collective punishment and a violation of international law. The US-based international rights group also said in its annual report for 2007 that indiscriminate rocket attacks on Israel by Palestinian militants in Gaza also violate international law. HRW said that for the first time since the West Bank and Gaza Strip were occupied in 1967, more Palestinians were killed in inter-factional fighting than by Israeli attacks. "The Israeli and Western economic embargo of Gaza, Israel's almost total closure of Gaza's border crossings, ongoing lawlessness in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, and heightened Israeli restrictions on freedom of movement in the West Bank contributed to a serious human rights and humanitarian crisis," the report said. Israel, which has blockaded the Gaza Strip since the Islamist movement Hamas ousted forces loyal to Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas last June, on January 17 imposed a total lockdown on the impoverished territory, citing rocket fire. "The general population has borne the brunt of Israel's measure" in Gaza in 2007, HRW said. It said Israeli Defence Minister Ehud Barak's decision to cut fuel and electricity supplies to Gaza constituted "collective punishment of Gaza's civilian population in violation of international humanitarian law." The Israeli cabinet had in September declared the Gaza Strip a "hostile entity" because of continuing rocket attacks by Palestinian militants. Between January and October last year, 245 Palestinians -- "about half of whom were not participating in hostilities" -- were killed by Israeli security forces, the report said. "The Israeli army's continued failure to investigate civilian death and injury where there was evidence of a laws of war violation reinforces a culture of impunity in the army and robs victims of an effective remedy," HRW said. Israel also continued to restrict freedom of movement in the West Bank and annexed east Jerusalem and "to expand illegal settlements in the West Bank," the report said. "Settler violence against Palestinians and their property continues with virtual impunity." HRW also said: "Palestinian armed groups, rival security forces, and powerful clans continue armed attacks on one another." It said the worst violence was last June during fighting in Gaza between Hamas and Abbas's secular Fatah party, which saw the latter routed after an eight-day struggle in which more than 160 people were killed, among them 41 civilians. "Both sides engaged in serious violations of international humanitarian law, such as torturing and summarily executing captured and incapacitated fighters, including inside hospitals," the report said. It accused both sides of "unnecessarily endangering civilians by deploying in populated areas during the fighting" and "blocking the access of medical teams to injured persons." The rights group said neither Hamas nor the Ramallah-based Palestinian Authority in the West Bank made "efforts to investigate these crimes or hold anyone to account, further entrenching impunity." HRW said that despite Israel being by far the largest recipient of US aid, Washington had "not made the funding conditional on Israel improving its human rights record." \|\|\|\|\| Egypt police to shoot Gazans at Rafah The Egyptian security forces ordered to mind the Rafah border crossing Cairo orders a security cordon at the Rafah border crossing to open fire at the Palestinians fleeing to Egypt from Israeli raids on Gaza. The task force has been deployed to take a stance against the Gazans seeking refuge in Sinai amid continues Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip, Debka reported on Friday. This is while an increased number of Palestinians are on their way to the border crossing following reports that Tel Aviv is scheduling artillery bombardment. The blighted residents of the coastal sliver have sustained seven days of Israel's unabated incursion which have so far killed 430 Palestinians injuring nearly 2,250 others. The aggression started last Saturday with nearly 50 coordinated onslaughts. Meanwhile, security guards have suppressed and dispersed thousands of Egyptian protesters, who called on the country's authorities to reconsider their refusal to open the crossing point. On Tuesday, the Secretary General of the Lebanese Hezbollah Seyyed Hassan Nasrallah said that Cairo's cooperation was of utmost importance in defusing the crisis. "If you do not open the Rafah border crossing, if you do not come to the rescue of your brothers in Gaza, then you have a hand in the siege and the killing and in causing the Palestinian tragedy," he said. Thousands of demonstrators in Morocco, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Indonesia, Indian Kashmir, Jordan, Iran, Turkey, Australia, Vatican and the West Bank poured to streets on Friday to condemn the Israeli airstrikes on the Gaza Strip. HN/MMN E-mail this Story \| Print this Story Count of views : 1131 Share: Del.icio.us Digg Facebook Newsvine Reddit Technorati Translate this page by Google to French - to German - to Spanish - to Italian Comments Note: The views that are expressed and the links that are provided by contributors on our comment pages are the views of the general public and/or organizations and are not necessarily the views of Press TV or its associates. The views that are expressed and the links that are provided by contributors on our comment pages are the views of the general public and/or organizations and are not necessarily the views of Press TV or its associates. lana Tue, 06 Jan 2009 19:40:16 GMT Dear Mohsen, you and your brothers are blind people in the dark. What do you know about light of democracy and how people live in normal society without hatred for people with different views and religion? you and your "brothers" have no respect for human life, you are killing each other and even members of your own families if they disobey your "rules" and you talking about free and generous people of Israel - even now your palestinian "brothers" get treatment in Israelis hospitals. Mohsen Khaloudi Tue, 06 Jan 2009 11:33:53 GMT I`d like to say we Iranians always stand by our Palesinian brothers and sisters and won`t recognize a despotic regime called Israel . Wajahat Dewani Sat, 03 Jan 2009 18:58:34 GMT Dear fellow palestinian brothers, we kashmiris are with u always and we will be with u always... Name Email Address Enter the code shown Comments I agree with your terms of use \|\|\|\|\| Palestinian civilians are continuing to suffer as the Israeli military pushes deeper into the Gaza Strip. At least 548 people have been killed in the territory in the last 10 days, with at least 100 deaths reported since the Israeli ground offensive began on Saturday. Among the dead on Monday was a family of seven from Shati refugee camp, who were killed by Israeli navy shelling. Three siblings from one family, as well as a girl and her grandfather, also died in the Zeitoun neighbourhood of Gaza during artillery shelling. Emergency medical services have also come under attack with the al-Awda hospital in Jabaliya being hit by two Israeli shells, foreign human rights activists said. "Two consecutive shells just landed in the busy car park 15 metres from the entrance to the emergency room," Alberto Arce of the International Solidarity Movement said in a statement. "The entrance of the emergency room was damaged. At the time of the shelling ambulances were bringing in the wounded that keep pouring in." Medics killed On Sunday, an Israeli raid killed at least four paramedics as they tried to reach wounded Palestinians. Ambulances have also been hit in the attacks, Palestinian sources said. Israeli government officials say they are not targeting civilians, but only seeking to halt rocket fire from the Palestinian Hamas movement governing Gaza.There are also fears that the humanitarian situation will further deteriorate as the strip, home to 1.5 million people, is suffering from acute shortages of fuel, food and medical supplies.Iyad Nasr of the Red Cross in Gaza City said that the military operation has worsened the hardships created by the Israeli blockade over the last 18 months. "The size of the operations and the size of the misery we are seeing here on the ground is just overwhelming," he said. "We are trying our best to support the infrastructure that has been depleted ... and prevent the total collapse of the medical systems. Nasr also said that aid workers and emergency medical personnel were finding it increasingly difficult to move around the territory after the Israeli military effectively split it in two. "The ICRC has to contact the Israeli authorities for each single wounded to be evacuated with an ambulance," he said. Al Jazeera's Ayman Mohyeldin, reporting from Gaza City, said that many other Gazans have fled their homes taking refuge in schools converted into temporary shelters by UN agencies. "The United Nations says 13,000 people, over 2,000 families, have now been internally displaced because of the fighting, and that is just in the north of the strip," he said. 'People are suffering' Tzipi Livni, the Israeli foreign minister, has said that there is no crisis and that aid is getting through, but Christopher Gunness, the UN Relief and Works Agency (Unrwa) spokesman, said her denials were absurd. "The organisation for which I work - Unrwa - has approximately 9,000 to 10,000 workers on the ground. They are speaking with the ordinary civilians in Gaza... People are suffering," he said. Thousands of Palestinians have fled their homes and taken refuge in schools [EPA] "A quarter of all those being killed now are civilians. So when I hear people say we're doing our best to avoid civilian casualties that rings very hollow indeed." About 250,000 people in the northern part of Gaza are also reported to be without electricity. The main power plant has been shut down for lack of fuel due to Israel's blockade. The British-based Save The Children charity on Monday warned that newborn babies in the Gaza strip were at risk of hypothermia because of the power cuts and freezing winter temperatures. "We need to deliver more food and blankets to ensure that children do not die of hunger and cold," Dominic Nutt, a spokesman for the group, said. "People also must be able to move freely and safely so they can provide for their families when food does become available." Despite the crisis in Gaza, Mahmoud al-Zahar, a senior Hamas official, said the group was heading for "victory" against the Israeli military. He said that Hamas's armed wing, the Izz-e-din al-Qassam Brigades, had "given the most beautiful performances during its confrontation with the army that the world thought invincible". Palestinian factions have continued to launch rockets into southern Israel, despite more than a week of aerial bombardment by Israel and the ground offensive. One Israeli soldier has been confirmed killed in the Gaza assault so far, with at least 49 others wounded. Four Israelis have also been killed by Palestinian rockets.	Amidst ongoing Israeli bombings of Gaza, with the death toll of the bombardments up to 537 with another 2,500 people wounded, UN food agencies again warned that the people of Gaza are facing a heavy humanitarian crisis. "The current situation in Gaza is appalling, and many basic food items are no longer available on the market," Said Christine van Nieuwenhuyse, the World Food Program's (WFP) representative in the Palestinian territory, in a statement that was released on Friday. "This area ... is one of the poorest and most heavily affected by the recent conflict," she added. WFP officials said that they have begun to give bread to 15,000 new recipients, a number which added to the already large group of people that had been lining up for bread after two years of Israeli blockades of Gaza, the most recent of which began in early November. The blockades, surely a catalyst for violent Hamas attacks, have been condemned by Human Rights Watch as a "violation of international humanitarian law." Struggling Gazan hospitals say that they are completely out of even the most basic medical supplies and have little or no capacity to deal with further casualties. In addition, Israeli ground forces entered Gaza on Saturday causing an immediate spike in casualties and even attacks on the hospitals and paramedics themselves. As sewage runs through the streets, many Gazans are trying to flee the area by storming the border with Egypt, a move which Egyptian police blocked on Sunday and are planning to do so again today as Egyptian leaders ordered their policemen to open fire on Gazans trying to flee into Egypt. Hasan Khalaf, Gaza's assistant deputy health minister, described the ongoing assault on Gaza as "an Israeli massacre". "There is no comparison between what we have and what Israel are doing to us. The international community are standing unable to help us, and yet we know they have been helping Israel for tens of years."
Six die at Japanese hospital from suspected Hong Kong flu By BNO News AKITA, JAPAN (BNO NEWS) -- Six elderly people have died and dozens more are ill from a suspected outbreak of Hong Kong flu at a hospital in northwestern Japan, according to a local news report on Saturday. The Kyodo news agency reported that six people - four men in their 60s to 90s and two women in their 70s and 80s - have died between Sunday and Friday at a hospital in Kitaakita, in Akita Prefecture. They tested positive in simple flu test. A local health center confirmed through further tests on one patient that the person was infected with the Hong Kong A-type flu virus, which was responsible for a 1968 flu pandemic that killed more than one million people worldwide. Kyodo reported that a total of more than forty people are still suffering from flu-like systems, all whom are patients or staff at the hospital, and have been given influenza vaccinations. There were no immediate reports of infections outside the hospital. (Copyright 2010 by BNO News B.V. All rights reserved. Info: sales@bnonews.com.) \|\|\|\|\| EXCLUSIVE - Palin: Breitbart Is Here With the death of Breitbart, the conservative movement didn’t just lose a General – we lost an entire Special Forces Division. But he didn’t leave us without the tools and the knowledge we need to fight.	Six people have died after becoming infected with the virus in the city of located in the of northern Japan. Among the dead were four men and two women, aged 60 to 90 years old. All of them died between Monday November 1, and Friday November 5, while in a local hospital. Dozens more are suspected to be ill with the virus while another 30 others, mostly doctors and other hospital personnel, are being tested for the virus. Preliminary tests on the patients showed a positive result for the infection while further laboratory tests confirmed the presence of it. The virus killed nearly 1,000,000 people around the globe in 1968 and 1969. It was a form of the strain of . So far there are no reports of anyone infected outside hospital grounds.
It's fair to say that the people of Kasuya, a sleepy town in western Japan, had never given much thought to Japan's homeless problem. But that all changed this week when one of its residents noticed that food had been mysteriously disappearing from his fridge. Convinced that he was the victim of frequent burglaries, the 57-year-old resident installed security cameras that transmitted images from the inside of his house directly to his mobile phone. The culprit was not, as it turned out, a highly skilled and hungry burglar, but a middle-aged, homeless woman who had been living on the top shelf of his closet for several months. Police arrested the 58-year-old, identified as Tatsuko Horikawa, on suspicion of trespassing after she was captured on film taking advantage of the owner's absence to move from her tiny dwelling to the fridge in search of food. Police had arrived expecting to apprehend a burglar but found the front door securely locked and the windows closed. "We searched the house checking everywhere someone could possibly hide," a local police spokesman told the Associated Press, adding that the woman may have used the residence and other houses in the areas as makeshift sleeping quarters for the past year. "When we slid open the closet, there she was, nervously curled up on her side," he said. Police said they had yet to determine how the woman entered the property, where the owner lived alone, or how she managed to live undetected for so long. The owner, who has not been named, would not have been able to sniff out his uninvited guest: the woman took regular showers while he was out and, according to the spokesman, was unusually "neat and clean". \|\|\|\|\| By MARI YAMAGUCHI, Associated Press Writer Fri May 30, 3:21 PM ET Japan TOKYO - A homeless woman who sneaked into a man's house and lived undetected in his closet for a year was arrested inafter he became suspicious when food mysteriously began disappearing. Police found the 58-year-old woman Thursday hiding in the top compartment of the man's closet and arrested her for trespassing, police spokesman Hiroki Itakura from southern Kasuya town said Friday. The resident of the home installed security cameras that transmitted images to his mobile phone after becoming puzzled by food disappearing from his kitchen over the past several months. One of the cameras captured someone moving inside his home Thursday after he had left, and he called police believing it was a burglar. However, when they arrived they found the door locked and all windows closed. "We searched the house ... checking everywhere someone could possibly hide," Itakura said. "When we slid open the shelf closet, there she was, nervously curled up on her side." The woman told police she had no place to live and first sneaked into the man's house about a year ago when he left it unlocked. She had moved a mattress into the small closet space and even took showers, Itakura said, calling the woman "neat and clean."	In the town of Kasuya, Fukuoka, Japan, a 58-year-old woman was arrested after surveillance tape from inside an unnamed man's home showed her living in his closet. According to police, Tatsuko Horikawa had been living in his closet for over one year. One day when the man left, she walked through his front door which had been left unlocked. From then on, she would take small amounts of food from the kitchen and even take showers. When the man noticed food missing, he set up cameras to catch what he thought was someone robbing him. The woman had placed a small bed mattress into a enclosed shelf area inside the closet to sleep on and when police searched the apartment, they found her curled up in the closet. "We searched the house ... checking everywhere someone could possibly hide. When we slid open the shelf closet, there she was, nervously curled up on her side," said Hiroki Itakura, a police spokesman. The woman, who was described by police as "neat and clean", will be charged with trespassing.
Jurassic Park might yet come true: scientists have come up with a way of extracting sperm from frozen mice in such a way that it yields normal, healthy offspring. It raises the possibility that long-extinct species could one day be brought back to life. Sperm is often frozen for use in assisted reproduction for humans and other animals, as well as for conserving endangered species. Unfortunately, defrosted sperm are not always capable of fertilising an egg. Atsuo Ogura, of the Institute of Physical and Chemical Research Bioresource Centre in Japan, led a team which tried to overcome this problem by freezing the sex organs or a whole dead mouse for a week to a year at -80C. Sperm were then extracted from the mouse parts or bodies and injected into mature eggs. Mr Ogura's team froze the testes (where sperm are produced), the epididymis (where sperm are stored) or the whole mouse. Sperm were then extracted and injected into mature eggs. By freezing these larger parts of the mouse instead of just the sperm by itself, the DNA in the sperm survived intact and was able to fertilise eggs. "Obviously, those frozen [sperm] were all dead in the conventional sense," wrote the researchers in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. "Motionless sperm had no chance whatsoever of fertilising in vivo or in vitro. Nevertheless, some of these, if not all, were ... genomically intact, because they were able to produce apparently normal offspring." The researchers also found that sperm retrieved from mice frozen at -20C for 15 years were able to produce healthy offspring. They wrote: "If [sperm] of extinct mammalian species (eg woolly mammoth) can be retrieved from animal bodies that were kept frozen for millions of years in permanent frost, live animals might be restored by injecting them into [eggs] from females of closely related species." \|\|\|\|\| BODIES of extinct Ice Age mammals, such as woolly mammoths, that have been frozen in permafrost for thousands of years may contain viable sperm that could be used to bring them back from the dead, scientists said yesterday. Research has indicated that mammalian sperm can survive being frozen for much longer than was previously thought, suggesting that it could potentially be recovered from species that have died out. Several well-preserved mammoth carcasses have been found in the permafrost of Siberia, and scientists estimate that there could be millions more. Last year a Canadian team demonstrated that it was possible to extract DNA from the specimens, and announced the sequencing of about 1 per cent of the genome of a mammoth that died about 27,000 years ago. With access to the mammoths genetic code, and with frozen sperm recovered from testes, it may be possible to resurrect an animal that is very similar to a mammoth. The mammoth is a close genetic cousin of the modern Asian elephant, and scientists think that the two may be capable of interbreeding. The frozen mammoth sperm could be injected into elephant eggs, producing offspring that would be 50 per cent mammoth. The suggestion that it may be possible to recreate an animal that is at least part-mammoth has emerged from a study of mice by Japanese, British and American scientists. While many types of mammalian sperm, including that of humans, can be preserved by freezing, mouse sperm is vulnerable to damage that can limit its ability to fertilise eggs when it is thawed. A team led by Narumi Ogonuki of the Institute of Physical and Chemical Research Bioresource Centre in Tsukuba, central Japan, has demonstrated that sperm better survives freezing if testes, or whole mouse bodies, are frozen. Even sperm taken from mouse bodies that had been frozen 15 years ago was capable of fertilising mouse eggs and producing pups, the researchers found. The work has technical implications for the breeding of laboratory mice for medical research, but it also shows in principle that mammalian sperm can survive in a body that has been frozen for several years. This could mean that it is able to survive in similar fashion over much longer periods, as in mammoths frozen in permafrost. Restoration of extinct species could be possible if male individuals are found in permafrost, Dr Ogonuki said. If sperm of extinct mammalian species, for example the woolly mammoth, can be retrieved from animal bodies that were kept frozen for millions of years in permanent frost, live animals might be restored by injecting them into oocytes [eggs] from females of closely related species. \|\|\|\|\| Some of the mice were fathered by adults that died 15 years ago One in five female mice undergoing IVF with sperm extracted from the dead mice had healthy, fertile pups. It offers hope to those trying to bring extinct animals back from the dead, they report in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. One idea would be to inject frozen mammoth sperm recovered from the ice into the eggs of female elephants. The researchers wrote: "If spermatozoa of extinct mammalian species (eg woolly mammoths) can be retrieved from animal bodies that were kept frozen for millions of years in permanent frost, live animals might be restored by injecting them into oocytes from females of closely related species." Ice Age The team, led by Atsuo Ogura of the Institute of Physical and Chemical Research Bioresource Center in Tsukuba, Japan, harvested sperm from intact testes and, in some cases, the entire mouse, of specimens stored at -20C for up to 15 years. They did not use hi-tech cryo-protection techniques, simply storing whole testes or bodies in a freezer. The sperm appeared lifeless when thawed out but researchers were surprised to find that they produced viable offspring. However, the chances of being able to recreate a woolly mammoth - or at least, an elephant with a woolly mammoth father, are thought to be slim. Any mammoth recovered from the permafrost would have spent more than 10,000 years in a frozen state. It would also have been frozen relatively slowly, making it liable to damage from bacteria and other micro-organisms.	According to Japanese and American scientists, healthy offspring have resulted from the injection of sperm into female mice from male mice that have been in a deep freeze for 15 years. The mice, as a whole, were kept frozen in temperatures of -20 degrees celsius. Scientists at the Institute of Physical and Chemical Research Bioresource Center which is located in Tsukuba, Japan, say that cryogenic techniques were not used and that the mice were kept in a freezer. Scientists also say that the sperm was not alive when it was thawed out. At least one out of every five females that were injected with the sperm, gave birth to healthy offspring which are also fertile. "Obviously, those frozen sperm were all dead in the conventional sense. Motionless sperm had no chance whatsoever of fertilising in vivo or in vitro. Nevertheless, some of these, if not all, were ... genomically intact, because they were able to produce apparently normal offspring," said the researchers. The idea behind the experiment is that scientists say that the results now make it possible to bring back prehistoric animals or extinct animals such as the woolly mammoth, but because any fully intact body found would have been frozen for over 10,000 years and would likely be too damaged organisms and bacterias. Endangered species such as elephants could also be reproduced, but scientists also say that the chances of an experiment like that of being successful are still "slim." "Restoration of extinct species could be possible if male individuals are found in permafrost. If sperm of extinct mammalian species, for example the woolly mammoth, can be retrieved from animal bodies that were kept frozen for millions of years in permanent frost, live animals might be restored by injecting them into oocytes eggs from females of closely related species," said Dr. Narumi Ogonuki, head of the team who made the discovery.
The entry on Dolly the sheep was said to contain inaccuracies The report, published in December last year, compared the accuracy of online offerings from Encyclopaedia Britannica and Wikipedia. Nature found that both were about as accurate as each other on science. Encyclopaedia Britannica has hit back at the findings, calling for the paper to be retracted. In a document on its website, Encyclopaedia Britannica said that the Nature study contained "a pattern of sloppiness, indifference to basic scholarly standards, and flagrant errors so numerous they completely invalidated the results". The scholarly slanging match prompted an equally robust response from Nature. "We reject those accusations, and are confident our comparisons are fair," it said in a statement. Nature said it did not intend to retract the original article. Online collaboration The original study was conducted by the Nature news team. They asked a number of scientists to assess 50 pairs of articles from relative newcomer Wikipedia and from the well established encyclopaedia. Wikipedia was founded in 2001 and is based on wikis, open-source software which allows anyone to edit, add, delete, or replace an entry. It relies on volunteer contributors to update its pages. Topics in the Nature study were as diverse as the Archimedes Principle and Dolly the sheep. The reviewers were asked to check for errors, but were not told about the source of the information. The study found only eight serious errors, such as misinterpretations of important concepts, four from each encyclopaedia. However, Nature also claimed to have found other factual errors: 162 in Wikipedia and 123 in Britannica. Wikipedia criticisms Although the longer established encyclopaedia does not claim to be error free, it said that the research "grossly exaggerated Britannica's inaccuracies" and that according to the figures "Britannica was far more accurate than Wikipedia". In a lengthy document, it went on to rebut more than 50 specific points raised in the study. Following the Nature study, both Wikipedia and the Britannica made corrections to some of their entries. Late last year, Wikipedia came under fire for the accuracy of its articles. In particular, prominent US journalist John Seigenthaler attacked an entry that incorrectly named him as a suspect in the assassinations of President John F Kennedy and his brother, Robert. The false information was the work of Tennessean Brian Chase, who said he was trying to trick a co-worker. Wikipedia responded to the criticisms by tightening up procedures. \|\|\|\|\| Study by Nature was 'fatally flawed' says Britannica The Encyclopaedia Britannica has lashed out at a recent study by Nature which claimed that Wikipedia "comes close" to Britannica's accuracy in covering scientific topics. Nature compared 50 entries in the online versions of both encyclopaedias and counted 123 inaccuracies in Britannica and 162 in Wikipedia. The magazine used a panel of researchers who received texts from the publications without knowing the source and asked them to hunt for errors and omissions. While Britannica is compiled by a team of paid researchers, Wikipedia relies on the public to enter information and hunt for inaccuracies. Nature's study was published shortly after several reports emerged about inaccuracies in Wikipedia, which prompted the service to bolster its editing and reviewing guidelines. Claiming that the Nature study was "fatally flawed", Britannica has published a 20-page rebuttal (PDF download) in which it attempts to discredit the study. "The entire undertaking, from the study's methodology to the misleading way that Nature 'spun' the story, was misconceived," the document alleges. "The facts call for a complete retraction of the study and the article in which it was reported." The Britannica paper highlighted several inconsistencies. Reviewers claiming that Britannica omitted certain information did so because they were presented with excerpts rather than the full entry. In another case, Nature rearranged and re-edited Britannica articles. A third complaint pointed out that Nature used text from the more basic student edition of the encyclopaedia. Nature stated that it has no intention of retracting the study. "We feel this was a reasonable characterisation," the scientific publication claimed (PDF download). It admitted that some of Britannica's criticism was valid, but replied that both Britannica and Wikipedia were treated in the same way and that any procedural inaccuracies would have affected both publications equally. "Because the reviewers were blind to the source of the material there is absolutely no reason to think that any errors they made would have systematically altered the results of our inquiry," said the publication. \|\|\|\|\| Nature magazine has some tough questions to answer after it let its Wikipedia fetish get the better of its responsibilities to reporting science. The Encyclopedia Britannica has published a devastating response to Nature's December comparison of Wikipedia and Britannica, and accuses the journal of misrepresenting its own evidence. Where the evidence didn't fit, says Britannica, Nature's news team just made it up. Britannica has called on the journal to repudiate the report, which was put together by its news team. Independent experts were sent 50 unattributed articles from both Wikipedia and Britannica, and the journal claimed that Britannica turned up 123 "errors" to Wikipedia's 162. But Nature sent only misleading fragments of some Britannica articles to the reviewers, sent extracts of the children's version and Britannica's "book of the year" to others, and in one case, simply stitched together bits from different articles and inserted its own material, passing it off as a single Britannica entry. Nice "Mash-Up" - but bad science. "Almost everything about the journal's investigation, from the criteria for identifying inaccuracies to the discrepancy between the article text and its headline, was wrong and misleading," says Britannica. "Dozens of inaccuracies attributed to the Britannica were not inaccuracies at all, and a number of the articles Nature examined were not even in the Encyclopedia Britannica. The study was so poorly carried out and its findings so error-laden that it was completely without merit." In one case, for example. Nature's peer reviewer was sent only the 350 word introduction to a 6,000 word Britannica article on lipids - which was criticized for containing omissions. A pattern also emerges which raises questions about the choice of the domain experts picked by Nature's journalists. Several got their facts wrong, and in many other cases, simply offered differences of opinion. "Dozens of the so-called inaccuracies they attributed to us were nothing of the kind; they were the result of reviewers expressing opinions that differed from ours about what should be included in an encyclopedia article. In these cases Britannica's coverage was actually sound." Nature only published a summary of the errors its experts found some time after the initial story, and has yet to disclose all the reviewer's notes. So how could a respected science publication make such a grave series of errors? \|\|\|\|\| If you found this interesting or useful, please use the links to the services below to share it with other readers. You will need a free account with each service to share an item via that service. \|\|\|\|\| Britannica responds to Nature Three months after the prestigious science journal Nature published a comparison of the accuracy of 42 science articles in the online version of Encyclopædia Britannica and Wikipedia (see archived story), Encyclopædia Britannica Inc (EBI) has published a response to the study. The 20-page open letter, titled "Fatally Flawed", was published in PDF format and linked from the "EB News" box at http://www.britannica.com/ on March 22. (An HTML version is also available.) According to the Associated Press, an email from Patricia A. Ginnis (Senior Vice President at EBI) was sent to 5000 customers pointing towards the PDF file. The Wall Street Journal [1] said that EBI will also publish half-page-advertisements[2] defending their position on Monday 27 March in a group of English newspapers. Encyclopædia Britannica Inc. denounced the Nature study, stating that "almost everything about the journal’s investigation, from the criteria for identifying inaccuracies to the discrepancy between the article text and its headline, was wrong and misleading," and called for the journal to make a public retraction of the article. EBI criticized Nature for rearranging, reediting, and excerpting Britannica articles; mistakenly identifying inaccuracies; reviewing texts that were not part of the encyclopedia proper; failing to fact-check the inaccuracies its reviewers cited; and misrepresenting its findings in the article headline and in the editorial which accompanied the news article. EBI then went on to detail their disputes with about half of the errors found by Nature, in many cases simply rejecting the criticism outright. They indirectly acknowledged that the other half of the errors were correctly identified, and Tom Panelas, EBI spokesman, was quoted as stating that some of the errors were already known but so far had not been corrected. Neither Nature nor EBI identified how long these errors had been known at Britannica. The Associated Press story about the dispute was widely covered in the mass media (see further press coverage). Nature's response On March 23, the staff of Nature published a similar PDF document, responding to EBI's accusations of "misrepresentation, sloppiness and indifference to scholarly standards". Nature firmly rejected those accusations, and stood by their belief that the comparisons were fairly made; they do not plan to make any retractions. Nature says that EBI objected privately to the article when it was first published, but that after they (and Wikipedia) were given access to the reviewer's comments a few weeks after publication, the journal "did not receive any further correspondence until the publication of its open letter", and says it regrets the public and acrimonious nature of this exchange. One of EBI's most vigorous objections is that the reviewers were given short excerpts of longer Britannica articles, or versions taken from their Student Encyclopedia or from past editions of their Book of the Year (which, by design, includes more personal opinion and theory than the standard EB article). Nature countered that on each website, researchers compiled whatever material was presented to them upon searching for the scientific term in question, and that the student and yearbook editions appear prominently in Britannica's search results. EBI is correct that the study undertaken by Nature was not one of their usual, rigorously peer-reviewed scientific articles; it was a more informal survey made by journalists on their news staff, and published in their news section, separate from the articles at the heart of the journal. However, Nature says that while some editorial judgement was involved in turning reviewers' comments into numerical scores, that judgement was applied "diligently and fairly" to both encyclopedias, and that "because the reviewers were blind to the source of the material they were evaluating, and material from both sources was treated the same way, there is absolutely no reason to think that any errors they made would have systematically altered the results of our inquiry." Wikipedia's response Neither founder Jimmy Wales nor the collective staff of Wikipedia have made a public response to EBI's accusations. They have, however, gathered some reference information for Wikimedia Foundation volunteer press representatives to use in answering media questions. That document notes a project to correct all Wikipedia errors noted in the Nature study, created on December 22, the day Nature released the data. Thirty-four days later, on January 25, all errors were reported corrected (see archived story). The document also says, in part, "Wikipedia, and all Wikimedia Foundation projects, are not in competition with EBI or other companies in the business of reference works. Our goals differ significantly from other reference publishers, and only overlap in that we are all striving to create accurate and useful knowledge tools."	1913 advertisement for the Britannica ''Encyclopædia Britannica'' has strongly criticised the scientific journal ''Nature'' for last year's investigation into the encyclopedia's accuracy compared to that of the open-source online encyclopedia, Wikipedia. ''Britannica'' also called for a retraction of the article. ''Nature'' has rejected the accusations, saying that their comparison was fair and that they do not intend to retract their report. In a 20-page response (titled "Fatally Flawed") to the report's findings that there was not a significant difference in accuracy between the two encyclopædias, Britannica wrote that 'Almost everything about the journal's investigation ... was wrong and misleading.' The document goes on to call the investigation 'invalid', 'completely without merit' and 'careless'. Britannica also accused ''Nature'' of 'misrepresenting its own results'. The last 12 pages of this comprehensive rebuttal are responses to specific article criticisms, mainly consisting of differences of opinion on style and article composition, but some citing outright factual errors on ''Nature'''s part. In their response, ''Nature'' refused to reveal their original data for comparison, and commented that ''Britannica'' had raised their grievances in private some time ago, and then received no further correspondence until ''Britannica'''s open letter of 22 March 2006. ''Nature'' notes that ''Britannica'' criticised 'less than half the points their reviewers raised', and states that the two encyclopædias were subject to the same treatment. Wikipedia has been stigmatised as unreliable due to its open-source nature and a perceived problem with vandalism. The December 2005 study was seen at the time as a major boost to the credibility of Wikipedia. Jimmy Wales was notified by one of his team members, on 27 January 2006 that all corrections provided by ''Nature'' were in place. Recent changes to some of the Wikipedia editing policies have attempted to resolve some of the reliability issues raised. Wikipedia has yet to comment.
ISLAMABAD Heavy gunfire and explosions rocked Islamabad early on Saturday as Islamist students holed up in a mosque battled Pakistani security forces after the militants' leader defied government demands to surrender. The fortified Lal Masjid or Red Mosque compound has been under siege by hundreds of troops and police since Tuesday when months of tensions boiled over into clashes between Muslim clerics and religious students and security forces. At least 19 people have been killed. "We can die but we will not surrender. We're not terrorists," said Abdul Rashid Ghazi, chief cleric leading the militants told Reuters early on Saturday, speaking over the crack of rifle fire. Smoke and the orange glow of fire rose from the mosque early on Saturday as heavy gunfire and explosions rocked the city. It was not immediately clear what was burning. Water, gas and power to the mosque have been cut and food was said to be getting scarce. Tension between authorities and religious leaders at the mosque had been rising since January when students, most of whom in their 20s and 30s, launched a campaign to press for action against what they see as vice. They kidnapped people they accused of involvement in prostitution, intimidated shopkeepers selling Western videos and abducted policemen and threatened to unleash suicide bombers if they were suppressed. Moderate politicians and the media had urged President Pervez Musharraf to intervene to end the standoff. Musharraf has not commented publicly on the siege but has urged security agencies to allow time for parents to take children out of a madrasa, or school, in the compound. "ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT" On Friday, gunmen fired from a roof-top under the flight path from Islamabad's military airport as Musharraf was flying off to inspect flood damage in the south. An intelligence officer, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the shots were an unsuccessful attempt on the president's life. But the government said there appeared to be no link between the shooting and Musharraf's flight. U.S. ally Musharraf survived two assassination attempts by al Qaeda-linked militants in 2003. Adding to a sense of foreboding over risks posed to stability by militants in nuclear-armed Pakistan, a suicide bomber killed six soldiers on Friday in a northwest region where the Islamists in the mosque have allies. Many Pakistanis welcomed the government's move against a movement reminiscent of the Taliban in neighboring Afghanistan, and symptomatic of the religious extremism seeping into cities from tribal border areas. Interior Ministry Secretary Syed Kamal Shah appealed to Ghazi to give up and said he would be treated humanely. "There are many precious lives in his hands ... he should show courage and come out," Shah said. "If he is concerned about his safety, we are ready to give any guarantees." But Ghazi said he and the followers were willing to lay down guns but would never accept arrest: "That's final, I can't change it." He also said three student were killed on Friday but a paramilitary force commander denied that. About 1,200 students have left the mosque since Tuesday but only a trickle of about 20 came out on Friday. Most were whisked away but one boy said older students were forcing younger ones to stay. Food was running out and the stench from dead bodies hung in the air, Ashraf Swati, 15, told Reuters. Authorities say they have blasted holes in the compound's walls to enable people to flee. Ghazi rejected accusations he was keeping women and children as human shields. Ghazi's elder brother and chief cleric, Abdul Aziz, was caught on Wednesday trying to flee disguised in a burqa. He later called on followers to give up. Aziz said there were 850 students inside, Ghazi said 1,900. (Additional reporting by Faisal Aziz, Augustine Anthony, Zeeshan Haider) \|\|\|\|\| President Pervez Musharraf survived two attacks in 2003 Reports say the house was under the flight path of Gen Musharraf's plane. A photographer for the Reuters news agency said there were two large guns mounted on the roof of the house. A military spokesman denied any firing had taken place. Gen Musharraf's travel plans are highly secret. He has survived two assassination attempts. In addition, the authorities say they have foiled at least three other conspiracies to kill him. 'Sound of gunfire' The president was flying from the Chaklala air base in Rawalpindi, a garrison town close to the capital, Islamabad, to see flood damage in Balochistan province. Security officials examine an anti-aircraft gun on the house roof He arrived safely, officials say. People living near the house in Rawalpindi say they heard shots being fired. "We heard the sound of gunfire," Mohammed Ishraq told the BBC's Urdu service. "When we arrived here we heard that it was some sort of terrorism." Another man, Ishaq Ahmed, said: "Everyone heard a firing sound. The firing sound was like a bomb blast. It was that kind of sound." An anti-aircraft gun and a light machine gun, as well 100 rounds of ammunition and two satellite antennas from the residence have been recovered from the house, Deputy Inspector General of police Marwat Ali Shah told the BBC. Publicly officials flatly reject there was any attempt on Gen Musharraf's life. "There was no firing at the president's plane. He is in Turbat [in Balochistan]," an army spokesman said. The incident comes amid anger among many in Pakistan at Gen Musharraf's decision to take on Islamic radicals at the Red Mosque in Islamabad. The confrontation there has so far resulted in 19 deaths. Suicide attack Meanwhile, at least four soldiers have been killed in a suicide bomb attack in North West Frontier Province (NWFP), local officials say. Two of them were officers. The incident took place in the town of Chakdara, some 200 kilometres north of the NWFP capital, Peshawar. Reports say the attacker threw himself at an army jeep.	Map of Pakistan showing Rawalpindi (near Islamabad). During a flight Friday from Chaklala Airbase in Rawalpindi, Pakistan to Balochistan province, President Pervez Musharraf's plane was shot at from a rooftop near the flight path. Musharraf was flying to Balochistan province to observe the effects of recent flooding in the area. The Pakistani government has officially denied the plane came under fire, but a Paksitani intelligence officer indicated, off the record, that an attempt of Mushaffaf's life had occurred. Musharraf's plane arrived safely at its destination. However, sources say that Intelligence agencies in Pakistan are investigating into possible connection between attack on the plane and the siege of Lal Masjid. Police have cordoned off a house in Rawalpindi to investigate the incident. ''Reuters'' news agency had a photographer in the area at the time, and reported seeing two guns on the roof of the house, one of them an anti-aircraft gun, which had been mounted on the roof. The other gun was reported to be a machinegun. Deputy Inspector General of police Marwat Ali Shah confirmed that an anti-aircraft gun, a machine gun and ammunition had been recovered from the home. Local residents reported hearing the sound of gunfire. "Everyone heard a firing sound," Ishaq Ahmed told ''BBC News''. "The firing sound was like a bomb blast. It was that kind of sound." Some witnesses claimed that they saw a person along with a woman and two kids escaping on a motorbike after the incident. General Musharraf has survived two previous attempts on his life, carried out on December 14, 2003 by al-Qaeda-linked militants. There is no indication or claim of responsibility, as yet, as to who carried out the latest attack.
Jack St. Clair Kilby Died of Cancer at his Home in Dallas In 1958 Jack St. Clair Kilby had released a revolutionary idea to solve the problem of single block of semiconductor material containing an entire electronic circuit, taking the modern world into the Information Age. The microchip enabled the development of personal computers, mobile phones and many other electric household goods, that Mr. Kilby didnís even use. Jack St. Clair Kilby, winner of the Nobel prize for Physics in 2000 and of the National Medal of Science, has earned more than 60 patents in his career. The name of Jack St. Clair Kilby, was born in Jefferson City, Mo. in1923, can be also found at the National Inventors Hall of Fame. Texas Instruments Chairman Tom Engibous thinks that "if there was ever a seminal invention that transformed not only our industry but our world, it was Jack's invention of the first integrated circuit." According to Texas Instruments, the sales of integrated circuits reached $179 billion in 2004. Jack St. Clair Kilby and Robert Noyce, the co-founder of chip giant Intel have agreed to share credit for the invention of the integrated circuit after many years of claims. Mr. Kirby was even awarded the Robert N. Noyce Award, the Semiconductor Industry Association's highest honor, in 1995. 22nd of June 2005, 09:13 GMT \| Copyright (c) 2005 Softpedia \| Contact: \|\|\|\|\| Follow Slashdot on LinkedIn Automatically sync your GitHub releases to SourceForge quickly and easily withand take advantage of SourceForge's massive reach. Check out all of SourceForge’s \|\|\|\|\| Microchip Pioneer Jack Kilby Dies (Page 1 of 2) DALLAS, June 22, 2005 Jack Kilby, Nobel Prize winner and inventor of the integrated circuit, in April, 2001 file photo. (Photo: AP) "In my opinion, there are only a handful of people whose works have truly transformed the world and the way we live in it Henry Ford, Thomas Edison, the Wright Brothers and Jack Kilby." Tom Engibous TI chairman (AP) In his first year working at Texas Instruments in 1958, Jack Kilby borrowed some equipment and created a fingernail-size device that would revolutionize the way the world communicates. Kilby's invention of the integrated circuit opened the way for the microchips that are the brains of today's computers, video games, DVD players and cell phones. "In my opinion, there are only a handful of people whose works have truly transformed the world and the way we live in it Henry Ford, Thomas Edison, the Wright Brothers and Jack Kilby," TI chairman Tom Engibous said in a statement Tuesday. Kilby, who won the 2000 Nobel Prize in physics for his work, died Monday after a battle with cancer, according to Texas Instruments, where Kilby worked for many years. He was 81. The Nobel citation said Kilby's work "has laid the foundation of modern information technology, particularly through their invention of rapid transistors, laser diodes and integrated circuits." Kilby's integrated circuit, in which all the components were fabricated in a single piece of semiconductor material half the size of a paper clip, was a forerunner of the microchip used in today's computers. It replaced the bulky and unreliable switches and tubes that had been used in the first computing devices. Continued 1 \| 2 ©MMV, The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Dutch Teen's Dad Arrested In Aruba Natalee Holloway's Family Continued Search For Missing Alabama Student EBay Offers Web Store Service Auction Giant Encourages Small Sellers To Build Web Sites ©MMV, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. \| \| \| \| \| \| \| \| \|\|\|\|\| Advertisement REGISTER \| LOGIN PROFILE \| LOGOUT Sign Up / Sign In Forgot your password? Sign In Create Account {* #signInForm } { signInEmailAddress } { currentPassword }{ /signInForm } Sign In Welcome back, { welcomeName }! { loginWidget } Use another account { loginWidget } Sign In Welcome Back Sign In { /signInForm } Use another account { #signInForm } { signInEmailAddress } { currentPassword }{ /signInForm } Registration Please confirm the information below before signing in. Already have an account? 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Your existing password has not been changed. Resend Verification Email Sorry, we could not verify that email address. Enter your email below, and we'll send you another email. { #resendVerificationForm } { signInEmailAddress } { /resendVerificationForm } { #resendVerificationForm } { signInEmailAddress } { /resendVerificationForm } Verification Email Sent Check your email for a link to verify your email address. Email Verified Thank you for verifiying your email address. Change Password { #changePasswordFormNoAuth } { newPassword } { newPasswordConfirm } { /changePasswordFormNoAuth } Password Changed Your password has been successfully updated. Create New Password We didn't recognize that password reset code. Enter your email below, and we'll send you another email. { #resetPasswordForm } { signInEmailAddress } { /resetPasswordForm } { #resetPasswordForm } { signInEmailAddress } { /resetPasswordForm *} Create New Password We've sent you an email with instructions to create a new password. Your existing password has not been changed.	Winner of the Nobel Prize for Physics in 2000 for his work on developing the integrated circuit, Jack Kilby died after battling cancer on Monday, June 20, 2005, in Dallas at the age of 81. After years of claims, Kilby agreed to share credit for the invention with Robert Noyce, the co-founder of chip maker Intel. His contribution to the pioneering breakthrough of the integrated circuit was made by Kilby during his employment with Texas Instruments (TI) in 1958. He also is credited with co-inventing the handheld calculator which made TI the leader in early consumer electronics development. The integrated circuit paved the way in the development of the microchip used today in computers, DVD players, interactive video games and cell phones. Kilby's work includes the awarding of 60 patents. It was said of him in a statement by TI chairman Tom Engihous that, "In my opinion, there are only a handful of people whose works have truly transformed the world and the way we live in it — Henry Ford, Thomas Edison, the Wright Brothers and Jack Kilby." In his first year working with TI, Kilby's work on what became the forerunner to the microchip was an invention he fabricated by using a sliver of germanium on a glass slide. This invention was the predecessor to the semiconductor that ultimately replaced vacuum tubes and switching wires then in use as the transistor devices. The invention also led to solid state electronics able to withstand more shock and impact in handling. Kilby is recognised for his 'seminal thought' on the integrated circuit by being awarded the Robert N. Noyce Award in 1995, the Semiconductor Industry Association's highest honor. He is survived by two daughters and five grandchildren.
~ Governor says he fully supports state assistance for steel plant project on Iron Range ~ Saint Paul – Governor Tim Pawlenty said today that Essar Global has committed to fully comply with all U.S. and international law, including those prohibiting certain investments in Iran, and that he will support continued state assistance for Essar’s proposed steel project on the Iron Range. After discussions between Essar officials, the Governor’s Office and the U.S. State Department, Governor Pawlenty received a letter today from Essar’s Americas chief executive Madhu Vuppuluri stating that Essar “considers its investments in the State of Minnesota of strategic importance both to Essar and to the State and people of Minnesota.” The letter says that “no investment or firm commitment will be made in Iran, unless and until permitted to do so under the applicable U.S. or international laws.” “We’re pleased that Essar is making this commitment to ensure U.S. law is followed and to keep this important project on track in Minnesota,” Governor Pawlenty said. “When we learned of reports that Essar may have been considering a project in Iran, it was our hope they would set that aside and make assurances they would comply with U.S. law. Essar has now committed to do just that. I look forward to working with the legislature to secure appropriate state support for the project during the upcoming legislative session.” Last week, it was announced that Essar closed a deal to purchase Minnesota Steel and planned to construct a new $1.6 billion steel mine and mill in Nashwauk. As part of the project, Itasca County has been seeking approximately $60 million in state bonding for infrastructure and utility needs for projects in the area. After returning from the state’s first major trade mission to India on Saturday, Governor Pawlenty said that he had been contacted by a U.S. Department of Commerce official while in India regarding a Reuters report published Wednesday, October 24 that said Essar may have been considering construction of an oil refinery in Iran in partnership with the government of Iran. \|\|\|\|\| ~ Governor Pawlenty’s statement regarding Essar Global-Iran connection ~ Saint Paul – The following is a statement from Governor Tim Pawlenty regarding reports that Essar Global, who recently acquired Minnesota Steel, may be engaged in discussions, plans, or activities that may constitute or lead to prohibited business practices with Iran: "Earlier this week, Essar Global announced it closed a deal to purchase Minnesota Steel and that it planned to construct a new $1.6 billion plant in Northern Minnesota. "Since that time, I have learned that Essar companies may be engaged in discussions, plans, or activities that may constitute or lead to prohibited business practices with Iran. "The information available regarding these matters is somewhat murky. However, the information that is available raises serious questions and concerns. "Unless and until these matters are resolved to my full satisfaction and that of the United States government, I will strongly oppose any state assistance for the Essar Steel plant project. "Itasca County is seeking state bonding for utility infrastructure to support the project. "Iran is a terrorist state. Actions by Iranian groups or individuals have killed American soldiers and many other innocent people. "I will strongly oppose any effort to provide state financial assistance to companies or entities that engage in prohibited business practices with Iran." \|\|\|\|\| Reuters Singapore/New Delhi: Iran’s state oil refining firm and the Essar Group are expected to start building a 3,00,000 barrels per day refinery in southern Iran early next year, sources close to the deal said. The facility, estimated to cost $8-$10 billion (Rs32,000-40,000 crore) and which would be the first foreign-invested downstream project in sanctions-hit Iran, will boost the OPEC member’s stagnant refining sector that is struggling with petrol shortages. Once finalized, it will be Essar’s first overseas refinery development and will provide a foothold to the family-owned Indian business house in Tehran, where it is also trying to build a steel plant and acquire exploration assets. The proposed plant at the southern port town of Bandar Abbas, will process heavy crude such as Soroush and Iran Heavy to be allocated by the Iranian authorities. “We have completed the feasibility study and now we are working on the project financing, and we have targeted starting on the construction phase next year,” a Tehran-based source from the National Iranian Oil Refining and Distribution Company said. The refinery could take three to four years to build, the source added. Essar, owned by the Mumbai-based Ruias family, will take a 60% equity stake in the project with Iran taking the rest, said sources. “The priority of the new refinery will be to meet domestic gasoline and diesel requirements, and we will export the surplus products,” said an India-based source familiar with the deal. Ravi Ruia, Essar Group’s vice-president responsible for the firm’s overseas venture and his officials are now in Iran to take the issue forward. “If discussions are finalized, then work can begin early next year,” the Indian source said. An Essar spokesman declined to comment on Ruia’s visit and the company’s interest in Iran. \|\|\|\|\| Essar Steel Holdings Limited, part of Essar Global Limited, has, on receipt of regulatory and environmental approvals, completed the acquisition of Minnesota Steel LLC, a US based steel company with estimated reserves of over 1.4 billion tonnes of iron ore located on the Mesabi iron range in northeast Minnesota Minnesota Steel will commence the project activities soon upon achieving the financial closure. This is one of the largest acquisitions by an Indian group in Minnesota. Madhu Vuppuluri, President, Essar, North America, said “Together with Minnesota Steel and Algoma Steel, we are optimistic about creating a new and vibrant steel manufacturing capability in North America.” Commenting on the acquisition, Shashi Ruia, Chairman, Essar Global said “This acquisition follows our purchase of Canada’s Algoma Steel earlier this year. These acquisitions are in line with our strategy of having a geographical spread close to high value steelmarkets as well iron ore sources. Essar’s steel business is now poised to consolidate its position as a low cost, high value producer of carbon steel.” Essar recently acquired Algoma Steel, Canada which has capacity of 4 million tonnes per annum. Essar Steel also plans to set up set up steel making facilities in Trinidad & Tobago, Vietnam and Eastern India, besides enhancing its steel capacity at its plant in Hazira, India, where it is the largest producer of flat steel in western India. NOTES TO EDITORS: About Minnesota Steel Minnesota Steel is planning to develop, finance and construct a new steel production facility. The Company will combine a high-quality ore body with modern and commercially proven technology to develop a vertically integrated steel mill. It will be the first facility in North America to include iron ore mining, ore processing, direct reduction and steelmaking on a single site. For further information, please visit www.minnesotasteel.com In addition to the 2,000 construction jobs, Minnesota Steel will create up to 700 full-time jobs and generate 2,100 spin-off jobs. Earlier this month, the 45-day public comment period on the project’s draft environmental impact statement ended. Once the environmental impact statement is found to have addressed all potential impacts, Federal and State environmental officials can issue permits which are anticipated this summer. Construction will begin thereafter. In December, the State of Minnesota approved a 7,000-plus acre land swap to ensure Minnesota Steel will have enough acreage for its operation. In November, Minnesota Steel secured capacity to transport low-cost natural gas from Alberta, Canada, via the Great Lakes Gas Transmission Co.—locking in transport capacity, which is extremely limited, and saving up to 70% on transmission rates. About Essar Global Essar Global is an international conglomerate operating in six business areas – steel, oil & gas, power, communications, shipping & logistics and construction. It has offices world-wide and employs approximately 20,000 people, including over 3500 persons in the United States. The group has an enterprise value of approx. USD 20 billion. For further information, please visit: www.essar.com Essar Steel Holdings is a global producer of steel covering India, Canada, USA, the Middle East and Asia. It is a fully integrated flat carbon steel manufacturer - from iron ore to ready-to-market products - supplying highly discerning customers in the automotive, white goods, construction, engineering and shipbuilding industries. With a current capacity of 9 million tonnes, Essar’s expansion in India, Asia and North America will see capacity rise to 20 to 25 million tonnes by 2012. For further information, please contact:	Governor Tim Pawlenty. Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty said today that Essar Global has committed to fully comply with all U.S. and international law, including those prohibiting certain investments in Iran, and that he will support continued state assistance for Essar’s proposed steel project on the Iron Range. A few days after Indian company Essar Steel Holdings Limited acquired Minnesota Steel LLC, the governor of Minnesota announced that he "will strongly oppose any effort to provide state financial assistance to companies or entities that engage in prohibited business practices with Iran." Governor Pawlenty recently returned from a trip to India. He learned that Indian company Essar Global Limited is pursuing a project to build a refinery in southern Iran. There is no official word yet from Essar Group, but Iran's Petroenergy Information Network says Essar Group is expected to take a 60% stake in the project and that Essar's Ravi Ruia was negotiating for the project in Iran last week. The northern Minnesota project will be the first facility which includes all steps in steel production from iron mining to a US$1.65 billion steel mill. The Iranian refinery will have a capacity of 300,000 barrels per day and cost $8-10 billion.
Prices dip as President Bush taps emergency oil reserves, and Germany and Spain sent oil aid. Special Report full coverage Oil eases to $64 on slowing demand OPEC may boost output Europe: U.S. should ease oil use IRS raises auto mileage rate Gas crisis looms More on Katrina's fallout Five tips Video More video CNN's Andy Serwer takes a closer look at price gouging and refinery shortages. Play video LONDON (Reuters) - Oil prices fell by more than a dollar on Friday as the West's energy watchdog prepared to tap emergency reserves to help ease a fuel crisis threatening the United States. As the world's biggest consumer runs short of gasoline, President George W. Bush asked the International Energy Agency to release petrol reserves and urged Americans to conserve fuel. The Paris-based agency, coordinator of emergency reserves for 26 OECD countries, may decide soon to release up to two million barrels per day (bpd) of fuel from Europe. U.S. crude oil fell $1.90 to settle at $67.57 a barrel on Friday, having hit an all-time high of $70.85 on Tuesday. London Brent crude was down $1.15 to $66.57 a barrel. Hurricane Katrina killed thousands and knocked out U.S. rigs and refiners when it ripped through the Gulf of Mexico earlier this week. Oil prices soared to levels not seen in real terms since 1980, the year after the Iranian revolution. European allies sprang to the rescue. Germany and Spain said they would back the IEA if it asked them to dip into stocks. German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder said a release of two million bpd for 30 days was under consideration. It would take at least 10 days for European gasoline to reach the United States once a decision is taken. Europe has already booked up to 30 cargoes of petrol to move to the United States, prompting brokers to warn of an impending shortage. The Paris-based IEA says it is still consulting members and awaiting a report on the extent of Katrina's damage to U.S. Gulf refiners before deciding on a stock release. The IEA last ordered an emergency release in January 1991 as a U.S.-led coalition ejected invading Iraqi troops from Kuwait. Gasoline prices, which have led the market's gains on fears that already low stockpiles would be squeezed severely, traded 17.95 cents lower at $2.2295 a gallon. Washington loaned out emergency crude supplies, eased environmental regulations on motor fuels and waived a shipping law to allow better flow of oil into the Gulf region, where most oil output and eight refineries were idled for a fifth day. Some regional pipelines also started pumping supplies around the country and power was restored to a number of plants. But the U.S. government said it might take months to recover from the killer storm, which struck at the heart of an industry already running nearly flat-out to satisfy two years of exceptionally strong demand growth around the world. Gasoline Crisis President George W. Bush warned retailers about price gouging as New Orleans and the Gulf Coast struggled to recover from one of the nation's most savage storms. Soaring gasoline prices -- up more than 20 percent from just a week ago -- have attracted dozens of gasoline cargoes from Europe but most of those supplies will not arrive until October, leaving open the prospect of a month-long supply squeeze. Canada's oil companies could defer autumn maintenance at refineries to maximize gasoline exports south of the border. Gasoline supply fears have overshadowed the loss of nearly all Gulf of Mexico crude production, a quarter of the nation's total, which is more easily compensated with robust commercial stockpiles, strategic inventories or additional OPEC output. ___________________________ What's the outlook for prices at the pump? Click here. Click here for CNN/Money's special report 'Oil Crunch 2005'. \|\|\|\|\| This Week In Petroleum Text Released on January 30, 2002 (Next Release on February 6, 2002) Crude Oil Inputs Fall Substantially Last Week After averaging 14.8 million barrels per day from December through the first half of January, U.S. crude oil refinery inputs had fallen to 14.6 million barrels per day for the week ending January 18. Last week (the week ending January 25) crude oil inputs fell an additional 0.5 million barrels per day, averaging 14.1 million barrels per day (see U.S. Crude Oil Refinery Inputs table and chart on the crude oil page). With relatively high product inventories and low refinery margins, EIA had been expecting a decline in crude oil inputs, maybe even averaging somewhere between 14.0 and 14.5 million barrels per day in upcoming weeks. If so, a prolonged decline in crude oil inputs would reduce refinery production of major petroleum products, such as gasoline, heating oil, and diesel fuel. Last week's data showed declines in refinery production for all three of these major refined products, but the largest decline was seen for jet fuel, which was at the lowest level since the week ending November 23. If refinery production remains relatively low as a result of lower crude oil throughput at refineries, combined with strong demand for these products (more on this below), then a drawdown in product inventories over the next several weeks could be expected. Crude Oil Imports Decline; Gasoline Imports Remain High As we had expected, crude oil imports (excluding imports into the Strategic Petroleum Reserve) fell substantially (600,000 barrels per day) last week, averaging 8.5 million barrels per day (see U.S. Crude Oil Imports table and chart on the crude oil page). With Iraqi crude oil imports down since early December 2001, and OPEC, along with some major non-OPEC producing countries, agreeing to reduce crude oil production over the first half of the year, it remains unlikely that crude oil imports in the near-term will continue to average above 9 million barrels per day for any significant period. However, gasoline imports remained relatively high last week, averaging 736,000 barrels per day, bringing the average over the last 13 weeks (since the week ending November 2) to 714,000 barrels per day. With the number of cold weather days this winter dwindling, distillate fuel inventories are not likely to be drawn down to low levels this season. Therefore, some companies may be focusing on securing gasoline supplies, via imports at today’s relatively low prices, in order to have readily available gasoline supplies should prices rise over the next few months. U.S. Oil Demand Continues To Show Underlying Strength? How can we even argue that U.S. oil demand is showing strength when over the last 4 weeks demand has averaged 900,000 barrels per day lower than over the same period a year ago? The answer lies in last year's demand, which was extraordinarily high. Looking back 2 years to January 2000, we see that oil demand averaged 19.0 million barrels per day, or slightly less than has been averaged over the last 4 weeks ending January 25, 2002. This occurred despite an ongoing recession and a reduction in jet fuel demand as a result of reduced air traffic following the September 11 attacks. As we have mentioned before, comparisons to year-ago demand levels are misleading, as cold weather and high natural gas prices encouraged unusually high demand for distillate fuel and residual fuel. Even with motor gasoline demand over the last 4 weeks down considerably from that seen in December 2001, the 4-week average of 8.2 million barrels per day is 0.8 percent above the amount in the same period a year ago. If gasoline demand grows at a rate of about 1 percent or more, jet fuel demand gradually increases as more flights get added, and distillate fuel demand averages between 3.8 and 4.0 million barrels per day over the next several weeks (assuming the warm trend seen recently along the East Coast doesn't continue), then any decline in refinery production as described above could result in a drawdown in total product inventory levels. This could, in turn, put some upward pressure on retail product prices later this winter or, more likely, this spring. Crude Oil Stocks Increased Last Week, But Total Product Stocks Declined For the second week in a row, despite an increase in commercial crude oil inventories (2.1 million barrels), total product inventories declined (0.8 million barrels). The decline in product inventories was led by a 3.3 million barrel decline in "other oils", much of which can be attributed to a propane draw. Smaller declines were also seen in residual fuel oil (0.9 million barrels) and distillate fuel (0.2 million barrels). These declines more than made up for a large increase in gasoline inventories (2.6 million barrels) and a smaller increase in unfinished oils (0.7 million barrels). If both crude oil inputs and imports over the first quarter of 2002 remain lower than seen in the last quarter of 2001, it is possible that crude oil stocks will not increase significantly over this period while product inventories decline. Most Retail Petroleum Product Prices Fell Slightly Last Week The national average retail regular gasoline price dropped to 110.1 cents per gallon on January 28, 2002, down 0.4 cent per gallon from last week and 35.9 cents per gallon lower than a year ago. Following 3 weeks of declining prices, the national average retail diesel fuel price rose last week by 0.4 cent per gallon, reaching 114.4 cents per gallon on January 28, 2002, which is 39.5 cents per gallon less than it was a year ago. Residential heating oil prices were flat over the past week, as the average on January 28, 2002, remained unchanged at 116.2 cents per gallon, but was 36.3 cents lower than the same period last year. The residential average propane price was unchanged at 113.4 cents per gallon last week, but was 52.9 cents per gallon below the same year ago price.	Gas prices have shot up to over $3.50 per gallon, late Thursday morning in the Northeast US. People are rushing to fill their tanks as some stations are reporting shortages of gasoline, and many oil wells were forced to shut down after Hurricane Katrina. Meanwhile, gas prices dropped elsewhere and rose elsewhere. Saturday morning California had the highest reported price at GasPriceWatch.com. Another price service reported $3.05 as the U.S. average. The federal government's weekly petroleum price summary reported U.S. average retail price for regular gasoline decreased by 0.2 cent to 261.0 cents per gallon. But supply shocks are likely as the distribution systems respond to bottlenecks. On Tuesday, August 30, CNN reported the price of U.S. crude oil rose to a record high $70.85 a barrel. However, prices fell $3.28 to $67.57 a barrel on Friday. In contrast, the crude oil in Europe, which is usually more expensive than US oil, was actually cheaper than in America; as London Brent Crude oil was down $1.15 to $66.57 a barrel. But as CNN reports, "European allies sprang to the rescue."
A passenger leaves the first Eurostar train to arrive at St Pancras The high-speed train left the restored £800m station as scheduled at 1103 GMT on Wednesday. It arrived in Paris just over two hours later at 1317 GMT via the newly completed £5.8bn Channel Tunnel rail link, now known as High Speed 1. Protesters who are against the station's re-development demonstrated as the service pulled out. One group representing residents who live nearby claim London's poor are being "squeezed out" of the area. The London Cycling Campaign has also complained the access to the station for bicycles is sub-standard. And Greenpeace unfurled a banner on the front of St Pancras which supported the rail link but urged Prime Minister Gordon Brown not to expand Heathrow airport. The first departures from St Pancras coincided with the start of an open-ended strike by French rail unions in protest at President Nicolas Sarkozy's planned pension reforms. But Eurostar was confident it would not impact on services. Eurostar chief executive Richard Brown and Friends of the Earth executive director Tony Juniper named the first train Tread Lightly - after a Eurostar environmental campaign began earlier this year. The company has set a target of reducing its carbon dioxide emissions by 25% per passenger journey by 2012. Mr Brown said: "Today marks a new dawn for short-haul travel in Europe. "Our move to St Pancras makes Eurostar even more accessible to travellers across Britain. RAIL DESTINATIONS Fastest travel times London to Avignon: 5h 51m London to Inverness: 8h 08m Compare more times below The first commercial passenger train for Brussels departed six minutes before the first arrival from the same city pulled into St Pancras, at 1109 GMT. Work on the station began in 2001 to enable it to accommodate Eurostar trains as well as East Midlands Trains services, Thameslink and high-speed commuter services to Kent, due to start in 2009. The new route will cut journey times to Paris by 20 minutes to two hours and 15 minutes, and to Brussels by 25 minutes to one hour and 51 minutes. The last Eurostar train left London Waterloo at 1812 GMT on Tuesday. \|\|\|\|\| The journey time between central London and Paris was cut to two hours 15 minutes today as Eurostar services from St Pancras began. The train departed the station - which has been restored at a cost of £800m - on time just after 11am. It arrived in the French capital on time despite a national strike paralysing most public transport in France. It is the first passenger service to use the new £5.8bn Channel tunnel rail link, known as High Speed 1, which allows trains along the full stretch of the British section to travel as fast as those in France. A high-speed commuter service will also use the link from 2009. The Eurostar move to St Pancras follows 13 years of services to Paris and Brussels from Waterloo station. Journey times to Brussels become 25 minutes faster, lasting for one hour and 51 minutes. Richard Brown, the Eurostar chief executive, described the improved service as a "new dawn for short haul travel in Europe". "Our move to St Pancras makes Eurostar even more accessible to travellers across Britain," he said. "We will carry passengers with greater speed, ease and reliability than ever before, and our travellers will have the extra reassurance of knowing that they are making far less environmental impact compared with flying."	Interior of the newly refurbished station Eurostar train services which link the United Kingdom with Europe via the Channel Tunnel have moved to a new London terminal. The first services from St Pancras International launched today following the completion of the Channel Tunnel Rail Link which promises to reduce journey times to Europe by 20 minutes. The Channel Tunnel Rail Link, to be branded as High Speed 1, has been built in two phases; the first section was completed in 2003 and the second section was brought into use today. Eurostar chief executive Richard Brown said: "Today marks a new dawn for short-haul travel in Europe. Our move to St Pancras makes Eurostar even more accessible to travellers across Britain. We will carry passengers with greater speed, ease and reliability than ever before, and our travellers will have the extra reassurance of knowing that they are making far less environmental impact compared with flying." Waterloo railway station, the previous international London terminal, will be returned to domestic use following the move to St Pancras.
Paul Tucker, the Deputy Governor of Financial Stability at the Bank of England, will leave in the autumn after failing to land the top job The latest version of the combat jet whose success or otherwise will determine the future of thousands of British jobs is taking shape \|\|\|\|\| The Commons leader said he did not want to be "prescriptive" but he believed that covering people's faces could make community relations more difficult. Mr Straw has said he asks Muslim women at his Blackburn constituency surgeries if they would mind removing veils. Some Muslim women called his remarks insulting, but other Muslims said they understood his concerns. Mr Straw has dismissed suggestions that his remarks are designed to raise his profile ahead of Labour's deputy leadership election. He has yet to confirm whether he will join the race to succeed John Prescott but is widely expected to do so. Meeting strangers Mr Straw is Labour MP for Blackburn, where between 25% and 30% of residents are Muslim. He sparked controversy when he told his local paper he asked female constituents visiting his surgery if they would uncover their faces. Find out about different styles of Muslim veils and headscarves In graphics He said he made sure he had a female colleague in the room when asking someone to show their mouth and nose - and his constituents had so far always agreed to do so. Asked on BBC Radio 4's Today programme if he would rather the veils be discarded completely, Mr Straw replied: "Yes. It needs to be made clear I am not talking about being prescriptive but with all the caveats, yes, I would rather." Mr Straw explained the impact he thought veils could have in a society where watching facial expressions was important for contact between different people. "Communities are bound together partly by informal chance relations between strangers - people being able to acknowledge each other in the street or being able pass the time of day," he said. "That's made more difficult if people are wearing a veil. That's just a fact of life. "I understand the concerns but I hope, however, there can be a mature debate about this. "I come to this out of a profound commitment to equal rights for Muslim communities and an equal concern about adverse development about parallel communities." 'Separateness' fears Mr Straw stressed it was a choice for women and he was making a request and not a demand. "What I've been struck by when I've been talking to some of the ladies concerned is that they had not, I think, been fully aware of the potential in terms of community relations," he said. HAVE YOUR SAY Of course Jack Straw has a valid point... Communication isn't just verbal it is also to do with body language and facial expression Dave, Reading Send us your comments Why women wear veils "I mean, they'd thought of it just as a statement for themselves, in some cases they regard themselves as very religious - and I respect that - but as I say, I just wanted to put this issue on the table." He said he was worried the "implications of separateness" and the development of "parallel communities". Tony Blair's official spokesman said the prime minister "believes that it is right that people should be able to have a discussion and express their personal views on issues such as this". The spokesman said Mr Straw's comments were not government policy and he refused to reveal Mr Blair's views on the issue. 'Dangerous doctrine' Mr Straw's comments have provoked a mixed response from Muslim groups. The experience of visiting their MP is difficult enough for many people without having to consider a dress code Simon Hughes, Liberal Democrat president Reaction to Straw remarks Veil torn from Muslim woman The Islamic Human Rights Commission called Mr Straw's views "astonishing" and accused him of discrimination. The Protect-Hijab organisation said the "appalling" comments showed "a deep lack of understanding". But Dr Daud Abdullah, of the Muslim Council of Britain, said he could understand Mr Straw's discomfort adding that women could choose to remove the veil. Labour's Baroness Uddin said debate was needed but perhaps not in the way Mr Straw had framed it. She was worried he had talked about veils being a statement of separation - that acknowledged the government's failure to ensure Muslim women were "part and parcel" of British society, she argued. Conservative policy director Oliver Letwin said it would be "dangerous doctrine" to tell people how to dress. And Liberal Democrat president Simon Hughes: "The experience of visiting their MP is difficult enough for many people without having to consider a dress code." \|\|\|\|\| JACK STRAW IN THE LANCASHIRE EVENING TELEGRAPH "It was not the first time I had conducted an interview with someone in a full veil, but this particular encounter, though very polite and respectful on both sides, got me thinking. Jack Straw wrote about his concerns in his newspaper column "In part, this was because of the apparent incongruity between the signals which indicate common bonds - the entirely English accent, the couples' education (wholly in the UK) - and the fact of the veil. "Above all, it was because I felt uncomfortable about talking to someone 'face-to-face' who I could not see. "So I decided that I wouldn't just sit there the next time a lady turned up to see me in a full veil, and I haven't. "Now, I always ensure that a female member of my staff is with me. I explain that this is a country built on freedoms. I defend absolutely the right of any woman to wear a headscarf. As for the full veil, wearing it breaks no laws. "I go on to say that I think, however, that the conversation would be of greater value if the lady took the covering from her face. It was such a visible statement of separation and of difference Jack Straw "Indeed, the value of a meeting, as opposed to a letter or phone call, is so that you can - almost literally - see what the other person means, and not just hear what they say. "However, I can't recall a single occasion when a lady has refused to lift her veil; most seem relieved I have asked." After another interview with a constituent, Mr Straw said he had an interesting debate with her about veils. "Would she, however, think hard about what I said - in particular about my concern that wearing the full veil was bound to make better, positive relations between the two communities more difficult." "It was such a visible statement of separation and of difference." JACK STRAW INTERVIEWED ON BBC RADIO LANCASHIRE "This is an issue that needs to be discussed because, in our society, we are able to relate particularly to strangers by being able to read their faces and if you can't read people's faces, that does provide some separation. Mr Straw asks women to remove their veils when meeting him "Now I understand, of course, why some of these ladies decide to wear the veil. "In the case where I had a really good discussion with a lady last Friday - it was not because, contrary to myth, that she'd been required to do so by her husband, she'd come to her own decision about this. "She said she felt more comfortable when she was outside wearing the veil and she was less troubled by people. I understand that. "What I'm saying on the other side is: would those people who do wear the veil think about the implications for community relations?" JACK STRAW INTERVIEWED ON BBC RADIO 4 TODAY PROGRAMME "What I've been struck (by) when I've been talking to some of the ladies concerned is that they had not, I think, been fully aware of the potential in terms of community relations. I come to this out of a profound commitment to equal rights for Muslim communities and an equal concern about adverse development about parallel communities Jack Straw "They'd thought of it just as a statement for themselves, in some cases they regard themselves as very religious - and I respect that, but as I say, I just wanted to put this issue on the table. "Communities are bound together partly by informal chance relations between strangers, people acknowledging each other in the street, being able to pass the time of day, sharing just experiences in the street, and that is just made more difficult if people are wearing a veil...that's just a fact of life". Asked whether he would prefer veils to be abolished completely, Mr Straw said: "Yes. It needs to be made clear I am not talking about being prescriptive but with all the caveats, yes, I would rather." "You cannot force people where they live, that's a matter of choice and economics, but you can be concerned about the implications of separateness and I am." "I come to this out of a profound commitment to equal rights for Muslim communities and an equal concern about adverse development about parallel communities."	niqab. The Rt. Hon. Jack Straw, Leader of the British House of Commons, has urged Muslim women not to wear the full veil or Niqab. Initially, he said that, when meeting his constituents, he found it difficult to talk to anyone wearing a full veil because the expression on the face conveyed much of what a speaker meant. Later, he expanded his opinion saying that the wearing of the veil at any time tended to promote separation of peoples and the "formation of parallel communities". A 10 Downing Street statement said that this view was Straw's personal opinion and not an expression of the government's policy. Straw's remarks have elicited a range of responses from members of the Muslim community in the UK. While Daud Abdullah, from the Muslim Council of Britain, said that the choice of wearing a veil was up to individual women, Muslim Association of Britain said that Straw and the Conservative leader David Cameron, who expressed a similar view, were pandering to the "right-wing media". The British public appear to support his view with a number of media polls showing a vast majority in agreement. A telephone poll by the BBC also showed overwhelming public sympathy, with 93 per cent supporting his views.
Damage expected from the largest recorded storm to make it so far east in north Atlantic Ireland is bracing for strong winds, downed power lines and coastal flooding when Storm Lorenzo barrels in from the Atlantic before hitting Britain. Met Éireann, the national meteorological service, issued a status orange wind warning on Wednesday for six counties on the west coast and a yellow warning nationwide for Thursday night and Friday morning. “The main impacts will include disruptive winds, falling trees and flooding,” it said. “Storm Lorenzo will produce significant swell, high waves and sizeable storm surges. This will lead to wave overtopping, some coastal flooding and damage, especially along western and southern coasts.” Met Éireann (@MetEireann) Status Orange - Wind warning for Galway, Mayo, Clare, Cork, Kerry and Limerick Valid: Thursday 6 p.m. to Friday 3 a.m.https://t.co/ozrQHtoOkt pic.twitter.com/j2jnYIz085 Lorenzo is the largest recorded storm to have made it so far east in the north Atlantic. Authorities on Portugal’s Azores islands closed roads, schools and non-emergency public services on Wednesday morning in preparation for winds of up to 100mph (161km/h) and waves of up to 25 metres (82ft). “The situation will worsen in the next few hours,” the head of the regional government, Vasco Cordeiro, told the Portuguese broadcaster SIC. Lorenzo is expected to weaken to an extratropical storm as it moves north towards Ireland and the UK. At a meeting of Ireland’s National Emergency Co-ordination Group, Eoghan Harris, the housing and planning minister, expressed concern over the storm’s potential impact in coastal areas and the damage from falling trees. The orange warning for Galway, Mayo, Clare, Cork, Kerry and Limerick will be in place from 6pm on Thursday to 3am on Friday. South-westerly winds will reach mean speeds 40 to 50mph, with gusts of 60 to 80mph. A yellow rainfall warning for Ireland will be in place between 9am on Thursday and 9am on Friday. Dan Suri, the chief meteorologist at the UK’s Met Office, said rain and heavy winds would hit western parts of the UK from Thursday, with a risk of coastal gales in Northern Ireland and western Scotland on Thursday, and Wales and south-west England on Friday. In Ireland, a status red warning is the strongest alert, while orange is for conditions that can “impact significantly” on people in affected areas. Yellow is for conditions that do pose threats “only to those exposed to risk by nature of their location and/or activity”. Hurricane Lorenzo broke records over the weekend after being elevated to a category 5 storm, which the National Hurricane Center in the US said was the strongest for that far north and east in the Atlantic. \|\|\|\|\| Hurricane season's most intense period is winding down, but it isn't quite done with us yet. And the latest storm to watch is whipping things up much farther east than where powerful hurricanes are typically found. Lorenzo formed as a tropical storm on Sept. 23 in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, and it reached Category 5 strength on Sept. 28, with winds nearing 160 mph (260 km/h), the National Hurricane Center (NHC) reported . Since the 1920s, 35 Category 5 storms — hurricanes with winds of 157 mph (252 km/h) or higher — have formed in the Atlantic. But Lorenzo is the first hurricane of this strength to appear so far to the east — about 650 miles farther east than Hurricane Hugo, the former record-holder that pummeled the Caribbean with Category 5 winds in 1989, according to the Weather Channel . Lorenzo, now a Category 2 storm with maximum sustained winds of 105 mph (165 km/h), is barreling toward the Azores — an archipelago that lies 972 miles (1,564 km) off the coast of Portugal — and is expected to make landfall early Wednesday morning, according to an NHC advisory issued today (Sept. 30) at 5 a.m. AST. Related: Hurricane Season 2019: How Long It Lasts and What to Expect NHC hurricane data dating to 1851 show just how much of an outlier Lorenzo is. Most powerful storms that formed in the Atlantic reached their peak strength as they neared the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico. But lonely Lorenzo, all alone in the middle of the ocean, is in "a league of its own for this time of year," climate scientist and FEMA strategic planner Michael Lowry said in a tweet . With winds of 145 mph, Hurricane #Lorenzo really is in a league of its own for this time of year. pic.twitter.com/PDz6BCt1YKSeptember 27, 2019 "A Category 5 hurricane this far east this late in the season is almost unbelievable. Wow doesn't do this justice," Lowry said in another tweet . As Lorenzo travels on a northeast trajectory, its strong winds are sending powerful swells through the North Atlantic, creating rip currents and surf conditions that could be life-threatening, the NHC warned in the advisory. Waves building toward the Azores and Europe will be "enormous," with some nearing heights of 100 feet (31 meters), NHC scientist Eric Blake said in a tweet . #Lorenzo is forecast to send enormous waves toward the Azores and Western Europe- with a peak significant wave height of ~50 ft (15m), some individual waves will likely be near 100 feet! 👀 pic.twitter.com/n8s8cjypa0September 30, 2019 Although Lorenzo is expected to weaken somewhat over the next 48 hours, the reach of its winds will likely expand. With tropical storm force winds reaching hundreds of miles from its center, the storm will remain "a significant hurricane" as it nears the Azores, according to the NHC. Atlantic hurricane season typically winds down around the end of November, though the most powerful storms emerge between August and October, according to the NHC . Originally published on Live Science .	Five-day forecast as of 08:00 a.m. (1200 ) Today, as hit the Azores, , the national meteorological service for Ireland, issued weather alerts as the storm approached from the west. Yellow warnings were issued nationwide, while six counties on the coast received orange warnings. The warnings apply from tomorrow night into Friday morning. The Azores — autonomous islands of Portugal in the Atlantic Ocean — closed schools and non-essential public services. "The situation will worsen in the next few hours", said , the regional president, as the storm bore down on the Azores. Authorities expected winds of 100 (about 160 ) and high waves. The orange warning issued by Met Éireann applied to , , , , and and starts at 6 p.m. local time (1700 UTC) tomorrow. Though Lorenzo was forecast to diminish from a hurricane to a , gusts of wind were forecast to reach 60–80 mph (about 95–130 km/h). "Storm Lorenzo will produce significant swell, high waves and sizeable storm surges. This will lead to wave overtopping, some coastal flooding and damage, especially along western and southern coasts", read the warning. The warnings called for force winds and heavy rain. Hurricane Lorenzo reached Category 5 on the this past Saturday, but was downgraded to Category 1 as of this morning. According to reports, Lorenzo is the largest and strongest tropical cyclone to reach this far into the northeastern Atlantic in recorded history.
The Saudi supertanker seized by Somali pirates in the world's biggest ever hijacking has been freed following a reported ransom payment of $3m. Last night the US navy released a photo showing a small package apparently containing the ransom parachuting to the deck of the Sirius Star from a small aircraft. The Sirius Star, which was carrying 2m barrels of oil when it was captured on November 15, sailed from the pirate lair of Harardheere on Somalia's eastern coast today. Two Britons – chief engineer Peter French, from County Durham, and second officer James Grady, from Renfrewshire – are among the crew of 25 who were all reported to be unharmed. "All our people have now left the Sirius Star. The ship is free, the crew is free," Mohamed Said, one of the pirate leaders, told Agence France-Presse by telephone. "There were last-minute problems but now everything has been finalised." A regional maritime group confirmed the release. An associate of the pirates, who call themselves the Central Regional Coastguard (CRC), said the owner of the ship, the oil giant Saudi Aramco, had paid a ransom of $3m (£2m). The pirates had originally demanded $25m. There was no immediate comment from the company on the release of the ship or the ransom claim. The hijacking of the 330-metre long vessel was the culmination of a dramatic surge in piracy off Somalia this year. Both the $100m cargo and the daring nature of the attack, which took place 500 miles off the coast of Kenya, prompted numerous governments around the world to send warships to the region. The shipping lanes in the Gulf of Aden, to Somalia's north, and the Indian Ocean, to the east of the lawless country, are among the busiest in the world. With no effective government on land to stop them, at least five Somali pirate gangs equipped with speedboats, AK-47 machine guns and rocket-propelled grenades attacked more than 100 ships near the Horn of Africa in 2008, netting tens of millions of pounds in ransoms. More than a dozen ships, including the Faina, a Ukrainian vessel carrying 33 T-72 battle tanks, are still being held along Somalia's east coast. The Sirius Star, whose cargo represents a quarter of Saudi Arabia's daily oil production, was en route to the US when it was hijacked. Andrew Mwangura, the head of the East African Seafarers Association, said the supertanker was headed south-east this evening. It was too large to dock at Mombasa, Kenya, but could anchor in deep waters to allow the crew to come ashore in a smaller boat, he said. The pirate gang's income may increase in the coming days. The CRC is also believed to be holding the Faina, tugboats from Nigeria and Indonesia, and two Turkish cargo ships. Negotiations for the release of all the vessels were close to concluding, Mwangura said. "These pirates could get a lot more money in the next few days. Maybe they can now take a holiday." The number of successful attacks by Somali pirates dropped significantly in December, with only two vessels captured. Maritime analysts say merchant ships have been taking protective measures to avoid being boarded by gunmen, while the glut of international warships on patrol has been a deterrent. The EU now has a dedicated naval fleet escorting ships in the region, while the US navy announced that it had created a new international force specifically to deal with Somali pirates. Individual countries such as Russia, China and Iran have sent their own warships to patrol Somalia's coast. \|\|\|\|\| Photo: US NAVY Residents and pirates in the Somali port of Haradhere told the Associated Press that the boat, which was carrying eight men, overturned in a storm after dozens of pirates left the Sirius Star following a two-month standoff in the Gulf of Aden. Three of the eight pirates managed to swim to shore but five were believed to have drowned. Haradhere, which has been used by pirates to launch their attacks on international vessels off east Africa, is a Somali coastal town close to where the Saudi supertanker ship was anchored. Local sources said that the ransom payment held by the eight pirates on their get away boat had been lost at sea. Dozens of pirates were involved in the Nov 15 hijacking of the Sirius Star, which had a £60 million cargo of crude oil. The estimated £2 million paid to release it on behalf of the ship's owners was split between many members of the gang. The ransom was delivered on Friday by airdrop, parachuted close to the ship in a waterproof case for the pirates to collect. They were then allowed to make their escape. \|\|\|\|\| TEHRAN, Jan. 10 (Xinhua) -- An Iranian-chartered ship which wasseized in the Gulf of Aden by Somali pirates in November has been released, Iran's semi-official Fars News Agency reported on Saturday. The ship named "Delight," which was carrying 36,000 tons of wheat when it was hijacked, was released Friday night, Fars quoted the urgent reaction committee of the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines (IRISL) as saying. All 25 members of the crew are now in good health, said the report, adding that the Hong Kong-flagged Delight is sailing towards Iranian port. The report did not mention whether any ransom had been paid for the release of Delight. On Friday, Somali pirates also reportedly freed a Saudi-owned super-tanker carrying 2 million barrels of crude oil which was also hijacked in November.	The ransom money is delivered by a parachute dropped by a small aircraft. Somali pirates have released the MV ''Sirius Star'', the biggest ship ever hijacked, after a ransom payment was made. Five pirates drowned while leaving the 330 metre oil tanker. The vessel was hijacked 500 miles from the Kenyan coast on November 15 with two million barrels of crude oil, worth $100 million. It was then anchored off the coast of Somalia at Haradhere, a coastal town used by pirates. It was released yesterday after a ransom of $3 million was paid by owner Saudi Aramco, significantly less than the $25 million originally demanded. After the money was parachuted in the pirates left the vessel, with all 25 crew unharmed. However, one pirate boat carrying eight pirates and some of the money capsized on its way to shore due to rough weather, and five of the occupants drowned. The vessel at anchor a few days after it was hijacked The ''Sirius Star'', which had been taking oil from Saudi Arabia to the United States, headed to Kenya after release. It anchored in deep waters, and a smaller boat took the crew to shore at Mombasa. The pirate faction involved, one of at least five in the Gulf of Aden, is called the Central Regional Coastguard (CRC). The CRC is also holding Ukranian arms ship MV ''Faina'', with a cargo of 33 T-72 tanks, two cargo ships from Turkey and tugs from Indonesia and Nigeria. Negotiations for the release of all these ships are said to be near to completion. Also released Friday was the Hong Kong-registered MV ''Delight'', an Iranian-chartered vessel carrying 36,000 tons of wheat and a crew of 25. It is unclear if any ransom was paid for the ship, seized in November. The crew are in good health and the cargo ship is headed to a port in Iran.
Chelsea have started their search for a new manager after sacking Avram Grant on Saturday. Grant, who replaced Jose Mourinho last September, was expected to be removed from his post following Chelsea's failure to win a trophy for the first time in three seasons. The 52-year-old Israeli found it hard to come to terms with being thrust into the spotlight and although he guided Chelsea into their first Champions League final, the penalty shoot-out defeat in Moscow last Wednesday paved the way for his departure. After two days of meetings, Chelsea confirmed their decision in a statement. It read: 'Chelsea can confirm that Avram Grant has had his contract as manager terminated today. 'This follows meetings over the last two days. Everybody at Chelsea FC would like to thank Avram for his contribution since taking over as manager last September. 'We will now be concentrating all our efforts on identifying a new manager for Chelsea and there will be no further comment until that appointment is made.' Grant joined the club last summer from Portsmouth to take up the post of director of football.' Then manager Mourinho, whose relationship with the board was already fractious, was unhappy with the appointment. Mourinho was later dismissed after their 1-1 draw with Rosenborg at Stamford Bridge in their opening Champions League game. Grant, who had never managed a club in England, was asked to takeover and later given a four-year contract. A close friend of the club's billionaire owner Roman Abramovich, Grant's brief reign was tainted by reports of anti-Semitic abuse but remarkably he equalled a nine-match winning run set by Mourinho's side two years earlier. Grant brought in Henk ten Cate as his assistant as well as new fitness and goalkeeping staff. But his appointment was never really accepted by the fans, who steadfastly refused to chant his name until the final game of the season, and his sour-faced demeanour did him few favours. He was also criticised for being tactically inept but guided the club to the final of the Carling Cup in February only to lose 2-1 to Tottenham. But remarkably, Chelsea pushed Manchester United to the wire in the race for the Premier League and earned a place in their first Champions League final against Sir Alex Ferguson's side. But his entire spell in charge was littered with speculation that he was just a stop-gap appointment and that he would leave in the summer. Chelsea consistently denied they had plans to change their manager but the deafening silence from the club's board after Wednesday's defeat by United, told its own story. Both chief-executive Peter Kenyon and chairman Bruce Buck paved the way for change by insisting that Chelsea's performance this season was simply 'not good enough'. Buck said: 'We have very high expectations at Chelsea and a couple of second place finishes is just not good enough for us - so although we never would have thought in September when Jose Mourinho left that we would be able to make it into a Champions League Final as we did - and that is fantastic - Chelsea are here to win trophies. So although it was an excellent season, we are still disappointed.' A series of discussions finally resolved Grant's future and it is understood the Israeli said his farewells to the players on Friday - telling them it had been a 'privilege' to manage the team. \|\|\|\|\| Chelsea Football Club can confirm that Avram Grant has had his contract as manager terminated on Saturday. This follows meetings over the previous two days. Everybody at Chelsea FC would like to thank Avram for his contribution since taking over as manager last September. We will now be concentrating all our efforts on identifying a new manager for Chelsea and there will be no further comment until that appointment is made. \|\|\|\|\| The writing was on the wall for Grant after defeat in Moscow Chelsea have sacked manager Avram Grant after just eight months in charge. The decision followed two days of talks between Grant, 53, and the club's owner and chief executive Peter Kenyon. The Israeli coach's position had been subject to intense speculation after Chelsea finished runners-up in the Premier League and Champions League. Russia coach Guus Hiddink, fellow Dutchman Frank Rijkaard and Manchester City boss Sven-Goran Eriksson are among the early favourites to replace Grant. Chelsea said in a statement on their website that the search for a new coach would now begin and that the club will make no further comment. The statement said: "Chelsea Football Club can confirm that Avram Grant has had his contract as manager terminated today. This follows meetings over the last two days. Please turn on JavaScript. Media requires JavaScript to play. "Everybody at Chelsea FC would like to thank Avram for his contribution since taking over as manager last September. "We will now be concentrating all our efforts on identifying a new manager for Chelsea and there will be no further comment until that appointment is made." BBC Radio 5 Live football correspondent Jonathan Legard said Grant had faced a nigh impossible task in taking over from Jose Mourinho. "He was little more than a stop gap," Legard told BBC Radio 5 Live. "He never really had the CV, never really had the experience, never really had the clout to fill the boots of Jose Mourinho. "Have Chelsea got someone lined up? I don't think they have. They may have a few ideas but whether they will be able to pursue them is another matter." The future of Chelsea assistants Steve Clarke and Henk Ten Cate is unclear and no official word has yet been given on their positions. Grant, a close friend of Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich, took over on 20 September 2007 after Mourinho was sacked. 606: DEBATE Rijkaard, Eriksson and, most recently, Brian Laudrup and Roberto Mancini have all been linked with a possible move to Chelsea with the likes of Luiz Felipe Scolari and Mark Hughes in the running. Despite losing just two Premier League games while in charge, Grant attracted criticism from fans who claimed his team lacked style. He was also criticised for losing February's League Cup final against Tottenham. Grant joined Chelsea last summer from Portsmouth as director of football, a decision which apparently did not please Mourinho. Mourinho was later dismissed after their 1-1 draw with Rosenborg at Stamford Bridge in their opening Champions League game. Grant and Mourinho did not always see eye-to-eye Grant, who had never managed a club in England, was asked to take over and on 13 December 2007 signed a four-year contract. Both Kenyon and chairman Bruce Buck paved the way for change by insisting that Chelsea's performance this season was simply "not good enough". Buck said: "We have very high expectations at Chelsea and a couple of second place finishes is just not good enough for us. "So although we never would have thought in September when Jose Mourinho left that we would be able to make it into a Champions League final as we did - and that is fantastic - Chelsea are here to win trophies. "So although it was an excellent season, we are still disappointed." A series of discussions finally resolved Grant's future and it is understood the Israeli said his farewells to the players on Friday - telling them it had been a 'privilege' to manage the team. Ironically, Mourinho has yet to take up a new job since his dismissal by Chelsea but he said only this week that he expects to be back in football in June. His odds for a dramatic and unexpected return to Chelsea were cut from 20/1 down to 8/1 by English bookmakers late on Saturday. Bookmark with: Delicious Digg reddit Facebook StumbleUpon What are these?	Chelsea F.C. fired Manager Avram Grant today. This comes three days after Chelsea lost to Manchester United F.C. in the 2008 UEFA Champions League Final in Moscow. Grant's tenure has been scrutinized ever since he took over for Jose Mourinho last September. Despite the constant questioning of his appointment as Manager of the first team, he was able to guide Chelsea F.C. in taking Manchester United to the final day of the Premier League title race after going level on points and narrowly missing out on European glory on penalties. The club only lost two Premier League matches during his tenure, but he was criticised by fans who claimed that his teams lacked style. A statement on the club read: "'Chelsea Football Club can confirm that Avram Grant has had his contract as manager terminated today. This follows meetings over the last two days," "Everybody at Chelsea FC would like to thank Avram for his contribution since taking over as manager last September," and "We will now be concentrating all our efforts on identifying a new manager for Chelsea and there will be no further comment until that appointment is made." Former Barcelona Head Coach Frank Rijkaard, Inter Milan Head Coach Roberto Mancini and Russia Head Coach Guus Hiddink have all been linked to the position at Chelsea F.C.
Wikipedia is planning to place new restrictions on the open editing system that allows anyone to make changes to articles in the online encyclopedia, at least when it comes to items about living people. The changes are designed to protect the "high-profile people who have always been a target for pranksters and vandalism" on the site, said Jimmy Wales, a founder of the collective reference work, which numbers among the world's 10 most visited websites. \|\|\|\|\| Wikipedia testing new method to curb false info NEW YORK — Wikipedia, the online encyclopedia that has drawn some decidedly juvenile pranks, is looking to impose more discipline with new restrictions on the editing of articles. The latest changes come as Wikipedia tries to balance a need for credibility and a desire for openness. While anyone can still edit entries, the site is testing pages that won't register changes until they are approved by an experienced Wikipedia editor. If the site's users respond well to the test run, the new restrictions will apply to all entries for living people in the next few weeks. The idea is to block the kind of high-profile vandalism that has marred some pages. In one of the most recent embarrassments, Democratic Sens. Robert Byrd and Edward Kennedy were prematurely declared dead by rogue editors. Still, Wikipedia risks discouraging legitimate editing if restrictions on changes or additions become too burdensome, keeping articles from getting better or keeping up with events. That may be especially true on more obscure pages with fewer active volunteers to approve edits in a timely way. Aware of the risks, Wikipedia has set the criteria for "experienced editor" status relatively low. Users who are registered for a few days can give changes the OK, said Jay Walsh, a spokesman for the nonprofit Wikimedia Foundation, which runs the site. A more uniform system for filtering changes on Wikipedia represents a step back from the site's original philosophy, which called for harnessing the collective knowledge of volunteer editors without any major restrictions. But it is not the first time Wikipedia has attached some strings. The same flagging process, for example, has been imposed on all entries in the German-language Wikipedia for more than a year. On the English site, too, high-profile pages that are likely to be defaced, such as Michael Jackson's, have been tightly restricted. Some observers believe Wikipedia must continue tightening editing policies if it wants to gain credibility. "I'm just waiting for the other shoe to drop," said Eric Goldman, director of the High Tech Law Institute at the Santa Clara University School of Law. Goldman envisions a future Wikipedia curated by a relatively small group of dedicated editors. Under the current model, he said, there simply aren't enough volunteers to catch all errors. "My hope is that Wikipedia still exists and is still considered a useful site," Goldman said. "But it will be at that point a very tightly controlled site. It won't have that veneer of a site that anyone can contribute to. They haven't closed the drawbridge. People can still get in. But it keeps going up and up and up." Separately, the Omidyar Network, a philanthropic investment group started by eBay founder Pierre Omidyar, said Tuesday it is committing $2 million over two years to the Wikimedia Foundation. Omidyar Network's grant will support Wikimedia's goals of bringing free educational content to people around the world and supporting more people to help create that content. It follows last week's announcement of a $500,000 grant from The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation to make Wikipedia's software more user friendly and to develop training materials to engage new potential volunteer editors. Copyright © 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.	The English version of Wikipedia, the self-described free, online encyclopedia that anyone can edit, has planned to install new restrictions on its editing system on articles regarding biographies of living people. Under the new plan, anyone can edit the affected articles, but the changes would have to be approved by a more experienced user before they could be registered. The move is part of an effort to prevent vandalism and unconstructive edits being made to high-profile pages and increase content quality. The system is called "flagged revisions". Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales said that there would be a "very, very low threshold to entry" for those who desired editorial rights. "We're looking at anybody who has been around a very short period of time and hasn't been blocked banned," he said.
ISLAMABAD, Oct. 8 (Xinhua) -- At least four security officers of President General Pervez Musharraf were killed when an army helicopter crashed in Pakistan-controlled Kashmir on Monday, the army spokesman Major General Waheed Arshad said. The helicopter, carrying security and other staff officers of Musharraf, came down near the town of Gari Dupata in Pakistan-controlled Kashmir during a crash landing, Arshad said. Soldiers and residents participate in a rescue effort at the wreckage of a military helicopter after it crashed near Ghori village, in a valley 18 km (11 miles) south of Muzaffarabad, the capital of Pakistan-administered Kashmir, Oct. 8, 2007. Four Pakistani soldiers were killed when their helicopter crashed during a visit to Kashmir by President Pervez Musharraf on Monday to mark the second anniversary of an earthquake in the region, an army spokesman said.(Xinhua Photo) Photo Gallery>>> Presidential spokesman Major General Rashid Qureshi was among the four injured officers who were evacuated to hospital in Muzaffarabad, he said, adding that the pilot remained unhurt in the crash landing. Arshad disclosed that the ill-fated helicopter was following the helicopter of Musharraf who reached his destination eventually. Musharraf and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz were scheduled to visit the earthquake-hit Pakistan-controlled Kashmir and North West Frontier Province on the second anniversary of the devastating earthquake in October 2005. \|\|\|\|\| Soldiers and residents surround the wreckage of a military helicopter after it crashed south of Muzaffarabad, the capital of Pakistan-administered Kashmir Monday. (Amiruddin Mughal/Reuters) Army helicopter escorting Musharraf crashes in Kashmir, killing 4 soldiers MUJHOI, Pakistan: One of three helicopters escorting General Pervez Musharraf crashed in the Pakistan portion of Kashmir on Monday, killing four soldiers on board, but the president was unhurt, officials said. Major General Waheed Arshad, the army spokesman, blamed a "technical fault" for the crash of the military helicopter and said that Musharraf had already reached his destination when the accident occurred. The crash revives concern about the safety of the general, who has survived several assassination attempts. It happened two days after he secured a provisional victory in a controversial presidential election. Musharraf traveled to Kashmir on Monday to commemorate the second anniversary of the Oct. 8, 2005, earthquake that killed nearly 80,000 people. The helicopter crashed in Mujhoi, about 20 kilometers, or 12 miles, south of Muzaffarabad, the main town in the Pakistan portion of the Himalayan territory. The president's spokesman, Rashid Qureshi, was among several passengers who were injured. He suffered a burned right hand but was in stable condition, officials said. Hundreds of residents and scores of soldiers swarmed around the still-smoldering helicopter wreckage, 100 meters, or 328 feet, from the Jhelum River. Part of the chopper's tail jutted above the crowd. At least four ambulances, sirens wailing, left the scene carrying injured people. Abbas Gardezi, a local journalist, said he saw the helicopter hit the ground and then explode into flames. The weather was sunny and clear. Arshad said only that an army helicopter made a crash landing in the Jhelum Valley due to a technical fault while en route to Muzaffarabad. "Four troops died and some were injured," he said. Arshad said that the president had reached some other area when the chopper went down. He declined to say how close Musharraf had been to the crash. "The president was in some other chopper and he safely reached where he had to go," he said. Two suspected Al Qaeda fighters and a dozen villagers were among about 80 people killed in fierce fighting between soldiers and militants in northwest Pakistan, an official said Monday, according to The Associated Press in Miran Shah, Pakistan. Waheed Arshad, the army spokesman, said that about 60 suspected militants and 20 soldiers died in two major clashes on Sunday in the North Waziristan region, a militant stronghold near the Afghan border. A security official in Miran Shah, the main town in North Waziristan, said on Monday that two Arabs who were low-ranking Al Qaeda men, and an Uzbek, died in the second battle in an area called Malagam. \|\|\|\|\| Helicopter escorting Musharraf crashes; four killed Islamabad (PTI): A helicopter carrying officials accompanying President Pervez Musharraf crashed in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir on Monday, killing four persons, including three armymen, onboard and injuring his spokesman. Musharraf, who was in another helicopter flying ahead, reached his destination safely, military spokesman Maj Gen Waheed Arshad said. The medium-lift Puma helicopter, which was carrying the President's spokesman, Maj Gen (retired) Rashid Qureshi, and other officials, crashlanded at Majohi near Garhi Dupatta in the Jhelum valley after catching fire. An army brigadier, two soldiers and a PTV cameraman were killed, while Qureshi received some injuries, officials said. Qureshi and four others who were injured were taken to a hospital in Muzaffarabad in PoK. Arshad, who blamed a "technical fault" for the crash, said the presidential spokesman is out of danger. The President and his team were leaving Muzaffarabad when a fire broke out in one of the three helicopters escorting Musharraf, forcing the pilot to make an emergency landing. Musharraf and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz are both visiting parts of PoK and the North Western Frontier Province that were hit by the devastating earthquake two years ago. The temblor killed over 75,000 people. Top Stories	Pervez Musharraf in 2002. An AS-332L2 Super Puma. At least four people have died after one of three military escort helicopters accompanying Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf crashed in Kashmir. The medium-lift Super Puma helicopter was shadowing one carrying the president when the rear of the rotorcraft burst into flame, forcing an emergency crash landing. An army brigadier, two soldiers and a PTV cameraman were killed, and four more were injured, including presidential spokesman Major General Rashid Qureshi. The injured are being treated at a hospital in Muzaffarabad. The pilot walked away unharmed. It is thought to be an accident caused by a technical fault. The helicopters were visiting the scene of a devastating 2005 earthquake to mark the anniversary of the disaster. The president ultimately reached his destination.
General News of Tuesday, 10 July 2007 Italian President Napolitano departs Accra, July 10, GNA - The President of Italy, Mr. Giorgio Napolitano, left Accra on Tuesday after a three-day state visit. Before his departure, President Napolitano was escorted to the dais where the national anthems of Ghana and Italy were played accompanied by a 21-gun salute. At the airport to see him off were President John Agyekum Kufuor, Ministers of State, Members of the Diplomatic Corps, Chief of Defence Staff, Lieutenant General J.B. Danquah and Deputy IGP, Mrs. Elisabeth Mills- Robertson. During the visit, President Napolitano held talks with President Kufuor, inspected construction work at the Accra Sports Stadium and was guest of honour at a state banquet. 10 July 07 Source: GNA Comments: View All (2) Comments Send Your Comment \|\|\|\|\| He said many of the students after registering for the exams stopped attending school to engage in illegal mining activities popularly called galamsey in the district. \|\|\|\|\| General News of Tuesday, 10 July 2007 Source: GNA Italian President commends role of GAF Accra, July 10, GNA - Italy has commended the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) for its benchmark of consolidating peace and stability in strife-torn regions across the world, with an assurance that it would continue to support Ghana's international role in solving regional crisis. "Italy appreciates the level of troop contribution to and for works done by Ghana's contingents to peacekeeping operations worldwide", visiting Italian President Giorgio Napolitano said on Tuesday in Accra. "We are pleased with your sense of mission and the high level of professionalism being exhibited by your troops on peace missions, and we would continue to support you in your role", he said. Napolitano was addressing staff of the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC) in Accra as part of his official visit to Ghana. Italy was a major contributor to the construction of the second phase of the KAIPTC- conference centre, student accommodation and dining facility- which was completed late 2005. Italy also sponsors a training course for correction officers through partnership with the Legon Centre for International Affairs (LECIA) at the University of Ghana. President Napolitano, who was briefed on the purpose and function of the KAIPTC, said he was pleased to visit the Centre, which has succeeded in formulating high level programmes to enhance the skills of African peacekeepers as well as the international community. He expressed the hope that the KAIPTC would become a key benchmark for Ghana to consolidate its position on the African continent. The Italian President stated that his country further develop cooperation's between the centre and relevant Italian institutions to enhance the activities of the KAIPTC. Defence Minister, Dr. Kwame Addo-Kufuor extolled the relations between Ghana and Italy, which dated back to Ghana's independence era, with a number of Italian companies assisting in the nation's infrastructural development, notably the Akosombo Dam and the Tema Oil Refinery. On the defence arena, cooperation between Italy and GAF has been significant, as Ghana purchased the Augusta Bell Helicopters and the Aermacchi fighter jets in use by the Air Force from Italy. Dr. Addo-Kufuor expressed government's appreciation to Italy for cancelling all bilateral debts and for the support for establishing the KAIPTC, a milestone in the existing cordial relationship between both countries, adding that government was committed to peacekeeping operations, and to the programmes organized at the Centre President Napolitano later planted a tree to symbolise his visit to the centre. In a related development, the President of the Swiss Confederation, Mrs Micheline Calmy-Rey also called at the KAIPTC on Tuesday as part of her visit to Ghana. Switzerland contributed to the establishment of the Centre. \|\|\|\|\| General News of Monday, 9 July 2007 Source: GNA Ghana-Italy to deepen bilateral relations Accra, July 9, GNA - Ghana and Italy on Monday renewed their resolve to deepen economic and political co-operation between the two countries for the mutual benefit of their peoples. Speaking to journalists after bilateral talks at the Castle, Osu, President John Agyekum Kufuor, and visiting Italian President Giorgio Napolitano, were unanimous in their assessment of the great prospects for increased partnership. Relations between the two countries have always been good with Italy playing key role in Ghana's development, particularly in the energy sector. The Akosombo Hydro-Electric Dam, was constructed by an Italian Company, the Osagyefo Barge, although financed with a Japanese facility was built in Italy, while AGIP, an Italian oil giant, has had a strong presence in the country. President Kufuor said Ghana wanted a further strengthening of relations with the European country in the business front, to push the private sector of the economy. He therefore called on the Italian Government to use its institutions to provide the necessary guarantees for its businesses that were ready to invest in the country. Additionally, capacity building, technology transfer and exchange programmes between Ghanaian and Italian tertiary institutions were areas that needed to engage priority attention. President Kufuor said this had become even more important, given Ghana's recent discovery of oil and the Italians vast experience and technological know-how in the energy sector. He said in the area of agriculture, there were a lot the country could learn from its European counterpart, especially with regard to the development and packaging of tomatoes, oil-palm and shea-butter. President Kufuor conveyed to the Italian Government and people, Ghana's gratefulness for the cancellation of 42 million Euros debt owed that country following the attainment of the HIPC completion point. President Napolitano, who is in the country for a three-day state visit, said his presence was a sign of the attention and respect for Ghana's role in the international arena. He said they used the bilateral talks to take stock of their political co-operation as both countries were members of the United Nations (UN) Security Council. They also reviewed the situations in trouble spots like the Sudan's Darfur region and Somalia and the impact on Africa's stability. President Napolitano said the two leaders expressed their deepest concern for the humanitarian crises in those areas. There was an affirmation of joint commitment to the training of civilian personnel attached to peacekeeping missions. The Italian President would visit Ghana's Parliament, the Ohene Djan Sports Stadium and the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park later in the day. 09 July 07 Send your news stories to and via WhatsApp on +233 55 2699 625. Join our Newsletter \|\|\|\|\| General News of Monday, 9 July 2007 Source: GNA Italian President calls on Parliament Accra, July 9, GNA - His Excellency, Mr. Giorgio Napolitano, President of the Republic of Italy, on Monday said the European Union (EU) had a role to play in ensuring the unity and integration of Africa. He has, therefore, called for greater cooperation between the EU and the African Union, saying the EU has to make some financial commitment to enable Africa move towards unity. Mr Napolitano said these when he paid a courtesy call on Mr Ebenezer Sekyi Hughes, the Speaker, and a section of Members of the Parliament. The Italian President, on a state visit to Ghana, said he had been an MP before, both in Italy and the European Union, adding that parliament should be a place where all political forces could meet, dialogue and listen to each other. He said it should be possible for the parliament of Ghana and Italy to form a friendship association to exchange ideas. Touching on relations between the two countries, he said Ghanaian immigrants in Italy were doing well and contributing to Italy's economy, and extended a welcome to them in Italy. Mr Sekyi Hughes, in his response, said it was significant that the Italian President had used his visit, to interact with the representatives of the people by visiting the Ghanaian Parliament. "It shows his belief in parliamentary democracy and Ghana's young democracy," he said. He said Ghana had, over the years, benefited from Italian assistance in various fields, including technical support and the cancellation of debts running into millions of dollars under the Highly Indebted Poor Countries initiative, which has benefited Ghana tremendously. The Speaker said a number of African parliaments, including Ghana, had also benefited from Italy under an information communication technology package, which has facilitated the work of legislatures across the continent. He proposed the established of an association between Ghana and Italy's Parliament. \|\|\|\|\| General News of Sunday, 8 July 2007 Source: GNA Italian President arrives in Ghana Accra, July 08, GNA - Mr Giorgio Napolitano, President of Italy arrives in Ghana on Sunday, 8th July 2007 to begin a three-day official visit. While in Ghana he and his delegation will hold bilateral talks with President Kufuor at the Castle and address Parliament on Monday. He will also visit the Kwame Nkrumah Mausoleum and tour the Ohene Djan Sports Stadium to interact with the Italian workers at the construction site. On Tuesday, Mr. Napolitano will visit the Kofi Annan International Peace-keeping Training Centre and interact with the staff before returning to his country. The departure of the Italian President's will be followed with the arrival of the President of the Switzerland, Mrs. Micheline Calmey-Rey, for a two-day official visit for bilateral talks with President Kufuor and the government at the Castle, Osu. She returns on Wednesday. Join our Newsletter	Mr. Giorgio Napolitano, the President of Italy has completed a three day visit to Ghana. During his visit, he met President John Kufuor at the Osu Castle. They highlighted the bonds between Ghana and Italy and past cooperation such as the building of the Akosombo Hydroelectric Dam and AGIP's involvement in Ghana's petroleum business. Napolitano also visited the Parliament of Ghana, where he paid a courtesy call on the Speaker, Ebenezer Sekyi-Hughes. Napolitano said the European Union had a role to play in the integration of Africa. Sekyi-Hughes was pleased that the Italian president had shown confidence in Ghana's parliament and its young democracy. Later, he visited the Kwame Nkrumah mausoleum in Accra and inspected work on the Ohene Djan Sports Stadium where Italian workers are engaged in construction work to prepare the stadium for the 2008 African Cup of Nations tournament. The next day, he visited the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre near Accra. Ghana and Italy affirmed their commitment to the training of civilian personnel attached to various peacekeeping missions. While there, he said "Italy appreciates the level of troop contribution to and for works done by Ghana's contingents to peacekeeping operations worldwide". He continued, "We are pleased with your sense of mission and the high level of professionalism being exhibited by your troops on peace missions, and we would continue to support you in your role". He was the guest of honour at a state banquet held before his departure.
(CNN) -- Bail was set at $50,000 Friday night for a GOP campaign worker who made up a story about being attacked by a man angered by a John McCain bumper sticker on her car. Police say Ashley Todd admitted making up the report that she was attacked because of a McCain sticker. Ashley Todd, 20, of College Station, Texas, has been charged with filing a false police report, a misdemeanor, a police report said. Todd, who is being held at the Allegheny County Jail in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, did not enter a plea when she appeared in court Friday night. She did not post bail. She is scheduled to appear in court again October 30, when she is expected to enter a plea. If she posts bail, Todd must be evaluated at a behavioral clinic. "This has wasted so much time. ... It's just a lot of wasted man hours," Assistant Police Chief Maurita Bryant said at a briefing. Todd was a volunteer for a John McCain phone bank in Pittsburgh, the campaign said. The woman told investigators a man approached her Wednesday night at an ATM in Pittsburgh's East End, put a blade to her neck and demanded money, said Pittsburgh police spokeswoman Diane Richard. Police said they found "several inconsistencies" in Todd's statement and she was not seen in surveillance videos taken at the ATM. She was asked to take a polygraph test Friday morning, Richard said. The results were not made public. Later, Todd came to the police station to help work on a composite sketch of the alleged attacker. When she arrived, Todd "told them she just wanted to tell the truth" -- that she was not robbed, and there was no attacker, Bryant said. Todd originally told police a man "punched her in the back of the head, knocking her to the ground, and he continued to punch and kick her while threatening to teach her a lesson for being a McCain supporter," according to a police statement. The woman also told police her attacker "called her a lot of names and stated that 'You are going to be a Barack supporter,' at which time she states he sat on her chest, pinning both her hands down with his knees, and scratched into her face a backward letter 'B' on the right side of her face using what she believed to be a very dull knife." Bryant described Todd as "very cordial, polite, cooperating," and said the woman was surprised by all the media attention. Asked whether the false report was politically motivated, Bryant replied, "It's difficult to say." "She is stating that she was in her vehicle driving around, and she came up with this idea," she said. "She said she has prior mental problems and doesn't know how the backward letter 'B' got on her face." However, Todd was the only one in the vehicle, and "when she saw the 'B' she thought she must have been the one who did it," Bryant said. "We're talking with the district attorney's office and conferring on just how we're going to handle it," she said. "It's been different stories through the night and this morning." She said there was no indication that anyone else was involved. Richard said the woman had described her alleged attacker as an African-American, 6 feet 4 inches tall with a medium build and short dark hair, wearing dark clothing and shiny shoes. Before the revelation that the report was false, McCain spokeswoman Jill Hazelbaker said that McCain and running mate Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin "spoke to the victim and her family after learning about the incident." The Obama campaign also had issued a statement wishing the woman a "speedy recovery." All About John McCain • Sarah Palin • Pittsburgh \|\|\|\|\| (CNSNews.com) – The McCain campaign worker who told Pittsburgh, Pa., police she was mugged by an attacker who scrawled the letter “B” on her face with a knife has admitted she lied about the attack, according to a local television station. Twenty-year-old Ashley Todd of Texas claimed she was robbed at an ATM in Bloomfield and that the robber punched and kicked her, then carved a “B” on her face after he saw a McCain bumper sticker on her car. After police noticed some inconsistencies in her story, they gave her a lie detector test, but they did not release the results. “Because of the inconsistencies in her statements, Ms. Todd was asked to submit to a polygraph examination which she agreed to do," Pittsburgh Police spokesperson Diane Richard said in a statement on Friday. On Friday afternoon, Todd admitted she made the story up, according to WTAE-TV.	Ashley Todd, a campaign volunteer for John McCain, who on Wednesday reported that she was attacked by an Obama supporter while using an ATM in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, admitted on Friday that she had made up the story. Todd had described her attacker as a tall, "dark-skinned African-American," who pressed a knife against her neck while she was using an ATM. She claimed that after she gave him $60, he noticed a McCain sticker on her car and proceeded to beat her before pinning her down and scratching a backwards "B" for "Barack" into her cheek with the knife. He then fled the scene, she said, though later she could not recall to which direction he fled. He wanted to teach her a lesson, she said, and make her a Barack Obama supporter. "It’s not like her cheek was carved out," a police spokeswoman said of the mutilation, referring to it as a "scratch" or "scrape." Todd did not seek medical attention, instead leaving for a friend's apartment and calling police almost an hour after the time she said she had been attacked. The Pittsburgh Police Department administered a polygraph test on Todd after spotting several inconsistencies in her story and finding that bank and video records showed she had not used the ATM machine. Police Commander Larry Ross said Todd's story began to change with subsequent interviews. "She added other things to it that we didn’t have at first, that she didn’t tell the initial officer," he said. Todd had added that the alleged attacker had "fondled" her in a follow-up interview, and later changed her story to say that she had been unconscious during the attack. Police say that Todd has suffered "mental problems" in the past. They do not believe anyone made her pull this hoax. The story received widespread attention across the internet and mass media outlets, and was featured in a massive headline on conservative news aggregation website Drudge Report. The McCain campaign said McCain and Palin had both spoken to her over the phone, offering their condolences. Obama later condemned the attack and called for the attacker to be brought to justice.
Rove fight escalates The partisan fight over Karl Rove exploded onto the Senate floor yesterday, with Democrats trying to strip him of his security clearance and Republicans retaliating by trying to strip the chamber's two top Democrats of theirs. The moves, which came as amendments to a spending bill, both failed, but not before each side blamed the other for "juvenile" behavior and for poisoning a well of good feelings they said had existed in the past few weeks. Some senators said the entire exercise was wrong. "There might be a contest between which of these amendments is more poorly drafted," said Sen. Jeff Sessions, Alabama Republican, who voted against both amendments. "We should not be doing this. This is exactly why the American public holds Congress in such low esteem right now," said Sen. Susan Collins, Maine Republican, who also opposed both. Meanwhile, former Ambassador Joseph C. Wilson IV, whose wife, Valerie Plame, and her identity as a cover CIA employee is the central issue, came to the Capitol to call for President Bush to fire Mr. Rove. "I believe it is time for Karl Rove to go and time for this president to live up to his promises that anyone involved in this leak would be fired," Mr. Wilson said during a press conference with Sen. Charles E. Schumer, New York Democrat, steps away from the Senate floor. Mr. Bush said in 2003 that he would fire whoever leaked the information about Mrs. Plame's identity. Mr. Rove spoke to Time magazine's Matt Cooper about Mr. Wilson's wife, warning the reporter about Mr. Wilson's false claim that he was sent to Niger by Vice President Dick Cheney. Democrats have since called repeatedly for Mr. Rove to be fired or at least lose his security clearance as White House deputy chief of staff. But Republicans said to wait for results from a special prosecutor who is investigating the case and could be considering charges of obstruction of justice or perjury. A former CIA covert agent who supervised Mrs. Plame early in her career yesterday took issue with her identification as an "undercover agent," saying that she worked for more than five years at the agency's headquarters in Langley and that most of her neighbors and friends knew that she was a CIA employee. "She made no bones about the fact that she was an agency employee and her husband was a diplomat," Fred Rustmann, a covert agent from 1966 to 1990, told The Washington Times. advertisement Copyright © 1999 - 2005 News World Communications, Inc. http://www.washingtontimes.com/national/20050715-121257-9887r.htm \|\|\|\|\| Use this guide to help you find the full text of recent bills and resolutions on the Web, or order them from the Senate or House Document Rooms, or you can find them in a library. You can access legislative information, by bill number or key words, from the THOMAS Web site. Information from the present back to the 93rd Congress (1973) is available on THOMAS. \|\|\|\|\| VOTE ALERT: GOP supports national security leaks The Senate just finished up voting on the Democratic amendment to crackdown on high government officials who leak classified information and compromise U.S. national security. Incredibly, the self-described "pro-national security" Republican Party voted down the legislation, apparently ignoring all of their previous claims to despise leaks. The GOP also voted down their own amendment , apparently realizing how ridiculous it really was. See the final roll call vote on the Democratic amendment here , and the GOP amendment here To understand how outrageous this is, re-read the text of the Democratic amendment. This is not an exaggeration: the GOP is now on record voting in support of preserving the security clearance of a "federal employee who discloses or has disclosed classified information, including the identity of a covert agent of the Central Intelligence Agency." Unbelievable. \|\|\|\|\| NY Times, Wash. Post revised White House pledge to fire Plame leakers Responding to the July 2003 outing of CIA operative Valerie Plame, the White House made an unqualified pledge to fire any administration official involved in leaking Plame's identity. But following allegations that White House senior adviser Karl Rove was involved in the Plame leak, The New York Times and The Washington Post presented this pledge more narrowly, writing that President Bush promised to fire only those administration officials who "knowingly" or "illegally" disclosed Plame's identity. The distinction between what Bush actually pledged and what the Post and the Times reported that he pledged is significant. By pledging unequivocally to dismiss anyone who leaked classified information, Bush is now in a bind; recent reports reveal that Rove told Time magazine reporter Matthew Cooper that former ambassador Joseph C. Wilson IV's wife worked at the CIA. If the perception takes hold that Bush had pledged only to fire anyone found to have "illegally" or "knowingly" leaked, then he could retain Rove, barring a criminal conviction, and claim that he kept his promise. The Times reported on July 14: "Mr. Bush's comment came nearly two years after he suggested that he would fire anyone in his administration who had knowingly leaked the identity of the operative, Valerie Wilson." The Post reported on July 14: "The White House had declared that Rove was not involved in Plame's unmasking, and, when the controversy broke in the summer of 2003, Bush said he would fire anyone who illegally outed a CIA official." But as Media Matters for America documented, White House press secretary Scott McClellan explicitly stated in a September 29, 2003, press conference that Bush would fire anyone involved in outing an undercover CIA operative. McClellan did not hinge dismissal on criminal or intentional action: Q: Scott, has anyone -- has the president tried to find out who outed the CIA agent? And has he fired anyone in the White House yet? McCLELLAN: Well, Helen, that's assuming a lot of things. First of all, that is not the way this White House operates. The president expects everyone in his administration to adhere to the highest standards of conduct. No one would be authorized to do such a thing. [...] McCLELLAN: The president has set high standards, the highest of standards for people in his administration. He's made it very clear to people in his administration that he expects them to adhere to the highest standards of conduct. If anyone in this administration was involved in it, they would no longer be in this administration. Bush himself stated on September 30, 2003, that he would "take appropriate action" against "anybody in my administration who leaked classified information." By retroactively amending Bush's words, the Post and the Times asserted that Bush said something even some Republicans reportedly think he wasn't sufficiently clear about. According to a July 14 San Francisco Chronicle article by Washington reporter Carolyn Lochhead, "Privately, Republicans concede the controversy hurts and wonder why Bush does not simply say Rove did not break the law and clarify that when he said he'd fire anyone in his administration for revealing classified information, he specifically meant someone who broke the law." If as the Post said, Bush's pledge was already limited to those who acted illegally, why would his supporters hope he would amend it now? Posted to the web on Thursday July 14, 2005 at 3:32 PM EST Subscribe to our newsletters to receive items via e-mail \|\|\|\|\| WASHINGTON, July 13 - President Bush said Wednesday that he would withhold judgment on whether Karl Rove, his senior adviser and political strategist, had identified an undercover C.I.A. operative in a conversation with a reporter for Time magazine. Mr. Bush's comment came nearly two years after he suggested that he would fire anyone in his administration who had knowingly leaked the identity of the operative, Valerie Wilson. Her naming has led to a federal grand jury investigation. On Wednesday, in his first remarks on the matter since the disclosure that Mr. Rove had alluded to the Central Intelligence Agency officer in a background interview in July 2003 with Matthew Cooper, a White House correspondent for Time, Mr. Bush held that it would be wrong to discuss the case while the investigation was under way. "I have instructed every member of my staff to fully cooperate in this investigation," Mr. Bush told reporters after a cabinet meeting. "I also will not prejudge the investigation based on media reports."	Senators voted down an amendment "To protect classified information and to protect our servicemen and women.", attached to a "Department of Homeland Security Appropriations" Bill. The amendment would have revoked access to classified information from federal employees who disclose the information to unauthorized sources. This followed an attempt by Senators to strip Karl Rove of his security clearance. The amendment comes as George W. Bush declined to reaffirm his pledge to fire any official involved in the leaking of covert CIA agent Valerie Plame after documents by the named his chief advisor Karl Rove as a source of the leak. In a press briefing on September 29th, 2004, White House spokesman , in response to the question "Scott, has anyone — has the president tried to find out who outed the CIA agent? And has he fired anyone in the White House yet?", stated that "The president has set high standards, the highest of standards for people in his administration. He's made it very clear to people in his administration that he expects them to adhere to the highest standards of conduct. If anyone in this administration was involved in it, they would no longer be in this administration." The next day, in a meeting with business people, George W. Bush said that "If somebody did leak classified information, I'd like to know it, and we'll take the appropriate action." The and The however, misrepresented Bush's promise as a promise to fire only those administration officials who "knowingly" or "illegally" disclosed Plame's identity. In a press conference this Monday, White House spokesman Scott McClellan was asked if the president stood by his statements made in September 2003, in light of recent evidence that Karl Rove was involved in the leak. Scott McClellan declined to reaffirm this policy, citing an ongoing investigation. Pressed to explain its statements of two years ago that Rove wasn't involved in the leak, the White House refused to do so. "If I were to get into discussing this, I would be getting into discussing an investigation that continues and could be prejudging the outcome of the investigation," White House spokesman Scott McClellan said. The statements made by Scott McClellan two years ago were made during the investigation that continues and may have prejudiced the outcome of the investigation. When reporters asked McClellan to explain this inconsistency, McClellan gave the same response. When asked if the Administration was told not to discuss the investigation while it was ongoing ''after'' he claimed that Karl Rove was not involved in the leak, and not before, Scott McClellan gave the same response. Senate leader Harry Reid of added this amendment to the Bill: :''"No federal employee who discloses or has disclosed classified information, including the identity of a covert agent of the Central Intelligence Agency, to a person not authorized to receive such information shall be entitled to hold a security clearance for access to such information." Senate Majority Leader , -., amended the amendment: :''"...or any federal officeholder who makes reference to a classified Federal Bureau of Investigation report on the floor of the United States Senate, or any federal officeholder that makes a statement based on a FBI agent¹s comments which is used as propaganda by terrorist organizations thereby putting our servicemen and women at risk, shall not be permitted access to such information or to hold a security clearance for access to such information." The first part of this amendment was in response to Joe Wilson's correction of George W. Bush's representation of his and his associates' intelligence assessment regarding . The second was in response to recent criticism of the treatment of prisoners in detention facilities operated by the United States, most notably at by officials including Senator . The Republican-controlled Senate ultimately voted down both amendments on July 14th. Representative , , has introduced legislation for an investigation that would compel senior administration officials to turn over records relating to the Plame disclosure.
A sign on the downtown civic plaza directs citizens who need to file unemployment information to a satellite location in Elkhart, Ind. Wednesday Feb. 4, 2009. The U.S. Labor Department says that the Elkhart-Goshen area posted the largest jobless rate in the nation from, at 15.3 percent (AP Photo/Joe Raymond) Jobless rate 7.6 pct; 598K job cuts most since '74 WASHINGTON (AP) — Recession-battered employers eliminated 598,000 jobs in January, the most since the end of 1974, and catapulted the unemployment rate to 7.6 percent. The grim figures were further proof that the nation's job climate is deteriorating at an alarming clip with no end in sight. The Labor Department's report, released Friday, showed the terrible toll the drawn-out recession is having on workers and companies. It also puts even more pressure on Congress and President Barack Obama's administration to revive the economy through a stimulus package and a revamped financial bailout plan, both of which are nearing completion. Obama decried as "inexcusable and irresponsible" the delay of his economic recovery legislation in Congress with an estimated 3.6 million Americans losing their jobs since the recession began in December 2007. About half of them have lost jobs in only the past three months. Obama acknowledged the $900-billion-plus stimulus plan was not perfect and pledged to work with lawmakers to refine the measure, which he called "absolutely necessary." "These numbers demand action. It is time for Congress to act," Obama said bluntly. "That's 3.6 million Americans who need our help." The latest net total of job losses was far worse than the 524,000 that economists expected. Job reductions in November and December also were deeper than previously reported. With cost-cutting employers in no mood to hire, the unemployment rate bolted to 7.6 percent in January, the highest since September 1992. The increase in the jobless rate from 7.2 percent in December also was worse than the 7.5 percent rate economists expected. Vanishing jobs and evaporating wealth from tanking home values, 401(k)s and other investments have forced consumers to retrench, which has required companies to pull back. It's a vicious cycle where the economy's problems feed on each other, perpetuating a downward spiral. "Companies are in survival mode and are really cutting to the bone," said economist Ken Mayland, president of ClearView Economics. "They are cutting and cutting hard now out of fear of an uncertain future." If part-time employees, discouraged workers and others are factored in, the unemployment rate would have been 13.9 percent in January, the highest on record. Many economists said the job losses for February are likely to be just as bad, and they don't expect the labor market to return to decent health until 2011 at the earliest. But on Wall Street, investors pushed up stock prices on hopes that the miserable jobs report would get Congress to move quickly on the economic revival package. The Dow Jones industrials gained about 225 points in afternoon trading and broader stock indicators also rose. Factories slashed 207,000 jobs in January, the largest one-month drop since October 1982, partly reflecting heavy losses at plants making autos and related parts. Construction companies got rid of 111,000 jobs. Professional and business services chopped 121,000 positions. Retailers eliminated 45,000 jobs. Leisure and hospitality axed 28,000 slots. Those reductions swamped employment gains in education and health services, as well as in the government. Employers are slashing payrolls and turning to other ways to cut costs — including trimming workers' hours, freezing wages or cutting pay — to cope with shrinking appetites from customers in the U.S. and overseas, who are struggling with their own economic troubles. The average work week in January stayed at 33.3 hours, matching the record low set in December. With no place to go, the number of unemployed workers climbed to 11.6 million. In addition, 7.8 million people were working part time — a category that includes those who would like to work full time but whose hours were cut back, or those who were unable to find full-time work. For example, more than 200,000 state government employees were expected to stay home without pay Friday in California, which began its first-ever furlough to save money during the ongoing fiscal crisis. Job hunters also are facing longer searches for work. The average time it took for an unemployed person to find any job — full or part time — rose to 19.8 weeks in January, compared with 17.5 weeks a year ago, underscoring the increasing difficulty the out-of-work are having in finding a new job. Workers with jobs saw modest wage gains. Average hourly earnings rose to $18.46 in January, up 0.3 percent from the previous month. Over the year, wages have risen 3.9 percent. An avalanche of layoffs is slamming the nation from a wide swath of employers. Caterpillar Inc., Pfizer Inc., Microsoft Corp., Estee Lauder Cos., Time Warner Cable Inc., and Sprint Nextel Corp. are among the companies slicing payrolls. Manufacturers — especially car makers — construction companies and retailers have been particularly hard hit by the recession. Talbots Inc., Liz Claiborne Inc., Macy's Inc. and Home Depot Inc. are all cutting jobs. So are Detroit's General Motors Corp. and Ford Motor Co. For all of 2008, the economy lost a net total of 2.9 million jobs, according to revised figures. That marked the biggest annual loss on record and was worse than the 2.6 million initially estimated last month. Americans cut back sharply on spending at the end of last year, thrusting the economy into its worst backslide in a quarter-century. The tailspin could well accelerate in the current January-March quarter to a rate of 5 percent or more as the recession drags on into a second year, and consumers and businesses burrow deeper. Many economists predict the current quarter — in terms of lost economic growth — will be the worst of the recession. With fallout from the housing, credit and financial crises — the worst since the 1930s — ripping through the economy, analysts predict 3 million or more jobs will vanish this year even if lawmakers quickly approve Obama's stimulus plan. Obama has repeatedly pressed Congress to swiftly enact a package of increased government spending, including big public works projects and tax cuts, to revive the economy and create jobs. He says his plan will save or create more than 3 million jobs in the next two years. But the recession has proven stubborn. Despite record low interest rates ordered by the Federal Reserve and a raft of radical programs, including a $700 billion financial bailout, consumers and businesses face high hurdles to borrow money. Foreclosures are skyrocketing, home prices are sinking and Wall Street remains on edge. \|\|\|\|\| WASHINGTON — Though job losses accelerated last month, the United States has not yet hit bottom. In a bleak report on Friday, the Labor Department said that almost 600,000 jobs disappeared in January and that a total of 3.6 million jobs had been lost since the beginning of the recession in December 2007. The unemployment rate, meanwhile, rose to 7.6 percent, from 7.2 percent a month earlier. Losing more than a half million jobs in each of the last three months, the country is trapped in a vortex of plunging consumer demand, rising joblessness and a deepening crisis in the banking system. The contraction in jobs is already steeper than in any recession since at least the early 1980s. But economists warn that several more shoes are about to drop. The first is the growing severity of the global recession, which has already started to choke off exports from the United States. Growth in China has slowed to a fraction of its usually brisk pace, leading to brutal downturns in South Korea, Japan and other Asian nations. Much of Europe has slipped into a recession, too. \|\|\|\|\| Conditions for the nation's workers deteriorated last month at an unrelenting pace, new data showed yesterday, adding urgency to the Obama administration's calls for aggressive action to curb job losses and bolster the economy. The White House has been working on parallel tracks to arrest the economic free fall. While building support for a massive stimulus package, which cleared a crucial hurdle in the Senate last night, the administration has also been cobbling together a rescue plan for the financial system, which the Treasury Department is scheduled to unveil Monday. Both efforts are designed to improve the nation's employment outlook, by directly creating jobs in the case of stimulus and, in the case of the financial rescue, by steadying the banks that would ordinarily lend to employers seeking to expand. The need for progress on those fronts seemed more important than ever yesterday, as the Labor Department announced that conditions worsened more than expected last month. The nation's employers shed 598,000 jobs, the most since 1974, driving the unemployment rate to 7.6 percent from 7.2 percent. If the jobless rate keeps rising at the pace it has for the past two months, it will hit double digits in summer and reach its highest rate since the Great Depression by the fall. Despite the grim data, the Dow Jones industrial average climbed 2.7 percent, or 217.52 points, on anticipation that the Senate would pass the economic stimulus package. Since the recession began in December 2007, the nation has lost more jobs as a percentage of the labor force than it had at a comparable point in the early 1980s downturn, the worst recession of the post-World War II era. The number of unemployed Americans over the past year has risen by about 4.1 million, equivalent to the entire labor force of Virginia. "It is almost set in stone now that this will be the worst job market we've seen in the postwar period," said Scott Anderson, a senior economist at Wells Fargo. Companies in nearly every sector of the economy have cut jobs or announced that they would take other steps to save on costs, including freezing or reducing pay or eliminating contributions to employee retirement programs. Yesterday, Emerson Electric, a global manufacturing and technology company based in St. Louis, became the latest firm to disclose cutbacks, saying it would slash up to 14,000 jobs this year because of lower demand. President Obama seized on yesterday's dismal news, as he has with other bleak data lately, to press for passage of the economic stimulus package. "This is not some abstract debate," Obama said at the White House. "It is an urgent and growing crisis that can only be fully understood through the unseen stories that lie underneath each and every one of those 600,000 jobs that were lost this month." The financial rescue package that Treasury Secretary Timothy F. Geithner plans to lay out next week would aim to save or create jobs by propping up banks and other troubled financial institutions, which in turn should make them able to lend money to businesses that seek to expand or consumers who wish to make purchases. The stimulus package, a mix of tax cuts and new spending, seeks to save or create jobs directly by encouraging retail sales and business investment. Many of those jobs would probably be concentrated in the manufacturing industry. According to an estimate by economist Mark Zandi of Moody's Economy.com, who has been advising congressional Democrats, an earlier version of the stimulus similar to the package that passed the House of Representatives last month would generate 590,000 manufacturing jobs by the end of 2012. Last month alone, the nation lost 207,000 manufacturing jobs, the largest one-month decline since 1982. Most of those losses were concentrated in companies that make vehicles or related parts and machinery.	As a result of the ongoing global financial crisis of 2008–2009, American employers have cut 598,000 jobs over the past month, the most in one month since December 1974. The unemployment rate also rose approximately 0.4 percent, bringing the rate up to 7.6 percent (11.6 million people), the highest since January 1992. This is according to the United States Labor Department's monthly unemployment report released last week. US President Barack Obama asked Congress today to support and quickly pass a $900 billion economic stimulus package that would, according to some, help create more jobs and decrease the unemployment rate. "All of us in Washington must remember that we’re here to work for the American people. And if we drag our feet and fail to act, this crisis will turn into a catastrophe," said Obama in a statement this morning. Obama warned that the rate could grow to double digits if Congress did not act fast and pass the bill allowing the package, and stated that the report was "very troubling." "These numbers demand action. It is time for Congress to act," he also said, "That's 3.6 million Americans who need our help," he stated, referring to the number of American workers that had been laid off since the United States officially entered economic recession in December 2007. Factories have been hit the hardest in the past month, laying off 207,000 workers, approximately 20 percent of the month's layoffs and the most by the industry since 1982. The next highest was the construction industry, which cut an estimated 110,000 workers last month. Other hard-hit industries include the financial industries, cutting 42,000 jobs, the retail industry, which cut 46,000, and leisure and hospitality, losing 28,000 workers. "This is a horror show we’re watching. By every measure available - loss of employment and hours, rise of unemployment, shrinkage of the employment to population rate - this recession is steeper than any recession of the last 40 years, including the harsh recession of the early 1980s," stated Lawrence Mishel, an economist and president of the Economic Policy Institute, a US-based research organization focused on the economy. Economic forecasters reported that their predictions had actually been less severe than the report stated. The United States Congress is currently debating a $900 billion economic stimulus bill that will attempt to halt the recession, and will continue to do so until a measure has been reached.
--Provinces--- Alberta British Columbia Manitoba New Brunswick Newfoundland and Labrador N.W.T Nova Scotia Nunavut Ontario --- NCR-Ottawa P.E.I. Quebec Saskatchewan --- Training Academy Yukon Iqaluit RCMP Lay Charges in Death of Cst. Scott Iqaluit, Nunavut – November 7, 2007 – RCMP today charged Pingoatuk (Ping) Kolola of Kimmirut, Nunavut, with first degree murder in the shooting death Monday of RCMP Cst. Douglas Scott. Kolola, 37, a resident of Kimmirut, was taken into police custody without incident at 4:10 a.m. Tuesday and transported by RCMP aircraft to Iqaluit where he remains in custody. The investigation is ongoing. A news conference will be held today at 3:30 p.m. in the Baffin Room of the Frobisher Inn in Iqaluit to provide updates. For further information contact (867) 975-4422 or (867) 975-4787. -30- \|\|\|\|\| People in Nunavut reacted with shock and grief Tuesday to news that an RCMP officer was shot and killed in the Baffin Island hamlet of Kimmirut. RCMP Const. Douglas Scott, 20, is shown in this RCMP photo. (RCMP/Canadian Press) A man was arrested by Kimmirut RCMP several hours after Const. Douglas Scott, 20, was fatally shot while on duty late Monday night. Police have yet to identify the man who was taken into custody in Iqaluit on Tuesday. Charges have not been laid as of Tuesday. Scott, who was originally from the Brockville, Ont., area, is the second Mountie to be shot and killed in Canada's North in the past month. "The death of any of our members is deeply felt," Chief Supt. Martin Cheliak, the RCMP's commanding officer in Nunavut, told a news conference Tuesday. "But when, once again, it occurs in one of our close-knit communities in the North, the pain of that loss seems even greater." Much of Kimmirut — a hamlet of about 400 located 120 kilometres south of Iqaluit on Baffin Island — was very quiet on Tuesday, as residents reacted with shock to Scott's death. Local schools were closed for the day. CBC News reporter John Main, who travelled to Kimmirut on Tuesday, said a "large number" of RCMP investigators were at the scene of the shooting and subsequent standoff. That area has been off-limits since the incident took place. Scott was responding alone to a complaint of an impaired driver shortly before 11 p.m. ET. He radioed in six minutes later to say he was following up on the call. His fellow officer in the two-person detachment tried to reach him at about 11:30 p.m., but received no response. Local residents told the officer that Scott had responded to the report of an impaired driver and that the driver had crashed into a residence. Scott was found and later pronounced dead at 11:45 p.m. "Upon arrival at the scene, it was found that our member had been shot," Cheliak said. Kimmirut is located 120 kilometres south of Iqaluit on Baffin Island (CBC) Shortly afterward, a standoff ensued at a residence nearby and ended at about 4:10 a.m. with the man surrendering without incident. Cheliak expressed his sympathies to the officer's parents, Doug and Marla Scott, who live near Brockville. The RCMP said Scott had only been posted in the North, including in Kimmirut, about six months ago. Mayor Joe Arlooktoo said Scott was supposed to be in the hamlet for two years. Police expect the investigation to take a number of days. At a separate news conference in Ottawa, RCMP Chief Supt. Fraser Macaulay said they are doing a "very in-depth and comprehensive review" of the force's backup policy and other policies relating to "incidents such as these." He added that "every call for service has potential inherent danger. In this case, it starts as an impaired driver." Iqaluit residents join hands in protective circle In the territorial capital of Iqaluit, roughly 300 residents gathered at the local RCMP detachment Tuesday afternoon for a hastily arranged service to grieve Scott's death and show their support for the Mounties. About 300 people circled the Iqaluit RCMP detachment in a public show of support Tuesday afternoon. (Odile Nelson/CBC) CBC News reporter Fiona Christensen described people joining hands, forming a "human chain" around the detachment building to "symbolically protect" the RCMP members inside. They sang Amazing Grace when the circle was formed. Residents also gave moving speeches and prayers in the Inuktitut language during the afternoon service. Speaking in Inuktitut, Nunavut Commissioner Ann Meekitjuk Hanson said when such a tragedy happens, it can be too much to bear. Iqaluit Deputy Mayor Al Hayward described Scott as "a proud member of the RCMP, who paid the ultimate price in service of self-sacrifice, selflessness and an act of duty to Nunavut, our communities and our country. "We share in the shock and grief of the RCMP, and we're here today to show our unity," Hayward said. Scott, who was born on Dec. 21, 1986, hailed from Lyn, Ont., eight kilometres north of Brockville. His family learned of what happened around 6 a.m. ET Tuesday. His uncle, Staff Sgt. Chris Scott of the Kingston Police Force, told CBC News that his nephew had graduated from the RCMP training academy in the spring. He was initially posted to a larger centre in Nunavut before being transferred to Kimmirut, Scott said. "Dougie," the oldest of three boys, was just getting ready to see his family in what would have been his first visit home in a long time, his uncle said. 220 Mounties killed in line of duty The shooting comes almost one month after RCMP Const. Christopher Worden was shot to death while responding to a house call in Hay River, N.W.T. Police launched a search for the suspected shooter a day after the Oct. 6 shooting, and five days later, Emrah Bulatci surrendered to police following a standoff. He has been charged with first-degree murder. Including Monday's shooting, a total of 220 RCMP officers have been killed in the line of duty since the 1870s. Some have been high-profile deaths, such as the shootings of four young officers in Rochfort Bridge, Alta., in March 2005, and the deaths of two Mounties shot near Mildred, Sask., in July 2006. Const. Jurgen Ziegfried Seewald, 47, was shot and killed in Nunavut in March 2001 after responding to a domestic dispute in the community of Cape Dorset. \|\|\|\|\| Statement by Prime Minister Stephen Harper on the death of Constable Douglas Scott Ottawa, Ontario Prime Minister Stephen Harper today issued the following statement on the death of Constable Douglas Scott of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP): “I wish to pay tribute to Constable Doug Scott, who died tragically in the line of duty in Kimmirut, Nunavut. Constable Scott was in the early days of his career as an RCMP officer with strong ideals and a commitment to help his fellow Canadians. He tragically lost his life while protecting the people of his community and will be remembered for his courage, bravery and dedication. On behalf of Canadians, I extend my sincere sympathy to the family, friends and fellow colleagues of Constable Scott. We are forever grateful that young men and women like Constable Scott continue to respond to the call of duty often working under extreme circumstances, and in conditions of great danger. All News	RCMP Constable Douglas Allen Scott. Constable Douglas Scott, 20, of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) was shot to death late Monday night while answering a call about an impaired driver. The incident took place in the community of Kimmirut in Canada's northern territory of Nunavut. Constable Scott, who had been on the job for six months, is the second northern Canadian RCMP officer killed on duty in just under a month. On October 6, Constable Christopher Worden was shot and killed while responding to a call in Hay River, in the Northwest Territories. Scott is survived by his parents, Doug and Marla, as well as his siblings and grandparents. His parents live near Brockville, Ontario. RCMP Commanding Officer "V" (Nunavut) Division Marty Cheliak expressed the police force's shock and sadness at the shooting. "The death of any of our members is deeply felt, but when once again it occurs in one of our close-knit northern communities, the pain of that loss seems even greater," said Cheliak in a statement. "Our hearts also go out to the community of Kimmirut and to everyone who knew Doug." Cheliak provided the following timeline of events: Baffin Island, Nunavut, showing location of Kimmirut. "At 10:56 p.m., Cst. Scott was called to respond to a complaint of a possible impaired driver. At 11:02 p.m. Cst. Scott radioed “V” (Nunavut) Division telecoms to say that he was following up on the call for service. Shortly thereafter, “V” Division telecoms attempted to contact Cst. Scott, but received no response. At 11:31 a second member from the detachment was advised by local residents that the officer had responded to a report of an impaired driver and that the driver had crashed into a residence. Upon arrival at the scene, it was found that Constable Scott had been shot. At 11:45 p.m. “V” division’s Emergency Response Team was mobilized. At 11:56 p.m. it was confirmed that the suspect had entered his own residence. *At 4:10 a.m. the suspect surrendered to police without incident and was taken into custody." Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper issued a statement on the death of Scott on Tuesday. “I wish to pay tribute to Constable Doug Scott, who died tragically in the line of duty in Kimmirut, Nunavut," said Harper. "On behalf of Canadians, I extend my sincere sympathy to the family, friends and fellow colleagues of Constable Scott. We are forever grateful that young men and women like Constable Scott continue to respond to the call of duty often working under extreme circumstances, and in conditions of great danger." The suspect in the shooting, Pingoatuk (Ping) Kolola of Kimmirut, Nunavut, has since been transported via RCMP aircraft to Iqaluit where he remains in custody. He has been charged with first degree murder.
Benoit left trail of calls, online messages The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Two days before Chris Benoit and his family were found dead in what Fayette County authorities said was a murder-suicide, the wrestling superstar left voice mails with co-workers saying that his wife and young son were suffering from food poisoning. According to a timeline posted Wednesday on the World Wrestling Entertainment Web site, Benoit first left phone messages saying he would be late for a WWE event in Beaumont, Texas. Later, he sent cellphone text messages that appeared to be attempts to have someone go to the house where the bodies of Benoit, his wife Nancy, and his 7-year-old son Daniel were eventually found on Monday afternoon. At 3:30 p.m. Saturday, a co-worker received a voice message from Benoit stating he missed his flight and overslept and would be late for the Texas event. According to the WWE Web site, the co-worker called Benoit back and Benoit sounded tired and groggy as he confirmed everyting he said in his voice message. A 3:42 p.m., the same co-worker, "concerned about Benoit's tone and demeanor," called him back again, according to the Web site. Benoit did not answer the call and the co-worker left a message stating, "just call me back." Two minutes later, Benoit called the co-worker back, stating he didn't answer the call because he was on the phone with Delta Air Lines changing his flight. "Benoit stated he had a real stressful day due to Nancy and Daniel being sick with food poisoning," the WWE Web site said. At 4:30 p.m., according to the Web site, a co-worker who often travels with Benoit called him from outside the Houston airport and Benoit answered. "Benoit told the co-worker that Nancy was throwing up blood and that Daniel was also throwing up." At 5:35 p.m., Benoit called WWE's "Talent Relations" office, stating that his son was throwing up and that he and Nancy were in the hospital with their son, and that he would be taking a later flight into Houston, but would make the live event in Beaumont. The WWE also released the content of text messages sent on Sunday from Benoit and his wife's cellphones: Text message 1, sent at 3:53 a.m. to the two co-workers Benoit had spoken with on Saturday, read, "My physical address is 130 Green Meadow Lane, Fayetteville Georgia. 30215." Text message 2, also sent at 3:53 a.m. to the two co-workers, read, "The dogs are in the enclosed pool area. Garage side door is open." Text message 3, sent to the two co-workers from Nancy Benoit's cell phone at 3:54 a.m., read, "My physical address is 130 Green Meadow Lane. Fayetteville Georgia 30215." The same message was sent to the same two co-workers from Nancy Beloit's cell phone at 3:55 a.m. Another co-worker received the same text message, sent from Nancy Beloit's cell phone at 3:58 a.m. Sunday. \|\|\|\|\| Professional wrestler Chris Benoit strangled his wife and smothered his 7-year-old son, placing bibles at their sides, before hanging himself from a pulley in his weight room, authorities said Tuesday. Police ruled the death a double homicide-suicide and are investigating whether steroids may have been a factor in the deaths. Authorities said they found prescription anabolic steroids in the home among other legal prescriptions. Steroid abuse has been linked to depression, paranoia, and aggressive behavior or angry outbursts known as "roid rage." "There was a lot of prescription medication that he had received from doctors with what we believed to be at this time legal prescriptions," said Lt. Tommy Pope of the Fayette County Sheriff's Department. • Click here to view video report from MyFoxAtlanta.com. Police said that Nancy Benoit died of asphyxiation on Friday, said Fayette County District Attorney Scott Ballard. She was found in an upstairs family room with her legs and wrists bound and blood under her head, perhaps indicating a struggle, he said. (Story continues below) Advertise Here Advertisements Advertisements The Benoits' son, Daniel, died of asphyxiation sometime Saturday morning, Ballard said. He was found in his bed upstairs. Both mother and son had bibles placed at their sides. Authorities found the pro wrestler dead in the basement, hanging from the pulley of a weight machine. He died sometime late Saturday or Sunday, Ballard said. "In a community like this, it's bizarre just to have a murder suicide -- certainly involving the death of a 7-year-old child," Ballard said. Nancy Benoit filed for a divorce in May 2003, saying their three-year union was irrevocably broken and alleging "cruel treatment." But she later dropped the complaint, as well as a request for a restraining order in which she charged that Benoit had threatened her and had broken furniture in their home. In the divorce filing, she said Benoit made more than $500,000 a year as a professional wrestler and asked for permanent custody of Daniel and child support. In his response, Benoit sought joint custody. "He was like the dad you always wanted to have," Bill Apter, a pro-wresting writer and friend of Benoit, told FOX News. "I just don't get this." Apter called Benoit pensive and quiet, adding: "Chris Benoit was not the type of guy that you would profile to do anything of what is being alleged to have happened." • Click here to view video report from MyFoxAtlanta.com. The World Wrestling Entertainment wrestler canceled a pay-per-view appearance at the "Vengeance" event in Houston because of "personal reasons" a day before the trio were found dead. The bodies were found Monday afternoon in three separate rooms of the house, off a gravel road about two miles from the Whitewater Country Club. • Click here for full coverage on the WWE Web site. Neighbors said the Benoits led a low-key lifestyle. "We would see Chris walking in his yard from time to time. He wasn't rude, but he wasn't really outwardly warm," said Alaina Jones, who lives across the street. Jimmy Baswell, who was Benoit's driver for more than five years, placed a white wreath at the Benoits' gate. "They always seemed like they were the happiest people," he said. Whiteside said toxicology tests could take up to a week or longer to complete. Text messages from the wrestler seem to have prompted the police to visit the home. "The sheriff's department will only confirm that he sent one text message sometime around 4:30 a.m. Saturday, and I know that the WWE is saying that he sent several others, which is what prompted them to contact the sheriff's office to go do a welfare check at the house," Saeed Ahmed of the Journal-Constitution told FOX News. World Wrestling Entertainment said on its Web site that it asked authorities to check on Benoit and his family after being alerted by friends who received "several curious text messages sent by Benoit early Sunday morning." The WWE, based in Stamford, Conn., said it had been asked by authorities not to release further information on the deaths. Benoit was born in Montreal. He was a former world heavyweight champion, Intercontinental champion and held several tag-team titles over his career. He was known by several names including "The Canadian Crippler." "WWE extends its sincerest thoughts and prayers to the Benoit family's relatives and loved ones in this time of tragedy," the company said in a statement on its Web site. Benoit had maintained a home in metro Atlanta from the time he wrestled for the defunct World Championship Wrestling. The Fayette County Tax Assessors Office lists the value of the house, situated on more than 8.5 acres, at nearly $900,000. The WWE canceled its live "Monday Night RAW" card in Corpus Christi, Texas, and USA Network aired a three-hour tribute to Benoit in place of the scheduled wrestling telecast on June 25. Benoit's wife managed several wrestlers and went by the stage name "Woman," The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported. They met when her then-husband, Kevin Sullivan, drew up a script that had them involved in a relationship as part of an ongoing story line on World Championship Wrestling. Sullivan spoke to FOXNews.com late Tuesday and expressed shock and sadness over the death of his ex-wife, who he married in 1985. From his home in Tavernier, Fla., Sullivan said he had not spoken to his ex-wife since their split. “It’s surreal,” said Sullivan, who did not have children with Nancy Benoit. “She was a nice person. We just went our separate ways. She was nice and very loving and I’m sure she was a good mother.” Sullivan said he did not know Benoit well outside the ring. “I never associated with him, so I really don’t know his personality,” he said. … “[But] I’m sad for all three, especially the child.” Benoit, who has two other children from a prior relationship, became a standout at an early age among wrestling prospects who trained in the dungeon basement of the house where fellow Canadians and professional wrestlers Owen and Bret Hart trained. Owen Hart was killed during a wrestling event in 1999. "He was like a family member to me, and everyone in my family is taking it real hard," said Bret Hart, a five-time champion with the now-defunct World Wrestling Federation. Blane Bachelor and The Associated Press contributed to this report. \|\|\|\|\| Canadian pro wrestler Chris Benoit, his wife, and son were found dead Monday and police said they were investigating the deaths as a murder-suicide. Det. Bo Turner told television station WAGA in Atlanta that the case was being treated as a murder-suicide, but said that couldn't be confirmed until evidence was examined by a crime lab. Chris Benoit and his family were found dead Monday at their Atlanta-area home. (Darryl Dyck/Canadian Press) The station said that investigators believe the 40-year-old Benoit killed his wife, Nancy, and seven-year-old son, Daniel, over the weekend, then himself on Monday at their Fayetteville, Ga., home. A neighbour called police, and the bodies were found in three rooms. Lead investigator Lieut. Tommy Pope, of the Fayette County Sheriff's Department, told the Associated Press the deaths were being investigated as homicide, and that the causes of death awaited autopsy results on Tuesday. Pope said the bodies were discovered about 2:30 p.m., but refused to release details. The house is in a secluded neighborhood set back more than 50 metres off a gravel road, surrounded by stacked stone wall and a double-iron gate. Benoit wrestled for World Wrestling Entertainment, which cancelled its live Raw wrestling card Monday night in Corpus Christi, Texas. Canadian television network The Score aired a three-hour tribute to Benoit in place of the scheduled telecast. "I am deeply saddened over the loss of Chris Benoit," WWE Canada president Carl DeMarco said on the WWE website. "My heartfelt thoughts and sympathy go out to his parents and family. My relationship with Chris has extended many years and I consider him a great friend. "Chris was always first class — warm, friendly, caring and professional — one of the best in our business." Benoit, 40, was born in Montreal and also lived in Edmonton. He maintained a home in the Atlanta area from the time he wrestled for the defunct World Championship Wrestling. Benoit was scheduled to wrestle at the Vengeance pay-per-view event Sunday night in Houston, but was replaced at the last minute because of what announcer Jim Ross called "personal reasons." The Canadian Crippler Benoit, a five-foot-11, 220-pounder, was often described as a rabid wolverine in the ring. Known as "The Canadian Crippler," he had a chiseled physique and superior technical skills. The "Crippler Crossface" was one of his signature moves, along with a flying head butt from the top rope and triple German suplex. "Chris was beloved among his fellow superstars and was a favourite among WWE fans for his unbelievable athleticism and wrestling ability," the WWE said on its website. "He always took great pride in his performance and always showed respect for the business he loved, for his peers and towards his fans. This is a terrible tragedy and an unbearable loss." Benoit began his career in 1985 after training with Stu Hart and family in Calgary. Won championship in 2004 He competed for Hart's Stampede Wrestling promotion in the late 1980s and later wrestled in Japan and for the National Wrestling Alliance, WCW and Extreme Championship Wrestling. He joined WWE in 2000. Benoit held several titles over his career but realized his dream at Wrestlemania 20 in 2004, defeating Shawn Michaels and champion Triple H in a triple threat match at Madison Square Garden to win the WWE world heavyweight championship for the first time. "He was a man of few words, but his passion for the sports-entertainment business was almost unrivalled," the WWE said. "Whether loved or hated, Benoit was always well-respected by our fans and his peers for his in-ring ability, his trademark toothless grin and his no-nonsense attitude. "The sports-entertainment world has truly suffered a loss with his passing, as one of the all-time greats was taken well before his time." With files from the Canadian Press	Baghdad, Iraq. ''Wikinews'' has learned through an investigation that anonymous edits on the Wikipedia article Chris Benoit were added about the death of his wife Nancy Benoit 14 hours before police entered the Benoit home to find the former professional World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) Canadian wrestler and his family dead. An anonymous edit from IP address 69.120.111.23 using the Internet service provider ''Optimum Online'' was made at 04:01 UTC on Chris Benoit's Wikipedia article. On a paragraph about an earlier fight: "However, Chris Benoit was replaced… due to personal issues,…", the anonymous editor added " ''stemming from the death of his wife Nancy.''" The edit was reversed just under one hour later with the comment: "Need a reliable source. Saying that his wife died is a pretty big statement, you need to back it up with something." Then just one hour later after the first edit reversion, another anonymous edit by 125.63.148.173 using ''unwiredAustralia.com.au,'' a wireless Internet service provider, was made adding about the aforementioned personal issues: "''which according to several pro wrestling websites is attributed to the passing of Benoit's wife, Nancy.''" That edit was reverted just under 20 minutes later, with the comment: "Saying 'several pro wrestling websites' is still not reliable information." Further investigation shows that the IP address used to make the first edit is located in Connecticut, but the IP address is not linked to any computers or servers used by the WWE, but according to Cary Bass, Volunteer Coordinator for the Wikimedia Foundation, the IP address matches a location in Stamford, Connecticut where the WWE headquarters is located. Bass also informed the local authorities in Atlanta about the unusual edits, but it is not known if the edits were investigated by the police. The second edit was made by a computer in Australia from a wireless network. "It didn't become apparent until someone put the pieces together and realized that the comment was made by someone who apparently knew about the murders," added Bass. Fayette County Sheriff deputy Lt. Tommy Pope stated that police found the family at about 2:30 p.m. ET, which is 18:30 UTC, on Monday when the WWE called police and asked them to do a "welfare check" after employees of WWE received calls and text messages from Chris Benoit. Early Sunday, Benoit sent repeated text messages that read "My physical address is 130 Green Meadow Lane, Fayetteville Georgia. 30215." Another text message reportedly said "The dogs are in the enclosed pool area. Garage side door is open." The messages were sent around 4:00 a.m. ET. Earlier, on Saturday afternoon, Chris Benoit placed a series of calls that explained why he missed his flight to Houston. The stories he told were mostly about his wife and son being sick with food poisoning and vomiting. Although, in one call he said that he and Nancy were at the hospital to be with Daniel who was hospitalized. Throughout he insisted that he would attend that live event in Houston. When he missed the live event on Sunday, and the WWE couldn't get hold of him, they contacted authorities. Police say that Benoit strangled his wife on Friday, smothered his son on late Friday or early Saturday, and then hanged himself inside his weight room on Sunday or Monday. The Wikinews investigation is unable to conclude whether the anonymous editors had inside information about the death of Nancy Benoit. This is not the first time Benoit's article has been edited to show false or unsourced information, as the article's edit history indicates a long history of promotional spam and vandalism. Around the time of the edits, the article contained a hidden warning to editors of the section mentioned, warning against adding rumours and speculations. For the time being, Benoit's article has been protected in an attempt to stop the addition of fraudulent information.
Washington, May 12 : Zahi Hawwas, the Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA), Egypt, has said that a Greek archeological mission under Calliope Papacosta discovered a rare statue made of white marble in Alexandria. "The 80 cm long, 23 cm wide statue has been discovered eight meters deep under the earth surface," Hawwas said. "A ribbon around the head of the statue proves that it belongs to an important person for such ribbon was used only be rulers," he added. The facial features of the statue are much similar to that of Alexander the Great especially the nose and hair style, he further added. (ANI) \|\|\|\|\| Back Monday, May 11, 2009 Culture Minister: 132 archaeological sites in Egypt not excavated Culture Minister Farouk Hosni said that the researches conducted via satellites have confirmed the existence of 132 archaeological sites in Egypt that witnessed no excavations until now. Farouk Hosni said Egypt's shows full cooperation with the research teams to explore the archaeological sites, and has recently issued a number of laws seeking to stop the illegal digging in areas likely to contain the buried monuments. He is pointing out that project of monuments photography via satellite is being implemented in collaboration with the National Authority for Remote Sensing, Space Sciences and Mubarak City for Scientific Research for the aerial photography and ground laser. Meanwhile, Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA) Zahi Hawas pointed out that satellites took photos for many archeological sites including Habu city. \|\|\|\|\| Minister of Culture Farouk Hosni announced today that an Egyptian mission has discovered that an area to the north of Lake Qarun in the Faiyum region is rich in archaeological and paleontological remains dating back as far as 40 million years. Dr. Zahi Hawass, Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA), said that the 10- kilometer-wide area is currently being explored to prevent valuable information from being lost to planned touristic development in the area. Following a preliminary survey that began about a year ago, full-scale excavations have been underway since March 10, 2009. SCA archaeologists have found many artifacts in the area dating to the prehistoric period, including arrowheads and other finely crafted stone artifacts of Mousterian, Levallois, and Aterian type. They have also uncovered pottery and stone beads dating to the same era, along with the remains of shelters used by prehistoric hunters. Archaeological remains from later periods are also present in the area. A cemetery that most probably dates to the Greco-Roman period has yielded coins and other small artifacts. The team has explored a tomb in this cemetery consisting of a deep shaft ending in two chambers, but further excavation is hampered by constantly shifting sands. In addition to the prehistoric and Greco-Roman remains found in the area, the archaeologists have discovered pottery, pipes, coins, and glassware dating to the Fatimid and Mamluk periods. Other finds include medical and cosmetic tools, as well as stone shot used in hunting animals during the Islamic era. Fossils of whales and other marine life dating back to around 40 million years ago have been found in the area. In addition to cetaceans like those found in the famous Valley of the Whales to the west of the Faiyum, the SCA team has uncovered the remains of sea cows and sawfish. These fossils are the remnants of a time when much of northern Egypt was submerged under an ancient sea. SCA archaeologist Khaled Saad, who is supervising the excavations under the direction of Zahi Hawass, said that archaeological importance of the area was very great. Hawass added that the excavation was initiated in response to a plan by the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism to build hotels and resorts on the northern shore of Lake Qarun. The ongoing SCA excavations will ensure that valuable archaeological evidence is not lost to development, while reinforcing the need to protect all of Egypt’s ancient monuments for the future. \|\|\|\|\| Prehistoric fishing tackle found in Egypt CAIRO (AFP) — An Egyptian archaeological team has found prehistoric fishing gear, sewing equipment and jewellery all made from animal bones, as well as pottery and coins, near an oasis south of Cairo, officials said on Tuesday. Culture Minister Faruk Hosni said in a statement: "An Egyptian archaeological mission working near El-Karn island on Lake Qarun in Fayoum has found a large amount of fishing tackle, sewing equipment and jewellery made from animal bone dating back to prehistoric time." "The mission also found caves used by prehistoric man," he said. "The most important item is an awl made of animal bone and granite, which shows that prehistoric man devised many ways to sew leather," Khaled Saad, who headed the mission, was quoted as saying. The team also found ancient pottery, coins, whale vertebrae and fossils of seals, sawfish as well as crocodile and turtle parts, Saad said. Medical equipment and weapons made of animal bone were also unearthed, he said. The site was used by many civilisations, antiquities chief Zahi Hawass was quoted as saying in the statement. "During excavation, the mission found antiquities from the Pharaonic, Greek, Roman and Islamic periods," Hawass said. The team also found a rare block which dates back to 3150 BC depicting the mythical leader known as the Scorpion King, as well as colourful mosaic plates with engravings of the Fatimid caliph Al-Zafir. Copyright © 2010 AFP. All rights reserved. More » \|\|\|\|\| Tehran, May 12 (ANI): Iran’s four saltmen, unique salt mummies, have been placed in one of the most advanced display cases in the world, in an attempt to maintain and preserve them. According to Payvand Iran News, the vacuum chamber in Zanjan, where the mummies have been kept, can precisely control humidity and airflow and is provided with a nitrogen-rich mixture deadly to known bacteria and mold. Iranian, British, German and Austrian researchers declared air and humidity the main enemies of salt mummies at the 2nd International Seminar on the Archeology and Pathology of Saltmen in October, 2007. The experts examined the saltmen’s condition to make the final decision on carrying out further studies on the Chehrabad salt mine, where the saltmen were found. The Chehrabad Salt Mine is located in the Hamzehlou region of Zanjan province in northwestern Iran. The saltmen, also known as the Iranian salt mummies, were accidentally discovered by miners in 1993. Three of the saltmen date to the Parthian (247 BCE - 224 CE) and the Sassanid (224 - 651 CE) eras, while all other human remains discovered at the site go back to the Achaemenid Dynasty (550 - 330 BCE). Artifacts have been discovered alongside the skeletons, including leather shoes, a leather bag, a terracotta lamp and two cow horns, most of which remain intact. Salt at the mine worked to preserve the artifacts, as well as the internal organs of the salt men themselves. Fingernails and hair have also been found undamaged, which will enable scientific testing to be carried out that could reveal further clues about these ancient people. (ANI) [NF] More from World \|\|\|\|\| The first step has been taken by making cases for four of them being kept at Zanjan’s Zolfaqari Museum in a critical condition. Six salt men, known as Iranian mummies, were discovered over the past 12 years at the Chehrabad Salt Mine around a place, which is surmised to be a collapsed tunnel built by the Achaemenids and was also in use during the Sassanid era. The salt mine is located in the Hamzehlu region near Zanjan. The Fourth Salt Man, which dates back to the Achaemenid era, is on display at Zanjan’s Zolfaqari Museum. “A contract has been signed with a private company to make four cases, which will be equipped with an anti-moisture system,” director of the archaeological exactions at the Chehrabad Salt Mine Abolfazl Aali said. The company is currently making the cases, he added. “The cases, which are being made of glass and metal, will be very rigid. They will also be equipped with devices to control the vacuity of the space,” he explained. The salt men are currently kept in plexiglass cases, which are not hermetically sealed. Changes in air temperature and pressure have created cracks in the cases, allowing bacteria and insects to enter and damage the mummies. The First Salt Man, which is kept at the National Museum of Iran, was discovered 12 years ago. No change can be seen on it. The Sixth Salt Man was left in-situ due to the dearth of equipment necessary for its preservation in Iran.	Zahi Hawass, Egypt's pre-eminent archaeologist, and Secretary General of the The Supreme Council of Antiquities, has announced that a rare statue constructed of white marble whose features resemble Alexander the Great has been discovered in Egypt. Hawass also stated that there are satellite photographs identifying many archeological sites which may also reveal buried monuments. Alexander the Great Calliope Papacosta was leading the Greek archaeological excavation in Alexandria when the white marble statue was found. "A ribbon around the head of the statue proves that it belongs to an important person for such ribbon was used only be''sic'' rulers," said Hawass, "The 80 cm long, 23 cm wide statue has been discovered eight meters deep under the earth surface." Salt Man Head in the Iran Bastan Museum Farouk Hosni, Egypt’s Culture Minister, is supporting archaeological dig sites and has set into place laws restricting illegal digging in confirmed archaeological sites which may contain historical monuments. The monument photography project, National Authority for Remote Sensing, Space Sciences (NARRS) and Mubarak City for Scientific Research (MuCSAT) combined Satellites technology, aerial photography and ground laser to locate 132 sites which have not yet been excavated. One of these sites is north of Lake Qarun in the Faiyum area, and another at Habu city. Archaeologists are presently being sent out by the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism to areas before construction and building excavations to preserve invaluable archaeological treasures. At the Faiyum site near Cairo artifacts dating to diverse time periods have been found amongst these, an awl for stitching leather, fishing tackle, weapons, jewellery, pottery, coins, sawfish, whale fossils, and a 3150 BC block portraying one of the two leaders named King Scorpion. Meanwhile, in other archaeological news, Iran's three salt mummies found in the Chehrabad Salt Mine in 1993 will be moved to a technologically advanced vacuum chamber display case in Zanjan for better preservation. These mummies or ''Salt Men'' have been dated as being from the Parthian 237 BCE - 224 CE and Sassanid era, 224 - 651 CE.
Shinji Okazaki's ninth-minute goal in Tashkent on Saturday put Japan on 14 points on top of Asian qualifying zone Group A to assure them of a top two finish and direct qualification to South Africa. "The first Asian FIFA World Cup revolutionised the game on the Asian continent and we are hoping that the first FIFA World Cup in Africa next year will do the same for football on the African continent," said Danny Jordaan, the 2010 organising committee chief in South Africa. Japan are an exciting team to watch with a unique brand of football, Jordaan said, adding that he was confident that South Africa would receive similar numbers of Japanese fans as the 35,000 seen in Germany in 2006. "Japan are a big team - both on and off the field - who have become a major force in world football. We are delighted that they today became the first team to qualify for the 2010 FIFA World Cup," Jordaan said. 2010 will be the fourth World Cup for Japan, a co-host of the tournament with South Korea in 2002. \|\|\|\|\| Related Links The Socceroos have created history, making a second-straight World Cup for the first time after a 0-0 draw with Qatar in Doha on Sunday morning (AEST). As has been the case for much of Pim Verbeek's reign, the Socceroos may not have looked at their very best, but this was all about getting the job done, and a 14th point for the campaign, albeit in a goalless match, was enough to secure Australia as one of 32 nations at next year's showpiece in South Africa. Earlier, Japan became the first team to qualify courtesy of a 1-0 win over Uzbekistan in Tashkent. The game may have lacked the drama of the penalty shootout success over Uruguay four years ago which secured Australia passage to its first World Cup in 32 years, but the result was just as sweet. Solid efforts by star players Tim Cahill and Harry Kewell were the highlights of a match which never reached great heights. Australia was the dominant side, but never created anything to seriously worry the home side. After a somewhat ragged start, Australia took firm control of the game in the middle of the first half and could have easily had the lead on 27 minutes. Cahill had been given too much space in the box and after flipping the ball up in the air, was able to execute a close to perfect bicycle kick which hit the post, with Qatari keeper Qusam Burhan completely stranded. Three minutes later Kewell could have scored but his shot from a tight angle went over the bar, while Carl Valeri's goal-bound effort from long range on 32 minutes was deflected over by a Qatari defender. Australia also had several chances from set pieces, but the Socceroos were unable to breach the home side's defence. Qatar's best first-half chances both fell to Sebastian Quintana. The Uruguayan striker was left alone in the box on 18 minutes but fired wide, while it took Cahill's intervention on 37 minutes to deflect his powerful shot over the bar. Early in the second half Ali Afif popped a free kick over the bar, while Cahill's tame shot was cleared off the line. On 57 minutes, Cahill latched onto a loose ball forcing a strong save from Qusam, before heading over from the subsequent corner. Josh Kennedy then almost lobbed the Qatari keeper a minute later. Australia's momentum was building and when a clever long pass from Vince Grella allowed Harry Kewell a shot on goal just after the hour, it was clear the Socceroos were well on top. Kewell continued to be heavily involved for the remainder of the match, but couldn’t manage to find the net. He forced a defensive error, but then couldn't score, while a one-two with Cahill came to nothing. Qatar's chances were few and far between in the final 45 minutes and Australia kept a clean sheet for the sixth straight match. Mark Schwarzer was untroubled and a spot in South Africa 2010 was secured with ease. Australia now plays Bahrain in Sydney on Wednesday night before a final qualifying match against Japan in Melbourne on June 17. Qatar 0 Australia 0 in Doha \|\|\|\|\| Japan became the first country to qualify for the 2010 World Cup, clinching a place with a 1–0 win in Uzbekistan in the Asian zone Group One qualifier. A goal in the ninth minute by Shinji Okazaki proved enough for Japan, who qualified with two games to spare. Uzbekistan must win their final qualifier and rely on Bahrain losing their two remaining matches if they are to have a chance of progressing. Australia followed Japan by qualifying for South Africa with a 0–0 draw away to Qatar. The Netherlands became the first European nation to qualify, with a 2-1 win in Iceland. Goals from Nigel de Jong and Mark van Bommel left the Dutch uncatchable at the top of qualifying Group Nine with a maximum 18 points, 11 clear of second-placed Scotland. Serbia piled the pressure on France in Group Seven, opening up a five-point lead at the top thanks to a 1-0 home victory over Austria, while Denmark beat Sweden 1-0 in Stockholm to remain in control of Group One. Stuttering Portugal kept alive their hopes of qualifying with a last-gasp 2-1 victory in Albania. They have nine points, seven behind Denmark and four shy of second-placed Hungary with four matches remaining. Only the winners of the nine European qualifying groups automatically qualify for South Africa, with the best eight runners-up having to come through a two-legged play-off. In England's group, Group Six, Croatia had to rely on an equaliser from Luka Modric to secure a 2-2 draw at home to Ukraine. Croatia are seven points behind England. South Korea qualified for their seventh successive World Cup finals when they beat the United Arab Emirates 2-0. North Korea spurned the chance of an early place in the qualifying play-off when they were held to a goalless draw by Iran. The draw did Iran no good either, and they face an uphill struggle to reach the finals. In Africa, Burkina Faso and Gabon kept up their unlikely march on World Cup places with key wins. Both kept their 100 per cent records in the final phase of Africa's qualifiers, as did Tunisia, who beat Mozambique 2-0. Gabon, who scored an upset victory in Morocco in their opening Group A match, disposed of Togo 3-0 while Burkina Faso won 1-0 away in Malawi. \|\|\|\|\| Okazaki: Scored decisive goal Asian 2010 World Cup qualifying results: Qatar 0 Australia 0 Uzbekistan 0 Japan 1 North Korea 0 Iran 0 UAE 0 South Korea 2 Also see Football on Sky Sky Sports experts Transfer Centre Japan, South Korea and Australia have become the first teams to qualify for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. 2002 co-hosts Japan and South Korea clinched their places in the finals with wins over Uzbekistan and United Arab Emirates respectively, while Australia drew with Qatar. In Group A, Japan's Shinji Okazaki scored the only goal of the game in Uzbekistan after just nine minutes. Takeshi Okada's side finished the match with 10 men after Makoto Hasebe was sent off a minute from time, but Japan hung on to book their ticket. Australia joined Japan in guaranteeing qualification for the World Cup next year after playing out a 0-0 draw away to Qatar. Uzbekistan's prospects of finishing third in Group A to claim a play-off spot hinge on them winning their final game and hoping Bahrain slip up. In Group B, South Korea made it through to the finals again after scoring twice in the first half to claim a 2-0 win away to UAE. Park Chu-young opened the scoring after just five minutes and Ki Sung-yueng netted on 37 minutes, while UAE had Hilal Saeed sent off in the last minute. North Korea had briefly moved level on points with their neighbours after a 0-0 home draw with Iran. The visitors came closest to scoring in the first half when Fulham midfielder Andranik Teymourian struck the post. North Korea were the stronger team in the second period and Iran keeper Seyed Rehmati had to pull off fine saves to deny Hong Yong-jo and Pak Nam-chol. \|\|\|\|\| World Cup Qualification Another First For Australia - Ben Buckley FFA CEO Ben Buckley has praised Pim Verbeek's history-making squad. 6 Jun 2009 19:45:32 Photo Gallery Zoom Australia coach Pim Verbeek (PA) Teams Australia Qatar Australia became the second team to qualify for the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa on Sunday morning (Australian time) when they held Qatar to a 0-0 draw in Doha.Speaking from Doha, Football Federation Australia (FFA) CEO, Ben Buckley, said that qualifying for the second consecutive FIFA World Cup was a fantastic achievement."It's another first for Australian football, and it's come off the back of a comprehensive qualification pathway which began in February last year."Qualifying this time around, with the travel and match conditions the team has experienced, is a true measure of the progress football has made."While 'do or die' results, such as the famous Uruguay game four years ago are exciting, a qualifying campaign such as this one through the Asian zone is a tough test."We could not be more delighted," Buckley said."I am sure everyone joins us in congratulating Pim Verbeek, his staff and the Qantas Socceroos for this wonderful outcome."I urge Australian fans to show their appreciation of the squad in our final two matches of the qualifying campaign."Australia meets Bahrain at Stadium Australia on Wednesday 10 June and Japan at the MCG on 17 June.Earlier in the evening Japan also qualified for the 2010 FIFA World Cup when they defeated Uzbekistan 0-1 in Tashkent.	Australia, Japan, South Korea and the Netherlands have all qualified for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Australia drew 0–0 with Qatar, Japan defeated Uzbekistan 1–0, South Korea qualified by defeating the United Arab Emirates 2–0 and a 2–1 win over Iceland saw the Netherlands qualify. All four countries have two games to play in qualifying. Mark Schwarzer, Australian goalkeeper. "They put us under pressure," Australia coach Pim Verbeek said of his team's games. "We thought they could only do that for 20 minutes and they did it for almost 90 so I have to congratulate the young players from Qatar. They made it very difficult for us." In a statement emailed out to the media, Football Federation Australia CEO Ben Buckley said, "It's another first for Australian football, and it's come off the back of a comprehensive qualification pathway which began in February last year. Qualifying this time around, with the travel and match conditions the team has experienced, is a true measure of the progress football has made. While 'do or die' results, such as the famous Uruguay game four years ago are exciting, a qualifying campaign such as this one through the Asian zone is a tough test." FIFA named the Japan-Uzbekistan game as match of the day. Japanese forward Shinji Okazaki scored the only goal of that match, securing Japan's place at the World Cup. "This away game was really tough but I'm really happy, because I'd only scored in friendly games previously," Okazaki said. "This time, I feel like I did very well for the Japanese team. "Japan are a big team — both on and off the field — who have become a major force in world football. We are delighted that they today became the first team to qualify for the 2010 FIFA World Cup," Danny Jordaan, World Cup organising committee chief, said. South Korea opened the scoring in there match with the UAE through Park Chu-young after five minutes. Ki Sung-yueng sealed qualification for the Koreans on 37 minutes. The Netherlands scored their two goals in the first ten minutes. Nigel de Jong scored after eight minutes and Mark van Bommel scored on 15 minutes.
::: Home > Search Search News UN effort 'shows Taiwan sovereignty,' says president 10/24/2007 (Taiwan News) President Chen Shui-bian declared Wednesday morning that the drive by the Democratic Progressive Party administration to join the United Nations as a new member under the name of "Taiwan" instead of the nation's official name was "a symbol that manifests Taiwan's national sovereignty" and that "Taiwan and China are different countries across the Taiwan Strait." Chen made the remarks in a brief address in front of the Office of the President to launch the 1,200 - kilometer "All People's Torch Relay to Advance into the United Nations." Over 1,000 administration and DPP party officials, runners, bicyclists and ordinary citizens participated in the opening ceremony and first stage of the 11- day relay run that will encompass all of Taiwan's 25 counties and cities, including the offshore island counties of Kinmen, Matsu and Penghu before finishing on the evening of November 3 in front of the presidential complex. A small crowd had assembled in front of the Office of the President by 6:30 am when the daily flag raising ceremony took place, as persons of all ages gathered with United Nations flags, "UN for Taiwan" air batons, placards accusing the opposition Kuomintang for "obstructing" the DPP's UN entry effort and "Yes, Taiwan" banners in support of DPP presidential candidate Frank Hsieh. After an artificial "sacred flame" was lit while dancers in white togas performed a Greek dance to the tune of "Amazing Grace" followed by a lion dance, Chen expressed his "heartfelt gratitude" to the several thousand participants for "getting out of bed so early to participate in this highly significant 'All People's Torch Relay to Advance into the United Nations." Dressed in a T-shirt issued for the relay, Chen observed that sacred fire ceremonies were held to begin the ancient Olympic Games in Greece as "an eternal symbol of peace and reason." Chen claimed that the torch relay "showed that the 23 million Taiwanese people desired to use the most peaceful and reasonable method to clearly communicate our intense desire to join the United Nations under the name of 'Taiwan' to international society and especially urge the world democratic and freedom camp to respect the free choice of the Taiwanese people and assist us in entering the UN under the name of 'Taiwan' as a new member." The president related that this year marked the first time that the administration had officially applied to join the UN under the name of "Taiwan" and observed that even though the final result was "not satisfactory," he claimed that the controversial effort had successfully attracted considerable attention from international society and the world media. Chen said the DPP-led administration had designated October 24, the anniversary of the date on which the UN Charter took effect, as "Taiwan UN Day" and stated that a new "United Nations Research Center" under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs would also begin operation Wednesday. The president insisted that "using the name of 'Taiwan' to enter the UN" is the will of the mainstream of Taiwanese public opinion and a multipartisan consensus and "is a manifestation of Taiwan's national sovereignty" and also stressed that Taiwan "has never been part of the People's Republic of China" and that "Taiwan and China are two countries on each side of the Taiwan Strait." Chen also said that the holding of the torch relay was "a loud protest" against the PRC's "denigration of Taiwan's national status" in the unsuccessful negotiations for the passage of the Olympic torch for the Beijing 2008 Summer Olympic Games. Finally, the president said that "the support of international society is extremely vital" for Taiwan's effort to join the UN, but emphasized that "even more important is that we must be united internally" and expressed the hope that the participation of as many citizens as possible in the torch relay would "deepen the consensus" in support of the UN drive. After delivering his remarks, Chen lit his torch with the "sacred fire" symbolizing "peace and reason" and light the torch of Vice President Annette Lu and also of two runners, who in turn lit the torches of 25 relay runners before he and Lu led the assembled runners to jog on Ketagalan Boulevard toward Jingfu Gate at the intersection of Zhongshan South Road in what quickly turned into something of a mob scene with television cameramen slowing the advance of President Chen and the runners. After reaching Gongyuan Road, Chen left the event after lighting a torch borne by DPP presidential nominee Frank Hsieh, who was accompanied by DPP vice presidential candidate Su Tseng-chang, Presidential Secretary - General Yeh Chu-lan and other campaign staffers. Hsieh and Su passed their torches onto other runners after reaching the east side of the Jingfu Gate traffic circle shortly after 7:30 am and the runners proceeded through Taipei and Xizhi and were scheduled to end the first day's run in Yilan Wednesday evening. Speaking to reporters in front of the former KMT headquarters, Hsieh said that the event showed the support for the effort to enter international society under the name of "Taiwan." "Many people were excited and I was as well," related Hsieh, who said he got up at 5:00 am to engage in "warm-up" exercises. The former DPP premier thanked media cameramen for slowing the pace and acknowledged that his recently injured foot had given him some pain, but said that "since so many people are participating my heart is happy." The event mainly proceeded somewhat chaotically, and there were a few disturbances on the sidelines, when police prevented members of the KMT Youth Corps from rushing into the restricted area with a large ROC flag. Moreover, joggers in the torch relay found their road blocked at the Control Yuan by over 30 members of the "Chinese Unificationist Party," a right-wing organization including several known gangland figures and former legislator Lin Cheng-chieh. At least one CUP member was slightly injured in a scuffle before the rival crowds were separated by police. Executive Yuan Secretary-General Chen Chin-jun expressed regret over the "unfortunate" clashes and urged all sides to "maintain calm." Chen said that "it felt very comfortable" to jog from the presidential office to the Executive Yuan and "this exercise is good and since this exercise can promote our national dignity manifest to the world is even better." "Everyone should remain calm and rational," urged the Cabinet chief-of-staff, who said that "entering the UN is a national consensus across all parties." "If we do not enter the United Nations, we will continue to suffer from being excluded from all kinds of UN peripheral international organizations in social, economic, education, culture, air traffic control and environmental protection so everyone hope to enter the UN," he said. "But entering the UN should not become an ideological struggle and we hope that through the passage of 25 cities and counties everyone can mutually encourage and not inappropriately include party flags or other banners or symbols that confuse the issue or engage in deliberate provocations." "Everyone should jog peacefully and joyfully so that the relay can be completed smoothly and happily," Chen said. http://www.taiwannews.com.tw/etn/news_content.php?id=545661〈=eng_news&cate;_img=83.jpg&cate;_rss=news_Politics_TAIWAN This story has been viewed 146 times. Top \|\|\|\|\| Gain a global perspective on the US and go beyond with curated news and analysis from 600 journalists in 50+ countries covering politics, business, innovation, trends and more.	The UN"FAIR" at Taoyuan Airport. The torch line of the 11-day "Taiwan Run For UN" relay returned to Ketagalan Boulevard in Taipei City yesterday. Taiwan’s president, Chen Shui-bian, launched the event as publicity and support for Taiwan's application to join the United Nations as a new member under the name of "Taiwan", alongside China. In a statement prior to the relay, Chen declared that "Taiwan and China are different countries across the Taiwan Strait." The relay covered more than 1,200 km through 25 cities and counties since its start on October 24. The organizer of the event, the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) held night-time parties in the cities of Ilan, Hualien, Taitung, Pingtung, Kaohsiung, Tainan, Yunlin, Taichung, Miaoli, and Hsinchu as the relay progressed, and finally in Taipei City to welcome the torch relay team. Shui-bian Chen, Annette Lu, Frank Hsieh (Taiwan's 2008 presidential candidate), and Cheng-chang Su wore "UN for Taiwan" T-Shirts to the Ketagalan Boulevard rally, lit a flame and led people in a formation of "VT" (abbreviation for Victory Taiwan) line. The rally was met with protesters from the Red Shirts, which complain of corruption in the Chen government. In addition, the China Unification Promotion Party attempted several aggressive actions but ultimately carried out a peaceful protest. Protesters had demonstrated previously, on October 24 at the start of the relay. Even though the premier of Taiwan, Frank Hsieh insisted on the use of products made in Taiwan during the celebration party in Taipei, mini torch lights held by supporters were "Made in China" and featured the "MIC" mark, according to Eastern Television in Taiwan. These were eventually removed by the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP). The use of Made in China products was criticized by DPP legislator Kuo-ching Lin after the television reports. The party ended with a queue of "VT" lines and a historical collection of two million signatures of support. The issue of Taiwan's application to the UN may become a variable in the upcoming 2008 Taiwan Presidential Election.
Sign up to FREE email alerts from Mirror - daily news Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email FA DISCIPLINARY chiefs set themselves up for another backlash last night after ruling West Ham defender Paul Konchesky and Sunderland's Andy Welsh should not have been sent off - but admitted the cards still stand. The successful appeals mean Konchesky, dismissed at Newcastle, and Welsh, shown red at Liverpool, avoided an automatic one-match ban. But with neither of the referees involved, Barry Knight and Dermot Gallagher, prepared to accept their errors, the cards will not be withdrawn. That means if either player is sent off again this season, they will receive an extra match ban for a second dismissal, even though the FA conceded the first red cards were wrong. The means three of the six sendings-off in the first two weeks of the Premiership season have now been overturned. But Southend striker Freddy Eastwood had his automatic three-match ban for a violent conduct sending off against Huddersfield extended by an extra game for a "frivolous appeal", the first time the FA used powers to increase bans brought in as part of the fast-track policy 12 months ago. \|\|\|\|\| This article is more than 14 years old This article is more than 14 years old Paul Konchesky and Andy Welsh have appealed successfully against the red cards they received on Saturday but the Football Association have also sent out a strong warning to appeal claimants by extending the punishment of Southend's Freddy Eastwood. Eastwood's initial three-match ban was extended by one game because the FA panel deemed Southend's appeal to be "frivolous". "I'm delighted they considered our appeal and am grateful the matter was dealt with so swiftly," said Sunderland's manager Mick McCarthy. "Justice has been done and it's great to have Andy available." The FA's disciplinary procedures have come under scrutiny recently. Newcastle's Jermaine Jenas appealed successfully against his red card at Arsenal, prompting Fifa to write to express its displeasure with the English authority for not adhering to Fifa's code, which states that any player dismissed is automatically suspended. Despite this admonition Welsh and West Ham's Konchesky have been spared, and the FA has now overturned three of the Premiership's six red cards this season. The Internazionale coach Roberto Mancini fears the effect of an empty San Siro Stadium will have on his players, despite a 2-0 lead going into the second leg of their Champions League qualifier against Shakhtar Donetsk today. Inter are playing the first of four matches behind closed doors, a punishment by Uefa following crowd trouble during their Champions League quarter-final against Milan in April. "I've never experienced anything like it before and I don't think it will be pretty," Mancini said yesterday. \|\|\|\|\| DISCIPLINARY NEWS Sunderland's Andrew Welsh has had his claim for wrongful dismissal upheld READ ALOUD Welsh/Konchesky latest A Disciplinary Commission today heard the following claims for wrongful dismissal: Sunderland’s Andrew Welsh has had his claim for wrongful dismissal upheld and will therefore not serve any suspension. He was sent off for violent conduct during the match at Liverpool on Saturday, 20 August. West Ham United's Paul Konchesky has today had his claim for wrongful dismissal upheld by a Disciplinary Commission. He will therefore not serve any suspension. Konchesky was sent off for denying a an obvious goal scoring opportunity against Newcastle United on Saturday, 20 August. Steve Howard of Luton Town’s claim for wrongful dismissal was rejected and he will therefore serve a three-match suspension with immediate effect. Howard was sent off for spitting during the match at Stoke City on Saturday, 20 August. Southend United's Freddy Eastwood has had his wrongful dismissal claim rejected. He was sent off for violent conduct against Huddersfield Town on Saturday. Eastwood will serve a three-match suspension plus an additional one-match suspension as the Commission were of the opinion that the claim was frivolous. It is the first time that an extra suspension has been imposed for this reason. \|\|\|\|\| Welsh was sent off by referee Barry Knight for shoving Luis Garcia in Sunderland's defeat at Liverpool. Konchesky was dismissed by referee Dermot Gallagher who ruled his foul on Jermaine Jenas denied the Newcastle midfielder a goalscoring opportunity. The Football Association overturned both dismissals after reviewing video evidence of the incidents. Welsh will be available for Sunderland's home game against Manchester City on Tuesday night. Sunderland boss Mick McCarthy said: "I'm delighted they considered our appeal and am grateful the matter was dealt with so swiftly. "Justice has been done and it's great to have Andy available for tonight's game."	The Football Association of England risked a backlash and possible disciplinary action from football's world governing body FIFA on Tuesday when it rescinded the suspensions due from red cards that had been given during the past weekend's matches to FA Premier League players Andrew Welsh of Sunderland and Paul Konchesky of West Ham United. The FA's decision permitted Welsh to play for the Black Cats in their 2-1 loss at home to Manchester City Tuesday evening. Konchesky will also be available for the Hammers' next game on Saturday when West Ham host Bolton Wanderers. However, the FA's actions contravene FIFA regulations, which demand that any player sent off be suspended for his team's next match, with no right of appeal except for mistaken identity. FIFA House had already been in contact with Soho Square over the past week after the FA downgraded a red card that had been given to Newcastle United's Jermaine Jenas to a yellow card on the advice of referee Steve Bennett. The FA had indicated it would eventually issue a reply to FIFA, but the decision to overturn two more cards less than a week after the FIFA communication is likely to displease FIFA president Sepp Blatter. For the past three years especially, Blatter has been adamant that a red card in a football match must result in the player who was sent off missing his team's next game in the same competition. Blatter has clashed with the FA on this issue during that time, going so far as to threaten the English association with expulsion from FIFA. As a result, the FA agreed in 2004 to change their disciplinary process, in particular ensuring the process was expedited so that a player who was sent off did indeed miss his next match. However, it is now apparent that the FA has chosen to also allow for expedited appeals of red cards on grounds other than mistaken identity, which is not provided for in the FIFA regulations. Although the FA has now permitted Jenas, Welsh and Konchesky to play after being sent off in a previous match, it also extended an automatic three-match ban imposed on Southend United's Freddy Eastwood by one additional match after its disciplinary panel deemed his appeal of a red card received the previous weekend to be "frivolous." The FA also rejected the appeal of Luton Town's Steve Howard, but did not extend his three-match suspension. Unlike with Jenas, the red cards issued to Welsh and Konchesky will remain on their disciplinary records because the referees involved did not agree that they made mistakes. This means they will still receive an additional one-match ban should they be sent off again this season. Following Tuesday's decisions, half of the six red cards shown in the Premiership this season have been overturned. And in an interesting footnote, it was Jenas who Konchesky was sent off for fouling this past weekend.
Please turn on JavaScript. Media requires JavaScript to play. Advertisement Flooding in southern China has killed at least 55 people and forced more than one million to flee their homes, the government says. Torrential downpours have affected nine provinces, China's civil affairs ministry says. More rain is expected in the coming days, forecasters warn. Among those provinces badly hit is Sichuan, which is still reeling from last month's massive earthquake. Some 87,000 people were killed or missing after the 12 May earthquake. Farm land submerged China's civil affairs ministry says nearly 1.3 million people have now fled their homes in the hardest hit regions as the bad weather continues. Television showed boats cruising city streets, homeowners trying to bail out their homes and rescuers handing out supplies of bottled water. The flooding has submerged large areas of farm land and destroyed 6,600 homes in Guangdong and Jiangxi provinces, the official Xinhua news agency reports. It says that many roads throughout the affected areas have been covered by landslides. The flooding in the Pearl river delta is the worst for 50 years, forcing the Guangdong government to issue an emergency flood alert throughout the province, Xinhua says. China 's rainy season causes chaos every year, often leaving many dead and forcing millions to leave their homes. In the past, the Chinese authorities have warned that climate change may make the problem worse, the BBC's Daniel Griffiths in Beijing says. \|\|\|\|\| In this photo released by China's Xinhua News Agency, residents use rafts to sail through flooded streets in Yangshuo County, southwest China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Friday, June 13, 2008. Heavy rains in southern China triggered floods that killed six people and forced the evacuation of 150,000 residents, state media reported Saturday. (AP Photo/Xinhua, Cheng Ruihua) Flooding in China kills 55; 1 million flee BEIJING (AP) — At least 55 people have died and seven are missing in flooding across a broad stretch of southern China, state media reported Sunday. More than 1.2 million people have been forced to flee their homes across nine provinces, including Sichuan, which is still reeling from last month's earthquake that killed almost 70,000 people, the official Xinhua News Agency said. Heavy rain in Sichuan, Guizhou and Yunnan provinces will further raise water levels downstream, especially in the coastal manufacturing powerhouse of Guangdong, Xinhua says. Most of those areas are expected to receive more heavy rain over the next 10 days. Just to the south, communities with tens of thousands of people were threatened by the swollen Xijiang River in the Guangxi region, where a 130-foot crack had opened in an embankment near Changzhou, Xinhua said. Nearly 120,000 people fled to high ground in the nearby town of Longhua when river water began to pour through the gap, it said. "If the crack widened and the dike collapsed, the flood would directly threaten the safety" of the city of Wuzhou on Guangxi's border with Guangdong, Zhang Jinshen, a regional flood control official, was quoted as saying by Xinhua.	The Chinese provinces hit by the flooding are highlighted in red on the above mapOver 50 people have been confirmed dead and at least one million people have fled from their homes as a result of heavy flooding across much of southern China. In the Guangdong and Jiangxi provinces alone, at least 6,000 homes have been submerged and destroyed by the flood. Further rainfall is expected to occur throughout the next ten days. The China Meteorological Administration (CMA) has issued a warning on the situation. "Faced with the increasingly severe rain and flood situation, at 16 o’clock of June 12, Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters of Guangxi urgently started level 2 flood control emergency response and required the relevant departments and places to prepare immediately so as to ensure the work of flood control and drought relief," the CMA said in a statement released on Friday.
MORE than 3000 black-clad protesters marched through Launceston yesterday as part of a rally against construction of the Gunns pulp mill. The Tasmanian Greens told the protesters they would try to block the mill project in State Parliament. Greens leader Nick McKim, who described the mill as a white elephant, said the Greens would introduce a Bill to revoke the Pulp Mill Assessment Act 2007 and the Pulp Mill permit, which was established by the Act. "Many thousands in the community want the looming shadow of this controversial and divisive project gone," Mr McKim said. "Gunns' financial imperatives were used to justify Labor ramming its pulp mill legislation through the State Parliament in a shonky and undemocratic manner, an excuse that has been exposed as a sham now that years later Gunns still do not have the finances to build the mill. "Critical issues such as air quality, water capacity, effects on native forests and catchments, road safety and infrastructure damage were not assessed, and nor was there an independent risk assessment of any potential economic damage to other vital industries such as tourism." Greens MP Kim Booth urged the crowd to attend the Parliamentary debate on May 25. Also speaking at the rally were Dr Frank Nicklason and Peter Cundall. \|\|\|\|\| Tasmanian pulp mill gets green light Updated The Federal Government has given final environmental approval for a new pulp mill in northern Tasmania. Timber company Gunns will be allowed to build the controversial $2.5 billion project in the Tamar Valley, but with tougher environmental conditions. Approving the final permits, Environment Minister Tony Burke said the level of chlorine discharge has been set at a lower level than Gunns applied for and the mill will only be allowed to use plantation timber. "No native forestry will be allowed to be legally used through this mill," Mr Burke said. "This is a substantial variation and these two changes make the proposal a very different one that was first presented to my department back in 2007." Mr Burke said a standard provision that would have allowed the company to apply to have the conditions changed has been struck out. "There will now be a condition that any variation will only be considered if an equivalent or better environmental outcome." "From today, there are no steps backwards." He said there are now tougher environmental conditions which are not just a "matter of trust". "They are conditions for the development to go ahead". The tougher rules were imposed after an request from Gunns for the Government to lay down stricter conditions. "The officials in my department know of no occasion where this has occurred before," Mr Burke said. "They sought tougher environmental conditions and I gave them tougher environmental conditions. "Don't come back wanting to soften those tougher environmental conditions. They are now the only way the project goes ahead." "Given the circumstances and the history, and some of the community concerns as well, I wanted to make sure that putting in what was regarded as a standard clause did not allow anyone to believe that there could be backwards steps in the environmental footprint from today." "Whereas the standard clause allows companies to come back at certain times to seek a variation under the Act, there will now be a condition, condition 49, that any variation will only be considered if it involves an equivalent or better environmental outcome." Discharge condition Mr Burke has also included tougher limits on any discharge from the mill. "It will now be a condition of the project as a whole that the discharge can only occur through what's known as elemental chlorine-free light technology," he said. "This is a much tougher environmental condition on the discharge. It one that has been demanded by environment groups. "It is something which Gunns has been saying they were willing to do. They will now have to do it as a condition of the development." Gunns still has one more major hurdle to clear; the company is yet to announce a financial backer for the mill. First posted	Over 3000 protesters, dressed in black, marched the streets of , Australia on Saturday to show their opposition to the construction of a pulp mill by . This follows the release of a survey, which showed that 40 percent of Tasmanians oppose the project. The mill has previously been opposed by the Launceston Environment Centre LEC and the Tasmanian branch of the Australian Medical Association AMA, due to concerns about negative environmental and social impacts of liquid waste and air pollution. The LEC claims that there will be eight deaths per year from increased air pollution, and the AMA has already expressed concerns about Launcestons' current air quality, "Launceston has one of the worst air qualities within Australia," according to a written statement the AMA made in 2006. The statement also attacks the quality of modelling conducted by Gunns during the assessment of the mill. It says that scale particulates are "closely associated with the adverse health effects of particle air pollution", but were not measured in the assessment process. The pulp mill was green-lighted by environment minister in March, although no reassessments of air quality have been undertaken by Gunns. The company has stated that more work needs to be done to convince Tasmanians that air quality will not be reduced by the project.
Onlookers were left stunned by the suicide attack Fifteen people have been killed and 39 wounded by a female suicide bomber in the northern Iraqi city of Baquba. The bomber detonated the device in front of a group of policemen at the entrance to a local government and law courts complex. A number of civilians are said to be among the casualties. Previous bomb attacks in the Baquba area have been blamed on Sunni insurgents said to have links with the al-Qaeda network. Doctor Ahmed Fuad, at Baquba's hospital, was quoted by AFP news agency as saying that among those killed in the latest bombing were eight policemen, two women and one child. Several vehicles caught fire as a result of the explosion, while some nearby buildings were damaged by the impact. Women recruits Baquba is the capital of the restive Diyala province - one of the most dangerous parts of Iraq. It has seen a series of suicide bombings by women over the past year. Security officials say al-Qaeda has recruited women bombers because they are often subjected to lighter security checks than men. Last Tuesday more than 60 people were killed in a car bomb attack in Baghdad. The Americans blamed what they termed renegade Shia militiamen trying to incite inter-communal violence. It was the deadliest bombing in Iraq's capital for weeks, following a security drive by Iraqi and US forces. Despite such attacks, overall levels of violence in Iraq are at a four-year low. \|\|\|\|\| An Iraqi soldier and civilians carry a body as others lay on the ground at the scene where a female suicide bomber detonated her explosives in Baqouba, 60 kilometers (35 miles) northeast of Baghdad, Iraq, on Sunday, June 22, 2008. A female suicide bomber struck near a government compound on Sunday, killing at least 15 people and wounding 40, the police said. (AP Photo) Female suicide bomber in Iraq kills 15, wounds 40 BAGHDAD (AP) — A female suicide bomber concealing explosives beneath her black robe struck outside a government complex northeast of Baghdad on Sunday, killing at least 15 people and wounding more than 40, U.S. and Iraqi officials said. It was the 21st suicide mission carried out by a woman in Iraq this year, the U.S. military said, as al-Qaida and other Sunni militant groups try to regroup from major losses suffered at the hands of U.S. and Iraqi forces. The blast occurred about 1 p.m. as dozens of people were leaving a walled compound that includes a courthouse and the provincial governor's office in Baqouba, capital of Diyala province and a former al-Qaida in Iraq stronghold 35 miles northeast of Baghdad. A car bomb across the street from the same compound killed at least 40 people in April. It appeared that the latest attack was timed to maximize casualties since many people were leaving the compound because the government offices there were to close soon for the day. A U.S. military statement said the dead included seven Iraqi police and eight civilians. Ten police were among the wounded. Iraqi authorities said 16 people were killed and 42 wounded. "I was trying to leave the court when the explosion took place," said one witness, who was wounded by shrapnel but refused to give his name because of fears for his own safety. "I heard some of the injured people saying they saw a woman wearing a black robe blow herself up." Al-Qaida has been increasingly using women because their black, billowing abaya robes easily conceal explosives. Iraqi police often lack enough policewomen to search women carefully. The number of female suicide attacks has risen from eight in 2007 to 21 so far this year, according to U.S. military figures. Eight of the attacks were in Diyala province. Last year, U.S. soldiers regained control of Baqouba, which had been declared the capital of the Islamic State of Iraq, an al-Qaida front organization. But the terror movement has been trying to regroup in the strategic Diyala province, which extends from the Iranian border to the eastern gates of Baghdad. To the north, a roadside bomb Sunday apparently targeting a police patrol struck a civilian vehicle instead, killing four people, near Kirkuk, police reported. A suicide car bomber attacked a police checkpoint Sunday in the northwestern city of Mosul, wounding 14 people, including four policemen, provincial police said. The violence occurred as U.S. and Iraqi authorities are trying to meet a July target date for completing a security agreement that would allow American troops to remain in the country after the U.N. mandate expires at the end of this year. Talks bogged down over several key issues, which Iraqi lawmakers said violated the nation's sovereignty. Last week, however, Iraqi authorities said prospects for a deal had brightened after the Americans submitted new, unspecified proposals. In Lebanon, however, the country's top Shiite cleric called Sunday on Iraqis to reject any deal that would allow the U.S. "to continue its occupation" and hijack the country's sovereignty. "We specifically warn Iraqis not to submit to American temptation or pressures to sign an agreement with the Americans that will enable them to continue their occupation of Iraq under new slogans," Grand Ayatollah Mohammed Hussein Fadlallah said. Fadlallah's remarks are significant because he is one of the founders of Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki's Dawa party and serves as the spiritual guide for many key Iraqi Shiite leaders. Elsewhere Sunday, police said they have arrested six men suspected in the killing of the head of Saddam Hussein's tribe this month. Sheik Ali al-Nida, the head of Iraq's Albu Nasir tribe, and one of his guards were killed on June 10 when a bomb planted on their car exploded in Tikrit. Police said three of those arrested were related to the sheik. Another was his longtime personal driver and trusted family employee, who police said accepted money to stick a bomb on the undercarriage of the victim's car. Last year, al-Nida founded a so-called Awakening Council in Saddam's home village of Ouja, partnering with U.S. forces to fight Sunni militants in the area. A police officer, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he wasn't authorized to release the information, said investigators suspected al-Qaida in Iraq was behind the attack as part of its campaign of violence against Sunni tribal leaders who have joined forces with the Americans. Associated Press writers Sameer N. Yacoub and Hamid Ahmed in Baghdad and Bassem Mroue in Beirut, Lebanon, contributed to this report. \|\|\|\|\| “This is simply an evil act,” he said. In the bombing, some victims burned to death or died from smoke inhalation in the apartment building, according to an Interior Ministry official. Bystanders climbed onto rooftops 20 to 30 yards away to gather flesh strewn by the force of the blast. Iraqi policemen stacked bodies several feet high in a pickup truck, but some fell out of the truckbed when they drove away. Other people rushed to the street to drape the bodies with sheets. Interior Ministry officials said the death toll, which was expected to grow, was the worst for any attack in Baghdad since March 6, when two bombs in the Karada shopping district killed more than 60 people. At Kadhimiya Hospital, frantic relatives unable to find out what happened to family members cursed the Iraqi government for allowing the blast and called on God for revenge. At the hospital morgue, victims were placed in two rooms: one for bodies that were recognizable and could be examined by relatives, and one for charred and unidentifiable remains. Huriya once had a large population of Sunnis, but after the American-led invasion, Shiite militias and death squads in the neighborhood killed or drove out thousands of Sunnis. The raw and unresolved emotions from the bloodshed and convulsions that swept the district during those years poured out after Tuesday’s attack. But even amid the rage and anger, some residents said the solution was not vengeance, but for the neighborhood to go back to the way it was before the death squads when Iraqis lived together regardless of sect. “Don’t think we like the Mahdi Army,” said Jassim Abbas, a resident. “I want the Sunnis to come back, so we won’t be an easy target for the terrorists.” The blast site was at the heart of the market that was the scene of two huge explosions in 2005 and 2006 that killed a total of more than 100 people.	A photo of a previous bombing in Iraq A bombing in the Iraqi province of Diyala has killed 15 people, according to local officials. The suicide bomb exploded at the entrance to a local government centre in the city of Baquba, which is one of the most deadly areas in Iraq. 39 people were also wounded by the attack. An anonymous witness of the blast described the bomber. "I heard some of the injured people saying they saw a woman wearing a black robe blow herself up." This attack comes after a bombing on Tuesday killed 51 people, according to local police. That bomb exploded near a bus stop in the Hurriya area, which is mainly populated with Shia Muslims. 75 people were also wounded in Tuesday's attack, which was the deadliest in the area for three months.
COMETH the hour, cometh the man. Just as he did in Kaiserslautern last June, Tim Cahill came off the bench and ran to Australia's rescue with a dramatic equalising goal. Thirteen months ago it was the World Cup. This time it was the Asian Cup. Both times the Everton midfielder's intervention was as magical as it was timely, even though it was barely deserved in a match in which a toothless Australia looked to be heading for a 1-0 loss to outsiders Oman in Bangkok's Rajamangala Stadium. Cahill struck in stoppage time after Oman goalkeeper Ali Al Habsi had deflected a shot into his path in a crowded penalty area. The 26-year-old Sydneysider once again showed his composure, and his ability to be in the right place at the right time. The final scoreline looked unlikely for much of the game. Mark Schwarzer twice came to the rescue to deny Oman clear-cut scoring opportunities. In contrast, Australia created little, even though coach Graham Arnold fielded virtually his strongest attacking line-up, with Harry Kewell, Mark Viduka and Mark Bresciano deployed up front. Oman, who came into this tournament after winning a four-team competition in Singapore a week ago, certainly did not look overawed against their highly credentialled opponents. They began the game in lively fashion, forcing the first corner of the match in the eighth minute when Ismail Al Ajmi headed over the bar. Immediately afterwards, Australia fashioned one of the best of their two early chances, also from a corner. However, Patrick Kisnorbo's header from Luke Wilkshire's delivery flew wide of the post. The Omanis grew in confidence, retaining possession and playing the ball on the ground in the manner of a team enjoying the big occasion. Ahmed Al Mahaijri, Ismail and overlapping fullback Hassan Al Gheilani combined well down the left to deliver a troubling cross in the 14th minute. For much of the half, that trio continued to cause Australia problems with their close interpassing. However, the Socceroos looked lacklustre and dreadfully out of rhythm in the cloying heat. Before the tournament, Lucas Neill had talked of a stylistic realignment in the Socceroos play, suggesting that because of the sapping heat Australia would have to abandon its hard-running, pressing game. Unfortunately, the Socceroos passing game was sadly awry as too often balls missed targets and passes went astray, giving the Omanis time to regroup or start dangerous counterattacks. \|\|\|\|\| 7/9/2007 2:53 AM Vietnam Shock UAE In Asian Cup Vietnam achieved the first shock, and indeed the first victory of the 2007 Asian Cup, with a 2-0 win over United Arab Emirates in Hanoi. The co-hosts are the group outsiders and were fully expected to struggle against the Gulf Cup champions. It started out that way initially as the visitors enjoyed the better of the first half that started nervously before coming into life in the latter stages. The talented Faisal Khalil and Ismail Matar caused problems for Alfred Reidl’s team. Vietnamese goalkeeper Son Duong frustrated those attempts and in the second half he watched as his team-mates moved into the lead. It came after 64 minutes. Nguyen Minh Phuong chipped the ball into the area and Hyunh Quang Thanh slotted home from close range past goalkeeper Majed Naser. Nine minutes later, Vietnam made it two. Nguyen Vu Phong lifted the ball over the UAE defence and 21 year-old striker Le Cong Vinh showed why he is one of the most sought after players in the region by coolly sealing the win to the delight of a healthy crowd at My Dinh National Stadium. Bruno Metsu’s team threw everything forward in a bid to get something out of the game but it was all in vain as the hosts took the win and an unlikely top spot in Group B. The other two members of the group are in action on Monday as defending champions Japan take on Qatar at the same stadium. \|\|\|\|\| 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. \|\|\|\|\| Striker Le Cong Vinh lobbed the ball into the net, sealing a historic victory for co-hosts Vietnam. (Photo: VTC) Nhan Dan Online - Vietnam started their AFC Asian Cup campaign with a thrilling 2-0 victory over the United Arab Emirates (UAE) through second half goals by Huynh Quang Thanh and Le Cong Vinh. Quang Thanh, who returned to the team after missing the team’s final friendly against Bahrain, broke the deadlock for the hosts after the hour mark. Striker Cong Vinh Cong Vinh wrapped up the co-hosts’ first win at the Asian Cup, leaving Group B, which also features defending champions Japan and Qatar, wide open. The UAE’s Faisal Khalil came closest to scoring but his finish to the far corner in the first half was tipped away by Vietnamese goalie Duong Hong Son. Talking at a post-match conference, Vietnam coach Alfred Riedl said: “It was an exciting match. I think the team who score first would be the winners. We scored two goals and deserved to win.” The Vietnamese team played a fantastic game just before President Nguyen Minh Triet and AFC President Mohammed Bin Hamman also were seen at the My Dinh stadium, especially in the second half after both sides failed to score in the first half. The game began at a frantic pace in a fantastic atmosphere created by a nearly full crowd at the My Dinh national stadium. Vietnam’s chance went to Phan Thanh Binh, who headed a good freekick from Quang Thanh just wide. At the other end Ismaeil Matar curled a free-kick from the edge of the area just wide of the post. Duong Hong Son made a full length diving save after 30 minutes to keep the score level after Khalil rounded Huy Hoang and broke into the area, looking to find the far bottom corner with a low shot. After the break, the home side started their game in an aggressive fashion. Nguyen Vu Phong forced a diving save from UAE goalkeeper Majed Naser with a stinging low shot from the edge of the area. The goalie was then quick to comfortably save Thanh Binh’s follow-up shot. The UAE replied almost immediately with Basheer Saeed powering a freekick, which was saved by Hong Son. Vietnam delighted the home crowd four minutes after the hour mark as Quang Thanh powered on captain Nguyen Minh Phuong’s chipped pass into the area, which gave a Majed Naser no chance. Explaining the reason of his side’s defeat to the co-hosts afterward, Bruno Metsu said his team, after going 1-0 down, wanted to come back immediately, so they played open, giving the hosts space and time to play. The co-hosts side almost doubled the lead a minute later as Naser parried Thanh Binh’s powerful close range strike and Minh Phuong scooped the rebound over the bar. The crucial second goal came 10 minutes later as Cong Vinh beat the UAE’s offside trap to lob Vu Phong’s through ball over the advancing Naser from the edge of the area. The victory put Vietnam on top of Group B for at least one day, just before champions Japan and Qatar play each other on July 9. Vietnam: Duong Hong Son, Phung Van Nhien, Nguyen Huy Hoang, Vu Nhu Thanh, Huynh Quang Thanh, Nguyen Vu Phong, Phan Van Tai Em, Nguyen Minh Phuong (Nguyen Minh Chuyen – 78’), Le Tan Tai, Le Cong Vinh (Huynh Phuc Hiep – 90’)and Phan Thanh Binh (Nguyen Anh Duc - 84’); and UAE: Majed Nasser, Rashid Abdulrahman, Haydar Alo-Ali, Yousef Jaber, Bashir Saeed, Abdulsalam Juma, Ahmed Mubarek (Ahmed Mohamed - 64’), Hilal Saeed, F Khalil, Ismail Matar and Mohamed Saeed (Amir Mubarak – 81’) Ngoc Tuan \|\|\|\|\| Vietnam defeats UAE 2-0 in Asian Cup's Group B HANOI, Vietnam: Two second half goals gave Vietnam a 2-0 win Sunday over United Arab Emirates in the opening match of the Asian Cup's Group B. The win gave Vietnamese fans hope after their team entered the tournament as the underdog in the group, which includes two-time defending champions Japan and Asian Games gold medalists Qatar. The My Dinh National Stadium exploded with cheers when defender Huynh Quang Thanh opened the scoring with a powerful shot from 6 meters out at the 63rd minute. Striker Le Cong Vinh sealed the victory for Vietnam 10 minutes later when he lobbed the ball over UAE's goal keeper Majed Nasser from 20 meters. The Gulf Cup champions had their best chance to score in the 30th minute when striker Faisal Khalil's shot touched Vietnam's goal keeper Duong Hong Son and narrowly went wide. UAE had a few other chances but their shots were blocked by Son or went wide. Vietnam coach Alfred Riedl said luck was on his team's side. "A team needs luck to win a match like this," he told a press conference. "We are luckier." UAE coach Bruno Metsu said his team had to pay a price for failing to capitalize on their chances. "Today we missed many good opportunities to open the score," he said. "It's difficult to play with the fans." One of those fans was Nguyen Duc Thien, 24, a soldier who waved a Vietnamese flag and wore a red headband. "It's beyond fans' expectation," he said. "I will go down to the streets to celebrate this win all night." \|\|\|\|\| Unfancied Vietnam pulled off a stunning 2-0 upset over Gulf Cup champions United Arab Emirates in their Asian Cup opener before a roaring home crowd at the My Dinh National Stadium in Hanoi last night. Playing at Asian Cup level for the first time in nearly 50 years, the hosts opened the scoring on a three-man counter-attack from the halfway line in the 63rd minute. Defender Huynh Quang Thanh ran up the right side, weaved into the box and slapped the ball into the left corner of the net. Striker Le Cong Vinh, the Vietnamese player of the year, added another goal 10 minutes later as he controlled a long ball in front of the penalty area and lobbed it into an open goal. -AFP	Australia playing Oman in their Group A fixture at Rajamangala Stadium, Bangkok. Tournament favourites and debutants Australia have drawn 1-1 with a skillful Oman in the second match in Group A of the 2007 AFC Asian Cup. Oman shocked the Socceroos when they scored on thirty-two minutes, after some enterprising play on their left-hand flank. A ball cut back made its' way through the Australian defence to Omani striker Badar Mubarak, who slotted the ball low into the left-hand corner of the goal. Oman very nearly had a second goal on three separate occasions in the second half. They were only denied by three world-class saves by Australian goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer, including a low save from a driving volley by Ahmed Mubarak, a reflex save to stop a point-blank header in the seventieth minute, and then another low-down save minutes later from Fawi Bashir's driving shot. A heavy downpour began ten minutes prior to the final whistle, and it appeared to reinvigorate Australia. They pressed forward in numbers, and were rewarded in injury time with a goal to Everton midfielder Tim Cahill, after a low volley by Marco Bresciano was well-saved by Omani keeper Suleiman Al Mazroui. Cahill achieved the remarkable double of scoring both Australia's first Asian Cup and World Cup goals, after he scored in the eighty-third minute of their match against Japan at the 2006 FIFA World Cup. He and John Aloisi capped off the comeback by scoring twice late to defeat Japan 3-1. The Australian players were visibly frustrated by Oman's play-acting tactics, which saw the stretcher used four times in the first half alone. British match commentator Simon Hill described the tactics as "a blight to the game" and "absolutely rubbish", the latter in relation to one incident where no contact was made whatsoever. When queried about it after the game, Arnold said cynically "welcome to Asia". Australian coach Graham Arnold at the post-match media conference. The Australians were flat and their defending was poor, said coach Graham Arnold at the post-match media conference. He also commented on goalkeeper Schwarzer's three fantastic saves, saying "Mark Schwarzer's got us out of jail. Schwarzer's made two unbelievable saves, otherwise it's 2-0 and all over". The draw leaves all four Group A teams equal on the table on one point, with one goal for and one against, following Iraq 1-1 draw with hosts Thailand yesterday. In the other game played yesterday (UTC), co-hosts Vietnam caused a major shock by defeating United Arab Emirates in their Group B fixture. The Emirates are the current Gulf Cup champions, and the hosts were expected to struggle to win this match, or progress from Group B which includes two-time Asian champions Japan and Asian Games gold medallists Qatar. Vietnam is playing at Asian Cup level for the first time in nearly half a century. UAE had the better of the chances in an otherwise-even first half, with the best Faisal Khalil's shot in the thirtieth minute, which was well-saved by Vietnamese goalkeeper Duong Hong Son who managed to turn the ball around the post for a corner. However, they scored two second half goals to take the three points from the My Dinh National Stadium. On sixty-three minutes, a counter-attack from the half-way line involving three Vietnamese players resulted in defender Huynh Quang Thanh putting the ball in the back of the net. Vietnamese player of the year Le Cong Vinh made it 2-0 nine minutes later when he chased down a long ball and calmly lobbed it over Emirates goalkeeper Majed Nasser, who had come off his line to try and avert the danger. Bruno Metsu, coach of the United Arab Emirates, substituted players and launched an all-out attack to try and salvage something, but failed to find the goals he needed.
Missile Strike in Northwest Pakistan Kills 10 Militants Pakistani officials say a suspected missile strike by a U.S. drone aircraft has killed up to 10 militants in a tribal region near the Afghan border. The attack late Tuesday in North Waziristan followed a similar strike a day earlier that killed five people in the same region. U.S. unmanned aircraft are believed to have fired more than 40 missiles at suspected al-Qaida and Taliban strongholds in northwest Pakistan in recent months. American officials rarely discuss the missile strikes, which Pakistan has publicly criticized as counterproductive and a violation of its sovereignty. Meanwhile, the Pakistani military says its forces killed 24 militants during an operation in the Khyber region targeting the Taliban-affiliated group Lashkar-e-Islam. The offensive was launched last week following a suicide bombing at a border checkpoint that killed at least 21 people, most of them police. The military has reported killing more than 100 militants in the region over the past week, but the toll cannot be independently verified. Earlier Tuesday, officials in northwestern Pakistan said militant gunfire killed four high-school students in Orakzai tribal region, a stronghold of the Pakistani Taliban's new chief, Hakimullah Mehsud. Some local officials suggest the students were targeted because they were minority Shi'ite Muslims, but a Pakistani television report (ARY News) says the young students were caught in an exchange of gunfire between two rival groups. In other violence, police officials say gunmen in southwestern Pakistan set fire to eight container trucks carrying supplies for U.S. and NATO troops in neighboring Afghanistan. Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters. Pakistani officials say a suspected missile strike by a U.S. drone aircraft has killed up to 10 militants in a tribal region near the Afghan border.The attack late Tuesday in North Waziristan followed a similar strike a day earlier that killed five people in the same region.U.S. unmanned aircraft are believed to have fired more than 40 missiles at suspected al-Qaida and Taliban strongholds in northwest Pakistan in recent months. American officials rarely discuss the missile strikes, which Pakistan has publicly criticized as counterproductive and a violation of its sovereignty.Meanwhile, the Pakistani military says its forces killed 24 militants during an operation in the Khyber region targeting the Taliban-affiliated group Lashkar-e-Islam.The offensive was launched last week following a suicide bombing at a border checkpoint that killed at least 21 people, most of them police.The military has reported killing more than 100 militants in the region over the past week, but the toll cannot be independently verified.Earlier Tuesday, officials in northwestern Pakistan said militant gunfire killed four high-school students in Orakzai tribal region, a stronghold of the Pakistani Taliban's new chief, Hakimullah Mehsud.Some local officials suggest the students were targeted because they were minority Shi'ite Muslims, but a Pakistani television report (ARY News) says the young students were caught in an exchange of gunfire between two rival groups.In other violence, police officials say gunmen in southwestern Pakistan set fire to eight container trucks carrying supplies for U.S. and NATO troops in neighboring Afghanistan. E-mail Print Digg Yahoo Buzz Facebook del.icio.us StumbleUpon \|\|\|\|\| The attack late on Tuesday targeted a Taliban residential compound in Dargamandi village in a tribal area bordering Afghanistan. At least 10 people have been killed after a suspected US drone fired missiles into Pakistan’s North Waziristan region, Pakistani intelligence has said. It was not immediately clear whether any Taliban fighters were present in the area at the time. The United States has fired scores of missiles from unmanned drones into the tribal regions since last year in a campaign targeting al-Qaeda and Taliban commanders. Al Jazeera's Kamal Hyder reporting from Islamabad, the Pakistani capital, said: "No one is clear under what mandate the Americans are carrying out such strikes because this is the month of Ramadan and there is going to be a considerable backlash not just in those areas, but from across Pakistan. "People are angered by the way the Americans are conducting their affairs in this particular conflict . This is an infringement of sovereignty. "Aircraft with no pilots onboard are constantly flying into Pakistani aerospace and attacking targets within Pakistan ... it creates a very complex situation for the Pakistani military itself. "The signal the Pakistanis want to send across is that they want to be able to work within their territory without outside interference." Tuesday's attack was the second in the North Waziristan tribal region in less than 24 hours. A similar strike targeting a madrassa (Islamic school) and an adjoining house in Machikhel village killed at least five people on Monday. Residents on Tuesday said they had seen the drone hovering in the sky and had been expecting the missile attack. Washington alleges Al-Qaeda and Taliban rebels who fled Afghanistan after the 2001 US-led invasion are holed up in the semi-autonomous tribal belt.	Pakistani officials have stated that a missile strike — suspected to have been launched from an American (UAV) — killed at least ten militants in , a tribal area near Pakistan's border with Afghanistan on Tuesday. The attack targeted a Taliban-operated compound in the village of Dargamandi. It was the second attack in the vicinity within 24 hours. On Monday, five people were killed following a similar attack targeting a Islamic school in the Machikhel village. Unmanned aircraft operated by the US are believed to have launched over forty missiles into northwestern Pakistan, a stronghold of the Taliban in the past few months. The strikes were initiated after a suicide bomber killed at least 21 people at a border checkpoint last week.
Sumner Lemon The English version of Wikipedia now contains over one million articles, according to the Wikimedia Foundation, the group behind the free online encyclopedia. Wikipedia is comprised of articles largely written by a community of users. However, any visitor can contribute an article or modify an existing one on the website. There are currently versions of Wikipedia in 125 languages, containing a total of 3.3 million articles. The millionth article is about Jordanhill railway station in Scotland and was created on March 1 by Ewan Macdonald, a Wikipedia contributor who also goes by the name Nach0king. "While I am, of course, delighted at being the one to hit this milestone, I must confess that, along with many others, I timed my contributions tonight to give me a chance at being the lucky one," Macdonald wrote on his Wikipedia homepage. After crossing the million-article mark, the English version of Wikipedia continues to grow, adding an estimated 1,700 new articles every day, according to the Wikimedia Foundation. \|\|\|\|\| From the Wikimedia Foundation This release in other languages: English \| العربية (Arabic) \| Español (Spanish) \| Suomi (Finnish) \| Nederlands (Dutch) \| Português (Portuguese) \| Slovenščina \| Tiếng Việt (Vietnamese) \| 中文(正) (Chinese, trad) (+/-) English Wikipedia Publishes Millionth Article ST. PETERSBURG, FLORIDA, UNITED STATES, March 1, 2006 The Wikimedia Foundation announced today the creation of the 1,000,000th article in the English language edition of Wikipedia. The article is about the Jordanhill railway station in Scotland, and it was started by Wikipedia contributor Ewan MacDonald, whose username is Nach0king. Wikipedia is a free, multilingual, online encyclopedia with 3.3 million articles under development in more than 125 languages. Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales commented, "We are thrilled that our millionth article in English is about the Jordanhill railway station. This is not something which would appear in a traditional encyclopedia, and it shows how Wikipedia reflects the needs and interests of people everywhere, and not just the dictates of what academics and cultural mavens claim is worthy of an encyclopedia." The full text of the English Wikipedia is located at en.wikipedia.org. In addition to articles, the English Wikipedia offers dozens of graphical timelines and subject-specific portals. Its media repository includes four hundred thousand images and hundreds of full-length songs, videos, and animations, many of which are available for free distribution. Although its method of editing is new and controversial, Wikipedia has already won acclaim and awards for its detailed coverage of current events, popular culture, and scientific topics; its usability; and its international community of contributors. BBC News has called Wikipedia "One of the most reliably useful sources of information around, on or off-line." Daniel Pink, author and WIRED Magazine columnist, has described Wikipedia as "the self-organizing, self-repairing, hyperaddictive library of the future," and Tim Berners-Lee, father of the Web, has called it "The Font of All Knowledge." Wikipedia is among the world's most popular websites, receiving tens of millions of visitors every day. It is a project of the Wikimedia Foundation, and has spawned sister projects, including a dictionary, a library of textbooks, a compendium of quotations, a news site, and a media repository. These projects are all run using the open source MediaWiki software. Other articles created literally seconds later include an overview of the Tennessee Commissioner of Financial Institutions, biography of professional baseball player Aaron Ledesma, and a look at cellular architecture. In all, over one hundred articles were contributed in the same second as Jordanhill railway station, as many editors waited anxiously for the opportunity to post the millionth article. In response to the landmark in the English Wikipedia's history, brief translations had been included in Wikipedia's Alemannisch German, Arabic, Chinese, Danish, French, German, Greek, Italian, Japanese, Latin, Polish, Romanian, Russian, Spanish, Swedish, Thai and Welsh versions. The original goal for Wikipedia was to create 100,000 articles. This number was reached on 23 January 2003. About Wikipedia Imagine a world in which every single person on the planet is given free access to the sum of all human knowledge. That's what we're doing. -- Jimmy Wales, founder of Wikipedia and Chair of the Wikimedia Foundation Started in January 2001, Wikipedia is the world's most current, fastest-growing, and largest encyclopedia. It is created entirely by volunteers who contribute, update, and revise articles in a collaborative process. The English language edition contains 20 million internal links, and incorporates 65,000 edits and 1,700 new articles each day. Wikipedia's content is written for a general audience, and is continually revised for clarity, readability, and accuracy. Original text, images and sounds contributed to Wikipedia are licensed under the GNU Free Documentation Licence (GFDL), which lets users copy and modify each other's work based on a principle known as "copyleft." The entire database can be freely downloaded in full. Though the project faced criticism in 2005 for factual inaccuracies in some articles, the science journal Nature published a study in December which found Wikipedia's science content to have only slightly more errors per article than that of the Encyclopedia Britannica. Other, less formal external peer reviews have been generally positive. About Wikimedia The Wikimedia Foundation, Inc. is an international non-profit organization dedicated to encouraging the growth, development and distribution of free, multilingual content, and to providing the full content of these wiki-based projects to the public free of charge. The Wikimedia Foundation operates some of the largest collaboratively-edited reference projects in the world, including Wikipedia, one of the 25 most visited websites. Wikipedia and Wikimedia's awards include the Webby Award, the Prix Ars Electronica Golden Nica, the Japan Advertisers Association's Web Creation Award, and the World Technology Award in Communications Technology. The Wikimedia Foundation was created in 2003 to manage the operation of existing projects, and is based in St. Petersburg, Florida, USA. Wikimedia has local chapters in the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, Serbia and Montenegro, and Poland. Chapters in Canada, India, China, Australia and the Netherlands are among those currently in development. Most of the Foundation's operations are funded by reader and contributor donations, usually of USD$50 or less. Its 2005 budget was USD$739,200, and based on traffic growth, the 2006 budget is expected to be significantly higher. Further information Contact For questions and interviews, please email press@wikimedia.org , or (in English only) contact directly: Jimmy Wales, Chair, Board of Trustees, Wikimedia Foundation Phone: +1-310-474-3223 Email: jwales@wikia.com Angela Beesley, Board of Trustees, Wikimedia Foundation Phone: (+44)-208-816-7308 Email: abeesley@wikimedia.org Suggested media Click for enlargements.	Wikipedia Logo Today, at 23:09 UTC, the internet encyclopedia Wikipedia reached the point of having over one million articles written in English. In comparison, the largest traditional English-language encyclopedia, ''Encyclopædia Britannica'', has 120,000 articles. This milestone marks an important point in Wikipedia's short history. There was minor confusion over the millionth article; it was first held to be Jordanhill Railway Station, then a brief biography of baseball player Aaron Ledesma. The millionth article was later confirmed to be the former, started by Wikipedia contributor Nach0king (Ewan Macdonald). "While I am, of course, delighted at being the one to hit this milestone, I must confess, along with many others I timed my contributions tonight to give me a chance at being the lucky one," he wrote on his Wikipedia user page. Jimmy Wales commented that "We are thrilled that our millionth article in English is about the Jordanhill railway station. This is not something which would appear in a traditional encyclopedia, and it shows how Wikipedia reflects the needs and interests of people everywhere, and not just the dictates of what academics and cultural mavens claim is worthy of an encyclopedia." === Celebrations === The milestone was celebrated by a party on the Freenode IRC network, where Wikimedia's official IRC channels can be found. The milestone was preceded by an announcement to all 30,000 Freenode users, that a separate channel, #wikipedia-countdown, was being set aside for a celebration. In that channel, an IRC script, ran by Wikipedian ems, called off the article numbers as they passed by. A total of 733 different people joined the channel over the course of the afternoon. The tension was high when the millionth article was reached; in the first 40 seconds afterwards, chatting was briefly enabled in the channel, and over 3,000 lines of celebratory chat filled the room; chatting had to be disabled until everyone had calmed down. === About Wikipedia === Wikipedia was founded in 2001 by Jimmy Wales, the CEO and co-founder of Bomis, Inc., and Larry Sanger, an employee of Bomis. Wikipedia began as a complementary project to Nupedia, which was created by Wales to be a free internet encyclopedia. Nupedia was open like Wikipedia but had a much more complex editing system. One day, Sanger made a proposal on the Nupedia mailing list exploring the possibility of a Wiki-based encyclopedia. Out of this proposal, Wikipedia was born. Sanger was appointed editor-in-chief of Wikipedia by Wales, and the project was underwritten by Bomis. Nupedia was eventually scrapped. Wikipedia has grown immensely in five short years and is no longer under the control of Bomis. The success of Wikipedia and some of the earlier sister projects lead Wales to create a non-profit organization to run them, called the Wikimedia Foundation. Wikipedia has a user base of around one million registered users and contains over three million pages altogether. It has become one of the world's top 25 websites, as ranked by Alexa Internet, and has come to the attention of the media worldwide. A source of negative publicity for Wikipedia in November 2005 was the John Seigenthaler Sr. controversy, in which a then-unknown vandal created a biographical article about Seigenthaler on Wikipedia that contained numerous false and defamatory statements. This article went unnoticed for several months until it was discovered by Victor S. Johnson, Jr., a friend of Seigenthaler's, who brought it to his attention. Another friend corrected the erroneous information. Seigenthaler contacted Wales about the problem and later wrote an op-ed column for ''USA Today'' about the incident, which led to much unfavorable coverage of Wikipedia. However Wikipedia also experienced some of its strongest growth in usage shortly after his op-ed. In December 2005, a more positive story about Wikipedia appeared in Nature magazine, describing a study that reported Wikipedia's science articles to be slightly less accurate as those in the Encyclopaedia Britannica. Since many Wikipedia pages are not articles, the number of articles in Wikipedia depends on how an article is defined. To be counted as an article, a Wikipedia page must be in the article namespace and contain at least one internal link. This definition will include some stub articles. The number of articles would be about 8% smaller under the alternative definition that an article must also contain at least 200 characters of text. The next largest Wikipedia is the German version, which contains over 350,000 articles. Currently there are Wikipedias in 125 different languages, containing 3.3 million articles in total.
Cate Long: The analyst dubbed a "professional scary person" has made some useful comments about the size of unfunded pension liabilities and the need for elected officials to address revenue shortfalls. But she doesn’t seem willing to come out and defend her claims in a public forum. \|\|\|\|\| Tuesday, 23 January, 2007 @ 9:07 PM Beirut- Lebanon's Prime Minister Fouad Siniora called today for an urgent parliamentary session to discuss the deteriorating security situation after mushrooming riots between anti and pro-government factions claimed three lives and at least 133 injured. Siniora told a news conference "I demand an immediate extraordinary meeting by the parliament to settle issues within the constitutional institutions." Siniora said the general strike called by the opposition has developed into "provocations that went beyond all limits." "Blocking roads... is an aggression on the people and their freedoms. It is an attack on social order and it involves risks that are hidden to nobody." However, he stressed that "our hands remain stretched to facilitate dialogue and settle problems and renew confidence between the Lebanese." The premier said the March 14 parliamentary majority that supports his government "will not fail to listen to the opinions of others." He urged for "quick treatment that would take differences away from the street to be discussed within the framework of legitimate institutions, topped by the parliament." Siniora concluded by stressing that "we will always remain together against intimidation. We will be together against internal disputes to safeguard Lebanon." Siniora's news conference followed daylong confrontations between anti and pro-government factions throughout Lebanon which security sources said killed three people and wounded at least 133. "Two people were killed in clashes in the northern city of Tripoli, and a third person was killed in Batroun," also in the north, a senior police official said. Security sources told Naharnet most of the casualties suffered bullet wounds in the running confrontations that spread across most of the country after the army and security forces failed to re-open roads blocked by the Hezbollah-led opposition. The casualties included two of former MP Fares Soaid's bodyguards who tried to cover him when his car came under fire in the northern village of Mistita, near the town of Byblos. Soaid, a prominent member of the March 14 majority alliance, was not hit in the attack, police reported. Tongues of flame shot up into the sky and thick-black smoke billowed from thousands of blazing rubber tires that blocked roads in Beirut, north, east, central and south Lebanon. Meanwhile, trucks flying Hezbollah flags unloaded tons of debris, dirt and stones in at least 12 spots along the highway leading to Rafik Hariri International airport as army troops watched without trying to prevent them. Hezbollah -run bulldozers moved to erect earth mounds along the highway, to prevent citizens from reaching the airport. A statement by the civil aviation authority said the airport remains operational, but passengers have not been able to make it to the facility. In Beirut's Mar Elias commercial thoroughfare, hooded supporters of Hezbollah and the Shiite Amal movement also blocked traffic by blazing rubber tires and rocks. However, some motorists insisted on driving through the blockade. A lady, driving a dark blue Mercedes, was attacked by protestors who tried to smash her vehicle's wind shield. The apparently determined lady sped-on hitting three of the protestors, who were evacuated later by an Amal ambulance. In Beirut's Corniche Mazraa commercial thoroughfare, a two-hour confrontation raged between Hezbollah -Amal elements, on the one hand, and Sunni supporters of al-Mustaqbal movement, headed by parliamentary majority leader Saad Hariri. The confrontation started when the Hezbollah -Amal elements erected a barrier made up of blazing rubber tires along the main highway and blocked traffic. A crowd from the predominantly Sunni Tariq Jedideh residential district took to the street, equipped with sticks, stones and iron rods, and engaged the Amal- Hezbollah elements. Both factions hurled rocks at each other and all of a sudden staccato bursts of automatic rifle fire echoed across the area. At least six people were wounded before an army patrol intervened and managed to re-open the road. Cautious calm prevailed, but groups of young men were seen staking it out at street corners, which indicates that the confrontation could break out again. In north and Mount Lebanon, members of Samir Geagea's Lebanese Forces took to the streets to reopen roads blocked by followers of Michel Aoun's Free Patriotic Movement and Suleiman Franjieh's Marada faction, the two Christian groups allied with Hezbollah. Violence broke out nearly three hours after the opposition blocked roads and the army refrained from intervening to reopening them. In the Northern Akkar province, seven members of Hariri's Mustaqbal movement were wounded when armed elements of the Syrian Social National Party (SSNP) opened fire at them as they arrived at the town of Halba on their way to work, security sources reported. They said one of the wounded was in a critical condition. In the Sofar mountain resort east of Beirut, three SSNP members were wounded when unidentified assailants opened fire at their car, the sources added. The opposition has been trying in vain since Dec. 1 to topple the Siniora government. The confrontation Tuesday pushed the nation a step further towards the threat of civil unrest that the majority alliance has been trying to avoid Picture: Beirut , the capital of Lebanon known for its beautiful blue skies , looked like this at 7: 30 am today Sources: Naharnet, Ya Libnan	-led protesters took to the streets to block all major highways throughout Lebanon. This was a result of the country's not meeting his opposition's demand to abdicate. They burnt tires and cars in and around the capital, enforcing a general strike called for by . Thousands of police and were deployed across the country. They worked together in opening roads, negotiating with some of the protesters, but refrained from using force. The riots and clashes left three dead, including two bodyguards for former Member of Parliament, Fares Soaid, who is also a member of Lebanon's . Over a hundred and thirty other people were injured. Clean up operations were on their way, while the Internal Security Forces (ISF) imposed a curfew.
LOWELL -- Members of US Representative Martin Meehan's staff have acknowledged that they deleted unflattering information about a broken campaign promise from an online encyclopedia, according to a published report. Content on Wikipedia, an encyclopedia that relies on volunteers to post information, was replaced to remove references to Meehan's broken term limit pledge, the Sun of Lowell reported. Meehan's chief of staff Matt Vogel told the newspaper that he oversaw the removal last July of information, which was replaced with a staff-written biography. Meehan, a Lowell Democrat, pledged to serve just four terms -- eight years -- but he later broke that campaign promise. He's currently serving his seventh term. ''Meehan first ran for Congress in 1992 on a platform of reform," the pre-edited entry said, according to the Sun. ''As part of that platform Meehan made a pledge to not serve more than four terms, a central part of his campaign. This breaking of the pledge has been a controversial issue in the 5th Congressional District of Massachusetts." The new entry read in part: ''Meehan was elected to Congress in 1992 on a plan to eliminate the deficit. His fiscally responsible voting record since then has earned him praise from citizen watchdog groups." Vogel said some errors and ''sloppy" writing were replaced. One error included a reference to Meehan attending Harvard. ''Let the outside world edit it," Vogel said. ''It seemed right to start with greater depth than a paragraph with incorrect data from the '80s." Yesterday, a note was displayed on Meehan's page that said ''as a result of recent vandalism, editing of this page by new or anonymous users is temporarily disabled." It also noted on the page that there's ''admitted Wikipedia vandalism by Meehan's staff." Wikipedia's founder, Jimmy Wales, said removal of facts is wrong. ''You don't delete it," Wales said. ''If they wanted to put in their side of things, that would seem ethically relevant, rather than just omitting it." A new reference to Meehan's term limit pledge was reinserted in the Wikipedia entry in November, the Sun reported. © Copyright 2006 Globe Newspaper Company. \|\|\|\|\| '''Attention:''' This IP_address , '''{{PAGENAME}}''', is registered to '''Information Systems, U.S. House of Representatives''' and is shared by multiple users. Comments left on this page may be received by other users of this IP and appear to be irrelevant. Caution should be used when blocking this IP or reverting its contributions without checking. If you are an unregistered user operating from this address, note that this need not necessarily be the IP address of your machine. In many cases, it turns out to be the IP address of a Proxy_server that communicates between your browser and the Wikimedia servers. Such proxies are shared among a huge number of users compared to the number of persons using your particular machine. If you are frustrated by irrelevant comments appearing here, you can avoid them by creating an account for yourself \|\|\|\|\| Commentators have speculated that Meehan may use his warchest in a future bid to run for the [[US Senate]] seat likely to be vacated by a retiring [[Ted Kennedy]]. Meehan has neither confirmed nor denied such assertions. Meehan and his wife, Ellen, a Vice President at Lawrence General Hospital, are the proud parents of two young sons, Robert Francis and Daniel Martin. In Congress, Meehan has been a tireless advocate for economic development in Massachusetts. Using public money to leverage private investment for smart, sustainable growth has been a winning formula through Marty’s district from Lowell to Lawrence to Haverhill. Marty spearheaded the redevelopment of the closed Fort Devens Army Base, obtained resources needed to help workers displaced by the Malden Mills fire in Lawrence, and helped obtain millions in federal grants for the redevelopment efforts in Lowell. Meehan has been a vocal critic of the Bush Administration's handling of the war in Iraq. After traveling to Iraq in January of 2005, Meehan published a 20-page white paper proposing a responsible exit strategy for U.S. forces, a position he continues to advocate. Meehan is also known nationally as one of the tobacco industry’s toughest critics. In December of 1994, he authored a 111-page prosecution memorandum outlining, for the first time, criminal violations by tobacco companies and their executives. His memo served as the foundation for many of the U.S. Justice Department’s investigations into and litigation against Big Tobacco. Meehan earned a national reputation as a champion of campaign finance reform and one of the principal authors of the Shays-Meehan-McCain-Feingold [[Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act]]. With Senators John McCain and Russ Feingold and Congressman Christopher Shays, Meehan led a seven year fight to ban unlimited donations, commonly known as soft money. The legislation, called the “Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act,” has been endorsed by Common Cause, the League of Women Voters, the American Association of Retired Persons, and other public interest organizations, as well as newspaper editorial boards across the country. Meehan was elected to Congress in 1992 on a plan to eliminate the deficit. His fiscally responsible voting record since then has earned him praise from citizen watchdog groups. He was re-elected by a large margin in 2004. Congressman Meehan is a champion of campaign finance reform, in fact being one of the lead sponsors of the Shays-Meehan-McCain-Feingold [[Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act]]. Interestingly Congressman Meehan has one of the largest war-chests of all sitting Congressman. Some believe that this war-chest has become an obstacle to those wishing to challenge the sitting Congressman. Subsequently, Meehan was the First Assistant District Attorney of Middlesex County, supervising an office widely respected for aggressive prosecution of child abuse, domestic violence and other violent crimes. Marty supervised more than 150 people, including 80 prosecutors, and he established an innovative "priority prosecution" policy targeting hardened criminals. Meehan first ran for Congress in 1992 on a platform of reform. As part of that platform Meehan made a pledge to not serve more than four terms a central part of his campaign. He won the 1992 election and was re-elected to Congress every two years since, including the latest election (2004). In the year 2000 when the Congressman ran for Congress, breaking his 1992 pledge, he called it a disservice to his constituents who continued to want him to be their Congressman. This breaking of the pledge has been a controversial issue in the 5th Congressional district of Massachusetts. Marty earned his reputation as a tough law enforcer as the Massachusetts Deputy Secretary of State for Securities and Corporations from 1986 to 1990. The Boston Globe reported, "During Meehan's four years as Deputy Secretary, the Securities Division [went] from being a frequent embarrassment to gaining a national reputation as hard-hitting and activist." The Boston Herald credited him with "changing the state securities and corporations division from what some called a nest of political influence into one of the nation's leading state securities investigators." was educated at the [[University of Massachusetts, Lowell\| University of Massachusetts at Lowell]] and [[Suffolk University]] and was a lawyer, a staff member for Representative [[James M. Shannon]], head research analyst, joint committee on election laws, [[Massachusetts Senate]], director, public affairs for the Massachusetts Secretary of State, and Massachusetts Deputy Secretary of State before entering the House. [[Lowell, Massachusetts]], the oldest son in a family of seven children. He grew up in a working class neighborhood and attended Lowell public schools. He attended college at the [[University of Massachusetts, Lowell\| University of Massachusetts at Lowell]] and earned J.D. and M.P.A. degrees from [[Suffolk University]]. Meehan celebrates gaining enough votes to bring his campaign finance reform bill to the floor. Martin Thomas Meehan (born December 30 1956), American politician, has been a Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives since 1993, representing the 5th District of Massachusetts (map). He was born in Lowell, Massachusetts, the oldest son in a family of seven children. He grew up in a working class neighborhood and attended Lowell public schools. He attended college at the University of Massachusetts at Lowell and earned J.D. and M.P.A. degrees from Suffolk University. Marty earned his reputation as a tough law enforcer as the Massachusetts Deputy Secretary of State for Securities and Corporations from 1986 to 1990. The Boston Globe reported, "During Meehan's four years as Deputy Secretary, the Securities Division [went] from being a frequent embarrassment to gaining a national reputation as hard-hitting and activist." The Boston Herald credited him with "changing the state securities and corporations division from what some called a nest of political influence into one of the nation's leading state securities investigators." Subsequently, Meehan was the First Assistant District Attorney of Middlesex County, supervising an office widely respected for aggressive prosecution of child abuse, domestic violence and other violent crimes. Marty supervised more than 150 people, including 80 prosecutors, and he established an innovative "priority prosecution" policy targeting hardened criminals. Meehan was elected to Congress in 1992 on a plan to eliminate the deficit. His fiscally responsible voting record since then has earned him praise from citizen watchdog groups. He was re-elected by a large margin in 2004. Meehan earned a national reputation as a champion of campaign finance reform and one of the principal authors of the Shays-Meehan-McCain-Feingold Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act. With Senators John McCain and Russ Feingold and Congressman Christopher Shays, Meehan led a seven year fight to ban unlimited donations, commonly known as soft money. The legislation, called the “Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act,” has been endorsed by Common Cause, the League of Women Voters, the American Association of Retired Persons, and other public interest organizations, as well as newspaper editorial boards across the country. Meehan is also known nationally as one of the tobacco industry’s toughest critics. In December of 1994, he authored a 111-page prosecution memorandum outlining, for the first time, criminal violations by tobacco companies and their executives. His memo served as the foundation for many of the U.S. Justice Department’s investigations into and litigation against Big Tobacco. Meehan has been a vocal critic of the Bush Administration's handling of the war in Iraq. After traveling to Iraq in January of 2005, Meehan published a 20-page white paper proposing a responsible exit strategy for U.S. forces, a position he continues to advocate. In Congress, Meehan has been a tireless advocate for economic development in Massachusetts. Using public money to leverage private investment for smart, sustainable growth has been a winning formula through Marty’s district from Lowell to Lawrence to Haverhill. Marty spearheaded the redevelopment of the closed Fort Devens Army Base, obtained resources needed to help workers displaced by the Malden Mills fire in Lawrence, and helped obtain millions in federal grants for the redevelopment efforts in Lowell. Meehan and his wife, Ellen, a Vice President at Lawrence General Hospital, are the proud parents of two young sons, Robert Francis and Daniel Martin. \|\|\|\|\| Meehan has also earned the reputation of being staunchly Pro-Abortion rights/Pro-Choice. He voted against the Ban on Partial Birth Abortions, and has earned a 100% approval rating from [[NARAL]]. He also recived an F from the [[NRA]] in his support for stringent Gun control. Meehan has also earned the reputation of being staunchly Pro-Abortion rights/Pro-Choice. He voted against the Ban on Partial Birth Abortions, and has earned a 100% approval rating from [[NARAL]]. He also recived an F from the [[NRA]] in his support for stringent Gun control. Meehan was elected to Congress in [[US House election, 1992\|1992]] on a plan to eliminate the [[budget deficit]]. His fiscally responsible voting record since then has earned him praise from citizen watchdog groups. He was re-elected by a large margin in [[US House election, 2004\|2004]]. Meehan was elected to Congress in [[US House election, 1992\|1992]] on a plan to eliminate the [[budget deficit]]. His fiscally responsible voting record since then has earned him praise from citizen watchdog groups . He also ran on a platform of [[term limits]]. However, after serving four terms as US Congressman, the number of terms he pledged that he and no other congressman should serve out, he has since gone back on his word and now is adamently against the idea of term limits for Congressmen . He was re-elected by a large margin in [[US House election, 2004\|2004]]. Subsequently, Meehan was the First Assistant [[District Attorney]] of [[Middlesex County, Massachusetts]], supervising an office widely respected for aggressive prosecution of child abuse, domestic violence and other violent crimes. Meehan supervised more than 150 people, including 80 prosecutors, and he established an innovative "priority prosecution" policy targeting hardened criminals. Subsequently, Meehan was the First Assistant [[District Attorney]] of [[Middlesex County, Massachusetts]], supervising an office widely respected for aggressive prosecution of child abuse, domestic violence and other violent crimes. Meehan supervised more than 150 people, including 80 prosecutors, and he established an innovative "priority prosecution" policy targeting hardened criminals. Meehan celebrates gaining enough votes to bring his campaign finance reform to the floor. Martin Thomas Meehan (born December 30 1956), American politician, has been a Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives since 1993, representing the Fifth District of Massachusetts. He was born in Lowell, Massachusetts, the oldest son in a family of seven children. He grew up in a working class neighborhood and attended Lowell public schools. He attended college at the University of Massachusetts at Lowell and earned J.D. and M.P.A. degrees from Suffolk University. Meehan developed a reputation as a tough law enforcer as the Massachusetts Deputy Secretary of State for Securities and Corporations from 1986 to 1990. The Boston Globe reported, "During Meehan's four years as Deputy Secretary, the Securities Division went from being a frequent embarrassment to gaining a national reputation as hard-hitting and activist." The Boston Herald credited him with "changing the state securities and corporations division from what some called a nest of political influence into one of the nation's leading state securities investigators." Subsequently, Meehan was the First Assistant District Attorney of Middlesex County, Massachusetts, supervising an office widely respected for aggressive prosecution of child abuse, domestic violence and other violent crimes. Meehan supervised more than 150 people, including 80 prosecutors, and he established an innovative "priority prosecution" policy targeting hardened criminals. Meehan was elected to Congress in 1992 on a plan to eliminate the budget deficit. His fiscally responsible voting record since then has earned him praise from citizen watchdog groups. He was re-elected by a large margin in 2004. Meehan has also earned the reputation of being staunchly Pro-Abortion rights/Pro-Choice. He voted against the Ban on Partial Birth Abortions, and has earned a 100% approval rating from NARAL. He also recived an F from the NRA in his support for stringent Gun control. Meehan earned a national attention as a champion of campaign finance reform and one of the principal authors of the Shays-Meehan-McCain-Feingold Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act. With Senators John McCain and Russ Feingold and Congressman Christopher Shays, Meehan led a seven year fight to ban unlimited donations, commonly known as soft money. The legislation, called the “Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act,” has been endorsed by Common Cause, the League of Women Voters, the American Association of Retired Persons, and other public interest organizations, as well as newspaper editorial boards across the country. Meehan is also known nationally as one of the tobacco industry’s toughest critics. In December 1994, he authored a 111-page prosecution memorandum outlining, for the first time, criminal violations by tobacco companies and their executives. His memo served as the foundation for many of the U.S. Justice Department’s investigations into and litigation against "Big Tobacco". Meehan has been a vocal critic of the Bush Administration's handling of the war in Iraq. After traveling to Iraq in January 2005, Meehan published a 20-page white paper proposing a responsible exit strategy for U.S. forces, a position he continues to advocate. In Congress, Meehan has been a tireless advocate for economic development in Massachusetts. Using public money to leverage private investment for smart, sustainable growth has been a winning formula through Meehan's district from Lowell to Lawrence to Haverhill. Meehan spearheaded the redevelopment of the closed Fort Devens Army Base, obtained resources needed to help workers displaced by the Malden Mills fire in Lawrence, and helped obtain millions in federal grants for the redevelopment efforts in Lowell. Meehan and his wife, Ellen, a Vice President at Lawrence General Hospital, are the parents of two sons, Robert Francis and Daniel Martin. Template:U.S. Representative box \|\|\|\|\| WASHINGTON -- The staff of U.S. Rep Marty Meehan wiped out references to his broken term-limits pledge as well as information about his huge campaign war chest in an independent biography of the Lowell Democrat on a Web site that bills itself as the "world's largest encyclopedia," The Sun has learned. The Meehan alterations on Wikipedia.com represent just two of more than 1,000 changes made by congressional staffers at the U.S. House of Representatives in the past six month. Wikipedia is a global reference that relies on its Internet users to add credible information to entries on millions of topics. Matt Vogel, Meehan's chief of staff, said he authorized an intern in July to replace existing Wikipedia content with a staff-written biography of the lawmaker. The change deleted a reference to Meehan's campaign promise to surrender his seat after serving eight years, a pledge Meehan later eschewed. It also deleted a reference to the size of Meehan's campaign account, the largest of any House member at $4.8 million, according to the latest data available from the Federal Election Commission. "Meehan first ran for Congress in 1992 on a platform of reform," the pre-edited entry said. "As part of that platform Meehan made a pledge to not serve more than four terms, a central part of his campaign. This breaking of the pledge has been a controversial issue in the 5th Congressional District of Massachusetts." The new entry reads in part: "Meehan was elected to Congress in 1992 on a plan to eliminate the deficit. His fiscally responsible voting record since then has earned him praise from citizen watchdog groups. He was re-elected by a large margin in 2004." Vogel said, "It makes sense to me the biography we submit would be the biography we write." The change doubled the length of the entry on Meehan, corrected errors and replaced "sloppy" writing, Vogel said. "Let the outside world edit it. It seemed right to start with greater depth than a paragraph with incorrect data from the '80s." Wikipedia's online honor system has made it ripe for abuse by vandals. Recently, a user wrote in a Wikipedia bio that Virginia Congressman Eric Cantor "smells of cow dung." Another wrote that Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist is "ineffective." These statements were traced to the House Internet-protocol (IP) address. In November and December, The Sun has learned, users of the House's IP address were temporarily blocked from changing content because of violations described by the site as a "deliberate attempt to compromise the integrity of the encyclopedia." "I'm not denying it," Jon Brandt, a spokesman for the Committee on House Administration, which oversees the House computer network, said when asked to confirm House ownership of the address. For security reasons, Brandt declined to say to whom the address is assigned. While vandalism is a problem, deleting factual information raises ethical concerns, said Geoffrey Bowker, director of the Center for Science, Technology, and Society at Santa Clara University. "The vandalism is just plain childish," Bowker said. "The term-limit pledge (that was changed by Meehan's staff) is a much more serious case. That's someone trying to alter the public record. "To knowingly remove a truthful statement is just wrong," he added. "It's not the place of any special-interest group to tamper with the facts available to the public." Most of the 1,000 House changes were meant to enhance various encyclopedia entries. Slurs against Cantor and Frist, which have been removed, are the first examples of abuse that Wikipedia's founder Jimmy Wales has seen derived directly from the legislative branch of the U.S. government. Wikipedia records every change to its site and who made it. The encyclopedia prefers that editors log in with a user name, but it's not necessary. Many editors make changes anonymously; Wikipedia identifies these users by tracking the number assigned to their Internet entry point, called an IP address. But Wales said the deletion of factual information goes against the principles of Wikipedia, which promotes a "neutral point of view" policy. "You don't delete it," Wales said. "If they wanted to put in their side of things, that would seem ethically relevant, rather than just omitting it." Mistakes were inserted into the Meehan entry at different points of its evolution, according to an examination of the edits. One editor erroneously said Meehan attended Harvard College; another indicated it is likely that Meehan would run for Sen. Edward Kennedy's seat. Wikipedia reaches around the globe, having 3.1 million articles published in more than 200 languages. The English-language version is the largest category, with more than 910,000 articles and 856 million words. That's more than six times larger than Encyclopedia Britannica -- the largest reference printed in English. And people read it. Yesterday, Wikipedia was ranked the 19th- busiest site on the Internet, according to alexa.com, a subsidiary of Amazon.com that tracks Webtraffic. A new reference to Meehan's term-limit pledge was inserted in the Wikipedia entry in November by a person not using the House address. On Dec. 27, someone using the House IP address reduced the reference to a single sentence: "(Meehan) also supported term limits, pledging to serve no more than four terms." Vogel said he did not authorize the change. No reference to Meehan's top-rated campaign account has been reintroduced. The changes by Meehan's staff are not as "reprehensible" as inserting derogatory comments in someone else's entry, said Stephen Potts, former director of the federal Office of Government Ethics, which establishes conduct standards for the executive branch. But the sheer breadth of changes emanating from the House reflects an abuse of public time and equipment, said Potter, now chairman of the Ethics Resource Center. "That kind of usage, plus the fact that they're changing one person's material, is certainly wrong and ought to be at a minimum the focus of some disciplinary action," he said. Evan Lehmann's e-mail address is elehmann.com. \|\|\|\|\| I can confirm that the above was contributed by someone from Congressman Wilson's office. I think they did a wonderful thing by asking me first how they might improve the bio we have. I suggested they post to the talk page, and they did. Let's return the goodwill and improve the article! :-)--[[User:Jimbo Wales\|Jimbo Wales]] 22:31, 27 January 2006 (UTC) Joe and his wife Roxanne are the proud parents of four sons, three of whom serve in the U.S. military. Alan, his oldest son, is a Captain in the Army National Guard; Add is a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy and is now an Ensign attending Uniform Services Medical School; Julian is a recent graduate of Clemson University and is a Second Lieutenant in the Army National Guard, and Hunter currently attends Airport High School. He also has two grandsons. Throughout his life, Wilson has strongly supported the U.S. military. From 1972 – 1975, he served in the United States Army Reserves. After serving as a Staff Judge Advocate in the South Carolina Army National Guard for over 31 years, he retired from military service in 2003. From participating as a teenage republican to serving in the halls of the U.S. House of Representatives, Wilson has dedicated much of his life to public service. He began his career as a member on the staffs of South Carolina legends Senator Strom Thurmond and Congressman Floyd Spence. He also worked in the visionary Ronald Reagan administration as Deputy General Counsel for the United States Department of Energy Secretary and served under former South Carolina Governor, Jim Edwards. Wilson was proud to serve in the South Carolina State Senate with perfect attendance for 17 years. Since being elected to Congress in December 2001, Wilson has worked hard to promoting peace through a strong national defense, ensuring that every child in America receives a high-quality education, and urging personal responsibility through limited government. He currently serves on the House Armed Services Committee, Education & Workforce Committee, Policy Committee and International Relations Committee. Addtionally, he is the co-chair of the Congressional Caucuses on Bulgaria and Mongolia. In the 108th Congress, he served as the co-chair of the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian Americans, the largest country caucus on Capitol Hill. Born and raised in Charleston, Addison (Joe) Graves Wilson considers it a great honor to represent the Second Congressional District of South Carolina. He is a graduate of the High School of Charleston, Washington & Lee University, and the University of South Carolina School of Law. After settling down in West Columbia, Wilson became a founding partner of the law firm Kirkland, Wilson, Moore, Taylor & Thomas. I work for Congressman Joe Wilson (listed as Addison Graves Wilson). Could you update his bio with information from the following official bio too? HI. I work for Congressman Joe Wilson (listed as Addison Graves Wilson). Could you update his bio with information from the following official bio too? Thanks, Emily Lawrimore Communications Director Congressman Joe Wilson emily.lawrimore@mail.house.gov Born and raised in Charleston, Addison (Joe) Graves Wilson considers it a great honor to represent the Second Congressional District of South Carolina. He is a graduate of the High School of Charleston, Washington & Lee University, and the University of South Carolina School of Law. After settling down in West Columbia, Wilson became a founding partner of the law firm Kirkland, Wilson, Moore, Taylor & Thomas. Since being elected to Congress in December 2001, Wilson has worked hard to promoting peace through a strong national defense, ensuring that every child in America receives a high-quality education, and urging personal responsibility through limited government. He currently serves on the House Armed Services Committee, Education & Workforce Committee, Policy Committee and International Relations Committee. Addtionally, he is the co-chair of the Congressional Caucuses on Bulgaria and Mongolia. In the 108th Congress, he served as the co-chair of the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian Americans, the largest country caucus on Capitol Hill. From participating as a teenage republican to serving in the halls of the U.S. House of Representatives, Wilson has dedicated much of his life to public service. He began his career as a member on the staffs of South Carolina legends Senator Strom Thurmond and Congressman Floyd Spence. He also worked in the visionary Ronald Reagan administration as Deputy General Counsel for the United States Department of Energy Secretary and served under former South Carolina Governor, Jim Edwards. Wilson was proud to serve in the South Carolina State Senate with perfect attendance for 17 years. Throughout his life, Wilson has strongly supported the U.S. military. From 1972 – 1975, he served in the United States Army Reserves. After serving as a Staff Judge Advocate in the South Carolina Army National Guard for over 31 years, he retired from military service in 2003. Joe and his wife Roxanne are the proud parents of four sons, three of whom serve in the U.S. military. Alan, his oldest son, is a Captain in the Army National Guard; Add is a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy and is now an Ensign attending Uniform Services Medical School; Julian is a recent graduate of Clemson University and is a Second Lieutenant in the Army National Guard, and Hunter currently attends Airport High School. He also has two grandsons. I can confirm that the above was contributed by someone from Congressman Wilson's office. I think they did a wonderful thing by asking me first how they might improve the bio we have. I suggested they post to the talk page, and they did. Let's return the goodwill and improve the article! :-)--Jimbo Wales 22:31, 27 January 2006 (UTC)	Edits by Massachusetts congressman Marty Meehan's staff on his Wikipedia article spurred a Lowell Sun story and a subsequent Wikipedia investigation of all Internet addresses assigned to the Congress of the United States. __NOTOC__ While edits from the Capitol are not generally news, the biographical article for Mr. Meehan was carefully edited, removing negative comments while expanding with content from the congressman's political flyer. The IP address which made these edits has an extensive editing history on Wikipedia, and has been repeatedly blocked in past months for article vandalism and violation of Wikipedia policies ( Wikipedia's log of 143.231.249.141 being blocked from editing). Wikipedia administrators, alerted to the Marty Meehan article edits, realized that many edits to politically-sensitive articles had been made from IP addresses assigned to the US Capitol building, and have begun an investigation into all edits from such addresses.
An American student who was barred entry into Israel under a law against foreign activists who support boycotts of the state because of its policies towards the Palestinians has been given permission to stay in the country by the supreme court. In its ruling on Thursday, the court criticised Israeli authorities for denying entry to Lara Alqasem, 22, and said their decision gave “the unavoidable impression” that she was barred for her political opinions. US student barred from Israel over alleged BDS to fight case in court Read more If so, the justices said, it represented “a radical and dangerous step that could lead to the crumbling of the foundations upon which Israel’s democracy is built”. Alqasem was refused entry when she flew to Israel on a study visa on 2 October. Security officials cited her role as president of a small local chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine at the University of Florida. Her case touched off a debate in Israel over whether democratic values had been compromised by a 2017 law that bars the entry of foreigners who publicly support boycotts over Israel’s policies towards the Palestinians. Thursday’s ruling, seen by Reuters, overturned a lower court decision that initially backed the decision by Israeli authorities. “The supreme court’s decision is a victory for free speech, academic freedom, and the rule of law,” Alqasem’s lawyers said in a statement. But Israeli tourism minister Yariv Levin called the court decision “shameful” and said that with their decision, the justices “were continuing to act against Israeli democracy and the clear lawmaking of the Knesset”. Members of Israel’s rightwing government have long criticized the court for being, in their eyes, too liberal in its interventions regarding its policy towards Palestinians. The supreme court accepted Alqasem’s lawyers’ argument that she had ceased her pro-boycott activity in April 2017, and noted that since then she had engaged in Holocaust studies and had been accepted to a post graduate programme at Jerusalem’s Hebrew University, which supported her petition. “Since the petitioner’s actions do not sufficiently warrant banning her entry to Israel, the unavoidable impression is that her political opinions were the reason behind the cancellation of the visa that was granted to her,” the ruling said. “If that is indeed the case, we are talking about a radical and dangerous step.” The court cited in its decision the Hebrew University’s contention that barring the entry, at the airport, of a foreign student accepted into an international programme damaged the university’s international ties. However, one justice wrote that if Alqasem “returns to her old ways” and promoted a boycott while she was in Israel her stay could be cancelled and she could be expelled. It was not immediately clear whether the Israeli authorities would appeal the ruling. \|\|\|\|\| American Lara Alqasem was denied entry to Israel because of her suspected support for a boycott campaign. (Sebastian Scheiner/AP) An American student held for two weeks at an Israeli border detention facility, on the basis of a law barring foreign nationals actively involved in promoting a boycott of Israel, was permitted to enter the country Thursday after the Supreme Court ruled in her favor. “The inevitable impression is that invalidating the visa given to her was due to the political opinions she holds,” the judges wrote. “If this is truly the case, then we are talking about an extreme and dangerous step, which could lead to the crumbling of the pillars upon which democracy in Israel stands.” The case of Lara Alqasem, a 22-year-old Florida native who argued against her deportation order in three court hearings, leaves a question mark over the law, passed in 2017, that takes aim at the international BDS movement — a loose affiliation of groups that call to boycott, divest from and sanction Israel because of its treatment of Palestinians. Israel sees BDS as a strategic threat that singles out the Jewish state unfairly, and it sought to prevent those actively involved in the boycott from entering Israel and causing further havoc. But critics say the law amounts to little more than policing people’s thoughts. They also say that applying it too broadly could end up playing into the hands of BDS advocates, who often depict Israel as a hard-line, fascist state. So far, 15 people have been denied entry because of the law. Alqasem, whose father is of Palestinian heritage, is the first person to appeal the ban. She was accepted to a master’s degree program at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and received a year-long student visa from the Israeli Consulate in Florida. The government revoked her visa based on the law. Ruling on her case Thursday, the Supreme Court of Israel said there was not satisfactory cause to bar her entry. Minister of Strategic Affairs Gilad Erdan, whose ministry is charged with implementing and monitoring the law, said in a statement that the Supreme Court had “granted BDS a great victory.” “I deeply regret the Supreme Court’s decision today, which indicates a basic lack of understanding of the nature and methods of the BDS campaign. It has compromised the power of the state to fight back against the boycott activists that harm us,” he said. It was Erdan’s ministry that flagged Alqasem’s previous position as president of Students for Justice in Palestine, a U.S. campus group that advocates a boycott, and highlighted her presence at a protest of an Israeli hummus brand. The ministry compiles profiles of activists based on public information online, including that published by Canary Mission, an anonymous website that documents “individuals and organizations that promote hatred of the USA, Israel and Jews on North American college campuses.” Alqasem’s attorneys argued that her activities in Students for Justice in Palestine did not meet the legal test for the boycott law and that, in her role as president, she did not actively promote a boycott. They also argued that she was no longer involved in the group. “The Supreme Court’s decision is a victory for free speech, academic freedom and the rule of law,” said Alqasem attorney Leora Bechor. “Israel has the right to control its borders, but that right does not give it unchecked power to turn away anyone it deems unwanted.” Bechor said the ruling set a precedent that would “ensure no one else is denied the right to enter Israel based on sloppy Google searches and dossiers by shadowy smear groups.” “Lara’s case proves that thought-policing has no place in a democracy,” she said. Read more Today’s coverage from Post correspondents around the world Like Washington Post World on Facebook and stay updated on foreign news \|\|\|\|\| A U.S. graduate student on Wednesday asked Israel's Supreme Court to overturn an expulsion order over her alleged involvement in the boycott movement against Israel. Lara Alqasem, 22, has been held in detention since arriving in the country on Oct. 2 with a valid student visa. Alqasem, whose father is Palestinian, is a former president of the University of Florida chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine. The group is a branch of the BDS movement, named for its support of boycotts, divestment and sanctions against Israel. BDS supporters say they are using non-violent means to resist unjust policies toward Palestinians. Israel says the movement masks its motives to delegitimize or destroy the Jewish state. Last year, Israel passed a law banning entry for any foreigner who "knowingly issues a public call for boycotting Israel." Alqasem, a Florida native, says she is no longer active in the boycott movement. But Israel's Strategic Affairs Ministry, which spearheads the government's efforts against the boycott campaign, is unconvinced and believes she remains a threat. She turned to the high court after a lower court last week rejected her appeal to stay in the country. Alqasem's attorney, Leora Bechor, said Wednesday's hearing went well, with Supreme Court justices pressing state lawyers about whether Alqasem truly met the definition of being a boycott leader. "We're surprised the court was so friendly to us, and very optimistic that we will receive a decision in our favor," Bechor said. Alqasem had been registered to pursue a master's degree in human rights at Israel's Hebrew University. The university has thrown its support behind Alqasem, joining her appeal on Wednesday and calling her case a serious blow to academic freedom in Israel. It was not immediately clear when the Supreme Court would issue its verdict. \|\|\|\|\| Lara Alqasem was denied entry to study at Hebrew University of Jerusalem due to alleged support for pro-Palestinian movement A US student refused entry to Israel over alleged support of a pro-Palestinian boycott movement has chosen to stay and fight the ban in court, an Israel official said on Tuesday. Immigration authority spokeswoman Sabine Haddad told AFP late on Tuesday that Lara Alqasem was being held at an immigration facility but was not under arrest. “She can fly back to the United States whenever she likes,” Haddad said. “She decided to appeal and is being held in the facility for those refused entry,” the spokeswoman said. “She is not under arrest, she is refused entry.” Haddad said the appeal would be heard in the Tel Aviv district court but gave no date for the hearing. Israelis experience Palestinian home life in virtual reality Read more She added that judge Kobi Vardi issued a ruling on Tuesday saying that Alqasem was not obliged to remain in the airport holding facility and was free to return home and have the Tel Aviv hearing held in her absence. In March 2017, Israel’s parliament passed a law banning the entry of supporters of the pro-Palestinian Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement, inspired by measures against South Africa before the fall of apartheid. Alqasem, reportedly of Palestinian descent, was stopped at Israel’s main international Ben Gurion airport on Tuesday last week and denied entry under that act. The Jerusalem Post has reported that during her undergraduate studies at the University of Florida she was president of a chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine, which often leads boycott campaigns against Israel. It quoted her mother, Karen Alqasem, as saying she had enrolled for a one-year master’s course in human rights at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, for which she had an Israeli visa. The university has applied to the Tel Aviv court for leave to join her appeal against deportation. “This student wants to come here and study at the Hebrew University for one year,” its president, Professor Asher Cohen, told Israeli army radio on Tuesday. He argued her treatment was actually strengthening the BDS campaign to boycott goods from Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank. “There is a difference of opinion with the state on the interpretation of the law. In our opinion in this instance the law does not apply to this student,” he said. “It is for the court to decide.” Earlier, Israeli internal security minister Gilad Erdan said he would consider allowing Alqasem to take up her university place if she publicly denounced BDS. “If Lara Alqasem states in her own voice, not by all kinds of evasions by lawyers, that she doesn’t think now that support for BDS is something legitimate and she regrets what she has done on this subject, we shall certainly re-evaluate our petition,” he told army radio. \|\|\|\|\| JERUSALEM — As a student at the University of Florida, Lara Alqasem served a stint several years ago as president of the tiny local chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine. The group typically had a single-digit membership, and one of its more notable political activities appears to have been a campaign to boycott an Israeli brand of hummus. A Facebook event post indicated that all of 19 people showed up for the campaign’s launch. But that seems to have been enough for the Israeli government to bar Ms. Alqasem from entering the country under a 2017 law intended to combat the boycott, divestment and sanctions movement, a loose network whose goals include pressuring Israel into ending the occupation of the West Bank. Israeli officials consider the B.D.S. movement to be anti-Semitic and bent on Israel’s destruction, since it also promotes the right of return for millions of Palestinian refugees to their former homes. Ms. Alqasem arrived at Ben Gurion Airport last week with plans to enroll at an Israeli university, and has been has been held there since while she appeals a deportation order. On Tuesday, the Israeli government presented her with a choice: Apologize and renounce her support for the boycott movement, or give up on her plan to study in Israel and be placed on a plane back to the United States. \|\|\|\|\| JERUSALEM — In a groundbreaking case, Israel has detained an American graduate student at its international airport for the past week, accusing her of supporting a Palestinian-led boycott campaign against the Jewish state. The case highlights Israel’s concerns about the boycott movement and the great efforts it has made to stop it. The grassroots campaign has made significant inroads in recent years, particularly among university students and millennials. Lara Alqasem, a 22-year-old U.S. citizen with Palestinian grandparents, landed at Ben-Gurion Airport last Tuesday with a valid student visa. But she was barred from entering the country and ordered deported, based on suspicions she is a boycott supporter. An Israeli court has ordered that she remain in custody while she appeals. The weeklong detention is the longest anyone has been held in a boycott-related case, and it was not immediately clear on Tuesday when a final decision would be made. In the meantime, she has been spending her days in a closed area with little access to a telephone, no internet and a bed that was infested with bedbugs, according to people who have spoken to her. Alqasem, from the Fort Lauderdale suburb of Southwest Ranches, Florida, is a former president of the University of Florida chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine. The group is a branch of the BDS movement, whose name comes from its calls for boycotts, divestment and sanctions against Israel. BDS supporters say that in urging businesses, artists and universities to sever ties with Israel, they are using nonviolent means to resist unjust policies toward Palestinians. Israel says the movement masks its motives to delegitimize or destroy the Jewish state. “Lara served as president of a chapter of one of the most extreme and hate-filled anti-IsraelBDS groups in the U.S.,” said Strategic Affairs Minister Gilad Erdan, who spearheads the Israeli government’s efforts against the boycott movement. “Israel will not allow entry to those who work to harm the country, whatever their excuse.” The ministry said that during Alqasem’s involvement with Students for Justice in Palestine, the club advocated a boycott against Sabra hummus, an Israeli-owned brand of chickpea dip. On Tuesday, Erdan floated a possible compromise, saying in a radio interview that he would rethink his decision to expel her if she apologizes and renounces her support for BDS. “If Lara Alqasem will tomorrow in her own voice, not through all kinds of lawyers or statements that can be misconstrued, say that support for BDS is not legitimate and she regrets what she did, we will certainly reconsider our position,” he said. Israel enacted a law last year banning any foreigner who “knowingly issues a public call for boycotting Israel” from entering the country. It also has identified 20 activist groups from around the world whose members can be denied entry upon arrival. It so far has blocked 15 people from entering, according to Erdan’s ministry. The ministry uses a variety of sources to identify BDS activists, including tips from informants and social media posts. The ministry says its suspicions were deepened after learning that Alqasem recently deleted all of her social media accounts. In her appeal, Alqasem has argued that she never actively participated in boycott campaigns, and promised the court that she would not promote them in the future. “We’re talking about someone who simply wants to study in Israel, who is not boycotting anything,” said her lawyer, Yotam Ben-Hillel. “She’s not even part of the student organization anymore.” Alqasem is registered to study human rights at Israel’s Hebrew University in Jerusalem. The university has thrown its support behind her, announcing on Monday it would join Alqasem’s appeal. She also received a boost from her former Hebrew professor at the University of Florida, who described her as an exceptional and curious student. In a letter to the Israeli newspaper Haaretz, Dror Abend-David said she had an “open and positive attitude toward Judaism, Jews, and the State of Israel.” In an interview from Florida, her mother, Karen Alqasem, affirmed her daughter’s tolerance and intellectual drive. “Studying and getting to know the country was Lara’s dream for as long as I can remember,” she told The Associated Press. “She may have been critical of some of Israel’s policies in the past but she respects Israeli society and culture. To her, this isn’t a contradiction.” Karen Alqasem said her daughter graduated from the University of Florida in May with degrees in Arabic and international studies and studied Hebrew with hopes of becoming a lawyer. She said the Israeli government is exaggerating her daughter’s involvement in the university student group, saying she only belonged to it for a semester. She said her daughter has never made any threats against Israel and is not religious. “She is being treated like a criminal but she is not a criminal,” she said. Her lawyer and a group of opposition lawmakers have visited Alqasem and say she is in safe, but subpar, conditions. In a conversation with her daughter last Friday, Alqasem said Lara complained of a bedbug infestation in her cell. With her phone confiscated and communication mostly restricted to calls with her lawyer, Lara has felt “completely cut off from the world,” she said. The United States Embassy said it has visited Alqasem in detention to ensure that she has food and water. In Washington, State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said the government is aware of the case, but “ultimately, it is up to the government of Israel to decide who it wants to let into the country.” Mossi Raz, an opposition lawmaker who visited her, said she told him that without books or any forms of entertainment, she spends her time talking with other women being held in the same cell for various visa-related issues. In addition to the anti-BDS campaign, Israel has detained or interrogated a number of vocal Jewish critics, both Israeli and foreign, about their political views while entering the country in recent months. These tactics, along with legislation curbing the influence of anti-occupation advocacy groups, have raised concerns that the nationalist government is trying to stifle dissent. The Strategic Affairs Ministry says it deals only with BDS cases. The Shin Bet, which oversees security procedures at border crossings, says it stops people only over security matters, not their political views. ___ Susannah George in Washington and Terry Spence in Fort Lauderdale, Florida contributed reporting.	On Thursday, the Israeli ruled in favor of Lara Alqasem, a 22-year-old student who appealed an expulsion order, allowing her to remain in the country. She was refused entry upon arrival in Israel on October 2 at and threatened with deportation; Israeli authorities alleged that Alqasem supported a pro-Palestinian boycott against the state. The student was held in custody as she appealed the order. On entry at Ben Gurion, Alqasem had a valid student visa to enrol in the . According to reports recounted by ''The New York Times'', the student recently served as president to a small chapter of (SJP). Israel enacted a law in 2017 granting the state the authority to deport individuals supporting the movement. An Israeli lawyer representing the student called the allegation "egregious"; Alqasem studied in Florida. The Hebrew University asked to join her during the appeal process, in defence of Israel's academic freedom. The director of the university, Barak Medina, stated: "To be clear, we strongly oppose the boycott campaign against Israel, and Israel has to fight it... But to deny entry to every person who has expressed support for a boycott is counterproductive". Alqasem appealed to the Israeli High Court after being rejected by a lower court. The ruling allows her to pursue further education in the country.
Trained police negotiators spent three hours talking to Shaun Dykes Seventeen-year-old Shaun Dykes killed himself by leaping from a multi-story car park in Derby city centre. Tragically, teenage suicides are not unusual, but what made the case of Shaun Dykes so shocking was that he was allegedly heckled and even goaded by members of a crowd gathered at the scene during the three-hour ordeal on Saturday, 27 September. The crowd comprised a wide range of ages. Today Programme reporter Andrew Hosken visited Derby to try and piece together events which led to Shaun's death. 'Public execution' Alasdair Kay, director of the Derby City Mission, witnessed much of what happened that day and told Today: "I was shopping with my family and couldn't work out why it was taking so long to get out of the car park... (but) as soon as I came out I saw a young lad at the top of the parapet at the shopping centre." He likened the scene to that of a "public execution". "People were filming… we could hear people shouting "jump you…" followed by a stream of expletives. They weren't all just young people, some were middle-aged. To be honest with you I was sickened." Also in the multi-story car park was Haley Mackay and her team of valets washing cars. She said: "I saw him up there but didn't see him fall." Please turn on JavaScript. Media requires JavaScript to play. It has since been claimed onlookers took photographs of Shaun's body after he had thrown himself off the building. Mysterious motive But who was Shaun Dykes, the vulnerable young lad who faced such goading? He was raised in a village not far from Derby, his parents had long separated and his mother had recently split from her boyfriend. After dropping out of a recent business course he had returned to school to study his AS levels and dreamt of becoming an accountant or a pilot. He also worked part-time at his local pub in his home village of Kilburn. On the night before he died he did his usual shift alongside Craig Doxey, a fellow waiter and his best friend. People were filming… we could hear people shouting "jump you…" followed by a stream of expletives Alasdair Kay - Derby City Mission Craig found time during another shift to speak about his friend. "He was always smiling and laughing about stuff. I think if it wasn't for the crowd, Shaun would have got down and got some help from all his mates, work colleagues and the police." One of Shaun's school friends, Rebkha Minkley, added: "He was the best person anyone could have asked to meet. He always came in, in the morning with a smile on his face." Not only can Rebkha not come to terms with the death of her friend, but she does not understand how people could have got a thrill over watching him die. "To be up there in the state he was in, and then for people to tell him to jump, it made me feel sick... I can't cope with it." Suicide note Shaun went to school at Heanor Gate Science College, eight miles from Derby, situated in a largely white, working-class area. He was openly gay and considered to be a "breath of fresh air", despite a troubled home life. Rob Howard, the school's head teacher, said: "I feel very angry that there are people out there who are so desensitised to life that they just see it as a film or a soap opera. I don't think they realise what the consequences of their actions are going to be, but it is clearly disturbing." Apparently Shaun Dykes left a suicide note. It is likely that he was badly affected by the breakdown of an important relationship. But perhaps the reasons for his death are less important than what it revealed about the nature of a handful of ordinary men and women on a bright Saturday afternoon in England. E-mail this to a friend Printable version Bookmark with: Delicious Digg reddit Facebook StumbleUpon What are these? \|\|\|\|\| Content Area You are here: Home > News, Appeals & Features > Chief Constable speaks out after media speculation Chief Constable speaks out after media speculation Derbyshire's Chief Constable Mick Creedon has spoken out about the public comment and media speculation that followed the death of Shaun Dykes. Shaun died after falling from a tall building in Derby city centre. Mr Creedon said: "The tragic death of Shaun Dykes at Derby on 27th September has attracted much comment and media speculation. The pain that Shaun's family and friends are suffering must be unimaginable and they have my deepest sympathy. The primary responsibility of the police is the protection of life, and the Derbyshire Constabulary will always have this responsibility at the forefront of our response to such tragic events as Shaun's death last Saturday. We have very well trained and experienced staff, well practiced in dealing with such incidents and I have no doubt that the officers involved in talking to Shaun on Saturday did their best with the situation they were presented with. The fact that they were unsuccessful in negotiating Shaun to safety will have been very painful for them, particularly for the two officers who spent two hours talking directly to him. They have my sincere thanks for their efforts as, I'm sure, they have the thanks of the vast majority of those reading this. Whilst we are very used to dealing with incidents like this, this was unusual with members of the public videoing, taking photographs and even shouting for Shaun to jump; pictures have even been posted on the Internet after the event. All my experience and belief in the good in people tells me that the vast majority of the crowd who watched the events unfold were wishing for the best result, hoping that Shaun remained safe and well. However, all of us associated with the Force see the actions of that small minority who were encouraging Shaun to take his own life as totally abhorrent - it disgusts me to think of their motivation and their lack of compassion towards a fellow human being obviously in distress. I know people are asking why these irresponsible idiots weren't arrested at the time, but I ask the public to understand that the few available officers at the scene were doing their best to manage a difficult situation so as to allow trained staff to talk to Shaun. They should not have to deal with the extra distraction of the deviant and ghoulish behaviour of a few, and if arrests had been made this would have necessitated perhaps two officers leaving the scene for every person arrested. Very quickly we might have had no staff available to provide the necessary security and safety cordon, placing even more people at potential risk. The police were not the only agency involved in trying to bring about a peaceful resolution and I give my thanks to the other emergency services and the staff of the Westfield Centre. We all worked together to try and support Shaun, and this collective effort makes the behaviour of the few so distasteful. I know I speak for the huge majority in again condemning their behaviour and I would ask them to examine their consciences and consider what impact they might have had on what was a very traumatic situation for a vulnerable young member of our society. I hope this is never repeated and am in no doubt that the people of Derby and Derbyshire join me in extending our heartfelt condolences to Shaun's family and friends." [Back to top of page]	It has recently been made public that on September 27, seventeen year old Shaun Dykes jumped off a multistory building following encouragement from the crowd. According to the BBC's Today programme, a variety of different people, including youths and middle aged citizens, were telling the teenager to jump. Alasdair Kay, director of the Derby City Mission, saw the incident unfold. He expressed his shock and disgust at the incident. "People were filming… we could hear people shouting 'Jump, you,'" she said. "They weren't all just young people, some were middle-aged. To be honest with you I was sickened." Derbyshire's Chief Constable Mick Creedon, also yesterday commented on the indent. "The tragic death of Shaun Dykes at Derby on 27th September has attracted much comment and media speculation," he started. "The pain that Shaun's family and friends are suffering must be unimaginable and they have my deepest sympathy." "The primary responsibility of the police is the protection of life, and the Derbyshire Constabulary will always have this responsibility at the forefront of our response to such tragic events as Shaun's death last Saturday," he continued. "We have very well trained and experienced staff, well practiced in dealing with such incidents and I have no doubt that the officers involved in talking to Shaun on Saturday did their best with the situation they were presented with." "The fact that they were unsuccessful in negotiating Shaun to safety will have been very painful for them, particularly for the two officers who spent two hours talking directly to him. They have my sincere thanks for their efforts as, I'm sure, they have the thanks of the vast majority of those reading this." Shaun Dykes, had been raised in a single parent family in a village near Derbyshire and he recently returned from a business course to study to become an accountant or a pilot. Before his death, he was working part time in a local pub. Craig Doxey, his best friend, described Dykes. "He was always smiling and laughing about stuff. I think if it wasn't for the crowd, Shaun would have got down and got some help from all his mates, work colleagues and the police." He went to Heanor Gate Science College, and he was openly gay. According to one of his friends from that school, Rebkha Minkley, "he always came in, in the morning with a smile on his face." According to the Today program, Dykes is believed to have left a suicide note before jumping off the building.
Robert Menard spoke to reporters in Tunis via a mobile phone Reporters Without Frontiers (RSF) head Robert Menard said Tunisian security officials had not allowed him to leave the plane after his arrival from Paris. Tunisia said it had acted because of pending legal action against him. Delegates at the summit also accused the Tunisian hosts of sending hecklers to a debate on freedom of speech. The Tunisian government denies the accusations. The North African country has been condemned for the way it filters websites in an academic study released to coincide with the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS), which opened on Wednesday. The conference is looking at ways of combating poverty through increased use of information and communication technologies. But the UN has tried to overcome widespread criticism of its choice of venue, saying the summit will shed light on the situation in Tunisia and may even improve it, the BBC's Pascal Harter in Tunis reports. 'Internet's enemies' Mr Menard said that he had been prevented by Tunisian security officials from leaving his aircraft seat. The RSF blacklisted 15 countries on its map "I have all my papers in order to enter the country, a passport and an accreditation number for the WSIS, and they are telling me I can't come in," Mr Menard was quoted as saying in a phone call to reporters. Tunisia have repeatedly said that Mr Menard was "subject to a legal injunction" in France under which he can enter the country only with the permission of a magistrate. The UN International Telecommunications Union, which is organising the summit, said pending legal action following incidents in Paris in 2002 meant that Mr Menard could not benefit from the immunity granted to summit participants. At the summit, the RSF unrolled a banner condemning 15 countries it called "enemies of the internet" because they filtered out access to websites. The group listed Belarus, China, Cuba, Iran, Libya, the Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, North Korea, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Turkmenistan, Tunisia, Uzbekistan and Vietnam. The government of President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali rejects any suggestion that it violates human rights or limits legitimate access to traditional or electronic media. 'Focused filtering' But a study by the OpenNet Initiative found that nearly 10% of the 2,000 sites it had tested from within the country were blocked. They were mostly sites devoted to political opposition, human rights, pornography and tools to circumvent the country's controls. The OpenNet Initiative is university collaboration between Toronto, Harvard and Cambridge. "Tunisia's internet filtering is focused, effective, and deceptive," said the report's co-author Derek Bambauer, who is a fellow at Harvard Law School's Berkman Center for Internet and Society. \|\|\|\|\| Welcome to the website of the the Tunisia Monitoring Group (TMG), a coalition of 12 organisations that belong to the International Freedom of Expression eXchange (IFEX) network. The TMG monitors free expression violations in Tunisia to focus attention on the country's need to improve its human rights record as the host of the November 2005 World Summit on the Information Society. CANADIAN CIVIL SOCIETY AFFIRMS IMPORTANCE OF FREE EXPRESSION AT WSIS 22 June 2005 - Canadian civil society organisations have called on participants at the upcoming World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) in Tunisia to respect the right to freedom of expression and apply that principle to the summit itself. TUNISIA: SERIOUS HUMAN RIGHTS CONCERNS REMAIN, SAY WATCHDOGS 10 May 2005 - The Tunisian government is failing to take effective action to stop human rights abuses in the country, putting its status as host of the November 2005 World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) in question, says the Tunisia Monitoring Group (TMG), a coalition of 13 IFEX members that monitors free expression violations in the North African country. IFEX MEMBERS SPOTLIGHT TUNISIA AT UN HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION 29 March 2005 - On 31 March 2005, members of the IFEX Tunisia Monitoring Group (TMG) will highlight the worrying state of freedom of expression in Tunisia at a panel discussion in Geneva during the annual session of the UN Commission on Human Rights. \|\|\|\|\| Ben Ali (L) and Swiss President Schmid listen to UN Secretary-General Annan during the closing session. (Reuters) TUNIS, November 19, 2005 (IslamOnline.net & News Agencies) – The World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS), which ended Friday, November 18, with a pledge to expand the availability of the Internet, has turned the spotlight onto a dispute about censorship. "The objective of this summit is to have an equitable information society where everybody can have access to information, can create information" and also disseminate it, said Yoshio Utsumi, head of the UN's International Telecommunications Union (ITU), reported Agence France-Presse (AFP). Chinese vice premier Huang Ju told the summit that some Internet restrictions were warranted to protect the state, although China wanted to "guarantee freedom of speech." "For the Internet, we need effective measures to fight against criminal acts using this technology as well as economic fraud, violence, terrorism and anything that harms state security," he said. China recently obliged Internet search engine Yahoo to hand over data that would allow it to track down a journalist who was critical of the authorities. The summit drew to a close Friday with a pledge to drive the IT revolution into poor countries and promote the expansion of the Internet. After attracting 176 countries and more than 17,000 participants, the three-day event endorsed a "Tunis Commitment", and a "Tunis Agenda for the Information Society". The three-day event also saw an agreement to broaden discussions about control of the Internet over the next five years. National Security Guise Ebadi attends a meeting with human rights activists in Tunis, who went on hunger strike. (Reuters) Tunisian President Zine el Abidine Ben Ali also denounced the use of the Internet in a manner that "destabilized national security, shook confidence and created a credibility problem." But Nobel peace prize laureate Shirin Ebadi, who was invited to the summit as a representative for civil society groups, used her keynote speech to launch a warning about the dangers of censorship. "Certain governments in the name of national security, combating moral corruption... install filters to the Internet... preventing people from having access to the information they need and to have their voice heard outside," the Iranian lawyer and activist said. "Even worse, they tend to suppress authors who express any kind of criticism of their governments," she added, calling for a UN-supervised committee to monitor such suppression. The French press freedom group Reporters sans Frontiers (RSF) unfurled a banner at the summit condemning 15 countries labelled "enemies of the Internet". "We wanted to show the black holes of the Web," said RSF spokesman Jean-Francois Julliard, underlining the power that authorities have over Internet access providers. The group listed Belarus, China, Cuba, Iran, Libya, the Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, North Korea, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Turkmenistan, Tunisia, Uzbekistan and Vietnam. 'Illegitimate Summit' Ben Ali came under harsh criticism over his country's poor rights record. (Reuters) The Tunisian leader faced a vitriol from rights groups like Amnesty International for his country's poor rights record, saying that Tunis was an "unlikely sitting" for the UN summit. \|\|\|\|\| TUNIS, Tunisia--A civil liberties watchdog made headlines three years ago when it named Tunisian President Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali a "predator of press freedom." described After Tunisia was chosen to host a high-profile Internet summit, though, Ben Ali pledged to halt practicesby Human Rights Watch as "constant and credible reports of torture" used on Tunisians who publicly criticize the government. Ben Ali's administration distributed brochures to all attendees of the United Nations' World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) here this week stressing that press freedom is respected. An official government history says "Ben Ali made Tunisia a pioneer country in the protection of human rights." That hasn't exactly happened. French journalist Christophe Boltanski, who had arrived early to write about Ben Ali's civil-liberties record, was stabbed in an assault by four men and not aided by nearby police. On Thursday, Tunisian police barred the head of Reporters Without Borders from exiting the plane to attend WSIS. Political and sex-themed Web sites continue to be blocked. Yezzi.org , created last month as an online demonstration against Ben Ali's regime, says it was blocked 18 hours after its launch. Human Rights Watch said in a new report that e-mail accounts and Internet cafes are strictly controlled and encryption is banned. CNET News.com interviewed Sean O'Siochru, coordinator of a non-profit called Communication Rights in the Information Society based in Dublin, Ireland. Q: You've followed this situation closely. Would you call President Ben Ali a " predator of press freedom ?" O'Siochru: I've worked in Turkmenistan. If you want to see the worst press predators, go there. Tunisia isn't even the worst Arab country. But there is no question that the human rights situation here is very bad. It became worse in the time leading up to the summit. We had hoped that the country would have made a serious effort in advance. How has the WSIS summit addressed online civil liberties? O'Siochru: We would have hoped that a world summit on the information society would underline and strengthen those human rights that specially relate to the dissemination of information. We have not found--in fact you will find no instance of where the existing human rights that relate to the Internet have been strengthened thanks to WSIS. At least they haven't been weakened. One would have hoped that you could bring United Nations' Universal Declaration of Human Rights into the Information Age. Freedom of information applies to the Internet. Access to information applies. So you were trying to get the WSIS delegates to mention that the Declaration applies to the Internet, and you couldn't? O'Siochru: There was opposition to reaffirming it. The human rights language that was included in the declaration has not been translated into the "action plan" that has been emerging. That would ensure that in cyberspace, human rights are (included in the declaration). Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe yesterday told delegates, to much applause, that there was too much free speech on the Internet. Is this symptomatic of the WSIS summit? I don't think it translated on the practical level. This is only fluff. It's rhetoric. It's to be expected. That wasn't followed up with specific action. What's the mood been like here for civil liberties groups? O'Siochru: There have been incidents inside and outside (WSIS). Probably the most important thing	The World Summit on the Information Society, organized by the International Telecommunication Union, concluded on Friday evening, November 18th, in Tunis, the capital of the north African nation of Tunisia. The event's organizers intended for the event to "put into motion" the plan for Internet financing and governance developed at the 2003 WSIS summit in Geneva, Switzerland. The summit was marred by criticism of Tunisia for allowing attacks on journalists and human rights defenders to occur in the days leading up to the event. A French journalist for "Libération" was stabbed and beaten by unidentified men after he reported on local human rights protesters. A Belgian television crew was harassed and forced to hand over footage of Tunisian dissidents, while local human rights defenders were roughed up and prevented from organising a meeting with international civil society groups. A representative from the French media watchdog Reporters Without Borders, Robert Menard, was prevented from disembarking from his Air France flight to Tunis to attend the summit. ''Expression Under Repression panel at WSIS in Tunis.Source: Rebecca MacKinnon'' During the event, representatives from the Global Voices project were menaced by the Tunisian police as they held their session on "Expression Under Repression." Speaking at the session were Rebecca MacKinnon, Ethan Zuckerman, Nart Villeneuve, Taurai Maduna, Isaac Mao, and Hossein Derakshan, among others. The interaction with the Tunisian police is related by Amanda Michel of the Berkman Center with the description from an attendee as, "Before the break, a phalanx of secret police (ie scary guys in dark suits) showed up. They filled the hall outside the room, forcing cancellation of the break for fear that we'd not be allowed to re-start." Nicholas Negroponte demonstrated the first working prototype of his $100 laptop.
NEW YORK (BNO NEWS) — New York Governor David Paterson signed an executive order on Wednesday, declaring a state of emergency to further combat the spread of swine flu, health officials said on Thursday. “H1N1 flu is widespread and as a result we’ve had at least 75 known deaths,” said Claire Pospisil, a spokeswoman for the New York State Department of Health. Pospisil said the executive order also enables the state to increase the number of people who are allowed to administer vaccines, such as dentists. Asked if people should be more worried because of the state of emergency for swine flu, Pospisil said, “no, I don’t think so. It helps us to be more prepared.” At least 75 people in New York state have died from the virus, which the World Health Organization (WHO) declared a pandemic. In the last week, three more adult deaths were associated with the H1N1 flu in the state (excluding New York City). Of the fatalities, two were between the age of 50 and 64. The third person was 65 years or over. Pospisil said the virus continues to spread. \|\|\|\|\| Gov. David A. Paterson declared a state of emergency Thursday, in a move intended to combat a rising tide of swine flu in some parts of the state by expanding the ranks of health care professionals who can administer flu vaccines. In a six-page emergency proclamation, the governor declared “that a disaster has occurred throughout New York State, for which the affected local governments are unable to respond adequately.” The order is needed to suspend provisions of state law that determine who is authorized to administer vaccinations, and where they may be given. Citing a shortage of nurses, and the potential for the H1N1 virus to disrupt businesses and schools, the order expands the ranks of those authorized to give the vaccine to physician assistants, dentists, dental hygienists with anesthesia certificates, pharmacists, midwives and podiatrists. They would be permitted to give both the swine flu and the seasonal flu vaccine at state-approved locations after brief training. The order also allows school-based health centers that serve children to administer flu vaccines to adults, and it ensures that the vaccinations may be given during school hours if necessary. It also suspends strict rules requiring consent for the vaccine to be recorded in writing, which health care and hospital workers complained had slowed down the administration of the vaccine. The executive order attributes at least 75 deaths in New York State to swine flu since the virus was first detected last April. Tracking by the State Department of Health suggests that while some areas, like New York City, that had high rates of swine flu in the spring are showing very little sickness during the fall wave, others, like the north, central and western parts of the state, are showing a stronger second wave. The governor’s order comes on the heels of President Obama’s Oct. 23 declaration of a national emergency, which was required to permit hospital emergency rooms to treat flu patients outside the emergency room, and which was a response to widespread swine flu activity across 46 states. About 10 million New Yorkers fall into the priority groups — including pregnant women, children, people with chronic health conditions and caretakers of babies — for the vaccine, including 4.3 million in New York City, state health officials said. Officials said delivery of the vaccine, which has been hampered by manufacturing delays, continues to be slow, with 460,300 doses available so far to the state outside of New York City. New York City has 718,000 doses, city officials said. Nine other states have already taken or are about to take similar emergency action, New York officials said. \|\|\|\|\| The AP reported that New York Gov. David Paterson has "declared a state of emergency because of the rise in swine flu cases."The executive order released by Patterson allows more health care professionals to administer vaccines after getting only brief training. Dentists are included. The executive order was required in order to suspend provisions of state law.According to the AP, the executive order "says at least 75 deaths in the state have been attributed to the swine flu."Officials in the state indicate that the number of vaccine doses is being increased. Due to the federal government's making more vaccine doses available, New York is ordering twice as many doses as a week ago. This trend is expected to continue. \|\|\|\|\| New York Gov. David Paterson has declared a state of emergency because of the rise in swine flu cases. The executive order means that far more health care professionals - including dentists - will be permitted to administer vaccines with only brief training. The order is needed to suspend provisions of state law. State officials say the number of vaccine doses is also being increased. The federal government is ramping up availability of the vaccine, allowing the state to order twice as many doses as a week ago, a trend that's expected to continue. The executive order obtained by The Associated Press says at least 75 deaths in the state have been attributed to the swine flu.	According to US health officials, New York state governor David Paterson has declared a state of emergency in the state as a result of the H1N1 swine flu outbreak. The Associated Press news agency reports that the six-page declaration was issued because at least 75 people have died of H1N1 related illnesses in New York since April. Three have died from H1N1 related illnesses just this past week. The declaration also says that human cases of the virus are on the rise. Paterson says he issued the declaration because "a disaster has occurred throughout New York State, for which the affected local governments are unable to respond adequately." The declaration will allow health officials more access to the H1N1 vaccine and the seasonal flu shot. It will also allow for an increase in the number of vaccine doses available in the state and will allow more health care facilities to administer the vaccine, including dentists and pharmacists. Schools with health centers will also be allowed to administer both vaccines. Despite the declaration, officials stressed that there is no reason to worry. A spokeswoman for the New York State Department of Health, Claire Pospisil, said that "it the declaration helps us to be more prepared." The order came shortly after US president Barack Obama declared a national emergency last Saturday, a response to the spreading of the virus, which has now been circulated in 46 states.
* Technical talks centre on fine print of possible pact * Silence in Geneva, optimism in Moscow about "START 2" * Obama's visit to Russia could give push to accord By Robert Evans GENEVA, June 3 U.S. and Russian officials on Wednesday wrapped up three days of technical talks about a possible new pact on cutting stockpiles of ageing nuclear weapons left over from the Cold War. Although neither side in Geneva would comment on the discussions, the negotiations ended amid cautiously optimistic signs from Moscow that an accord replacing the cornerstone 1991 Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START 1) could be ready soon. "The current three-day round of talks on an agreement to replace the START treaty has concluded in Geneva," said a statement from the U.S. diplomatic mission. "The talks are over, that is all that can be said," said a Russian official. Russian sources said the five working sessions concentrated on ways to assess stockpiles of the weapons that once threatened to plunge the world into nuclear conflict but were partly mothballed after 1991. "The full-scale discussions will now go back to the major negotiators in Moscow and Washington," said one source. Kremlin spokeswoman Natalya Timakova told reporters in Moscow on Tuesday that it was not excluded that at least an outline deal could be wrapped up in time for a visit to Moscow by U.S. President Barack Obama on July 6-8. U.S. and Russian negotiators, who have been working on a new START accord for over a year with little sign of movement until Obama replaced former president George W. Bush in January, are working against a year-end deadline. START 1 -- which came as the culmination of the major thaw in U.S.-Soviet relations initiated by Kremlin leader Mikhail Gorbachev and President Ronald Reagan of the United States in the late 1980s -- runs out on December 5. Although diplomats say it is highly unlikely that either power would abandon its provisions, completion of a START 2 would be seen as heralding a warming of the frosty relations between them during much of the Bush presidency. In Moscow, Obama is to have his first face-to-face talks with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev. Both have said a new deal should provide for arsenal reductions to below the 1,700 to 2,200 warhead limit set for 2012 under an interim 2002 treaty. But Russia has warned that the United States must allay its concerns over Washington plans conceived under Bush to station elements of an anti-missile system in Poland and the Czech Republic, once part of the old Soviet empire. Bush officials said the system would provide a shield against rockets fired by what it saw as rogue states, like Iran, but Russia argues it could be used to underpin nuclear blackmail against Moscow by a more hard-line U.S. administration. (Editing by Richard Balmforth) \|\|\|\|\| This month provided plenty of food for thought for the Russian press. The most noise came from the long-awaited Eurovision contest, which was the most expensive in the history of the event. Emotions flared over its participants and political significance, particularly in Russia. Also, with Barack Obama’s Moscow visit imminent, many are questioning transatlantic relations in a security context. The tabloid Moskovsky Komsomolets notes that “the British people have never had great respect for politicians… People’s reaction to their elected representatives’ behaviour is not so much disappointment as blatant anger. There’s particular indignation at the fact that they’ve been ‘living it up’ during the dark days of a crisis.” The independent Kommersant quotes political observer John Ball: “When so many MPs turn out to be involved in something so unethical, people begin to doubt the integrity not just of individual MPs but of parliament as an institution.” The Russian papers are covering the British scandal without any sense of Schadenfreude, and indeed, probably with a touch of envy at the fact that the misdeeds are being widely publicised. As one Moskovsky Komsomolets reader ironically put it: “At last! They’ve got the same problem! What joy!” In the last few days Izvestia has been publishing extensive information about how freely Russian government officials spend taxpayers’ money: “Neither the crisis nor appeals for stringent economies by the President and the Prime Minister have taught our officials anything. Many of them continue to spend taxpayers’ money on luxury items or unnecessary purchases, laying on festivities and banquets costing up to 32m roubles ($1m).” Many examples are cited, including “three chandeliers costing a total of 1.2m roubles for the parliament of Kabardino-Balkaria, a Russian republic in the North Caucasus dependent from top to bottom on state subsidies. Staff of the head of the Republic of Kalmykia, in southern Russia, ordered curtains worth 721,000 roubles for themselves, and then a further 1.4m roubles’ worth last autumn.” Eurovision: worth its weight in gold The Moscow Eurovision was the most expensive in the history of the contest, says Novye Izvestia, pointing out this was at the height of the economic crisis. “Moscow splashed out in an unprecedented way on this contest,” the paper says. “In 2006 Greece spent 12m euros, and last year Serbia limited it to 9.3m euros. Russia’s hospitality exceeded all conceivable limits: we’re talking about as much as 30m [euros].” If we take into account the rouble’s recent substantial fall, it means the costs are another 50pc on top of that, Novye Izvestia calculates. Kommersant reckons Eurovision is a strange event. On the one hand the contest claims to be the biggest event in European cultural life, but on the other hand the number of winners who’ve gone on to become serious artists is not just low, but laughably so. In the 53 years the festival has been running, there have been just two: ABBA (35 years ago) and Celine Dion (21 years ago). The paper goes on to note: “With the possible exception of Ukraine, no country has taken hosting the Eurovision final as seriously as Russia. The event was virtually on a par with the Olympics or the Champions League final. The arrival of Prime Minister Vladimir Putin at Moscow’s Olympic stadium was unprecedented. Probably only the leadership of Ukraine has ever shown more serious interest in the contest: in 2005 in Kiev it was President Viktor Yushchenko himself who presented the prize to Greece’s Helena Paparizou.” The national security strategy gets everybody talking Russian newspapers have taken a close look at the Russia’s national security strategy to 2020 approved recently by President Dmitry Medvedev and come up with conflicting views. The state news agency RIA Novosti notes “the West’s reaction of near panic to the section dealing with strategic assessment of Russia’s place in the world and the threats facing it, which does not rule out using military force in possible future raw material conflicts on Russia’s borders.” “Despite the fact that the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs made it clear Russia does not plan to use military force in the Arctic shelf, Moscow stated it would defend its interests in the Arctic ‘to the end’,” wrote the independent newspaper Rossiya. Moskovsky Komsomolets has its own view: “The way it deals with Russia’s security is completely clear – but unintelligible.” The paper finds the document lacking specific detail: “Kremlin analysts have given a very accurate ‘diagnosis’: the list of risks threatening Russia could be called accurate. Where they are less successful is in ‘writing the prescription’: instead of specific ways of avoiding strategic misfortune, the document offers words that may be right and fine-sounding but nevertheless are only general. Major powers usually expect a national security strategy to include plans for the future: what the country specifically needs to do to avoid geopolitical snares. But this new document has nothing to say about that.” Start treaty talks A round of Russian-US disarmament talks – the first for seven years – took place in Moscow on May 19–20. The aim is to prepare a new Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (Start 2) to replace Start 1, which expires in December. Gazeta quotes the view of the political observer Sergey Karaganov, who believes that “reducing nuclear capacities does not really benefit Russia, since the USA is significantly ahead of it in conventional nonnuclear arms”. Izvestiya, quoting experts, says that under the future treaty “nuclear capacities are reduced to 1,500 or 1,300 warheads. Carrier systems will also go under the knife of these reduction talks, together with the ‘surplus’ nuclear warheads. An institute for joint monitoring of the treaty’s implementation will also be set up.” What might invalidate all the efforts of the negotiators is the American missile defence system in eastern Europe. Vremya Novostey is sure that “Moscow will try to link the Start treaty with the issue of the American missile defence system deployment in Europe. And if Barack Obama’s administration fails to reconsider the George Bush administration’s plans to deploy a third tier of missile defences in the Czech Republic and Poland, it will effectively become impossible to conclude a new Start treaty.”	The Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START I) between the Soviet Union and the United States was signed on July 31, 1991 and is due to expire at the end of this year. It aims at drastically reducing the amount of nuclear weapons left after the cold war. The two nuclear powers began their second round of technical discussions in Geneva, Switzerland, on Monday. After three days, the talks ended without any declarations. Between May 19 and 21, the first discussions were held in Moscow and, according to the Russian ITAR-TASS news agency, citing Russian officials, were "constructive and successful." The talks focused mainly on the U.S's proposed missile defense system which would place a large amount of nuclear weapons is Eastern Europe. For now, the U.S. has delayed the project. U.S. President Barack Obama and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev will meet in July to further discuss the matter and, according to a White House Official, try to sign a new treaty by December 5, 2009. However, Russia Now says, quoting ''Vremya Novostei'', that "Moscow will try to link the Start treaty with the issue of the American missile defense system deployment in Europe." If the Obama administration does not reconsider the deployment, "it will effectively become impossible to conclude a new Start treaty." Top Russian general Nikolai Makarov said that there would be no reduction in nuclear missiles until the proposed nuclear defense shield in Eastern Europe is clarified. The U.S claims that the proposed shield is meant to protect Europe from a nuclear attack by Iran. "As long as the situation in the world, including the U.S. missile shield plan, remains unclear, we will not alter our nuclear arsenal," Makarov said.
Famed East German actor, jailed by Nazis for communist sympathies, dies at 101 BERLIN: Erwin Geschonneck, a German actor who spent years in Nazi concentration camps for his communist sympathies and went on to star in scores of East German films, died Wednesday, the country's Academy of Arts said. He was 101. Geschonneck's "engaging artistic and political efforts were recognized with the highest international acclaim for decades," the organization said in a statement. It said that the biography of Geschonnek, who died at his Berlin apartment, "is a window into a century of German history." Geschonneck, the son of a cobbler, was born in East Prussia on Dec. 27, 1906 and grew up in Berlin. He joined the Communist party in 1919, and spent years with theater groups that performed agitprop, with workers' choirs and in a young people's theater. He made his big-screen debut in 1931 as an extra in Slatan Dudows' "Kuhle Wampe" — a film about unemployment in the Weimar Republic written by famed playwright and director Bertolt Brecht. After the Nazis came to power in 1933, Geschonneck went into exile in the Soviet Union, settling in Odessa — where he worked in a German-language collective theater until he was expelled in 1938. He ended up in Prague, where he was arrested by the SS in 1939 after the Nazis took over, then thrown into the Sachsenhausen concentration camp outside Berlin. During the war, he was also imprisoned in the Dachau and Neuengamme camps. Just days before the end of the war, he was being transported aboard the Cap Arcona — a prewar luxury liner that had been commandeered by the German navy — along with some 4,000 other concentration camp inmates when it was sunk by the Royal Air Force in the Baltic. Many of those who were not killed in the attack were gunned down by the SS as they tried to swim ashore. Geschonneck was one of 350 who survived, and his story would be later made into the 1982 East German television film "Der Mann von der Cap Arcona" — "The Man of the Cap Arcona" — in which he also acted. After the war, Geschonneck resumed acting in 1946 in Hamburg in the theater, and also took on several supporting film roles. In 1949, he moved to East Berlin and joined Brecht's Berliner Ensemble theater troupe, where he gained national attention starring as "Matti" in an acclaimed production of "Mr. Puntila and his Man Matti." He acted in his first film for DEFA — East Germany's state-run film agency — in 1950 and later that decade decided to concentrate all of his efforts on the screen, despite Brecht's objections. He rose to become one of East Germany's best-known actors with scores of films to his credit, and won several awards for his work. He also became vice president of the country's film and television federation. After the reunification of Germany, he was awarded with the national "Filmband in Gold" prize in 1993. He acted in his last film, "Matulla und Busch," in 1995 under the direction of his son, Matti Geschonneck. \|\|\|\|\| German actor survived camps, starred in scores of films Erwin Geschonneck, a German actor who spent years in Nazi concentration camps for his communist sympathies and went on to star in scores of East German films, died Wednesday, the country's Academy of Arts said. He was 101. Mr. Geschonneck's "engaging artistic and political efforts were recognized with the highest international acclaim for decades," the organization said in a statement. It said that the biography of Mr. Geschonneck, who died at his Berlin apartment, "is a window into a century of German history." Mr. Geschonneck, the son of a cobbler, was born in East Prussia on Dec. 27, 1906, and grew up in Berlin. He joined the Communist Party in 1919 and spent years with theater groups that performed agitprop, with workers' choirs and in a young people's theater. He made his big- screen debut in 1931 as an extra in Slatan Dudows' Kuhle Wampe, a film about unemployment in the Weimar Republic written by famed playwright and director Bertolt Brecht. After the Nazis rose to power in 1933, Geschonneck went into exile in the Soviet Union, settling in Odessa where he worked in a German-language collective theater until he was expelled in 1938. He ended up in Prague, where he was arrested by the SS in 1939 after the Nazis took over, then thrown into the Sachsenhausen concentration camp outside Berlin. During the war, he also was imprisoned in the Dachau and Neuengamme camps. Just days before the end of the war, he was being transported aboard the Cap Arcona - a prewar luxury liner that had been commandeered by the German navy - along with about 4,000 other concentration camp inmates when it was sunk by the Royal Air Force in the Baltic. Many of those who were not killed in the attack were gunned down by the SS as they tried to swim ashore. Mr. Geschonneck was one of 350 who survived, and his story later would be made into the 1982 East German television film Der Mann von der Cap Arcona - "The Man of the Cap Arcona" - in which he also acted. Mr. Geschonneck resumed acting in 1946 in Hamburg in the theater and also took on several supporting film roles. In 1949, he moved to East Berlin and joined Brecht's Berliner Ensemble theater troupe, where he gained national attention. He acted in his first film for DEFA - East Germany's state-run film agency - in 1950 and later decided to concentrate all of his efforts on the screen, rising to become one of East Germany's best-known actors with scores of films to his credit. He won several awards for his work.	Erwin Geschonneck, German actor died Wednesday. He was 101. His biggest success occurred in the German Democratic Republic, where he was considered one of the most famous actors of the time. He was born on December 27, 1906 in Bartenstein, Germany. In 1938, he was arrested in Prague and was imprisoned in several concentration camps. In 1945, Geschonneck was evacuated from the concentration camp Neuengamme on the boat Cap Arcona, which was subsequently attacked by the RAF and sunk. He was one of the few prisoners who survived. Immediately following the war, Geschonneck acted in theaters in Hamburg, Germany, and made his film debut in 1947 in ''In jenen Tagen''. His last movie, made in 1995 for the German television network ARD, was "Matulla und Busch", where he played alongside veteran actor Fred Delmare. Geschonneck's son, Matti Geschonneck, directed.
Sarah Telford United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) In a world awash with data, aid workers contend with gaps With nearly 168 million people in need of humanitarian assistance in 2020 -- the highest figure in decades -- there is no time, or data, to lose \|\|\|\|\| New York, July 27, 2005The National Communications Councilknown by its French acronym CNCauthorized independent radio station Radio Publique Africaine to resume broadcasting as of today, after police shuttered it on Friday in a standoff over news content. President Domitien Ndayizeye also named a new CNC, following the resignation yesterday of its former chairman Jean Pierre Manda. The new CNC will be headed by a former journalist and will include RPA's deputy director Jean-Marie Hicuburundi. Hicuburundi told the Committee to Protect Journalists that RPA wants an official inventory of equipment before it goes back on air, to ensure that there is no loss or damage to its property as a result of the forced closure. He said the station nevertheless expects to be back on air shortly. The CNC had ordered RPA closed indefinitely on July 15, due to allegations of biased election coverage and insulting the council. RPA director Alexis Sinduhije, a 2004 recipient of CPJ's International Press Freedom Award, initially defied the ban, saying it was unjust. The following week RPA agreed to close the station for 48 hours on the understanding that the CNC would lift the ban immediately afterwards. However, the CNC failed to lift the ban. RPA resumed broadcasting on Thursday, July 21, and police moved in the following day. \|\|\|\|\| Burundi 27 July 2005 Radio station allowed to resume broadcasting Reporters Without Borders hailed a decision today by the National Commission for Communication to allow the privately-owned radio station Radio Publique Africaine (RPA) to resume broadcasting. The head of the CNC, Jean-Pierre Manda, meanwhile submitted his resignation yesterday to President Domitien Ndayizeye in order to scotch rumours that he had been settling a personal score when he ordered RPA’s closure. RPA manager Alexis Sinduhije said the station would not resume broadcasting today because he needed to verify that all the equipment was there after several days of forced closure. He welcomed Manda’s resignation and said he hoped his successor would "really help the Burundian press to progress." 25. 07. 05 Police close radio station, briefly arrest eight journalists Reporters Without Borders today condemned the closure of a privately-owned radio station, Radio Publique Africaine (RPA), by police on 22 July and the arrest of eight of its journalists for several hours. The station had reopened the previous day after suspending its broadcasts on 19 and 20 July at the behest of the National Commission for Communication (CNC). "It is shocking that the authorities sent armed police to close the station’s premises and arrest journalists," the organisation said, deploring the CNC’s failure to respect its commitment to let the station reopen. Police said it was President Domitien Ndayizeye who gave the orders to close the station on 22 July. The day after the raid, the president received representatives of journalists’ associations who are trying to mediate between the CNC and RPA. The president’s spokesman subsequently said RPA would be able to reopen soon. The head of a local press watchdog, Abbot Emmanuel Muyehe, said the station would be able to resume broadcasting this week. The CNC ordered RPA’s indefinite closure on 14 July for failing to respect "pluralism"in its coverage of municipal and legislative elections on 3 and 4 July. The station was above all accused of failing to give live coverage of the meetings held by the president’s party, the Front for the Defence of Democracy in Burundi (FRODEBU). \|\|\|\|\| LES DESSOUS DU CONFLIT ENTRE LA RADIO RPA ET LA PRESIDENCE Par Gratien Rukindikiza Burundi news, le 23 juillet 2005 L’histoire est souvent mal expliquée. Les origines des conflits se trouvent là où les historiens n’explorent pas. Des conflits sanglants ont été déclenchés à la suite de désaccords entre deux individus. Le cours de l’histoire peut être modifié en raison de la jalousie entre deux hommes. Le conflit entre le Président Ndayizeye et Alexis Sinduhije, directeur de la RPA est un véritable roman. Tout part d’un coup de fil de Bujumbura à Kinshasa dont le contenu mène aux gendarmes commandés par le colonel Mushwabure qui enfoncent la porte de la radio RPA sans mandat de perquisition. Incroyable mais vrai, Alexis Sinduhije a un conflit personnel avec le Président Ndayizeye et ce dernier a juré de se venger. Pendant la campagne d’explication de la constitution, le Président Ndayizeye avait besoin des médias pour faire accepter au peuple l’idée de se faire élire. Il a compris que la RPA occupe une place importante et qu’elle est écoutée par la population. Il voulait avoir un autre mandat, d’une part pour être un Président élu et d’autre part pour bien finir son building. Il fallait contacter Alexis Sinduhije, directeur de la RPA pour lui faire la campagne. Or, Sinduhije était à Kinshasa au Congo. Le Président a pris l’affaire au sérieux et a téléphoné lui-même Alexis Sinduhije à Kinshasa. La conversation téléphonique a tourné au bras de fer. Le Président Ndayizeye demandait à Sinduhije de faire sa campagne pour que le peuple accepte d’avaler la pilule amère de violer la constitution en se faisant élire, contrairement aux accords d’Arusha. Alexis Sinduhije n’est pas passé par quatre chemins et lui a dit catégoriquement non, que les accords prévoient qu’il doit partir. Le Président Ndayizeye lui a dit, je le cite : « Tu refuses de m’ aider, je ne t’aiderai pas quand tu en auras besoin ». La suite a été comme un divorce. Tout projet de la RPA est bloqué sur ordre de la Présidence. C’est notamment le projet d’extension de la radio à Ngozi. Le Conseil National de la Communication dirigé par un homme qui n’a jamais fait le journalisme a toujours suivi à la lettre les instructions du Président. Outre ce refus de faire la campagne pour le Président Ndayizeye, Sinduhije est « accusé » par le Président et son entourage d’être proche du CNDD-FDD. Comme il a refusé de l’aider, il est considéré comme proche de ce parti qui vient de gagner. Il ne reste qu’à punir ce peuple burundais qui a voté pour le CNDD-FDD. La défaite du Frodebu qui a provoqué une dépression de notre cher dictateur Président n’a pas arrangé les choses. La faute est aux électeurs « qui ne savent pas voter », la faute est à la RPA qui a favorisé la victoire du CNDD-FDD pour avoir couvert en direct un ou deux meetings du CNDD-FDD, bref la faute est à tout le monde, vous et nous. La victime choisie est la RPA. Le Président a demandé à Jean Pierre Manda de fermer la radio et le CNC a pris la mesure de fermeture. La RPA a refusé de fermer la radio. Le Président a demandé à l’armée de couper le canal d’émission de la radio RPA. Par malheur, notre pauvre Président a essuyé un refus. L’armée lui a dit que la RPA a payé son utilisation de la fréquence et qu’elle n’a pas violé les secrets défense. Le matin du 22 juillet, le Président s’est alors adressé au directeur général de la police le général de brigade Bunyoni pour exécuter un ordre de fermeture de la RPA. Bunyoni a refusé, son adjoint a refusé aussi. Il s’est tourné vers le commissaire chargé des opérations de maintien de l’ordre. Ce dernier lui a dit qu’il doit recevoir des ordres de son hiérarchie. Le Président s’est retrouvé l’après-midi avec des refus de tout ce qu’il a comme forces de sécurité. Il a lors haussé le ton en menaçant qu’il ne sera pas Président si Bunyoni refuse de fermer la RPA. Le général de Brigade Bunyoni a finalement cédé en donnant l’ordre au colonel Mushwabure, commandant du district de Bujumbura. Ce dernier a accepté les ordres et s’est mis dans l’illégalité transmise en chaîne. Il a enfoncé la porte de la RPA sans aucun mandat de perquisition. Certains se demandent comment le Président s’est arrangé pour ordonner une intervention contre une radio sans un mandat d’un procureur. Aurait-il essuyé un refus du procureur aussi ? Du coup de fil du Président à Sinduhije à Kinshasa, nous en arrivons à un comportement digne des dictateurs du temps de Mobutu. A part la fermeture de la RPA, le Président avait dit à Sinduhije que si le Frodebu gagne les élections, Sinduhije sera obligé de se réfugier à l’étranger. Pour la première fois, un Président menace un citoyen de le faire quitter le pays. Du jamais vu !!! Heureusement, le Frodebu a perdu. Le peuple est conscient de la dangerosité du Frodebu. Le Frodebu a perdu et Sinduhije reste au Burundi. Vivement qu’il quitte le pouvoir ce dictateur Président ! \|\|\|\|\| 22 July 2005 “Burundi has shown how mature and vibrant its electoral system is, as it has enabled 3.2 million voters to make their choice very transparently and freely, with a high degree of responsibility,” the head of the electoral unit at the UN Operation in Burundi (ONUB), Seck Ahmedou El Becaye, told a news briefing in Bujumbura, the capital. “When I arrived in Burundi a year ago, things were very difficult as concerns election planning. Today, we can be genuinely satisfied with what has been achieved and I am very convinced that Burundi is teaching Central Africa a lesson. This is no exaggeration,” he added. Mr. Seck congratulated the Burundian media “which, through remarkable harmony, masterfully played its role of democratic watchdog by helping Burundians to allay their fears and go to the polls.” He noted the role of arbitrator played by the international community which unanimously praised the conduct of the recent legislative and communal elections and “has continually encouraged Burundi to build on and consolidate this achievement.” Presidential elections are to be held on 19 August. ONUB, which was set up last year, has some 5,500 military personnel in the country, which has some 6 million inhabitants, and a mandate that includes helping with electoral activities and institutional reforms. \|\|\|\|\| New York, July 22, 2005The Committee to Protect Journalists is deeply shocked about today's closure of independent radio station Radio Publique Africaine. The closure took place despite an earlier compromise deal between the authorities and RPA, local sources said. RPA fell silent around 5 p.m. local time as a large group of police broke into the station compound, padlocked its studios, and cut off its transmitter. It was not immediately clear if any RPA staff had been arrested, although one journalist told CPJ in a brief phone call, "they are taking us to the police station." The National Communications Councilknown by its French acronym CNCordered RPA indefinitely closed last Friday, July 15, alleging that its recent election coverage was biased and that it had insulted the council. RPA director Alexis Sinduhije, a 2004 recipient of the Committee to Protect Journalists' International Press Freedom Award, denied the council's allegation of bias and said the station would defy the ban. On Tuesday, however, RPA agreed to close for 48 hours, following a compromise deal mediated by the Association of Burundian Journalists (ABJ), the Association of Radio Broadcasters, and the Burundian Press Observatory, a self-regulatory body for the profession. Mediators said that as part of the compromise, the CNC had agreed to lift the ban at the end of the 48 hours. RPA resumed broadcasting Thursday morning and continued until police moved in. According to CPJ sources, orders to send in the police came from the office of President Domitien Ndayizeye, whose FRODEBU party lost to the former rebel movement CNDD-FDD in recent municipal and parliamentary elections. The CNC did not issue any statements on the matter, local sources said "CPJ is outraged at the Burundian authorities' failure to deliver on their promise," CPJ Executive Director Ann Cooper said. "We call on President Ndayizeye to ensure that RPA can resume broadcasting immediately, allowing journalists to work freely without fear of reprisal." Read more information about CPJ award winner Alexis Sinduhije. \|\|\|\|\| Turnout on Monday was not as high as last month, but "acceptable" The FDD won 58%, with President Domitien Ndayizeye's Frodebu party coming second with 22%, they say. The FDD has said it wants to tackle poverty and promote reconciliation after 12 years of ethnic conflict between the Tutsi-led army and rebels. The MPs choose a new president in August, tipped to be FDD leader Pierre Nkurunziza, an ex-university lecturer. Correspondents say the FDD has more Tutsi officials than other mainly Hutu parties and Burundians hope this will mean they can reduce tension between the two communities. NATIONAL ASSEMBLY FDD - 59 seats Frodebu - 24 seats Uprona - 10 seats Others - 7 seats The last time a Hutu won presidential elections, in 1993, the Tutsi-led army staged a coup but correspondents say this is not likely now, as African leaders would not tolerate a military takeover. No intimidation The polling was largely peaceful with turnout put at 65%. The main party representing the Tutsi minority, Uprona, came in third place. Former rebel leader Pierre Nkurunziza (l) is expected to be Burundi's next leader Reports of fraud were "not sufficient... to affect the overall result", she told a press conference. There had also been no complaints of intimidation, which was encouraging, she said. Astere Kana, a spokesman for Burundi's independent electoral commission, said the voting had "ended peacefully". Many voters had feared attacks by the FNL, Burundi's last active Hutu rebel group. During last month's polls, it was blamed for a series of shootings and grenade attacks. Power shared Polling stations were guarded on Monday by Burundian security forces and UN troops. A Burundian soldier was slightly injured when a hand grenade exploded in the capital, Bujumbura, as ballots were being counted, Burundi's deputy police chief Col Helmenegilde Mimenya told the AFP news agency. The BBC's Rob Walker in Bujumbura says the elections mark a fundamental shift of power in Burundi. For much of the time since independence, control of the state has been in the hands of a narrow Tutsi elite. Now, after a peace process lasting five years, Burundians are finally voting to a elect a new assembly in which power will be shared. Forty per cent of the seats in the 100-member assembly are reserved for the Tutsi minority and 60% for Hutus.	180px One of Burundi's most popular radio stations, "Radio Publique Africain", has been allowed to re-open. RPA was forcibly shut down on Friday July 22, allegedly on the orders of President Domitien Ndayizeye. The move came just a day after RPA resumed broadcasting, having observed an earlier two-day ban, following a disagreement with Burundi's "National Communications Council" (CNC). The CNC had accused RPA of giving disproportionate coverage to the opposition FDD party, who heavily defeated Ndayizeye's FRODEBU party in last month's national elections. Ndayizeye is due to relinquish power in August. The radio station's Director, Alexis Sinduhije, had denied the CNC's charges. President Ndayizeye was quoted by BBC monitoring as saying that he had decided to close the radio station to "safeguard the integrity of state institutions." The closure of RPA was condemned in Burundi, where the radio station, founded in 2001 to promote reconciliation between the Hutu and Tutsi ethnic groups, has a wide following. The US-based "Committee to Protect Journalists" led international condemnation of the ban, which Burundi's "Collectif des Professionels des Médias de la Diaspora Burundaise" described as an "abuse of power", setting up an online petition in protest. "The National Council of Communication judged that RPA has respected council sanctions, but we have also allowed the radio to reopen because a lot of people requested it," CNC chairman Jean Pierre Manda told Reuters, earlier this week. Manda has now resigned, although he denies that the move is connected with the row over RPA, and cites "personal reasons". The Committee to Protect Journalists reports that the CNC is to be reformed, with Radio Publique Africain's Deputy Director sitting on the board in future. There is some confusion over when the ban was lifted, with Reporters Sans Frontieres and the Committee to Protect Journalists reporting that it remained in place until Wednesday this week, while Reuters claims that the ban was lifted on Monday. RPA Director Alexis Sinduhije has told Reuters that some of the radio station's material has been destroyed by the Burundian police, and suggested that broadcasting will not resume until a damage inventory has been taken. This week's row is merely the latest manifestation of a long-running personal dispute between President Ndayizeye and the RPA Director Alexis Sinduhije, says journalist Gratien Rukindikiza, writing on the Burundian news website Burundi.news.free.fr. Rukindikiza traces the root of the affair to a telephone call last year in which Ndayizeye tried, unsuccessfully, to persuade Sinduhije to endorse his campaign, through Radio Publique Africain, to amend Burundi's constitution. The amendment would have allowed Ndayizeye to seek a second term in power, in contravention of a 2003 peace agreement.
The bodies of two Canadian soldiers killed earlier this week while serving in Afghanistan are on their way home to Canada. Chief Warrant Officer Robert Girouard was one of two Canadian soldiers killed in a suicide bombing Monday in Afghanistan. (DND-Sgt Ron Hartlen) Hundreds of Canadian, American, Dutch, and British soldiers stood on the Kandhar Airfield Thursday to bid farewell to Cpl. Albert Storm and Chief Warrant Officer Robert Girouard. The two men died Monday in a suicide bomb attack on the outskirts of Kandahar. Armoured vehicles, similar to what the soldiers were in when they died, served as makeshift hearses. A piper played Amazing Grace as the flag-covered coffins were carried onto a Hercules C-130 aircraft for the flight home. The soldiers were killed when their Bison armoured personnel carrier was struck by a car loaded with explosives. They were members of the Royal Canadian Regiment, based in CFB Petawawa, Ont. A number of soldiers offered remembrances of their comrades. Cpl. Albert Storm was killed in a suicide bombing Monday in Afghanistan. (Sgt Ron Hartlen/DND) Cpl. William Guse, a medic, says he's a better soldier for having had Girouard as his platoon warrant officer in battle school. Cpl. Victor Thibault, who served with Storm in Kosovo, says his friend was good-natured, a hard worker, an exceptional soldier and will be missed. The blast, the first deadly attack on Canadians in six weeks, happened in the Panjwaii district of Kandahar province. Most of the more than 2,000 Canadians in Afghanistan are deployed in Kandahar. Panjwaii is considered a Taliban stronghold and has been the scene of fierce fighting between NATO soldiers and Taliban militants in recent months. Forty-four Canadian soldiers and one diplomat have been killed in Afghanistan since the mission began in 2002. With files from the Canadian Press \|\|\|\|\| View larger image Soldiers carry a coffin of a Canadian soldier during a ramp ceremony at Kandahar Airfield for Chief Warrant Officer Bobby Girouard in Afghanistan on Thursday. (CP / Bill Graveland) View larger image Soldiers carry the coffins of Canadian soldiers during a ramp ceremony at Kandahar Airfield on Thursday. (CP / Bill Graveland) Chief Warrant Officer Bobby Girouard, his battalion's regimental sergeant major Cpl. Albert Storm, of the Royal Canadian Regiment based in CFB Petawawa (Canadian Forces / Department of National Defence) Bodies of killed Canadian soldiers returning home CTV.ca News Staff The bodies of two Canadian soldiers killed in a suicide attack last Monday are on their way home from Afghanistan. Hundreds of Canadian, U.S., Dutch and British soldiers attended the ramp ceremony at Kandahar Airfield to pay tribute to Chief Warrant Officer Robert Girouard and Cpl. Albert Storm. The flag of the Royal Canadian Regiment fluttered in the breeze as the two victims were loaded into the belly of a C-130 Hercules. A lone bagpiper played a mournful tune in the background. Both men were killed in a suicide car bombing attack on their Bison armoured personnel carrier near Kadahar. A number of soldiers reflected on the impact that the men had on their lives. Having served with Storm in Kosovo, Cpl. Victor Thibault, 38, of Digby, N.S., spoke to The Canadian Press about his feelings of sadness. "It's very hard for me to do it but I know my colleague, my friend and soldier, is going home to a restful place,'' said Thibault. "He's done what he had to do and I believe that's good... He was a good friend. I will miss him," he said. Both soldiers were members of the 1st Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment Battle Group, based in Petawawa, Ont. Storm was a native of Fort Erie, Ont. and Girouard was from Bathurst, N.B. Cpl. William Guse, a medic, spoke earlier in the week about his memories of Girouard from battle school. "He had a definite hand in shaping me as a soldier and a man. I can honestly say that,'' said Guse, who was born in Victoria. "I'm a better soldier for him having been my platoon warrant in battle school.'' For Canada, there had been no fatalities since Sgt. Darcy Tedford and Pte. Blake Williamson died in an ambush west of Kandahar City on Oct. 14. There are about 2,500 Canadian troops serving in Afghanistan. Including Monday's deaths, 44 have died since 2002, plus one diplomat. With files from The Canadian Press	The bodies of two Canadian soldiers killed by a suicide bomber in Kandahar, Afghanistan were brought back to Canada. Both were from CFB Petawawa located in Petawawa, Ontario. Their vehicle has intercepted on a road by a suicide bomber. A helicopter came helping all injured and possibly dead soldiers into it where they received medical attention somewhere safe. This time, their vehicle was blown up by a man's car when he drived into them and detonated his car. Two Canadians were killed, the rest were injured. Canadian, U.S., Dutch, and British soldiers stood at Kandhar Airfield Thursday to farewell Cpl. Albert Storm and Officer Robert Girouard. A piper played ''Amazing Grace'' as the Canadian flag-covered coffins were carried onto the C-130 Hercules aircraft for their flight home. "It's very hard for me to do it but I know my colleague, my friend and soldier, is going home to a restful place," Cpl. Victor Thibault, 38, of Digby, Nova Scotia said to the Canadian Press. "He's done what he had to do and I believe that's good... He was a good friend. I will miss him," he said. Forty-four Canadian soldiers as well as one diplomat have been killed in Afghanistan since 2002. About 2,500 Canadian troops are serving in Afghanistan.
9 June 2010 The Security Council voted today to impose a fourth round of United Nations sanctions against Iran, while demanding that the country suspend its enrichment activities and peacefully resolve outstanding concerns over the nature of its nuclear programme. The text which received the support of 12 Council members – Brazil and Turkey voted against and Lebanon abstained – cited the proliferation risks posed by Iran’s nuclear programme and its continued failure to cooperate with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has consistently stressed the importance for Iran to fully comply with all relevant Council resolutions and to cooperate fully with the IAEA to resolve all outstanding issues. “These are the essential steps to restore the international community’s confidence in the exclusively peaceful purpose of Iran’s nuclear programme,” Mr. Ban’s spokesperson said in a statement issued after the vote, adding that the Secretary-General continues to support a “comprehensive and negotiated” political solution to this issue. Iran’s nuclear programme, which its officials have stated is for peaceful purposes, but some other countries contend is driven by military ambitions, has been a matter of international concern since the discovery in 2003 that the country had concealed its nuclear activities for 18 years in breach of its obligations under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). The Council has imposed several rounds of sanctions on Iran since 2006, including a ban on all items which could contribute to the country’s enrichment of uranium, a necessary step for both peaceful and militaristic uses of nuclear energy, and arms sales and a freeze on assets. Last October, a draft agreement on fuel for a civilian nuclear research site in Tehran was put forward in which Iranian low-enriched uranium would be shipped for further enrichment to Russia and then to France to be fabricated into fuel, but Iran has yet to approve the deal. The latest text – resolution 1929 – builds on previous sanctions by deciding that Iran shall not acquire an interest in any commercial activity in another State involving uranium mining, production or use of nuclear materials and technology. The Council also decided that all States shall prevent the supply, sale or transfer to Iran of battle tanks, armoured combat vehicles, large calibre artillery systems, combat aircraft, attack helicopters, warships, missiles or missile systems. It also asks States to take all necessary measures to prevent the transfer to Iran of technology or technical assistance related to ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons. In addition, the resolution contains provisions to help block Iran’s use of the international financial system, particularly its banks when they may be used to fund proliferation and nuclear activities. Among other elements, the resolution also alerts States to the potential link between Iran’s energy sector revenues and energy-related technologies and proliferation, and establishes a UN panel of experts to help monitor and enforce sanctions implementation. Last month Mr. Ban said the initiative by Brazil and Turkey regarding nuclear fuel for an Iranian reactor could be a positive step, and underscored the need for bolstered transparency to help resolve concerns over Tehran’s nuclear programme. He has also personally urged Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to restore international trust in the peaceful nature of his country’s nuclear programme by adhering to the resolutions of the Security Council and the IAEA. In a related development, IAEA Director General Yukiya Amano today informed the Agency’s Board of Governors that he had received letters from France, Russia and the United States concerning the provision of nuclear fuel for the Tehran research reactor. The letters were in response to Iran’s 24 May letter officially agreeing to the Joint Declaration signed in Tehran last month by Iran, Brazil and Turkey. Mr. Amano said that he will continue to use his good offices to follow up on this new development with the concerned governments. \|\|\|\|\| Please turn on JavaScript. Media requires JavaScript to play. The UN Security Council has voted in favour of fresh sanctions against Iran over its nuclear programme. The council voted 12 to two, with one abstention, in favour of a fourth round of sanctions, including tighter finance curbs and an expanded arms embargo. US President Barack Obama said the sanctions were an unmistakable message on stopping the spread of nuclear arms. Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said the sanctions should be thrown in the dustbin like a "used handkerchief". The US and its allies fear Iran is secretly trying to build a nuclear bomb, but Tehran insists its programme is aimed solely at peaceful energy use. Heavy weapons The Security Council resolution was opposed by Turkey and Brazil. They had earlier brokered a deal with Iran on uranium enrichment. Lebanon abstained. Analysis Continue reading the main story The sanctions are tough but fall short of what Western nations wanted because of pressure from Iran's allies Russia and China. However, they do open the way for stronger measures by the US and European states. But council members Turkey and Brazil said any sanctions at this moment were counter-productive and insisted Iran had made concessions in a recent agreement they brokered. The two "no" votes were the strongest opposition yet in four rounds of sanctions, weakening international unity the Americans have tried to build to isolate Iran. Last resort or lost opportunity? The new sanctions were passed after being watered down during negotiations with Russia and China on Tuesday. There are no crippling economic sanctions and there is no oil embargo. Those passed include prohibiting Iran from buying heavy weapons such as attack helicopters and missiles. They also toughen rules on financial transactions with Iranian banks and increase the number of Iranian individuals and companies that are targeted with asset freezes and travel bans. There is also a new framework of cargo inspections to detect and stop Iran's acquisition of illicit materials. Mr Obama accused Iran's leaders of "hiding behind outlandish rhetoric". But he said the sanctions did "not close the door on diplomacy" and he urged Iran to "choose a different and better path". Mr Ahmadinejad was quoted by Iran's Isna news agency as saying: "I gave one of the [world powers] a message that the resolutions you issue are like a used handkerchief which should be thrown in the dustbin. They are not capable of hurting Iranians." UK Foreign Secretary William Hague said the decision sent a "strong statement of international resolve", increasing the pressure on Iran to meet its obligations. China's UN ambassador Zhang Yesui said the sanctions were trying to prevent nuclear proliferation and would not hurt "the normal life of the Iranian people". However, both Turkey and Brazil spoke out in opposition, saying the deal they brokered with Iran had not been given time. Brazilian ambassador to the UN Maria Luiza Ribeiro Viotti said: "We do not see sanctions as an effective instrument in this case. They will most probably lead to the suffering of the people of Iran and will play into the hands of people on all sides who do not want dialogue to prevail." Turkey's envoy Ertugrul Apakan said the Turkey-Brazil deal had created "a new reality" on Iran's nuclear programme and Turkey was "deeply concerned" that sanctions would have a negative impact. HOW THE COUNCIL VOTED Continue reading the main story FOR Permanent (with power of veto): China; France; Russia; UK; US Non-permanent (term ends 2010): Austria; Bosnia-Herzegovina; Gabon; Japan; Mexico; Nigeria; Uganda AGAINST Non-permanent: Brazil and Turkey. Had both brokered a deal with Iran in which Tehran would send low-enriched uranium to Turkey in return for reactor fuel ABSTAINED Non permanent: Lebanon. Had voiced opposition to the sanctions. Iran-backed Hezbollah is part of the government Prof Abbas Edalat, the founder of the Campaign against Sanctions and Military Intervention in Iran, told BBC Radio 4's PM programme that the sanctions would make "everything worse". He said: "What the US has done has proved conclusively beyond any doubt that it is not interested in negotiations with Iran... There has been massive hypocrisy here." The BBC News website's world affairs correspondent, Paul Reynolds, says this new round of sanctions is unlikely to have any more effect on Iranian policy than the first three. Iran's vital economic interests have not been targeted, he says, and Tehran has in any case developed systems of evasion. The deal Iran had earlier agreed with Turkey and Brazil would see Tehran deposit 1,200kg of low-enriched uranium with Turkey in return for reactor fuel. But the deal has not been accepted by world powers and on Wednesday, the US, Russia and France outlined their concerns in letters to the IAEA. The letters were not made public, but US envoy to the IAEA Glyn Davies said the deal "would still leave Iran with substantial stocks [of low-enriched uranium], decreasing the confidence-building value of the original proposal". Three earlier rounds of UN sanctions blocked trade of "sensitive nuclear material", froze the financial assets of those involved in Iran's nuclear activities, banned all of Iran's arms exports and encouraged scrutiny of the dealings of Iranian banks. \|\|\|\|\| David Cameron has delivered a firm rebuff to Mitt Romney over Britain’s readiness for the Olympics. Speaking at the Olympic Park, the Prime Minister made clear that there were no doubts over the preparations. After Mr Romney’s scepticism about security and the levels of British enthusiasm in a US interview, Mr Cameron told reporters: “You’re going to see beyond doubt that Britain can deliver.” He added: “We’ve delivered this incredible Olympic Park on time, on budget and in real style, 46,000 people have turned a wasteland the size of Hyde Park into an extraordinary city town within one of the world’s most exciting cities.” The Republican presidential candidate had earlier cast doubt on Britain’s readiness for the Olympics as he prepared to meet leaders from all three political parties in Westminster. The former Governor of Massachussets told US TV last night that there were “disconcerting” stories about Britain’s readiness and it was hard to know “just how well it ... will turn out”. Speaking from the Tower of London, the US anchor Brian Williams asked: “In the short time you’ve been here in London, do they look ready to your experienced eye?” Mr Romney replied: “You know, it’s hard to know just how well it will turn out. There are a few things that were disconcerting, the stories about the private security firm not having enough people, supposed strike of the immigration and customs officials, that obvious	New York The United Nations Security Council has passed imposing a fourth round of sanctions against Iran over its alleged . The Security Council voted 13 to 2 to impose new sanctions on Iran unless it reveals more details of its nuclear programme. Brazil and Turkey voted against the resolution, while Lebanon abstained. The sanctions do not include major blockades, but do include measures against Iranian banks abroad, a cargo inspection regime, and provisions that all countries shall prevent the supply, sale or transfer to Iran of battle tanks, armoured combat vehicles, large calibre artillery systems, combat aircraft, attack helicopters, warships, missiles, or missile systems. President Obama praised the Security Council vote and said, "This resolution will put in place the toughest sanctions ever faced by the Iranian government, and it sends an unmistakable message about the international community’s commitment to stopping the spread of nuclear weapons". Brazil and Turkey criticised the sanctions, saying they could undermine further diplomatic efforts. They had previously offered to mediate the dispute, an offer which was accepted by Iran. Iran recently reached a deal with them to ship most of its enriched uranium to Turkey in exchange for low-level nuclear fuel to run a medical reactor. Brazilian President : "Sadly, this time it was Iran who wanted to negotiate, and those who didn’t want to negotiate were those who think that force resolves everything. I think that taking this decision was a mistake. I think the Security Council threw out a historic opportunity to negotiate calmly on Iran’s nuclear program and also to discuss in a deeper way the deactivation in countries with nuclear bombs." Iran responded to the UN vote by threatening to reduce its ties to the (IAEA) and to continue its uranium enrichment program. Iran’s ambassador to the the IAEA, Ali Asghar Soltanieh, said "No matter how many resolutions are passed, Islamic Republic of Iran will not stop its enrichment activities, which is in full accordance with its right under the statute of IAEA and ".
News Update as at 17.00 hrs (IST) Markets Markets react as Budget keeps out tax cuts MUMBAI: Equities closed sharply lower on Tuesday after the Finance Minister, Mr Jaswant Singh's interim budget did not offer any of the major tax concessions which were expected by the market. Investors failed to be enthused by Mr Singh revising upward this fiscal year's gross domestic product target, and were cautious in buying shares ahead of the general elections in April. The BSE Sensex, fell 74.69 points or 1.3 pc to 5620.98. This was the fourth consecutive day it fell, with the Sensex down 6.2% from its close of 5993.06 on January 27, 2004. On the NSE, the S&P; CNX Nifty fell 40.75 points, or 2.3%, to 1769.00. The interim budget proposals failed to enthuse market players. Stocks fell for the fourth successive day with the sentiment turned negative as the budget did not carry any big sops. There is nothing positive to look forward to in the current market and if there is anything, it is only negative, said a dealer. The reason for the decline is the slowdown in foreign fund inflows due to elections. The turnover on the BSE was Rs 2,775 crore, lower than the average daily turnover of Rs 3,000 crore over the past month. The market is looking for more, and obviously has not got it. and the fall is very short term. The fundamentals of the economy are strong and expects the market to strengthen after the forthcoming large equity issues and the general elections, a dealer said. Dr. Reddy's Laboratories dropped by 9 pc after it reported a lower-than- expected third-quarter profit. Dr. Reddy's dropped Rs 128.40 or 9 per cent, to Rs 1,271 after its profit during the quarter ended December 31 declined to Rs 59.20 crore from Rs 66.10 crore made a year ago. ONGC fell after its said that its third-quarter profit declined 34 per cent because it absorbed some cooking-fuels subsidy costs borne by oil refiners. Tech heavyweight Infosys sheds 0.30 pc at Rs 5197. Satyam declined 8 pc at Rs 291, Wipro was down 2 pc at Rs 1,525. HCL Tech was down 1 pc at Rs 300. NIIT was down 10 pc at Rs 194. Old economy heavyweight Reliance quoted lower by 1.20 pc at Rs 553. SBI down 5 pc at Rs 567. FMCG giant HLL was firm by 1 pc at Rs 190. Tata Steel was down 5 pc at Rs 385. GAIL was down 9 pc at Rs 200, Tata Motors down 2 pc at Rs 509. SAIL was down 7 pc at Rs 41.40. GAIL was up 4.40 pc at Rs 225. Tata Power lost 5 pc at Rs 355. However, Cigarette major ITC lost 1.35 pc at Rs 1010. Among cement majors, ACC was down 5.25 pc at Rs 241, L&T; was down 1 pc at Rs 496 and Gujarat Ambuja Cement was down 4.20 pc at Rs 277. Among auto stocks, M&M; was up 0.60 pc at Rs 411, Bajaj Auto was up 0.50 pc at Rs 1,003 and Hero Honda declined 3 pc at Rs 438. Among pharma stocks, Dr Reddy's was down 7.75 pc at Rs 1,289, Ranbaxy was down 1 pc at Rs 980 and Cipla was down 5 pc at Rs 1,142. Maruti was down 6 pc at Rs 406.50 partly on absence of further tax cut on cars in the budget proposals. BHEL was up 6.3 pc at Rs 545.00 partly in anticipation of tax benefits. Though there is nothing material in today's speech for the company, the stock is likely to move ahead on strong fundamentals. Bank stocks were down on fears of fall in interest margins after the Finance Minister, Mr Jaswant Singh urges them to lower rates on agri-loans. SBI was down 5.2 pc at Rs 565, Canara Bank was down 8.3 pc at Rs 124.85, Bank of Baroda declined 6.2 pc at Rs 204.50. Prev: E-filing of customs documents extended to 23 formations Next: Treasury Bills Business Line \| NUS Index \| \|\|\|\|\| Day 1: Sensex ends at new high INDIATIMES NEWS NETWORK DEBIPRASAD NAYAK MUMBAI: The markets moved further up on the back of sustained buying across the board. The mood in the market remained positive on account of strong FII inflows and hopes of better corporate results. Apart from strong buying in index heavyweights, significant gains in sectors like aluminium, auto, energy, telecom, steel and aluminium also helped the indices to touch new all-time highs. After touching an all-time intra-day high of 6,684.77 points, the BSE Sensex ended at 6,679.20, gaining 76.51 points. The NSE Nifty also breached the 2,100-mark for the first time and closed the day with a gain of 34.50 points at 2,115. The BSE PSU index surged 79.42 points or 1.79% to end at 4,505.12 and the BSE Bankex also rose 32.29 points or 0.87% to close at 3,754.26. The undertone of the market remained extremely bullish amid expectations of strong corporate performances in a fast growing economy. The third quarter results will kickstart later this week and Infosys will be the first IT company to declare its results on January 12. A dip in global oil prices also supported the market sentiment. Crude oil futures fell below $43 in Asian trade on Monday. New York's main contract, light sweet crude for delivery in February was down 75 cents to $42.70 a barrel from $43.45 in New York Thursday. The market also hopes that foreign institutional investors will continue to be on a buying spree, after pumping in a record $8.5bn in ’04. India’s weightage in the Morgan Stanley Capital Index (MSCI) is expected to go up, which will help increase FII inflows on the Indian bourses, feel brokers. Reliance group stocks shrugged off the report that Anil Ambani has resigned as vice chairman and director of the Reliance group company IPCL. Reliance Energy surged 7.14% to end at Rs 561.85. Globeleq, an Actis group power-focused fund, is believed to have shown interest in acquiring a majority stake in three electricity generation facilities of REL. According to reports, Globeleq has submitted an expression of interest for the three facilities and the due diligence process is under way. The valuation of these facilities is pegged at a little over Rs 1,000 crore. Continued... 1 \| 2 \| Next >> Print this article Mail this article Comment on this article RATE THIS ARTICLE 1 2 3 4 5 1 =Poor, 3 =Average, 5 =Outstanding ............................................................ COMMENTS ON THIS ARTICLE COMMENTS ON THIS ARTICLE No comment has been posted for this article yet.	The 30-Stock index of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) of India today closed at a new All-time High of 6,679.20, gaining 76.51 points. Earlier, the index closed at an All-time high of 6602.69 points at the end of Last-week's trading on Friday. Also, the Delhi-based National Stock Exchange (NSE) Nifty also breached the 2,100-mark for the first time in its trading history and closed at 2,115, registering a gain of 34.50 points over the last week's close.
Please turn on JavaScript. Media requires JavaScript to play. Rival US companies Delta Air Lines and Northwest Airlines have agreed to merge in a $5bn (£2.5bn) deal that will create the world's biggest carrier. The new airline, to be called Delta, will have annual revenue of more than $35bn and employ about 75,000 staff. Analysts say the deal could prompt similar moves by other US airlines struggling with rising oil prices. But the deal, sealed a year after both carriers exited bankruptcy protection, could face resistance from unions. Pilots for Northwest and the union acting on behalf of most of the carrier's ground workers said they would oppose the merger. Airlines worldwide are suffering in the wake of a consumer slowdown in the US and Europe, making it harder to raise ticket prices to offset rising fuel-prices. "Merging Delta and Northwest is the most effective way to offset higher fuel prices and improve efficiencies, increase international presence and fund long-term investment in the business," said Delta chief executive Richard Anderson, who is also to lead the new airline. However, shares in both companies had fallen by market close on Tuesday. Northwest shares fell 94 cents, or 8.4%, to $10.28, while Delta lost $1.32, or 12.6%, to $9.16. 'Pro-merger' The merger agreed on Monday night will see Northwest shareholders receiving 1.25 Delta shares for each of their Northwest shares. The combined company will be based in Atlanta. An unspecified number of job cuts are expected to reduce overlap in corporate and administrative departments, Delta said. Before the merger, Delta had said it would eliminate 2,000 jobs this year. The deal still requires approval from competition authorities but it is not expected to face hurdles on that front. "We will look at the competitive effects of the transaction and how it would affect consumers," Justice Department spokeswoman Gina Talamona said on Tuesday afternoon. "This administration has taken a very pro-merger stance," said Diana Moss, an economist at the American Antitrust Institute. \|\|\|\|\| By Mark McSherry NEW YORK (Reuters) - Executives of Delta Air Lines Inc (DAL.N: Quote, Profile, Research) hope to win over Northwest Airlines Corp (NWA.N: Quote, Profile, Research) pilots, who oppose Delta's bid to buy Northwest for more than $3 billion to create the world's biggest airline by traffic. While Delta pilots would get a 3.5 percent equity stake in the new airline, and support the all-stock deal, the leaders of Northwest's pilots said Monday night the union will use "all resources available to aggressively oppose" it after the two unions could not agree on how to work under one seniority umbrella. Seniority determines when pilots work, what they fly and how much they get paid. Some analysts said the opposition of the Northwest pilots could pose a serious threat to the deal. The proposed deal comes as major U.S. carriers try to counter skyrocketing fuel prices and a weak domestic economy. Delta Chief Executive Richard Anderson said on Tuesday the carrier aims to fully integrate its two pilots' groups as soon as possible. At a press conference in New York, Delta executive vice president Mike Campbell said the airlines had eight or nine months to get the Northwest pilots on board. "If we succeed in that, it will be revolutionary, and it will be a game changer," said Campbell. In an interview on NBC television, Anderson said that before the deal closes, he wants to have an agreement with pilots from both airlines. Continued...	Logan International Airport Rival United States airlines Delta Air Lines and Northwest Airlines announced today that they have agreed to merge. The new airline, which will use the Delta name, will be the largest commercial airline in the world. Technically, Delta will be buying Northwest in a roughly US$3 billion deal. Northwest shareholders will receive 1.25 shares of Delta for each share of Northwest. Based on Monday's closing prices on the New York Stock Exhange this represents a 17% premium for Northwest shareholders. Richard Anderson, the Delta chief executive officer who will also head the new company, said: "We said we would only enter into a consolidation transaction if it was right for all of our constituencies; Delta and Northwest are a perfect fit. Today, we’re announcing a transaction that is about addition, not subtraction, and combines end-to-end networks that open a world of opportunities for our customers and employees. We believe by partnering with our employees, including providing equity to U.S.-based employees of Delta and Northwest, this combination is off to the right start." The combined company would have $35 billion in annual revenue and approximately 75,000 employees. The deal does have to receive regulatory approval. "We will look at the competitive effects of the transaction and how it would affect consumers," said Gina Talanoma, a spokesperson for the United States Department of Justice. Airline industry consultant Robert Mann told Reuters, "It's a very optimistic view on an industry that's been very dismal for the last couple of weeks."
This iTunes Charts, is a 'real-time' look at the Top 100 Songs on iTunes in the UK. Includes both Singles and Albums. This data is provided by Apple iTunes so you'll not find a more up to date iTunes Chart anywhere! You can bookmark this page on any of the popular browsers or bookmark services here , and/or subscribe to this feed in your prefered feed reader. See Also : Top 100 Songs on iTunes (USA) If you have Apple iTunes installed and running on your PC/MAC, clicking on a song title will allow you to hear a snippet of the song. Neat huh! A 'Top 10' version of this iTunes Chart is available for your own Blog, Myspace or Website - More info here. \|\|\|\|\| Television licence fee to be frozen for next six years The licence fee generates around £3.5bn a year The television licence fee, which funds the BBC, is to be frozen for the next six years at £145.50, it has emerged. The BBC will also take over the cost of the World Service, currently funded by the Foreign Office, as well as the Welsh language TV channel, S4C. There had been a proposal to make the BBC pay the cost of free TV licences for the over-75s, but it is understood this will now not happen. A formal announcement will be made on Wednesday during the Spending Review. The BBC is refusing to comment, but insiders say that this is a significantly better settlement than the proposal to force it to pay the cost of free TV licences. Continue reading the main story Related stories It will mean a 16% real terms cut in the BBC's funds over the next six years as opposed to a 25% cut over four years if they had been obliged to cover the licence fee costs. Ministers are expected to present the freeze as "reining in" the corporation's costs, but Gerry Morrissey, general secretary of broadcasting union Bectu, said he was "alarmed ". "It seems as if the BBC is now doing the government's dirty work. They have thrown in the towel, so they will now have to justify the cuts to staff," he said. "How can you cut 16% off your costs without affecting jobs or services? Morale at the BBC is already at rock bottom, but now there is little or no confidence in the management." The BBC has been embroiled in a row with staff and unions over changes to its pensions provision, and last week it announced that the post of deputy director-general was being axed to cut costs. The BBC Trust earlier warned the government it would fight any move to force the corporation to meet the cost of free television licences for the over-75s. A trust spokeswoman said it would be "unacceptable" for licence fee payers to foot the bill. 'Cavalier and short-termist' Last month, Foreign Secretary William Hague told MPs the World Service was of "huge importance" but could not expect to be immune from cost-cutting. Continue reading the main story “ Start Quote The freeze is welcome” End Quote Lorentz "Can the BBC World Service make itself more efficient and therefore contribute to the spending round? Yes, I think it can and it thinks it can," Mr Hague told the Commons Foreign Affairs Committee. But shadow foreign secretary Yvette Cooper said she was concerned about the announcement. "It is alarming that only 24 hours before the spending review, the funding of the World Service has been completely up in the air," she said. "Although editorially independent, the World Service is a key component of UK diplomacy and does important work promoting British values and open debate across the world. "Jettisoning it from the Foreign Office at this late stage, without serious consultation or a strategy for its future, is cavalier and short-termist." The Department for Culture, Media and Sport currently funds S4C to the tune of just under £100m a year. Along with the channel, the BBC will also take over the cost of BBC Monitoring, which monitors, translates and analyses media coverage from around the world. \|\|\|\|\| Video (2min 38sec), My Edinburgh: Nicholas Parsons The dapper Radio 4 favourite savours the frisson of the fringe at the Pleasance Courtyard and offers a brief history of the festival \|\|\|\|\| Nice to see someone sticking up for the BBC for a change, even if they have to draw a little too much inspiration from Bob Dylan's Subterranean Homesick Blues and Billy Joel's We Didn't Start The Fire to do it. Here is the frantically funny but nicely relevant YouTube viral from Radio 4 musical stalwart Mitch Benn. And if you like what you hear he's at the Bloomsbury Theatre on November 3rd. And if this doesn't get him a BBC TV slot then nothing will...	A song released yesterday in support of the BBC is making an impact on several UK music charts. Stand-up comic wrote ''I'm Proud of the BBC'' in response to the criticism the licence fee-funded corporation has received from its commercial competitors and the right-wing press. The -led announced two weeks ago that the licence fee is to be frozen for six years, and that the BBC will take over responsibility from the Foreign Office for funding the . The song, loosely inspired by Billy Joel, lists many of the BBC's achievements. Benn, a regular on BBC Radio 4's satirical programme '''', decided to release ''I'm Proud of the BBC'' as a single after realising that it was provoking emotional responses from audiences during his nationwide tour. He told that the song was receiving standing ovations, and people were wiping away tears. A video was filmed last month outside of , and with a cast of volunteers recruited from the social networking site Twitter. The song was officially released as a 'download-only' track on Monday. Yesterday's charts reveal that it has reached pole position on Amazon's rock chart, and is listed as the 14th most downloaded track overall. iTunes listed it as the 64th most downloaded song. Fans have created two Facebook groups to promote the single in an attempt to get it to a good position in the , which would force the BBC's commercial rivals to play the track. Benn says that he has always been a supporter of the BBC, and yesterday compared it to the emergency services. "You also pay for the Fire Brigade, whether or not your house burns down. Public service." He points out that he only receives a small percentage of his income from the corporation; last night he played with his band The Distractions at the in .
The Government's blueprint for tackling climate change could cost five times more than expected, a leaked United Nations report shows today. The report comes as Lord Lawson, the Conservative former chancellor, launches a scathing attack on "eco-fundamentalism" and says a costly new carbon tax could wreck the economy. The Stern review, commissioned by Gordon Brown, outlined plans this week to combat global warming by capping greenhouse gas emissions. advertisement It raised fears of floods from rising sea levels, water shortages from melting glaciers and extreme weather potentially causing up to 200 million people to flee their homes. Sir Nicholas Stern, head of the government economic service, estimated that the cost of keeping emissions at 550 parts per million was likely to be "around one per cent of GDP by 2050". He also said that the cost of not acting to combat climate change could be between five and 20 per cent of global GDP. The calculations were used to justify Sir Nicholas's calls for immediate action and extra taxes But a leaked draft UN report, quoted in today's edition of The Business, casts doubt on the basis for his conclusions. A report by the authoritative UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), due for publication next year, warns that the cost of achieving the same goal would be between "one per cent and five per cent loss of global GDP". The less ambitious target of stabilising emissions at 650ppm would cost less than two per cent of GDP, according to extracts from the UN report. Sir Nicholas has acknowledged that his review was partly based on the IPCC's 2001 report. Business: Page B3 \|\|\|\|\| The action recommended by the British Stern Review – keeping greenhouse gas levels at 550 parts per million – would cost up to 5% of global gross domestic product (GDP), according to the UN. This is in stark contrast with the Stern review, which says it will probably cost only 1%.This much lower number is used by Stern to make the case for immediate action and steep taxes to cut back on the emission of greenhouse gases. But the UN estimate undermine Stern's economic rationale.Stern also said the cost of not acting could be 5% to 20% of global GDP. If the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change figures are right, they open up the possibility that the British proposals would cost as much as they save, making them redundant.The new UN figures, exclusive to The Business, come from a draft copy of the 2007 review of the IPCC, which is the acknowledged global authority on climate change science. The Stern review itself was explicitly based on the IPCC’s last report, which didn’t calculate the cost of stabilising emissions.Embarrassingly for the British government, the IPCC has done its own sums on restricting greenhouse gas emission to various levels and has found each of the targets far more expensive than the Stern review claimed.The debate on what to do about global warming has focused on what target to set for greenhouse gas concentrations, now at 430 parts per million (ppm). On current economic trajectory, it is feared they could reach 700ppm by the end of the century.The Stern review directly links global warming scenarios to greenhouse gas concentration levels. At 550ppm, the studies quoted in the review claim the planet is likely to warm by 3°C. Stern considers this to be dangerous, but not catastrophic.The European Union has set a target of 450ppm but the Stern review said this is unlikely to be achieved because developing economies are growing so quickly. However, the 650ppm limit was shown by Stern as inviting catastrophic climate change.So the review looks closely at the case for keeping emissions to 550ppm, which it underplays. Stern’s executive summary states: “An upper bound for the expected annual cost of emissions consistent with a trajectory leading to stabilisation at 550ppm is likely to be 1% of GDP by 2050.”But the draft copy of the IPCC’s Fourth Annual Review, due for publication next year, finds the cost of achieving the same goal to be between “1% and 5% loss of global GDP”.The less-ambitious target of stabilising emissions at 650ppm would cost less than 2% of GDP.The Stern review team would not comment on the draft report as it has not been published. But The Business understands that the leaks were made available to its scientists at the time of compilation.Sir Nicholas Stern, a former World Bank economist now working for the British Treasury, has admitted from the offset that his report could only work if it was agreed on a global basis. Ministers are to travel to India and America to promote his findings.But being contradicted by IPCC research hardly helps Britain’s case, since the IPCC figures are the only ones used to frame the global debate. The leaked UN draft is circulating on the internet and will serve to undermine Stern’s authority.Though the Stern review was received to universal acclaim in London, it has been attacked in other parts of the world for being alarmist and, in some cases, incompetent.His nightmare scenario – global warming costing between 5% to 20% of GDP – was achieved by using an unusually low discount rate in his calculations. This is a standard device to justify investments with a long-term payoff.The 11-member Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (Opec) has already given the Stern Review a cold reception. Mohammed Barkindo, Secretary-General of Opec, attacked the report at an energy conference in Moscow.“We find some of the so-called initiatives of the rich industrialised countries, who are supposed to take the lead in combating climate change, rather alarming,” he said. Adaptation to climate change, he added, cannot be conducted by “scenarios that have no foundations in either science or economics (referring to the Stern report’s publication)”.In Washington, the Competitive Enterprise Institute (CEI) said the Stern review would have no traction internationally as its economic mistakes would be instantly recognised by experts in the field. “Stern’s costs are actually more expensive than doing nothing about climate change itself,” said Iain Murray,senior fellow at CEI specialising in climate change. “This is ‘Chicken Little’ stuff,” said Murray, “except Chicken Little wasn’t trying to scare the public in order to create Enron-style con games and line the pockets of Wall Street bankers at the expense of consumers.”This opprobrium sharply contrasts with the Stern review’s reception in London, where his conclusions were welcomed by business and accepted by all mainstream British political parties.The action recommended by the British Stern Review – keeping greenhouse gas levels at 550 parts per million – would cost up to 5% of global gross domestic product (GDP), according to the UN. This is in stark contrast with the Stern review, which says it will probably cost only 1%.This much lower number is used by Stern to make the case for immediate action and steep taxes to cut back on the emission of greenhouse gases. But the UN estimate undermine Stern's economic rationale.Stern also said the cost of not acting could be 5% to 20% of global GDP. If the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change figures are right, they open up the possibility that the British proposals would cost as much as they save, making them redundant.The new UN figures, exclusive to The Business, come from a draft copy of the 2007 review of the IPCC, which is the acknowledged global authority on climate change science. The Stern review itself was explicitly based on the IPCC’s last report, which didn’t calculate the cost of stabilising emissions.Embarrassingly for the British government, the IPCC has done its own sums on restricting greenhouse gas emission to various levels and has found each of the targets far more expensive than the Stern review claimed.The debate on what to do about global warming has focused on what target to set for greenhouse gas concentrations, now at 430 parts per million (ppm). On current economic trajectory, it is feared they could reach 700ppm by the end of the century.The Stern review directly links global warming scenarios to greenhouse gas concentration levels. At 550ppm, the studies quoted in the review claim the planet is likely to warm by 3°C. Stern considers this to be dangerous, but not catastrophic.The European Union has set a target of 450ppm but the Stern review said this is unlikely to be achieved because developing economies are growing so quickly. However, the 650ppm limit was shown by Stern as inviting catastrophic climate change.So the review looks closely at the case for keeping emissions to 550ppm, which it underplays. Stern’s executive summary states: “An upper bound for the expected annual cost of emissions consistent with a trajectory leading to stabilisation at 550ppm is likely to be 1% of GDP by 2050.”But the draft copy of the IPCC’s Fourth Annual Review, due for publication next year, finds the cost of achieving the same goal to be between “1% and 5% loss of global GDP”.The less-ambitious target of stabilising emissions at 650ppm would cost less than 2% of GDP.The Stern review team would not comment on the draft report as it has not been published. But The Business understands that the leaks were made available to its scientists at the time of compilation.Sir Nicholas Stern, a former World Bank economist now working for the British Treasury, has admitted from the offset that his report could only work if it was agreed on a global basis. Ministers are to travel to India and America to promote his findings.But being contradicted by IPCC research hardly helps Britain’s case, since the IPCC figures are the only ones used to frame the global debate. The leaked UN draft is circulating on the internet and will serve to undermine Stern’s authority.Though the Stern review was received to universal acclaim in London, it has been attacked in other parts of the world for being alarmist and, in some cases, incompetent.His nightmare scenario – global warming costing between 5% to 20% of GDP – was achieved by using an unusually low discount rate in his calculations. This is a standard device to justify investments with a long-term payoff.The 11-member Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (Opec) has already given the Stern Review a cold reception. Mohammed Barkindo, Secretary-General of Opec, attacked the report at an energy conference in Moscow.“We find some of the so-called initiatives of the rich industrialised countries, who are supposed to take the lead in combating climate change, rather alarming,” he said. Adaptation to climate change, he added, cannot be conducted by “scenarios that have no foundations in either science or economics (referring to the Stern report’s publication)”.In Washington, the Competitive Enterprise Institute (CEI) said the Stern review would have no traction internationally as its economic mistakes would be instantly recognised by experts in the field. “Stern’s costs are actually more expensive than doing nothing about climate change itself,” said Iain Murray,senior fellow at CEI specialising in climate change. “This is ‘Chicken Little’ stuff,” said Murray, “except Chicken Little wasn’t trying to scare the public in order to create Enron-style con games and line the pockets of Wall Street bankers at the expense of consumers.”This opprobrium sharply contrasts with the Stern review’s reception in London, where his conclusions were welcomed by business and accepted by all mainstream British political parties. \|\|\|\|\| Lead Stories Problems plague landfill gas projects A number of early landfill gas projects registered under the Clean Development Mechanism are dramatically underperforming in delivering carbon credits - casting doubts over what is expected to be one of the CDM's biggest sources of emissions reductions. CDM Under pressure The workings of the CDM's Executive Board are stifling emission reduction projects and creating unnecessary risks for developers - so the industry says. Christopher Cundy asks how the situation has arisen, and what can be done to improve relations between the regulator and the regulated The workings of the CDM's Executive Board are stifling emission reduction projects and creating unnecessary risks for developers - so the industry says. Christopher Cundy asks how the situation has arisen, and what can be done to improve relations between the regulator and the regulated	The Stern Review of the Economics of Climate Change put the cost of keeping emissions at 550 parts per million at one percent of global GDP A leaked draft report, by the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), due to be published next year, estimates this cost could be between one and five percent of global GDP. The Stern Review put the costs of not acting to resist climate change could be between 5 and 20 percent GDP. It is reported that UK Ministers are to travel to India and America to promote the Stern Review. Their task will not be eased by the leaked IPCC report which is now said to be available freely on the internet. Following the Stern Review, Chancellor Gordon Brown urged the member states of the European Union Emissions Trading Scheme to tighten their targets even further.
07-4080 : USA v. Black, Conrad Case Type: Criminal If the document you are looking for is not in the system, first check the docket to verify that the document was filed, then check with the Clerk's Office to see the hard-copy document. \|\|\|\|\| Conrad Black leaves the Derksen Federal Courthouse after his sentencing hearing in Chicago December 10, 2007. A federal appeals court on Wednesday upheld the conviction of former press baron Black and three ex-colleagues found guilty last year of defrauding shareholders of one-time newspaper publishing giant Hollinger International Inc. REUTERS/John Gress CHICAGO (Reuters) - A federal appeals court on Wednesday upheld the conviction of former press baron Conrad Black and three ex-colleagues found guilty last year of defrauding shareholders of one-time newspaper publishing giant Hollinger International Inc. The unanimous 16-page decision from a three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit rejected all of the points lawyers for Black and the others made and affirmed the trial court’s ruling. Black, a Canadian-born member of Britain’s House of Lords, has been in prison since March 3 when he began serving a 6-and-1/2 year sentence for fraud and obstructing justice. The court similarly upheld the convictions of three former Hollinger colleagues — Peter Atkinson, John Boultbee and Mark Kipnis — who were convicted along with Black. Black and the others were accused of swindling the company — once the world’s third largest publisher of English language newspapers — out of $6.1 million by giving themselves illegal bonuses. \|\|\|\|\| US court rejects Conrad Black's appeal against fraud conviction CHICAGO (AFP) — A US federal court on Wednesday rejected an appeal by disgraced media baron Conrad Black against his conviction for fraud and obstruction of justice. Black, who once ran the world's third largest media empire, is currently serving a six-and-a-half year jail term. The Canadian-born British lord, who once counted politicians and pop stars among his entourage, reported to a low security federal jail in Coleman, Florida on March 3. It marked the climax to a spectacular fall which began when Black was charged with raiding the coffers of his once mighty newspaper empire and trying to cover up his crime. Black continues to maintain his innocence and is reportedly teaching weekly history seminars as part of his duties in the prison library. "We're very disappointed with the decision and we're carefully reviewing our options to take the case forward," Andrew Frey, the lawyer who presented Black's appeal in Chicago earlier this month, told AFP. Frey said he has not yet had a chance to speak with his client. "As far as I know he's doing alright but I'm sure he was hoping for something different," he added. Black and three other Hollinger executives were found guilty in July of four counts of fraud for skimming millions from the sales of newspapers being offloaded by Hollinger International. In a 16-page opinion, Judge Richard Posner at the federal appeals court in Chicago wrote that there was "compelling evidence" of this fraud presented at trial. Black's conviction of obstruction of justice was based on a surveillance videotape that caught him loading 13 boxes of documents from his Toronto office into his car after the Securities and Exchange Commission notified him he was under investigation. "All that needed to be proved is that the document was concealed in order to make it unavailable in an official proceeding," Posner wrote. "The evidence of that was ample." Prosecutors applauded the court's decision. "The Court found clear evidence that all four defendants engaged in a brazen, multi-million dollar corporate fraud scheme and deprived the public shareholders of Hollinger International of their right to the executives' honest services," US Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald said in a statement. "This decision vindicates the rights of shareholders to expect that corporate officers will safeguard their assets, and put the shareholders' interests before their own." The son of a wealthy brewery executive, Black bought his first newspaper in his 20s and rapidly expanded his reach across the globe, buying such prestigious titles as London's Daily Telegraph, the Jerusalem Post and the Chicago Sun-Times. Hollinger has subsequently sold off nearly all its titles and been renamed the Sun-Times Media Group. It said in statement that it intends to proceed with its civil suits against Black and "we continue to be very confident that the Company will prevail." \|\|\|\|\| Appeals court upholds Black's fraud conviction CHICAGO: A federal appeals court on Wednesday upheld Conrad Black's convictions of fraud and obstruction of justice, brushing aside his claim that he and three other former Hollinger International media executives did no harm to the company he once headed. "They are making a no harm-no foul argument, and such arguments usually fare badly in criminal cases," a three-judge panel of the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said in its 16-page opinion. The appeals court rejected the request of the 62-year-old British baron, known as Lord Black of Crossharbour, and three other former Hollinger International executives for a new trial. Black is serving a 6 1/2-year sentence at a federal prison in Florida. He was convicted last July 13 of siphoning off millions of dollars belonging to Hollinger when he was chief executive officer of the company that once owned the Chicago Sun-Times, the Daily Telegraph of London, the Jerusalem Post and hundreds of community papers across this country and Canada. He also was convicted of obstruction of justice for hauling 13 boxes of documents out of his Toronto office while knowing they were being sought as part of an investigation of his financial dealings. The jury saw a videotape of Black carrying the boxes out of the offices, loading them into his car and driving away with them. Defense attorneys claimed he had no intention of thwarting the investigation and that he quickly returned the boxes. "There was evidence that Black knew that the alleged frauds were being investigated by the grand jury and by the Securities and Exchange Commission," the appeals panel said. The court rejected Black's appeal less than three weeks after it heard oral arguments in the case — an unusually quick turnaround time. U.S. Attorney Patrick J. Fitzgerald issued a statement expressing satisfaction that the appeals court acted "swiftly and conclusively." "The court found clear evidence that all four defendants engaged in a brazen, multi-million-dollar corporate fraud scheme and deprived the shareholders of Hollinger International of their right to the executives' honest services," Fitzgerald said. Black's attorney, Andrew Frey, recalled that at the June 6 oral argument, Judge Richard A. Posner had expressed sharp skepticism. Frey said he was not surprised at the adverse decision in view of "the court's apparent hostility." He also said he was disappointed and that the decision had reflected "a number of factual misunderstandings." "We are considering our options," said Frey, adding that it could include a request for a rehearing before the appeals court. In its opinion, the court also upheld the convictions of two Canadian executives of Hollinger, John A. Boultbee and Peter Y. Atkinson, and the company's former Chicago-based attorney, Mark S. Kipnis. The opinion, written by Posner, focused on a deal involving a Hollinger subsidiary, APC, which sold most of its newspapers and ended up owning just one weekly paper in Mammoth Lake, Calif. Black and other executives got $5.5 million for agreeing not to compete with APC for three years after leaving Hollinger's employment. "That Black and the others would start a newspaper in Mammoth Lake to compete with APC's tiny newspaper there was ridiculous," the court said. The court also scoffed at a defense claim that the $5.5 million actually represented management fees that APC owed to the executives. It said no company records were found to indicate that the money represented fees, even though "Hollinger is a large, sophisticated public corporation." It said the checks were backdated to the year when newspapers were being sold to make the deal "seem less preposterous." All of Hollinger's big papers except the Sun-Times have now been sold and the company that emerged changed its name to Sun-Times Media Group. \|\|\|\|\| A federal appeals court has upheld former media tycoon Conrad Black's convictions for fraud and obstruction of justice. The US 7th Circuit Court of Appeals in Chicago upheld a federal court jury's verdict Black cheated his Hollinger media empire of millions of dollars. It also upheld his obstruction conviction for removing 13 boxes of evidence from his office. Black is serving a six-and-a-half-year jail sentence at a Florida prison.	On Wednesday, a United States federal appeals court upheld convictions of fraud and obstruction of justice against media mogul , along with three other executives from his former press corporation, Hollinger International. Black, born in Canada and bearer of the title Baron Black of Crossharbour in the United Kingdom, was found guilty in July 2007 of three counts of wire and mail fraud for giving himself and others millions of dollars in illegal bonuses taken from Hollinger holdings, and for obstruction of justice based on surveillance footage of his moving 13 boxes of documents out of his Toronto office to his home the day after he was informed that he was being investigated. He was sentenced, and from March this year he began a 6 1/2-year prison term. Peter Atkinson and John Boultbee were convicted on the same fraud charges, and were sentenced to terms of 24 and 27 months respectively, while Mark Kipnis, who was implicated in the fraud, was given probation with 6 months of home detention. The appeals panel from the , who heard the defence attorneys' oral arguments, presented its opinion in a 16-page document in which they rejected arguments against the fraud and obstruction charges. They noted that while the defence had presented a "no harm-no foul argument", in which it was argued that the accused were owed the money appropriated, "such arguments usually fare badly in criminal cases". They also dismissed claims that instructions given to the jury by the judge had been incomplete, or unclear, stating that "the defendants proposed a misleading statement as an alternative", and that in such situations the judge is allowed to stay with the original instruction, and in particular is not required "that a submitted charge be technically perfect to alert the court to the need for a particular charge". The appeals judges also discounted arguments from the defence regarding the defendants being unaware of the illegality of the transactions, making reference to an "ostrich argument", based on the urban legend that sensing danger stick their heads in the sand. It was noted that choosing not to investigate the suspicious nature of the payments was equivalent to accepting their illegality. An argument from Black's defence regarding the obstruction charge, that in moving the documents he was not in fact escaping scrutiny, was similarly rejected, as "all that needed to be proved is that the document was concealed in order to make it unavailable in an official proceeding," according to the ruling as written by Judge Richard Posner. Andrew Frey, the defence attorney for Conrad Black, said that the court's decision was based on "a number of factual misunderstandings", and that the defendants were considering a request for a rehearing of the appeal.
Airbus A380 engine has serious manufacturing fault The engine explosion on one of the A380s sparked a global safety review Air safety investigators in Australia say they have identified a serious manufacturing fault with engines fitted to Airbus A380 passenger jets. A misaligned component of the Rolls-Royce Trent 900 engine used on a Qantas A380 which exploded last month thinned the wall of an oil pipe. This caused "fatigue cracking", which prompted leakage and ultimately a fire. The investigators warned that the critical safety issue could potentially lead to "catastrophic engine failure". They issued a directive urging Rolls-Royce to "address the safety issue and take actions necessary to ensure the safety of flight operations". Qantas said it would conduct further engine investigations as a precautionary measure, but stressed that there was "no immediate risk". "Qantas currently has two A380 aircraft in operational service, following the grounding of the fleet on 4 November. Both A380 aircraft will be inspected at the Qantas Jet Base in Sydney," the airline said. The pilots of the November flight made a successful emergency landing in Singapore after one of the engines exploded in mid-air. Not all A380s use Rolls-Royce Trent 900 engines. They are used on 20 aircraft owned by Qantas, Lufthansa and Singapore Airlines. The double-decker A380 is the world's largest passenger airliner, and can carry up to 800 people. The six Qantas A380s carry about 475. \|\|\|\|\| 'Critical safety issue' with Rolls A380 engine SYDNEY — Australian officials probing a Qantas A380 engine blast last month reported a "critical safety issue" with the Rolls-Royce unit on Thursday that they said could lead to "catastrophic engine failure". The Australian Transport Safety Bureau said a misaligned component had thinned the wall of an oil pipe in the exploded engine, causing "fatigue cracking" that prompted leakage and a fire "central to the engine failure". "This condition could lead to an elevated risk of fatigue crack initiation and growth, oil leakage and potential catastrophic engine failure from a resulting oil fire," the ATSB said, noting it was "understood to be related to the manufacturing process." The Bureau issued a directive urging Rolls-Royce to "address the safety issue and take actions necessary to ensure the safety of flight operations in transport aircraft equipped with Rolls-Royce Trent 900 series engines." Qantas said it would immediately conduct further engine investigations as a result of the findings, but stressed it was just a precautionary measure and "there is no immediate risk to flight safety." "Qantas currently has two A380 aircraft in operational service, following the grounding of the fleet on 4 November. Both A380 aircraft will be inspected at the Qantas Jet Base in Sydney," the airline said. "Inspections will commence this afternoon." The flagship carrier said it would determine whether further action would need to be taken after inspections were complete and it had consulted both Rolls-Royce and regulators. "Qantas does not anticipate at this stage that the inspections will have an impact on international services. However contingency arrangements will be in place, if needed," it said. The findings come just five days after Qantas resumed A380 flights, though the carrier has barred the superjumbo from trans-Pacific trips to Los Angeles due to the extra engine thrust required. It had grounded all six of its Airbus superjumbos after the November 4 blast over the Indonesian island of Batam, which forced an A380 to return to Singapore airport trailing smoke. Checks revealed problems with 16 of the total 24 Rolls-Royce Trent 900 engines powering Qantas's A380s -- four per plane -- meaning the turbines would have to be replaced or modified. Qantas chief Alan Joyce on Saturday said he was "100 percent comfortable" with the A380s' operation. Australia's national carrier, it has has never suffered a fatal crash in the jet age. Copyright © 2013 AFP. All rights reserved. More »	A engineer testing a engine. Australian transport investigators have announced they have identified a "critical safety issue" with engines fitted to the world's largest passenger airliner. Some engines, which power some Airbus A380 "superjumbos", may be prone to "fatigue cracking", which could lead to oil leakage and a fire. The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) said they think this was "central to the engine failure" which occurred on a Qantas A380 on November 4, shortly after take-off from Singapore. The airline grounded all six of its fleet of A380s so they could undergo safety checks before they were put back into service. Late last month, Qantas announced the aircraft were safe and began returning them to service. The ATSB said the manufacturing fault with the Trent 900 engines "could lead to an elevated risk of fatigue crack initiation and growth, oil leakage and potential from a resulting oil fire." The agency urged Rolls-Royce to "address the safety issue and take actions necessary to ensure the safety of flight operations in transport aircraft equipped with Rolls-Royce Trent 900 series engines." Qantas emphasised on Thursday that there was "no immediate risk to flight safety," but said they would conduct further investigations. A statement from the airline said: "Qantas currently has two A380 aircraft in operational service, following the grounding of the fleet on 4 November. Both A380 aircraft will be inspected at the Qantas Jet Base in Sydney. Inspections will commence this afternoon." Two other airlines use A380 aircraft with Trent engines, Lufthansa and Singapore Airlines; Singapore Airlines said they were checking the engines of their A380s "on a daily basis". They said: "The new checks advised by the ATSB will be carried out as quickly as possible." The incident in Singapore was embarrassing for Airbus. Aviation journalist Tom Ballantyne said the incident in Singapore was "certainly the most serious incident that the A380 has experienced since it entered operations." The A380 made its first commercial flight in 2007, and is now in service with several other airlines, including and . It is the largest commercial passenger airliner in the world, with an 840-passenger maximum capacity, though Qantas' can carry 450.
State Sen. Carole Migden revealed for the first time Wednesday that she has been battling leukemia for nearly 10 years and said the medication she takes could have been a factor in her erratic freeway driving last week that the California Highway Patrol is investigating. Migden was involved in as many as three accidents on Friday, twice hitting the center divider on Interstate 80 and then rear-ending a car that was slowing to make a stop near Fairfield, according to the CHP. The driver of the car Migden collided with suffered minor injuries. In an interview with The Chronicle, Migden said she remembers being distracted while using her cell phone immediately before the rear-end collision, but she said she does not remember hitting the freeway median. "My only explanation is that it is medically related in some way," said Migden, 56, who represents San Francisco and Marin County. Migden's announcement about the illness she had concealed for nearly a decade comes as CHP officials are widening their investigation into her driving. Officials have been reviewing 911 calls of motorists who saw Migden driving Friday and described her state-leased Toyota SUV as traveling erratically. Migden said that over the course of battling her illness, she has not experienced a similar sense of disorientation while driving. The medication Migden is taking, Gleevec, has not been associated with the kind of behavioral problems she described, but the disease itself can cause neurological symptoms, according to an independent oncologist interviewed by The Chronicle. The Democratic lawmaker, who showed a reporter medical records about her case, said she plans to get a full physical examination and neurological tests to determine what might have caused her erratic driving last week. "I owe an explanation to the public and myself and, in particular, the person I hurt," Migden said, referring to the driver of a Honda sedan injured in the rear-end collision. "I don't have a recollection of what happened. I can only conclude I had a medical event I can't explain. It's not an excuse; it may be an explanation." Barbara O'Connor, director of the Institute for the Study of Politics and the Media at Cal State Sacramento, said the public is "very forgiving of health-related issues. Knowing this makes her more human, more vulnerable." On the other hand, O'Connor said, "The timing is helpful to her politically because mea culpas work. It's convenient to bring it out as a reason for erratic behavior." Migden said she was diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukemia in October 1997. Doctors said a bone marrow transplant was the only cure. She and her partner, Cris Arguedas, searched for a match but found none. Migden was told she had three to five years to live. "You feel fine. You look fine, and you're told you will die," a sometimes tearful Migden said in an interview at her San Francisco home, accompanied by Arguedas. Migden's first two cancer treatments proved ineffective. The second treatment was made from the bark of a tree in China. It was infused through a hole bored in Migden's chest. She lost her hair and wore loose-fitting coats to mask the infusion box at her waist. She became part of one of the initial clinical trials for an experimental drug in 2000. In February of this year, her doctors at UCSF told her she was disease-free, but she still takes six chemotherapy pills a day. Migden told no one of her illness, in part out of fear that she would appear politically vulnerable. "I didn't want to be pitied. I didn't want to be seen as a goner. I believed I would live. I never lied, I just chose not to disclose," Migden said. Legislative colleagues defended her decision to keep her illness private. "It's remarkable she was able to do a job like this with that kind of condition," said Senate President Pro Tem Don Perata, D-Oakland. "There are very few things you can keep quiet, and your health is one of them. Only if the condition inhibits your work is a public explanation needed," Perata said. "When you can't remember what happened when you were driving, that's when it has begun to affect your public position, and it's time to disclose." Migden told CHP officers Friday that she had gotten lost while driving to Marin County for a meeting when she rear-ended a car driven by Ellen Butawan, 31, of Vallejo at Beck Avenue and Highway 12 in Solano County. Migden's office released a statement that day saying her cell phone had rung and, in reaching for the phone, she had taken her eyes off the road. After reviewing 911 tapes from motorists reporting an erratic driver in the area Friday, the CHP broadened its investigation. One motorist reported that he had seen the San Francisco Democrat driving erratically and striking a guardrail on I-80 near the Highway 37 exit in Vallejo on Friday. The CHP says it has another report of Migden striking the I-80 center divide near Emeryville. "I remember the drive. I remember talking on the phone. I remember brushing up somewhere, but not where it happened. I remember the accident. I have no recollection of hitting the median on I-80, let alone twice," Migden said Wednesday. "I don't have an explanation for that. I don't. I don't recall it, and I don't think that's a satisfactory answer, so I'm going to put myself in the hands of a doctor," said Migden, sitting cross-legged on a rocking chair. CHP Officer Marvin Williford said the agency had "five or six credible witnesses" who saw Migden's traffic incidents. Migden was examined after the rear-end accident by officers, who found no evidence of alcohol. Migden has not been cited for any traffic violations, and CHP officials said they will turn their findings over to the Solano County district attorney. Adrian Romo, a witness to the rear-ender, told KTVU News that Migden screamed to the driver of the vehicle she had hit that she was a senator. Another witness told officials that he believes he saw Migden traveling east on I-80 at 80 mph, reading and talking on the phone while driving. Last year, Migden voted for a bill which, starting July 1, will require drivers using cell phones to use hands-free devices. Dr. Tim Mulligan, an oncologist at St. Luke's Hospital in San Francisco, said Migden's type of leukemia is well known to cause neurological problems, although they tend to afflict only a small portion of leukemia patients. When the disease is not under control, the flood of cancerous cells can literally thicken the blood. "It doesn't flow through the capillaries very well. Sometimes that can induce a sleepiness or a stupor, " he said. Most leukemia patients do not suffer neurological symptoms, however. Mulligan said it is more common for patients to suffer from a swelling of the liver or spleen, and the medication Migden is taking has not been linked to the type of problems she described. Migden said she intends to run for re-election in 2008. She is being challenged by San Francisco Assemblyman Mark Leno. Leno is making an unusual bid to unseat an incumbent from his own party, and the contest has divided Democratic faithful in the Bay Area. "I'm heartened to learn that Sen. Migden is disease-free," said Leno. "I will be praying for her continued good health and well-being." How the illness will affect the race is unknown, but health issues have become central to some legislative races. State Sen. Jenny Oropeza, D-Long Beach, repeatedly stressed that she was a cancer survivor in her winning 2006 campaign. Chronicle staff writers Matthew Yi and Sabin Russell contributed to this report. E-mail Greg Lucas at glucas@sfchronicle.com. \|\|\|\|\| SACRAMENTO — A state senator who police say drove erratically for 16 miles before slamming into a stopped car revealed Wednesday that she may have been impaired by medication to combat leukemia. Sen. Carole Migden's disclosure of a decadelong battle with cancer was the latest surprise in a drama that began Friday after the San Francisco Democrat's state-leased SUV rear-ended a car stopped at a red light in Fairfield, between Sacramento and Oakland. California Highway Patrol Sgt. Wulf Corrington said the driver of the car suffered scrapes and bruises and that a 3-year-old in the back was slightly injured. "She screamed, 'I'm a senator,' " a witness, Adrian Romo, told KTVU-TV on Friday. "She didn't seem all there at the time." Migden's office originally attributed the accident to inattention when the senator reached for her cellphone. But police said they received six calls leading up to the accident from motorists reporting her car veering along Interstate 80 and other roads and twice striking the center divider.	Carole Migden California Senator Carole Migden has revealed that she is suffering from leukemia and that medication prescribed to her may have contributed to a car accident she caused on May 18. Earlier Migden said that she was driving her state-leased SUV while reaching for her cell phone. The announcement comes when witnesses called police to say that Migden was weaving along Highway 12 in Solano County, California. They also reported that she drove over the center median on several occasions and that after the accident she got out of her car and proceeded to yell, "I'm a senator!." Witnesses say that she "didn't seem all there at the time." According to Migden, doctors diagnosed her with leukemia in 1997, but did not reveal to the public her disease because she did not want "pity" from anyone. Migden also says that back in February, she was pronounced as "disease free." Migden says that she had an unexplained medical event and that her medication claim is not an excuse for her driving. "I owe an explanation to the public and myself and, in particular, the person I hurt. I don't have a recollection of what happened. I can only conclude I had a medical event I can't explain. It's not an excuse; it may be an explanation," said Migden. Authorities have stated that they recommended charges of "unsafe driving" be filed against Migden, but that the incident still be investigated.
Ellesmere island is about 800km (500 miles) from the North Pole It is said to be the largest break in 25 years, casting an ice floe with an area of 66 sq km (25 square miles). It occurred in August 2005 but was only recently detected on satellite images. The chunk of ice bigger than Manhattan could wreak havoc if it moves into oil drilling regions and shipping lanes next summer, scientists warned. For something that large to move that quickly is quite amazing Luke Copland, University of Ottawa "The Arctic is all frozen up for the winter and it's stuck in the sea ice about 50km (30 miles) off the coast," said Luke Copland, an assistant professor at the University of Ottawa. "The risk is that next summer, as that sea ice melts, this large ice island can then move itself around off the coast and one potential path for it is to make its way westward toward the Beaufort Sea where there is lots of oil and gas exploration, oil rigs and shipping." 'Quite amazing' The ice break was initially undetected due to the remoteness of the northern coast of Ellesmere island, which is about 800km (500 miles) from the North Pole. Satellite images showed the 15km (9mile) crack, then the ice floating about 1km (0.6 miles) from the coast within about an hour, said Mr Copland, a specialist in glaciers and ice masses. "You could stand at one edge and not see the other side, and for something that large to move that quickly is quite amazing," he said. Mr Copland said a combination of low accumulations of sea ice around the edges of the ice mass, as well as the Arctic's warmest temperatures on record, contributed to the break. The region was 3C (5.4F) above average in the summer of 2005, he said. Ice shelves in Canada's far north have shrunk by as much as 90% since 1906. "It's hard to tie one event to climate change, but when you look at the longer-term trend, the bigger picture, we've lost a lot of ice shelves on northern Ellesmere in the past century. "This is that continuing and this is the biggest one in the last 25 years," he said. \|\|\|\|\| An ancient ice shelf the size of 11,000 football fields that broke off Ellesmere Island could be dangerous when it starts to drift in the spring, a scientist says. The collapse of the ice island's northern coast represents the largest breakup of its kind in the Canadian Arctic in 30 years, the head of a new global ice lab at the University of Ottawa said on Thursday. The collapse of the ice island's northern coast represents the largest breakup of its kind in the Canadian Arctic in 30 years. Luke Copland, an assistant professor at the school's department of geography, said scientists are surprised at the speed of the collapse of the Ayles ice shelf, about 800 kilometres south of the North Pole. It took less than an hour. He said the new island formed by the 66-square-kilometre fragment, which could be up to 4,500 years old, could present a serious risk to oil platforms in its drift path in the spring. At the longest and widest spans, the remains of the Ayles shelf are about 15 kilometres long and five kilometres wide. The fragment is between 30 and 40 metres thick. Copland learned of the break after an official with the federal government's Canadian Ice Service noticed the change on satellite images and passed it on to him to determine what happened, according to a report by CanWest News Service. In June, Copland received nearly $206,000 in grant funding from the Canada Foundation for Innovation to create the Laboratory for Cryospheric Research, which will monitor the state of glaciers, climate change and study ice in all of its forms. A satellite image shows a 66-square-kilometre chunk of ice has broken off Ellesmere Island. (CBC) Warwick Vincent of Laval University in Quebec City, who travelled to the new segment, said in 10 years of working in the Arctic, he had never seen such a dramatic collapse. "It's like a cruise missile has come down and hit the ice shelf," he told CanWest News Service. Vincent is a professor at the university's biology department, where he does ecological research. The collapse of the Ayles shelf — one of six that still existed in Canada — occurred 16 months ago, on Aug. 13, 2005, but because it is so remote, no one saw it. Scientists have been combining seismic and satellite data to determine what happened and are now releasing details of the collapse. The researchers suspect climate change may have played a role in the collapse but said they cannot definitively say it is a result of global warming. With files from the Canadian Press \|\|\|\|\| This handout photo provided by the Universite Laval shows Universite Laval Technician Dennis Sarrazin standing next to the new ice island, the Ayles ice shelf, offshore, in the Arctic Ocean, on May 30, 2006. (AP PHOTO/Universite Laval, Warwick Vincent, HO) By ROB GILLIES TORONTO Dec 29, 2006 (AP) A giant ice shelf has snapped free from an island south of the North Pole, scientists said Thursday, citing climate change as a "major" reason for the event. The Ayles Ice Shelf all 41 square miles of it broke clear 16 months ago from the coast of Ellesmere Island, about 500 miles south of the North Pole in the Canadian Arctic. Scientists discovered the event by using satellite imagery. Within one hour of breaking free, the shelf had formed as a new ice island, leaving a trail of icy boulders floating in its wake. Warwick Vincent of Laval University, who studies Arctic conditions, traveled to the newly formed ice island and couldn't believe what he saw. "This is a dramatic and disturbing event. It shows that we are losing remarkable features of the Canadian North that have been in place for many thousands of years," Vincent said. "We are crossing climate thresholds, and these may signal the onset of accelerated change ahead." The ice shelf was one of six major shelves remaining in Canada's Arctic. They are packed with ancient ice that is more than 3,000 years old. They float on the sea but are connected to land. Some scientists say it is the largest event of its kind in Canada in 30 years and that climate change was a major element. "It is consistent with climate change," Vincent said, adding that the remaining ice shelves are 90 percent smaller than when they were first discovered in 1906. "We aren't able to connect all of the dots … but unusually warm temperatures definitely played a major role." Laurie Weir, who monitors ice conditions for the Canadian Ice Service, was poring over satellite images in 2005 when she noticed that the shelf had split and separated. Weir notified Luke Copland, head of the new global ice lab at the University of Ottawa, who initiated an effort to find out what happened. Using U.S. and Canadian satellite images, as well as seismic data the event registered on earthquake monitors 155 miles away Copland discovered that the ice shelf collapsed in the early afternoon of Aug. 13, 2005. \|\|\|\|\| Story Highlights • Scientist: "Disturbing event" shows "we are crossing climate thresholds" • Researchers using satellite images discovered 2005 event • Collapse picked up by earthquake monitors 155 miles away Adjust font size: TORONTO, Ontario (AP) -- A giant ice shelf the size of 11,000 football fields has snapped free from Canada's Arctic, scientists said. The mass of ice broke clear 16 months ago from the coast of Ellesmere Island, about 800 kilometers (497 miles) south of the North Pole, but no one was present to see it in Canada's remote north. Scientists using satellite images later noticed that it became a newly formed ice island in just an hour and left a trail of icy boulders floating in its wake. (Watch the satellite images that clued in ice watchers) Warwick Vincent of Laval University, who studies Arctic conditions, traveled to the newly formed ice island and could not believe what he saw. "This is a dramatic and disturbing event. It shows that we are losing remarkable features of the Canadian North that have been in place for many thousands of years. We are crossing climate thresholds, and these may signal the onset of accelerated change ahead," Vincent said Thursday. In 10 years of working in the region he has never seen such a dramatic loss of sea ice, he said. The collapse was so powerful that earthquake monitors 250 kilometers (155 miles) away picked up tremors from it. The Ayles Ice Shelf, roughly 66 square kilometers (41 square miles) in area, was one of six major ice shelves remaining in Canada's Arctic. Scientists say it is the largest event of its kind in Canada in 30 years and point their fingers at climate change as a major contributing factor. "It is consistent with climate change," Vincent said, adding that the remaining ice shelves are 90 percent smaller than when they were first discovered in 1906. "We aren't able to connect all of the dots ... but unusually warm temperatures definitely played a major role." Laurie Weir, who monitors ice conditions for the Canadian Ice Service, was poring over satellite images in 2005 when she noticed that the shelf had split and separated. Weir notified Luke Copland, head of the new global ice lab at the University of Ottawa, who initiated an effort to find out what happened. Using U.S. and Canadian satellite images, as well as data from seismic monitors, Copland discovered that the ice shelf collapsed in the early afternoon of August 13, 2005. "What surprised us was how quickly it happened," Copland said. "It's pretty alarming. "Even 10 years ago scientists assumed that when global warming changes occur that it would happen gradually so that perhaps we expected these ice shelves just to melt away quite slowly, but the big surprise is that for one they are going, but secondly that when they do go, they just go suddenly, it's all at once, in a span of an hour." Within days, the floating ice shelf had drifted a few miles (kilometers) offshore. It traveled west for 50 kilometers (31 miles) until it finally froze into the sea ice in the early winter. The Canadian ice shelves are packed with ancient ice that dates back over 3,000 years. They float on the sea but are connected to land. Derek Mueller, a polar researcher with Vincent's team, said the ice shelves get weaker and weaker as the temperature rises. He visited Ellesmere's Ward Hunt Ice Shelf in 2002 and noticed it had cracked in half. "We're losing our ice shelves, and this a feature of the landscape that is in danger of disappearing altogether from Canada," Mueller said. "In the global perspective Antarctica has many ice shelves bigger than this one, but then there is the idea that these are indicators of climate change." The spring thaw may bring another concern as the warming temperatures could release the ice shelf from its Arctic grip. Prevailing winds could then send the ice island southwards, deep into the Beaufort Sea. "Over the next few years this ice island could drift into populated shipping routes," Weir said. "There's significant oil and gas development in this region as well, so we'll have to keep monitoring its location over the next few years." Copyright 2006 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.	The Ayles ice shelf, which is more than 11,000 football fields in size and is located just south of the North Pole, has broken free in the Canadian Arctic. Scientists say that global warming has played a "major" role in the break. The entire 41 square miles of the shelf broke away from Ellesmere Island at least 16 months ago, and the break was discovered when a satellite took pictures of the region recently. "This is a dramatic and disturbing event. It shows that we are losing remarkable features of the Canadian North that have been in place for many thousands of years. We are crossing climate thresholds, and these may signal the onset of accelerated change ahead," said Warwick Vincent, a Laval University scientist who studies conditions in the Arctic. Higher temperatures are believed to have played a significant role in the break, and all 6 shelves in the Canadian Arctic have become at least 90% smaller since they were discovered in the early 1900's. "It the break is consistent with climate change. We aren't able to connect all of the dots, but unusually warm temperatures definitely played a major role," added Vincent. Seismographs detected the break and collapse of the shelf in August of 2005. The short amount of time it took for the event to occur has come as a surprise to scientists. "What surprised us was how quickly it happened. Even 10 years ago scientists assumed that when global warming changes occur that it would happen gradually, so that perhaps we expected these ice shelves just to melt away quite slowly. It's pretty alarming," said head of the University of Ottawa's global ice lab, Luke Copland.
Red Bulls Sebastian Vettel and seven-time Formula One world champion Michael Schumacher proved a winning combination during the first day of action at this years Race of Champions (ROC) event in Beijing on Tuesday. The duo clinched their third successive Nations Cup victory for Germany in the Chinese citys spectacular Birds Nest stadium, after beating the Team GB pairing of new Formula One world champion Jenson Button and three-time World Touring Car champion Andy Priaulx in the finals. Schumacher beat Button in the final's first heat, while Vettel was beaten by Priaulx in the second. However in the crucial tiebreak decider, crowd favourite Schumacher took victory driving the unique Race of Champions Car. We had a nice fight - I just come back to this event to use whatever there is left of a talent, said the former Ferrari driver. With this track, it's just a case of watching where the other guy is to know how hard to push. Of course, the racing is the highlight but the other stuff that goes on around that is part of the relaxed atmosphere of the Race of Champions that we all enjoy. Vettel and Schumacher had already defeated teams including China and Finland to reach the semi-finals. There, they competed against American rally drivers Tanner Foust and Travis Pastrana. But, despite a heroic effort by Foust to beat Schumacher, Vettel's two wins took Team Germany to the final once again. Vettel, who finished runner-up to Button in this year's F1 championship, was equally thrilled with Team Germanys success, saying: To win three times in a row is something that no one has done before, so it's a real reason to be proud. After his first taste of the ROC Nations Cup finals, Button was disappointed not to win: To be out there celebrating being the first loser is never best, I don't like finishing second. It was a lot of fun - I spent most of the evening trying to hang on to my team mate's coat tails. The Formula One drivers were less successful in Wednesday's individual Race of Champions contest. Schumacher beat Vettel in the semi-finals, but then lost in the final to former DTM champion Mattias Ekstrom, who had earlier knocked out Button in his semi-final showdown. \|\|\|\|\| By Nick Mulvenney BEIJING (Reuters) - Sebastian Vettel aims to end Britain's run of success and become Formula One's youngest champion next year. Two days after concluding a superb season with his fourth win of the year in Abu Dhabi, the 22-year-old German was still oozing the sort of confidence that took him to the overall runner-up spot behind champion Jenson Button. "There is only one step we can make for the team ranking, for the constructors, as well as for the drivers' championship, for myself. So there is no question about the target," the Red Bull driver told Reuters at the Race of Champions on Tuesday. "I think (we can do it). We have grown a lot already this year and it was the first time for us to be in a situation where we had a very competitive car. "Of course in the end, second place is good but we would like to be one step better for next year." Vettel will not be 23 until July next year whereas McLaren's Lewis Hamilton became the youngest champion in 2008 aged 23 and 301 days. The German already owns most of the other records in the book for youthful achievement: youngest to score points, youngest on the podium, youngest to take a pole position and youngest race winner. \|\|\|\|\| Red Bull finish season in style as Vettel shows mettle FORMULA ONE ABU:AFTER A stuttering season which saw them sway from dominant to desultory and in the process lose the title fight to Jenson Button and Brawn, Red Bull Racing’s Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber signed off their season in style with the team’s fourth one-two finish of the season at the inaugural Abu Dhabi Grand Prix yesterday. Both drivers had been solid championship contenders throughout the summer as Button’s own title bid wavered but in a miserable streak as the autumn set in which both suffered two retirements on days when Brawn continued to score, the chance of glory slipped away, Button eventually claiming the title in Brazil two weeks ago. \|\|\|\|\| Once a brake problem slowed McLarens Lewis Hamilton, Red Bulls Sebastian Vettel had no competition in Sunday evenings inaugural day/night Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. A brilliant win cemented his second place in the drivers world championship behind Brawn GPs Jenson Button, who enlivened the end of the race with a superb challenge to the second-placed Red Bull of Mark Webber in the closing stages. Hamilton led from pole and built a lead of 1.4s when he refuelled on the 17th lap. Vettel was able to run until the 20th, and emerged comfortably in the lead. Soon afterwards Hamiltons challenge ended when McLaren had to withdraw his car after the telemetry revealed a problem with the right rear brake pads which were suffering from excessive wear. Webber thus moved up to second, with Button at that stage a distant third ahead of Brawn GP team mate Rubens Barrichello. The Brazilian had run ahead of the Englishman on the opening lap but clipped Webbers left-rear wheel with the right-hand endplate of his front wing, causing understeer. Button overtook, and chased after Webber while, at one stage, unsuccessfully fending off impressive rookie Kamui Kobayashi, until the Toyota driver finally refuelled. In the closing stages Button found the softer Bridgestone option tyre cured the understeer hed had on the harder primes and homed in on Webber like a heat-seeking missile. On the final lap he drew alongside at the end of the 1.2km back straight, but Webber handled the situation beautifully, hogging the inside line and forcing Button to go to the outside where he didnt want to go. They ran side by side for a while, but the Australian was able to keep his second place by 0.6s. Behind them, the race was relatively uneventful. Nick Heidfeld signed off BMW Saubers tenure as a joint team with a solid fifth place ahead of Kobayashi, who proved to be the find of the second half of the season. Toyotas Jarno Trulli was seventh, two-stopping where Kobayashi stopped once, and Toro Rossos Sebastien Buemi survived a challenge and a brush with BMW Saubers Robert Kubica, which left the Pole spinning, to take the final point. Nico Rosberg was ninth for Williams with a recovered Kubica 10th. McLarens Heikki Kovalainen fought up from his 18th place start to take 11th, ahead of Kimi Raikkonens uncompetitive Ferrari, Kazuki Nakajimas Williams, Fernando Alonso who took his Renault until the 34th lap before his sole refuelling stop, and similarly single-stopping Vitantonio Liuzzi whose Force India was the last unlapped runner. Ferraris Giancarlo Fisichella jumped Romain Grosjeans Renault in the closing laps for 16th, and the Franco Swiss driver was so unsettled that Force Indias Adrian Sutil also sneaked by. Besides Hamilton, the only other retirement was Jaime Alguersuari. The Spaniard mistakenly tried to refuel in Vettels Red Bull pit instead of his own Toro Rosso camp and was frantically waved back round. He stopped soon after out on the track. n the constructors world championship, McLaren retained third place ahead of Ferrari, while Williams lost sixth at the last gasp by 1.5 points to BMW Sauber. \|\|\|\|\| Sebastian Vettel has won the final round of the 2009 season at the new Yas Marina circuit in Abu Dhabi, ahead of team-mate Mark Webber and world champion Jenson Button. McLaren's Lewis Hamilton, who started the inaugural twilight race from pole position and was favourite to win, retired in the first half of the race due to brake problems. Hamilton, who began in pole position, made an impressive start but soon came under pressure from Vettel, while Button overtook his team-mate Rubens Barrichello - who lost a front-wing endplate tagging Webber - for fourth on the opening lap. Hamilton set the pace on the opening laps, but Vettel began to reduce his advantage and stayed out later before his first pitstop, setting the race's fastest lap and allowing him to jump the McLaren and take the lead. Things got worse for Hamilton when he was told over the radio his car was suffering from a right-rear brake problem - and he was then forced to retire after just 21 laps. "I was struggling to stop the car," said Hamilton. "I do not know if it was a failure of some sort, but it was too dangerous to continue." The McLaren driver's retirement left Vettel leading from Webber, with Toyota substitute Kamui Kobayashi - replacing the injured Timo Glock - in third. Kobayashi had started from 12th place and was fuelled for just one stop. Button in fourth, had exited the pits ahead of the Toyota, but Kobayashi battled hard for position and got his car ahead. The Japanese driver later took his sole stop of the race, finishing in an impressive sixth position. At the halfway point of the race, Vettel looked set for a comfortable victory, with an advantage of over seven seconds on Webber, who ran wide while pushing hard to catch up, but rejoined the track. When the lead trio of Vettel, Webber and Button pitted for the second time they were able to maintain their positions. Button put on a late charge to challenge Webber, however, getting to within a second of the Red Bull. Adding a final flourish of drama to the season, Button was just centimetres away from Webber, who looked increasingly ragged, but the Brawn was unable to get past. Meanwhile Vettel, who had an 18-second lead, did not ease up, setting the fastest time of the race on the penultimate lap. The podium finishers were followed home at the flag by Barrichello in fourth and Heidfeld in fifth in what proved to be a largely uneventful grand prix at the new track. The result meant that Vettel held on to the runners-up position in the final drivers' standings, ahead of Barrichello. \|\|\|\|\| Sebastian Vettel scored his fourth victory of the season in Abu Dhabi to tie up second place in the drivers championship. The German finished out the season in style after inheriting the lead on lap 20 when Lewis Hamilton retired with brake problems. McLaren called him into the pits for safety reasons. Teammate Mark Webber followed Vettel home to record Red Bull's fourth clean sweep of the year. "You beauty Seb, you are fantastic. Thankyou," said team boss Christian Horner over the radio And the German shouted back in delight after securing runners-up spot in the driver’s championship. "Thankyou for a fantastic car guys, it was a pleasure." Despite a valiant effort to steal runners up spot on the very last lap new champion Jenson Button had to be content with third place. He ends the season with an 11 point lead, over VetteL second and teammate Rubens Barrichello, who was fourth on the track, third overall on 77 points. Advertisement - article continues below » There was next to no drama in one hour and 43 minutes of what only an ardent fan could call "action". Nick Heidfeld was fifth and Kamui Kobayashi one of the heros of the day as he handed Japan its only points of the year in sixth. This performance will have done a power of good for his chances of retaining his seat at Toyota, assuming they reappear in 2010. Jarno Trulli was seventh in the other Toyota and Sebastien Buemi eighth, both of them searching for drives next year. Hamilton was disappointed not to have teed up next year with victory that was easily within his grasp at the start, despite the hovering attentions of Vetel. "There was a problem with the brakes. I couldn't stop the car," said Hamilton. " I was locking and locking and locking it was harder than ever to drive the car. "It's a shame as the car felt so good these last couple of days, but we haven't had many brake problems this year so there you go. "But I still think the whole team should be really proud of how we have recovered this season." Win a Volkswagen Passat Saloon \|\|\|\|\| If you’re the proud owner of a cast-iron pan , then you already know what a good investment it is. Once well-seasoned, it can cook just about anything from pancakes to fried chicken, it can go from stovetop to oven with ease, it’s nearly indestructible, it’s inexpensive and it holds its heat like a dream. But if you’re just using your pan to cook the occasional burger, then you’re missing out; you really can cook pretty much anything in it.	File photo of Sebastian Vettel (2009) File photo of Michael Schumacher (2007) Seven-time Formula One world champion Michael Schumacher together with F1 racer Sebastian Vettel won the Nations Cup for Germany at the Race of Champions on Tuesday. The event was held at the Bird’s Nest stadium in Beijing, China. The winning duo beat the Brittish team of the new Formula One world champion Jenson Button and three-time World Touring Car champion Andy Priaulx. The individual contest was won by Mattias Ekstrom, former DTM champion, who defeated Schumacher on Wednesday. Red Bull driver Vettel also won the FIA Formula One 2009 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix earlier on November 1st at Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Pole-sitter Lewis Hamilton was overtaken by Vettel after his first pit stop and then was forced to return to the pits soon after and quit the race after suffering a brakes problem. Sebastian Vettel driving at 2009 Abu Dhabi GP Vettel's teammate and winner of the previous Grand Prix Mark Webber came second and the current season champion Jenson Button won the third place on the podium for Brawn GP after pushing Webber very hard on the dying laps of the race with a gap of about half a second at the finish line. Rubens Barrichello was able to mantain 4th place, having been overtaken only by his teammate Button. Nick Heidfeld took fifth in BMW 's final race. Both Toyota cars of Kamui Kobayashi and Jarno Trulli also drove the full race to finish on the back of Heidfeld. Sébastien Buemi closed the top eight for Toro Rosso. Thus, Sebastian Vettel took the second place in the championship from Barrichello at the finale of 2009 season. Vettel claimed he will aim to become a champion next year. "There is only one step we can make for the team ranking, for the constructors, as well as for the drivers' championship, for myself. So there is no question about the target," Vettel said after the race.
Weak results from Virgin Media last week, showing that the cable company continues to lose ground to rival Sky, has caused one of its more aggressive investors to demand a meeting with management. The move is part of a growing sense of unease among the company's shareholders at the firm's direction. Already confused after last year's abortive attempt by management to buy ITV, shareholders fear the company is losing its battle against competitors including Rupert Murdoch's satellite empire and Carphone Warehouse's TalkTalk. In a filing with the US markets regulator, New Jersey-based Franklin Mutual Advisers, which has a 9.4% stake in Virgin Media, said that in view of the results for the first quarter, it wanted discussions with Virgin about its "strategic direction, corporate governance and management". Last week the cable company admitted it lost 47,000 customers in the first three months of the year and warned that more are likely to defect after Sky removed its channels, including Sky One, from cable households two months ago. In the same period Sky added 51,000 customers. A spokeswoman for Franklin refused to comment further on exactly what the investment house wants to discuss with Virgin's management, but the company is well known for taking an active interest in the performance of the businesses in which it invests. It is the largest shareholder in the Franco-Spanish tobacco business Altadis, which is the subject of a bidding war. Another Virgin Media shareholder warned yesterday that a rebellion could be brewing. He said: "The company has underperformed expectations and shareholders are frustrated both by that underperformance but also by the undervaluation of the stock." \|\|\|\|\| '); //--> E-Mail \| Comments \| E-Mail Newsletters \| RSS AFX News Limited Virgin Media investor calls for talks after poor Q1 results - report LONDON (Thomson Financial) - Virgin Media investor Franklin Mutual Advisers is seeking talks with the cable group after it posted poor first-quarter results, according to newspaper reports which follow a filing by Franklin with the Securities Exchange Commission last week. Franklin said in its filing that it may want to talk to Virgin Media about its strategic direction, corporate governance and management. The investor now holds 9.4 pct of the group, making it the biggest investor behind Sir Richard Branson with 11 pct. Last week the group delivered an operating loss of 15.3 mln stg in the first three months of 2007, compared to a 9.2 mln stg profit in the fourth quarter of 2006, after spending some 25 mln stg on advertising after changing its name from NTL (nasdaq: NTLI - news - people ) in early February. kathy.sandler@thomson.com ks/hjp COPYRIGHT Copyright AFX News Limited 2007. All rights reserved. The copying, republication or redistribution of AFX News Content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of AFX News. Neither the Subscriber nor AFX News warrants the completeness or accuracy of the Service or the suitability of the Service as a trading aid and neither accepts any liability for losses howsoever incurred. The content on this site, including news, quotes, data and other information, is provided by AFX News and its third party content providers for your personal information only, and neither AFX News nor its third party content providers shall be liable for any errors, inaccuracies or delays in content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon. More On This Topic Companies: VMED \| NTLI Article Controls E-Mail \| Comments \| E-Mail Newsletters del.icio.us \| Digg It! \| My Yahoo! \| RSS Related Sections Home > News & Analysis '); //--> News Headlines \| More From Forbes.com \| Special Reports Subscriptions >	Virgin Media announced weak results last week, in part due to competition from Sky. Virgin Media lost 47,000 customers from January to March 2007, while Sky gained 51,000 customers in the same time period. Franklin Mutual Advisers, which has 9.4% of the Virgin Media shares (Sir Richard Branson owns 11%) wants to have a meeting with Virgin Media about its "strategic direction, corporate governance and management". Franklin Mutual Advisers is known to take great interest in the companies in which it invests. This has caused many of the other investors of Virgin Media to demanding meetings with the management of the company. The demands are due to confusion among shareholders at the direction in which the company is heading, ''The Guardian'' reports. After the attempt to buy ITV was stopped last year, the shareholders think that Virgin Media may lose its battle with Sky and TalkTalk. Another issue causing concerns amongst investors is the £25.2 million pay cheques for the top seven executives of Virgin Media. Virgin Media reported a £15.3 million loss last year.
Many of the victims were reported to be police officers At least 20 people, including eight policemen, were also wounded in the bombing, the interior ministry says. There has been an upsurge in violence in Algeria in recent months. About 40 people died in suicide attacks in Algiers in December. Al-Qaeda's North African wing said it carried out those twin bombings - whose victims included 17 UN staff. The Naciria attack occurred at 0700 (0600 GMT) on Wednesday. "A suicide bomber drove into the police station at the wheel of a booby-trapped car, causing major damage to the building," an eyewitness told AFP news agency. No group has so far said claimed the attack. Violence has increased in Algeria since the main Islamist rebel group, the Salafist Group for Preaching and Combat (GSPC), changed its name to al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb early last year. The group has its roots in the bitter Algerian civil war of the 1990s. Besides the 11 December bombing of UN offices, it said it carried out attacks that killed more than 50 people in early September, and blasts that killed at least 23 people in the capital in April. \|\|\|\|\| By Lamine Chikhi ALGIERS (Reuters) - A car rammed into a police station in Algeria on Wednesday and exploded, killing four policemen and injuring 20 people, state radio said. Al Qaeda's north African wing said the Toyota laden with at least 500 kg (1100 lbs) of explosives was driven by one of its members, according to a recorded statement aired by Al Arabiya television. The blast left a crater three meters (three yards) wide, wrecked the outside of the building and damaged nearby homes, shops and a cafe in the town of Naciria, about 120 km (75 miles) east of Algiers, witnesses said. "This morning at 7 a.m. one of the lions of the al Qaeda Organization in the Islamic Maghreb, martyrdom-seeker Abdullah, ... drove (his car) into the judicial police quarters," a man told the Arabic TV news station. He identified himself as Salah Abou Mohammad, a spokesman for the group. An earlier Interior Ministry statement did not specify whether it was a suicide car bomb. "We heard the loud thump of the blast at 7.15 a.m. (0615 GMT)," said one resident, who did not want to be named. "A Toyota car was used in the bombing which killed four policemen and injured 20 people," state radio said. Continued... \|\|\|\|\| January 02. 2008 6:01PM Algeria Car Bomb Kills 4 Police Officers By HASSANE MEFTAHI Associated Press Writer A man stands by a seriously damaged building in Naciria, in the Boumerdes region, 50 kilometers (31 miles) east of Algiers, Algeria Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2008. Three people were killed and 7 other injured when a large car sped toward a police station and exploded at its doors early Wednesday morning, according to witnesses in a town east of the Algerian capital. The building seen in the picture is not the Naciria police station. (AP Photo/Ouahab Hebbat) Advertisement ALGIERS, Algeria A car bomb exploded near a police station in a town east of the Algerian capital Wednesday, killing at least four officers and injuring 20 people, officials and witnesses said. The blast followed twin suicide bombings on Dec. 11 at U.N. offices and a government building that killed at least 37 people in the capital of Algiers. A journalist and another resident in the city of Naciria said the car sped toward the police station and exploded. The two, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they feared for their safety, said the attack appeared to be a suicide bombing. The Interior Ministry said the attack killed at least four police officers and injured 20, including eight police officers. The ministry provided no details other than to say that the bombing was near the police station in the town about 45 miles east of Algiers. The explosion tore off the front of the police station and damaged neighboring buildings. Security forces cordoned off the rubble-strewn ruins. Security forces have been on maximum alert since earlier this week, after three trucks were stolen in the Algiers region, the newspaper Liberte reported Wednesday. The vehicles included a fuel tanker, and officials fear they might be used in suicide attacks, the report said. Al-Arabiya satellite TV had reported that al-Qaida's North Africa branch claimed responsibility for the attack, but the claim couldn't immediately be confirmed with officials. The group, known as al-Qaida in Islamic North Africa, emerged from an alliance between Osama bin Laden's international terrorist network and an Algerian Islamist movement known as the Salafist Group for Call and Combat. The suicide bombings in December and others in April also were claimed by al-Qaida in Islamic North Africa. Al-Qaida in Islamic North Africa has increasing used vehicles packed with explosives to deliver its strikes. In July, a suicide bomber blew up a truck inside a military barracks southeast of Algiers, killing 10 soldiers. Two months later, at least 28 people died after an explosives-packed vehicle rammed into a coast guard barracks in the northern town of Dellys. Meanwhile Wednesday, Le Soir newspaper said security forces have detained the mastermind behind the April 11 attacks that hit the Algerian prime minister's office and a police station, killing 33 people. Police picked up the 28-year-old suspect at his Algiers home overnight Saturday, the report cited an unidentified security official as saying. The official said the suspect chose the targets, recruited the suicide bombers and bought the substances used to make the explosives. It was not clear whether he was implicated in any other attacks, the newspaper said. Officials with national security forces declined to comment on the report. Algeria's Islamic insurgency broke out in the early 1990s, when the army canceled the second round of the country's first multiparty elections to prevent likely victory by an Islamic fundamentalist party. Armed groups then turned to force to overthrow the government, and up to 200,000 people were killed in the ensuing violence. Until recently, the insurgency had been dying down, with militants' ranks dwindling after military crackdowns and amnesty offers. But in late 2006, the main Algerian militant group allied with al-Qaida and began to wage larger-scale bombings and target foreigners - signs that Islamic fighters were regrouping.	A map of Algeria, where the bombing took place. A police station has been hit by a bomb in , which is in the northern part of Algeria and is about 50 km east of the Algerian capital Algiers. According to reports, at least 4 people are dead and several are injured. Full details have not yet been released. The bomb went off at about 0600 UTC (7 AM local time) today. It is currently not clear whether the bombing was caused by a or a . The bombing, although less serious than the which killed 40 people, is likely to raise suspicions that violence has not ended in Algeria. It is the first bombing to hit Algeria since the bombings in early December. The bombing was announced in a statement by a spokesman for the Algerian Interior Ministry in which the following was said - "There has been an attack with explosives near a police station in Naciria. The attack left three dead and seven wounded." Frequent terrorism first hit Algeria after measures were carried out by the government to stop a party winning the elections. That party has now been banned. A witness of the event said that the majority of injuries hit police officers and not the general public.
Mr Osman was a well-respected elder statesman He was also the first African leader to voluntarily relinquish his post after he lost the 1967 presidential election - Somalia's last democratic poll. Siad Barre seized power two years later and since he was ousted in 1991 rival warlords have fought for control. Mr Osman was a well-respected leader and emerged as an elder statesman in attempts to establish lasting peace. His family says he was very unhappy with the current crisis and his dream was to see Somalia attain peace and stability. Mr Osman rose to prominence as a nationalist politician in the 1950s. He was elected head of state when the former British and Italian Somali colonies joined to form the Republic of Somalia in 1960. Some Somali leaders have remembered him as a simple, down-to-earth person. \|\|\|\|\| By Guled Mohamed MOGADISHU (Reuters) - The first post-independence African leader to peacefully hand over power, Somalia's first President Adan Abdulle Osman, has died aged 99, the interim Somali government said on Saturday. Osman, Somalia's only effective democratically elected leader, died in a hospital in the Kenyan capital Nairobi on Friday. "He played a crucial role in both domestic and foreign politics. He democratically led the country in a just way," government spokesman Abdi Haji Gobdon said. A nationalist politician during the colonial era, Osman was elected president in 1960, after the former Italian colony of Somalia and British Somaliland merged to form the modern state. He stepped down after his defeat at polls in 1967, becoming the first African leader in the post-colonial era to do so and the last in any effective Somali government since then. Two years later, dictator Mohamed Siad Barre seized power and ruled until 1991, when warlords toppled him and ushered in anarchy that the current interim government -- the 14th attempt at national rule since then -- is trying to end. Somalia's cabinet voted on Saturday to rename the Mogadishu international airport the Adan Abdulle Osman International Airport of Mogadishu, Gobdon said. The country will also observe a 21-day mourning period while the government plans a state funeral for him, he said. Osman is survived by eight children.	, the first President of Somalia died last week from natural causes in a Nairobi hospital. He was 99. Born in 1908 in Beledweyne, Hiiraan region in the , Osman was elected as the first President of Somalia in 1960 and served till 1967, when he was he was defeated by . He spent his later years in Janale in southern Somalia and in May 2007 it was erroneously reported that he died in a hospital in Nairobi, Kenya. It was later clarified, however, that he was on life support, in critical condition, but had not yet died. The declared 21 days of mourning and said that he would receive a state funeral. It also voted to rename after him. Osman is survived by eight children.
We are all profoundly happy at the arrival of our new and endearing cub here at San Diego. Already we have witnessed new and different aspects of this birth and cub compared with our previous two, pointing out that we still have much to learn. Another opportunity raised by this birth is to highlight the larger picture of captive breeding and conservation of pandas worldwide. Shortly after I witnessed the birth of the cub at 9:57 on Tuesday night I began to reflect on how much things have changed in the past ten years. In 1995 when I began my 10-year relationship with the Wolong Breeding Center in the mountains of Sichuan, China, the picture was a very different one. Each year the center produced at most a cub or two. Only two males would mate and only one reliably. Artificial insemination techniques were still being developed. Some mothers did not seem to know how to care for cubs. Globally, the captive population was shrinking, with deaths exceeding births. The famous giant panda scientist, George Schaller, had recently concluded in his book that the outlook for pandas both in the wild and captivity was bleak. Today, all that has changed. Beginning in 1995 the San Diego Zoo began to send a team of CRES (Conservation and Research for Endangered Species) researchers and animal care personnel to Wolong. I studied behavior and other CRES scientists worked on problems of nutrition, endocrinology, and veterinary science. Their staff also came to San Diego to work with us here extensively in various specialties. There we developed working relationships and binding friendships. For several years I spent every breeding and birth season in Wolong, studying behavior and working with the staff to come up with improved husbandry and management. I can’t count the hours I’ve spent standing in the cold sleet and rain watching and learning about this endearing animal. In between the work hours I dined with my Chinese coworkers, played games, and resurrected a childhood love of basketball—it was the first time in my life I was considered tall enough to play center! I remember some tragedies as well as successes. One cold September night in 1997 Ershiyi Hao gave birth to twins. From the get-go she was fearful. She approached and sniffed them, then ran away to a corner of the pen and paced around. “What are these crying, squirming things and what am I supposed to do with them?” she seemed to say. Both cubs had to be rescued and reared in the nursery. They made a heroic effort, even trying to return the cubs to the mother several times, but the end was certain. Without the mother the cubs would die. Ten days later they did. Even today there has only been a handful of cubs reared successfully without the mother, though twin swapping so that each cub is half mother-reared and half nursery-reared is almost always successful. Spurred by this tragedy we made plans for the next time. The following September we got our chance. Ershiyi Hao gave birth to a single cub and again reacted with fear and bewilderment. This time when we pulled the cub for nursery-rearing we began to work on the mother immediately. To habituate her to the sounds and smells of her cub, we recorded and played back the cub’s cries to her and gave her a stuffed panda toy rolled in the cub’s urine. And almost to our surprise she began to pick up, hold and “comfort” this surrogate cub, often spending most of her time cradling it. Eventually, we slowly gave the cub back to the mother, first allowing it to nurse for a while and returning it to the nursery, but finally giving the cub over to her completely. The cub survived and thrived and Ershiyi Hao is now a grandmother. The other success stories are numerous and compelling. Today at Wolong everything is different. The pandas live more enriched lives, often in semi-natural enclosures, and always exposed to lots of stimulating opportunities and “enrichment.” We have also found the recipe for success in getting pandas to do “what comes naturally.” Through careful management of social interactions—especially opportunities for olfactory communication through scent marking—we have figured how to get this species, solitary throughout most of the year, to come together for mating in the 2-3 day window of opportunity each spring. Today almost all pandas in Wolong mate naturally, and on the occasion that they don’t, artificial insemination is a highly successful backup. Today it is exceedingly rare to lose a cub and mothers routinely rear their own cubs without intervention, with the exception of twins, where they need help. These days I don’t spend so much time in Wolong. Our very capable staff, who write most of these blog entries, took my place for awhile, but mostly the Wolong staff carries out their highly successful business of producing more pandas. Since 1996,when they had about 25 pandas, they’ve produced 50-some cubs. They’ve also established a “reintroduction pen,” where they raise cubs intended for release back into the wild. Today the captive population is secure and stands ready to reinforce the wild population where necessary. Better still, the Chinese government has made tremendous efforts to set aside more land for pandas, establishing more than 30 new reserves to secure the remaining 1,600 or so wild pandas. With our newest addition to the panda family at the San Diego Zoo, I think this is an excellent time to reflect on these changes. The real message is that such a birth, while exciting and inspiring, is now commonplace. No longer enshrouded in mystery, the panda is now an animal that we understand, yet we still have more to learn. I am thankful for and indebted to our collaborators in Wolong. Without these experiences our panda team would not be so well prepared to breed pandas here in San Diego. Ron Swaisgood is a scientist with the San Diego Zoo’s Office of Giant Panda Conservation. View Bai Yun and her cub on Panda Cam. \|\|\|\|\| The suspect in the fatal shooting of eight people at day spas in and around Atlanta indicated he had issues with sexual addiction and the shootings may have not been motivated by racial hatred, law enforcement officials said. \|\|\|\|\| Wed Aug 3, 2:09 PM ET SAN DIEGO - A 13-year-old giant panda gave birth to a cub at San Diego Zoo, but a second fetus died in the womb, officials said Wednesday. Bai Yun gave birth shortly before 10 p.m. Tuesday after being in labor for three hours. The birth less than a month after another cub was born at the National Zoo in Washington was captured on closed-circuit television in the Giant Panda Research Station birthing den. However, hope of a third panda birth was dashed as Zoo Atlanta announced that tests showed its panda was not pregnant. There are only about 1,600 giant pandas in captivity and in the wild, zoo officials said. San Diego Zoo officials said the cub weighed 4 ounces, the size of a stick of butter. The gender will not be known for some time because zoo officials don't want to disrupt mother and child. "The birth of a giant panda cub is definitely something to celebrate," said Yadira Galindo, the zoo's spokeswoman. Breeding pandas in captivity is a particularly difficult process, in part because females are in heat for only a day or two a year, and many cubs do not survive infancy. It wasn't until 1999, when Bai Yun had a female cub, Hua Mei, that a panda born in a U.S. survived into adulthood. Bai Yun successfully gave birth to a second cub, a male, in 2003. Two fetuses were detected last month during a routine check of Bai Yun, who had mated with a male in April. However, on Monday the zoo's veterinary staff said one of the fetuses had died in the womb. Experts said it appears to be common for giant pandas to conceive twins and then lose one fetus; the same thing happened during Bai Yun's 2003 pregnancy. The panda born Tuesday joins a cub born July 9 at the National Zoo in Washington. Zoo officials there announced Tuesday that they had finally been able to examine the little creature while the panda's mother, 6-year-old Mei Xiang, left the den to eat, and determined it is male. Last month, Zoo Atlanta officials had said their 7-year-old giant panda, Lun Lun, was showing symptoms of a possible pregnancy. She had been artificially inseminated in March. But spokeswoman Jacqueline Petty said Wednesday that experts had determined this week that it was a false pregnancy. "We would have been ecstatic" if Lun Lun were pregnant, Petty said. The zoo had already set up a nursery and built a special bed for the giant panda to give birth on, she said. Lun Lun can't try for cubs again until mating season next spring, Petty said. However, Zoo Atlanta officials were thrilled by the births in San Diego and Washington. "A birth somewhere else is like a birth here," said Petty. Gestation in giant pandas has been estimated at 97 to 163 days, making it difficult to predict a birth date accurately. ___ On the Net: San Diego Zoo: http://www.sandiegozoo.org/zoo/ex_panda_station.html National Zoo: http://nationalzoo.si.edu/Animals/GiantPandas Zoo Atlanta: http://www.zooatlanta.com/animals(underscore)giant(underscore)panda.htm	File photo from 2001 of Hua Mei, a baby giant panda born at the San Diego Zoo on August 21, 1999. A new giant panda cub has been born at the San Diego Zoo. Bai Yun, a 13-year-old giant panda, gave birth at 9:57 p.m. on Tuesday to a cub weighing four ounces (113.5 grams). "Bai Yun immediately tended to her squawking infant," said Suzanne Hall, a panda research technician at the San Diego Zoo who observed the births of Bai Yun’s other cubs in 1999 and 2003. The cub is the second to be born in the United States this year. In Washington, Mei Xiang gave birth to a male panda cub at the National Zoo last month after artificial insemination. According to Hall, early ultrasound images indicated Bai Yun was pregnant with twins. However, zoo personnel became suspicious that one fetus was no longer viable after veterinarians failed to detect a heartbeat in one cub last week. Bai Yun failed to give birth to a second cub Tuesday evening. "It is likely that the second fetus died in utero and was reabsorbed by her body," Hall said. Panda behavioral researchers will be watching the pair 24 hours a day for three weeks to record and assess the mother-infant relationship. The new cub has not yet been named. The gender of the cub will be unknown until zoo staff can safely check.
ISN SECURITY WATCH (04/03/05) - China has announced plans to increase its military budget this year by a massive 12.6 per cent to modernize the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), the largest standing army in the world. The Chinese State Council has proposed to parliament a US$29.98 billion national defense budget for the current fiscal year, and parliament is scheduled to discuss the proposal on Saturday. The military budget hike comes as parliament is also set to debate an “anti-secession law” aimed at curbing any bid by Taiwan for formal independence from mainland China. Chinese parliamentary spokesman Jiang Enzhu was quoted by Agence France Presse as saying that the anti-secession law was not intended to “start hostilities with Taiwan”, nor did it represent a “war mobilization order”. But he warned the separatist activities of pro-independence forces in Taiwan. Chinese President Hu Jintao was quick to downplay the anti-secession law, saying: “We will continue efforts with utmost sincerity to seek the prospects of peaceful reunification with Taiwan,” Xinhua news agency reported. Parliament is expected to approve the anti-secession law during its 12-day session, which ends on 14 March. In the meantime, Taiwan's pro-independence President Chen Shui-bian has offered his own warnings, saying that Taipei would introduce an “anti-annexation” law in response, and would consider holding a referendum on independence to counter China’s anti-secession legislation. The increased military budget proposal has also sparked concern in the US, which fears a Chinese invasion of Taiwan. Washington has committed itself to defending Taiwan in the event of an attack by mainland China. Chinese officials have sought to downplay the budget increase, saying that the much of the funding would go to cover soldiers’ salaries and the social costs of retiring some 2 million military personnel, though some would also be earmarked for military training and modern weaponry. Jiang also pointed out that despite the proposed increase, China’s defense spending would still be relatively modest. “This is still a fairly small amount compared with the military spending of other major countries in the world,” Jiang said in a statement. China has announced large increases in military spending nearly every year for more than a decade, with defense spending rising by more than 17 per cent in 2001 and 2002, in the country’s bid to transform the military into a high-tech force. But in 2003, defense spending fell by 9.6 per cent - according to official figures - before rising to 11.6 per cent last year. Taiwan is also reportedly considering a US$15 billion arms budget to purchase submarines, anti-missile systems, and submarine-hunting aircraft to counter a possible offensive from China. Taiwan’s defense budget for 2005 is almost a third of Beijing's official budget. (By Animesh Roul in New Delhi) » Reference links » Current issues links » Earlier news \|\|\|\|\| China: No independence for Taiwan BEIJING, China -- Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao opened the annual session of the National People's Congress in Beijing by saying a planned anti-secession law would never permit independence for Taiwan. Addressing the gathering of almost 3,000 delegates in the vast Great Hall of the People on Saturday, Wen said the law reflects the "strong determination of the Chinese people to ... never allow secessionist forces working for `Taiwan independence' to separate Taiwan from China." But in his two-hour speech Wen gave few details of a law that could provide a legal basis for an attack on the island. China has considered Taiwan a renegade province since communist forces drove nationalists from the mainland in 1949, and has repeatedly threatened to use military power against the island if it declares independence. At the start of the 10-day meeting, Wen also mentioned efforts to rein in the country's red-hot economy, as well as the need to maintain social stability in China. The NPC is the highest organ of state power in China and meets to approve major new policy directions, laws, the budget, and major personnel changes. Although the congress is widely considered to be a "rubber stamp" for central government policy, active debate is becoming more common at the sessions, although still tightly controlled. Cross Strait tensions Ties have improved between Taipei and Beijing, at least on a commercial level, with special charter flights between the two for recent Lunar New Year holidays. But the proposed new law is worrying people in Taiwan, where more than 80 percent oppose it, according to an opinion poll conducted by the National Chengchi University in February. "A dark cloud now overshadows the atmosphere of reconciliation," Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian said Tuesday in a videoconference with European lawmakers and academics. But analysts are playing down concerns, which will likely be "fairly mild in its wording," according to Kenneth Lieberthal, an expert in China and Taiwan relations. Another analyst said the proposed law would not be a pretext for invasion. "Taiwan-China relations will be peaceful for a long time to come," Andy Xie, Chief Economist at Morgan Stanley, told CNN. Economy Wen also pledged to keep the world's seventh-largest economy growing but without letting it "overheat" by maintaining "stable and healthy" monetary and fiscal policies. China, which is trying to overhaul ailing banks and find jobs for millions of workers laid off from state firms, is aiming for slower growth of 8 percent in 2005. In past years, China has aimed for 7 percent, but usually topped that figure. China's gross domestic product grew 9.5 percent in 2004. Wen said he would keep a tight grip on economic controls and push ahead with reforms to its yuan currency, fixed at about 8.28 per dollar. The government is also aiming to close a widening income gap between China's rural hinterland and increasingly affluent coastal cities, which have sparked violent protests. Wen said all farm taxes will be eliminated next year and promised that by 2007 every Chinese child can receive nine years of schooling -- an extraordinary commitment in a country where incomes per person average just US$1,000 (euro700) a year. Children from poor families will be exempt from most fees and receive free textbooks, the premier said, although he didn't make clear whether they will still have to pay tuition. "Solving the problems facing agriculture, rural areas and farmers remains a top priority of our work," Wen said, according to the Associated Press. The session will also see power consolidated for China's new generation of leaders, headed by Chinese President Hu Jintao. Former President Jiang Zemin will give up his last post as chairman of the State Central Military Commission. The move is a largely symbolic gesture, as Jiang already stepped down from a more powerful military position in September. The session also coincides with reports that Hong Kong Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa plans to resign. Hong Kong newspapers reported this week the deeply unpopular leader was likely to cite ill health as a reason for quitting. (Full story) \|\|\|\|\| Taiwan Plans Protests in Response to Chinese Anti-Secession Law A group of Taiwanese students demonstrate their opposition to China's anti-secession law during a sit-in outside the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall in Taipei Politicians in Taiwan are bitterly denouncing a proposed Chinese law explicitly forbidding any Taiwanese moves toward independence and large protests are planned for Sunday. The response comes after China placed Taiwan at the top of its annual legislative agenda Saturday. Taiwanese of all political stripes are gearing up for mass protests against the proposed Chinese anti-secession law. Come Sunday, more than 50,000 people are expected to join a series of marches and demonstrations in Taipei and Kaohsiung. At issue is China's new anti-secession law, expected to pass at the current National People's Congress, which opened Saturday in Beijing. The exact contents of the law remain under wraps but the order is expected to authorize military action if Taiwan declares formal independence from the mainland. Although Beijing claims Taiwan as its own, the island has been self-governing since 1949 following the communist victory in China's civil war. Opening China's annual legislative session Saturday, Prime Minister Wen Jiabao made clear reunification with Taiwan is a priority. "The draft of the law we will review reflects our commitment to work for peaceful reunification, honestly and with great effort," said Wen Jiabao. But leaders in Taiwan have already rejected China's assurances this is not a prelude to possible aggression. Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council Friday issued a statement saying military intimidation is replacing goodwill and could have grave consequences for relations. Taiwan is apparently considering a host of responses depending on the final language of the law. Arthur Ding is a research fellow at Taiwan's National Chenchi University. "It all depends on the wording of the anti secession law if the wording is very strong, our response might also be very strong," said Arthur Ding. Even Taiwan's bitterly divided, political camps say they are united against the new Chinese policy. Ruling and opposition lawmakers came forward Friday with a rare joint resolution calling on Beijing to reconsider the anti-secession legislation.	China opposes independence for Taiwan. The People's Republic of China government plans to pass an anti-secession law, aimed at preventing a declaration of Taiwan independence. The law shows the "strong determination of the Chinese people" and will "never allow secessionist forces working for 'Taiwan independence' to succeed at breaking away from the mainland" according to an announcement made by China's Premier Wen Jiabao at the National People's Congress in Beijing. The Chinese State Council is also planning to increase the country's military budget by 12.6 percent, to US$29.98 billion, for the current fiscal year. Great Hall of the People The anti-secession law, as well as the military budget increase will both be discussed during the parliamentary meetings which begin today, and continue for the next 12 days. Over 3,000 delegates assembled in the Great Hall of the People today to listen to Wen's two hour speech and begin discussions. Taiwanese politicians reacted with disappointment to the planned anti-secession law, and promised protests in the streets of Taipei and Kaohsiung this Sunday. Taiwan's President Chen Shui-bian even threatened to introduce an "anti-annexation" law to oppose China's move.
By Nick Harris at Wimbledon Wednesday, 25 June 2008 There were ruffled feathers and no small amount of flapping at the world's most genteel tennis tournament yesterday after a threat of legal action from animal rights lobbyists over the culling of pigeons that had the temerity to bother some players. As The Independent revealed on Monday, marksmen armed with rifles and employed by The All England Club spent part of Sunday evening stalking the grounds. Several birds were killed. Wimbledon usually uses a hawk to scare away the troublesome creatures. But some players had complained that they were being dive-bombed and rapid action was deemed necessary before the gates opened to the public. Yesterday, the club was reported to the Metropolitan Police wildlife crime unit for alleged infringement of the Animal Welfare Act 2006. In a letter to the club's chairman, Tim Phillips, from Bruce Friedrich, the vice- president of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (Peta), which bills itself as "the world's largest animal rights organisation", the club was warned it could face court action for shooting pigeons. The letter says: "The wildlife crime unit of the Metropolitan Police has also advised us that in its view, pigeons qualify as protected animals under the Act." Peta has asked the club to "order an immediate halt to this cruel and illegal behaviour". The club has made no formal response but it is understood it will respond after the tournament. It is expected to say that guns were raised only as a last resort. The club is not expecting that police will swoop into action imminently. Mr Friedrich wrote in his letter: "What seems to have happened is that since you last updated your protocol for dealing with pigeons, a law was passed – the Animal Welfare Act 2006 – that you must not know about... Lethal control can only be used if the target species presents a demonstrable risk to public health and safety. [The club] will have to be able to present evidence in a court of law which confirms, beyond any reasonable doubt, that a real and severe risk to public health existed prior to using lethal controls." The club also took action on Sunday to eradicate a swarm of bees. They too were seen as a threat to players' welfare. \|\|\|\|\| Move over bullfighting hunting , and dogfighting —there's a new blood sport in town: Wimbledon Tennis . Yep, you read that correctly: The oldest tennis championship in the world—the home of manicured green grass courts and lily white uniforms—now has a blood-red body count. Don't go jumping to conclusions: It's not that PETA friend John McEnroe has unleashed his infamous temper on the court. No, the crime here is far more serious than a few choice expletives hurled at an intractable tournament official. Hold on to your strawberries and (vegan) cream for this one—it seems that Wimbledon has hired sharpshooters to kill pigeons. And what crime did these pigeons commit to merit capital punishment? They pooped. More specifically, they pooped on some tables in an open-air restaurant frequented by media folks who cover Wimbledon matches. Now, I'm no expert in the area of pigeon control, but here's an idea: How about getting a few patio umbrellas? Call me Einstein, but I'd guess that my solution is a whole lot cheaper—in terms of money and lives. And even if Wimbledon officials don't give a whit about compassion or public opinion, here's something else that they might consider: Their actions seem to be illegal, as in they're likely breaking the law. A U.K. law passed in 2006 prohibits "lethal control" of animals, except as a last resort. PETA Vice President Bruce Friedrich had more than a few choice words for Wimbledon, but here are a few that we can print: Since the use of marksmen to kill pigeons appears to have been carried out as a first, rather than a last resort, and not out of a concern for public health, but rather because the animals were deemed inconvenient by players, you appear to be in clear violation of the law. Posted by Grace Friedan	A pigeon Animal rights activists have complained after officials from the shot down , allegedly because they were an inconvenience to players. This move was possibly illegal under Animal Welfare Act 2006, which prevents using lethal force unless it is used as a last resort. ''Wikinews'' spoke to Bruce Friedrich, Vice President of , which has campaigned against the move. He said that "killing animals so quickly and for such frivolous reasons is cruel, illegal, and won’t work." ''Wikinews'' has also been told by Friedrich that "the should still be prosecuted for cruelty to animals, since they broke the law and should be held accountable."The Wimbledon championships is the most popular tennis event in the UK Violation of the Animal Welfare act carries a maximum sentence of "imprisonment for a term not exceeding 51 weeks" or a fine "not exceeding £20,000" Wikinews has also been given a copy of the letter sent to Wimbledon officials. Below is the text of the first paragraph: The All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club (which runs the Wimbledon Championships) has not yet released a statement regarding the incident, although '''' has reported that one will be made after the tournament.
Son of Indian immigrants sworn in as Louisiana governor BATON ROUGE, Louisiana (AFP) — Piyush "Bobby" Jindal, the son of Punjabi immigrants, was sworn in Monday as the governor of Louisiana, becoming the first Indian-American ever elected a state governor and the first non-white governor of Louisiana. A rising star nationally in Republican Party, at 36 Jindal also became the nation's youngest governor, succeeding the southern state's outgoing Democratic governor, Kathleen Babineaux Blanco. Since 2004 a Republican member of the House of Representatives, Jindal called for an end to the state's image of governmental corruption and ineptitude, and appealed for tens of thousands of residents displaced by two devastating hurricanes in 2005 to return to Louisiana. "We must win a war on corruption and incompetence in government," he said as he was sworn in in the state capital. "It must be the first thing that we do." Born in Baton Rouge in 1971 to recent immigrants from India's northern Punjab state, Jindal's career in the southern state once known for deep racial differences has been meteoric. His father, an engineer and one of nine children of a poor rural family, came to the United States so that his mother could continue her graduate work in nuclear physics. Jindal took easily to US culture. As a boy, he adopted his nickname "Bobby" from a character on "The Brady Bunch" television show. As a teenager, he converted to Roman Catholicism from Hinduism. He completed Baton Rouge High School at just 16, and then attended Brown University, where he graduated with honors in biology and public policy. From there he studied at Oxford University as a Rhodes scholar, graduating in 1994. The next year, he was appointed secretary of Louisiana's Department of Health and Hospitals, which employs 12,000 people, at just 24. In 1999 he became president of the University of Louisiana System, which educates some 80,000 student a year, before being named by President George W. Bush as a top policy advisor in the federal Department of Health and Human Services. In his first major political setback, Jindal was narrowly defeated by Blanco when ran for governor in 2003. But he was then elected to Congress in 2004 from a suburban New Orleans district, and won reelection in 2006, one year after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita devastated New Orleans and put a harsh spotlight on state and local government incompetence -- opening the door for his second quest for the governor's office. On Monday Jindal vowed to call the legislature into session next month to enact comprehensive ethics reform and promised a "fresh start" for a state that is both struggling to shed a legacy of political corruption and to rebuild from the 2005 hurricanes. The two issues are closely related. Skeptics in Washington have expressed misgivings about sending billions of dollars in federal aid to the state because of its reputation for mismanagement. He also vowed to continue improvements to the state's woeful education system. "As I have said before, we can change, we must change, we will change," Jindal said, repeating his campaign motto. He has some advantages on his side. Since his election, he and Blanco put aside party loyalties to secure billions of dollars in hurricane relief funds. Blanco opted not to seek a second four-year term as governor amid widespread criticism over her response to Hurricane Katrina. That means that Jindal takes office with the state enjoying an enviable budget surplus of 3.3 billion dollars, a sum which includes federal hurricane aid. Importantly, Jindal also is the first Louisiana governor in more than 30 years who does not inherit a state legislature controlled by allies of former governor Edwin Edwards, who is serving a prison sentence on corruption charges. "If you were going to script a play about Louisiana's best chances for reform, you couldn't line up the planets in a more favorable way than this," said Clancy DuBos, a political analyst for WWL-TV in New Orleans. Copyright © 2013 AFP. All rights reserved. More » \|\|\|\|\| Governor-elect Bobby Jindal and his wife Supriya walk to the podium Monday, Jan. 14, 2008 at the start of his inauguration ceremony on the steps of the Louisiana State Capitol in Baton Rouge, La. Jindal became the first elected Indian-American governor in the United States. (AP Photo/Tim Mueller) Jindal Pledges to End La. Corruption BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — Pledging to make a "clean break with the past" and root out corruption, Republican Bobby Jindal tried to separate himself from politics as usual as he was sworn in as Louisiana's governor Monday. Jindal, the nation's first elected Indian-American chief executive and the state's first non-white governor since Reconstruction, thanked past governors for their service — but said it was time to rid the state of its reputation for corrupt government. "We have the opportunity — born of tragedy but embraced still the same — to make right decades of failure in government," Jindal said. "In our past, too many politicians looked out for themselves. Too many arms of state and local government did not get results. And the world took note," the new governor said. Jindal's election puts a new public face on Louisiana politics, often stereotyped as a haven for backslapping good 'ol boys who hold office for decades. The 36-year-old son of Indian immigrants, Jindal is the nation's youngest sitting governor, and many of his top administrators are new to the halls of the Louisiana Capitol. He takes over from Democrat Kathleen Blanco, who had defeated him four years earlier but whose image was battered by the state's response to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. She did not seek re-election. Blanco attended the inaugural ceremonies with three other former Louisiana governors. The state's only other living ex-governor is Edwin Edwards, who could not attend because he is serving a federal prison sentence on corruption charges. Jindal, a second-term member of Congress when he was elected, said he will call the state Legislature into a special session beginning Feb. 10 to tackle the centerpiece of his campaign: strengthening Louisiana's ethics laws. He didn't provide details of what types of proposals he will seek lawmakers to enact in the first special session. "We will come to this Capitol to make a clean break with the past," he said. A conservative who has held a series of high-profile positions since heading the state health department at age 24, Jindal won 54 percent of the vote in October's primary election in a field of a dozen candidates. While he has focused on reputation and ethics reform, Jindal inherits an array of problems that have dogged his predecessors. Louisiana is among the nation's most unhealthy and poorest states, its students still perform below average on national educational tests, and its population is dwindling. Worsening the state's long-term history of problems, back-to-back blows from Katrina and Rita two years ago continue to plague the region. The pace of hurricane rebuilding has been sluggish, with thousands of homes left abandoned, residents displaced and basic government services destroyed. Jindal described the storms as an opportunity to rebuild a better state. "For reasons beyond our earthly comprehension, this opportunity, this mandate, has been placed on our generation. We must rise to this challenge," he said. "Our goal is a new Louisiana where success is shared by all Louisianians." Barry Erwin, head of the nonpartisan Council for a Better Louisiana, said though Jindal's speech lacked specifics, it gave people a sense of encouragement and optimism about the state's future. "It's really passing the torch to a whole group of new people," Erwin said. "I think there's a sense this is a real opportunity and not a rhetorical one." The country's first Indian governor was New Jersey's transportation commissioner, Kris Kolluri, who held the post for 24 hours in 2006 when his boss was out of town. New Jersey law requires an acting governor to be appointed when the elected governor is away from the state. Transportation commissioner ranks fourth in the line of succession, but the Senate president, the Assembly speaker and the attorney general also all were out of town — leaving Kolluri in charge for a day. \|\|\|\|\| BATON ROUGE, Louisiana (Reuters) - Republican Bobby Jindal was sworn in on Monday as governor of Louisiana to become the first Indian-American elected head of a U.S. state. Slideshow ( 4 images ) The Oxford-educated conservative vowed in a speech at the state capitol to clean up Louisiana’s notorious political corruption and to speed up the state’s recovery from hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005. “In our past, too many of our politicians looked out for themselves,” said Jindal, who is the state’s first non-white governor since Reconstruction in the 1870s. “We must win a war on corruption and incompetence in government.” Jindal, 36, was in his second term as a U.S. congressman when won the governorship in an October election in his second try for the office. Democrat Kathleen Blanco defeated Jindal in the 2003 gubernatorial race, but did not seek a second term when her support plummeted after the government’s stumbling rescue and recovery efforts following Hurricane Katrina. The storm flooded most of New Orleans, where hundreds died and chaos broke out as stranded flood victims waited days for help. Many residents who fled Katrina have not returned. Jindal urged storm exiles to return home and “make Louisiana’s rebirth your own priority.” He said the hurricanes provided a chance to build a better Louisiana. “Our economy was behind before the storms. And now, for reasons beyond our earthly comprehension, this opportunity, this mandate, has been placed on our generation.” Jindal is the first Indian-American elected governor of a U.S. state, but another, Kris Kolluri, served as governor for a day in New Jersey in 2006 when Gov. Jon Corzine was away. Jindal, who first name is Piyush, is the son of well-educated Indians who emigrated to Baton Rouge shortly before he was born. He converted to Catholicism from his parents’ Hindu faith and frequently cites his Christian beliefs. “Praise be to almighty God,” he said at the start of Monday’s speech. Jindal’s rise in state politics began at the age of 24 when he was selected by then-Gov. Mike Foster to head the state’s Department of Health and Hospitals. He served in several government positions and, after his unsuccessful run for governor, won a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives in 2004, taking over the office vacated when David Vitter was elected to the Senate.	Bobby Jindal: "We have the opportunity — born of tragedy but embraced still the same — to make right decades of failure in government." Piyush "Bobby" Jindal was inaugurated on Monday as governor of the U.S. state of Louisiana. He is the country's first Indian American elected governor and the first non-white governor of Louisiana since P. B. S. Pinchback in 1872. At 36 years old, he is currently the nation's youngest governor as well. Jindal succeeds Kathleen Blanco as the state governor. The inauguration ceremony was held at the state capitol in Baton Rouge. In a speech, Jindal vowed to put an end to political corruption in the state and speed up recovery from the 2005 Atlantic hurricane season. "We must win a war on corruption and incompetence in government," said Jindal. Jindal was serving a second term in the House of Representatives when he was elected last October. He previously served as the head of Louisiana's Department of Health and Hospitals, a post to which he was appointed at the age of 24. A year earlier, he had graduated from University of Oxford as a Rhodes scholar. Jindal is the son of Punjabi immigrants who came to Baton Rouge shortly before his birth. As a teenager, he converted from Hinduism to Catholicism. He takes his nickname from the character Bobby on television's ''The Brady Bunch''.
Zawodnik doznał kontuzji podczas pierwszego zgrupowania, ale kilka dni temu wrócił do treningów z drużyną. "Kuba powinien być gotowy na drugi mecz w grupie" - mówili wówczas lekarze reprezentacji. Niestety, pech prześladuje piłkarza Borussii Dortmund. Uraz odnowił się na porannym treningu. Błaszczykowski przeszedł jeszcze jedną serię badań. Okazało się, że nie ma szans na to, by piłkarz był gotowy do gry na którykolwiek z meczów w fazie grupowej Euro. Sztab szkoleniowy polskiej reprezentacji podjął decyzję o zwróceniu się do UEFA z prośbą o zgodę na powołanie w miejsce Jakuba Błaszczykowskiego Łukasza Piszczka. \|\|\|\|\| Kraj: AFGANISTAN ALBANIA ALGERIA AMERICAN SAMOA ANDORRA ANGOLA ANGUILLA ANTARCTICA ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA ARGENTINA ARMENIA ARUBA AUSTRALIA AUSTRIA AZERBAIJAN BAHAMAS BAHRAIN BANGLADESH BARBADOS BELARUS BELGIA BELIZE BENIN BERMUDA BHUTAN BOLIVIA BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA BOTSWANA BOUVET ISLAND BRAZIL BRITISH INDIAN OCEAN TERRITORY BRUNEI DARUSSALAM BUŁGARIA BURKINA FASO BURUNDI CAMBODIA CAMEROON CANADA CANARY ISLANDS CAPE VERDE CAYMAN ISLANDS CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC CHAD CHILE CHINA CHRISTMAS ISLAND COCOS (KEELING) ISLANDS COLOMBIA COMOROS CONGO CONGO, THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE COOK ISLANDS COSTA RICA COTE D'IVOIRE CROATIA CUBA CYPR CZECHY DANIA DJIBOUTI DOMINICA DOMINICAN REPUBLIC ECUADOR EGYPT EL SALVADOR EQUATORIAL GUINEA ERITREA ESTONIA ETHIOPIA FALKLAND ISLANDS (MALVINAS) FAROE ISLANDS FIJI FINLANDIA FRANCJA FRENCH GUIANA FRENCH POLYNESIA FRENCH SOUTHERN TERRITORIES GABON GAMBIA GEORGIA NIEMCY GHANA GIBRALTAR GRECJA GREENLAND GRENADA GUADELOUPE GUAM GUATEMALA GUINEA GUINEA-BISSAU GUERNSEY GUYANA HAITI HEARD ISLAND AND MCDONALD ISLANDS HOLY SEE (VATICAN CITY STATE) HONDURAS HONG KONG WĘGRY ICELAND INDIA INDONESIA IRAN, ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF IRAQ IRLANDIA ISRAEL WŁOCHY JAMAICA JAPAN JERSEY JORDAN KAZAKHSTAN KENYA KIRIBATI KOREA, DEMOCRATIC PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF KOREA, REPUBLIC OF KUWAIT KYRGYZSTAN LAO PEOPLE'S DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC ŁOTWA LEBANON LESOTHO LIBERIA LIBYAN ARAB JAMAHIRIYA LIECHTENSTEIN LITWA LUXEMBURG MACAO MACEDONIA, THE FORMER YUGOSLAV REPUBLIC OF MADAGASCAR MALAWI MALAYSIA MALDIVES MALI MALTA MARSHALL ISLANDS MARTINIQUE MAURITANIA MAURITIUS MAYOTTE MEXICO MICRONESIA, FEDERATED STATES OF MOLDOVA, REPUBLIC OF MONACO MONGOLIA MONTENEGRO MONTSERRAT MOROCCO MOZAMBIQUE MYANMAR NAMIBIA NAURU NEPAL HOLANDIA NETHERLANDS ANTILLES NEW CALEDONIA NEW ZEALAND NICARAGUA NIGER NIGERIA NIUE NORFOLK ISLAND NORTHERN MARIANA ISLANDS NORWAY OMAN PAKISTAN PALAU PALESTINIAN TERRITORY, OCCUPIED PANAMA PAPUA NEW GUINEA PARAGUAY PERU PHILIPPINES PITCAIRN POLSKA PORTUGALIA PUERTO RICO QATAR REUNION RUMUNIA RUSSIAN FEDERATION RWANDA SAINT HELENA SAINT KITTS AND NEVIS SAINT LUCIA SAINT PIERRE AND MIQUELON SAINT VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES SAMOA SAN MARINO SAO TOME AND PRINCIPE SAUDI ARABIA SERBIA SENEGAL SEYCHELLES SIERRA LEONE SINGAPORE SŁOWACJA SŁOWENIA SOLOMON ISLANDS SOMALIA SOUTH AFRICA SOUTH GEORGIA AND THE SOUTH SANDWICH ISLANDS HISZPANIA SRI LANKA SUDAN SURINAME SVALBARD AND JAN MAYEN SWAZILAND SZWECJA SZWAJCARIA SYRIAN ARAB REPUBLIC TAIWAN TAJIKISTAN TANZANIA, UNITED REPUBLIC OF THAILAND TIMOR-LESTE TOGO TOKELAU TONGA TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO TUNISIA TURKEY TURKMENISTAN TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS TUVALU UGANDA UKRAINE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES WIELKA BRYTANIA STANY ZJEDNOCZONE UNITED STATES MINOR OUTLYING ISLANDS URUGUAY UZBEKISTAN VANUATU VENEZUELA VIET NAM VIRGIN ISLANDS, BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS, U.S. WALLIS AND FUTUNA WESTERN SAHARA YEMEN ZAMBIA ZIMBABWE *	The Polish national team's right winger Jakub Błaszczykowski was ruled out of the Euro 2008 soccer championships late on June 5, less than three days before Poland is to take on Germany in its tournament opener. Błaszczykowski, who in his club career plays for Borussia Dortmund, renewed a hamstring strain he suffered in mid-season. His withdrawal leaves Poland's coach Leo Beenhakker with a serious selection headache to solve. So far he has not said how he would patch the resulting hole in his right wing.
He is very much in India, Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime) Rakesh Maria said today. We suspect he will never leave. A big reason for Mumbai Police suspecting Kumar has not moved base to Canada is it would be hard for him to set up such an extensive kidney racket there, Maria said. He will stay in India it wont be easy to conduct his illegal activities anywhere else, he said. In a country like Canada, it would almost be impossible to find (kidney) donors in large numbers. In Mumbai, and other Indian cities, he could pick up donors off the streets with the lure of fast money. When Mumbai Police had first raided Kumars Kaushalya Nursing Home at Khar, in the citys western suburb, they had found a donor from Andhra Pradesh and a Yemeni recipient. At the time, Raut promised Rs 2 lakh to a donor, and give them only Rs 40,000, Maria said. When we arrested him, he spoke Arabic and Turkish besides Hindi, Marathi and English. He also ran a taxi service that picked up these people from the airport. CBI to take over probe soon NEW DELHI: The CBI will soon take over probe of the kidney racket case. CBI director Vijay Shankar today confirmed receiving a copy of the request letter from the Haryana government to the Department of Personnel and Training. We havent yet received a final word to start investigations, Shankar said. We will begin working on the case as per legal process. Gurgoan, Moradabad, Mumbai and Rajasthan police are separately probing the case at present. \|\|\|\|\| TheStar.com \| GTA \| Patients blamed in kidney scam Patients blamed in kidney scam `Selfish' people seeking transplants bargain down price, medical tourism agent says Feb 05, 2008 04:30 AM Prithi Yelaja Staff Reporter Desperate transplant patients, who don't really care how a donor organ overseas is procured, are just as much to blame as Amit Kumar, kingpin of an underground kidney trafficking ring busted by police in India, says a Calgary-based medical tourism operator. Aruna Thurairajan, owner of Overseas Medical Services, gets a few calls every week from patients from as far away as Algeria needing kidney transplants. A growing global industry, medical tourism connects patients primarily in North America with health services overseas. "Money is a big factor for people to decide where to go. Often they want to bargain how much to pay the vendor (organ donor). Some of them can be quite selfish and mean. They think they can buy the kidney for peanuts. That's why the likes of (Kumar) can prosper. So the patient should also be blamed along with him, because the patient bargains down the price," said Thurairajan. "It's a big racket. There's big money involved, but the vendor gets only a fraction of that." A Brampton resident trained in Ayurvedic medicine, Kumar is wanted by Interpol for "crimes against life and health." He is on the run after police raided his clinic in Gurgaon, India, which illegally harvested kidneys from as many as 500 people, typically labourers who were duped. Kumar was allegedly charging patients wanting transplants $50,000. Thurairajan won't send patients to India because transplants between unrelated living donors are illegal there. Kumar's case "gives medical tourism a bad rap," she says. Wait lists of several years in North America drive the huge demand for overseas kidney transplants. That this is a straight market transaction is highlighted by the industry lingo used: the donor is referred to as the "vendor;" the person recruiting donors is the "broker," while "agents" like Thurairajan recruit patients. The Philippines is the only country in the world that allows living donor kidney transplants, according to Thurairajan. The all-inclusive cost, which includes airfare, a six-week hospital stay, surgery and follow-up medical services for the donor for one year is $120,000. Of that amount, the donor gets a fee of $10,000. Colombia also offers kidney transplants for $120,000, but only from cadavers and only after local citizens have rejected the organs, usually on the basis that they are "too old," said Thurairajan. "Cadavers older than 35 years of age are usually up for grabs for foreigners. One just needs to hang around and within a week or two one can get an organ. "It's a very lucrative market. In many pockets of India it has been going on for a long time. There are stories that in the fishing villages of south India almost everybody has sold a kidney." Some medical tourism operators, like Vancouver-based Timely Medical Alternatives, won't arrange transplants because of ethical concerns, said company president Rick Baker. \|\|\|\|\| PATIALA: The hunt for Dr Amit Kumar, the alleged kingpin of a multi-crore kidney racket, has spread to a quiet neighbourhood in Brampton in Canada after it was discovered that he had bought a $6,10,000 home there last year. A woman believed to be his wife and two young children live there now, neighbours told Toronto Star this weekend. According to the report, the Peel Region police have acknowledged that they were involved in the hunt for Kumar, as were other GTA forces and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Pali Drive residents, who once viewed Kumar as a friend, were shocked to discover that a man dubbed 'Dr Horror' lived among them. Some first heard the allegations while watching a TV broadcast from India last week. "I was shocked, blown away," a neighbour was quoted as saying. "We used to joke at parties that he must be loaded to get such a beautiful wife, but nothing prepared us for this." Added another: "It's very unusual for someone to come here from India and buy a big house like this and a Lexus. Doctors in India just don't make that kind of money." Kumar's house, number 14, is situated in Castlemore. According to Jagdish Grewal, a scribe in Toronto, houses 12 and 16 are occupied by Punjabi immigrants. "Kumar bought the house on February 2 last year through a local Indian real-estate agent. Usually, agents charge 2% of the total cost of property as commission, but he paid nearly 10%," said sources. Kumar apparently never mentioned "anything about kidney" to his neighbours. As Baltej Pannu, a scribe, said: "Kumar had told his neighbours that he was a cardiovascular surgeon in India and that he planned to open a hotel in Canada upon his return and was going to live and work here permanently." Documents obtained by the paper show that the couple bought the four-bedroom home on Pali Drive in April 2007 for $610,000. His wife Poonam Ameet, and their two boys, aged five and four, moved into the area last April and the children attend a local private school. Poonam, 28, had told friends on the street that her marriage to Kumar was arranged when she was 18. Kumar had also confided that his first wife left him after his arrest in 1994 on suspicion of running a kidney racket in Mumbai. With the Canadian police keeping an eye on his property, the phone installed in his house has reportedly been blocked, while his wife and children remain barricaded behind security doors at their Brampton home. No one came to Kumar's door when a Toronto Star reporter knocked this weekend, but "children could be seen peeking through the closed blinds". A glass security door was locked and a taped phone message said service "is temporarily disconnected". A Lexus SUV remained parked in the double garage. A neighbour was quoted as saying that Kumar was last seen there before Christmas when he drove around in a leased $65,000 Lexus 350 SUV. His cellular phone records also indicate that he returned to Gurgaon from Brampton on January 1. E-mails on computers seized in the raids suggest Kumar was getting transplant inquiries from Canada. (toireporter@timesgroup.com) \|\|\|\|\| A Muslim Orphanage student clears IAS exam from Kerala Mukkam: An orphan living in an orphanage is set to be among the top bureaucrats in the country. with Inter religious marriages on rise in India India is a country of diverse castes and many religions. Several religions have tens of millions of \|\|\|\|\| A man accused of masterminding an illegal transplant ring that allegedly harvested hundreds of kidneys from poor men and women in India has been linked to a southern Ontario home, according to published media reports. Amit Kumar is the subject of an Interpol arrest warrant for "crimes against life and health," according to the international police agency's website. (Interpol) Indian investigators allege Amit Kumar, dubbed Dr. Horror by Indian newspapers, had false passports for Nepal and Canada, and has escaped arrest numerous times. The Toronto Star reported on the weekend that Kumar was living in a home in a quiet suburb of Brampton, just north of Toronto, with his wife and two children. A security gate has been installed outside the home in the last few days, the CBC's Nil Koksal reported on Monday from the neighbourhood. Kumar is not a qualified doctor, but is alleged to have overseen the removal of kidneys from up to 500 poor labourers for sale to wealthy patients, Mohiner Lal, police commissioner for the New Delhi suburb of Gurgaon, told CBC News on Monday. The patients are believed to be among the many willing to pay high sums of money to receive needed organs immediately and avoid waiting lists for transplants in their home countries. Police broke up the alleged ring on Jan. 24 after they discovered a room fully equipped with surgical supplies in an upscale home in Gurgaon, Lal said. The clinic was set up without authorization and there are reports of at least three patients dying, he added. When asked about reports the victims were forced to give up their kidneys at gunpoint, the police commissioner replied: "Yes, maybe." A doctor and several other people were arrested and several computers were seized. But Kumar evaded capture, which has led to speculation in the Indian media that he was somehow tipped off to the raid ahead of time. Interpol has issued a worldwide "red notice" for Kumar calling for his immediate arrest for "crimes against life and health," according to the international police agency's website. Speaking on behalf of Interpol, RCMP Sgt. Sylvie Tremblay told CBCNews.ca on Monday that the agency's Ottawa bureau is working closely with its counterpart office in India and local agencies to "validate any information" on the case. But Tremblay would not comment on whether investigators believe Kumar is currently in Canada. Poor lured with promises of payment, jobs Indian officials do not know where Kumar is, but have information that he has family in Canada, Lal said. Other media reports in India have said police have recovered e-mails from Kumar's Gurgaon premises in which patients from Canada have inquired about the details of the operation. It is unclear if the poor people actually sold the organs or whether they were duped by dozens of doctors allegedly involved in the scheme. There are reports some were allegedly drawn into the clinic with the promise of high-paying work that required a physical examination, said Angie Seth, host of OMNI TV's South-Asian News, who has been following Indian media coverage of the case. "From what we understand, these men would be sedated, then they'd wake up later with a large scar and in a great deal of pain, minus a kidney," Seth told CBC News on Monday. Foreign clients were found waiting for transplants in the guest house, according to media reports. Investigators have said some of the people whose kidneys were taken were paid about $1,200. "You're looking for patients from around the world who are desperate because it's a life-or-death matter," Seth said. The Star quoted a neighbour in Brampton as saying Kumar told him last month that he was going back to India to wind up some business loose ends. The paper also reported Kumar starred in low-budget Bollywood films in the 1990s. Authorities have said this is not the first time Kumar, who has several aliases, has been accused of illegally selling kidneys. Police raided one of his clinics eight years ago, but he allegedly continued his activities. With files from the Canadian Press \|\|\|\|\| Police scour Brampton suburb for 'Dr. Horror' Chris Wattie , Canwest News Service Published: Monday, February 04, 2008 "I don't know how I will survive," he said from his hospital bed. "I am the only earner in the family and the doctors said I can't do heavy work." Kumar was arrested in 1994 on suspicion of running a kidney transplant racket in Mumbai, but police say he jumped bail, changed his name and set up shop again near New Delhi. A police spokesman said RCMP are heading the Canadian investigation into Kumar's whereabouts, with detectives from Toronto and Peel region also involved in the search. National Post © CanWest News Service 2008	Interpol handout. The hunt for alleged kidney harvester, Dr. Amit Kumar, has led investigators to Brampton, a city in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) of Ontario, Canada. Indian investigators allege that Kumar is the kingpin of a ring that removed kidneys of poor laborers in India for transplantation to the highest bidding patients, usually foreigners. After a request by Indian police via an Interpol "red notice", Canadian police located a house in Brampton owned by Kumar, who has been dubbed "Dr. Horror" by the Indian press. The house is occupied by a woman, presumed to be his wife, and two young children. Kumar purchased the 5,600 sq ft (~510 m²) home on February 2, 2007 for C$610,000. Reportedly, additional upgrades were performed at the home, including an in-ground pool, at a cost of C$100,000. The family drives an expensive SUV. The children, two boys aged 4 and 5, are said to be enrolled at private schools. Dr. Kumar, a nephrologist, born Santosh Rameshwar Raut, was known to his neighbors. He told them that he was a cardiovascular surgeon in India, but that he wanted to buy a hotel in Canada and, after one last trip to India to tie up loose ends, permanently relocate to Canada. "We are completely shocked," a neighbor told the ''Toronto Star''. "We used to joke at parties that he must be loaded to get such a beautiful wife, but nothing prepared us for this." Another neighbor told the paper, "It's very unusual for someone to come here from India and buy a big house like this and a Lexus. Doctors in India just don't make that kind of money." Meanwhile, investigators are no closer to Amit Kumar, than they were a few days ago. It is widely believed that he is trying to flee India for Canada via Nepal, a country for which he is alleged to have a passport. Police in Mumbai, however, believe he is still in India. "He is very much in India," commissioner Rakesh Maria said on Tuesday. "We suspect he will never leave." "He will stay in India — it won't be easy to conduct his illegal activities anywhere else," he said. "In a country like Canada, it would almost be impossible to find kidney donors in large numbers." However, after a request by the Haryana state government, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) will soon take lead in the investigation. "We haven't yet received a final word to start investigations," CBI Director Vijay Shankar said. "We will begin working on the case as per legal process." Thus far, police in Gurgoan, Moradabad, Mumbai and Rajasthan have been investigating the case separately. The case has called attention to medical tourism, the practice of traveling abroad for health care at more affordable rates. Kumar is alleged to have charged US$50,000 for a kidney transplant. The donors are said to have been paid the equivalent of US$1,200. Even so, the donors, according to widespread reports and testimonials, may not have realized what they were getting into when they went with a stranger for a well-paying job. The ''Toronto Star'' interviewed a medical tourism travel agent, who operates openly. Aruna Thurairajan, who runs Overseas Medical Services in Calgary, Alberta, says that she frequently gets calls from patients in need of a kidney. Thurairajan refuses to give referrals for transplants because it "gives medical tourism a bad rap." "Money is a big factor for people to decide where to go. Often they want to bargain how much to pay the vendor organ donor. Some of them can be quite selfish and mean. They think they can buy the kidney for peanuts. That's why the likes of Amit Kumar can prosper. So the patient should also be blamed along with him, because the patient bargains down the price," said Thurairajan. But the victims of this illegal trade are not exclusively the poor day laborers but sometimes the clients themselves, according to a report by ''Hindustan Times''. The investigation cited a driver for a close associate of Amit Kumar and claims that at least three foreigners died on Dr. Kumar's operating table. He was able to name three Turkish nationals who all died in India between 2003 and 2005, officially from cardiac arrest. The driver, Harpal, says that the bodies were brought to a hospital in Ballabgarh, Faridabad, where the local authorities colluded with the doctors to list the cause of death as heart failure.
Health officials in Kenya said a serious outbreak of cholera has killed 59 people in the past five months. More than 1,200 cases have been reported in Nyanza, Rift Valley, North Eastern and Western provinces, the Nation newspaper reported Friday. The hardest hit region was Nyanza Province, with 750 infections and 45 deaths. Dr. James Nyikal, the health ministry's director of Medical Services, said all health personnel have been told to be vigilant for early detection and management of patients suffering from diarrhea. Nyikal said the government has issued a ban on food hawking, as well as the preparation and eating of food in public gatherings. © 2008 United Press International. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be reproduced, redistributed, or manipulated in any form. NAIROBI, Kenya, April 12 (UPI) -- \|\|\|\|\| Society - East Africa - Kenya - Health - Governance Kenya : Cholera outbreak kills 59 A cholera outbreak in Kenya has killed 59 people and lef t 1,200 people hospitalised over the last two months, affecting 16 different districts across northern and western Kenya, medical authorities confirmed on Thursday. \|\|\|\|\| The government has set aside over 38 million shillings to contain the cholera outbreak in the country. Director of Medical Services Dr. James Nyikal says the outbreak has been reported and confirmed in sixteen districts. Nyikal said so far, there have been 1217 cases of the disease and 59 deaths noting that latest cases have been reported in Kisumu East and Naivasha districts. Speaking when giving the status of the cholera outbreak in the country, he cited poor personal hygiene and drinking of contaminated water as the main causes of the disease and appealed to the public to observe proper hygiene and seek medical care immediately they develop the symptoms. Cholera is an acute diarrheal disease characterized by diarrhoea ands vomiting. It's transmitted through eating food and water contaminated with human waste and cholera germs \|\|\|\|\| > Use our pull-down menus to find more stories -- Regions/Countries -- Africa Central Africa East Africa North Africa Southern Africa West Africa --- Algeria Angola Benin Botswana Burkina Faso Burundi Cameroon Cape Verde Central African Republic Chad Comoros Congo-Brazzaville Congo-Kinshasa Côte d'Ivoire Djibouti Egypt Equatorial Guinea Eritrea Ethiopia Gabon Gambia Ghana Guinea Guinea Bissau Kenya Lesotho Liberia Libya Madagascar Malawi Mali Mauritania Mauritius Morocco Mozambique Namibia Niger Nigeria Rwanda Senegal Seychelles Sierra Leone Somalia South Africa Sudan Swaziland São Tomé and Príncipe Tanzania Togo Tunisia Uganda Western Sahara Zambia Zimbabwe -- Topics -- AGOA AIDS Africa on the Move Agribusiness Aid and Assistance Arms and Armies Arts Athletics Banking Book Reviews Books Business Capital Flows Children Climate Commodities Company Conflict Construction Crime Currencies Debt Ecotourism Editorials Education Energy Environment Food and Agriculture From allAfrica's Reporters Game Parks Health Healthcare and Medical Human Rights ICT Infrastructure Investment Labour Land Issues Latest Legal Affairs Malaria Manufacturing Media Migration Mining Music Music Reviews NEPAD NGO Oceans Olympics Peacekeeping Petroleum Polio Pregnancy and Childbirth Privatization Refugees Religion Science Soccer Sport Stock Markets Sustainable Development Terrorism Trade Transport Travel Tuberculosis Urban Issues Water Wildlife Women --- Central Africa Business East Africa Business North Africa Business Southern Africa Business West Africa Business --- Asia, Australia, and Africa Europe and Africa International Organisations Latin America and Africa Middle East and Africa U.S., Canada and Africa --- From AllAfrica Photo Essays Special Reports web allafrica.com Enter your search terms Submit search form OR subscribers use AllAfrica's premium search engine Kenya: Cholera Kills 40 in Western Region Email This Page Print This Page Comment on this article Nairobi At least 42 people have died in western Kenya following an outbreak of Cholera, health officials said. "At least 701 cases of the disease have been reported in the western province of Nyanza," SK Sharif, the senior deputy director of the area's medical services, said on 2 April. The disease, which was initially reported in the districts of Rongo, Siaya and Suba in January, had spread to other districts in the region despite control measures. The most affected areas included the districts of Bondo, Homa Bay, Kisumu, Migori and Nyando. Cases had also been reported in Kisii and in the Bunyala area of Busia. "There has been an on and off recurrence of the disease," Sharif said. He said the outbreak had been caused by gaps in water and sanitation hygiene in the region and frequent outbreaks of the disease in neighbouring Uganda. Other risk factors included the use of untreated water and contaminated food. "The mass movement of people during the post-election crisis may also have contributed to the outbreak of the disease as people found themselves in areas with inadequate water and sanitation facilities," he said. Outbreak control measures, including targeted public health education campaigns and the strengthening of water treatment through chlorination, were put in place in the affected areas. "We are also encouraging awareness on personal hygiene, the safe disposal of human waste and on how to minimise family contact with affected members," Sharif said. The mass movement of people during the post-election crisis may also have contributed to the outbreak of the disease as people found themselves in areas with inadequate water and sanitation facilities Measures to strengthen disease surveillance and the updating of health workers on detection and case management are ongoing. "We are trying to contain the disease where it is," he added. Intervention efforts appeared to be succeeding, with the number of cases being reported reducing compared to mid-February when there had been a rapid spread of the disease. "We are also partnering with other organisations to control the spread of the disease," Sharif said, adding that there was a need to address the issue of water provision to reduce gaps in water sanitation hygiene through increased coordination with relevant ministries. "We also need to increase advocacy on public health awareness, water safety promotion and strengthen case management and disease control," he said. Cholera, which is caused by the Vibrio cholerae bacteria, is characterised by profuse watery diarrhoea, vomiting, muscle cramps and severe dehydration. Cholera cases were also reported in Northeastern Province in January and February in the districts of Mandera Central, Mandera East and Wajir, where there were at least 12 deaths and 448 cases. The outbreak followed similar outbreaks in Ethiopia and Somalia and was exacerbated by inadequate water and sanitation hygiene. [ This report does not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations ]	State health officials in Kenya issued an alert Thursday after an outbreak of cholera killed over 60 people in the last five months. All health personnel have been advised to actively monitor patients with diarrhea, and the government issued a ban on preparing and eating food in public gatherings. Nyanza Province has been the area hardest hit by the cholera outbreak in Kenya. Nyanza Province, with 750 infections and 45 deaths, has felt the brunt of the outbreak. Over 1,200 cases have been reported in the provinces of Nyanza, Rift Valley, North Eastern and Western. According to ''Agence France-Presse'', officials have reported 45 people dead in Nyanza Province, 12 in North Eastern Province and seven in Rift Valley Province. Health officials have stated that the actual number of deaths due to the outbreak could be higher due to under reporting. SK Sharif, senior deputy director of health services in Nyanza, commented on contributing factors to the outbreak: "The mass movement of people during the post-election crisis may also have contributed to the outbreak of the disease as people found themselves in areas with inadequate water and sanitation facilities". Health workers are working to contain the outbreak, and are focusing efforts on areas affected by violence related to the December elections. Suba, Migori, Homabay, Rongo, Siaya, Kisumu, Bondo, Nyando, Kisii, Wajir, Mandera, Naivasha, Nakuru and Bunyala are among the worst affected districts. The possibility of a disease outbreak in Kenya was previously raised by health officials, specifically in camps where hundreds of thousands of displaced people reside. Revenge killings, tribal fighting and upheaval following the December elections in Kenya has displaced many in the country. Titus Mung'ou, spokesman for Kenya Red Cross Society, told ''Agence France-Presse'' "We are trying to reduce the prevalence of the mix up that may happen by scrutinising food donations that are brought in the camps, but mostly we are ensuring that all the water is well treated". In a news conference Thursday in Nairobi, Director of Medical Service Dr. James Nyikal said that if urgent measures were not undertaken to control the outbreak, it could become much worse. "Most deaths occurred at home or on the way to hospital," said Dr. Nyikal. Medicines worth KSh17.3 million (GBP 2.4 million) and other equipment worth KSh700,000 (GBP 5,700) has been sent to the affected areas. The Kenyan government has allocated KSh38 million (GBP 11.75 million) to contain the outbreak. On Friday the Health Ministry requested aid from the United Nations Children's Fund, and Dr. Nyikal stated: "Health workers are a problem and we have written to Unicef, requesting assistance. Already some staff have been dispatched". Dr. Nyikal voiced concerns over high risk areas: "We are particularly concerned by risk areas such as eating premises and bus stops in major towns such as Busia, Kisumu, Kericho, Nakuru, Naivasha, Nairobi, Voi, Mtito Andei and Mombasa". World Health Organization Country Director Dr. David Okello emphasized the importance of hygiene, stating: "We need to emphasise the importance of water safety and the public needs to adopt the measures of keeping water safe." Dr. Okello stressed that "Boiling drinking water or treating water with chlorine and practising good toilet manners are necessary to avoid contamination". Cholera is a waterborne disease and causes serious diarrhea and vomiting. The disease can be fatal if it is not treated within 24 hours. Spread of the disease can be prevented by avoiding contaminated drinking water, and practicing proper hand washing before touching food. Southern Sudan also reported an increase in cholera cases recently.
Hundreds of schools in the Northern Italian province of Bolzano have migrated from Windows XP to Linux for the forthcoming academic year. All of the Italian-language schools in the province have adopted the software, according to Christopher Gabriel, chief technical officer with Truelite SRL, a Italian GNU/Linux consultancy company that is coordinating the deployment. Truelite managed the technical aspects of the migration, from software development to teaching the courses. The migration, known as the FUSS Project, means that 16,000 students will be using Linux from 12 September, when the new school terms starts. A 40-strong installation party installed the Debian flavour of Linux and the GNOME desktop environment on 2,460 PCs during July and August. The deployment was funded by the Italian Scholastic Intendancy of the Province of Bozen, the European Social Fund and the Centre for Professional Training in Italian CTS "Luigi Einaudi". Gabriel was upbeat about the deployment: "All the teachers will use this software, and the FUSS Project will print and distribute about 20,000 CDs to the students' families so they can install the software at home," he said. This is the first such project in Italy claimed Gabriel, who hopes more Italian provinces will follow suit. "There are some similar projects here in Italy, all in an embryonic phase. FUSS is the only project which has already installed software onto schools' computer systems." \|\|\|\|\| Use of this site is governed by our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy . Except where otherwise specified, the contents of this site are copyright © 1999-2005 Ziff Davis Publishing Holdings Inc. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. Linux is a registered trademark of Linus Torvalds. All other marks are the property of their respective owners. \|\|\|\|\| During the months of July and August 2005, all the computer infrastructure of all italian schools in the Autonomous Province of Bozen has been upgraded, using the free operating system FUSS Soledad GNU/Linux. This operating system is a customization, made by a team of experts for the South Tyrol's schools, of the most famous Debian GNU/Linux [1] distribution of the desktop environment GNOME[2]. The peculiarity of this upgrade and his strongness is the free license [3] used to redistribute the entire operating system and all the applications. This initiative, supported and funded by the Italian Scholastic Intendancy of the Province of Bozen [4], the European Social Fund [5] and the Center for Professional Formation in italian language CTS "Luigi Einaudi" [6], with the partecipation of all the public and private schools, will give to all the students, families, teachers and operators from the educational world, the opportunity to easily use a entirely free operating system, both at school and at home. Beside the accurate selection of the multi-language software added into the distribution, about 20 thousand live-cd will be delivered to students and teachers, with the collaboration of Alpikom [7]. All the students and families will have, for free, the same software environment and all the applications used in the computer classes at school. This process of introducing to this new operating system and to free software in general into the several educational activities will be supported by a specialized team during the whole academic year 2005/2006. The main task to be accomplished by this team will be to offer support and to develop reaserch tasks, both on the technical and the educational aspect, for all the educational units. The switch to the new operating system will be facilitated, starting September 2005, by several courses for all the schools operators, and almost 40 installation party, to have all the people involved in the education world to know this peculiar version of the GNU/Linux operating system. This occasion will let everyone to have their computer system installed, legally and for free, the FUSS Soledad operating system. The project, on top of the great didactic and pedagogical research effort made by the Intendacy, will offer to the schools an important choice towards knowledge freedom and share, free software solutions, to give a full-life right to learn, increasing freedom for all the users to use, copy, redistribute and modify the software and the operating system without any restrictions. The activity is coordinated by Paolo Zilotti and Antonio J. Russo, supported by the excellent technical staff guided by Christopher R. Gabriel of Truelite srl [8], which has completed the deployment of 2.460 PCs in 23 working days, guaranteeing an high quality standard defined in the analisys phase of the project. For the Province Council Member for italian schools Luisa Gnecchi and the Scholastic Intendant Prof. Bruna Rauzi Visintin, this project will introduce an higher quality level on the pedagogical aspect and a fundamental choice towards a more dynamic and distributed use of information technologies. Free Software is a cultural and professional enrichment that can't be excluded from the education world. A choice strongly supported also by the department director Dott. Barbara Repetto and the director of the CTS "Luigi Einaudi" Dott. Giandomenico Sbop. For more informations: http://www.fuss.bz.it mailto:info@fuss.bz.it [1] Debian Project: http://www.debian.org/ [2] Gnome Project: http://www.gnome.org [3] The free software: http://www.gnu.org/philosophy/free-sw.html [4] Intendenza Scolastica italiana: http://www.provincia.bz.it/intendenza-scolastica/ [5] Fondo Sociale Europeo: http://www.provincia.bz.it/europa/esf/index_i.asp [6] CTS "Luigi Einaudi": http://www.cts-einaudi.it/ [7] Alpikom Spa: http://www.alpikom.it [8] Truelite Srl: http://www.truelite.it \|\|\|\|\| :Community: Italian Province Schools Migrate to Linux Community: Italian Province Schools Migrate to Linux Aug 31, 2005, 16 :45 UTC ( Aug 31, 2005, 16 :45 UTC ( 0 Talkback[s] ) (2826 reads) (Other stories by Antonio J. Russo [ Thanks to Antonio J. Russo for this article. ] During the months of July and August 2005, the computer infrastructure of all public and private schools in the Autonomous Province of Bozen in Italy have been upgraded to the free operating system FUSS Soledad GNU/Linux. This operating system is a customization made by a team of experts for the South Tyrol schools, based on the wiodely-used Debian GNU/Linux distribution with a GNOME desktop environment. This initiative is supported and funded by the Italian Scholastic Intendancy of the Province of Bozen, the European Social Fund, and the Center for Professional Formation (CTS "Luigi Einaudi" in Italian). With the participation of all the public and private schools, all the students, families, teachers, and operators from the educational world will gain the opportunity to easily use a entirely free operating system, both at school and at home. Besides the the multi-language software added into the distribution, about 20,000 LiveCDs will be delivered to students and teachers, with the help of Alpikom. All students and families will have, free of charge, the same software environment and applications available in the computer classes at school. This process of migrating and training users about the new operating system--and to free software in general--within several educational programs will be supported by a specialized team during the entire academic year 2005/2006. The main task to be accomplished by this team will be to offer support and to develop reaserch tasks, both on the technical and the educational arenas for all the educational units. The switch to the new operating system will be facilitated, beginning in September 2005, by several courses for all the schools' operators, and almost 40 installfests. This approach will allow all educators in the schools learn about this peculiar version of the GNU/Linux operating system. The installfests will let everyone to have their computer system installed with the FUSS Soledad distribution. Along with the great didactic and pedagogical research effort made by the Intendacy, the project will offer schools an important choice towards knowledge freedom and sharing free software solutions. It also delivers a full-life right to learn and increased freedom for all the users to use, copy, redistribute, and modify the software and the operating system without any restrictions. The project is coordinated by Paolo Zilotti and Antonio J. Russo and supported by the excellent technical staff guided by Christopher R. Gabriel of Truelite srl, which completed the deployment of 2,460 PCs in 23 working days, guaranteeing a high-quality standard defined in the analsys phase of the project. For the Province Council Member for Italian schools Luisa Gnecchi and the Scholastic Intendant Prof. Bruna Rauzi Visintin, this project will introduce a higher level of pedagogical impact and a fundamental choice towards a more dynamic and distributed use of information technologies. Free Software is a cultural and professional enrichment that can't be excluded from the education world, a philosophy strongly supported by the department director Dott. Barbara Repetto and the director of the CTS "Luigi Einaudi" Dott. Giandomenico Sbop. For more information: http://www.fuss.bz.it info@fuss.bz.it Related Stories: Linux Journal: Linux in Italian Schools, Part 1(May 18, 2005) IDA: Italian Government Compares Office Suites(Sep 23, 2004) IDG.SG: Rome City Council Opts for Open Source(Feb 27, 2004)	Linux running on a desktop computer in an Italian school Over the summer a customized distribution of the Linux (or GNU/Linux) operating system was installed on 2,460 desktops in the Italian South Tyrol province of Bolzano. This deployment included all 70 of the province's private and public schools and affects more than 16,000 students. The distribution installed, FUSS Soledad GNU/Linux, is a customized version of the popular Debian GNU/Linux distribution. FUSS Soledad GNU/Linux has multi-language support and uses the GNOME desktop environment. In addition to the desktops in the schools, more than 20,000 LiveCDs are scheduled to be created and given free of charge to the students and their families. These LiveCDs allow students to use the same software on their home computers that they are going to use at school. Project co-director Antonio Russo said, "With the participation of all the public and private schools, this will give to all the students, families, teachers, and operators from the educational world the opportunity to use a entirely free operating system, both at school and at home." The switch was funded by the province of Bolzano, the European Social Fund, and the Center for Professional Formation in Italian Language.
But seriously... Wow. Just wow. Thank you all so much :) The whole situation is just breathtaking in many ways!! I have just saw the latest fundraising total http://t.co/uklmWvSmmO Teenage cancer patient Stephen Sutton posted on Twitter moments after learning he had raised £1 million for charity, thanking those who had donated to the "breathtaking" effort: about 1 hour ago Teenage cancer patient Stephen Sutton has succeeded in raising his charity target of £1 million after donations for the 19-year-old flooded in this morning. Donations to Stephen's chosen charity, the Teenage Cancer Trust, passed £750,000 overnight after he posted a message on his Facebook page revealing that his condition had deteriorated. Charity fundraising was top of Stephen Sutton's 'bucket list'. Credit: Stephen's Story/Facebook The next quarter of a million pounds was raised in just a few hours this morning, while Stephen remained in hospital fighting for his life, and funds continue to pour in on his Just Giving page. The teenager - who was diagnosed with bowel cancer aged 15 - initially wrote on his 'bucket list' last year that he aimed to raise £10,000 for the Teenage Cancer Trust. \|\|\|\|\| Cancer fundraiser Stephen Sutton dies aged 19 Please turn on JavaScript. Media requires JavaScript to play. Continue reading the main story Related Stories Teenage cancer fundraiser Stephen Sutton has died peacefully in his sleep, his mother said on his Facebook page. The 19-year-old, from Burntwood in Staffordshire, raised more than £3.2m ($5.36m) for charity after news of his plight spread on social media. In a post announcing Stephen's death, Jane Sutton said he was a "courageous, selfless, inspirational son". Stephen was diagnosed with terminal cancer aged 15. Rather than dwell on his misfortune, the teenager drew up a "bucket list" of things he wanted to achieve before he died. This led to him completing a skydive and playing drums in front of 90,000 people before the Uefa Champions League final at Wembley last May, among various achievements. Ms Sutton said in her statement: "My heart is bursting with pride but breaking with pain for my courageous, selfless, inspirational son. Stephen Sutton raised more than £3.2m for the Teenage Cancer Trust "The ongoing support and outpouring of love for Stephen will help greatly at this difficult time, in the same way as it helped Stephen throughout his journey. "We all know he will never be forgotten, his spirit will live on, in all that he achieved and shared with so many." The Facebook post announcing Stephen's death was shared more than 120,000 times within an hour of its publication. Donations to his online fundraising page, set up in aid of the Teenage Cancer Trust, began to climb once again as the news of the teenager's death spread. Justgiving, which hosts Stephen's online fundraising page, said its engineers had to "work quickly" to boost server capacity after a sharp increase in visitors to the site. It said the campaign total had risen by about £60,000 in just over two hours. 'Credit to humanity' Stephen was readmitted to hospital on Sunday after developing breathing difficulties caused by the regrowth of tumours. He had initially set out to raise just £10,000 ($16,800) for charity, but his fundraising campaign attracted huge attention last month after he posted a selfie online. The image went viral and attracted the support of celebrities including Jason Manford, who championed Stephen's charity efforts. Paying tribute, the comedian said Stephen "was the most inspiring person I've ever met and touched more lives than he will ever know". "He was an incredibly positive young man and a credit to his family, to Burntwood and to humanity itself. "The reason we took to him so passionately was because he was better than us, he did something that none of us could even imagine doing. "In his darkest hour he selflessly dedicated his final moments to raising millions of pounds for teenagers with cancer." Jason Manford staged comedy gigs to raise money for Stephen's campaign Stephen's bucket list included playing the drums in front of a huge crowd Skydiving was also one of the things he wanted to do before he died As well as for his fundraising, Stephen became well known for his bucket list. Along with skydiving and playing drums to a huge crowd, the list also included hugging an elephant and getting a tattoo. Stephen, who was diagnosed with metastatic bowel cancer aged 15, was visited earlier this month at Birmingham's Queen Elizabeth Hospital by Prime Minister David Cameron, who praised his "incredible" efforts to help others. Mr Cameron said: "I can hardly think of anyone I've met with such a zest for life, and such a belief that you can get things done, and who wanted to live every minute. "He was absolutely inspiring." Labour leader Ed Miliband also paid tribute and wrote: "Tragic news that Stephen Sutton has passed away. His bravery & determination to live life to the full was an inspiration to us all." A number of celebrities and public figures have also paid tribute to Stephen. Comedian Ricky Gervais tweeted: "RIP Stephen Sutton. A true hero & inspiration to us all." TV presenter Clare Balding tweeted: "Desperately sad to hear that Stephen Sutton has died. I feel privileged to have met him and heard him speak." Please turn on JavaScript. Media requires JavaScript to play. The Teenage Cancer Trust, to which Stephen made the largest ever single donation in its history, said: "We are humbled and hugely grateful for what Stephen achieved and continues to achieve for us." Deborah Alsina, chief executive of Bowel Cancer UK, said Stephen had "undoubtedly created greater awareness... that bowel cancer can affect younger people too and for this we owe him such gratitude". Staff at his former school, Chase Terrace Technology College in Burntwood, paid tribute to the "model student". Chair of governors Di Evans said he "made such a difference to people's lives - not just in Burntwood, not just in Birmingham, or England but worldwide". "He never ever stopped smiling despite that awful illness," she said. "He never, ever gave up and was fighting to the very end." \|\|\|\|\| Stephen Sutton's fundraising page earlier on Wednesday Donations have been pouring in to Stephen Sutton's fundraising page, with more than £30,000 being added to the total in an hour, after his death aged just 19 was announced. Sutton, from Burntwood, Staffordshire, died on Wednesday after being re-admitted to hospital at the weekend with breathing difficulties and his family said his condition was rapidly deteriorating. He had spent his last weeks raising more than £3million for the Teenage Cancer Trust charity. Over an hour on Wednesday afternoon, 2,310 people donated £31,000 to his page, taking the total above £3.3million and the donations showed no signs of stopping. The final photo posted on Stephen Sutton's Facebook Siobhan Dunn, chief executive of Teenage Cancer Trust which Sutton raised his money for, said: "Stephen was an exceptional young man and ambassador for Teenage Cancer Trust. He will be remembered for his incredible positivity by all who met or connected with him. "Stephen didn’t measure life in time, preferring instead to measure it by the difference someone makes. Stephen has made an enormous difference to Teenage Cancer Trust and the seven young people diagnosed with cancer every day who need our help.” Tributes poured in to the courageous teen who was first diagnosed with cancer aged 15. David Cameron, who had met Sutton and called him "inspirational" posted a tribute to Twitter. I'm deeply saddened to hear that Stephen Sutton has died. His spirit, bravery and fundraising for cancer research were all an inspiration. — David Cameron (@David_Cameron) May 14, 2014 Posting on the teenager's Facebook page, Stephen's mother Jane said: "My heart is bursting with pride but breaking with pain for my courageous, selfless, inspirational son who passed away peacefully in his sleep in the early hours of this morning, Wednesday 14th May. "The ongoing support and outpouring of love for Stephen will help greatly at this difficult time, in the same way as it helped Stephen throughout his journey. "We all know he will never be forgotten, his spirit will live on, in all that he achieved and shared with so many." Stephen Sutton died on Wednesday Labour leader Ed Miliband also paid tribute to Sutton, praising his "bravery and determination". Tragic news that Stephen Sutton has passed away. His bravery & determination to live life to the full was an inspiration to us all. — Ed Miliband (@Ed_Miliband) May 14, 2014 Publicity surrounding his battle with the disease saw the teenager smash his original £10,000 fundraising target. His fund-raising efforts have attracted support from celebrities including Simon Pegg, Russell Brand and Stephen Fry, as well as music mogul Simon Cowell. More than 135,000 individual donations have been made on his Just Giving page with support coming from around the world. Donations to the fundraising page, which he set up in January 2013 alongside a blog on Facebook, leaped last month after he posted a picture of himself in hospital with a "goodbye"message. But he made what he described as a remarkable recovery - coughing up a tumour and being discharged from hospital on May 2. He was attacked by internet trolls after his release, who claimed to feel "duped" and accused him of exaggerating the seriousness of his condition. The teenager was diagnosed with bowel cancer when he was 15. Despite treatment, his tumours spread and he was informed his condition was incurable in December 2012. Earlier this week, he spoke of his anger at how his cancer was misdiagnosed as constipation for six months. \|\|\|\|\| ... anymore, so as a result he needed a change of a direction. On the 13th January 2013 he created the Facebook page Stephen’s Story. In its original form, the page consisted of casual updates while the active teenager ticked off items from his bucket list of 46 things he wanted to do with the time he has left. Since then, the page has developed into a 'community' with a sole goal to help others - whether that be by the fundraising through activities that Stephens Story page promotes, the motivational quotes and statuses that are put out, or just by the humour and general positivity that Stephen integrated within every status. Stephen’s Story has since expanded to other forms of social media including Twitter (@_StephensStory) and Instagram. The much admired teenager, who would write every update himself, has now most impressively acquired over 1.3 million dedicated Facebook fans and nearly 170,000 avid followers on Twitter. Stephen’s Story has now evolved into all encompassing online platform that Stephens mum Jane Sutton is continuing to update to spread as much positivity as possible. Thus far he has inspired hundreds of thousands of people across the world with his passion for life and will continue to make a genuine difference for as long as Stephen's Legacy continues. Help me continue to tell Stephen's Story and assist me continue his inspirational legacy. Thank you all for you support x Following the shock of an incurable cancer diagnosis Stephen came to terms with the fact his long term goals of becoming a doctor were realistically not viable \|\|\|\|\| My name’s Stephen I’m pretty much an average 18 year old teenager - except for the last three years now I’ve been battling cancer. The current opinion voiced by my doctors now is that my cancer is incurable, and as a result I want to spend as much time as possible raising funds for a charity very close to my heart. More about myself and the fundraising activities I hope to do can be found on this page: http://www.facebook.com/StephensStory In the notes section I have wrote a list of things I would like to achieve in the near future. I will be updating the page as much as possible and any support is greatly appreciated! The charity I will be raising funds for is the Teenager Cancer Trust (TCT). TCT have helped me hugely throughout my journey and has helped shape who I am today. They offer hope and a sense of community to young people who have cancer, and directly help face the associated pragmatic and emotional issues. In my own words here is a brief summary of what TCT does: · They provide specialist wards and nurses that address specific needs me and other teenagers may have. Hospital can be an awful place, especially when receiving horrible chemotherapy drugs, but the TCT units are amazing and help make everything that bit more bearable. · TCT also offer educational talks to schools about cancer, which I think is very important considering 1 in 3 of us will get cancer at some point in our lives. When I first had symptoms the thought of cancer had never crossed my mind, and as a result this lead me to putting off seeing my doctors because I didn’t think it would be anything serious. I always wonder that if I knew what symptoms to look out for I could of diagnosed earlier, and perhaps then my prognosis would be different. · They also fund researchers with the aim of specifically addressing the issues faced within teenage and young adults (TYA) cancers. As I am now currently a patient and public involvement member on the TYA CSG within the NCRI, I have seen a clear underestimated need for research into TYA cancers, and how improvements can lead to better patient outcomes. · TCT also offer work experience programmes to help teenagers get back into work and contributing to society after their treatments have finished. · TCT also fund social evenings for teenagers and young adults with cancer. These events help boost morale and the friends you make form an invaluable support network. Joined together by a common experience I have met some of my now best friends at these events. · Finally, TCT host an annual ‘Find your sense of tumour’ conference, which was the most inspiring thing I have ever been to. So, please donate generously! :)	United Kingdom blogger and charity fundraiser has died today at the age of 19. Sutton, himself a cancer sufferer, gained media attention in the UK for his fundraising activities for , which have raised more than 3.3 million (5.5 million or 4 million) for the charity. Sutton's original goal was £10,000 (US$16,800 or €12,200) for the charity. His mother said he died in his sleep during the early hours of this morning. Sutton's mother broke the news in a post on 'Stephen's story', the Facebook page launched in January 2013 in which Sutton documented events in his life. "My heart is bursting with pride but breaking with pain for my courageous, selfless, inspirational son", she wrote. "The ongoing support and outpouring of love for Stephen will help greatly at this difficult time, in the same way as it helped Stephen throughout his journey. We all know he will never be forgotten, his spirit will live on, in all that he achieved and shared with so many." Previous posts on the Facebook page spoke of Sutton's deteriorating condition. Yesterday a post on the same Facebook page said: "Unfortunately in the last 24 hours Stephen's condition has deteriorated to where he can no longer communicate through this page himself. Unfortunately the breathlessness which had him re-admitted to hospital is due to the regrowth of tumours which are blocking his airways, and not just due to infection as we had all been hoping." However, the update also said he was "comfortable and stable". Sutton, from the town of in the of England, was told he was suffering from a at the age of 15. On a page, Sutton explained why he was raising money for his chosen charity. "Teenage Cancer Trust have helped me hugely throughout my own cancer battle and helped shape who I am and my positive attitude today", he said. "They offer hope and a sense of community to young people with cancer like myself, and directly help face associated pragmatic and emotional issues." His fundraising efforts received widespread media attention, part of which was due to a image of himself he posted on the Facebook page in April, which he then believed would be his last. Sutton's campaign received numerous celebrity endorsements, including from , and . Comedian also arranged comedy gigs to assist with Sutton's campaign. On Twitter today, the Teenage Cancer Trust said: "We are humbled and hugely grateful for what Stephen achieved and continues to achieve for us." British tweeted: "His spirit, bravery and fundraising for cancer research were all an inspiration." Meanwhile, Ed Miliband said on the social networking site: "His bravery & determination to live life to the full was an inspiration to us all." Jason Manford paid his own tribute to Sutton. "Stephen Sutton was the most inspiring person I've ever met and touched more lives than he will ever know", he said. "He was an incredibly positive young man and a credit to his family, to Burntwood and to humanity itself. The reason we took to him so passionately was because he was better than us, he did something that none of us could even imagine doing. In his darkest hour he selflessly dedicated his final moments to raising millions of pounds for teenagers with cancer. Some of Stephen's words will stay with me and others forever and they are words to live by — 'life isn't measured in time, it's measured in achievements'." == Sources == * * * * * * *
A freed South Korean hostage, right, meeting family members at a hospital in Anyang, southwest of Seoul, on Sunday. (Han Jae-Ho/Reuters) 19 South Koreans return home after Taliban captivity SEOUL: Nineteen South Korean Christians freed by Taliban insurgents after six weeks arrived here Sunday, carrying the portraits of two fellow church volunteers executed by their kidnappers and apologizing for putting their country through a wrenching, highly divisive hostage drama. They face a nation relieved that the hostage ordeal is finally over, but also increasingly angry at their decision to travel to Afghanistan despite government warnings, and at what many here consider overzealous proselytizing by South Korean churches. "We owe a big debt to the nation and people," Yoo Kyung Shik, who at 55 was the oldest of the freed hostages, said at Incheon airport outside Seoul, reading a prepared statement addressed to the South Korean people. While the other freed hostages stood behind him, many glancing downward and fighting back tears, Yoo likened his group's contrition to "seok go dae zoe," an ancient Korean practice in which criminals were forced to kneel down in public until the king punished or pardoned them. As Yoo read the statement before a phalanx of journalists, a few sign-carrying Christian fundamentalists shouted: "Brothers and sisters, you did nothing wrong. Keep your chin up." One man was reportedly stopped by the police as he attempted to hurl eggs at the church volunteers, most of whom looked pale and haggard after their ordeal. The group was then whisked to a hospital south of Seoul, where they embraced their loved ones in tears and joy. After Kim Yoon Young, 35, kissed her 6-year-old son, he promised to give his mother a "good massage." Until now, criticism of the church volunteers had been tempered by fears that highlighting the evangelical nature of their mission might threaten their lives. Now that they are free, a backlash is building, with people demanding an accounting of who is to blame for the crisis some feel damaged South Korea's reputation. "I expect cannonballs of criticism flying at churches for causing such a disturbance, for squandering national energy and money," said the Reverend Kim Myung Hyuk, president of the Korea Evangelical Fellowship. "This is a good opportunity for Christian-bashing in a society that has been frowning upon churches." The criticism of the hostages, and of missionary work in Islamic countries, has been especially vitriolic on the Internet. "Do they know what a tremendous humiliation and damage to our national credibility we suffered, as well as a monetary cost, just because they went to a place where they should not have gone?" said one posting Sunday on Naver.com, the largest Web portal in South Korea. Newspaper editorial pages have also expressed the feeling that the entire country has been, in a sense, held hostage since Taliban insurgents kidnapped 23 South Koreans on July 19. South Korea was bombarded for weeks by frightening news media reports about repeated Taliban promises to kill all of the hostages, and about the eventual execution of the two male ones. Two other hostages were released Aug. 13. Critics seem especially outraged that their government was put in what they called a no-win situation, forced to enter talks with a terrorist group despite international criticism. Debate on that issue is likely to intensify now that the Taliban are alleging that Seoul paid them more than $20 million, which they said would be used for more suicide attacks, according to a Reuters news report. The South Korean government has denied any such a deal. "How much national resources have been spent on these 23 crazy people?" said one typical posting on the popular Internet site dcinside.com. "Proselytizing in an Islamic country? They prayed for their own death. I wonder why the government negotiated for their sake to begin with." And Shin Yong Gug, secretary general of the People's Association of Religion Critics, said, "Most consider this a man-made disaster sown by Korean churches' indiscriminate zeal to proselytize and their disregard for safety." South Korea, which is about 30 percent Christian, has become the second-largest exporter of missionaries after the United States, with almost 17,000 in 170 countries. Although questions about missionary work in Muslim countries have been especially pronounced since the hostages were released, questions about South Korean churches' zeal to spread their faith in such places have been quietly growing in recent years. Critics have worried that attempts to spread Christianity in Muslim countries show disrespect, intentional or unintentional, for the local culture. Both Saemmul Presbyterian Church, to which the hostages belong, and the government insisted that the hostages had not been proselytizing, just providing aid. But many religious experts here consider such a distinction meaningless, since South Korean churches provide aid to gain converts. Saemmul Church once called the trip a "short-term evangelical mission." \|\|\|\|\| Seoul - A group of 19 South Korean Christians who spent six weeks held captive by the Taliban in Afghanistan were back home early Sunday - and apologising for the anguish they had caused. Speaking on behalf of the missionary group - which had gone to Afganistan against Korean government advice - Yu Kyong Sik said: 'We owe the country and people a lot,' and apologised 'for the worry and unrest we have caused.' They arrived at the airport in Incheon on a flight from Dubai, and were to be examined at a hospital, the Yonhap news agency reported. The hostages were released in batches on Wednesday and Thursday. They were among a group of 23 Christian aid workers abducted on July 19 while travelling overland. Two hostages were killed by the Taliban when deadlines for their demands were not met, while two women were freed about two weeks ago. The South Korean government on Saturday again dismissed speculation that it had paid ransom to Taliban rebels to secure the release of the hostages. 'No such thing was given,' foreign minister Song Min Soon said on his return from a trip to Moscow, according to a report by the Yonhap news agency. On Friday, a South Korean government spokesman had already denied any 'secret agreement' with the Taliban when asked whether the radical Islamist group had received a ransom in exchange for the kidnapped aid workers. Japan's Ashai Shimbun newspaper had reported that the kidnappers had received a ransom of 2 million dollars. The newspaper quoted sources in Afghanistan. A local mediator was convinced that there would have been no other way of ending the hostage drama, while observers in Afghanistan assumed that Seoul had paid a high ransom. The South Korean government on Thursday said it had agreed to withdraw its 200 soldiers from Afghanistan - which had already been decided before the kidnappings - by year's end. It said it had also promised to send no more 'Christian missionaries' into the country. © 2007 dpa - Deutsche Presse-Agentur	Taliban riding in a truck in Herat, Afghanistan.Nineteen South Korean Christians are released from after being held captive for six weeks. The 19 South Koreans return to a nation that is glad the situation has been resolved and is over. However, they also face a country that is angry with their decision to travel to Afghanistan despite the Afghan government advising them not to. One South Korean man was reportedly stopped by the police when he attempted to hurl eggs at the freed Christians. The South Korean people are demanding to know who is to blame for the crisis and damaging South Korea's reputation. The South Korean government promised to send no more Christian into the country.
Share \| \| Zardari gets nomination papers By Razzak Abro KARACHI: PPP co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari and six others obtained nomination forms on Monday for the presidential election scheduled for September 6. The forms were issued by Sindh Election Commissioner Chaudhry Qamaruz Zaman. According to him, representatives from Sindh Chief Minister House and the MQM received a form for Zardari. The provincial election commissioner told Daily Times that all aspirants could submit their nomination papers till 12:00 a.m. on Tuesday. The papers could be filed in any province or in Islamabad. In Sindh, the Chief Justice of the Sindh High Court, Justice Azizullah Memon, who is also the Returning Officer in Sindh, would receive the nomination papers. Others who received nomination forms were, Sakhawat Ali, Advocate Shakil Ahmed, Dr Mian Ehsan Bari, Ameer Ali Patti Walla and Mirza Asif Baig. None of them are prominent political personalities. 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Advertisement Former Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has pulled his PML-N party - the country's second biggest - out of the multi-party governing coalition. He has been in dispute with the country's biggest party, the PPP, on the reinstatement of judges sacked by former President Pervez Musharraf. The two sides also disagree over who should be the next president. The move throws Pakistan into further turmoil at a time of economic gloom and growing threats from militants. The Pakistani rupee closed at a record low on Monday and shares fell a further two per cent. 'Constructive role' Mr Sharif told journalists in Islamabad that the PPP - led by Benazir Bhutto's widower Asif Zardari - had broken promises, in particular over the issue of the judges. "When written documents are repeatedly flouted, trust cannot remain," he said. "We cannot find a ray of hope." The PPP fears that if all the judges sacked by Mr Musharraf get their jobs back, they may invalidate an amnesty that paved the way for Mr Zardari and Ms Bhutto to return to the country last year. That would leave Mr Zardari open to prosecution on long-standing corruption charges. However, Mr Sharif said his party wanted to play a constructive role in opposition, indicating that he would not try to bring down the government for now. Uncomfortable Mr Sharif also said the PML-N was putting forward a 'non-partisan' name forward for the presidential election due on on 6 September, a former Supreme Court chief justice, Saeeduzzaman Siddiqui. Last week militants killed nearly 70 people in one attack alone The two party leaders had agreed to reduce the powers of the presidency in a country where the president has in the past dismissed democratically elected governments. Mr Sharif says as long as the presidency remains a powerful post, a non-partisan candidate acceptable to everyone, rather than Mr Zardari, should have been agreed on. The BBC's Charles Haviland in Islamabad says the PPP has other parties in coalition and the government will not fall. However, the PPP may find Mr Sharif to be an uncomfortably powerful figure to have in opposition at a time when the country lacks a sense of political direction. Mr Zardari and Mr Sharif worked together to threaten Mr Musharraf with impeachment which led him to resign last week. The United States gave huge financial backing to Mr Musharraf during his nine years as president as Pakistan became a front line nation in Washington's self-declared 'war on terror'. US administration officials are concerned that militants are gaining strength in Pakistan and that the coalition's current policy of negotiating with militants is not working. Last week a double suicide attack at a munitions attack in the town of Wah in Punjab province left nearly 70 people dead. The Pakistan Taleban claimed responsibility for what was the heaviest attack on a military installation by a militant group in the country's history. E-mail this to a friend Printable version Bookmark with: Delicious Digg reddit Facebook StumbleUpon What are these?	The governing coalition of Pakistan split on Monday after Nawaz Sharif, former Pakistani Prime Minister, pulled his party, the Pakistan Muslim League (N) (PML-N), out of the government. Nawaz Sharif, leader of Pakistan Muslim League (N). The coalition formed in March 2008 after the Pakistani general election failed to produce a party that had held a majority in Pakistan's parliament. The group consisted of the PML-N and the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP). The coalition controlled 50.2 percent of Pakistan's National Assembly and together held 15 of 100 seats in Pakistan's Senate. The PPP and the PML-N disagree on two main issues: the reinstatement of judges fired by former President Pervez Musharraf and a nominee for President of Pakistan in the Pakistani presidential election on September 6, 2008. Musharraf resigned last week. Muhammad Mian Soomro, as chairman of the Senate, became the interim President. The PPP opposes the restoration of judges, who they believe would invalidate the ruling which allowed PPP party leader Asif Zardari and his late wife Benazir Bhutto to return to the country. If the amnesty were to be nullified, Zardari could be indicted on corruption charges stemming from incidents as far back as 1990. Zardari was also accused of corruption in the United Kingdom but the case was dropped in March. For the presidential election, the PML-N nominated former Supreme Court chief justice, Saeeduzzaman Siddiqui, while the PPP nominated Zardari. Other people who have filed paperwork to stand in the elections are: Sakhawat Ali, Advocate Shakil Ahmed, Dr Mian Ehsan Bari, Ameer Ali Patti Walla and Mirza Asif Baig.
Japan earthquake: Emperor Akihito 'deeply worried' Please turn on JavaScript. Media requires JavaScript to play. Japan's Emperor Akihito has said he is "deeply worried" about the crisis his country is facing following last Friday's earthquake and tsunami. In an extremely rare appearance, the emperor went on live TV to make his first public comments on the disaster, and urged an all-out rescue effort. He spoke after technicians temporarily abandoned a quake-crippled nuclear plant as radiation briefly surged. Thousands of people were killed in the 9.0-magnitude quake and tsunami. Continue reading the main story Analysis The latest spike of radiation measured at Fukushima Daiichi is consistent with reports of damage to the containment system around reactor 3. It appears similar to Tuesday's incident in reactor 2, thought to be a crack that released steam containing some radioactive substances. In both cases, radioactivity levels soon fell. More worryingly, the latest spike was serious enough to force technicians off the site. Without workers on the ground, it is hard to see how the vital task of putting water into the hot reactors could be maintained. Reactor 4's situation is puzzling. A pool storing fuel rods from the shut-down reactor appears to have run dry, and officials spoke of a danger of "criticality" - the resumption of a nuclear reaction in the stored rods. Nuclear experts say this should not happen if the rods have been correctly arranged in the pool. Radioactivity levels continue to be an issue around the plant; but further away, they are not high enough at present to pose a hazard - especially with the wind blowing out to sea. The stricken Fukushima Daiichi power facility has sent low levels of radiation wafting into Tokyo, spreading alarm in the city and internationally. TV stations interrupted programming on Wednesday to show the emperor describing the crisis facing the nation as "unprecedented in scale". The 77-year-old - deeply respected by many Japanese - said: "I hope from the bottom of my heart that the people will, hand in hand, treat each other with compassion and overcome these difficult times." Japan's titular head of state - who acceded to the throne in 1989 after the death of his father Hirohito - said he prayed that every victim would be saved. He spoke as snow blanketed swathes of the disaster zone, where many survivors have little food, water or heat. About 450,000 people have been staying in temporary shelters, many sleeping on the floor of school gymnasiums. Nearly 3,700 people are listed as dead, but it is feared the total death toll will top 10,000 following the catastrophe, which pulverised the country's north-east coast. In other developments: France urged its nationals in Tokyo to leave the country or move south; two Air France planes were sent to begin evacuation Australia advised its citizens to consider leaving Tokyo and the most damaged prefectures; Turkey warned against travel to Japan After losing $620bn (£385bn) in the first two days of this week, Japan's stock market rebounded to finish Wednesday up by 5.7% Engineers are racing to avert a nuclear catastrophe at the Fukushima Daiichi power plant, 220km (140 miles) from Tokyo. Please turn on JavaScript. Media requires JavaScript to play. Helicopters deployed to dump water on the facility on Wednesday have been pulled out amid concerns over radiation. Earlier, the plant's operators evacuated its skeleton crew of 50 workers for about an hour as ground-level radiation spiked. And yet another fire broke out in a reactor, while smoke or steam billowed from another one. Winds from the facility are currently blowing north-west out into the Pacific Ocean. 'Boiling point' Levels of radiation outside the plant have now fallen from 1,000 millisieverts an hour to 600-800. A single dose of 1,000 millisieverts can cause temporary radiation sickness. Continue reading the main story Fukushima Daiichi crisis Reactor 1: Was first to be rocked an explosion on Saturday; fuel rods reportedly 70% damaged Was first to be rocked an explosion on Saturday; fuel rods reportedly 70% damaged Reactor 2: There are fears a blast on Tuesday breached a containment system; fuel rods reportedly 33% damaged There are fears a blast on Tuesday breached a containment system; fuel rods reportedly 33% damaged Reactor 3: Explosion on Monday; smoke or steam seen rising on Wednesday; damage to roof and possibly also to a containment system Explosion on Monday; smoke or steam seen rising on Wednesday; damage to roof and possibly also to a containment system Reactor 4: Hit by a major blaze on Tuesday and another fire on Wednesday The governor of Fukushima prefecture, Yuhei Sato, criticised official handling of the crisis, telling Japan's NHK TV: "The anxiety and anger being felt by people in Fukushima have reached a boiling point." Tokyo Electric Power Co, which runs the plant, said three-hour power cuts on Wednesday would affect nearly 11 million households. The government said it had no plans to extend a 20-km (12-mile) evacuation zone around the facility. Another 140,000 people living between 20-30km of the facility were told on Tuesday not to leave their homes. The atomic crisis has been caused by the tsunami breaking back-up diesel generators which kept the nuclear fuel cool. Workers have been dousing the reactors with seawater in a frantic effort to stabilise their temperatures, since the first in a series of explosions rocked the plant on Saturday. In Tokyo, there were as few people on the streets as there would be on a public holiday, and many shops and offices were shut. Many people have stocked up on food and water to stay indoors or have simply left the city. \|\|\|\|\| Japan's emperor has said he is "deeply concerned" about the worsening situation at a stricken nuclear power plant, and called on its people to work together to overcome the country's worst crisis since the second world war. In a rare public address, Akihito said events unfolding at the Fukushima Daiichi plant were "unpredictable", hours after a surge in radiation levels prompted the withdrawal of 70 workers who have been battling to make the facility safe. "I am deeply hurt by the grievous situation in the affected areas," Akihito said in his first public appearance since Japan's north-east coast was devastated by a powerful earthquake and tsunami in which more than 10,000 people may have died. Dressed in a dark suit, the sombre-looking 77-year-old said the disaster was on an "unprecedented scale". "I hope from the bottom of my heart that the people will, hand in hand, treat each other with compassion and overcome these difficult times." The country remains in a state of high anxiety over the nuclear emergency, but Akihito's appearance may go some way towards lifting people's spirits. He is widely respected as a thoughtful, intelligent man and his opinions continue to hold sway more than 65 years after his father, Hirohito, was forced to renounce his divine status after Japan's defeat in the second world war. As a symbolic figure, Akihito must be careful to refrain from involvement in political issues. His address carefully avoided any comment that could be construed as criticism of Japan's nuclear power industry or the official response to the crisis. It is unlikely that Akihito and Empress Michiko will travel to the disaster zone for as long as the threat persists of a serious nuclear accident. The imperial household agency said in a statement that the couple wanted to visit the area hit by the tsunami but felt that the focus should remain on the rescue operation for the time being. The imperial couple made similar visits in the wake of other disasters, including to the western city of Kobe, where 6,400 people died in an earthquake in January 1995. Akihito thanked emergency workers and the more than 100 countries that have offered aid and assistance with the rescue and recovery effort. "We don't know the number of victims, but I pray that every single person can be saved," he said. Akihito voiced hope that the engineers and technicians trying to avert disaster in Fukushima would be successful. "I am deeply concerned about the nuclear situation because it is unpredictable," he said in remarks broadcast on television. "With the help of those involved I hope things will not get worse."	Emperor Akihito said he was "deeply worried" , the emperor of Japan, has made a live appearance on national television saying he was "deeply worried" after the earthquake and tsunami that hit last Friday. The emperor made his announcement shortly after technicians working to stabilise a nuclear plant temporarily abandoned it as radiation started to surge. The emperor's appearance caused television stations to interrupt scheduled programming. During his appearance he said "I hope from the bottom of my heart that the people will, hand in hand, treat each other with compassion and overcome these difficult times." The 77 year-old is deeply respected in Japan. A statement by the Imperial household said Emperor Akihito and want to visit the area affected by the tsunami, but the important thing now is rescuing the victims. In 1995 the emperor and empress visited after an struck and killed 6,400 people. Around 10,000 people are feared to be dead after the earthquake and tsunami hit the north-east coast of the country. More than 100 countries have offered rescue services in an attempt to save as many people as possible.
LAS VEGAS, Nevada (CNN) -- Officers who found the deadly poison ricin in a Las Vegas, Nevada, extended-stay hotel room also discovered firearms and an "anarchist-type textbook" with an entry about ricin bookmarked, police said Friday. The deadly poison ricin and an "anarchist-type textbook" were found in a room in this Las Vegas hotel. Two tests had confirmed the substance found was ricin, and that a man who was staying there has been hospitalized for more than two weeks and is in critical condition, police said Friday. The 57-year-old man, whose name was not released, summoned authorities February 14 and asked to be transported to a hospital because of difficulty breathing, Kathy Suey, deputy chief of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, told reporters. But police were not aware of the ricin's existence until Thursday, when a second man, who identified himself as a relative of the victim, went to the Extended Stay America room to clear the victim's possessions out and found the substance. That man brought the poison, which was in vials in a plastic bag, to the manager's office, and police were notified. "He felt it was something that required police attention," said Las Vegas police Capt. Joe Lombardo. "He brought it to the management and said that 'I'm not comfortable with whatever this item is.'" Watch how ricin can be used to kill » Lombardo said police first were called to the room on Tuesday after weapons were discovered there. He said officers discovered "general firearms," which have been impounded, and an "anarchist-type textbook" marked at an entry on ricin. The room was tested for ricin at that time but none was found, Lombardo said. When officers returned Thursday, they found the ricin, but a test of the room showed it was not contaminated. Ricin Poison made from castor beans Can be inhaled, swallowed or injected Prevents cells of a person's body making proteins, can cause death No antidote Used in cancer treatment and bone marrow transplants Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Although seven people were checked as a precaution Thursday, all have been released, Suey said, and none is showing signs of ricin exposure. Suey said police do not know if the man staying in the room manufactured the ricin, as he has been unable to speak to investigators. "We don't know an awful lot" about the victim, Suey said. "For the last 12 hours, our efforts have been on the containment and cleanup of the area and areas where there could have been exposure. ... We are now going forward with an investigation." A report from the Washington Regional Threat and Analysis Center said the FBI considers the discovery "criminal in nature with no nexus to terrorism." The report was sent to law enforcement agencies and was obtained by CNN. Two Las Vegas labs confirmed the substance is ricin, Suey said. However, the hotel room and other areas tested negative for the poison, police said in a statement issued by the Threat and Analysis Center. Lombardo said a room at The Excalibur hotel was tested "as a precautionary measure" and found to be safe. "At this point we feel extremely positive we have all the ricin involved and there is no terrorist threat," Lombardo said. Pets were also in the hotel room, Suey said. Two of the animals were fine; the third, an ailing dog, was euthanized after having been without food and water in the room for a week, she said. Ricin is a toxin extracted from castor beans. Several of the beans were also found in the room, Suey told reporters. As little as 500 micrograms of ricin -- an amount the size of the head of a pin -- can kill an adult in three to five days, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The poison can come in the form of a mist or a pellet and can be dissolved in water or weak acid, according to the CDC. It has limited medical uses -- it can be used to kill cancer cells and destroy bone marrow cells. The discovery of ricin typically alarms law enforcement agencies because authorities in several countries have investigated links between suspected extremists and ricin. But Lombardo agreed with the assessment that the discovery is not considered a terror incident "at this point." He said ricin is not illegal to own, but is illegal if processed to be used for poisoning. "This is a continuing investigation," he told reporters Friday. "We don't know if the guy manufactured the ricin or not. That's our concern." CNN's chief medical correspondent, Dr. Sanjay Gupta, said although a small amount can kill somebody if injected, tons of the substance would be needed to make it a mass terrorism tool. He said there are three ways someone might be exposed to ricin: inhalation, ingestion and injection. If it is inhaled, a person may develop fever, a cough, nausea, fluid in the lungs and organ failure. There is no specific test for exposure and no antidote once exposed, Gupta said. E-mail to a friend CNN's Kevin Bohn contributed to this report. All About Poisoning • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention \|\|\|\|\| LAS VEGAS A man who stayed in a Las Vegas hotel room where ricin was discovered on Thursday has been hospitalized in critical condition since Feb. 14 with symptoms consistent with exposure to the deadly toxin, Las Vegas police said Friday. The man’s identity, age and hometown were being withheld on Friday as investigators tried to determine why ricin, as well as castor beans from which is it derived, were found in a room at an Extended Stay America hotel one mile west of the Las Vegas Strip. Deputy Chief Kathleen Suey said the man had been staying in the room where the ricin was found for an unknown length of time and was leasing the room when the substance was discovered. A man, said to be a relative or friend of the sick man, had gone into the room to retrieve the patient’s belongings when he found the vials of white powder and showed it to the hotel’s manager, Deputy Chief Suey said. Police were called by the hotel. The man had been hospitalized on Feb. 14 with respiratory distress but did not indicate to doctors that he may have been exposed to ricin, so the health district and police were not notified of the prospect, she said. \|\|\|\|\| By Ian Mylchreest LAS VEGAS (Reuters) - An unidentified man is in critical condition with suspected ricin poisoning after staying in a Las Vegas hotel room where the potentially deadly substance was found, police said on Friday. The FBI said the incident was not thought to be terrorism related. Police said the man, who they did not name, had last occupied the room two weeks ago and was taken to a local hospital on February 14 when he complained of breathing difficulties. A suspicious substance, which tests have confirmed to be ricin, was found in the sick man's room on Thursday after a relative or friend went to the hotel to collect his possessions, Las Vegas deputy police chief Kathy Suey told a news conference. No one else has reported symptoms and it was not clear where the ricin came from, or what is was doing in the room at the Extended Stay America Hotel in Las Vegas. Suey said the sick man, in his 40s, "is in critical condition and he is unable to speak with us right now. We have no indication why the ricin was in that room." Suey said castor beans, the basis for making ricin, were found in the hotel on Thursday and that the ricin was found in vials in the room. There is no definitive test for ricin, which in proper doses can be used to treat cancer. Continued... \|\|\|\|\| Toxic substance ricin is found in LV hotel room Investigators wearing hazardous materials suits work Thursday at the Extended Stay America on Valley View Boulevard after the toxin ricin was found in a room at the hotel. Lombardo did not elaborate on who the man was. The man, who told police the toxic agent did not belong to him, took the powdery substance to the manager's office, and the manager called police. Ricin, a substance used for cancer research that has "no other medical use," was discovered about 3 p.m. by a man who was cleaning out a suite at the Extended Stay America at 4270 S. Valley View Blvd., Joseph Lombardo, a Las Vegas police captain and Homeland Security Bureau chief, said at a news conference about 9:30 p.m. A toxic biological agent was found in a suite on Valley View Boulevard near Flamingo Road on Thursday afternoon, but Las Vegas police said they were not searching for a suspect and nobody was harmed by the substance. The man, along with three employees of the long-term stay hotel, were taken to a hospital as a precaution, although they had no signs of being affected by the substance, police said. Police were not sure about the origin of the substance or why it was in the room. The ricin and castor beans, from which ricin is derived, were found in the suite, although Lombardo did not say how much of the substance was found. Preliminary tests showed that the substance was ricin, a deadly toxin that can be a powder, a mist or a pellet, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Web site. It also can be dissolved in water. "Ricin is very serious," Lombardo said. "Something the size of the head of a pin can be deadly." Officials were downplaying the significance of the discovery late Thursday. Earlier, multiple agencies responded to the incident, including the Clark County Fire Department and the Nevada National Guard. "This is not a terror incident at this point," Lombardo said. "We don't know that there was any criminal intent on anybody's part," Las Vegas police Sgt. John Loretto said. "It could have been somebody that was reading a book who wanted to try to make something." Police cordoned off the area of Valley View between Flamingo Road and Harmon Avenue, and residents at the Extended Stay America were not being allowed back into the building late Thursday. Residents at an apartment complex north and east of the suites were allowed to come and go. The last time Las Vegas police dealt with ricin was in 2003, when a 60-year-old former gaming executive and chemist killed himself with the agent. The man, Tomoo Okada, told emergency responders that he had injected himself with the deadly poison, which prompted two hospital emergency rooms to be shut down for about three hours. On Thursday, 30-year-old Charlie Aitken, who was visiting Las Vegas from Nova Scotia, Canada, for the first time, said he was told by police to leave his room at the Extended Stay America about 3 p.m. As he walked out, he saw men suiting up in hazardous materials outfits. "It was like, 'Welcome to Vegas!,' " Aitken said. Contact reporter Lawrence Mower at lmower@reviewjournal.com or (702) 383-0440. \|\|\|\|\| LAS VEGAS, Nevada (CNN) -- A man who stayed in a Las Vegas hotel room where ricin was found is in critical condition at a hospital, where he has been since mid-February, said a Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department official. A man is in critical condition after exposure to ricin at a Las Vegas, Nevada, hotel. Deputy Chief Kathy Suey said the man called from the hotel asking for medical help on February 14, saying he was suffering from respiratory distress, and was transported to the hospital. Since he was gone from the extended-stay hotel and not paying his rent, managers began eviction procedures, Suey said at a news conference. A friend or relative of his who came to remove his belongings from the room found the ricin Thursday, she said. Watch Suey describe how the ricin was found » Tests confirm the substance found in the room was ricin, police said, but it remains a mystery how it got there. Suey said the man hospitalized was not a suspect and police don't know whether the ricin was his, or if he even knew it was there. The FBI said it was treating the matter as a criminal investigation and terrorism was not suspected. Pets were found in the room, Suey said. "Two of those pets are fine. One of the pets is deceased or was put down," she said. There was no evidence that the animal died from ricin exposure, Suey said. "The dog that was in there was without food and water for a week." She said the man was unable to speak to police, but a doctor at the briefing said he held out hope the man might recover enough to provide information. "Usually, if [ricin victims] survive the first three to five days, they usually do fine," said Dr. Lawrence Sands of the Southern Nevada Health District, emphasizing that he didn't know specifics of the case. As little as 500 micrograms of the toxin -- an amount the size of the head of a pin -- can kill an adult. Watch how ricin poisoning affects people » Suey said seven people -- including apartment management and police officers -- had been taken to the hospital to be checked out after the ricin was discovered. None showed signs of poisoning, and all had been released, she said. Symptoms of ricin poisoning can include anything from difficulty breathing, fever, cough, nausea and sweating to severe vomiting and dehydration. "We did have enough ricin to be of concern," said Capt. Joe Lombardo of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department. Ricin Poison made from castor beans Can be inhaled, swallowed or injected Prevents cells of a person's body making proteins, can cause death No antidote Used in cancer treatment and bone marrow transplants Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Lombardo said areas of the hotel exposed to the toxin have been decontaminated. The discovery of ricin alarms law-enforcement agencies because authorities in several countries have investigated links between suspect extremists and ricin. Ricin is a poison that can be made from waste left over after processing castor beans, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The toxin can come in the form of a mist or pellet and can be dissolved in water or weak acid, according to the CDC. The agency also said the toxin works by getting inside the cells of a person's body and preventing the cells from making the proteins they need. Lombardo said authorities found castor beans in the room and also powder in a small vial. He said ricin is not illegal to own, but it's illegal if processed to be used for poisoning someone. Ricin has limited medical uses -- it can be used to kill cancer cells and bone marrow transplants. CNN's chief medical correspondent, Dr. Sanjay Gupta, said that while a small amount can kill somebody if injected, tons of it would be needed to use as a mass terrorism tool. Gupta said there are three ways of exposure to ricin: inhalation, ingestion or injections. If inhaled, people may develop fever, a cough, nausea, fluid in the lungs and organ failure. There is no specific test for exposure and no antidote once exposed, he said. There have been other reported cases involving ricin in the United States. In January 2005, the FBI arrested an Ocala, Florida, man with no known ties to terrorists or extremists after agents found ricin in the home he lives in with his mother. Ricin was found in February 2004 in the mailroom of the Dirksen Senate Office Building in Washington. The mailroom handles correspondence addressed to U.S. lawmakers. E-mail to a friend CNN's Kevin Bohn contributed to this report. All About Poisoning • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention	The chemical structure of ricin On February 14, a man staying at the Valley View Extended Stay America hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada was hospitalized after experiencing respiratory distress. The man lapsed into unconsciousness and has been at the hospital ever since. Since the bills at the hotel were going unpaid, Extended Stay America began to evict the man from the room. Another man, described as either a friend or relative, went to the hotel on Thursday to collect the personal belongings of the hospitalized man. According to Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department Deputy Chief Kathy Suey, he found several vials of a white substance. He brought them to the attention of the hotel manager, who called police. Initial tests, which further tests confirmed on Friday, the substance was the deadly toxin ricin, an extremely dangerous biological agent. Ricin is extracted from castor beans through the waste produced in the manufacture of castor oil. It is currently being used in cancer treatment research. There has been research for its use as a chemical/biological warfare agent. An amount smaller than the point of a pin will kill a human being. It is estimated to be several thousand times more toxic than cyanide and there is no known antidote. Police cordoned off the area around Valley View between Flamingo Road and Harmon Avenue. Three employees and the man who made the discovery were taken to the hospital as a precaution. So were three police officers. They are all reported to show no signs of poisoning. Nevada National Guard and other emergency services responded to secure the area. Residents at the Extended Stay America were allowed back into the building late Thursday. The hotel reopened fully on Friday after the room and other areas of the hotel were decontaminated. Castor beans The man whose room it was "is in critical condition and he is unable to speak with us right now. We have no indication why the ricin was in that room," said Deputy Chief Suey. "Usually, if ricin victims survive the first three to five days, they usually do fine," Dr. Lawrence Sands told CNN. However, survivors often have long-term organ damage. At least three pets were found in the room. "Two of those pets are fine. One of the pets is deceased or was put down," Suey said. "The dog that was in there was without food and water for a week," she added that there was no reason to supect it was exposed to ricin. Castor beans were also found in the room. Officials have also recovered from the room a firearm, as well as an "anarchist" text containing an article on ricin. Federal Bureau of Investigation spokesperson Richard Kolko said the incident is being treated as a criminal matter and did not appear to be related to terrorism "based on the information gathered so far." Captain Joe Lombardo of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department said that ricin is not illegal to own unless it is intended for the poisoning of a person, adding that "We did have enough ricin to be of concern." In 2003, a man committed suicide in Las Vegas using ricin. There have also been a few incidents where ricin powder was found in the mail. Also in 2003, the United Kingdom had the Wood Green ricin plot which in the end found no ricin. In 1978, Bulgarian defector Georgi Markov was famously assassinated in London with ricin injected with the tip of an umbrella.
And Williams, who walked out on the group 15 years ago as he began to go off the rails, said: "It feels like coming home." The two sides have gradually settled their differences over the past few years, until revealing today that they were back - although time will tell if it is for good. Footage posted on the band's website this afternoon shows them together in the studio - laughing, joking and singing as they worked on an untitled album to be released in November. Last year Williams and his former bandmates shared a stage for a Children In Need concert, an event organised by Take That's Gary Barlow. However the quintet - completed by Jason Orange, Mark Owen and Howard Donald - had already begun to work together. Williams let slip during a radio interview late last year that they had been recording together. Take That disbanded in 1996 but reunited without Williams in 2005 to huge success, including three number one singles. The group's new album will be their first with the full line-up since 1995 release Nobody Else and has been produced by Stuart Price, who has worked with Madonna and Kylie Minogue. Williams spoke of his joy at rejoining his old colleagues. He said: "I get embarrassingly excited when the five of us are in a room." Bandmate Owen said: "Getting the five of us to be in a room together, although always a dream, never actually seemed like becoming a reality. "Now the reality of the five of us making a record together feels like a dream. It's been an absolute delight spending time with Rob again. But I'm still a better footballer," he joked. And Orange said: "I'm over the moon that Robbie's back with us, however long it lasts. I just want to enjoy our time with him. Life is beautifully strange sometimes." This year marks the 20th anniversary of the band's formation, making their TV debut on producer Pete Waterman's ITV show The Hitman And Her. By 1993 they had become huge and enjoyed a string of hits including Pray and Relight My Fire. However Williams, the youngest of the group, was beginning to pull in a different direction, particularly when engaging in a "lost weekend" with Oasis at the Glastonbury festival in 1995. After a difficult start he had a successful solo career, topping the chart with singles Millennium and Feel. But the reunion of his former Take That colleagues in 2005 for live dates began to overshadow his success. Despite Williams ridiculing Barlow during his early solo shows, the pair began to bury the hatchet in recent years and their friendship was renewed. Williams said last year: "You carry around all this resentment and bitterness for such a long time." After the five met up they embraced. "We had a hug up and what was left was what we had at the beginning - just five guys that love each other," Williams said. Williams had already revealed he was working with Barlow. Last month he announced the pair were to release a duet Shame which will feature on his greatest hits collection. The new album will be released on Take That's label Polydor, rather than Williams's company, EMI. \|\|\|\|\| Robbie Williams rejoins Take That on new album Please turn on JavaScript. Media requires JavaScript to play. Singer Robbie Williams and Take That have recorded a new album, the group has confirmed. It is the first time all five members have worked together since Williams quit 15 years ago. The singer said he was "embarrassingly excited" and reuniting with his former group felt like "coming home" while bandmate Mark Owen added that it "feels like a dream". All five singers have written the songs for the record, due out in November. Owen said: "Getting the five of us to be in a room together, although always a dream, never actually seemed like becoming a reality. Related stories "Now the reality of the five of us making a record together feels like a dream. It's been an absolute delight spending time with Rob again. But I'm still a better footballer." Jason Orange said it was "absolutely brilliant," adding, "I'm over the moon that Robbie's back with us, however long it lasts. I just want to enjoy our time with him. Life is beautifully strange sometimes." Outstanding contribution The reunion took place in New York last September, following Take That's The Circus Live tour. Speculation began that they might reform when it emerged that Williams had met up with the rest of the group during Owen's stag do. When Williams walked out of the band in 1995, he went on to launch a successful career. The remaining members disbanded a year later but reformed in 2005. Since then, they have had three number one singles and two sell-out tours. As a solo artist, Williams, who was presented with the outstanding contribution award at the Brits earlier this year, has had eight number one albums in the UK. Williams and Barlow recently put the past behind them Last month, he announced on his website that he was releasing a single with former bandmate Gary Barlow. Shame, co-written by the pair, is due out on 4 October and will also appear on Williams' greatest hits album, In And Out Of Consciousness. In a statement on his website, Williams said the album was "not only a celebration of my past but also a bridge to the future". "The fact that part of the future includes a name from my past makes it all the more poignant for me." The last album that the band worked on together was their number one record, Nobody Else in 1995. Exclusive footage of the band back together will be shown on the BBC News at Six later.	Robbie Williams in 2006. Singer has rejoined and recorded a new album with British musical group , having departed from the group in 1995. The four other members of Take That are , , and . Robbie Williams decided to leave Take That in 1995 to begin a solo music career; the group subsequently disbanded in 1996. In 2005, Take That was reformed as a four-piece band. Williams announced his return to Take That in November 2009. The last album the group released before the disbanding was entitled "", which was released in 1995. A single entitled "Shame", sung by Robbie Williams and Gary Barlow, is expected to be released on October 4, 2010. The new album from Take That, which has now been recorded, is anticipated to be available from November 2010. All five members of Take That have composed songs for the album, which has currently not yet been given a title and will be issued by . Take That member Mark Owen stated: "Getting the five of us to be in a room together, although always a dream, never actually seemed like becoming a reality. Now the reality of the five of us making a record together feels like a dream. It's been an absolute delight spending time with Rob again. But I'm still a better footballer." Jason Orange commented that he is "over the moon that Robbie's back with us, however long it lasts. I just want to enjoy our time with him. Life is beautifully strange sometimes." Robbie Williams stated that he gets "embarrassingly excited when the five of us are in a room."
JAKARTA, Indonesia (CNN) -- A powerful earthquake shook buildings and caused panic on the densely-populated Indonesian island of Java, but there have been no reports of injuries and no tsunami alert. Shaken residents stand outside an apartment building in Kunigan, South Jakarta The quake, measured at magnitude 7.5 by the U.S. Geological Survey, struck shortly after midnight in a part of the sea dotted with oil rig platforms, Financial Times journalist John Aglionby told CNN International. He described feeling the quake in his house in a suburb of the Indonesian capital. "I was just getting into bed on the second floor of my house. You rarely feel these things in Jakarta so I knew something was wrong immediately," he told CNN. Watch Aglionby describe what he felt » According to CNN's Kathy Quiano, the shaking caused many in the capital to flee their homes. "We felt the earthquake in Jakarta, it was pretty strong and went on for at least a minute," Quiano said. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said there was no threat of a tsunami, because the quake was too deep. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the quake was centered 100 kilometers (62 miles) east of Jakarta, at a depth of 289 kilometers (180 miles). It occurred about 32 kilometers (20 miles) from shore. "Earthquakes of 7.5 and over happen approximately 18 times a year," said John Bellini of the USGS, "and in the area around Indonesia that varies. You might see one or two a year, or you might not see any." About 15 minutes after the quake struck, Quiano drove through Jakarta, and said she saw no signs of damage. She said residents -- especially those living in high-rises, ran from their homes when they felt the quake, but returned fairly quickly. "The earthquake went on for at least a minute here. It was pretty strong and scary," Quiano said. "People are shaken, that's for certain." And Aglionby said there were still concerns for the many oil rigs exploiting the resource rich waters off the north coast of Java. E-mail to a friend All About Jakarta \|\|\|\|\| The magnitude 7.5 quake hit at 0005 on Thursday (1705 GMT Wednesday) at a depth of 289km (180 miles). No immediate casualties or damage were reported. Because of the depth, there was little risk of a tsunami, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said. A massive undersea earthquake sparked a tsunami that killed more than 130,000 people in Indonesia in December 2004. Thursday's quake hit 100km (60 miles) east of Jakarta. Residents panic Residents of the capital said buildings shook violently during the quake and its aftershocks. This [quake] was felt by people on the ground and it shook buildings, but it was too deep to cause the ocean bottom to move John Bellini USGS geophysicist Hundreds of people gathered in the courtyards of Jakarta's vast apartment blocks, too scared to go back inside, said the BBC's Lucy Williamson in Jakarta. One resident described being woken up on the 26th floor of her apartment by the swaying of her building. The tremor was felt as far away as Malaysia, according to the US Geological Survey (USGS). "The earthquake centre in 2004 was close enough that it actually ruptured the surface of the sea floor, which caused a tsunami," USGS geophysicist John Bellini told the Associated Press news agency. "This one was felt by people on the ground and it shook buildings, but it was too deep to cause the ocean bottom to move." Earthquakes and tsunamis are frequent in Indonesia, part of the seismically active Pacific "Ring of Fire". \|\|\|\|\| Versión en Español Earthquake Summary Earthquake Summary Poster The following is a release by the United States Geological Survey, National Earthquake Information Center: An earthquake occurred IN JAVA, INDONESIA, about 100 km (65 miles) E of JAKARTA or about 110 km (70 miles) N of Bandung at 11:04 AM MDT, Aug 8, 2007 (Aug 09 at 12:04 AM local time in Java, Indonesia). 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. Because this earthquake is located about 290 km below the surface of the earth, it will have been felt strongly over a wide area, but is not likely to cause severe damage. We have received reports that the earthquake was felt in much of Java and in parts of Malaysia. Felt Reports WP 7.4 (GS). Tectonic Summary The earthquake of August 8, 2007, occurred at a depth of about 290 km within the lithosphere of the Australia plate, which is subducting beneath the Sunda plate. In this region, the Australia plate moves to the north with respect to the Sunda plate with a velocity of about 58 mm/yr. The Australia plate is thrust beneath the Sunda plate at the Java trench, south of the island of Java, and is subducted to progressively greater depths with distance north of the trench. The subducted lithosphere beneath and north of Java is seismically active to a depth of about 650 km. Earthquakes that have focal-depths between 70 and 300 km are commonly termed “intermediate-depth” earthquakes, and earthquakes with focal-depths greater than 300 km are termed “deep-focus” earthquakes. Intermediate-depth and deep-focus earthquakes represent deformation within subducted plates, rather than deformation at plate boundaries. Intermediate-depth and deep-focus earthquakes typically cause less damage on the ground surface above their foci than is the case with similar magnitude shallow-focus earthquakes, but large intermediate-depth and deep-focus earthquakes may be felt at great distance from their epicenters. Earthquake Information for Asia Earthquake Information for Indonesia Tsunami Information \|\|\|\|\| Versión en Español Earthquake Summary Earthquake Summary Poster The following is a release by the United States Geological Survey, National Earthquake Information Center: An earthquake occurred IN JAVA, INDONESIA, about 100 km (65 miles) E of JAKARTA or about 110 km (70 miles) N of Bandung at 11:04 AM MDT, Aug 8, 2007 (Aug 09 at 12:04 AM local time in Java, Indonesia). 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. Because this earthquake is located about 290 km below the surface of the earth, it will have been felt strongly over a wide area, but is not likely to cause severe damage. We have received reports that the earthquake was felt in much of Java and in parts of Malaysia. Felt Reports WP 7.4 (GS). Tectonic Summary The earthquake of August 8, 2007, occurred at a depth of about 290 km within the lithosphere of the Australia plate, which is subducting beneath the Sunda plate. In this region, the Australia plate moves to the north with respect to the Sunda plate with a velocity of about 58 mm/yr. The Australia plate is thrust beneath the Sunda plate at the Java trench, south of the island of Java, and is subducted to progressively greater depths with distance north of the trench. The subducted lithosphere beneath and north of Java is seismically active to a depth of about 650 km. Earthquakes that have focal-depths between 70 and 300 km are commonly termed “intermediate-depth” earthquakes, and earthquakes with focal-depths greater than 300 km are termed “deep-focus” earthquakes. Intermediate-depth and deep-focus earthquakes represent deformation within subducted plates, rather than deformation at plate boundaries. Intermediate-depth and deep-focus earthquakes typically cause less damage on the ground surface above their foci than is the case with similar magnitude shallow-focus earthquakes, but large intermediate-depth and deep-focus earthquakes may be felt at great distance from their epicenters. Earthquake Information for Asia Earthquake Information for Indonesia Tsunami Information	Location of earthquake shown by blue star. According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS) a powerful magnitude 7.5 earthquake struck Indonesia's main island, Java, at 5:05 p.m. UTC, which is just after midnight locally. The epicenter was located 100 kilometers (65 miles) east of Jakarta and was at a depth of 289.2 km (179.7 miles). The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said that no tsunami is expected as the depth of the quake exceeded 280 km. There are no reports of damage, injuries or deaths. "No reports of damage or casualties have been received at this time. Because this earthquake is located about 290 km below the surface of the earth, it will have been felt strongly over a wide area, but is not likely to cause severe damage. We have received reports that the earthquake was felt in much of Java and in parts of Malaysia", said a statement posted on the USGS website.
Police: Girl was victim of gruesome plan 10-year-old's abused body found in neighbor's storage tub Members of Jamie Bolin's family grieve Saturday near the apartment where she lived. YOUR E-MAIL ALERTS Oklahoma Amber Alert or or Create Your Own PURCELL, Oklahoma (CNN) -- A 10-year-old Purcell, Oklahoma, girl was the victim of a horrific plan of kidnap, rape, torture and cannibalism, authorities said Saturday. Investigators late Friday found Jamie Rose Bolin's body in a plastic storage tub in the bedroom closet of 26-year-old Kevin Underwood, said Tim Kuykendall, the district attorney for McClain County. The medical examiner said the girl, who had been missing since Wednesday, died of asphyxiation and blunt blows to the head, Kuykendall told a news conference Saturday. The district attorney added that her injuries were also consistent with a "serious attempt to cut the head off the body." (Watch reaction of horrified neighbor -- 1:58) Underwood -- who is in custody but has not been formally charged -- and the girl lived in the same apartment complex. He does not have a felony criminal history or known mental illness. Evidence seized from Underwood's apartment included a decorative dagger authorities say was used to try to decapitate the girl, a hacksaw, a meat tenderizer, barbecue skewers and a wooden cutting board, Kuykendall said. Also found were a dismantled bicycle under a bed, a mug thought to have been carried by the girl into the apartment, a video of a cable television documentary on serial killers and a computer, Kuykendall said. Underwood purchased the hacksaw, skewers and meat tenderizer in the months before the girl died, Kuykendall said. The girl was struck on the head with the cutting board "three to four times," Kuykendall said, and Underwood suffocated her using duct tape and covering her mouth with his hand. Kuykendall said it was believed the girl screamed "numerous times." It was unclear how her cries apparently went unheard. "She pled for her life," he said. "The first thing out of her mouth when he first hit her was, 'I'm sorry.' " After the news conference, Kuykendall said authorities believe she did not die immediately. An autopsy report is being finalized. 'This was well planned out' Authorities believe the girl was molested after she had died, Kuykendall told CNN after the news conference. Her clothes had been removed and placed with her inside the tub, along with a towel to soak up blood, Kuykendall said. Authorities think she was killed before police were notified that she had disappeared. "This was well planned out," said said Purcell Police Chief David Tompkins. He added that other individuals, including an woman and a 5-year-old boy, also were targeted and considered. "But Rose was the one who was selected for this plan," he said. Police suspect she was selected simply because she walked past Underwood's apartment on Wednesday. The two were acquainted, authorities said. Underwood had a pet rat that would sit on his shoulder, Tompkins said, and the girl had previously seen and petted it. The night before her death, she had intended to use a pay phone in the apartment building to order pizza, according to Kuykendall. Underwood had offered his phone, but the girl responded that she would get in trouble if she went into his apartment because she was not allowed to enter strangers' homes, Kuykendall said. However, she apparently did use his phone to place the order, according to Kuykendall. The next day, she is believed to have gone into Underwood's apartment voluntarily, Kuykendall said. "Whether you term that 'lured in' or not, I believe she went into the apartment of her own free will," he said. Underwood is being held without bail at McClain County jail and is scheduled to appear before a judge Monday to face a charge of first-degree murder. Other charges are also possible, said Kuykendall, who added that he would seek the death penalty. Underwood did not have an attorney as of Saturday, according to Kuykendall. 'He was very quiet' Balloons, flowers and a teddy bear have been left outside the apartment building. "It's very hard to talk to a family about things like this," said Kuykendall, who informed the Bolin family of Underwood's alleged plan. "I kind of look at it in terms of, would I want to know what happened to my daughter, my child?" he said. Underwood had lived in the apartment for about a year and a half and, according to Tompkins, and had worked at a grocery store for a year and at a fast food restaurant before that. FBI investigators first identified Underwood as a person of interest when they stopped him at a roadside checkpoint near the apartment complex, Kuykendall said. After an interview, Underwood consented to a search of his apartment, during which investigators found the child's body, Kuykendall said. A search warrant was then obtained, he said. "He was very quiet ... comes from a nice family" and had a close relationship with relatives, Kuykendall told CNN describing Underwood. "Nothing in his background that we know of would have indicated that he could have done this. He was the guy next door." \|\|\|\|\| [E-mail this story to a friend...] [ 1 of 4 \| ] ``She had a giggle that you couldn't help but join in,'' said Jamie's grandmother, Rose Fox. ``She was the kind of girl who could just light up a room. ``She liked to wrestle with her little sisters and wrestle with her 'poppa,' which is my husband. She liked puppies and kittens and all the other things little 10-year-old girls like.'' On Friday, Jamie's body was discovered in her neighbor's apartment downstairs at the Purcell apartment complex where she lived. Police arrested Kevin Ray Underwood, 26, on a first-degree murder complaint and took him to the McClain County Jail, where he was being held without bail on Saturday. Prosecutors said they expect to file formal charges on Monday and that they intend to seek the death penalty. Purcell Police Chief David Tompkins said Underwood had no apparent criminal record. It was not immediately known whether Underwood had a lawyer. Underwood drew the suspicion of investigators when he pulled up to a check point set up in the area near the apartment complex OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ Smart and funny with bright red hair and freckles, 10-year-old Jamie Rose Bolin liked to pillow fight with her sisters and play with Barbie dolls.``She had a giggle that you couldn't help but join in,'' said Jamie's grandmother, Rose Fox. ``She was the kind of girl who could just light up a room.``She liked to wrestle with her little sisters and wrestle with her 'poppa,' which is my husband. She liked puppies and kittens and all the other things little 10-year-old girls like.''On Friday, Jamie's body was discovered in her neighbor's apartment downstairs at the Purcell apartment complex where she lived.Police arrested Kevin Ray Underwood, 26, on a first-degree murder complaint and took him to the McClain County Jail, where he was being held without bail on Saturday. Prosecutors said they expect to file formal charges on Monday and that they intend to seek the death penalty.Purcell Police Chief David Tompkins said Underwood had no apparent criminal record. It was not immediately known whether Underwood had a lawyer.Underwood drew the suspicion of investigators when he pulled up to a check point set up in the area near the apartment complex [ 1 of 4 \| ]	Police in Purcell, Oklahoma, about 40 miles (64 km) south of Oklahoma City, on Friday discovered the mutilated body of a ten-year-old girl in the apartment of a man who lived in the same apartment complex. The body of Jamie Rose Bolin was found in a storage bin in the bedroom closet of Kevin Underwood, 26, said Tim Kuykendall, district attorney for McClain County. Underwood has been arrested on suspicion of first-degree murder and is being held without bail. He has no criminal record or history of mental illness. The girl was last seen on Wednesday near the Purcell public library, and her family reported her missing that night. Officials waited until Thursday night to issue an Amber Alert because no abduction was reported. Underwood reportedly drew the suspicion of law enforcement at an information checkpoint set up at the apartment complex. Among the other items found in Underwood's apartment were a decorative dagger, a hacksaw, barbecue skewers, meat tenderizer, and a wooden cutting board, according to police. Preliminary autopsy reports find that the girl died of asphyxiation and blunt force trauma to the head. Deep saw marks found on the body indicate that the suspect attempted to decapitate the girl, say authorities. As the body was found unclothed, police also suspect that Bolin was molested after she died. "Regarding a potential motive, this appears to have been part of a plan to kidnap a person, rape them, torture them, kill them, cut off their head, drain the body of blood, rape the corpse, eat the corpse, then dispose of the organs and bones," Purcell police chief David Tompkins said. According to Kuykendall, Underwood said he began fantasizing about eating someone a year ago. The prosecutor added that authorities believe "that while she was ultimately chosen to be the victim of this horrific crime, that other people had been targeted and considered," including a woman and a 5-year-old boy. He added that this was one of the most atrocious crimes he had seen as district attorney, and that he intends to seek the death penalty.
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. \|\|\|\|\| LANDSDOWNE, Va. Oct. 21 — Vice President Dick Cheney, ratcheting up the administration’s warnings to Iran, today branded that country’s government “a growing obstacle to peace in the Middle East” and declared that United States and its allies “will not allow Iran to have a nuclear weapon.” The vice president’s remarks, coming just days after President Bush suggested that a nuclear-armed Iran could lead to “World War III,” amounted to a one-two punch from the administration. “The Iranian regime needs to know that if it stays on its present course, the international community is prepared to impose serious consequences,” Mr. Cheney said. He did not specify what those consequences might be, or whether they would include military action, but added, “We will not allow Iran to have a nuclear weapon.” Mr. Cheney made his remarks in a wide-ranging foreign policy speech during a conference on Middle East policy hosted by The Washington Institute, a research organization. During the 25-minute talk, he also took aim at Syria, accusing it of using “bribery and intimidation” to influence the upcoming elections in Lebanon, and made the case, as he has in the past, for the administration’s muscular approach in prosecuting terror suspects. But his most serious comments were aimed squarely at Iran, which he accused of being “the world’s most active sponsor of state terrorism.” Experts at the conference said the vice president’s language, while stopping short of threatening military action, seemed designed to prepare Americans for what the administration might do if Iran did not cooperate. “The language on Iran is quite significant,” said Dennis Ross, who served as a Middle East envoy for both the first President Bush and in the Clinton administration, and is now a scholar at The Washington Institute. Referring to Mr. Cheney’s remark about “serious consequences,” Mr. Ross said, adding that it was a strong statement and that “does have implications.” \|\|\|\|\| Cheney: Iran faces 'serious consequences' over nuclear drive LANSDOWNE, United States (AFP) — Vice President Dick Cheney said Sunday the United States would not permit Iran to get nuclear weapons and warned of "serious consequences" if it refuses to stop enriching uranium. Cheney, considered the US administration's toughest hardliner on Iran, did not mention the possibility of military action amid reports that President George W. Bush could be laying the stage for war with the Islamic republic. "The Iranian regime needs to know that if it stays on its present course, the international community is prepared to impose serious consequences," he said in a speech to the Washington Institute for Near East Policy. "The United States joins other nations in sending a clear message: We will not allow Iran to have a nuclear weapon," he said, after Bush warned last week that a nuclear-equipped Iran evoked the threat of "World War III." "Our country and the entire international community cannot stand by as a terror-supporting state fulfills its most aggressive ambitions," Cheney said, accusing Iran anew of abetting attacks on US troops in Iraq. Cheney's warning to Iran recalled UN Security Council resolutions in 2002 that Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein faced "serious consequences" if he failed to come clean on his alleged stockpiles of weapons of mass destruction. Speaking on CNN Sunday, Democratic Representative Jane Harman said the administration's threatening language against Iran was "very dangerous." "We heard about mushroom clouds and other images before the military action in Iraq. I wish the president would avoid that," she said, calling for tougher UN sanctions on Iran instead of "war-mongering threats." Unbowed by the morass faced now by the United States in Iraq, and by warnings that the US military is dangerously overstretched, the hawkish Cheney reportedly favors attacking Iran. In a New Yorker article last month, celebrated investigative reporter Seymour Hersh said there was US planning for "surgical" raids against Iran's Revolutionary Guards, which Washington accuses of targeting its forces in Iraq. On the campaign trail for next year's White House race, top Republicans and Democratic frontrunner Hillary Clinton also insist that they will never tolerate a nuclear-armed Iran menacing its neighbors and Israel. Clinton last month voted for a Senate resolution that declared the Revolutionary Guards a terror organization -- a step that her Democratic rival Barack Obama said represented a "blank check" for Bush to wage war on Iran. Iran, which insists it only wants peaceful nuclear energy, has brushed aside US warnings, and announced Saturday that its top nuclear negotiator Ali Larijani had resigned and was being replaced by an ally of hardline President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. In a gloomy speech that ranged over threats facing the United States from Islamic terrorism, and the need for Congress to renew controversial surveillance tactics, Cheney also said that Washington would not abandon Iraq. "We're going to complete the mission so that another generation of Americans does not need to go back and do it again," he said. Cheney also accused Syria of using "bribery and intimidation" to undermine Lebanon's upcoming presidential election and said the vote should go ahead "free of any foreign interference." In May Cheney declared, from the potent venue of a US aircraft carrier steaming in the Gulf, that the United States would not let Iran acquire nuclear arms. Middle East experts who spoke at the Washington Institute conference after Cheney's speech noted that US rhetoric against Iran was being sharply escalated. "The language on Iran is quite significant," former Middle East presidential envoy Dennis Ross said. "That's very strong words and it does have implications." Commenting on Bush's "World War III" warning, Jane's Information Group Alex Vatanka said: "The United States could take care of Iran militarily in short order. "But it's still not useful for policymakers to use this kind of alarmist talk, even if Bush feels that Iran is an urgent issue that needs to be dealt with in his remaining time in office," he told AFP.	Dick Cheney giving his speech. In a speech on Sunday, U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney warned that Iran will face "serious consequences" if it refuses to stop enriching uranium. In his speech, Cheney also accused Iran of being "the world’s most active sponsor of state terrorism," and called Iran's government "a growing obstacle to peace in the Middle East." "The Iranian regime needs to know that if it stays on its present course, the international community is prepared to impose serious consequences," Cheney said in a speech to the Washington Institute for Near East Studies, without specifying whether those consequences would include military action. "The United States joins other nations in sending a clear message: We will not allow Iran to have a nuclear weapon," he said. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Mohammad Ali Hosseini said today that Iran's nuclear policies are "unalterable" and that terminating Iran's nuclear program "isn't on the agenda and won't be." Iran maintains that it is developing nuclear energy for peaceful purposes, a position that has been backed by Russian President Vladimir Putin. In an interview with ''CNN'', U.S. Representative Jane Harman (D-Calif.) said the language being used by the Bush administration is "very dangerous" and recommended stronger U.N. sanctions as an alternative to "war-mongering threats." "We heard about mushroom clouds and other images before the military action in Iraq. I wish the president would avoid that," she said.
Nawang Gombu, the first man to scale Mt. Everest twice, died at his home in Darjeeling early on Sunday after a brief illness. He was 79. Awarded the Padma Bhusan in 1966, the Padma Shree in 1964, the Arjuna Award the following year and the Tenzing Norgay Lifetime Achievement Award in 2005, Nawang Gombu had also received the Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal. Altitude porter Following in the footsteps of his uncle Tenzing Norgay, he was first an altitude porter before becoming a climbing member in many subsequent expeditions, according to his family. Nawang Gombu was also a member of the team which saw Tenzing Norgay and Sir Edmund Hillary reach the summit of Mt. Everest in 1953, making him the youngest climbing Sherpa, at the age of 16. After a gap of 10 years, he climbed Mt. Everest with the American mountaineer Jim Whittaker in 1963, and then again two years later with Captain A.S. Cheema. The other mountains that Nawang Gombu climbed include Sakang Peak, Saser Kangri, Nanda Devi, Cho Oyu, Koktgang and Ratong. Not only did he climb these mountains, he played a great role in teaching mountaineering to many and in the setting up of the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute in Darjeeling, his brother-in-law Dorjee Lhatoo said. Funeral The funeral will be held in Darjeeling on Thursday, his family said. \|\|\|\|\| Gombu, 79, is survived by his wife, three daughters and a son. Besides being the youngest Sherpa to reach South Col during the first successful expedition in 1953, Gombu first climbed Mt Everest along with Jim Whittaker during American Everest Expedition in 1963. He then set a new record when he scaled the world's highest peak again in 1965 along with Capt Awarae Singh Cheema as members of Indian Everest Expedition. The South Col usually refers to the southern route between Mount Everest and Lhotse, the first and fourth highest mountains in the world. Other Himalayan peaks climbed by Gombu included Makalu, Sakang, Saser Kangri, Nanda Devi, Cho Oyu, Koktang and Ratong. Gombu was part of the first group of Sherpa mountaineers who along with Tenzing Norgay completed a guide course in Switzerland in 1954. They became the backbone of the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute (HMI), an idea pushed by Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru. He retired from HMI as its Director of Field Training after more than 40 years of service. For his climbing and teaching accomplishments, Gombu was awarded Padma Bhusan, Padma Shree, the Arjuna Award, the Indian Mountaineering Foundation Gold Medal and the Tenzing Norgay Lifetime Achievement Award. He also received the Queen Elizabeth II Coronation medal from Her Majesty and Hubbard medal from National Geographic Society. Former Director of Field Training of HMI, Dorjee Lahtoo said, "Gombu was the guiding force for the Sherpas as well as the mountaineering fraternity of the country. His death has left a big void in the adventure field of India." Born in southern Tibet near the famed Rongbuk monastery in Tibet, Gombu was the son of a former Tibetan monk Nawang Gyaltzen and former nun Lhamu Kipa. He briefly attended the Rongbuk monastery as a student but then moved to the village of Khumjung Solu Khumbu near Mt Everest in Nepal with his parents and sister Doma, where he spent his childhood. After coming to Darjeeling later with his uncle, he became a high altitude porter before becoming a climbing member in many expeditions. Gombu's funeral will be held in Darjeeling on April 28.	Mount Everest mountaineer , 79, the first person to reach the summit of twice, died Sunday morning at his home in , India, located at the base of the , his family reported. Gombu was born in Tibet but later moved with his family to a small village in Nepal near Mount Everest. When he was about 21, Gombu reached the as the youngest member of 's team in 1953. On that expedition, Hilary and , Gombu's uncle, were the first to successfully scale . Gombu set another record as the first person to reach the mountain's summit twice, first in 1963 with on an American expedition and again in 1965 with Captain on an Indian expedition. He scaled many other Himalayan peaks including , and , and is credited with discovering several new mountain routes. Gombu was one of the "Tigers of the Snow", Sherpa mountain climbers who brought recognition to their their ethnic community in the mountains of Tibet and Nepal. He was important in the formation of the (HMI), along with other Sherpas. The creation of the Institute was supported by . Gombu served as Director of Field Training there after Norgay retired from the role, eventually retiring from HMI himself after more than forty years of work for the Institute. "He was not only an outstanding climber, Gombu was a fine person who guided Indian mountaineering to a greater height," said , a retired Navy captain and leader of the 1965 Indian expedition. "Gombu’s death left a big void in the adventure field of the country." For his work, Gombu received many awards, including medals from Queen Elizabeth II and the , and was invited to the by .
Shuttle Discovery docks with space station Published: Feb. 26, 2011 at 11:02 PM HOUSTON, Feb. 26 (UPI) -- The U.S. space shuttle Discovery successfully docked with the International Space Station Saturday, NASA said. Commander Steve Lindsey performed the maneuver at 2:14 p.m. EST, while the two spacecraft were orbiting 220 miles above western Australia. It was Discovery's 13th and final hookup with the space station. The hatches were set to open about 4:18 p.m., NASA said, and Discovery's crew of Lindsey, pilot Eric Boe, and mission specialists Alvin Drew, Steve Bowen, Mike Barratt and Nicole Stott will join space station commander Scott Kelly, and crew members Oleg Skripochka, Alexander Kaleri, Dmitry Kondratyev, Paolo Nespoli and Cady Coleman. The rendezvous finishes the roundup of all the spacecraft that fly to the station, with Russia's Soyuz and Progress, Japan's HTV and Europe's ATV already docked there, Florida Today reported. Fittingly, the astronauts got "Woody's Roundup" by Riders in the Sky, a Western song from the movie "Toy Story," for their 6:53 a.m. wake-up call. \|\|\|\|\| Discovery arrives at space station Docking maneuver successfully completed in shuttle's final visit to orbiting laboratory Radar tracking of Space Shuttle Discovery as it approaches its rendezvous with the International Space Station, Feb. 26, 2011. (NASA TV) Space Shuttle Discovery as seen from the International Space Station during preparations for docking, Feb. 26, 2011. (NASA) (CBS News) Last updated 2:53 p.m. ET The shuttle Discovery glided to a picture-perfect docking with the International Space Station Saturday - the veteran spaceplane's 13th and final linkup with the orbiting outpost. With commander Steven Lindsey manually flying Discovery from the aft flight deck, the shuttle's payload bay docking system engaged its counterpart on the front end of the station's Harmony module at 2:14 p.m. EST (GMT-5), reports CBS News space consultant William Harwood. "Station and Houston, Discovery has capture confirmed," an astronaut radioed. The historic linkup marked the first time in the station's 12-year history that spacecraft from the United States, Russia, the European Space Agency and Japan were docked at the outpost at the same time. Final launch of Space Shuttle Discovery CBS News' Space Place (Harwood blog) NASA's Space Shuttle Mission Home Page Later in the mission, if all goes well and mission managers concur, three station crew members will undock in a Russian Soyuz spacecraft to photograph the lab complex and all the visiting vehicles from afar, capturing a unique moment that, with the shuttle's looming retirement, will never be repeated. But first, the combined crews have to accomplish the primary objectives of Discovery's mission, including attachment of a final U.S. module, loaded with critical supplies and equipment, and an external storage platform carrying a spare set of radiator panels. A few minutes after 1 p.m., Lindsey and pilot Eric Boe brought Discovery to a halt about 600 feet directly below the space station. At that point, Lindsey conducted a computer-assisted 360-degree back-flip maneuver, exposing the shuttle's belly and critical heat-shield tiles to the crew aboard the station. Expedition 26 flight engineers Catherine "Cady" Coleman and Paolo Nespoli filmed the maneuver, using 400 mm and 800 mm telephoto lenses respectively, to capture high-resolution photographs of Discovery's heat shield tiles. The images will be downlinked to analysts in mission control at the Johnson Space Center for detailed evaluation. During Discovery's launching Thursday, several pieces of foam insulation fell away from the ship's external tank, including some that appeared to contact the shuttle's heat shield. The foam shedding occurred well after the first two minutes and 15 seconds of flight when the dense lower atmosphere can cause debris to hit with a high relative velocity.Engineers do not believe the foam lost Thursday caused any significant damage, but the photos shot during final approach Saturday will be carefully scrutinized to make sure, and to look for anything else that might need attention. After the rendezvous pitch maneuver, Lindsey carefully guided Discovery to a docking at pressurize mating adapter No. 2 on the front end of the station's Harmony module. It was Discovery's 13th and final docking with the International Space Station. If all goes well, hatches between Discovery and the station will be opened shortly after 3:30 p.m. and Expedition 26 commander Scott Kelly, Alexander Kaleri, Oleg Skripochka, Dmitry Kondratyev, Catherine Coleman and Paolo Nespoli will welcome Lindsey and his shuttle crewmates - pilot Eric Boe, Al Drew, Stephen Bowen, Michael Barratt and Nicole Stott - into the space station. After a mandatory safety briefing, the shuttle astronauts will get to work transferring spacesuits and other gear to the station. Barratt and Stott, operating the station's robot arm, plan to pull a cargo pallet out of Discovery's cargo bay just before 5 p.m. The pallet, known as external logistics carrier No. 4, is loaded with a spare set of radiator panels for the station's ammonia cooling system. ELC-4 will be mounted on the underside of the station's right-side solar power truss. To get it there, Barratt and Stott will hand it off to the shuttle's robot arm, operated by Boe and Drew. The station arm then will be repositioned, inchworm fashion, moving from the Harmony module to its mobile base work station. When the move is complete, the shuttle arm will hand ELC-4 back to the station arm and the pallet will be mounted on the solar power truss for future use as needed. A mission status briefing is planned for 4:30 p.m. The crew will go to bed shortly before 11 p.m. \|\|\|\|\| There's a problem with your browser or settings. Your browser or your browser's settings are not supported. To get the best experience possible, please download a compatible browser. If you know your browser is up to date, you should check to ensure that javascript is enabled. › Learn How \|\|\|\|\| Mission Status Center By Justin Ray Welcome to Spaceflight Now's live coverage of space shuttle Discovery's STS-133 mission to the International Space Station. Text updates will appear automatically; there is no need to reload the page. Follow us on Twitter. \|\|\|\|\| Preparations Continue for Next Return to Flight Mission Discovery is towed into the Orbiter Processing Facility bay 3. Image credit: NASA/KSC + Click for Larger Image The crew of STS-121 is getting ready for the second Return to Flight mission aboard space shuttle Discovery, participating in proficiency training flights and rendezvous simulations. NASA is currently targeting no earlier than March 2006 for launch, and is evaluating how the impacts of Hurricane Katrina will affect the launch schedule. + Read more about STS-121 + NASA and Katrina The first Return to Flight mission, STS-114, wrapped up its successful flight on Aug 9 with a pre-dawn landing at Edwards Air Force Base in California. Discovery returned Aug. 21 to Kennedy Space Center atop a modified Boeing 747 called the Shuttle Carrier Aircraft. The shuttle is now in the Orbiter Processing Facility, where it will be readied for mission STS-121. + Read more about STS-114 \|\|\|\|\| The Space Shuttle Discovery is seen docked with the International Space Station with the earth in the background in this image from NASA TV February 26, 2011. CAPE CANAVERAL, Florida \| CAPE CANAVERAL, Florida (Reuters) - Space shuttle Discovery arrived at the International Space Station on Saturday on its final mission before the United States retires its three-ship shuttle fleet later this year. Carrying 10 tons of cargo and a crew of six to help get the orbital outpost ready for a future without shuttle support, Discovery blasted off Thursday on an 11-day mission that marks its 39th and last flight. Sister ships Endeavour and Atlantis are scheduled for their final voyages within six months. Before pulling into the shuttle's parking spot at 2:14 p.m. EST, commander Steven Lindsey back-flipped the ship so the station crew, headed by NASA astronaut Scott Kelly, could photograph Discovery's heat shield. NASA analyzes the images to check for damage from debris impacts during launch, a routine inspection since shuttle flights resumed after the 2003 Columbia accident. The U.S. space agency expects no issues with Discovery, the oldest surviving shuttle, despite evidence that four large pieces of foam popped off the ship's disposable fuel tank about halfway through Thursday's 8-1/2-minute ride to orbit. At that point, there is not enough force for flyaway foam to damage the shuttle on impact, unlike the chunk that fell off Columbia 82 seconds after launch, while the atmosphere was still thick. Originally, Kelly expected to meet his identical twin brother, astronaut Mark Kelly, in orbit. But technical delays launching Discovery on its final voyage bumped back Endeavour's mission -- which Mark Kelly is commanding -- to April. Mark Kelly is the husband of Gabrielle Giffords, the Arizona congresswoman who was critically wounded in an assassination attempt last month. ORBITAL PHOTO SHOOT Discovery's launch delay also cost the crew its lead spacewalker, Tim Kopra, who was sidelined last month after a bicycle crash. NASA tapped Stephen Bowen to replace Kopra. He and spacewalker Alvin Drew are scheduled for two outings to work on the station during Discovery's week-long stay. The Discovery crew, which also includes pilot Eric Boe and astronauts Michael Barratt and Nicole Stott, is delivering a new storage and research module, an external stowage platform, a spare radiator and a prototype humanoid robot named Robonaut 2, or R2, built in partnership with General Motors Co. NASA expects to decide Tuesday whether to extend the mission one day for an unprecedented photo shoot. With Discovery's arrival, six spaceships -- the shuttle, three cargo ships from Russia, Japan and Europe, and two Russian Soyuz capsules -- are parked at the international outpost, a $100 billion project of 16 nations. If approved, Kelly and two cosmonauts would board one of the Soyuz capsules for a 75-minute ride to photograph the station as it nears completion after 12 years of construction 220 miles above Earth. After landing and post-flight cleanups, Discovery, which first flew in 1984, will be prepared for its new life as a museum piece. (Editing by Tom Brown and Eric Beech)	The , flying the mission, has successfully rendezvoused and docked with the International Space Station (ISS) today at 18:14 UTC for what is scheduled to be the final time in its career. The ''(pictured docked to ISS)'' has docked with the International Space Station for what is scheduled to be the final time on the mission today. Official STS-133 crew portrait. From left to right: Alvin Drew, Nicole Stott, Eric Boe, Steven Lindsey, Michael Barratt and Steve Bowen ''Discovery'' is delivering six astronauts to the orbiting outpost, as well as station parts and supplies including the , the and , the first dexterous humanoid robot in space. The docking, ''Discovery'''s 13th and final scheduled docking, occurred two minutes ahead of schedule, having been originally scheduled for 19:16 GMT today. The hatch between the space shuttle and the ISS was opened at 20:16 UTC, after which the crew members of welcomed the crew of STS-133 aboard the station. The crew then participated in a safety briefing with Expedition 26 commander , while Shuttle Flight Director Bryan Lunney took part in a mission status briefing on the ground which began at 20:50 UTC. Later on today, crew members and are scheduled to move the ExPRESS Logistics Carrier-4 from the payload bay using the shuttle's robotic arm to the station's own robot arm for placement on the exterior of the orbital laboratory. There was a delay in the docking mechanism's ability to make a seal between the two spacecraft during docking operations, so activities occurring later on in the day, including the transfer of ELC-4, may be delayed. This was primarily because of a mis-alignment between the docking systems of the shuttle and station due to gravitational effects. The entire delay took up approximately 40 minutes. During ''Discovery'''s approach to the station earlier on today, the crew of Expedition 26 took pictures of the shuttle's underside from the station's windows in order to assist in analysis of the heat shield of the spacecraft. NASA officials are debating whether or not to extend the mission an additional day for a photo shoot of the International Space Station, as it is currently host to six docked spacecraft from the United States, Russia, Europe, and Japan. A decision regarding this possibility is expected on Tuesday. STS-133 is Space Shuttle ''Discovery'''s 39th and final scheduled mission into space and the program's 35th mission to the ISS, as well as the 133rd in the entire . There are two flights remaining before the retirement of the fleet that are still in planning: and .
Crimes and Other Legislation Amendment (Assault and Intoxication) Bill 2014 Assented on 31/01/2014 - Act No 2 of 2014 (GG No. 15, 07/02/2014). Motion moved 30/01/14 by Mr Hazzard 'That this House take note of the Crimes and Other Legislation Amendment (Assault and Intoxication) Bill and cognate bill'. Motion agreed to 6 March 2014 Long Title An Act to amend the Crimes Act 1900, the Law Enforcement (Powers and Responsibilities) Act 2002, the Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999 and other legislation relating to assaults and intoxication and to other matters Cognate Bills The following Bills are cognate with this Bill: Liquor Amendment Bill. Explanatory Notes This explanatory note relates to this Bill as introduced into Parliament. The Liquor Amendment Bill 2014 is cognate with this Bill.... Show full Explanatory Notes Second Reading Speeches To download, click the PDF icon(s) below. Amendments for Consideration Legislative Assembly Legislative Council c2014-005A Tracking through the Houses Initially introduced in the Legislative Assembly Legislative Assembly: Legislative Council: Member with Carriage: O'Farrell, Barry Introduced: Thu 30 Jan 2014 First Reading: Thu 30 Jan 2014 Minister's 2R Speech: Thu 30 Jan 2014 Second Reading: Thu 30 Jan 2014 Considered in Detail: Thu 30 Jan 2014 Third Reading: Thu 30 January 2014 Date Passed with amdts: Thu 30 Jan 2014 Member with Carriage: Gallacher, Michael Introduced: Thu 30 Jan 2014 First Reading: Thu 30 Jan 2014 Minister's 2R Speech: Thu 30 Jan 2014 Second Reading: Thu 30 Jan 2014 Date Committed: Thu 30 January 2014 Reported w'out amdt: 30/01/2014 Report Adopted: Thu 30 Jan 2014 Third Reading: Thu 30 Jan 2014 Date Passed w'out amdt: Thu 30 Jan 2014 Returned to LA: Thu 30 Jan 2014 Passed Parliament: Thu 30 Jan 2014 Text of Bill as passed by both Houses Assent \|\|\|\|\| One-punch alcohol laws pass in NSW Lower House and head to Legislative Council Updated Legislation to tackle alcohol-fuelled violence, including a controversial law for deadly one-punch assaults, has swiftly passed the New South Wales Parliament's Lower House. Debate has now begun in the Upper House. Among the initiatives is a plan for mandatory eight-year prison terms for anyone who fatally punches someone while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. The legislation also includes a new precinct in central Sydney where bars and clubs will be subject to strict new conditions, including lock-outs. The Government announced the measures last week, in response to pressure over the death of Daniel Christie from a single punch at Kings Cross. The measures include: Eight-year minimum sentencing for alcohol or drug-fuelled assaults ending in death. Serious assault maximum penalty increased by two years, with mandatory minimum sentences. On the spot fines for disorderly behaviour increased from $200 to $1,100. Police have powers to immediately ban 'troublemakers' from CBD/Kings Cross. Penalty for possession of steroids increased from two to 25 years. CBD/Kings Cross venues to have 1:30am lockouts with drinks stopping at 3:00am. Bottle shops across NSW to close at 10:00pm. Politicians were forced to cancel their holidays for the special sitting of State Parliament. Premier Barry O'Farrell told Parliament during the debate that action is needed because the courts have not been prepared to hand out the sentences that people expect. "Much of this is indeed pioneering legislation," he said. "It has to be to address an issue that, if the status quo was to remain, would continue to see too many innocent victims either killed or seriously injured. "If we have to come back and revisit this, if we have to fine tune, we will because we are determined to put in place an effective regime." Labor supports legislation, sight unseen The Opposition voted with the Government in the Lower House, despite several Labor MPs raising concerns about mandatory sentencing. Labor's support will also give the Government the required numbers in the Upper House. Before the debate began Opposition Leader John Robertson complained that he had not seen any details of the legislation. "We will support the Government's one-punch laws. The Government had to be dragged kicking and screaming to do something about alcohol-fuelled violence," Mr Robertson said. "We haven't seen the legislation on all those other issues. We're awaiting the detail of all that. "I have to say it's very disappointing that we're still waiting, on such an important issue, to see the legislation the Government will introduce." Greens MP John Kaye says the measures are a "knee-jerk" reaction and the party will vote against them. "We don't believe there's evidence to justify what they're doing," he said. "We don't believe we can justify imposing on responsible late night venue goers measures that are probably going to fail." The Greens believe the real issues are being ignored. "The dangerous promotions of deep discounting of alcohol, the failure to enforce responsible service of alcohol in venues and excessive liquor outlet density," Dr Kaye said. The Premier said yesterday that he wanted the legislation passed by Friday. "We're in the hands of the Legislative Council, but my message to all members of the Legislative Council is that the community's demanded tough action," Mr O'Farrell said. "These are tough measures and I would encourage them to give them the priority that they deserve. "We want to have, in particular, the one-punch, the death by assault legislation, in place and operational by this weekend." Other laws for serious violent assaults are set to be looked at next month. Meanwhile commercial television networks have begun broadcasting a campaign against one-punch assaults funded by professional boxer Danny Green. The State Government struck a deal with the seven networks to show the ad depicting Green intervening before one man punches another. It will air until the Government's own community awareness and media campaigns begin. Green paid for the advertisement out of his own pocket two years ago, after a fatal assault in his hometown of Perth. Topics: states-and-territories, state-parliament, alcohol, sydney-2000 First posted \|\|\|\|\| Ink still drying on Liberals’ liquor legislation and Labor’s rubber stamp 30th January 2014 The New South Wales Parliament passed sweeping legislative changes today, including controversial mandatory minimum sentences and CBD lock outs, in response to so called ‘alcohol-fuelled violence’. In related news, democracy in NSW sculled half a beer, before proceeding to pass out in a pool of its own vomit. The legislation, the Liquor Amendment Bill and Crimes and Other Legislation Amendment (Assault and Intoxication) Bill were first seen by Parliamentarians at 10 a.m. Thursday morning; the ink still drying from what could only have been an all-nighter in Parliamentary Council. The laws bring with them an eight year non-parole period for the new offence of an assault causing death under the influence of drugs or alcohol, as well as placing new conditions on over 900 venues in the Sydney CBD area, and restricting the sale of alcohol from bottle shops until 10 p.m. across New South Wales. While the latter is unlikely to affect preloading purchases from the bottle shops owned by the big supermarket chains, the provision will also extend to small specialty businesses. Tharunka spoke to Nathan Besser, co-owner of popular delivery service, Jimmy Brings, who said, “licensing legislation doesn’t adequately define our unique operation; we have been caught in the crossfire and will be forced to close at 10pm”. This will see their distribution hours cut by 30%, and a 50% loss in revenue. They have already written to the Premier to seek an exemption. Other controversial measures include increased penalties for offensive behaviour and language, which the Deputy Opposition Leader Linda Burney said would most negatively affect young and Indigenous people, as well as people suffering from mental illness or disadvantage. She said this while supporting the aforementioned changes. Notably, there is now an $1100 fine for disobeying a move-on order, and a $500 fine for swearing in public. Fuck. That. Shit. While the Greens put forward a few Hail Mary amendments in the last minutes of the debate to try to remove these increased penalties for summary offences, they were rejected by both the Government and Labor. The process wizardry was not limited to the Greens, with Lake Macquarie MP Greg Piper (IND), attempting a classic manoeuvre which would replace all the words of the legislation with a clause for a Parliamentary committee to review it instead. This too was sadly, yet predictably, rejected. All these changes occurred in less time than it takes me to book a domestic holiday. This is not so surprising, given that a) I get a bit lost on Expedia, and b) the Opposition announced they would be supporting the legislation even before they had seen it. While Labor were quick to take credit for the adoption of the ‘Newcastle solution’ of lock outs and last drinks within the legislative package as a part of their ‘Drink Smart, Home Safe’ policy, members of the public and press gallery could only watch on in a queasy mix of horror and giggles as every single Labor member used their time to find a new way to condemn mandatory minimum sentences, before agreeing to vote for them. “The Opposition believes that mandatory sentencing will have both unintended and adverse consequences” – The Honourable Adam Searle MLC “There is considerable evidence that mandatory sentencing is counterproductive and does not work. Mandatory sentencing has been tried before in New South Wales and failed… it was such an abject disaster that it was hurriedly repealed” – Mr Paul Lynch MP “No right-thinking person believes that mandatory sentencing is an appropriate response, particularly under these circumstances, because it produces injustice” – Mr Ron Hoening Even if they supported every sentence of the Liquor Amendment Bill, and felt politically wedged by the mandatory minimums package, they didn’t put forward a single amendment, or support any amendments. Though it is normal to end up compromising on issues and voting for things you don’t agree with completely, what happened today was not compromise – this was a rubber stamp. It’s not all Labor’s fault though; even the Attorney General Greg Smith is on record calling mandatory minimum sentences “an expensive and ineffective crime fighting tool”. He added a corollary however, saying that if community expectations did not match the sentences handed out by the judiciary, “we must have an informed debate about the issue”. And he’s right – we do need an informed debate about the issue. But we didn’t get one. Instead, we were given a Parliament dragged back from their summer break. We had legislation written by the Daily Telegraph, and changes to normal Parliamentary procedure which the Shadow Minister for Health and Liquor Regulation, Dr Andrew Macdonald criticised, saying “debate has been effectively gagged”. The Government was still making changes to the Bills after they’d been introduced. Protesters showed up not fully knowing what it was that they were protesting. When the MPs for Sydney and Balmain, Alex Greenwich (IND) and Jamie Parker (GRN) questioned the possibility of displacement of violent people from the CBD to other areas, the Premier accused them of “running a scare campaign”. The Premier mocked Greg Piper’s surprise at the scope of the Bill (of course he was surprised – he had only just read it because the Premier had only just finished writing it). This is a complex issue that deserved a real debate. As the Premier stated, the relationship between alcohol and violence is a “a problem that has existed here since the First Fleet arrived 226 years ago and celebrated their arrival with a drunken bacchanalia on the shores of Circular Quay”. In referencing cities like New York and Copenhagen, Greens MLC Dr Mehreen Faruqi said, “We have evidence from across the world that the provision of convenient and frequent late-night transport is a key factor in preventing violence and injury”. Labor’s Penny Sharpe insightfully commented on alcohol advertising around the city: “For example, a giant bottle of vodka with the words, “Arrive boldly”. If that is not an ad for preloading, I do not know what is.” Opposition Leader John Robertson thought businesses could be encouraged to be a larger part of the solution, with “risk-based licensing, providing hotels and bottle shops with a financial incentive to operate safe premises”. Rather than comprehensively addressing any of these issues, we had an intentionally rushed debate on legislation poorly considered. The phrase ‘unintended consequences’ worked its way in to Chambers 11 times, as in ‘I’m pretty sure these laws are going to have unintended consequences like locking up disproportionate amounts of young and Indigenous people, but it’s not like we can change the law, right?’ In an environment where we often lament at how long it takes governments to make changes already agreed upon by the public, it is shocking that NSW criminal law could undergo such a fundamental shift with such velocity. There is infrastructure in place for issues in crisis or flux that need a prompt response, but it is odd to think that a problem which has existed since the First Fleet was going to be resolved in an afternoon. As Alex Greenwich put it, “We need the right solution, not the right now solution.” Government is slow – at times painfully such – but this slowness is necessary; it is a reflection of health in an active democracy where everyone has a say, and everyone theoretically has an informed vote. Legislation is supposed to be built on consultation. MPs are supposed to take it to their electorates; the Legislative Council is supposed to engage with experts and interest groups. Democracies are more or less stable places precisely because we engage in protracted debates until 11 at night between these groups, rather than having dramatic overhauls in our laws overnight. And yet today, Legislators passed rushed laws in the same time as you allocate to your rushed gen ed essay. Today should make you angry (not ‘swear on the street’ angry though, because it’ll cost you $500). If you vote Liberal, you should be angry because they betrayed their core principles without asking you – you’re now the anti-business, big spending party. If you vote Labor, you should be angry because the party that backs the working class is apparently the party without a spine. If you vote Green or Independent, you should be angry – your representatives worked their arses off and they still couldn’t stop the big guys from taking a panic-induced dump on your democracy. And if you vote Shooters or CDP, you’re probably bonkers or racist or both. You’ll fit right in with the paper that’s running the country. Crystal Moran @manlycarrots \|\|\|\|\| Liquor Amendment Bill 2014 Assented on 05/02/2014 - Act No 3 of 2014 (GG No. 15, 07/02/2014). Long Title An Act to amend the Liquor Act 2007 and the Liquor Regulation 2008 to enable certain areas to be declared to be prescribed precincts in which licensed premises are subject to regulatory conditions; to enable periodic licence fees to be levied; and for other purposes Cognate Bills This Bill is cognate wth: Crimes and Other Legislation Amendment (Assault and Intoxication) Bill 2014 Explanatory Notes This explanatory note relates to this Bill as introduced into Parliament. This Bill is cognate with the Crimes and Other Legislation Amendment (Assault and Intoxication) Bill 2014.... Show full Explanatory Notes Second Reading Speeches To download, click the PDF icon(s) below. Amendments for Consideration Legislative Assembly Legislative Council c2014-002D Tracking through the Houses Initially introduced in the Legislative Assembly Legislative Assembly: Legislative Council: Member with Carriage: O'Farrell, Barry Introduced: Thu 30 Jan 2014 First Reading: Thu 30 Jan 2014 Minister's 2R Speech: Thu 30 Jan 2014 Second Reading: Thu 30 Jan 2014 Third Reading: Thu 30 January 2014 Date Passed w'out amdt: Thu 30 Jan 2014 Member with Carriage: Gallacher, Michael Introduced: Thu 30 Jan 2014 First Reading: Thu 30 Jan 2014 Minister's 2R Speech: Thu 30 Jan 2014 Second Reading: Thu 30 Jan 2014 Date Committed: Thu 30 January 2014 Reported w'out amdt: 30/01/2014 Report Adopted: Thu 30 Jan 2014 Third Reading: Thu 30 Jan 2014 Date Passed w'out amdt: Thu 30 Jan 2014 Returned to LA: Thu 30 Jan 2014 Passed Parliament: Thu 30 Jan 2014 Text of Bill as passed by both Houses Assent \|\|\|\|\| Sydney builder Shaun McNeil refused bail over Daniel Christie alleged murder Updated A Sydney builder has been refused bail on a fresh charge of murder over the one-punch death of teenager Daniel Christie. Twenty-five-year-old Shaun McNeil was at Central Local Court this morning but remained in the cells as his case was heard. Daniel Christie, 18, died in hospital on Saturday after the attack at Kings Cross on New Years Eve. Mr Christie had been in a critical condition for 11 days before his family made the decision to turn off his life support. Following his death, NSW Attorney-General Greg Smith had asked the acting director of public prosecutions to closely examine the case with a view to determining if murder charges were appropriate. Prosecutors will have to prove McNeil intended to kill Mr Christie or that he acted with reckless indifference to human life. He could face life in prison if the case is proven. McNeil is also accused of assaulting four other people that night. He did not apply for bail and it was formally refused. The case has been adjourned until March. Topics: courts-and-trials, murder-and-manslaughter, kings-cross-2011 First posted \|\|\|\|\| Quarter of a cow birthday treat HE'S mean, nasty and doesn't play well with others. But even 6m rogue saltwater crocodiles deserve something on their birthday. Sydney property prices soaring SYDNEY house prices jumped by more than 15 per cent in 2013, with a record-low cash rate responsible for the surge. Street Watch: Parolee on the run POLICE are urging the public to help them track down Jamie Sharpe, wanted for breaching the conditions of his parole. Sheet rope escape bid foiled TWO female prisoners went to extreme lengths in their bid to escape from one of state's minimum security jails on NYE	Thursday morning, members of the of New South Wales, Australia, discussed drafts of two bills relating to liquor intoxication assault crimes starting at 10 o'clock in the morning (; 2100 ), and approved them later during the day: the Lower House approved at midday and the Upper House at 7pm. The new legislation imposes harsher penalties on behaviour under alcohol influence, and a set of other restrictions in the Sydney central business district (CBD). The full formal names of the bills are ''Liquor Amendment Bill 2014'' and ''Crimes and Other Legislation Amendment (Assault and Intoxication) Bill 2014''. The latter was , while the former was still pending assent from the . The bills were . The latter formally commenced on Thursday except for Schedule 5, maximum fines changes, subject to commence on a day appointed by . Parliament House, Sydney, New South Wales. The said they would support the legislation before they saw it, citing support of any progress on such laws. The opposition leader, , said "We will support the Government's one-punch laws. The Government had to be dragged kicking and screaming to do something about alcohol-fuelled violence." The parties, while actively discussing the draft, did not support amendments raised during the discussion and the bill passed more quickly than usual, on the same day. However, (MP) didn't support the bills, naming some issues he didn't expect the bill to address but found more important, such as "the dangerous promotions of deep discounting of alcohol, the failure to enforce responsible service of alcohol in venues and excessive liquor outlet density". One provision defined a new offense, assault causing death while intoxicated — by alcohol or other drugs — with an eight-year . The fines for misconduct and swearing in public were raised from 200 and $150 to $500, while the maximum fine for "continuation of intoxicated and disorderly behaviour following move on direction" — direction "to leave a public place and not return for a specified period" — was increased from 6 ($660) to 15 penalty units ($1,650). The legislation also restricted sales of alcohol from bottle shops in the CBD until 10pm instead of midnight. The bill was drafted in response to death of 18-year-old teenager named Daniel Christie on January 11, following eleven days in hospital after allegedly being punched by drunk Shaun McNeil, 25, at . He allegedly also attacked Daniel's brother, Peter; McNeil's court case has been adjourned until March. == Sources == * * * * * * * * *
By Sarah Toms BBC News, Manila The death penalty was abolished in 1987, but reintroduced As a result the sentences of the 1,200 inmates on death row will be now be commuted to life imprisonment. Mrs Arroyo said she welcomed the change but insists she is not softening her stance on fighting crime or terrorism. Mrs Arroyo has been under pressure from the influential Roman Catholic church to scrap capital punishment. The signing comes as she prepares to head to Rome for an audience with Pope Benedict XVI. Earlier this month legislators in the Philippines, a mainly Catholic country, voted overwhelmingly to abolish capital punishment. By Philippine standards the bill was pushed through in record time. Violent crime wave In a speech Mrs Arroyo said "we yield to the high moral imperative dictated by God to walk away from capital punishment". Earlier she had assured the public that the end of the death penalty did not mean there would be a soft stance against criminals. The Philippines is plagued by violent crime with guns readily available and used in even minor disputes. Supporters of capital punishment say they fear the repeal will result in more crime. The repeal comes just days before Mrs Arroyo visits the Vatican for an audience with Pope Benedict XVI. Some analysts see the repeal of the death penalty as an attempt to win support from bishops for the president's plan to move to a parliamentary system of government. Others say Mrs Arroyo is trying to diffuse opposition from the church to the government's efforts to revive mining. The death penalty was abolished once before in 1987 but was re-imposed seven years later after a rise in crime. Under that law seven executions were carried out by lethal injection, but in 2000, the then president, Joseph Estrada, ordered a moratorium after strong lobbying by the church, the European Union and human rights groups. \|\|\|\|\| latest hi-tech news Medical lasers are normally used to create incisions, not heal them. But surgeons at one Israeli hospital are doing exactly that; they’ve developed a technique for sealing a cut with the heat from a…	President Arroyo has abolished the death penalty. Gloria Arroyo, President of the Philippines, has signed legislation abolishing the death penalty. This move comes on the eve of a visit to see Pope Benedict XVI and only two weeks after the legislation was confirmed by Congress. The change in sentencing law will lead to more than 1,200 prisoners having their sentences changed to life imprisonment. Arroyo has made assurances that "we shall continue to devote the increasing weight of our resources to the prevention and control of serious crimes, rather than take the lives of those who commit them". She was keen to emphasise that her country was not soft on terrorism. In the Philippines, the death penalty was originally abolished in 1987, but it was reintroduced in 1993. Since then seven people have been executed. Abolition of the death penalty has generally occurred in correlation with increasing democratisation in nation-states around the world. As of 2005, a majority of states (122) were abolitionist, and a minority (73) retained the death penalty.
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Mobile Downloads Text 67333 Article Tools Email this article Top emailed links Print this article Contact the editors Discuss this article Home > News > Report Delhi shop sealings to go on: SC Onkar Singh in New Delhi \| November 06, 2006 10:37 IST Last Updated: November 06, 2006 15:10 IST Related Articles More News: Delhi SC committee recommends putting sealing on hold Delhi turns into battlefield A two-judge bench of the Supreme Court headed by Chief Justice Y K Sabharwal on Monday¬†refused to give any reprieve to traders operating commercial establishments from residential premises and ordered the authorities to resume sealing operations against such traders. The apex court directed the Union government and the Delhi government to provide adequate security to the Municipal Corporation of Delhi to seal the unauthorised shops in residential areas. In his order, the Chief Justice at one stage said: "If the sanctity of the Constitution is to be saved, then such force, whether police or otherwise, shall be provided by the Central government and the Delhi government." "I am worried about what may happen to the orders of high courts and lower courts if Supreme Court's orders are not obeyed," he said. "Will the matters be decided on the streets than in the courts," he queried, adding that it was the duty of the government and not the court to maintain law and order. The bench stated that the sealing operations will continue under the supervision of the monitoring committee, which will submit a weekly report. The group of ministers headed by Home Minister Shivraj Patil is likely to meet in the evening to take stock of the Supreme Court order. PTI adds: The Delhi police has tightened security across the national capital to avoid any untoward incident. Delhi police deployed Rapid Action Force and increased presence of security personnel in all the sensitive areas to keep the situation under control. Earlier, Confederation of All India Traders general secretary Praveen Khandelwal had said: "Our future course of action will depend on the outcome of the Supreme Court hearing followed by a meeting of the Group of Ministers in the evening. The government will also deliberate on the issue in case of an adverse order." Share your comments What do you think about the story? Read what others have to say: Number of User Comments: 35 Sub: Pehle chori aur phir seena-jori? Bribe payer and giver, both are guilty, and both should be punished. SC is right for taking action on traders, and later, should take action ... Posted by Koushik Paul Sub: Its a shame..... Its a shame on our national parties to try legalise the unauthorised commercial establishments. That they do have an electricity connection or that they have ... Posted by sidhardhan Sub: Rule of Law Should Prevail If you want to see INIDA as a progressing and developing nation, all of us will have to be dutybound, responsible and accountable. The RULE ... Posted by BISHNU CHARAN PATRO Sub: why put a seal on traders fate For the last one year the traders community in Delhi is living a life in hell. What\\\'s their fault ? Why were they issued Sales ... Posted by atul gupta Sub: Excellent Decision: Nobody is above the law We can all see that the media and politicians are trying to rake up violence. Why did the traders build illegal shops by giving bribe ... Posted by shishir kumar Disclaimer Advertisement	The Indian Supreme Court has refused to grant any relief to the owners of unauthorised commercial establishments in New Delhi. A two judge bench of the Supreme Court, headed by Chief Justice Y K Sabharwal, said today that it found no grounds for modifying its previous order to seal commercial establishments violating zoning regulations. The Group of ministers had previously decided not to resume the sealing drive. The Delhi state government and the central government had filed an application to review the order on November 3, 2006 because of fear of violence in the city if the sealing would be resumed. But Supreme Court denied their request and ordered to resume the sealing drive. The apex court added that the government is not powerless to control the situation. According to article 141 and 144 of the constitution, authorities should follow the court's order. The court ordered the MCD to use police force, if required, to carry out the process. The MCD has decided to meet in the afternoon to discuss the consequences of the Supreme Court verdict. On the other hand, traders are very unhappy with the court order. Praveen Khandelwal, Secretary General of the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT), said that the traders were expecting the apex court to take a humanitarian decision. He added that if the sealing drive is not stopped traders would start a non-cooperation movement, a nationwide strike against the government.
At Least 58 Killed in Guinea Opposition Protest Witnesses and medical officials say at least 58 people have been killed in Guinea in clashes between security forces and opposition activists who defied a government ban on protests. The clashes took place Monday in the capital, Conakry. Captain Moussa Dadis Camara, attends a meeting at Camp Alpha Yaya Diallo military camp in Conakry, Guinea (File) Witnesses say Guinea's security forces opened fire on demonstrators who had gathered in a large stadium to protest against the possible presidential candidacy of Captain Moussa Dadis Camara, the country's military leader. They also say police charged protesters with batons and detained several opposition leaders. On Sunday, Captain Camara's government said all protests would be prohibited until national independence celebrations are held on October 2. However, opposition activists decided to proceed with the demonstration they had planned for Monday. Some carried signs that read "No to Dadis." Others set furniture on fire as they marched from the outskirts of the capital into the city. Captain Camara took power in a coup last December following the death of Guinea's longtime President Lansana Conte. When he took power, Captain Camara said no one in his ruling council would run for public office. However, the council has since said its members are eligible to be candidates. And Captain Camara has suggested he may run for president in elections scheduled for next year. The African Union says it may impose sanctions on Guinea if Captain Camara decides to run for president. The AU says it is concerned about what it calls a "deteriorating situation" in the country and the consequences of not returning to constitutional order. Opponents have also accused Mr. Camara and his ruling council of human rights abuses and limiting freedom of speech. Supporters of Guinea's military council are calling the threatened sanctions unfair. Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters. Witnesses say Guinea's security forces opened fire on demonstrators who had gathered in a large stadium to protest against the possible presidential candidacy of Captain Moussa Dadis Camara, the country's military leader.They also say police charged protesters with batons and detained several opposition leaders.On Sunday, Captain Camara's government said all protests would be prohibited until national independence celebrations are held on October 2.However, opposition activists decided to proceed with the demonstration they had planned for Monday.Some carried signs that read "No to Dadis." Others set furniture on fire as they marched from the outskirts of the capital into the city.Captain Camara took power in a coup last December following the death of Guinea's longtime President Lansana Conte.When he took power, Captain Camara said no one in his ruling council would run for public office. However, the council has since said its members are eligible to be candidates. And Captain Camara has suggested he may run for president in elections scheduled for next year.The African Union says it may impose sanctions on Guinea if Captain Camara decides to run for president.The AU says it is concerned about what it calls a "deteriorating situation" in the country and the consequences of not returning to constitutional order.Opponents have also accused Mr. Camara and his ruling council of human rights abuses and limiting freedom of speech.Supporters of Guinea's military council are calling the threatened sanctions unfair. E-mail Print Digg Yahoo Buzz Facebook del.icio.us StumbleUpon \|\|\|\|\| Photo: AFP/GETTY Opposition parties had organised the protest in the capital's main football stadium, which drew some 50,000 people. Demonstrators chanted "We want true democracy." But soldiers from the presidential guard entered the stadium and fired into the crowd, reportedly using tear gas, live ammunition and baton charges against the demonstrators. The number killed in the attack remains unclear, but witnesses reported seeing dozens of bodies. A doctor, speaking on condition of anonymity, told AFP that 58 people had been brought to a Conakry morgue on Monday. "We have counted 52 bodies and six more have just come in," said the doctor at the Donka university medical centre. But a member of the Red Cross told AFP that military commanders had issued instructions for all bodies to be taken to the Alpha Yaya Diallo military camp, rather than to morgues. Elsewhere, at Ignace Deen hospital, a medical source told AFP that an army truck had come by to pick up "dozens of bodies" to be taken to "an unknown destination". Tensions have risen amid rumours that military leader Capt Moussa "Dadis" Camara may run in presidential elections scheduled for Jan 31. Capt Camara came to power in a coup last December, hours after longtime dictator Lansana Conte died. He initially said he would not run in the election, but has recently said he has the right to run if he chooses. \|\|\|\|\| The unrest on Monday occurred near a stadium in Conakry, the capital, where demonstrators had massed to protest against the expected decision of Moussa Dadis Camara, the country's military leader, to stand in forthcoming elections. At least 58 people are reported to have been killed after security forces opened fire on opposition protesters in Guinea, a human rights group has said. "At one hospital alone, we have counted 58 bodies," Thierno Maadjou Sow, the president of the Guinean Human Rights Organisation, told the Reuters news agency. "It seems there are many more corpses in [the other hospital]." A doctor at the Donka university medical centre appeared to confirm the toll given by the human rights group telling the AFP news agency: We have counted 52 bodies and six more have just come in." Other medical officials were quoted as saying that "dozens of bodies" had been taken from another hospital by the military. 'Police state' The protesters, who had gathered outside the stadium, carried placards reading "No to Dadis" and "Down with the army in power" before police stopped them from gaining entry. Al Hassan Silah, a local journalist who visited the stadium shortly after the security forces had opened fire, said he and other journalists had seen bodies lying inside and outside the stadium. "People did not wish for a military regime in Guinea because for almost 25 years Guinea was led by a military man" Lansine Kaba, Guinean scholar "People who had gone to attend the protests have fled for dear life," Silah told Al Jazeera."But Conakry can be rightly described as a police state... All across town, military people at checkpoints are searching people and people have been forced back into their houses."The military government, which took power last December, plans to hold elections in January 2010.Lansine Kaba, a Guinean scholar at the Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar, said: "Many people don't want the president to stand for election. He promised when they had the coup that he would not stand for elections. "People did not wish for a military regime in Guinea because for almost 25 years Guinea was led by a military man," he told Al Jazeera The government had banned Monday's demonstration, but a coalition of political parties, trade unions and civic organisations vowed that the event would go ahead. Leaders arrested Police arrested at least 30 people who were driven away in lorries, witnesses said. Cellou Dalein Diallo, the leader of the opposition Union of Democratic Forces of Guinea (UFDG), and several other politicians were reportedly among those detained. Mouctar Bah, a correspondent for the AFP news agency who also works for Radio France Internationale (RFI), was manhandled by uniformed men who took his microphone and recorder before shoving him to the ground. Speaking on national television on Sunday, Frederic Kolie, the interior minister, declared that "all demonstrations on national territory are prohibited until the national holiday on October 2". News of the ban came a day after Camara - in his first visit outside the capital since he took power - went to Guinea's second city and opposition stronghold Labe. Camara seized power in the francophone West African nation after leading a bloodless coup within hours of the death of Guinea's president Lansana Conte, who had been in power since 1984.	Witnesses and medical officials say at least 50 people have been killed in Conakry, the capital of Guinea, in clashes between security forces and opposition activists who defied a government ban on protests. Conakry, the capital of Guinea (2007) Witnesses say Guinea's security forces opened fire on demonstrators who had gathered in a large stadium to protest against the possible presidential candidacy of Captain Moussa Dadis Camara, the country's military leader. They also say police charged protesters with batons, used tear gas, and detained several opposition leaders. "We have counted 52 bodies and six more have just come in," the city's university medical centre's doctor said. On Sunday, Captain Camara's government said all protests would be prohibited until national independence celebrations are held on October 2. "All demonstrations on national territory are prohibited until the national holiday on October 2," said Frederic Kolie, the interior minister, in a televised address on Sunday. However, opposition activists decided to proceed with the demonstration they had planned for Monday. Some carried signs that read "No to Dadis", and others chanted "We want true democracy." Some of the demonstrators set furniture on fire as they marched from the outskirts of the capital into the city. "... Conakry can be rightly described as a police state ... All across town, military people at checkpoints are searching people and people have been forced back into their houses," said Al Hassan Silah, a local journalist, to the Al Jazeera news agency. Moussa Dadis Camara. Captain Camara took power in a coup last December, following the death of Guinea's longtime President Lansana Conte. When he took power, Captain Camara said no one in his ruling council would run for public office. However, the council has since said its members are eligible to be candidates, and Captain Camara has suggested he may run for president in elections, which are scheduled for January 2010. The African Union said it may impose sanctions on Guinea if Captain Camara decides to run for president. It said it was concerned about what it called a "deteriorating situation" in the country and the consequences of not returning to constitutional order. Opponents have also accused Mr Camara and his ruling council of human rights abuses and limiting freedom of speech. Supporters of Guinea's military council are calling the threatened sanctions unfair.
Airline Bombing Suspect Spent Months in Yemen in 2009 Photo: AP Authorities in Yemen say the Nigerian man accused of trying to destroy a U.S. jetliner last week lived in Yemen for months, and was in the country as recently as this month. The Yemeni Foreign Ministry says 23-year-old Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab was in Yemen from early August to early December. The ministry says he was granted a visa to study Arabic at an institute in the capital, Sanaa, where he had previously studied. Abdulmutallab is charged with trying to destroy a Northwest Airlines jet traveling on Christmas Day from Amsterdam to Detroit. Authorities say he unsuccessfully tried to set off explosives hidden in his underwear as the plane was about to land in Detroit. The suspect says he was trained by al-Qaida operatives in Yemen. A group known as al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula claimed responsibility on Monday for the failed attack, saying it was in retaliation for U.S. support for operations against the group in Yemen. The claim could not be independently verified. U.S. President Barack Obama says the United States will use all resources to find and hold accountable those responsible. The president has ordered a full review of air safety regulations and the terrorist watch-list system, in an effort to prevent future attacks. Monday, Mr. Obama vowed to use every element of U.S. power "to disrupt, to dismantle and defeat" extremists in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Yemen, Somalia or elsewhere who might want to attack the United States. Abdulmutallab's name was listed in a U.S. government intelligence database, but he was not on the government's "no-fly list," which would have banned him from flying into the United States. His father Alhaji Umar Mutallab, a prominent banker and former Nigerian government minister, had warned the U.S. embassy in Nigeria about his son's extremist views. Some information for this report was provided by AFP and AP. \|\|\|\|\| Western counter-terrorism help 'not enough for Yemen' Mr Abdulmutallab studied at the Sana'a Institute for the Arabic Language Yemen has said it is not getting enough support from the West to tackle al-Qaeda, as details emerge of the suspected US jet bomber's time there. Foreign Minister Abu Bakr al-Qirbi told the BBC that Yemen had the will and ability to deal with al-Qaeda, but was undermined by a lack of support. He estimated that several hundred al-Qaeda members were operating in Yemen and could be planning more attacks. A Yemen-based branch of the network has claimed it planned the failed attack. Yemeni officials said Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, 23, the Nigerian man accused of trying to blow up the Detroit-bound jet on Christmas Day, was living in Yemen from August until the beginning of December, the official Saba news agency reported. US officials are said to be concerned there may be more al-Qaeda-trained young men in the country planning to bring down US planes. US FLIGHT ADVICE Only one item of hand luggage, including items bought airside BA and Virgin Atlantic not charging to check in extra hand luggage Check in wrapped presents Passengers subject to "pat-down" searches before boarding, on top of usual security checks Customers to remain seated during final hour of flight No access to hand luggage and a ban on leaving possessions or blankets on laps during this hour Dutch press EU to adopt scanners In pictures: Suspect's journey How are travellers screened? Q&A: 'Jet bomber' case In recent weeks, Yemen has launched several major operations against al-Qaeda with US backing, amid fears the troubled country is becoming a major training centre for militants. 'Exaggerated' danger In an interview for BBC Radio 4's World at One programme, Mr al-Qirbi said the conflict with al-Qaeda was a priority for his government despite wars with Shia rebels in the north and with separatists in the south. Yemen was getting some support in this conflict but it was inadequate, he added. "We need more training. We have to expand our counter terrorism units and this means providing them with the necessary training, military equipment, ways of transportation - we are very short of helicopters. Please turn on JavaScript. Media requires JavaScript to play. "The United States can do a lot, Britain can do a lot, the European Union can do a lot in that regard," he said. He said he thought that 200-300 al-Qaeda members were operating in Yemen, but that this was just a rough guess. "Of course there are a number in Yemen and they may actually plan for attacks as in Detroit," he said. But Mr al-Qirbi said warnings about the situation made by US officials like Gen David Petraeus, head of Central Command, were overstated and "exaggerated in some media". Guantanamo link Mr Abdulmutallab has been charged with attempting to blow up the Northwest Airlines Airbus A330 from Amsterdam, which had nearly 300 people on board, as it made its final descent into Detroit on Friday. The 23-year-old, who is being held at a federal prison in the US state of Michigan, was restrained by passengers and crew while allegedly trying to detonate a high-explosive device sewn inside his underwear. UMAR FAROUK ABDULMUTALLAB Son of a wealthy Nigerian businessman Attended a British school in Togo Studied mechanical engineering at University College London Spent time in Dubai, Yemen and Egypt Q&A: 'Jet bomber' case Profile: Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab Al-Qaeda group claims bomb plot He has reportedly told FBI investigators that al-Qaeda operatives in Yemen had supplied him with the bomb and that there were others like him who would strike soon. His family says it lost contact with him in October. On Monday a web posting by al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, including a photograph purportedly of Mr Abdulmutallab in front of its banner, said the attack had been a response to US attacks against its operatives. On Tuesday, an official at the Yemeni foreign ministry said that the Migration and Passport Authority had confirmed that Mr Abdulmutallab arrived in Yemen at the beginning of August to study at the Sanaa Institute for the Arabic Language (SIAL) and left for Ethiopia four months later. ABC News earlier reported that among the group who planned the alleged attack were two men who were released by the US from its Guantanamo Bay detention centre in November 2007. Mohammed Atiq al-Harbi, also known as Mohammed al-Awfi, and Said Ali al-Shihri were sent home to Saudi Arabia, where they were admitted to an "art therapy rehabilitation program" and later set free, US and Saudi officials said. Both men appeared in a video in January along with the man described as the leader of al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, Nasser Abdul Karim al-Wuhayshi. Bookmark with: Delicious Digg reddit Facebook StumbleUpon What are these? E-mail this to a friend Printable version	Authorities in Yemen say the Nigerian man accused of trying to destroy a U.S. airliner last week lived in Yemen during a four-month period earlier this year. The Yemeni Foreign Ministry and it's Minister, Abu Bakr al-Qirbi says 23-year-old Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab lived there between early August and early December. The ministry says the Nigerian was granted a visa to study Arabic at an institute in the capital Sana'a. Security officials say they approved the visa for Abdulmutallab because he was granted visas by several friendly countries, and still held a valid visa to the United States. Abdulmutallab is charged with trying to detonate a bomb while flying aboard Northwest Airlines Flight 253 traveling from Amsterdam to Detroit. Authorities say he unsuccessfully tried to set off explosives attached to his body as the plane was approaching Detroit. A group known as al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula claimed responsibility on Monday for the failed attack. In an Internet statement, the group says the attack was in retaliation for U.S. support for operations against the group in Yemen. The claim could not be independently verified. Yemen has recently begun operations with U.S. support against al-Qaeda due to concerns that the country is becoming a training ground for militants. al-Qirbi said to BBC's Radio 4, that al-Qeada remains a top priority despite the Yemeni government having to deal with two insurgencies, one in the north by Shi'a rebels and one in the south by separatists. al-Qirbi said the Yemeni government needs more support, "We need more training. We have to expand our counter terrorism units and this means providing them with the necessary training, military equipment, ways of transportation - we are very short of helicopters. The United States can do a lot, Britain can do a lot, the European Union can do a lot in that regard." He also believed there 200 to 300 members of al-Qaeda in Yemen, however, that is a rough estimate. He added, "Of course there are a number in Yemen and they may actually plan for attacks as in Detroit." However, he called some statements made by U.S. officials overstated and "exaggerated in some media." U.S. President Barack Obama says the United States will use all resources to find and hold accountable those responsible for the terrorist plot. The president on Monday ordered a full review of air safety regulations and the terrorist watch-list system, in an effort to prevent future attacks. He vowed to use every element of U.S. power "to disrupt, to dismantle and defeat" extremists in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Yemen, Somalia or elsewhere, who might want to attack the United States. Abdulmutallab's name was listed in a U.S. government intelligence database, but he was not on the government's so-called "no-fly list," which would have banned him from flying on a U.S. airline. His father, a prominent banker and former Nigerian government minister, had warned the U.S. embassy in Nigeria about his son's extremist views.
Sherwood Schwartz, who created “Gilligan’s Island” and “The Brady Bunch,” two of the most affectionately ridiculed and enduring television sitcoms of the 1960s and ’70s, died on Tuesday in Los Angeles. He was 94. His death was announced by the Archive of American Television. Mr. Schwartz weathered painfully dismissive reviews to see his shows prosper and live on for decades in syndication. Many critics suggested that they were successful because they ran counter to the tumultuous times in which they appeared: the era of the Vietnam War and sweeping social change. Give or take a month or so, the original network run of “The Brady Bunch” coincided with two major upheavals in American society. The show, about a squeaky-clean blended family in California, began in 1969, shortly after Woodstock, and ended in 1974, soon after President Richard M. Nixon’s resignation following the Watergate scandal. Mr. Schwartz’s work may have been seen as lighthearted entertainment, but some scholars of popular culture took it very seriously. David Marc and Robert J. Thompson, authors of “Prime Time, Prime Movers,” in which they advance an auteur theory of television, considered Mr. Schwartz an innovator who made a “surgical strike into the national psyche.” Describing the advent of “Gilligan’s Island,” which told the story of seven very different castaways stranded on a desert island, they wrote, “Schwartz was pioneering a dramatic matrix built upon the emerging cultural concept of the ‘support group’: a collection of demographically diverse characters thrown together by circumstance and forced to become an ersatz ‘family’ in order to survive.” Mr. Schwartz, in a 1996 interview, said that he had always planned the series as a social statement, the message being, “It’s one world, and we all have to learn to live with each other.” Once or twice a year, he added, he received word of an academic paper whose author claimed to have uncovered the “real meaning” of the series, also stating that its creator probably had no idea what he was really saying. Not so. Mr. Schwartz remembered describing the idea of “Gilligan’s Island” to William S. Paley, then chairman of CBS, as a microcosm. Mr. Paley, he recalled, blanched and replied, “Oh, God, I thought it was a comedy show,” to which Mr. Schwartz quickly answered, “But it’s a funny microcosm!” Mr. Schwartz was also largely responsible for his shows’ theme songs, which spelled out the premises in detail. “The Ballad of Gilligan’s Island,” which Mr. Schwartz wrote with George Wyle, told the story of those castaways and how they ended up on that island. The “Brady Bunch” theme, which Mr. Schwartz wrote by himself, told the story of a woman with three daughters and a man with three sons who met and married. Viewers who swore they had never been fans of either show somehow knew the lyrics, or at least couldn’t help associating phrases like a “three-hour tour” or “the youngest one in curls” with the series. Sherwood Charles Schwartz was born in Passaic, N.J., on Nov. 4, 1916. He grew up in Brooklyn and was a premed student at New York University. After receiving his bachelor’s degree, he moved to Los Angeles to attend graduate school at the University of Southern California, but the master’s he earned in biological sciences was never put to use. In 1938, while waiting for acceptance to medical school, he asked his brother Albert, who worked on Bob Hope’s radio show, if he could try writing a few jokes. Soon there were two Schwartzes on Hope’s payroll. After World War II, during which Sherwood Schwartz wrote for Armed Forces Radio, he became a writer for “The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet,” which was then on the radio. He made the transition to television in the 1950s with the sitcom “I Married Joan” and “The Red Skelton Show,” for which he became head writer. In 1961 he shared an Emmy Award with his brother, Skelton and two other writers for the show. Mr. Schwartz’s survivors include his wife, Mildred; three sons, Donald, Lloyd and Ross Schwartz; and a daughter, Hope Juber. “Gilligan’s Island” went on the air in September 1964, with a cast that included Bob Denver as Gilligan, a bumbling first mate; Alan Hale Jr. as the skipper of the shipwrecked boat; and Jim Backus as Thurston Howell III, a millionaire, who managed to practice elitism while living in a hut. Guest stars turned up on the island as British butterfly collectors, misguided aviators or headhunters in grass skirts, sometimes raising hope for the castaways’ rescue. But they were always left behind, even when the series ended in 1967. The castaways finally did leave the island in a 1978 reunion special, “Rescue From Gilligan’s Island.” There were other specials; then, in 2004, the show was the inspiration for a reality series, “The Real Gilligan’s Island,” starring contestants whose real-life identities (millionaire, skipper and so on) matched those of the characters. As early as 1995 and as recently as 2010, there was talk of a “Gilligan’s Island” feature film. “The Brady Bunch” had its premiere in September 1969. It starred Florence Henderson and Robert Reed as clean-cut newlyweds with children whose most serious problems were usually on the level of sibling rivalry or a student council election. The show lasted five seasons and, in a way, refused to die. After reruns proved enormously popular, there were three attempts at spinoff series (none lasted longer than half a season); a stage show, “The Real Live Brady Bunch,” in which original episodes of the series were re-enacted; and “The Brady Bunch Movie,” which had two sequels. In interviews Mr. Schwartz talked about having intercepted a script for the first movie in which the Brady children used four-letter words. He told Paramount that he would personally campaign against the film if the language remained. So when the first film, set in the 1990s, opened, the obliviously wholesome Bradys appeared to be living in a time warp, still dressing, talking and behaving as if it were the early ’70s. Apparently Mr. Schwartz had his way. \|\|\|\|\| Lloyd Schwartz (left) and his father Sherwood Schwartz, creator of "Gilligan's Island," arrive at Glenn Stearns' "Millionaire's Hut" to watch the finale episode of "The Real Gilligan's Island" in Newport Beach, California in this December 21, 2004 file photo. Schwartz died on July 12, 2011 at the age of 94. Photograph by: Robert Galbraith, Reuters LOS ANGELES — Sherwood Schwartz, the comedy writer and producer who created what have remained two of the most enduringly popular TV series in worldwide syndication, died Tuesday morning. He was 94. Schwartz, who began his more than six-decade career by writing gags for Bob Hope’s radio show in 1939, died of natural causes at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, said his son Lloyd. Schwartz once said he created Gilligan’s Island, which aired on CBS from 1964 to 1967, as an escape from his seven years on The Red Skelton Show, for which he served as head writer and won an Emmy in 1961. There was nothing quite as escapist as the wacky tale of seven people on a small charter boat, the SS Minnow, who set out on a “three-hour tour” and wound up shipwrecked on an uncharted South Pacific island. Starring Bob Denver in the title role of the boat’s bumbling crew member, Gilligan’s Island famously featured the exasperated skipper (Alan Hale Jr.), the millionaire and his wife (Jim Backus and Natalie Schafer), the professor (Russell Johnson), the naive country girl (Dawn Wells) and the sexy movie star (Tina Louise). Schwartz also wrote the lyrics for the show’s memorable theme song: “Sit right back and you’ll hear a tale, A tale of a fateful trip. It started from this tropic port aboard this tiny ship. The mate was a mighty sailing man, The skipper brave and sure, Five passengers set sail that day For a three-hour tour.” Critics had a field day lambasting Schwartz’s shipwreck saga when it debuted. “It is impossible that a more inept, moronic or humorless show has ever appeared on the home tube,” wrote UPI’s Rick DuBrow. “It is difficult for me to believe that Gilligan’s Island was written, directed and filmed by adults,” wrote Terrence O’Flaherty of the San Francisco Chronicle. It is “quite possibly the most preposterous situation comedy of the season,” wrote Jack Gould of The New York Times. But the show’s very preposterousness struck a chord with millions of viewers. For all its crude sight gags, low-brow humor and pratfalls, Schwartz viewed “Gilligan’s Island” as something more: It is, he proclaimed, “my version of a social microcosm, where seven people from various backgrounds had to learn to live together.” In a 1965 TV Guide interview, Schwartz said he was “not disheartened by the (negative) reviews — only a bit angry with the lack of understanding of what was being attempted. Here are the same men who are forever saying: ‘For heaven’s sake, won’t somebody give us something other than the wife and the husband and the two children?’ “ Four years later, Schwartz served up his own version of that television staple: the family sitcom. The story of the marriage between a “lovely lady” with three daughters and “a man named Brady” with three sons, The Brady Bunch became TV’s first sitcom to feature a blended family. And its theme song featured lyrics again written by Schwartz. The series, starring Robert Reed and Florence Henderson as Mike and Carol Brady, aired on ABC from 1969 to 1974. The Brady kids were played by Maureen McCormick, Barry Williams, Eve Plumb, Susan Olsen, Christopher Knight and Mike Lookinland. Ann B. Davis played Alice, the housekeeper. Like Gilligan’s Island, The Brady Bunch was dismissed by the critics, and it never did as well as Schwartz’s gang of castaways in the ratings. But the idyllic suburban tale of Marcia, Jan, Cindy, Greg, Peter, Bobby, Mike, Carol and Alice took on a life of its own in endless syndicated reruns around the world, watched by succeeding generations. The Brady Bunch also begat a 1972-74 Saturday morning animated series (The Brady Kids), a 1977 comedy-variety series (The Brady Bunch Hour), a 1981 TV-movie (The Brady Girls Get Married), a 1981 sitcom (The Brady Brides), a 1988 TV-movie (A Very Brady Christmas) and a 1990 hourlong dramatic series (The Bradys.) There was even a stage production in the early ‘90s, The Real Live Brady Bunch, which re-created episodes word-for-word, as well as “The Brady Bunch Movie” (1995), a hit spoof starring Shelley Long and Gary Cole that was followed by “A Very Brady Sequel” with Long and Cole (1996); and “The Brady Bunch in the White House,” a 2002 TV movie. “Gilligan’s Island” likewise continued to air in reruns around the world and spawned two animated series, three TV-movies and a 1992 stage musical, Gilligan: The Musical, for which Schwartz and his collaborator son, Lloyd, wrote the book. Schwartz, who practically made a career out of the two shows, put little stock in what the critics had to say about his creations. “I honestly think I could sit down and write a show tonight that the critics would love, and I know it would be canceled within four weeks,” Schwartz said in a 1990 interview with the Los Angeles Times. “I know what the critics love. We write and produce for people, not for critics.” Born on Nov. 14, 1916, in Passaic, N.J., Schwartz received a bachelor’s degree from New York University and was working on his master’s degree in biological sciences at the University of Southern California in 1939 when he unexpectedly abandoned his plan of becoming a doctor. At the time, he was living with his older brother, Al, a comedy writer for The Bob Hope Show, then in its first year on radio. In need of money, Schwartz told his brother, “If I write some jokes, would you show them to Bob?” As Schwartz told Jordan Young, author of the 1999 book The Laugh Crafters: Comedy Writing in Radio and TV’s Golden Age: So I wrote some jokes, and he showed them to Bob, who liked them — and the last month of The Bob Hope Show that first year, they used some of my material. And then (Hope) said to me, ‘Why don’t you come on the show?’ “ After four years writing for Hope’s radio show, Schwartz joined the Army and wound up writing for Armed Forces Radio Service in Hollywood, including the shows Command Performance, Mail Call and Jubilee. After the war, he returned to radio, putting in stints on The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet, The Alan Young Show and The Beulah Show. He made his move to television in 1952, spending two years writing for Joan Davis’ situation comedy I Married Joan. In addition to The Red Skelton Show, Schwartz also wrote for the sitcom My Favorite Martian in the early ‘60s. Schwartz conceived the idea for the Brady series in 1965 after reading a brief news report that said nearly one-third of American households included at least one child from a previous marriage. “I realized there was a sociological change going on in this country, and it prompted me to sit down to write a script about it,” he recalled in a 2000 interview with the Los Angeles Times. It took him more than three years to sell The Brady Bunch, a show whose cheery depiction of family life was, he said in another interview, “100 percent sincere.” “A lot of people say television holds up a mirror to life, and that’s why you see all the drug busts and the killings and the seamier side of life,” he said in the 1990 Times interview. “I personally take the view that as a responsible producer, it’s not sufficient to portray only negative role models. I think it’s better to give an alternative. It’s not enough to say ‘no’ to drugs. What do you say ‘yes’ to?” In addition to his son Lloyd, Schwartz is survived by his wife, Mildred; his two other sons, Dr. Donald Schwartz and Ross Schwartz; his daughter, Hope Juber; eight grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. Los Angeles Times © Copyright (c) The Montreal Gazette	Schwartz receiving his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2008 Television producer and creator of shows '''' and '''' has died at the age of 94. His daughter Hope Juber announced his death. The cause of death was announced by his son Lloyd as natural causes. Schwartz had a career that lasted six decades after he starting writing jokes for ’s radio show in 1939. After his brother got Schwartz a role on Hope's writing staff he went onto work for the and became a writer for the radio series ''''. He first entered television when he started to write for the show '''' in the 1950s. Schwartz got his big break when he became head writer for ''''. He won an Emmy award in 1961 for his work on the show. ''Gilligan's Island'' was first broadcast in 1964 and featured stars such as Bob Denver, Jim Backus, and Alan Hale Jr. The show ran until 1967 but did feature several run off specials. Schwartz's other big creation, ''The Brady Bunch'', was first shown in 1969. The series focused on a couple of newlyweds with children from previous relationships. The show ended in 1974. Schwartz is survived by Mildred, his wife, Ross, Lloyd and Dr. Donald Schwartz, his sons, Hope Juber, his daughter, and eight grandchildren, as well as four great-grandchildren.

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Beijing says tech glitch led to sub intrusion By REIJI YOSHIDA Staff writer China extended an apology Tuesday to Tokyo after admitting that one of its submarines intruded into Japan's territorial waters off Okinawa last week, an incident it laid to "technical errors," Japanese officials said. Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Wu Dawei met Tuesday morning with Japanese Ambassador Koreshige Anami in Beijing and apologized for the sub intrusion, Chief Cabinet Secretary Hiroyuki Hosoda told reporters in Tokyo. According to Hosoda, the vice minister did not give details of the "technical errors," which the minister said took place during "the process of normal training." The vice minister called the incident "regrettable," a remark Tokyo interprets as an apology, Hosoda said. The Defense Agency will study if "technical errors" could lead a nuclear-powered submarine into the narrow channel between islands, Hosoda added. The sub, while running submerged, strayed Nov. 10 into Japanese waters near Ishigaki Island, roughly 400 km southwest of Okinawa Island. Japan initially refrained from directly blaming China. But on Friday, it started publicly criticizing Beijing and demanded an apology for the intrusion after confirming the sub was heading for Chinese territorial waters in the East China Sea. The incident came amid bilateral relations that have been strained over a series of issues, and the two countries were having difficulty arranging for a top-level dialogue between their leaders. Speaking to reporters earlier in the day, Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi expressed hope that a meeting can be arranged between him and Chinese President Hu Jintao later this month on the sidelines of the annual summit of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum in Chile. Koizumi told reporters that instead of using a diplomatic gripe as a reason for not holding a meeting, "We should hold it because we have a problem." The Japan Times: Nov. 17, 2004 (C) All rights reserved About us / Contact us / Advertising / Subscribe News / Business / Opinion / Arts & Culture / Life in Japan Sports / Festivals / Cartoons Advertise in japantimes.co.jp. This site is optimized for viewing with Netscape or Internet Explorer, version 4.0 or above. The Japan Times Ltd. All rights reserved. \|\|\|\|\| Constitutional changes eyed to let female on throne, legalize military A Liberal Democratic Party panel has compiled an outline for revising the Constitution that would allow for a "military force for self-defense," the Emperor as head of state and a female on the Imperial throne, LDP sources said Wednesday. The LDP will finalize the plan next November, when the party marks the 50th anniversary of its founding, the sources said. While the LDP would leave the war-renouncing stipulations in the current Constitution unchanged, the panel proposes allowing Japan to have a "minimum military capability" to exercise the right to individual and collective defense, they said. The panel said the military force would be able to make international contributions when it is difficult to solve problems through peaceful measures. According to the outline, Japanese nationals would be obliged to protect the independence and security of the nation but would not be subject to a military draft, the sources said. The prime minister would be authorized to declare an emergency to defend the country, maintain security and deal with natural disasters. In these cases, the military would be dispatched and people's basic human rights would be restricted. Under the government's current interpretation of the Constitution, Japan is forbidden from exercising the right to collective defense and the Emperor is just a symbol of the state. Besides proposing that the Emperor be head of state, the panel allows for a female member of the Imperial family to ascend the throne. On the Emperor's status, the Constitution stipulates, "The Emperor shall be the symbol of the state and of the unity of the people, deriving his position from the will of the people, with whom resides sovereign power." Other proposals include a stipulation that House of Councilors members not be allowed to be Cabinet members, and that some "new human rights" be created, including the right to privacy and the right to know, according to the sources. The panel also proposes establishing a constitutional court. The Japan Times: Nov. 18, 2004 (C) All rights reserved About us / Contact us / Advertising / Subscribe News / Business / Opinion / Arts & Culture / Life in Japan Sports / Festivals / Cartoons Advertise in japantimes.co.jp. This site is optimized for viewing with Netscape or Internet Explorer, version 4.0 or above. The Japan Times Ltd. All rights reserved. \|\|\|\|\| Growing brands in 2021 is all about getting in front of more… Are you getting the most for your money in the digital world?… \|\|\|\|\| Chinese submarine intrusion considered an act of provocation By NAO SHIMOYACHI Staff writer The Defense Agency said Friday the intrusion of a Chinese submarine into Japan's territorial waters was a highly provocative act by the Chinese Navy. Agency officials speculated that the Chinese military was trying to use the brief trespass Wednesday to show off its sea power. They said it was probably an attempt to intimidate Japan and help Beijing's efforts to secure greater resources in the East China Sea, as well as to keep in check the U.S. forces that watch over Taiwan. Military experts have said the Chinese military, which long has been largely reliant on ground forces, has been throwing its efforts behind the modernization of its navy since the late 1990s. But agency officials are puzzled as to why the Chinese Navy, which has been expanding its activities on the high seas in recent years, chose to act in a way that was certain to invoke strong anger from Tokyo. The sub did not appear to be hiding; it was navigating in shallow waters of 300 meters and was apparently an old Han-class nuclear-powered sub, known to be noisier than newer models. They said the Maritime Self-Defense Force found it relatively easy to track. "It is obvious from the sub's movements that it was challenging the MSDF's capabilities. But we can't be sure of China's real intentions unless we ask," one agency official said. The MSDF this year has spotted an increasing number of Chinese scientific research ships and military vessels operating inside Japan's economic exclusive zone in the East China Sea. From January through Wednesday, patrols sighted 10 navy vessels and 16 research ships. In 2003, it said it found seven research vessels and one submarine. Beijing and Tokyo agreed in 2001 to give each other advance notice when their research ships plan to navigate within their respective EEZs. But China has continued to send its vessels without any notice, insisting that the economic zone boundaries that Japan has set are invalid. Defense Agency officials said they consider Wednesday's intrusion a sign that the Chinese military has gone one step further because the sub -- the first sighted in the area this year -- moved into Japan's territorial waters. The Japan Times: Nov. 13, 2004 (C) All rights reserved About us / Contact us / Advertising / Subscribe News / Business / Opinion / Arts & Culture / Life in Japan Sports / Festivals / Cartoons Advertise in japantimes.co.jp. This site is optimized for viewing with Netscape or Internet Explorer, version 4.0 or above. The Japan Times Ltd. All rights reserved. \|\|\|\|\| Japan continues tracking mystery sub Staff report Japan on Thursday continued tracking an unidentified submarine that entered its territorial waters off Okinawa the previous day. Vice Defense Minister Takemasa Moriya said of the submarine, "It is navigating at an extremely slow speed and is not necessarily moving in one direction." He said it is highly possible the sub is nuclear-powered because it has spent a long time submerged. Only the United States, Russia and China have nuclear-powered subs in waters around Japan, he said. A senior Foreign Ministry official said Japan must consider the political implications of the vessel's nationality. "The Japan-China relationship is at a sensitive stage," he said, even though the sub has not yet been formally identified. Media reports have quoted government sources as saying the sub is Chinese. The Defense Agency said the submarine was in international waters west of Okinawa as of Thursday afternoon. Moriya said the agency would continue tracking the sub until its destination becomes clear. A senior agency official said the sub's slow speed and erratic course could mean it's testing the patrol and tracking capabilities of the Maritime Self-Defense Force. China aware, mum BEIJING (Kyodo) China said Thursday it is closely following the intrusion of an unidentified submarine into Japanese waters off Okinawa, but did not comment on whether it was Chinese, as suspected. "China is now paying close attention to this issue," Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Zhang Qiyue said at a regular press briefing. Asked if there were any Chinese submarines in the area, she said, "I have no information." The Japan Times: Nov. 12, 2004 (C) All rights reserved About us / Contact us / Advertising / Subscribe News / Business / Opinion / Arts & Culture / Life in Japan Sports / Festivals / Cartoons Advertise in japantimes.co.jp. This site is optimized for viewing with Netscape or Internet Explorer, version 4.0 or above. The Japan Times Ltd. All rights reserved. \|\|\|\|\| Type 091 Han Class - ChangZheng / Long March As early as 1956, even before China had produced its first diesel boat, nuclear propulsion for submarines was adopted as a national priority by Mao himself. The daunting challenge that this entailed only became fully clear after Moscow refused Beijing's explicit request to share nuclear propulsion technology, on the grounds that it would be premature for the PLAN. Foreshadowing the imminent souring of Sino-Soviet relations, Mao reacted indignantly: "We will have to build nuclear submarines even if it takes us 10,000 years." In July 1958, the Politburo approved an ambitious plan to develop nuclear propulsion and an SLBM simultaneously. The first ship of the Type 091 attack nuclear submarine was activated at the Bohai Shipyard in 1968. It was independently designed and built by the mainland without foreign aid. All parts were made in China. During the development of the Type 091 attack nuclear submarine, it was the extraordinary period in which China experienced three years of natural disasters and ten years of cultural revolution. Although the first-generation nuclear submarines were at the highest level of underwater speed, maximum depth and other hard targets, they were basically at the same level as the nuclear submarines of the Soviet Union. However, compared with the world's advanced nuclear submarines, there is still a considerable gap in the thermal performance and reliability of nuclear power plants. In 1970, the integrated sound sonar, lightning detectors, sound trajectory, reconnaissance sonar and other underwater sound detection equipment equipped in nuclear submarines were limited by the development level and manufacturing capacity of China's defense industry at that time, and its performance was naturally less than the world's advanced nuclear submarines. The water sound detection equipment had a big gap. In terms of the military system, the development process is even more difficult due to the turmoil in the Chinese Cultural Revolution. The fish-3 torpedo (sound-guided deep-water anti-submarine torpedo) was developed in 1972 and was not finalized until October 1983. In 1984, a supplementary type test was also carried out. The fish-4 torpedo (sound-guided anti-ship torpedo) was not developed until December 1982 and was loaded for trial use. Before and after being delayed for more than ten years of research and development, the development of weapons systems that China was not optimistic was even worse, and the problem of generation difference caused Chinaï¿½s first-generation self-guided torpedoes to attack nuclear submarines. Some of the first-generation nuclear submarines were also heavily delayed due to the interference of the Cultural Revolution. The deep-dive, underwater maximum speed and large-depth launching torpedo test that should have been carried out after the first boat service was completed until April-May 1988, and the time for Chinaï¿½s first-generation attack nuclear submarine to form combat power was also delayed. After more than ten years. The decade-long turmoil of the Cultural Revolution seriously interfered with the research and development process of China's nuclear submarines. The development delay caused by the development process and the backward performance of equipment performance made the development of China's nuclear submarines difficult in a period of time. The precious decade of ruin is also the main factor that directly caused Chinaï¿½s second-generation new nuclear submarine to fail to catch up with the worldï¿½s advanced nuclear submarines. The completion of the 091-type attack nuclear submarine means that China has the strength to develop underwater nuclear submarines, and the Chinese navy has entered a new stage of possessing nuclear submarines. China has also become the fifth country in the world to have nuclear submarines. The Type 091 attack nuclear submarine solved the problem of China's nuclear submarines, improved China's defense industry research and development capabilities, improved the submarine manufacturing and repair system, and enabled Chinese submarines to navigate, shoot, air, torpedo, communications, underwater acoustics, radar and other systems. It has developed to a new level, which laid a solid material and technical foundation for China's transformation and development of conventional submarines, independent design of ballistic missile submarines and the continued renewal of attack submarines. The 091 submarine is often cited as an example of Chinese engineering incompetence, since the submarine is viewed as one of the worst in the world. But when considered in the context of when it was built and the state of the Chinese economy and political system at that time, it is actually impressive that the submarine was ever finished. No one denies that the Chinese economy and industrial base made extraordinary strides since that time and that the level of technical expertise in China has risen dramatically. Type 091 Han-class Nomenclature Because it is in the experimental stage, this nuclear submarine is also a scientific research product of the National Defense Science and Technology Commission. It had not been awarded a ship number and was temporarily named as the "No. 1701" nuclear submarine. It has the meaning of "09 Project". Generally, in order to distinguish between nuclear submarines and traditional submarines, the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy is a digital difference. The "9" prefix represents nuclear power. The "3" prefix represents a traditional diesel-powered submarine. At 10 o'clock on the morning of August 1, 1974, the naming ceremony of China's first nuclear submarine delivery boat was held on the bank of Bohai Bay. The commander of the Navy, Xiao Jinguang, read the order of the Central Military Commission: It was now decided to name the boat "Long March No. 1". Listed in the naval battle sequence and awarded to the flag side. The "Han" nomenclature is part of the US Department of Defense Defense Intelligence Agency nomenclature system. The Han ethnic group takes its name from the Han dynasty (206 B.C.-A.D. 220). Although the imperial government never directly controlled the villages, it did have a strong influence on popular values and culture. The average peasant could not read and was not familiar with the details of state administration or national geography, but he was aware of belonging to a group of subcontinental scope. Being Han, even for illiterate peasants, has meant conscious identification with a glorious history and a state of immense proportions. Peasant folklore and folk religion assumed that the imperial state, with an emperor and an administrative bureaucracy, was the normal order of society. The differences among regional and linguistic subgroups of Han Chinese are at least as great as those among many European nationalities. Han Chinese speak seven or eight mutually unintelligible dialects, each of which has many local subdialects. Cultural differences (cuisine, costume, and custom) are equally great. Han ethnic unity is the result of two ancient and culturally central Chinese institutions, one of which is the written language. Chinese is written with ideographs (sometimes called characters) that represent meanings rather than sounds, and so written Chinese does not reflect the speech of its author. The disjunction between written and spoken Chinese means that a newspaper published in Beijing can be read in Shanghai or Guangzhou, although the residents of the three cities would not understand each other's speech. The other major force contributing to Han ethnic unity has been the centralized imperial state. Much of what came to constitute China Proper was unified for the first time in 221 BC. In that year the western frontier state of Qin, the most aggressive of the Contending States, subjugated the last of its rival states. (Qin in Wade-Giles romanization is Ch'in, from which the English China derived.) Once the king of Qin consolidated his power, he took the title Shi Huangdi (First Emperor). Revolts broke out as soon as the first Qin emperor died in 210 BC. After a short civil war, a new dynasty, called Han (206 B.C.- A.D. 220), emerged with its capital at Chang'an. After 200 years, Han rule was interrupted briefly (in A.D. 9-24 by Wang Mang, a reformer), and then restored for another 200 years. The Han rulers, however, were unable to adjust to what centralization had wrought: a growing population, increasing wealth and resultant financial difficulties and rivalries, and ever-more complex political institutions. Riddled with the corruption characteristic of the dynastic cycle, by A.D. 220 the Han empire collapsed.	Tenuous relations between Japan and the People's Republic of China were strained last week when a Chinese nuclear-powered submarine entered Japanese territorial waters southwest of Okinawa. The intrusion occurred on 10 November, Japanese time (UTC+9). The submarine was quickly spotted by Japan's Self-Defence Forces and was tracked by helicopter as it wandered in Japanese waters for two hours before moving north-west. International law requires a tracked submarine to surface and identify its nationality in times of peace; the submarine did not do so. Many Japanese officials in the Defence Agency considered the intrusion an act of provocation and "showing off," as the submarine in question was a particularly noisy model. It continued traveling very slowly after being spotted, and remained in shallow waters. The intrustion caused Japanese Self-Defense Forces to go on alert for the second time since the Second World War. The submarine in question is believed to be a Type 09-1 Han Class attack submarine. It is a nuclear-powered submarine designed in the 1950s and first built in the 1974. This class of submarine is thought to suffer numerous defects, including radiation leakage, noise, and an inability to fire missiles while submerged. Only two of five submarines are thought to be operational. China has recently begun an active modernization of its navy. On 17 November, Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Wu Daiwei met with the Japanese ambassador to China Anami Koreshige in Beijing and offered an apology for the incident, stating that the submarine was on a training mission and the intrusion was due to a "technical error" and was "regrettable." Japan's Defence Agency is studying whether "technical errors" is a feasible explanation for the incident. Japanese Prime Minister Koizumi Junichiro has publicly stated he wishes to speak with Chinese President Hu Jintao about this and other matters of Sino-Japanese contention at the upcoming annual Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Chile later this month. Despite the increasingly close economic ties between the two nations, distrust has long exisited between Japan and China. Many Chinese people still resent the Japanese invasion and occupation of China during World War II and Japan's refusal to formally apologise. Japan, on the other hand, sees China as a potential competitor and an increasing threat to its national security. Japan's Constitution forbids the nation from exercising military strength in matters other than that of self-defence, but Japan's ruling party, the Liberal Democratic Party or LDP, has recently proposed constitutional amendments to give the military more offensive capabilities, among other things.
'God' Gets an Attorney in Lawsuit LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — The mystery of one response to a lawsuit against God has been solved. Eric Perkins, an attorney in Corpus Christi, Texas, said Friday he filed a response to the lawsuit from Nebraska State Sen. Ernie Chambers. "It's kind of a turn on 'What would Jesus do?'" Perkins said. "I thought to myself, "what would God say?" "Defendant denies that this or any court has jurisdiction ... over Him any more than the court has jurisdiction over the wind or rain, sunlight or darkness," according to Perkins' response. As for Chambers' contention that God made terroristic threats, inspired fear and caused "widespread death, destruction and terrorization," Perkins wrote that God "contends that any harm or injury suffered is a direct and proximate result of mankind ignoring obvious warnings." Perkins, who said he is a Christian, faxed one of at least two responses to Chambers' lawsuit. He said while he hopes the lawsuit was just a stunt by Chambers, "maybe his timing has something to do with world affairs. I'd hate to be that person who sat back and did nothing." The problem of serving God a summons could land the lawsuit in the earthly scrap heap of failed legal actions. But whether the issue goes before a judge may largely depend on how hard Chambers pushes the issue. The senator isn't asking that notice be served to God, but says in his lawsuit that if he doesn't get a summary judgment in the case, he wants a hearing — "if the court deems such a hearing not to be a futile act." Chambers, a self-proclaimed agnostic, said he's trying to makes the point that anybody can sue anybody. He said his filing was triggered by a federal lawsuit he considers frivolous. It's still not clear where a second response from "God" came from. There was no contact information on the filing, which turned up on the counter at the Douglas County Court office, although St. Michael the Archangel is listed as a witness. Attempts to reach Chambers by phone Friday were unsuccessful. \|\|\|\|\| Nebraska Democratic State Senator Ernie Chambers has decided to go straight to the top in an effort to stop natural disasters from befalling the world. Chambers filed a lawsuit against God in Douglas County Court Friday afternoon, KPTM Fox 42 reported. Click here for more from KPTM Fox 42 in Omaha. The suit asks for a "permanent injunction ordering Defendant to cease certain harmful activities and the making of terroristic threats." The lawsuit identifies the plaintiff as, "the duly elected and serving State Senator from the 11th Legislative District in Omaha, Nebraska." Chambers also cites that the, "defendant directly and proximately has caused, inter alia, fearsome floods, egregious earthquakes, horrendous hurricanes, terrifying tornados, pestilential plagues..." Chambers says he isn't suing God because he has any kind of beef with the deity. He says the suit is to fight possible laws restricting the filing of frivolous lawsuits. Chambers tells KPTM FOX 42 News that his lawsuit is in response to bills brought forth by other state senators to try and stop lawsuits from being filed. "The Constitution requires that the courthouse doors be open, so you cannot prohibit the filing of suits," Chambers says. "Anyone can sue anyone they choose, even God." Chambers bases his ability to sue God, as, "that defendant, being omnipresent, is personally present in Douglas County." \|\|\|\|\| Nebraska State Senator Ernie Chambers (D - Omaha) filed suit against God Friday, asking a court to order the Almighty and his followers to stop making terrorist threats. The suit (.pdf), filed in a Nebraska district court, contends that God, along with his followers of all persuasions, "has made and continues to make terroristic threats of grave harm to innumerable persons." Those threats are credible given God's history, Chambers' complaint says. Chambers, in a fit of alliteration, also accuses God of causing "fearsome floods, egregious earthquakes, horrendous hurricanes, terrifying tornadoes, pestilential plagues, ferocious famines, devastating droughts, genocidal wars, birth defects, and the like." Likewise the suit accuses God of having his chroniclers "disseminate in written form, said admissions, throughout the Earth in order to inspire fear, dread, anxiety, terror and uncertainty, in order to coerce obedience to Defendant's will." Chambers, who has represented Omaha, Nebraska since 1970, asked the Douglas County district court for summary judgment or to set a quick hearing date "if the Court deems such a hearing not to be a futile act." The senator also wants the court to issue a permanent injunction prohibiting God from issuing plagues and terrorist threats. It's unclear how this could work since God is usually understood to be all powerful. Chambers does admit that God is omnipresent and omniscient, however. Since God is everywhere, the Nebraska court has jurisdiction, Chambers argues, and since God is all-knowing, Chambers need not serve him with a notice of the lawsuit. The lawsuit indicates that Chambers attempted to make God appear in order to serve him by saying "Come out, come out, wherever you are," but the Almight declined, like many defendants, to make it easy for a plaintiff to serve him with court papers. Chambers filed the suit to make a point that the state constitution allows lawsuits to be filed for any reason, according to WOWT. Attempts to reach Chambers for comment were unsuccessful. God did not immediately respond to a non-denominational prayer for comment by this reporter. The suit is Chambers v. God . CC Photo: Soham Banerjee	Michelangelo, face detail of God. Nebraska state Senator Ernie Chambers, who represents legislative District 11 in North Omaha, filed an unusual lawsuit on Friday. According to court documents obtained by Wikinews, Chambers has decided to sue God, looking for a judge to issue a "permanent injunction" against the highest power. Senator Chambers. Chambers says in his suit that God has spread fear across the globe causing "widespread death, destruction and terrorization of millions upon millions of the Earth's inhabitants. God also caused fearsome floods, horrendous hurricanes, earthquakes, plagues, famine, genocidal wars, birth defects, terrifying tornadoes and the like" and he wants the courts to order God "to cease certain harmful activities and the making of terroristic threats." The suit is in an apparent retaliation for a recent ruling where the words 'rape' and 'victim' were banned from a recent criminal case involving a sexual assault incident. The woman who was assaulted, Tory Bowen, filed a lawsuit against Jeffrey Cheuvront, a district judge in the city of Lancaster when he banned the use of those words in her criminal case. Chambers says that her lawsuit is "frivolous" and he filed his suit to show people that "anybody can sue anybody." "This lawsuit having been filed and being of such questionable merit creates a circumstance where my lawsuit is appropriately filed. People might call it frivolous but if they read it they'll see there are very serious issues I have raised." stated Chambers. "The Constitution requires that the courthouse doors be open, so you cannot prohibit the filing of suit. Anyone can sue anyone they choose, even God," he added. Richard Kopf, a U.S. District Judge has ordered that Bowen must show evidence to support her lawsuit, saying that her case does not have "any legal basis whatsoever" until she does so. It is not known when or if any additional hearings have been scheduled. Mr Chambers complaint consists of in part, "despite reasonable efforts to effectuate personal service on Defendant God has been unable to do so." Attempts by a ''Wired News'' reporter to contact God for comment were not successful.
Prosecutors: French Mother Confesses to Killing Her 8 Newborns Photo: AP French prosecutors have charged a woman in her 40s with murder, saying she confessed to killing her eight newborn babies and burying their remains. Prosecutors say Dominique Cottrez did not want any more children and did not want to visit a doctor for contraception. Her husband was apparently unaware his wife had given birth eight times and killed the children. French officials describe Cottrez as a heavy-set woman and say it was easy for her to conceal her pregnancies. Cottrez and her husband live in the northern village of Villers-au-Tertre. The new owners of Cottrez's parents' house found two of the corpses buried in the ground in plastic bags. This led police to Cottrez's current house, where they found six more bodies hidden in the garage. Village residents say they are in shock over what one calls a revolting and monstrous crime. Comments (1) this incident is truly tragic, but it strikes a bit of irony that because she did not have the doctor 'abort' her baby but did it herself it is called murder and not an abortion ... hmmmm - so clinical murder of a child is called abortion and is legal - we are godless Post Your Comment * Required \|\|\|\|\| A picture taken from the Facebook page allegedly shows Dominique Cottrez, who was charged with the "deliberate homicides of minors under the age of 15". The French nursing assistant has admitted suffocating eight of her newborn babies and stashing their tiny bodies in plastic bags in a quiet village. (Xinhua/AFP Photo) Dominique Cortez, the mother murderer, admitted that she stifled voluntarily eight of her infants and hid their corpses in her ex-house in the northern village of Villers-au-Tertre, local prosecutors said. The mother confessed that she did not want to have babies anymore and refused to see a doctor to get contraception, the prosecutors told local reporters, calling it "a non-standard case given the large number of newborns." The eight newborns were found dead on Wednesday when new owners of the house discovered a bag containing human remains. The 45-year-old mother of two girls, arrested on charges of deliberating offense against children under 15, is facing a sentence of life imprisonment. Her husband, accused of not reporting the killings and hiding the bodies, was considered a witness and released. \|\|\|\|\| A 45-year-old woman has admitted suffocating eight babies immediately after giving birth to them, authorities said, in the latest, and worst, case of infanticide to rock France in recent yearsDominique Cottrez, a resident of the quiet northern village of Villers-au-Tertre, said she hid the bodies in the garden of a previous home and in her current garage from 1989 to 2006 or '07, according to authorities.Though the case is unusual in its high death toll, the details are all too familiar in a nation where in recent years infants' bodies have been found, some in freezers and some burned.Dominique Cottrez, a nursing aide, and her husband were arrested Wednesday, after the bodies were discovered. Cottrez was charged with the murder of victims younger than 15, which can bring a life sentence.Her husband, Pierre-Marie Cottrez said he knew nothing about the pregnancies and was freed.Dominique Cottrez, who has two grown daughters, "explained that she didn't want more children," prosecutor Eric Vaillant told journalists. And after a bad experience giving birth to her oldest daughter 22 years ago, Vaillant said, she didn't want to see a doctor about contraception. He said Cottrez, whose stout figure is believed to have helped her hide her pregnancies, claimed to have been "perfectly aware" that she was pregnant "The sky has fallen on his head," the prosecutor said of the woman's husband, who works as a carpenter in the village, home to about 700 people.In March, Celine Lesage, 34, was sent to prison for 15 years for strangling or suffocating six of her newborn infants.And in May, Veronique Courjault, 41, was freed from prison after serving half of an eight-year term for killing three of her newborns between 1999 and 2003, without the knowledge of her husband.Historically, "infanticide has been a way for women to handle their misery," which can be related to poverty, fear of a husband's reaction or preferences for male children in some cultures, said Dr. Felix Navarro, who heads an association in Toulouse that studies and promotes awareness about "pregnancy denial."There are no reliable statistics on the number of infanticides in France, but Navarro estimates that 10 to 20 women suffer from such pregnancy denial here every year."Denial of pregnancy" and infanticide, experts say, are age-old phenomena, and there is no evidence that such cases are becoming more common.Sometimes a woman has " a hard time giving meaning to what just came out of her. The infant is just an object," said Dr. Daniel Ajzenberg, a psychiatrist and judicial expert on the subject. Such suspended belief can lead to the killing of a child, or death through passive neglect.In Courjault's case, the so-called "frozen baby affair," she infamously told a court, "I was conscious of being pregnant, but not of being pregnant with babies."The number of infants makes the Cottrez crime "a beyond normal affair," said Vaillant, the prosecutor.Police began investigating Dominique Cottrez after the new owners of her former home found two bags containing baby skeletons buried in the garden. Cottrez then told authorities that six other corpses were hidden in her garage.Her daughters, ages 22 and 21, said they support her, speaking in an interview with the local daily, the Voix du Nord. The daughters called her a secretive but "courageous" person who "didn't complain."Investigators were still searching for other possible victims in the area, but Cottrez said there were none.	Cottrez's Facebook profile photo French prosecutors confirmed on Thursday that nursing assistant Dominique Cottrez killed her eight newborn infants and buried their remains. Prosecutors called the case "non-standard... given the large number of newborns." According to prosecutors, Cottrez, in her 40s, is heavy-set and she was able to hide her eight pregnancies. Cottrez did not want to visit a doctor for contraceptives nor did she want more children. Cottrez admitted to strangling eight infants and hiding the remains in garbage bags. The killings occurred over a time span of several years, from 1989 to 2006 or 2007. Prosecutors charged her with "deliberate homicides of minors under the age of 15," which could cause Cottrez to serve a life sentence in prison. New homeowners of the Cottrez's former house discovered bags with the remains of two infants. Investigators discovered an additional six children in the Cottrez's house in . Cottrez's husband, Pierre-Marie Cottrez, was unaware of the killings.
NEW YORK, June 22 (Xinhua) -- The world's smallest car, the Peel 50, debuted Monday at Ripley's Believe it or Not museum in Times Square, New York. Designed as a "city car" for Ripley's by the London-based Peel Engineering Company, the one-seater Peel Trident weighs about 68 kilograms, is battery-operated, and travels about 64 kilometers per hour. It costs about 25,000 U.S. dollars to produce. The Peel P50 is recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records as the smallest road legal car ever produced. The Peel Engineering Company made a couple hundred gas-powered versions in the 1960s, but they never really caught on. It even has a handle drivers can use to pull the car, which gets about 480 kilometers per charge, from place to place. \|\|\|\|\| Peel-50! The world’s smallest car comes to Ripley's! The P50 holds the record for being the smallest road-legal car ever produced, measuring just 134 cm (52.8 in) long and 99 cm (39.0 in) wide and weighing only 59 kg (130lb.) The rare one door coupe is small enough to fit inside a VW camper van and is one of just 100 ever made by Peel engineering. It has a single cylinder 49 cc engine and is equipped with a three-speed manual transmission and no reverse gear, having to be manually reversed by the driver using the chrome handle on the rear. Hilariously reviewed by Jeremy Clarkson on Top Gear in October 2007, who deemed it "the best car ever made - if it only had reverse," the P50 was originally launched at the 1962 Earls Court Motorcycle show. In 1963 the car retailed at £199.00 compared to around £250 for a good motorbike. Only 100 came off the production line and just 20 survive today, meaning each car is now worth between £35,000 to £50,000. Believe It or Not! Click here to see the footage! Back to main	Peel P50 The Peel P50, a single door, three wheel microcar went on display at New York's Ripley's Believe It or Not! Museum on Monday. The Peel Engineering Company manufactured 50 to 100 of the one-seater vehicles which weighed 130 lb (59 kg), and are 52.8 in (134 cm) in length, 47 in (120 cm) in height and 39 in (99 cm) in width. The little car can travel as fast as 38 mph (61 kph), and comes equipped with a handle on the car so the driver can pull the car to back up. Only twenty of the vehicles have survived since 1963, and the original price of £199 has soared to approximately £40,000 (US$ 65,000) today.
13.06.05 Ryanair exercise five Boeing 737-800 options valued at over $286 million Ryanair Holdings plc today (Monday, 13th June 2005) announced that it had exercised five Boeing 737-800 options for delivery in 2007 with 1 in February, 1 in March, 1 in April and 2 in May. Ryanair have exercised these 5 Boeing 737-800 options valued at over $286m in order to continue to grow its pan-European route network utilising the lowest per seat operating cost aircraft. Commenting on the exercise of the options, Michael O’Leary, Chief Executive Officer, said: “The Boeing 737-800 has the best technical reliability and insures that Ryanair is the number one on-time major airline in Europe. It has the lowest unit operating cost and the addition of these five aircraft will continue to enable Ryanair to develop more new routes across Europe and bring low fares to many more European consumers.” \|\|\|\|\| 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. \|\|\|\|\| '); //--> AFX News Limited Ryanair exercises options to buy 5 Boeing 737-800's valued at 286 mln usd LONDON (AFX) - Ryanair Holdings PLC said it has exercised five Boeing 737-800 aircraft options valued at 286 mln usd. The aircraft are to be delivered in 2007, with one in February, one in March, one in April and two in May. 'The Boeing 737-800........has the lowest unit operating cost and the addition of these five aircraft will continue to enable Ryanair to develop more new routes across Europe and bring low fares to many more European consumers,' said CEO Michael O'Leary. bam COPYRIGHT Copyright AFX News Limited 2005. All rights reserved. The copying, republication or redistribution of AFX News content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of AFX News. AFX News and the AFX Financial News logo are registered trademarks of AFX News Limited Article Controls Related Sections Home > News & Analysis Subscriptions >	right Irish low cost airline, Ryanair, announced today that it is exercising its options with Boeing to purchase five new 737 aircraft. This brings Ryanair's total number of outstanding orders with the US manufacturer to 230. The new planes, which come from the 737-800 range, will be fitted with blended winglets to boost fuel efficiency by as much as 3%. Ryanair CEO, Michael O'Leary, justified his choice of Boeing by saying, "The Boeing 737-800 has the best technical reliability and ensures that Ryanair is the number one on-time major airline in Europe"..."In addition, it has the lowest unit operating cost. The addition of these five aircraft will continue to enable us to develop more new routes across Europe and bring low fares to many more European consumers." Ryanair is the world's most profitable airline, having reported record profits of €269m earlier this year, and is pursuing an aggressive expansion plan which will see it's total number of passengers jump to 70m over the next few years. At present Ryanair has 91 aircraft and 230 on order.
McLarens Lewis Hamilton scored the fourth victory of his 2008 season here at Hockenheim on Sunday - and he did it the hard way. For the first 34 laps he ran away and hid from his pursuers, led by Ferraris Felipe Massa, but then Timo Glock ran hard into the pit wall after the right-rear suspension of his Toyota appeared to fail, and all hell broke loose. The safety car was deployed as the shards of debris were cleared, and the moment the pit lane opened there was a rush to refuel for the final stints. In came everyone, apart from Hamilton, BMW Saubers Nick Heidfeld and Renaults Nelson Piquet had just been in when Glock crashed. Suddenly, the complexion of the race had changed totally, for Hamilton was still stuck behind the safety car and the rest had a clear run at him and a pit stop in hand. But his trump card was the presence of Heidfeld in second place and Piquet third, ahead of his sternest challenger, Massa. By the 50th lap Hamilton had opened a lead of 15.7s over Massa in fourth place, but it was far from enough. He needed 23. As he finally refuelled he fell to fifth place, behind Heidfeld, Piquet, Massa and McLaren team mate Heikki Kovalainen. Kovalainen soon succumbed, on lap 52. Then Heidfeld stopped to refuel on lap 53. So now it was Piquet leading, with Hamilton thirsting after Massa. Down came the gap, from just under four seconds to virtually nothing, and on the 57th lap the Brazilian fell prey to the Englishman as they braked for the hairpin. He fought back valiantly two corners later, but Hamilton was not in any mood to be denied, and now only Piquet stood between him and victory. Lap by lap he hunted down his old GP2 adversary, until the inevitable happened, again at the hairpin. By the flag he was 5.5s clear, and four points ahead of a resigned Massa in the title stakes - 58 to 54. Piquet clung on to the place fortune had gifted him - for the first half of the race he was down in 14th place - and Massa fended off Heidfeld in the closing stages to take the final podium position. Kovalainen clung on for fifth ahead of fellow Finn Kimi Raikkonen, whose subdued sixth place earned him three points after he had overtaken BMW Saubers Robert Kubica and left him third overall on 51 points. Kubica has 48, for fourth. The final point went to Sebastian Vettel after a feisty run for Toro Rosso saw him see off the likes of Toyotas Jarno Trulli and Renaults Fernando Alonso, who were ninth and 11th after the latter spun at the hairpin late in the race. Nico Rosberg was 10th for Williams, embroiled in the fight late in the race. Sebastien Bourdais was also close to Alonso by the finish in the second Toro Rosso, and the Frenchman was followed home by Red Bulls David Coulthard, who made a poor start and later survived a brush with Rubens Barrichello which resulted in the Hondas demise. Giancarlo Fisichella was 14th for Force India, ahead of Williams Kazuki Nakajima, Force Indias Adrian Sutil and Hondas Jenson Button, who ran into mechanical trouble and finished last. Mark Webbers Red Bull lost its engine as the safety car was deployed, and Glock was taken to hospital for precautionary checks after his heavy backward impact with the pit wall, but is okay. What had looked set to be a low key race literally exploded into life due to Glocks crash and McLarens gamble in keeping Hamilton out when everyone else pitted. Luckily for McLaren, Hamilton had the ability to make sure the gamble paid off. \|\|\|\|\| By Andrew Benson Hamilton took a four-point lead after a dominant weekend Lewis Hamilton moved into a four-point championship lead after a brilliant victory in the German Grand Prix. The McLaren driver led from the start but a comfortable win was put in doubt by his team's decision not to pit him during a safety car period. Hamilton dropped to fifth when he did finally stop under racing conditions. But team-mate Heikki Kovalainen let the Englishman by, and Hamilton was able to catch and pass Ferrari's Felipe Massa and then Renault's Nelson Piquet. Team boss Ron Dennis admitted that McLaren had "got it a bit wrong". He said the team did not expect the safety car to stay out as long as it did following a heavy accident to Toyota's Timo Glock, who crashed into the pit wall following what appeared to be a rear suspension failure. McLaren thought Hamilton would have enough laps after the re-start to build a lead that was big enough to maintain his position. The safer - and more sensible - option would have been to pit Hamilton during the safety car period - as nearly all the other leading teams did with their drivers. The team opted for me to stay out but I think I needed a 23-second gap in about seven laps so I don't know how that would have worked out Lewis Hamilton As it turned out, Hamilton was only 10 seconds ahead of Massa's fourth-placed Ferrari when he pitted on lap 50, about half what he would have needed to stay ahead. But Hamilton quickly caught Massa, and passed the Ferrari on lap 57 when the Brazilian made it too easy for the McLaren driver. Massa appeared to have the inside line into the hairpin covered, but he then went back to the outside, giving Hamilton the chance to take the position. Hamilton then quickly closed the two-second gap to Piquet and passed him in the same place, and in similar fashion, on lap 60. "I would have preferred a comfortable afternoon out in front," Hamilton said. "We had got off to a good start and had two decent stints and the team opted for me to stay out but I think I needed a 23-second gap in about seven laps so I don't know how that would have worked out. "For sure we will learn from this and move on. But we still had the best and quickest car this weekend and we came out on top. Piquet took a surprise second place for Renault "With Felipe, I saw I was a lot quicker than him. "I knew I only had a small window to get past him because of my tyres but the great thing about this track is that you can follow people. "So I got quite close to him - he matched my speed down my straight - it was difficult to get past him but he gave me plenty of room. "I thought my work was done but I still had to get past Nelson. He put on a good battle but again it was very fair." Piquet found himself in the lead because he was on a one-stop strategy, and he had just made his pit stop when the safety car was deployed after Glock's crash on lap 36. He took the lead when first Hamilton and then BMW Sauber's Nick Heidfeld stopped. But the novice was in no position to hold off the charging Hamilton in a much faster car. Piquet was, however, more than capable of holding off Massa, who was unable to catch the Renault before the end of the race. 606: DEBATE A few worried moments there over the safety car jollysilverking It was Renault's first podium finish since the Japanese Grand Prix last year, and it was ironic that it should come from a man who has been overshadowed by team-mate Fernando Alonso this year. By contrast, Alonso had a race to forget - he was stuck behind slower cars for the entire afternoon, but none of his overtaking attempts came off, and several of them ended with him being outfoxed by rivals and losing a place to the car behind him. The Spaniard also spun late in the race, losing a position he had just taken from Nico Rosberg's Williams, and finished in 11th place. It was not a performance to impress the bosses at Ferrari, to whom speculation in the paddock continues to link the double world champion. But if there was any consolation it was that neither of the Ferrari drivers had good weekends. Massa blamed his inability to hold off Hamilton on his car's lack of competitiveness. "I just did not have the pace," he said. " I was on the hard tyres because the soft was so difficult to drive. Stability was difficult, too, for me, and I think I had a little bit of a problem on the brakes as well. Hamilton passed Massa and Piquet in the closing laps to secure victory "I lost a lot of performance. So I didn't have the car to fight. I tried, but it was not possible." While Massa may have erred in letting Hamilton by, he at least outstripped team-mate Kimi Raikkonen, who was uncompetitive all weekend. After qualifying sixth, the Finn never looked like being a factor in the race, and he finished in the same place. He is now seven points behind Hamilton as the world championship battle continues to see-saw from race to race. BMW benefited from their decision not to pit Heidfeld under the safety as the German took fourth place ahead of Kovalainen. Heidfeld had been out of the top 10 for much of the first part of the race. Kubica was running fourth in the first part of the race, having passed Alonso and Raikkonen on the first lap, but he lost out to the Finn once racing resumed after the safety car. Toyota said Glock was not injured but would be kept in hospital overnight as part of standard procedure after a precautionary check-up. German Grand Prix results: 1 Lewis Hamilton (GB) McLaren-Mercedes one hour 31 minutes 20.874 seconds 2 Nelson Piquet Jr (Brz) Renault at 5.586 seconds 3 Felipe Massa (Brz) Ferrari at 9.339 4 Nick Heidfeld (Ger) BMW Sauber at 9.825 5 Heikki Kovalainen (Fin) McLaren-Mercedes at 12.411 6 Kimi Raikkonen (Fin) Ferrari at 14.483 7 Robert Kubica (Pol) BMW Sauber at 22.603 8 Sebastian Vettel (Ger) Toro Rosso-Ferrari at 33.282 9 Jarno Trulli (Ita) Toyota at 37.199 10 Nico Rosberg (Ger) Williams-Toyota at 37.658 11 Fernando Alonso (Spa) Renault at 38.625 12 Sebastien Bourdais (Fra) Toro Rosso-Ferrari at 39.111 13 David Coulthard (GB) Red Bull-Renault at 54.971 14 Kazuki Nakajima (Jpn) Williams-Toyota at 1:00.003 15 Adrian Sutil (Ger) Force India-Ferrari at 1:09.488 16 Giancarlo Fisichella (Ita) Force India-Ferrari at 1:24.093 17 Jenson Button (Gbr) Honda one lap behind R Rubens Barrichello (Brz) Honda 50 laps completed R Mark Webber (Aus) Red Bull-Renault 40 laps R Timo Glock (Ger) Toyota 35 laps completed * Fisichella penalised 25 seconds for safety car infringement Fastest lap: Heidfeld, 1:15.987, lap 52 Key: R = retired Bookmark with: Delicious Digg reddit Facebook StumbleUpon What are these?	Lewis Hamilton at Stars and Cars in 2007. 2008 British Grand Prix. Hokenheimring Vodafone McLaren Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton has won the FIA Formula One 2008 Großer Preis Santander von Deutschland at the Hockenheimring, Hockenheim, Germany. The last time a McLaren driver won the German Grand Prix at Hockenheim was 10 years ago when the Finn Mika Häkkinen won the 1998 race. Rookie Renault driver Nelson Piquet Jr., son of three-time Formula One champion Nelson Piquet, came second after starting 17th on the grid. Timo Glock Toyota crashed due to a sudden rear suspension failure. Piquet even took the lead for a short time in the last part of the race, but his Renault was unable to compete with Hamilton's pace. Hamilton was able to regain the lead after losing it through a mis-timed pit-stop. Another Brazilian, Ferrari driver, Felipe Massa came third. Nick Heidfeld finished 4th for BMW Sauber from his twelfth position on the starting grid. Heikki Kovalainen (McLaren) dropped from third to fifth, finishing in front of another Finn Kimi Räikkönen (Ferrari). Robert Kubica's kept 7th place throughout the race, but was beaten by his BMW teammate Heidfeld. The young German driver Sebastian Vettel racing for Toro Rosso, and who has signed for Red Bull team for the next season, scored one point. He finished ahead of Jarno Trulli (Toyota) and Fernando Alonso (Renault). ''Official standings:'' 1 Lewis Hamilton (McLaren-Mercedes) 1:31:20.874 2 Nelson Piquet Jr. (Renault) +5.586 3 Felipe Massa (Ferrari) +9.339 4 Nick Heidfeld (BMW Sauber) +9.825 5 Heikki Kovalainen (McLaren-Mercedes) +12.411 6 Kimi Räikkönen (Ferrari) +14.403 7 Robert Kubica (BMW Sauber) +22.682 8 Sebastian Vettel (Toro Rosso-Ferrari) +33.299 9 Jarno Trulli (Toyota) +37.158 10 Nico Rosberg (Williams-Toyota) +37.625 11 Fernando Alonso (Renault) +38.600 12 Sébastien Bourdais (Toro Rosso-Ferrari) +39.111 13 David Coulthard (Red Bull-Renault) +54.971 14 Giancarlo Fisichella (Force India-Ferrari) +59.093 15 Kazuki Nakajima (Williams-Toyota) +1:00.003 16 Adrian Sutil (Force India-Ferrari) +1:09.488 17 Jenson Button (Honda) +1 Lap Rubens Barrichello (Honda) Collision Mark Webber (Red Bull-Renault) Engine Timo Glock (Toyota) Suspension
T O P S T O R Y RELATED LINKS $22,000 handbag bidder remains secret 05 June 2006 By MATTHEW TORBIT and JANINE BENNETTS New Zealand's most famous handbag has a new owner, but just who it is remains a mystery. Wanganui's Sue Langmaid was delighted after her winning bid of $22,750 on behalf of an "anonymous friend" on the Internet auction site Trade Me. The Roxy bag bought by Nichole Davis, of Christchurch, for $50 a year ago made headlines when former All Blacks captain Tana Umaga used it to hit Hurricanes teammate Chris Masoe in a Christchurch pub after last week's Super 14 final. The episode led to Masoe who allegedly earlier punched a pub patron being fined $3000 by the New Zealand Rugby Union, though Umaga escaped punishment. But Ms Langmaid said her friend was "inspired" by Umaga's actions in using a handbag instead of his fists to defuse the situation. "That proves Tana's a true sporting icon and an inspiration to all, especially young kids." The buyer's identity would be revealed in a few days, but Ms Langmaid was unsure what he was going to do with the bag. He had been prepared to pay more to get it. "At this stage it will Her final bid of $22,750 was topped by a $22,800 bid, later discovered to be from a Featherston teenager called Damien who had no intention of paying. Stunned by the result of the auction, Ms Davis who owns 17 other handbags was unsure how she would use the money. She has a $10,000 student loan to repay after getting halfway through a double degree in psychology and law at Canterbury University. Ms Davis did not watch the auction herself but once Trade Me rang to confirm the final amount, she had a drink with friends to celebrate. "I probably watched it less than anyone else in the country. It's been an exciting week." Meanwhile, other "memorabilia" was still doing a roaring trade on Trade Me, with a square metre section of carpet where the pair were standing in the incident attracting bids of $1500 last night before it appeared to be withdrawn. A 30-second snippet of security camera footage of the handbag incident was also up for grabs on Trade Me, with bidding last night reaching $1000. »PRINTABLE VERSION »SUBSCRIBE TO FREE HEADLINES »SUBSCRIBE TO ARCHIVESTUFF \|\|\|\|\| Sorry... the page you have requested is currently unavailable. Please try again. Click here to go back or click here to return to the home page. If the problem persists, send an email to editor@thisislondon.co.uk and we will investigate. \|\|\|\|\| Email Password Keep me logged in on this computer Forgot your password? Site Announcements Whats this? 29 September - Daylight Savings Time Change Daylight Savings changes take affect on Sunday 30th September at 2am at which point clocks are to be put forward by one hour. All auctions that are due to close between 2 am and 4 am on Sunday will be extended by 2 hours. 28 September - Scheduled Maintenance Trade Me will be unavailable on Saturday 29th September between 2:00 am and 5:00 am for scheduled maintenance and upgrades. All auctions that are due to close between 2:00 am and 6:00 am will be extended by 4 hours. Saved search emails and category subscriptions will also be delayed. We apologise in advance for any inconvenience this may cause. 26 September - Pay Now prize winners Congratulations to the winners of our Pay Now competition. Sammy01 from Hamilton and rangs from Dunedin both won a Loewe entertainment package from VISA. 25 September - Recent QV sales information We've improved Trade Me Property listings to show price information for houses recently sold in the area. This appears beneath the map on residential property listings that have a street address. 17 September - Site outage this morning Trade Me was unavailable between 8:10 am and 8:30 am this morning. All auctions that were due to close between 8:10 am and 8:50 am have been extended by 40 minutes. We sincerely apologise for the inconvenience and lapse in service. 10 September - Issue Affecting CallPlus/Slingshot Customers We have heard from a small number of CallPlus/Slingshot customers who have experienced some Trade Me issues this afternoon. If you are a CallPlus or Slingshot customer and have experienced any issues we’d like to hear from you. You can email us at 4 September - New Carbon Credits Category Today we've added a Members can sell certified carbon credits if they are registered with a carbon credit registry such as 31 August - Pricing for job listings & job features From midnight tonight, the fee for listing a job on Trade Me will increase from $49 to $69. The fee to "feature" a jobs listing will also increase from $29 to $49. Volume plan rates for contracted advertisers remain unchanged. 29 August - Pay Now special offer - extended We have extended our Pay Now special offer to the 1st of November. Until then, any payments you receive through Pay Now will cost just 1.95% with no fixed fee. This is down from 3% and a 50 cent fixed fee. Members with 100 feedback or more who are Address Verified can 27 August - 6:50pm: Credit Card Payments Problem We experienced some intermittent problems with our Credit Card payment provider between 5:50pm and 6:40pm. This may have caused some credit card transactions to be declined. These issues are now resolved and the service is fully restored. If your credit card was declined please try again. We apologise for this inconvenience. 16 August - Relist fix When relisting an item, the listing duration is now automatically set to the standard listing length (7 days for most categories). This applies to all relists unless you select otherwise. 6 August - Pay Now Relist Fix We have fixed a bug that mistakenly removed Pay Now as a payment option when relisting. Pay Now is now remembered as a payment option when relisting auctions that previously had it set. We apologise for any inconvenience. 3 August - 1:00 pm: Auctions Not Closing Properly We are aware of an issue where some auctions are remaining in the “Closing…” status. These listings will not appear correctly in My Trade Me, and their end-of-auction emails will be delayed. We are working as hard as we can on this issue and hope to have it resolved soon. Please accept our apologies for any inconvenience this may be causing our members. 3 August - 11:30 am: Site outage this morning Trade Me was unavailable between 11:20 am and 11:30 am this morning while we performed some urgent maintenance. All auctions that were due to close between 11:20 am and 11:50 am have been extended by 30 minutes. We sincerely apologise for the inconvenience and lapse in service. 25 July - Pay Now special offer for sellers From now until August 31st, any payments you receive through Pay Now will cost just 1.95% with no fixed fee. This is down from 3% and a 50 cent fixed fee. Members with 100 feedback or more who are Address Verified can Daylight Savings changes take affect on Sunday 30th September at 2am at which point clocks are to be put forward by one hour. All auctions that are due to close between 2 am and 4 am on Sunday will be extended by 2 hours.Trade Me will be unavailable on Saturday 29th September between 2:00 am and 5:00 am for scheduled maintenance and upgrades. All auctions that are due to close between 2:00 am and 6:00 am will be extended by 4 hours. Saved search emails and category subscriptions will also be delayed.We apologise in advance for any inconvenience this may cause.Congratulations to the winners of our Pay Now competition. Sammy01 from Hamilton and rangs from Dunedin both won a Loewe entertainment package from VISA.We've improved Trade Me Property listings to show price information for houses recently sold in the area. This appears beneath the map on residential property listings that have a street address.Trade Me was unavailable between 8:10 am and 8:30 am this morning. All auctions that were due to close between 8:10 am and 8:50 am have been extended by 40 minutes.We sincerely apologise for the inconvenience and lapse in service.We have heard from a small number of CallPlus/Slingshot customers who have experienced some Trade Me issues this afternoon.If you are a CallPlus or Slingshot customer and have experienced any issues we’d like to hear from you. You can email us at ISPIssues@trademe.co.nz Today we've added a Carbon credits category under Business, farming & industry – enabling holders of carbon credits (voluntary greenhouse gas emission reductions) to sell them on Trade Me.Members can sell certified carbon credits if they are registered with a carbon credit registry such as M-co From midnight tonight, the fee for listing a job on Trade Me will increase from $49 to $69. The fee to "feature" a jobs listing will also increase from $29 to $49.Volume plan rates for contracted advertisers remain unchanged.We have extended our Pay Now special offer to the 1st of November. Until then, any payments you receive through Pay Now will cost just 1.95% with no fixed fee. This is down from 3% and a 50 cent fixed fee.Members with 100 feedback or more who are Address Verified can register for Pay Now here Learn more about Pay Now.We experienced some intermittent problems with our Credit Card payment provider between 5:50pm and 6:40pm. This may have caused some credit card transactions to be declined.These issues are now resolved and the service is fully restored. If your credit card was declined please try again.We apologise for this inconvenience.When relisting an item, the listing duration is now automatically set to the standard listing length (7 days for most categories). This applies to all relists unless you select otherwise.We have fixed a bug that mistakenly removed Pay Now as a payment option when relisting. Pay Now is now remembered as a payment option when relisting auctions that previously had it set. We apologise for any inconvenience.We are aware of an issue where some auctions are remaining in the “Closing…” status. These listings will not appear correctly in My Trade Me, and their end-of-auction emails will be delayed.We are working as hard as we can on this issue and hope to have it resolved soon. Please accept our apologies for any inconvenience this may be causing our members.Trade Me was unavailable between 11:20 am and 11:30 am this morning while we performed some urgent maintenance. All auctions that were due to close between 11:20 am and 11:50 am have been extended by 30 minutes.We sincerely apologise for the inconvenience and lapse in service.From now until August 31st, any payments you receive through Pay Now will cost just 1.95% with no fixed fee. This is down from 3% and a 50 cent fixed fee.Members with 100 feedback or more who are Address Verified can register for Pay Now here Learn more about Pay Now.	The handbag used to hit Super 14 Hurricanes player, Chris Masoe by Tana Umanga after Masoe had punched a patron has just been sold on the New Zealand auction site, Trade Me. The brawl occurred in a Christchurch pub, The Jolly Poacher. Masoe was fined $3,000 for his actions, but Umanga received no punishment. The confirmed winning bid was $22,750 (NZD) from Sue Langmaid, a.k.a. susie45, Wanganui, on behalf of an anonymous friend. There were numerous fake bids placed, one reaching one hundred million dollars. The original owner of the bag, 22-year-old Nichole Davis, Christchurch said to the Sunday Star Times "At the moment I'm thinking it's pretty crazy. It's right up there. I thought I would get $600. I'm thinking it's an insane amount of money. I'll worry about it if it actually comes through. Right now I just want to relax. I've definitely been lucky and it's quite like winning Lotto." The auction page got over one million page views, which made the site trademe.co.nz unusable for ten minutes.
Originally published Thursday, May 27, 2010 at 10:05 PM Comments (2) E-mail article Print view Share In a case British newspapers have compared to the Yorkshire Ripper slayings of the 1970s, police Thursday charged a 40-year-old man pursuing a doctorate in 19th-century homicides with the murders of three women identified by the police as prostitutes. LONDON — In a case British newspapers have compared to the Yorkshire Ripper slayings of the 1970s, police Thursday charged a 40-year-old man pursuing a doctorate in 19th-century homicides with the murders of three women identified by the police as prostitutes. One victim was caught on closed-circuit TV last week being killed with a crossbow shot to the head before her dismembered body was put in a nearby river. The man charged with the killings, Stephen Griffiths, is a former van driver with a psychology degree who was enrolled in a postgraduate course in criminology. The Times of London reported that he had told a neighbor in Bradford, the city in West Yorkshire where he lived until his arrest Monday, that he was studying for "a Ph.D. in murder and Jack the Ripper," the pseudonym given to the unidentified serial killer of prostitutes in a London slum in the 1880s. But it was another serial-murder case that helped make the latest killings a newspaper sensation. In a case that terrorized much of northern England, Peter Sutcliffe, the so-called Yorkshire Ripper, was convicted in 1981 of murdering 13 women, including several prostitutes, and of attempting to murder seven others. He was given 20 concurrent life sentences and has been held for nearly 30 years in the Broadmoor high-security psychiatric hospital west of London. Neighbors were quoted in leading British newspapers as calling Griffiths an oddball. One said he was known as "the lizard man" for taking his two pet monitor lizards for walks on leashes around his apartment block. \|\|\|\|\| A man accused of murdering three sex workers in Bradford identified himself in court today as "Crossbow Cannibal". Stephen Griffiths, 40, is accused of killing Suzanne Blamires, Shelley Armitage and Susan Rushworth, who all went missing in Bradford over the last 10 months. When asked for his name in a five-minute appearance before magistrates, he replied clearly: "Crossbow Cannibal." The clerk at Bradford magistrates court, Amarjit Soor, asked Griffiths for his address. "Here, I guess," he replied. Asked to confirm his date of birth, 24 December 1969, he said: "Yeah." Griffiths, who was unshaven with short dark hair, was handcuffed in the glass-fronted dock and accompanied by three security guards. Wearing a black shirt over a white T-shirt and dark blue jeans, he kept his head bowed throughout the hearing and fidgeted and picked at his hands. No pleas were entered. The charges are that he murdered Blamires, 36, between May 20 and 25 this year; Rushworth, 43, who has been missing since June 2009; and Armitage, 31, who disappeared in April. Several of the victims' family members were in court, accompanied by police family liaison officers, and some of them stared intently at Griffiths throughout the hearing. The Blamires family chose not to attend. The case is being fast-tracked and Griffiths was remanded in custody to appear before Bradford crown court at 2.15pm today. Last night, Blamires' mother, Nicky, 55, described her daughter as bright and articulate. She had attended college and wanted to be a nurse. Unfortunately her daughter "went down the wrong path and did not have the life she was meant to have", she said. Griffiths lived in a third-floor flat in Thornton Road, in the heart of Bradford's red-light district. He attended the private Queen Elizabeth Grammar school in Wakefield and had recently been studying for a PhD in criminology at Bradford University. Officers believe the body parts found earlier this week in the River Aire, at Shipley, all belong to Blamires. They are continuing to search for the bodies of Rushworth and Armitage. Dozens of police teams were at work today at a range of locations across Bradford. Much of the activity is focused on the city's red-light district. Many alleyways and streets in the Sunbridge Road area remained sealed off as officers conducted fingertip searches. Sniffer dogs were being used in a number of locations, and officers have been seen taking away a large number of objects in plastic bags. \|\|\|\|\| The 40-year-old is appearing at Bradford Magistrates' Court having been charged with the killing of Suzanne Blamires, Susan Rushworth and Shelley Armitage within the city's red light district in the past 11 months. Miss Blamires, 36, was executed with a crossbow and "severely dismembered" before some of her remains were dumped in a river. Her mother said last night that her daughter had "taken the wrong path" in life but that she was a "much-loved" family member. Nicky Blamires, 54, said: "Nobody deserves this. All these girls were human beings and people's daughters." The Daily Telegraph can disclose that Mr Griffiths had previously been treated for psychiatric problems at the high-security Rampton hospital. The search continues for the bodies of Miss Rushworth, 43, and Miss Armitage, 31, who disappeared from Bradford's red light district – the same streets once stalked by Peter Sutcliffe, the Yorkshire Ripper. Officers were searching waste ground yesterday and planned to trawl landfill sites. Forensic searches at Mr Griffiths's one-bedroom flat in Holmfield Court are expected to continue for up to three weeks. Police were alerted on Monday by a caretaker who was reviewing CCTV footage from the block of flats. The recording showed a man and a woman go into a flat in the early hours of Saturday before she ran out fully-clothed two minutes later. The man followed and beat her to the floor, then produced a crossbow before shooting a bolt through her head and dragging the body out of view. He was later seen carrying bin liners and a rucksack at various times over the weekend. On Tuesday, a day after police had arrested Mr Griffiths, parts of Miss Blamires body were found in the River Aire in nearby Shipley. It is understood that a severed head was discovered in a rucksack. Detectives may widen the inquiry in the next few months to study links with the murder of three other women in the area, but they are not formally linking the cases to the current inquiry at present. Peter Mann, of the Crown Prosecution Service, said there was sufficient evidence to charge Mr Griffiths with all three murders. He will appear at Bradford magistrates' court this morning.	A man accused of being a serial killer has appeared in magistrates court in West Yorkshire today charged with three counts of murder. 40-year-old Stephen Griffiths is accused of killing Suzanne Blamires, 36, Susan Rushworth, 43, and Shelley Armitage, 31, all prostitutes. Griffiths, a former van driver with a degree in psychology and studying for a in criminology, gave his name as "Crossbow Cannibal" when asked. He has been in police custody since Monday when police were alerted to a recording that appeared to show a murder. A caretaker had been reviewing footage from the flats where Griffiths lives when he saw footage of a woman and a man enter a flat early on Saturday morning. Two minutes later, she ran out and was followed by the man, who beat her to the ground and shot her in the head with a crossbow. Over the course of the weekend, the man was seen several times with bin bags and a rucksack. On Tuesday, the day after the arrest of Griffiths, Blamires' remains were found in the in nearby . She had been cut into several pieces and her head was located in a rucksack. Police continue to search for the other two alleged victims; Rushworth has been missing since June last year and Armitage vanished in April. Police have searched much of Bradford's , where Griffiths' third-floor flat is located. Forensic investigations at the flat are expected to last around three weeks. There are plans to search landfill sites for bodies, and police may yet expand the inquiry to cover three more cold cases, although at present they have not been linked to the current inquiry. Sniffer dogs have been used throughout the city, and police have been taking away plastic evidence bags. Some alleyways remain closed off. Police charged their suspect yesterday. Griffiths was known as "the lizard man" in his block of flats owing to his habit of walking his two pet in the area. One neighbour is reported to have quoted him as saying he was studying for "a PhD in murder and ," and he has spent time in a high-security psychiatric hospital. During his five-minute court appearance he did not enter a plea, kept his head bowed and fidgeted with his cuffed hands. He said "Here, I guess," when asked for his address. As he stood in the glass-fronted dock, guarded by three security officers, he was watched by the families of Rushworth and Armitage, who were accompanied by police family liaison officers. Blamires' family chose not to be present, but the victim's mother Nicky Blamires, 54, has told the press that Suzanne was a "much-loved" family member even though she "went down the wrong path and did not have the life she was meant to have." "Nobody deserves this," she said. "All these girls were human beings and people's daughters." Griffiths' morning court appearance was followed by a second one this afternoon, at Bradford . This time, he confirmed his name without incident. He was remanded into custody until next month, when he will appear in court again. British media has been quick to compare the case to , dubbed the "Yorkshire Ripper". Sutcliffe was a Bradford killer responsible for thirteen murders and seven attempted murders, including several prostitutes. Since his 1981 conviction he has spent most of the last three decades in high-security psychiatric hospital near London.
He had successfully defended the gold medal he won in Athens four years ago, and he proved to be measurably better in 2008 than he had been in 2004. In Athens, a time of 54.06 by Peirsol had been good enough to win the gold medal. This morning it would not have gotten him onto the medals podium. In fact, it wouldn't have placed him in the top eight. Swimmers, and the high-tech suits they wear, are that much better in 2008. American Matt Grevers took the silver medal with a time of 53.11 while there was a rare dead heat for the bronze medal. Arkady Vyatchanin of Russia and Hayden Stoeckel of Australia both swam 53.18 and thus each man earned a bronze medal and a stay on the medals podium. "I looked up and saw Matt Grevers next to me, and I was elated," Peirsol said. "Stuff like that is a dream come true. I'm a little bit excited, a little bit relieved and absolutely elated. I am extremely happy for Matt. It means a lot to me and more to him and his family." Gold for Aussie: In a predictable final, Australia's Leisel Jones won the gold medal in the women's 100-meter breaststroke in an Olympic record time of 1:05.17. Rebecca Soni, replacing the doping-positive Jessica Hardy on the U.S. team, earned the silver medal in 1:06.73. The bronze went to Mirna Jukic of Austria in 1:07.34. "I don't even know how I feel yet," Soni said. "It's still registering. Who could have asked for more? Maybe it was yesterday's (men's 4x100 freestyle) relay that inspired us all, who knows? It definitely worked for me." Briefly: American Katie Hoff qualified for the final of the 200 freestyle with a semifinal time of 1:57.01 as she finished second to Slovakia's Sara Isakovic, 1:56.50. World-record holder Federica Pellegrini of Italy won the other 200 free semi in 1:57.23. This article appeared on page C - 9 of the San Francisco Chronicle \|\|\|\|\| MICHAEL Phelps won his third gold medal in three days when he smashed the field in the men's 200m freestyle final with one of the most incredible swims in history. Less than an hour later, Phelps qualified fastest for tomorrow's 200m butterfly final, equalling his Olympic record of 1min 53.70sec in the semi-finals. Pictures: Michael Phelps's bid for eight gold at Beijing Olympics. Phelps led from the gun in the 200m freestyle, was under world-record pace the whole way and pulverised his own world mark - clocking 1min42.96sec, a time Ian Thorpe could only have dreamed of in his prime. Thorpe never broke 1:44.00. Phelps has now won nine Olympic gold medals, equalling the all-time record held jointly by Mark Spitz, Carl Lewis and Paavo Nurmi. Grant Hackett's 1500m rivals, Korea's Park Tae Hwan and Peter Vanderkaay of the US, filled the placings. In Athens, Phelps finished third in the 200m behind Thorpe and Dutchman Pieter van den Hoogenband in what was dubbed "the race of the century". The race also featured Hackett, who finished fourth. It was the only individual race Phelps lost at the 2004 Games, where he won six gold medals and a bronze. See how the excitement unfolded below on Beijing Now's live barrack. \|\|\|\|\| Jones wins 100m breaststroke gold Posted Updated Leisel Jones claimed her first individual Olympic gold medal and Australia's third in Beijing with a thumping victory in the women's 100 metres breaststroke final at the Water Cube. Jones went into the final as a red-hot favourite after swimming more than a second faster than her nearest rival in the semi-final, and comfortably took gold in an Olympic record time of 1:05.17. Jones says all that mattered today was to hit the wall first, something she could not manage as an individual in an Olympic event at either the Sydney or Athens Games. "A little bit of shock, and probably more relief I guess," she said. "It has been a long journey. It's been a long eight years. "And I think just a lot of relief that the training was definitely worth it. I couldn't care less about the time. "An Olympic gold is an Olympic gold. It really didn't matter how it went, how I raced I couldn't care less." Jones says she was excited before the race. "I had a pretty bad sleep last night," she said. "I woke up and I was just so excited. I think I was excited about racing. "I was almost skipping out there I was so excited. I really enjoyed it." Aiming for London Jones suggested she would keep swimming with London in 2012 in mind. "I think I've enjoyed it so much, I think I would hate to finish and know there was still a flame burning inside," she said. "I think I've still got so much more growing to do, and so much more learning. "Amanda Beard's on her fourth Olympics, so it's certainly not out of the question." Jones emerged from the blocks at the head of the field slightly in front of compatriot Tarnee White, and split the 50m inside world record time. She powered away in the final 50m to finish well ahead of American Rebecca Soni (1:06.73) and Austrian Mirna Jukic (1:07.34). White faded towards the back end of the race to finish in sixth position in a time of 1:07.63. While she was happy with the gold, Jones says it was her win at the World Championships in Canada in 2005 that remains her proudest achievement. "Olympic golds are important, but in terms of personal experience and in terms of personal growth I think that was my most important swim. "Olympic gold is really nice, it's what we all come here for. "But certainly Montreal was more about my personal experience. "And I think that will still reign over this Olympic gold, because I found out so much of myself. "After Athens I learned so much. And that was my first individual World Championship [gold]. "I think that one probably still is more important to me than this." Jones says she managed to stay composed after the race until she saw her coach Rohan Taylor. "I certainly wasn't composed once I got through the media and I pretty much lost it when I saw Rohan and then when I saw my mum I just lost it," she said. After bursting onto the scene with a silver medal in the 100m in Sydney as a 14-year-old, Jones could not crack gold in the 100m or 200m in Athens, but she says that experience has helped her enjoy her time in Beijing. "It's hard at the time to deal with criticism, and I copped a lot of it in Athens," she said. "It's really difficult but it's made me a much stronger person and has made this performance much sweeter." Jones swam 1:05.80 to comfortably win the second semi, ahead of second-fastest qualifier Soni. Jukic started from lane three after recording 1:07.27 in the semis. View historical results from the women's 100m breaststroke.	August 12, 2008 is the 4th main day of the 2008 Olympic games, the below article lists some of the highlights. ===Events=== ====Men's 100m backstroke==== 40px American Aaron Peirsol set a new world record and won the gold medal in the final of the men's 100m backstroke with a time of 52.54 seconds. Matt Grevers, who was representing the US with Peirsol, took the silver medal, while Arkady Vyatchanin and Hayden Stoeckel tied for third place with a time of 53.18. ====Men's 200m freestyle==== 40px American Michael Phelps set a new world record and won the gold medal in the final of the men's 200m freestyle with a time of 1:42.96 minutes. Taehwan Park, who was representing South Korea, finished in second place and set a new Asian record, while Peter Vanderkaay, who was representing the US with Phelps, finished in third place with a time of 1:45.14. Phelps beat the old world record by almost one second. The Australian reported that Phelps 'shattered' the previous world record, which was also set by him. ====Women's 100m breaststroke==== 40px Australian Leisel Jones won the gold medal and set a new Olympic record in the final of the women's 100m breaststroke with a time of 1:05.17 minutes. "It has been a long journey. It's been a long eight years," said Jones, after her victory. "And I think just a lot of relief that the training was definitely worth it." Rebecca Soni, who was representing United States, won the silver medal, while Mirna Jukic finished in third place with a time of 1:07.34. ====Men's double trap==== 40px American Walton Eller set a new Olympic record in the qualification round of the men's double trap with a score of 145. Francesco D Aniello, who was representing Italy, finished in second place, while Jeffrey Hologuin, who represented the US with Eller, finished in third place with a score of 140. ====Men's 200m butterfly==== 40px American Michael Phelps set a new Olympic record when he finished in first place in heat six of the men's 200m butterfly with a time of 1:53.70. This record is one of several set by Phelps during the Olympic games. Kaio Almeida, who was representing Brazil, finished in second place, while Takeshi Matsuda finished in third place with a time of 1:55.06, 1.36 seconds behind the time set by Phelps. ====Women's 200m individual medley ==== 40px Zimbabwean Kirsty Coventry set a new Olympic Record in semifinal of the women's 200m individual medley with a time of 2:09.53 minutes. Coventry's first fifty second were the quickest, with her first length taking only 29.17 seconds. Stephanie Rice, who was representing Australia, finished in second place, while Katie Hoff finished in third place with a time of 2:10.90, just over one second behind the time achieved by Coventry. ===Medal Table=== ''Medal Count'' update '''2008 Olympics - Beijing, China ''' Flag Country G S B TOT Rank Other countries Flag Country G S B TOT Rank 40x21px Total 52 52 63 167 - Source: Beijing 2008 Official Site
Nearly two years after the first pictures of naked and humiliated Iraqi detainees emerged from Abu Ghraib prison, the full extent of the abuse became known for the first time yesterday with a leaked report from the US army's internal investigation into the scandal. The catalogue of abuse, which was obtained by the online American magazine Salon, could not have arrived at a worse time for the Bush administration, coinciding with yesterday's United Nations report on abuse of detainees at Guantánamo, the release of a video showing British troops beating up Iraqi youths, and lingering anger in the Muslim world over cartoons of the prophet Muhammad. Bush administration officials had already been fending off a new wave of anger about the torture of detainees - following the airing of graphic images from Abu Ghraib on Australian television - when Salon posted a story on its website yesterday saying it had obtained what appears to be the fullest photographic record to date of the abuse. It said the material, gathered by the army's criminal investigation division, included 1,325 photographs and 93 video clips of suspected abuse of detainees, 546 photographs of suspected dead Iraqi detainees, as well as 660 images of adult pornography, and 29 pictures of US troops engaged in simulated sex acts. Based on date stamps, all were recorded between October 18 and December 30 2003, the same timeframe as the original scandal. The website published 18 pictures from the prison. Aside from the ritualised images of humiliation - naked Iraqi men kneeling or lying on the ground alone or in a heap or wearing women's underwear on their heads - they also reveal the apparent normality of those bizarre scenes within Abu Ghraib. One of the pictures shows an army sergeant standing calmly to fill out paperwork on a wall. Behind him is a hooded, naked detainee. Another photograph shows Staff Sergeant Ivan Chip Frederick - who was tried for his role in the abuse scandal - trimming his fingernails beside an Iraqi who is standing on a box wearing a hood and electrical wires. There are also images of physical violence: a blood-streaked cell, and a picture of the battered face of a corpse packed in ice. "The DVD also includes photographs of guards threatening Iraqi prisoners with dogs, homemade videotapes depicting hooded prisoners being forced to masturbate, and a video showing a mentally disturbed prisoner smashing his head against a door. Oddly, the material also includes numerous photographs of slaughtered animals and mundane images of soldiers travelling around Iraq," Salon said. The magazine said it thought the material included all of the pictures that originally surfaced when the abuse became known in April 2004, as well as the pictures aired on Australian television. Human rights organisations have been fighting for months for the army to release a full record of the abuse at Abu Ghraib. Salon said it received the material from a member of the military who had spent time at the jail and was familiar with the investigation. The first official response from Washington as well as Baghdad was concerned as much with the impact these new pictures of abuse could have in the Middle East at a time when anger against the west is high. A Pentagon spokesman said the release of additional images of abuse "could only further inflame and possibly incite unnecessary violence in the world". Iraq's prime minister, Ibrahim al-Jaafari, while condemning the abuse at Abu Ghraib, noted that US soldiers had already been punished for it. Mr Jaafari's government was also on the defensive about torture yesterday after the first direct evidence emerged that death squads had operated from within the interior ministry. The US general in charge of training the Iraqi police, Major General Joseph Peterson, told the Chicago Tribune that the death squads that had been arresting and killing Sunnis had been operating from within the police force although they wore commando uniforms. "We have found one of the death squads," Gen Peterson told the paper. "They are a part of the police force of Iraq." In another development, ABC television on Wednesday night aired audio tapes of Saddam Hussein's cabinet meetings during the mid-1990s, including a segment in which he says he warned Washington of a terror attack. "Terrorism is coming. I told the Americans," Saddam is heard saying, adding that he "told the British as well". However, he adds: "This story is coming, but not from Iraq." \|\|\|\|\| Newly released photos of detainee abuse by American soldiers and intelligence officers at the Abu Ghraib prison sparked condemnation by U.S. and Iraqi officials Thursday, but little of the populist outrage and street violence that followed release of the first such images nearly two years ago. The pictures, which were posted by the online magazine Salon, depict naked Iraqi detainees handcuffed to bed frames and prison bars. Other images show U.S. soldiers posing near prisoners who are wearing nothing but hoods over their heads. One picture shows a detainee sodomizing himself with an object. Two photos show the bloody floor of a detention cell. The new images come only a few days after a video apparently showing British troops beating Iraqi youths in 2004 was publicized. The new images of Abu Ghraib were aired around the clock Thursday on Arab television channels such as Al Arabiya and Al Jazeera and were front-page stories in several Arabic-language newspapers here. Advertisement But the relatively subdued response in Iraq and the region seemed to allay concerns that the release of the photos, particularly in the wake of the controversy over publication of caricatures of the prophet Muhammad, would cause more violence. U.S. military spokesman Army Maj. Gen. Rick Lynch said Thursday that the photos were not the basis for a recent spike in violence. Moulk Abed Hazzawi, a 42-year-old Baghdad lawyer, said the new images were a dangerous diversion from Iraq’s present-day problems. “This is just another injustice against the Iraqi people,” she said. “We heard about these things two years ago, and we don’t want to be reminded about this now. We are busy trying to form a new government. Whoever is showing these pictures is trying to provoke more violence.” Advertisement Other residents said the pictures renewed old feelings of humiliation and resentment toward U.S. forces. “They make us forget our personal problems and all the big problems Iraqis are suffering and focus on these abuses because they dishonor us so badly,” said Jawad Kraidi, 40, a south Baghdad resident. Mohammed Askari, a Defense Ministry spokesman, cast the pictures as deviations that have since been corrected. “These are violations against proper procedure that were rejected by the American and Iraqi government,” he said. “These were spontaneous actions committed without any official involvement, and we trust there was a fair investigation into these matters.” Interim Prime Minister Ibrahim Jafari’s office issued a statement pledging that such prison abuses would never recur and welcoming “the firm condemnation announced by the U.S. State Department and other American officials.” Advertisement U.S. officials denounced the activities shown in the latest Abu Ghraib photos but said they were the same instances of misconduct that had already been investigated and prosecuted. “I’m told that these photographs that are coming out now are nothing more than the same things that came out before ... the same type of behavior,” said Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld, testifying Thursday before the House Appropriations subcommittee on defense. “That behavior’s been punished.” In a congressional appearance last week, Rumsfeld said that 87 soldiers had received criminal punishment through court-martial proceedings for abusing detainees, and that an additional 91 had been given administrative penalties. Nine low-level enlistees have been convicted or have pleaded guilty to charges of detainee abuse in connection with the earlier highly publicized photos from Abu Ghraib. Advertisement Critics have complained that nearly all of those held criminally liable have been low-level personnel. An Army inspector general’s report last year cleared all high-ranking commanders -- including Lt. Gen. Ricardo Sanchez, the former U.S. ground commander in Iraq -- of wrongdoing. The White House called abuses at Abu Ghraib “appalling” but said Thursday that the military had acted swiftly to hold soldiers accountable for improper conduct. In Iraq, the U.S. military said Thursday that there had been 67 insurgent attacks in the country on Wednesday and 540 in the course of a week, a 17% increase. In the capital, insurgents shot and killed three municipal workers. In a separate incident, a Defense Ministry official, Brig. Gen. Kaleel Yass, was assassinated. In the northern oil hub of Kirkuk, gunmen killed a police captain and his bodyguard. Advertisement * Times staff writers Megan K. Stack in Cairo and Raheem Salman, Caesar Ahmed and Shamil Aziz in Baghdad, as well as special correspondents in Baghdad and Kirkuk and The Times’ Washington Bureau, contributed to this report. \|\|\|\|\| The full extent of US soldiers' abuse of Iraqi detainees at Abu Ghraib became apparent for the first time yesterday with the leak of a report of the US Army's internal investigation. Almost two years after the first pictures of naked and humiliated prisoners emerged, the American online magazine Salon posted a story saying it had obtained the fullest photographic catalogue of the mistreatment yet. It said it included 1,325 photographs and 93 video clips of suspected abuse of detainees, 546 photos of suspected dead detainees, 660 images of adult pornography and 29 pictures of US troops engaged in simulated sex. All were dated between 18 October and 30 December 2003. Coming a day after Australian television aired previously unseen footage from the prison, the revelations come at a bad time for Washington. A spokesman for the Pentagon said the released images "could only further inflame and possibly incite unnecessary violence in the world". The 18 images Salon chose to publish show ritualistic humiliation - the now-recognisable heaps of naked Iraqi men; some hooded, others wearing women's underwear on their heads. They reveal the seeming normality of such scenes within Abu Ghraib: one photo shows Staff Sergeant Ivan "Chip" Frederick, tried for his role in the scandal, clipping his fingernails next to an Iraqi standing on a box wearing a hood and electrical wires. In another, a sergeant can be seen filling out paperwork while a naked, hooded prisoner cowers in the background. Others show a blood-streaked cell and a beaten corpse. Salon said it was leaked the material by a military source familiar with the investigation and who had spent time at Abu Ghraib. \|\|\|\|\| HORROR OF IRAQ PRISON PICS THE true extent of the shocking abuse of Iraqi prisoners at the notorious Abu Ghraib prison was revealed last night in a leaked US army report. It contains 1,325 graphic images of suspected ill-treatment, including 29 photos of US soldiers simulating sex acts and 546 which appear to show the bodies of dead Iraqis. Others feature naked Iraqis kneeling or lying on the ground, some with women's underwear on their heads. One picture shows a prisoner standing on a box wearing a hood while Staff Sergeant Ivan Chip bod Frederick stands nearby trimming his fingernails. Frederick is currently serving eight years for his part in the mistreatment of prisoners at Abu Ghraib. A Pentagon spokesman last night tried to dismiss the revelations, saying: "There is nothing new here." \|\|\|\|\| An unknown detainee with women's underwear on his head, strapped to a bed frame. Photo taken at approximately 1:53 a.m. on Oct. 20, 2003. Feb. 16, 2006 \| Salon has obtained files and other electronic documents from an internal Army investigation into the Abu Ghraib prisoner-abuse scandal. The material, which includes more than 1,000 photographs, videos and supporting documents from the Army's probe, may represent all of the photographic and video evidence that pertains to that investigation. The files, from the Army's Criminal Investigation Command (CID), include hundreds of images that have never been publicly released. Along with the unpublished material, the material obtained by Salon also appears to include all of the famous photographs published after the Abu Ghraib scandal broke in April 2004, as well as the photographs and videos published Wednesday by the Australian television news show "Dateline." The source who gave the CID material to Salon is someone who spent time at Abu Ghraib as a uniformed member of the military and is familiar with the CID investigation. The DVD containing the material includes a June 6, 2004, CID investigation report written by Special Agent James E. Seigmund. That report includes the following summary of the material included: "A review of all the computer media submitted to this office revealed a total of 1,325 images of suspected detainee abuse, 93 video files of suspected detainee abuse, 660 images of adult pornography, 546 images of suspected dead Iraqi detainees, 29 images of soldiers in simulated sexual acts, 20 images of a soldier with a Swastika drawn between his eyes, 37 images of Military Working dogs being used in abuse of detainees and 125 images of questionable acts." The photographs we are showing in the accompanying gallery represent a small fraction of these visual materials. None, as far as we know, have been published elsewhere. They include: a naked, handcuffed prisoner in a contorted position; a dead prisoner who had been severely beaten; a prisoner apparently sodomizing himself with an object; and a naked, hooded prisoner standing next to an American officer who is blandly writing a report against a wall. Other photographs depict a bloody cell. The DVD also includes photographs of guards threatening Iraqi prisoners with dogs, homemade videotapes depicting hooded prisoners being forced to masturbate, and a video showing a mentally disturbed prisoner smashing his head against a door. Oddly, the material also includes numerous photographs of slaughtered animals and mundane images of soldiers traveling around Iraq. Accompanying texts from the CID investigation provide fairly detailed explanations for many of the photographs, including dates and times and the identities of both Iraqis and Americans. Based on time signatures of the digital cameras used, all the photographs and videos were taken between Oct. 18, 2003, and Dec. 30, 2003. It is noteworthy that some of the CID documents refer to CIA personnel as interrogators of prisoners at Abu Ghraib. But no CIA officers have been prosecuted for any crimes that occurred within the prison, despite the death of at least one Iraqi during a CIA interrogation there. Human-rights and civil-liberties groups have been locked in a legal battle with the Department of Defense since mid-2004, demanding that it release the remaining visual documents from Abu Ghraib in its possession. It is not clear whether the material obtained by Salon is identical to that sought by these groups, although it seems highly likely that it is. Barbara Olshansky, deputy legal director at the Center for Constitutional Rights, said, "We brought the lawsuit because we wanted to make sure the public knew what the government was doing, particularly at these detention facilities," and, "It is the public's right to know." Gallery A new selection of photos from the internal Army investigation into the Abu Ghraib prisoner-abuse scandal. Click here to view images Based on a verbal description of the files and images, Olshansky said she believes that the material obtained by Salon represents all of the Abu Ghraib images and video the Pentagon has been fighting to keep confidential. "I'm guessing that what you have is a pretty rare and complete set," she said. The Pentagon initially argued in federal court that release of more Abu Ghraib images would violate the privacy rights of the Iraqi prisoners. Later, government lawyers argued that public release of the records might "endanger" soldiers in Iraq because publication of the pictures could incite further violence. The government's argument was rejected by a federal district court last September. Judge Alvin Hellerstein said in his ruling, "Terrorists do not need pretexts for their barbarism." Release of the photographs in the suit has been delayed as the government appeals Hellerstein's decision. Meanwhile, military trials of the soldiers who served at Abu Ghraib continue. Next month, two more enlisted men, both dog handlers, will face a military court at Fort Meade in Maryland. No high-ranking officer or official has yet been charged in the abuse scandal that blackened America's reputation across the world. Additional reporting by Mark Follman, Page Rockwell and Michael Scherer.	One of several newly published pictures from Abu Ghraib. Wikimedia Commons has similar and more graphic pictures here The online magazine, Salon.com claims to have received a DVD containing what may be all of the material from an Army investigation into the infamous Abu Ghraib prisoner abuse scandal. According to Salon's report, the DVD includes an investigative report by the Army's Criminal Investigation Command (CID). In a report by Special Agent James E. Seigmund, the summary of the content includes, "a total of 1,325 images of suspected detainee abuse, 93 video files of suspected detainee abuse, 660 images of adult pornography, 546 images of suspected dead Iraqi detainees, 29 images of soldiers in simulated sexual acts, 20 images of a soldier with a Swastika drawn between his eyes, 37 images of Military Working dogs being used in abuse of detainees and 125 images of questionable acts." Salon claims their source is a uniformed officer who spent time at Abu Ghraib and is familiar with the CID investigation. The DVD of material is described as all from a period of October 18, 2003 to December 30,2003. In reporting on Salon's scoop, the Guardian reported that a Pentagon spokesman said recent reports, "could only further inflame and possibly incite unnecessary violence in the world". Ibrahim al-Jaafari, the Prime Minister of Iraq condemned the abuse, whilst pointing out that members of US Forces had already been punished for it. Whilst the Salon report concedes that prosecutions related to the abuse continue, it notes that none of the CIA interrogators who were said to operate at the prison have been prosecuted and no high-ranking officer or official has yet been charged in relation to the abuse.
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Karl Rove, President Bush's longtime political guru, refused to obey an order to testify before a House Judiciary Committee hearing Thursday. Karl Rove's lawyers says he is immune from a congressional subpoena. Rove's lawyer asserted that Rove was "immune" from the subpoena the committee had issued, arguing that the committee could not compel him to testify due to "executive privilege." The panel is investigating allegations that Rove and his White House allies dismissed U.S. attorneys and prosecuted officials who they saw as political opponents. The panel subpoenaed Rove in May after his lawyer, Robert D. Luskin, made clear the former White House deputy chief of staff would not appear voluntarily. Luskin responded immediately that Rove still would not appear, prompting a threat of prosecution from the Judiciary Committee chairman, Rep. John Conyers, a Michigan Democrat, and Rep. Linda Sanchez, a California Democrat who chairs the subcommittee on commercial and administrative law. "A refusal to appear in violation of the subpoena could subject Mr. Rove to contempt proceedings, including statutory contempt under federal law and proceedings under the inherent contempt authority of the House of Representatives," Conyers and Sanchez wrote. "We are unaware of any proper legal basis for Mr. Rove's refusal to even appear today as required by the subpoena," Sanchez said Thursday morning when Rove failed to show up. "The courts have made clear that no one -- not even the president -- is immune from compulsory process. That is what the Supreme Court rules in U.S. v. Nixon and Clinton v. Jones." In May, Conyers contrasted Rove's refusal to testify before Congress with his paid work as a commentator for the Fox News Channel and Newsweek magazine. "Although he does not seem the least bit hesitant to discuss these very issues weekly on cable television and in the print news media, Mr. Rove and his attorney have apparently concluded that a public hearing room would not be appropriate. Unfortunately, I have no choice today but to compel his testimony on these very important matters." Rove's lawyer cited a letter from the Justice Department saying Rove is "constitutionally immune from compelled congressional testimony." He said Rove is willing to submit to an "informal interview" or to answer written questions about the prosecution of former Alabama Gov. Don Siegelman, whose ouster Rove is accused of orchestrating. "Threatening Mr. Rove with sanctions will not in any way expedite the resolution of the issue," Luskin wrote in a letter to the panel on Wednesday. Luskin noted in May that his client had already received a separate subpoena from the Senate Judiciary Committee. "While the [House] committee has the authority to issue a subpoena, it is hard to see what this will accomplish, apart from a 'Groundhog Day' replay of the same issues that are already the subject of litigation," the lawyer wrote, referring to a movie in which a person lives the same day over and over again. Luskin added that "issues of executive privilege and separation of powers" could limit Rove's testimony. In response, Conyers said the two committees are focusing on different matters, with the House committee delving into the prosecution of the former Alabama governor, a Democrat who lost his bid for re-election in 2002 and was convicted on corruption charges in 2006. Conyers also noted that other former White House officials have testified under subpoena in the past and have dealt with issues of executive privilege on a case-by-case basis. "Mr. Rove should follow the same course," he said. Rep. Lamar Smith of Texas, the top Republican on the House Judiciary Committee, called the subpoena "a sham." The Democratic-controlled Congress has been battling for months to force the White House to disclose information about the firing of the attorneys and the prosecution of Siegelman. Current and former White House aides have refused to testify, citing executive privilege. All About Karl Rove • U.S. House Committee on the Judiciary \|\|\|\|\| Rove ignores subpoena, refuses to testify on Hill WASHINGTON (AP) — Former White House adviser Karl Rove defied a congressional subpoena and refused to testify Thursday about allegations of political pressure at the Justice Department, including whether he influenced the prosecution of a former Democratic governor of Alabama. Rep. Linda Sanchez, chairman of a House subcommittee, ruled with backing from fellow Democrats on the panel that Rove was breaking the law by refusing to cooperate — perhaps the first step toward holding him in contempt of Congress. The White House has cited executive privilege as a reason he and others who serve or served in the administration should not testify, arguing that internal administration communications are confidential and that Congress cannot compel officials to testify. Rove says he is bound to follow the White House's guidance, although he has offered to answer questions specifically on the Siegelman case — but only with no transcript taken and not under oath. Lawmakers subpoenaed Rove in May in an effort to force him to talk about whether he played a role in prosecutors' decisions to pursue cases against Democrats, such as former Alabama Gov. Don Siegelman, or in firing federal prosecutors considered disloyal to the Bush administration. Rove had been scheduled to appear at the House Judiciary subcommittee hearing Thursday morning. A placard with his name sat in front of an empty chair at the witness table, with a handful of protesters behind it calling for Rove to be arrested. A decision on whether to pursue contempt charges now goes to the full Judiciary Committee and ultimately to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. House Republicans called Thursday's proceedings a political stunt and said if Democrats truly wanted information they would take Rove up on an offer he made to discuss the matter informally. The House already has voted to hold two of President Bush's confidants in contempt for failing to cooperate with its inquiry into whether the administration fired nine federal prosecutors in 2006 for political reasons. The case, involving White House chief of staff Josh Bolten and former White House counsel Harriet Miers, is in federal court and may not be resolved before Bush's term ends in January. Democrats have rejected the offer from Rove to talk with them informally because the testimony would not be sworn and, they say, could create a confusing record. Rove has insisted publicly that he never tried to influence Justice Department decisions and was not even aware of the Siegelman prosecution until it landed in the news. Siegelman — an unusually successful Democrat in a heavily Republican state — was charged with accepting and concealing a contribution to his campaign to start a state education lottery, in exchange for appointing a hospital executive to a regulatory board. He was sentenced last year to more than seven years in prison but was released in March when a federal appeals court ruled Siegelman had raised "substantial questions of fact and law" in his appeal. Siegelman and others have alleged the prosecution was pushed by GOP operatives — including Rove, a longtime Texas strategist who was heavily involved in Alabama politics before working at the White House. A former Republican campaign volunteer from Alabama told congressional attorneys last year that she overheard conversations suggesting that Rove pressed Justice officials in Washington to prosecute Siegelman. The career prosecutors who handled Siegelman's case have insisted that Rove had nothing to do with it, emphasizing that the former governor was convicted by a jury. \|\|\|\|\| Former Bush Aide Rove Defies Congressional Subpoena Karl Rove, the former close political aide to President Bush, failed to appear at a congressional hearing Thursday to testify about allegations he was involved in politicizing the Department of Justice. VOA's Dan Robinson reports from Capitol Hill. The empty chair in front of the House judiciary subcommittee was a reminder of the difficulty Democrats have had in obtaining testimony from Rove, and two other former and current White House officials. Last year, former White House counsel Harriet Miers, and President Bush's current chief of staff Joshua Bolten, defied subpoenas from the House Judiciary Committee, triggering a House vote to hold both in contempt of Congress. Former White House Advisor Karl Rove gestures towards the press at the White House in Washington, D.C. (file photo) Rove was subpoenaed earlier this year in connection with Democratic attempts to determine if he exerted improper political influence in the firing of nine U.S. federal prosecutors, and to answer questions about a government corruption case against a former Democratic governor of Alabama. He offered to speak with lawmakers only about the second of these, and only behind closed doors without a transcript and not under oath, all conditions Democrats rejected. He has denied ever trying to influence Justice Department decisions. Democratic Congresswoman Linda Sanchez described Rove's justification for not showing up on the basis of a White House claim of executive privilege as lacking legal validity. "We are unaware of any proper legal basis for Mr. Rove's refusal even to appear today as required by the subpoena. The courts have made clear that no one, not even the president, is immune from compulsory process," he said. Sanchez said the White House failed to demonstrate that information lawmakers seek is covered by executive privilege, and says neither the White House nor Rove's attorney cited any court decision in support of a former official's refusal to testify. She also pointed to recent testimony by Vice President Dick Cheney's chief of staff David Addington, and voluntary testimony by former White House press secretary Scott McClellan, as well as appearances under subpoena by two former Justice Department officials. Republicans have long accused Democrats of trying to use the controversy over U.S. attorney firings and allegations of politicization of the Justice Department as a political weapon against President Bush. Republican Congressman Chris Cannon accuses Democrats of wasting lawmakers time. "If the majority was serious about getting to the bottom of this issue, it would have taken Mr. Rove and the White House up on these offers. The fact that it hasn't, is proof that their efforts amount to a partisan stunt," he said. As with former White House counsel Miers and chief of staff Bolten, the full House Judiciary Committee will have to decide whether to pursue contempt charges against Rove, after which Speaker Nancy Pelosi will have to determine whether to proceed with a vote in the House. Rove was subpoenaed earlier this year in connection with Democratic attempts to determine if he exerted improper political influence in the firing of nine U.S. federal prosecutors, and to answer questions about a government corruption case against a former Democratic governor of Alabama.He offered to speak with lawmakers only about the second of these, and only behind closed doors without a transcript and not under oath, all conditions Democrats rejected. He has denied ever trying to influence Justice Department decisions.Democratic Congresswoman Linda Sanchez described Rove's justification for not showing up on the basis of a White House claim of executive privilege as lacking legal validity. "We are unaware of any proper legal basis for Mr. Rove's refusal even to appear today as required by the subpoena. The courts have made clear that no one, not even the president, is immune from compulsory process," he said.Sanchez said the White House failed to demonstrate that information lawmakers seek is covered by executive privilege, and says neither the White House nor Rove's attorney cited any court decision in support of a former official's refusal to testify.She also pointed to recent testimony by Vice President Dick Cheney's chief of staff David Addington, and voluntary testimony by former White House press secretary Scott McClellan, as well as appearances under subpoena by two former Justice Department officials.Republicans have long accused Democrats of trying to use the controversy over U.S. attorney firings and allegations of politicization of the Justice Department as a political weapon against President Bush.Republican Congressman Chris Cannon accuses Democrats of wasting lawmakers time. "If the majority was serious about getting to the bottom of this issue, it would have taken Mr. Rove and the White House up on these offers. The fact that it hasn't, is proof that their efforts amount to a partisan stunt," he said.As with former White House counsel Miers and chief of staff Bolten, the full House Judiciary Committee will have to decide whether to pursue contempt charges against Rove, after which Speaker Nancy Pelosi will have to determine whether to proceed with a vote in the House. \|\|\|\|\| Advertisement Search CBS News The Web • » » » Rove Contempt Vote Not To Come Until Later This Month By John Bresnahan E-Mail Story Print Story Sphere Share A A Text Size: A (The Politico) The House Judiciary Committee is not likely to vote on a contempt resolution against Karl Rove until late this month, according to the panel's chairman. Rove, the former White House deputy chief of staff and top political advisor to President Bush, refused to appear today before a subcommittee of the Judiciary Committee to testify on the "politicization" of the Justice Department under the current administration. Citing a claim of executive privilege by Bush, Rove did not show up for today's hearing despite a committee subpoena. Conyers and Rep. Linda Sanchez (D-Calif.), chairwoman of the Commercial and Administrative Law subcommittee, rejected Rove's executive privilege claim as inadequate. "Mr. Rove's absence today is an insult to the American people and to the system of checks and balances that are the basis of our constitution and our democracy," Conyers said in a statement. "Mr. Rove is not above the law and Congress will assert its constitutional role to serve as a check on the power of the executive branch," Sanchez added. The Judiciary Committee could approve both civil and criminal contempt resolutions against Rove, which would then go to the floor of the House for a final vote. But the Judiciary Committee is already in a legal battle with the Bush administration over earlier subpoenas issued to White House Chief of Staff Josh Bolten and former White House Counsel Harriet Miers. Although the House approved criminal-contempt resolutions against both, the Justice Dept., citing earlier legal opinions, refused to bring criminal charges against Bolten and Miers. The Judiciary Committee then filed a civil lawsuit against the White House to enforce the subpoenas. The case is now in federal court, and it is unclear if there will be an decision in the case prior to the start of the August recess. The House Judiciary Committee is not likely to vote on a contempt resolution against Karl Rove until late this month, according to the panel's chairman.Rove, the former White House deputy chief of staff and top political advisor to President Bush, refused to appear today before a subcommittee of the Judiciary Committee to testify on the "politicization" of the Justice Department under the current administration. Citing a claim of executive privilege by Bush, Rove did not show up for today's hearing despite a committee subpoena.Conyers and Rep. Linda Sanchez (D-Calif.), chairwoman of the Commercial and Administrative Law subcommittee, rejected Rove's executive privilege claim as inadequate."Mr. Rove's absence today is an insult to the American people and to the system of checks and balances that are the basis of our constitution and our democracy," Conyers said in a statement."Mr. Rove is not above the law and Congress will assert its constitutional role to serve as a check on the power of the executive branch," Sanchez added.The Judiciary Committee could approve both civil and criminal contempt resolutions against Rove, which would then go to the floor of the House for a final vote.But the Judiciary Committee is already in a legal battle with the Bush administration over earlier subpoenas issued to White House Chief of Staff Josh Bolten and former White House Counsel Harriet Miers. Although the House approved criminal-contempt resolutions against both, the Justice Dept., citing earlier legal opinions, refused to bring criminal charges against Bolten and Miers. The Judiciary Committee then filed a civil lawsuit against the White House to enforce the subpoenas. The case is now in federal court, and it is unclear if there will be an decision in the case prior to the start of the August recess. Copyright 2008 POLITICO E-Mail Story Print Story Sphere Share A A Text Size: A We cover politics with enterprise, style, and impact.	Karl Rove Karl Rove, who served as Deputy Chief of Staff to United States President George W. Bush before resigning last year, failed to appear in front of the House Judiciary Committee today, refusing to testify about allegations of misusing his political power. The congressional panel is trying to determine if Rove had a connection with the prosecution of Don Siegelman, former Democratic governor of Alabama. The committee is also investigating allegations that the former White House adviser dismissed nine federal prosecutors seen as political opponents. Rove has denied ever influencing the decisions of the Department of Justice. In May, the panel subpoenaed Rove in an attempt to force him to offer testimony. He was scheduled to appear at a committee hearing today, but his lawyer Robert D. Luskin made it clear that he would not attend. Luskin argued that his client was "immune" to the subpoena because of executive privilege, which gives executive officials the right to resist a search from the other two branches of government. In a letter written to the committee on Wednesday, Luskin said that Rove is "constitutionally immune from compelled congressional testimony", adding that "threatening Mr. Rove with sanctions will not in any way expedite the resolution of the issue." He said Rove would be willing to talk about the Siegelman case as part of an "informal interview", without a transcript and without taking an oath. Members of the Judiciary Committee argued that executive privilege is not a valid reason to ignore a subpoena. California Rep. Linda Sanchez, who chairs the Subcommittee on Commercial and Administrative Law, said at the hearing, "We are unaware of any proper legal basis for Mr. Rove's refusal to even appear today as required by the subpoena." She cited United States v. Nixon and Clinton v. Jones as legal precedents. Sanchez, along with the Judiciary Committee chairman, Michigan Rep. John Conyers, said that Rove's refusal to testify could result in prosecution for being in contempt of Congress. "A refusal to appear in violation of the subpoena could subject Mr. Rove to contempt proceedings, including statutory contempt under federal law and proceedings under the inherent contempt authority of the House of Representatives," Conyers and Sanchez wrote. If the Judiciary Committee votes to pursue these contempt charges against Rove, they would go to the floor of the House, where Speaker Nancy Pelosi would decide whether to proceed with a final vote. The House has already held two of Bush's advisers in contempt for defying a subpoena: White House Chief of Staff Josh Bolten and former White House Counsel Harriet Miers. Their case is currently in federal court. Republicans have accused Democrats of using these cases as political weapons against George W. Bush. Rep. Chris Cannon, a Republican from Utah, said that "if the majority was serious about getting to the bottom of this issue", they would have accepted Rove's offers to discuss the issue on his terms, informally and without a transcript. "The fact that it hasn't is proof that their efforts amount to a partisan stunt," said Cannon.
The Republic of Ireland again failed to take a decisive grip on their World Cup destiny following a bitter and fractious 2-2 draw with Israel. After conceding a last-minute equaliser in Tel Aviv just over two months ago when the teams last met, on this occasion they threw away a two-goal lead in the Group Four clash at Lansdowne Road. Greek referee Kyros Vassaras and Israeli goalkeeper Dudu Awat were the figures who took centre stage, notably the latter getting Andy O'Brien sent off, after Ian Harte and Robbie Keane had blazed the early trail by the 11th minute. Ireland should perhaps have gone ahead inside three minutes, however Vassaras lacked the courage of his convictions and opted not to point to the spot when Keane was clipped in the area by Ariel Benado. Vassaras clearly looked to his assistant to make the decision, but he remained unmoved, much to the angst of the injured Keane who was then a spectator as his and the Republic's disappointment was shortlived. When Adoram Keisi fouled Kevin Kilbane seven yards outside the area, it allowed left-back Harte to step up and underline his inclusion as a deadball specialist, an area where Ireland failed miserably during the 1-1 draw in Tel Aviv just over two months ago. With recognised right-backs Stephen Carr and Steve Finnan ruled out through suspension and injury respectively, Kerr was forced to switch John O'Shea from the left, resulting in Harte ending his 13-month international exile. Harte's left foot did the trick, for although his delivery lacked pace, it was ideally placed as Awat could do nothing more than push it onto the post, allowing the former Leeds player to celebrate his 10th goal for Ireland. This time, unlike in Israel when Kerr was accused of being conservative in his approach after taking an early lead in that game, Ireland pushed forward and were rewarded with a second goal in the 11th minute. It exuded quality as Andy Reid fashioned a ball from inside the centre circle in behind the Israeli defence and onto the right foot of Ireland's all-time leading goalscorer in Keane who cushioned a volley beyond a stranded Awat for the 25th goal for his country. A 34,000 sell-out crowd roared its approval, and they believed they had a third in the 25th minute when Keane tapped home after Awat had saved a Clinton Morrison drive, only for the flag to be raised. As turning points go, it could not have been more significant as that proved Keane's last action of the game, with the Spurs striker making way for Graham Kavanagh, seemingly as a result of the knock he received early in the game. A reshuffle followed as Kilbane was moved out wide to the left, with Damien Duff sitting in behind Morrison, but even then Ireland continued to look comfortable, and by the 39th minute Shay Given had yet to be tested. That all changed, though, in the blink of an eye as Kerr's side were caught out from a deadball situation, with Yossi Benayoun delivering a left-wing free-kick just inside the area where Avi Yehiel crowned his debut with a 16-yard header that gave Given no chance. Then in injury time drama ensued as Vassaras stepped into the spotlight, initially by penalising O'Shea for holding Benayoun as former Everton midfielder Idan Tal delivered a cross into the area. Vassaras pointed to the spot and booked O'Shea before captain Avi Nimni rifled home the equaliser, albeit with a twice-taken penalty as the Greek official spotted encroachment into the area at the first time of asking. If there was a sense of injustice, then Ireland attempted to right the wrongs with an all-out assault during the second half, but they reckoned without Vassaras who steadily lost control as the period wore on. Yellow cards were dished out like confetti as the game boiled over, notably for the play-acting antics of the Israelis as players dropped like flies, in particular Awat who was booed at one point for his timewasting. It meant chances were fleeting, with two of the most notable coming via corners from Kavanagh, in particular the first in the 48th minute. The ball flew through the area to the far post, only to hit an unsuspecting Duff on his left ear, with the rebound falling into the arms of a grateful Awat. The second 11 minutes from time found Gary Doherty, on for Reid in the 65th minute and pushed up front as Kerr went for broke, but his awkward header ended a yard wide of the right-hand post. After Awat superbly saved at the feet of Duff, he then feigned being hit in the face by O'Brien who had pushed the goalkeeper in the chest, resulting in a shocking 83rd-minute red card, one Ireland will surely appeal against. There followed a remarkable seven minutes of injury time such had been the antics of Awat, who was eventually booked during that period - one of six Israelis cautioned in the game. Unfortunately during that period, Morrison missed an open goal from a Duff pass into the six-yard box, while Ireland were denied three seemingly clear penalty appeals. \|\|\|\|\| 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.”	Having come back in the final minute of time to draw 1-1 with Israel in Tel Aviv two months ago, Brian Kerr's squad were determined not to let it happen a second time in last nights sell out Lansdowne Road Group 4 World Cup qualifier clash. However despite two early goals for the Republic of Ireland, the Israelis still managed to claw back a draw - much to the dismay of onlooking Irish supporters. After just five minutes, Ian Harte scored from a 25 yard free kick putting the homeside ahead just like in the first match. However unlike in the first game, the Irish did not slow down the pace and become conservative. At the 11th minute mark, Robbie Keane scored Ireland's second goal of the match; much to the delight - and even moreso relief of the Irish supporters in the crowd of 34,000. In a seemingly comfortable position, disaster hit the Irish team when Robbie Keane left for the bench with a shoulder injury sustained in the third minute of the game. As the 40th minute approached, Israel's Benayoun and Avi Yehiel combined efforts to put the ball in the back of the Irish net to bring their team back into the game. Things went from bad to worse for the Irish as the first half drew to a close with John O'Shea getting a yellow card in the Irish box - and giving his opposition a penalty. The penalty was scored three time by Nimni, but only on his third attempt did it count - the first two disallowed because the referee had not blown his whistle. The second half proved to be less fruitious for both teams, with no goals scored. The Irish became increasingly frustrated as the game progressed because of perceived Israeli time-wasting. As the game became more scrappy Andy O'Brien got sent off when he attempted to block the Israeli keeper from punching the ball. The game finished 2-2, much to the despair of the Irish squad, who now can only draw encouragement from the fact that they remain ahead of France in the group table.
Nasrin Sotoudeh, a lawyer for Rahmanipour, denied he had played any role in the unrest "Mohammad Reza Ali Zamani and Arash Rahmanipour whose cases were confirmed by a Tehran appeals court were hanged on Thursday morning," the ISNA news agency said. Iran has hanged two men over widespread protests that followed the country's disputed presidential election in June last year, an Iranian news agency has said. The pair were convicted of being "Mohareb" or enemies of God, and members of the Kingdom's Assembly, an outlawed pro-monarchist group and the People's Mujahideen, a religious movement. They were also charged with plotting to topple the Iranian government, ISNA said quoting officials. The executions were the first carried out for election-related incidents. 'Show trial' Iranian authorities arrested around 4,000 protesters including journalists and reformist politicians in a massive crackdown in the weeks after the disputed election. The two were among 11 people sentenced to death on similar charges in the wake of post-election protests. But Nasrin Sotoudeh, Rahmanipour's lawyer, denied that her client had any role in the post-election disruption. "He was arrested in Farvardin [the Iranian month covering March-April] before the [presidential] election and charged with co-operation with the [monarchist] Kingdom Assembly," Sotoudeh told AFP. She also said she was prevented from representing Rahmanipour at his "show trial" in July and that many of the charges were brought against him when he was a minor. "He confessed because of threats against his family," she said, adding that she was shocked at the news of the executions since she and her client's family had still been waiting for word from the appeals court. Crackdown Baqer Moin, an Iranian author and journalist, said the execution was a "political decision", likely intended to "set an example and to frighten some of the people who may shout a slogans that are not of the liking of the authorities". "We don't really know which group they belong to, one of them is a monarchist and the other one is the Mujahideen group, obviously the Mujahideen group is not very popular but little is known about the monarchist group," he told Al Jazeera. "Their lawyers have said that these people were arrested much before the elections, I suppose that they have been used as an example specifically as we are approaching the anniversary of the revolution." He said: "It is an attempt to make sure that the radicals within the opposition movements are not going to take the lead in the anniversary of the revolution." The June 12 presidential election plunged Iran into its deepest internal crisis since the 1979 Islamic revolution and exposed widening political divisions. The reformist opposition says the election was rigged to secure the re-election of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the president. Denying fraud, Tehran portrayed the protests as a foreign-backed bid to undermine Iran's Islamic system of government. \|\|\|\|\| Reporting from Beirut - Iran executed two alleged government opponents Thursday, sentenced nine others to death as "enemies of God" and warned of more public trials of opposition supporters in an apparent attempt to intimidate a widespread protest movement challenging the nation's hard-line establishment.Iran executions: The deck headline on an earlier version of this article said the two opposition figures were alleged members of Mujahedin Khalq. They were alleged members of the Kingdom Assembly.Mohammad-Reza Ali-Zamani, 37, and Arash Rahmanipour, 20, were hanged before dawn as members of an outlawed monarchist group, the Kingdom Assembly, Iranian news reports said.The government has stepped up legal pressure on the opposition movement with another round of confrontations possible Feb. 11, the 31st anniversary of the founding of the Islamic Republic. Protesters have vowed to turn the annual march into an antigovernment rally.Human rights groups have become alarmed by the number of executions in Iran. President Obama, in his State of the Union address Wednesday night, said the United States supports "the human rights of the women marching through the streets of Iran."On Thursday, his administration quickly condemned the hangings."We see it as a low point in the Islamic Republic's unjust and ruthless crackdown on peaceful dissent," White House Deputy Press Secretary Bill Burton said. "Murdering political prisoners who are exercising their universal rights will not bring the respect and legitimacy the Islamic Republic seeks. It will only serve to further isolate Iran's government in the world and from its people."Iran is mired in one of its greatest domestic political crises in decades, triggered by the disputed June reelection of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Authorities blame the unrest on Western nations and Israel working in cahoots with domestic opposition groups seeking to overthrow the government.Officials have vowed to crack down hard on the protesters."The dust has settled and the seditionists have been unmasked," police chief Gen. Esmail Ahmadi-Moghaddam said Thursday, according to the official Islamic Republic News Agency. "There is no more room for leniency. At stake is safeguarding the regime, and we will show no tolerance."There are few signs that the opposition is backing down. Despite a violent crackdown and ongoing threats, the wife of opposition figure Mir-Hossein Mousavi said this week that she and her husband were prepared to die to continue their fight. Reformist politician and former presidential candidate Mehdi Karroubi on Tuesday reiterated his allegation that Ahmadinejad's reelection was fraudulent."The protesters and I continue to question the legitimacy of this way of coming to power and I still believe that the people's right in determining their fate was trampled upon," he said, according to his news website Sahamnews.com . "This government will not survive because it is not born out of the people's vote."The connection between Thursday's executions and Iran's political turmoil remained unclear. Nasrin Sotoudeh, Rahmanipour's lawyer, told Iranian news websites that her client was arrested in April. The website of Iran's state-owned Press TV said Ali-Zamani and Rahmanipour were involved in the deadly April 2008 bombing of a mosque in the southern Iranian city of Shiraz that killed 13 people and injured 200.Tehran prosecutor Abbas Jafar-Dolatabadi told state television that the two had tried to procure explosives and planned to assassinate officials with the aim of overthrowing the government.The nine others sentenced to death on charges of being, or enemies of God, are accused of taking part in recent protests -- including those Dec. 27 during the Shiite Muslim religious holiday Ashura, when demonstrators and security forces clashed in several Iranian cities.The Iranian Students News Agency reported that the nine are accused of plotting to overthrow the Islamic Republic and of being members of the Kingdom Assembly or the Mujahedin Khalq Organization, an outlawed Iranian militant group listed by the United States as a terrorist group.Iranian news reports said an appeals court was reviewing the death sentences.Dolatabadi also said more political prisoners would be put on trial Saturday in "public" forums that could resemble the televised mass hearings last summer that were derided by critics as political show trials."God willing, it will become clear to the people and public opinion what big crimes were carried out by various groups, including hypocrites, leftists, Bahais and antirevolution groupings," Dolatabadi said in an interview with state television. "These grouplets thought that with such measures they could create a rift in people's resolve."Bahais are members of an outlawed religious minority. "Hypocrites" usually refers to the Mujahedin Khalq.Christi Parsons of the Washington bureau contributed to this report. \|\|\|\|\| Thousands of opposition supporters were detained at post-election protests Iran has executed two men arrested during the period of widespread unrest that erupted after June's disputed presidential election, reports say. They had been convicted of being "enemies of God", members of armed groups and trying to topple the Islamic establishment, Isna news agency said. The executions are believed to be the first related to last year's protests. Millions demanded a re-run of June's poll at the largest demonstrations in Iran since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Opposition groups said it had been rigged to ensure the re-election of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, a charge the government denied. At least 30 protesters have been killed in clashes since the elections, although the opposition says more than 70 have died. Thousands have been detained and some 200 activists remain behind bars. He confessed because of threats against his family Nasrin Sotoudeh Lawyer for Arash Rahmanipour Q&A: Iran protests Last month, eight people were killed in clashes at demonstrations on Ashura, one of the holiest days in the Shia Muslim calendar. "Following the riots and anti-revolutionary measures in recent months, particularly on the day of Ashura, a Tehran Islamic Revolutionary Court branch considered the cases of a number of accused and handed down death sentences against 11 of those," Isna said, quoting a statement from the Tehran prosecutor's office. "The sentences against two of these people... were carried out today at dawn and the accused were hanged," the semi-official agency said, adding the sentences had been confirmed by an appeal court. It named them as Mohammad Reza Ali-Zamani and Arash Rahmanipour. "The sentences for the other nine of the accused in recent months' riots are at the appeal stage... upon confirmation, measures will be undertaken to implement the sentences," Isna added. 'Show trial' There has been no independent confirmation of the executions or the names, but opposition groups had previously said Mr Ali-Zamani was sentenced to death in October. He and one other person were believed to have been convicted for ties with the Kingdom Assembly of Iran (Anjoman-e Padeshahi-e Iran), a banned monarchist group. Mohammad Ali-Zamani is reportedly one of those hanged At his trial in August, prosecutors accused Mr Ali-Zamani of plotting political assassinations with US military officials in Iraq before returning to Iran "aiming at causing disruption during and after the election". He is said to have admitted his guilt in court. The Kingdom Assembly of Iran confirmed it had worked with Mr Ali-Zamani, but dismissed the allegations and insisted he had been forced to confess. The group said he had played no role in the post-election protests and had merely passed on news to its radio station. Human rights activists also noted the indictment stated that Mr Ali-Zamani had been arrested before engaging in any actions relating to the protests. Nasrin Sotoudeh, a lawyer for Mr Rahmanipour, also denied he had played any role in the unrest and dismissed his "show trial" in July. "He was arrested in Farvardin [the Iranian month covering March-April] - before the election - and charged with co-operation with the Kingdom Assembly," she told the AFP news agency. Ms Sotoudeh said her client had been 19 when he was arrested, and that many of the charges related to the time when he was a minor. "He confessed because of threats against his family," she said, adding that his family had not known the appeal had failed. RECENT UNREST IN IRAN 19 Dec: Influential dissident cleric Grand Ayatollah Hoseyn Ali Montazeri dies aged 87 21 Dec: Tens of thousands attend his funeral in Qom; reports of clashes between opposition supporters and security forces 22 Dec: Further confrontations reported in Qom 23 Dec: More clashes reported in city of Isfahan as memorial is held 24 Dec: Iran reportedly bans further memorial services for Montazeri except in his birthplace and Qom 26 Dec: Clashes reported in central and northern Tehran 27 Dec: At least eight dead following anti-government protests in Tehran; 300 reported arrested In 2008, the Iranian authorities blamed the Kingdom Assembly of Iran for an explosion at mosque in the south-western city of Shiraz which killed 12 people and wounded more than 200. Correspondents say the executions may further increase tension in Iran ahead of possible new anti-government protests next month. Messages have been circulating on the internet about demonstrations on 11 February, the 31st anniversary of the Islamic revolution. On Wednesday, Iran's state media reported that two German diplomats had been detained and accused of playing a role in last month's anti-government protests. A deputy interior minister was quoted as saying they were detained on 27 December, the day after the demonstrations. He also said a close aide to the opposition leader, Mir Hossein Mousavi, was being held for alleged contacts with German intelligence agents. Germany's foreign ministry said it had no knowledge of the detentions and categorically rejected the accusations. Bookmark with: Delicious Digg reddit Facebook StumbleUpon What are these? E-mail this to a friend Printable version \|\|\|\|\| TEHRAN Iran executed two people on Thursday over widespread street unrest that erupted after the Islamic Republic's disputed presidential election in June, an Iranian news agency reported. The two were among 11 people sentenced to death on charges including moharebeh (waging war against God), trying to overthrow the Islamic establishment and membership of armed groups, the ISNA students agency said. The executions were the first carried out for election-related incidents and may further increase tension in Iran ahead of possible new anti-government protests next month. The presidential election, which was followed by huge opposition rallies, plunged Iran into its deepest internal crisis since the 1979 Islamic revolution and exposed widening establishment divisions. In the most serious violence since the aftermath of the election, eight people were killed in clashes between opposition supporters and security forces on Ashura, the holy Shi'ite day of ritual mourning, that fell on Dec. 27. "Following the riots and anti-revolutionary measures in recent months, particularly on the day of Ashura, a Tehran Islamic Revolutionary Court branch considered the cases of a number of accused and handed down the execution sentences against 11 of those," ISNA said. "The sentences against two of these people ... were carried out today at dawn and the accused were hanged," ISNA said, adding the sentences had been confirmed by an appeal court. It named the two as Mohammad Reza Alizamani and Arash Rahmanipour. "The sentences for the other nine of the accused in recent months' riots are at the appeal stage ... upon confirmation, measures will be undertaken to implement the sentences," ISNA said. ISNA said the charges included membership of two anti-revolutionary groups, including a pro-monarchy association. The reformist opposition says the June election was rigged to secure hardline President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's re-election. The authorities deny this. Officials have portrayed the protests as a foreign-backed bid to undermine Iran's Islamic system of government. Internet messages have been circulating about new protests on Feb. 11, when Iran marks the 31st anniversary of the Islamic revolution that toppled the U.S.-backed shah. (Writing by Fredrik Dahl; editing by Tim Pearce)	Two men were hanged Iran on Thursday, following their conviction for playing a role in the bombing of a Shiraz mosque, which killed thirteen people, last April. Mohammad-Ali Zamani and Arash Rahmanipour were charged with trying to overthrow the government, said the Iranian Students News Agency (ISNA), quoting a statement released by the Tehran prosecutor's office. They were convicted of being "Mohareb", or "enemies of God". They were also charged as being members of a banned monarchist group, the Kingdom Assembly or the Mujahedin Khalq. Prosecutors also claimed that Zamani had met with American forces in Iraq and discussed returning to Iran to carry out political assassinations. Some media reports have suggested the men were actually executed over last year's election protests. Rahmanipour's lawyer, Nasrin Sotoudeh, clarified that her client played no role in the June election unrest, pointing out to Agence France-Presse that "he was arrested in March–April before the election and charged with co-operation with the monarchist Kingdom Assembly". She added that he had confessed because of "threats against his family," adding that many of the charges were filed against him while he was a minor — he is now nineteen. Sotoudeh described the trial as being a "show trial", and commented that she hadn't been allowed to represent him in court. After the June election, which was widely disputed, there were several weeks of demonstrations and protests, which saw 4,000 people arrested by the authorities in a crackdown, among them journalists and reformist politicians. Several million people attended the protests, demanding a re-vote. Opposition groups asserted that the elections were rigged to favour president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, but the government denied it, saying it was a foreign-backed attempt to discredit the Iranian government system.
August 26, 2007 Sunday Sha’aban 12, 1428 N-capable cruise missile test-fired By Our Reporter ISLAMABAD, Aug 25: Pakistan on Saturday successfully test-fired a new nuclear-capable air-launched cruise missile “Hatf-8” (Ra’ad). The indigenously-developed Ra’ad, meaning thunder in Arabic, has a range of 350 kilometres and has been designed exclusively for launch from a variety of Pakistan’s air platforms, providing these with a strategic standoff capability on land and at sea. A statement issued by the Inter Services Public Relations said the missile had a low detection probability due to stealth design and materials. The Ra’ad can carry all types of warheads and has accuracy comparable to Pakistan’s longer-range cruise missile “Babur”. The president and the prime minister congratulated the scientists and engineers involved in the development of the new national strategic capability. \|\|\|\|\| LAHORE, Pakistan (CNN) -- Pakistan, a South Asian nation with nuclear capability, says it has successfully test-fired a new missile that "can carry all types of warheads." The army said in a statement that the country on Saturday fired an "air-launched cruise missile called Hatf-8, or Ra'ad -- which means thunder in Arabic. The missile has "a range of "350 kilometers" or nearly 220 miles "for now." And, it has been designed exclusively for launch from a variety of Pakistan's air platforms." "The missile has a low detection probability due to stealth design and materials used in its manufacturing. The Ra'ad can carry all types of warheads and has an accuracy comparable to Pakistan's longer Babur cruise missile." The development prompted President Gen. Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz to congratulate the scientists and engineers involved in the project. "Pakistan's defense will continue to be strengthened as an imperative of national security, they said, and assured all support to Pakistan's strategic program," the army said. Pakistan and India, its neighbor and nuclear rival, have carried out missile tests in the past and they have become routine. Both countries reached an agreement in 2006 that stipulates each will notify the other before conducting missile tests, and a Pakistani government official told CNN that Pakistan informed India about this latest test. E-mail to a friend All About Pakistan	Pakistan successfully test fired a new cruise missile on Saturday that is capable of carrying nuclear weapons. The announcement was made by the nation's military in a statement, saying that the air-launched Ra'ad (meaning 'thunder' in Arabic) missile has been successfully tested. The missile is constructed using materials and designs specifically developed for stealth and has a range of 350 kilometres, they said. The missile was developed exclusively in Pakistan, and, according to the statement, has been built specifically with Pakistan's existing air force platforms in mind, in order to give these 'a strategic stand-off capability on land and at sea,'. The statement also said that the missile's accuracy was comparable to Pakistan's long-range Babur missile, and that the missile is capable of carrying "all types of warheads". Both the Pakistani prime minister, Shaukat Aziz and the president, Pervez Musharraf, congratulated the team of scientists and engineers who developed the new technology. "Pakistan's defense will continue to be strengthened as an imperative of national security, they said, and assured all support to Pakistan's strategic program," according to the army.
Jay Glazer is a Senior NFL Writer for FOXSports.com on MSN and also appears every week on FOX NFL Sunday as the network's NFL Insider. Updated: August 7, 2008, 3:54 PM EST The Brett Favre era in Green Bay is now officially over. But his legendary career is not. The month-long saga has finally come to an end, with the Packers agreeing to trade their future Hall-of-Fame quarterback to the New York Jets, FOXSports.com first reported Wednesday night. "We're going to take this one year at a time," Jets GM Mike Tannenbaum said on a conference call early Thursday morning. "We're excited to have Brett on the team this year." FAVRE: THROUGH THE YEARS Photos: There will only ever be one Brett Favre. Take a stroll down memory lane and check out There will only ever be one Brett Favre. Take a stroll down memory lane and check out Favre through the years and his greatest moments Favre, who announced his NFL playing career was over in March, is expected to be introduced at a 6 p.m. news conference at Cleveland Browns Stadium before the Jets play their first exhibition game. Needing to get up to speed with the Jets' offensive playbook, Favre wanted to join his new team as quickly as possible so he can get ready for the club's season opener against the Miami Dolphins on Sept. 7. He spent the night at his home near Hattiesburg, Miss., before flying to New Jersey to meet with Jets officials. Favre's summertime soap opera ended Wednesday night when the Green Bay Packers traded their iconic quarterback to the New York Jets, who haven't had a star of No. 4's stature since the days Joe Namath was slinging passes and strolling down Broadway. Thursday's press conference in Green Bay took on a morose tone after the ugly split between Favre and the Packers. "It wasn't Brett's fault, it wasn't our fault but the relationship got to the point where we all had to move on," said Packers president Mark Murphy. "It's like a marriage that ends. It happens. Neither party is at fault." Reports heated up throughout the day Wednesday with both the Jets and Tampa Bay Buccaneers emerging as clear-cut frontrunners to land Favre, who will bring a long list of winning credentials to a franchise in need. Packers general manager Ted Thompson said in Thursday's Packers press conference, "The Jets were very aggressive, were very active and did a great job selling themselves to Brett and his family." In return, the Packers will receive a conditional fourth-round pick that could end up as high as a first-rounder depending upon how the Jets perform during the 2008 season. "I am looking forward to seeing Brett Favre in a New York Jets uniform," Jets Chairman and CEO Woody Johnson said in a statement released by the team. "He represents a significant addition to this franchise, and reflects our commitment to putting the best possible product on the field." Favre's new No. 4 Jets jersey already was for sale on the team's Web site about an hour after the trade was announced. As a result of the trade, the Jets released quarterback Chad Pennington on Thursday to free up space for Favre's contract under the salary cap. "It's a bittersweet moment for us," Tannenbaum said. "I have all the respect in the world for Chad as a person, as a player. We've accomplished a lot of good things with Chad ... He gave his heart and soul to this organization for a long, long time. I really appreciate everything he's done." The Jets went into training camp with an open competition between Pennington and Kellen Clemens after neither established themselves during a 4-12 season. Pennington was 1-7 as the starter and was benched midway through the season. Clemens went 3-5, but Pennington actually had the better season statistically. The Jets who've spent more than $100 million this offseason overhauling their roster were much more aggressive than the Bucs in their pursuit of Favre all along. The bigger issue was getting Favre on the same page as the Packers' front office in terms of being amenable to a trade to the Jets. Finally, late Tuesday, Favre talked to Jets head coach Eric Mangini and others in the organization for the first time as they tried to convince Favre he would be a good fit in New York. "He's coming to a new city," Tannenbaum said. "He's been in one system for a number of years. He doesn't have a lot of connections to our coaching staff. We were able to talk through moving to the Northeast and other issues." The Packers had been hopeful of getting a deal done with the Jets for two reasons. One, it was the better offer on the table as far as the quality of the compensation. Two, it sends Favre out of the NFC. This trade caps a roller-coaster offseason ride for Favre the 38-year-old owner of nearly every meaningful passing record in NFL history and the franchise that became synonymous with his No. 4 jersey. Favre's on-again, off-again retirement has monopolized headlines for the past two months as news began trickling to the media that Favre was second-guessing both his retirement decision and his status in Green Bay. The Packers decided to move forward with Aaron Rodgers as their starting quarterback after Favre announced his retirement in March. Given their commitment to Rodgers, team officials weren't particularly receptive when Favre decided a little over a month ago that he might want to play after all the latest development in several years' worth of flip-flopping about his football future. Favre announced his retirement at a press conference on March 6. At the time, the decision seemed somewhat of a surprise considering the success of Favre's 2007 campaign 4,155 passing yards, 28 touchdown passes, plus career-highs in both completion percentage (66.5 percent) and yards per attempt (7.8). Even Favre admitted at the press conference that he still knew he could play and that he would want to play again at some point before training camp began. Thus began the long road to Wednesday's trade. He requested a release from the team in early July, then gave a TV interview criticizing Packers management a few days later. The Packers filed tampering charges against the Minnesota Vikings, the NFC North rival that they believed was trying to lure Favre away. Favre applied for reinstatement to the league nearly two weeks later, and rumors swirled about his possible fate anything from a trade to a backup spot behind Rodgers on the Packers bench. After some hope for reconciliation between the franchise and perhaps its most beloved player earlier this week, the final split between the Packers and Favre became obvious Tuesday evening. Packers coach Mike McCarthy told reporters on Tuesday that after approximately six hours of what he called "brutally honest" conversations over two days, the coach had determined that Favre doesn't have the right mind-set to play for the Packers. McCarthy said Favre couldn't seem to get past emotional wounds that were opened as tensions mounted in recent weeks even with the chance to win his starting job back potentially on the table. "The train has left the station, whatever analogy you want," McCarthy said Tuesday. "He needs to jump on the train and let's go. Or, if we can't get past things that have happened, I have to keep the train moving." McCarthy spoke to Favre again Tuesday night, but there was no indication that their conversation did anything to change the fractured relationship between Favre and the franchise. "It was just very general," McCarthy said of the conversation with Favre, who was excused from practice Wednesday. "Just how he was doing, where he was with the process, things like that." McCarthy said he was happy the rest of his players were getting a chance to move forward. "We talked about it last night," McCarthy said. "The players want resolution, they want what everybody wants. To come out here every day and talk about somebody that is not here and then shows up, it's gone on too long, and understandably so. They want to play football." The Associated Press contributed to this report. \|\|\|\|\| The Brett Favre era in Green Bay officially came to an end late Wednesday night as the legendary longtime Packers quarterback was traded to the New York Jets, the Packers announced. The exact compensation wasn't immediately available, but it is believed to be a fourth-round draft pick that increases in value depending on how the Jets perform in the 2008 season. According to the NFL Network, if Favre takes 50 percent of total snaps with the Jets in 2008, the fourth-rounder becomes a third-round pick. If he gets 70 percent of the snaps and the Jets make the playoffs, it becomes a second-round pick; and if he gets 80 percent of snaps and the Jets make the Super Bowl, it becomes a first-round pick. The Packers had been talking with the Jets and Tampa Bay Buccaneers since deciding earlier this week that the team and the three-time MVP couldn't coexist. The Packers decided to move forward with Aaron Rodgers as their starter after Favre announced his retirement in March. "Brett has had a long and storied career in Green Bay, and the Packers owe him a tremendous debt of gratitude for everything he accomplished on the field and for the impact he made in the state," Green Bay officials said in a statement. Favre vs. AFC East Brett Favre was 1-3 against the New York Jets in his career, but now that he'll soon be the Jets' new quarterback, here's a look at how he fared against the rest of the AFC East. Team Favre's Record Bills 2-3 Dolphins 3-2 Patriots 2-2 "It is with some sadness that we make this announcement, but also with the desire for certainty that will allow us to move the team and organization forward in the most positive way possible." Packers general manager Ted Thompson, coach Mike McCarthy, and president and CEO Mark Murphy are expected to hold a news conference Thursday morning to discuss the deal. Jets chairman and CEO Woody Johnson issued a statement early Thursday. "I am looking forward to seeing Brett Favre in a New York Jets uniform," Johnson said. "He represents a significant addition to this franchise, and reflects our commitment to putting the best possible team on the field. Mike Tannenbaum and his football administration staff did a great job of navigating this complex process. I am excited about welcoming Brett, Deanna and their family to the Jets organization." The NFL Network also is reporting that the Packers took great pains to ensure that Favre would not be traded to the Vikings by inserting a "poison pill" in the deal. If Favre were to be traded to Minnesota, New York would have to surrender three first-round picks to Green Bay. The overall agreement was first reported by Fox Sports on its Web site. "We just felt like this was an opportunity to go get somebody of Brett's stature and what he's accomplished," Jets GM Tannenbaum said in a conference call early Thursday morning. "We felt it was in the best interest of the team, and when the opportunity presented itself, we felt it was the right move for us to make and we went ahead and did it." A number of fans made it clear throughout training camp that they wanted Favre on the Jets with signs and "Get Brett!" chants. Favre's new No. 4 Jets jersey already was for sale on the team's Web site about an hour after the trade was announced. Far From Great QB Play Since Brett Favre started his consecutive starts streak (which began on Sept. 27, 1992, and is at 253 games), the Jets have gone through 15 QB starters. Here's a look at how Favre compares with those Jets QBs. Favre vs. Jets QBs Since Starts Streak Began Favre Jets QBs W-L 160-93 113-140 TD 440 287 Pass Yds Per Game 242.3 195.7 Tannenbaum, who said he had a "good" conversation with Favre, wouldn't speculate as to whether the quarterback will play in New York beyond this season. "We had discussions with him and his agent, Bus Cook," Tannenbaum said, "and we're going into this and we're going to take this one year at a time and we're excited to have Brett on the team this year." The arrival of Favre signals the end of Chad Pennington's career with the Jets. Tannenbaum said there would be another transaction regarding Pennington, who spent his first eight seasons with the Jets. "It's a bittersweet moment for us," Tannenbaum said. "I have all the respect in the world for Chad as a person, as a player. We've accomplished a lot of good things with Chad. He gave his heart and soul to this organization for a long, long time. I really appreciate everything he's done." Favre left Green Bay on Wednesday, boarding a private plane that left for Hattiesburg, Miss., at 1:25 p.m. ET with his wife, Deanna, and Cook. Favre's family home is near Hattiesburg. In Mississippi, Favre confirmed that he was considering the Jets and Buccaneers. "We're working on it," Favre told Jackson TV station WJTV. "Hopefully, we can get something resolved. I've been saying that for quite a while now. I don't want to say we're running out of time, but I need to get into a camp somewhere." Favre, who is 38, holds most major NFL passing records and led the Packers to the NFC Championship Game last season, where they lost to the New York Giants. Favre threw what would prove to be the decisive interception in overtime. The Jets went into training camp with an open competition between Pennington and Kellen Clemens after neither established himself in a 4-12 season. Pennington was 1-7 as the starter and was benched midway through the season. Clemens went 3-5, but Pennington actually had the better season statistically. Meadowlands' New Tenant Brett Favre played 255 games with the Packers and had many memorable days at Lambeau Field. Now that he's headed to New York, here's how Favre has fared at his new home, the Meadowlands. Favre Career At Meadowlands Comp pct. 60.7 Yds 1,319 TD 8 Int 5 Passer Rating 86.8 W-L 3-2 Back in Green Bay, after some hope for reconciliation between the franchise and perhaps its most beloved player earlier this week, the final split between the Packers and Favre became obvious Tuesday evening. McCarthy told reporters Tuesday that after approximately six hours of what he called "brutally honest" conversations over two days, the coach had determined that Favre doesn't have the right mindset to play for the Packers. McCarthy said Favre couldn't seem to get past emotional wounds that were opened as tensions mounted in recent weeks -- even with the chance to win his starting job back potentially on the table. "The train has left the station, whatever analogy you want," McCarthy said Tuesday. "He needs to jump on the train and let's go. Or, if we can't get past things that have happened, I have to keep the train moving." McCarthy spoke to Favre again Tuesday night, but there was no indication that their conversation did anything to change the fractured relationship between Favre and the franchise. "It was just very general," McCarthy said of the conversation with Favre, who was excused from practice Wednesday. "Just how he was doing, where he was with the process, things like that." McCarthy said he was happy the rest of his players were getting a chance to move forward. "We talked about it last night," McCarthy said. "The players want resolution, they want what everybody wants. To come out here every day and talk about somebody that is not here and then shows up, it's gone on too long, and understandably so. They want to play football." Information from The Associated Press was used in this report. \|\|\|\|\| The Brett Favre era in Green Bay officially came to a close early Thursday morning as the Packers traded their iconic quarterback to the New York Jets. Jets officials — including owner Woody Johnson, coach Eric Mangini and general manager Mike Tannenbaum — clinched the deal by making a strong pitch to convince Favre and his family to come to the Big Apple. "He's coming to a new city, he's been in one system for 16 years," Tannenbaum said in a conference call at 1 a.m. ET. "Not a lot of connections between Brett and our coaching staff but we were able to talk though coming to the Northeast. PACKERS WEIGH IN Murphy says divorce no one's fault "We're excited that he's with us." Interviews with several people with knowledge of the situation earlier Wednesday indicated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers were Favre's preferred, and more likely, destination. However, an insider close to Favre said that although Favre was unhappy the Packers didn't grant his request, the Jets won him over and he will report. "In the last few hours, they really sold him on the idea," a person with knowledge of the situation said. "They actually made him feel more wanted there." Earlier on Wednesday, insiders had indicated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers were Favre's preferred, and more likely, destination. One of the points in the Jets' pitch was that Johnson owns about 1,000 acres of land within 5 minutes of the team's training facility, and Favre could hunt there whenever he wants. The Jets' officials not only worked hard to convince Favre, they also talked to his wife, Deanna, and one of his brothers, Scott, about the benefits of playing for them. The deal still must be approved by the league. Tannenbaum said he was slightly surprised he was able to pull off the trade. "My gut reaction was, I really didn't think this was going to come to fruition," he said. Although the Jets were 4-12 last season, they were active in free agency, signing offensive linemen Alan Faneca and Damien Woody, among others, and have high hopes for this season. "If you truly look at it, at their schedule, with a couple of breaks, they could go 13-3 or 12-4," the Favre insider said. NFL Network reported the Packers received a fourth-round draft pick for Favre that could escalate based on his and the Jets' performance. 'THE HUDDLE' BLOG: Jets could send as much as a first-round pick So ends a 16-year relationship between the Packers and one of their greatest players, in a manner that would have seemed unfathomable until recently — with an extended public feud leading to a parting of ways with the three-time league MVP. The Packers released a statement wishing Favre well. "It is with some sadness that we make this announcement but also with the desire for certainty that will allow us to move the team and organization forward," team president Mark Murphy and general manager Ted Thompson said jointly. FULL PACKERS STATEMENT: In 'The Huddle' blog The trade, finalized around midnight ET, came about 12 hours after Favre left Green Bay on a chartered flight for his home in Hattiesburg, Miss., following two days of talks with Packers coach Mike McCarthy and Thompson that left both sides in agreement they could not reunite. "It's in everyone's best interest to do it quicker than later," Favre told reporters when he arrived in Mississippi, before he knew of the trade. "I won't say we're running out of time, but I need to get into a camp somewhere." The Packers appeared to be waiting for the best deal from the two teams that had shown interest in acquiring Favre since Thompson began serious trade inquiries last month. Favre's trade talks got serious after extended meetings on Monday and Tuesday with McCarthy and Thompson failed to assuage the deep wounds Favre felt from his bitter standoff with the Packers over the past two months. Favre also was unwilling to do what it would have taken to leverage a trade to his first choice, the Minnesota Vikings, so on Tuesday afternoon, he asked Cook to "get the deal done to Tampa," a person close to Favre said. "The bottom line in all of this is playing football," Favre said after he arrived in Hattiesburg on Wednesday afternoon. "I've always been committed to my job. I know people say I should put the personal issues aside, and I agree, but I couldn't do that. On their part, they obviously had taken the stance at some point during this offseason that they were going to move on, and that's OK. They sort of changed that stance when I (first) got back up there. We sort of figured that would happen. Otherwise they would have released me, but they didn't want to do that, which I understand. "As much history as I have in Green Bay and success, I really didn't see the positives that could come out (of competing for the starting job). It was always going to be a distraction. It was best that they had a clear-cut path they were going to go on. If I'm going to play, I'll try to play elsewhere and see what happens." Favre hoped to facilitate the deal to Tampa Bay by giving up any attempt to be traded to the Vikings, which Thompson placed off limits as bitter rivals of the Packers in the NFC North. The only shot Favre had at a deal to Minnesota was to report for the Packers' training camp practices, where his presence would have caused such a disturbance that Thompson might have dealt him to the Vikings if that was the only team Favre would agree to join. "He could have stayed (in Green Bay), he could have forced the issue, he could have been a bad teammate," Cook told The Sporting News. "But that's not Brett. They asked if he was committed to playing for them, but they are in no way committed to him. At no time during this whole situation have they ever told Brett that they want him back. At this point, it's time to go separate ways." The Jets' preseason opener is at 7:30 p.m. ET on Thursday at the Cleveland Browns. Favre is expected to meet with the team in New York on Thursday and it's unclear if he will attend the game in Cleveland. Favre's former teammates with the Packers appeared relieved that his standoff with the team had ended, at least over whether he might return to the team. The pressure of such a public dispute between the team's management and one of the best players of his era had filtered into the locker room. "I think you could just tell (Wednesday), there was more energy at practice," tackle Mark Tauscher said. "(Tuesday's) practice wasn't great, and we're not blaming anything, but I just think there was a lot of tension and the environment wasn't great for it." Cornerback Al Harris said: "You know what got kind of tiresome is that we don't know, here in the locker room, what was going on, what's going on. We kind of wanted to put the pressure on them to answer these questions, because we don't know. Whatever has happened has happened. I still don't know what's going on." Only four days ago, Favre arrived in Green Bay to cheers from a throng of fans welcoming his return. Perhaps as soon as Thursday morning, Favre will board a plane for New York. Contributing: Jane McManus, The (Westchester, N.Y.) Journal News; Scott Zucker, USA TODAY The Green Bay Press-Gazette and The (Westchester, N.Y.) Journal News are owned by Gannett, parent company of USA TODAY	Brett Favre with the Packers in 2006.Quarterback Brett Favre has been traded to the New York Jets for a conditional fourth-round draft selection in the 2009 NFL Draft. The trade was later confirmed by ESPN and the Jets themselves. The multiple National Football League record-holder was the starting quarterback of the Green Bay Packers from 1992 to the end of the 2007 NFL season. Favre, 38, announced his retirement on March 6, 2008 after much speculation over his future. After a long dispute with the Packers' management, Favre was reinstated by the NFL and was pursued in trade discussions with the Jets and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Jets were much more aggressive than the Buccaneers in their pursuit of Favre all along, offering a conditional fourth-round draft choice in the 2009 NFL Draft which could be promoted to a first-round selection based on performance criteria. "Brett has had a long and storied career in Green Bay, and the Packers owe him a tremendous debt of gratitude for everything he accomplished," the Packers said in a press release. Jets general manager Mike Tannenbaum said of the trade, "We just felt like this was an opportunity to go get somebody of Brett's stature and what he's accomplished." The trade caps a roller-coaster off-season ride for Favre and the franchise that became synonymous with his legendary No. 4 jersey, which was planned to be retired in the Packers' home opening game. Favre's on-again, off-again retirement has monopolized headlines for the past two months as news began trickling to the media that the legendary passer was second-guessing both his retirement decision and his status in Green Bay. Favre was offered a $20 million dollar marketing contract from the Packers to remain retired. Now, the Jets may have to clear cap space in order to have Favre on their roster — who is due to make $12 million this season — which may call for the release of Chad Pennington. A comment from Jets GM Tannenbaum all but confirmed the release of Pennington. "It's a bittersweet moment for us. I have all the respect in the world for Chad as a person, as a player," Tannenbaum said, adding that an announcement on a transaction involving Pennington will come later Thursday. The Packer's official website states that they will be holding press conferences at noon and 2:00 p.m. CDT and more information will be released then.
FAIR Fairness & Accuracy In Reporting 112 W. 27th Street New York, NY 10001 MEDIA ADVISORY: CBS 'Memogate' Fallout: Selective punishment shows media's true bias January 12, 2005 From the media interest surrounding CBS's investigation into "Memogate," one would think that the credibility of 60 Minutes' report on George W. Bush's National Guard service was the most pressing media issue facing the nation. Shortly after the report about Bush's National Guard service aired on 60 Minutes (9/8/04), right-wing commentators and bloggers claimed that the documents supporting the CBS report were fraudulent and pointed to the episode as evidence of "liberal media" bias. In fact, the CBS review, headed by former Attorney General Dick Thornburgh (an appointee of Bush's father) and former Associated Press president Louis Boccardi, was not able to state conclusively whether the documents were forgeries or not. The report also found no evidence that political bias was a factor in the network's journalism. Instead, the report documented a series of misjudgments on the part of several CBS staffers, most notably producer Mary Mapes. CBS's investigation did document serious failures in 60 Minutes' efforts to check its source's claims--an endemic problem in commercial news. If "Memogate" had called attention to the general issue of credulous journalism, it would have performed a valuable service for the public. But the media discussion of the incident generally treated it as either an aberration or as an emblem of left-wing media bias. The hours of coverage of the Rather episode managed to ignore what should have been the central question: Did George W. Bush, in reality, properly fulfill his National Guard requirements? On September 14, FAIR noted that CBS was only one of several media outlets to release important reports about documented discrepancies in Bush's service record. Because of the focus on the CBS documents and the accompanying right-wing accusations of media bias on the issue, those stories-- and the important questions they raised-- were quickly dropped by a cowed press corps. The claims that this controversy proves that CBS, or the media as a whole, have a liberal or anti-Bush bias, are ludicrous. When CBS staffers got caught taking shortcuts on a story critical of Bush, it cost them their careers. By contrast, other reporters have received much less scrutiny and punishment for offenses of far greater magnitude-- and with much more significant consequences to society. The New York Times, for example, published numerous allegations about weapons of mass destruction in Iraq that turned out to be false-- such as one source's claim that "all of Iraq is one large storage facility" for WMD (9/8/02). Those stories, many of which were splashed on the paper's front page, did a great deal to sell the White House's bogus case for war against Iraq. While the Times has admitted (5/26/04) that some of its WMD reporting was "insufficiently qualified or allowed to stand unchallenged," the reporter most responsible for those stories, Judith Miller, was never sanctioned by the Times-- and indeed still continues to report on Iraq for the paper. Ironically, after MSNBC's Hardball finished its discussion of CBS and journalistic responsibility on January 10, the show turned to a discussion of Iraq featuring... Judith Miller. The lesson of "Memogate," then, is that journalists may be punished for bad reporting-- if they have offended the wrong people. If they have merely helped steer the country into war under false pretenses, their careers can continue unimpeded. Read FAIR's September 14 release at: http://www.fair.org/press-releases/cbs-bush-documents.html \|\|\|\|\| Four CBS News employees, including three executives, have been ousted for their role in preparing and reporting a disputed story about President Bush's National Guard service. The action was prompted by the report of an independent panel that concluded that CBS News failed to follow basic journalistic principles in the preparation and reporting of the piece. The panel also said CBS News had compounded that failure with a "rigid and blind" defense of the 60 Minutes Wednesday report. Asked to resign were Senior Vice President Betsy West, who supervised CBS News primetime programs; 60 Minutes Wednesday Executive Producer Josh Howard; and Howard's deputy, Senior Broadcast Producer Mary Murphy. The producer of the piece, Mary Mapes, was terminated. "We deeply regret the disservice this flawed 60 Minutes Wednesday report did to the American public, which has a right to count on CBS News for fairness and accuracy," said CBS President Leslie Moonves. The panel said a "myopic zeal" to be the first news organization to broadcast a groundbreaking story about Mr. Bush's National Guard service was a key factor in explaining why CBS News had produced a story that was neither fair nor accurate and did not meet the organization's internal standards. The report said at least four factors that some observers described as a journalistic "Perfect Storm" had contributed to the decision to broadcast a piece that was seriously flawed. "The combination of a new 60 Minutes Wednesday management team, great deference given to a highly respected producer and the network's news anchor, competitive pressures, and a zealous belief in the truth of the segment seem to have led many to disregard some fundamental journalistic principles," the report said. The piece was aired during a tight and hotly contested presidential race between Mr. Bush and Democratic challenger Sen. John Kerry. The timing of the story prompted charges of political bias against CBS News. While the panel found that some actions taken by CBS News encouraged such suspicions, "the Panel cannot conclude that a political agenda at 60 Minutes Wednesday drove either the timing of the airing of the segment or its content." The story, which aired last Sept. 8, relied on four documents allegedly written by one of Mr. Bush's Texas Air National Guard commanders in the early 1970s, Lt. Col. Jerry Killian, who is now dead. Questions about the authenticity of the documents were raised almost immediately. Some critics said the documents were most probably forgeries prepared on a modern word processer. Other critics questioned whether Killian would have - or could have - written them. The documents suggested that Mr. Bush disobeyed an order to appear for a physical exam, and that friends of the Bush family tried to "sugar coat" his Guard service. After a stubborn 12-day defense of the story, CBS News conceded that it could not confirm the authenticity of the documents and asked former Attorney General Dick Thornburgh and former Associated Press President Louis Boccardi to conduct an independent investigation into the matter. Their findings were contained in a 224-page report made public on Monday. While the panel said it was not prepared to brand the Killian documents as an outright forgery, it raised serious questions about their authenticity and the way CBS News handled them. The panel identified 10 serious defects in the preparation and reporting of the story that included failure to obtain clear authentication of the documents or to investigate the controversial background of the source of the purported documents, retired Texas National Guard Lt. Col. Bill Burkett. The producer of the piece, Mary Mapes, was also faulted for calling Joe Lockhart, a senior official in the John Kerry campaign, prior to the airing of the piece, and offering to put Burkett in touch with him. The panel called Mapes' action a "clear conflict of interest that created the appearance of political bias." The panel noted that the Guard segment was rushed on the air only three days after 60 Minutes Wednesday had obtained some of the documents from Burkett and that preparation of the piece was supervised by a new management team of executive producer Josh Howard and senior broadcast producer Mary Murphy. A key factor in the decision to broadcast the piece was a telephone conversation between Mapes and Maj. Gen. Bobby Hodges, Killian's commanding officer during the period in question. Mapes told the panel Hodges confirmed the content of the four documents after she read them to him over the phone. Hodges, however, denied doing so. He also told the panel he had given Mapes information that should have raised warning flags about the documents, including his belief that Killian had never ordered anyone, including Mr. Bush, to take a physical. Hodges said that when he finally saw the documents after the Sept. 8 broadcast, he concluded they were bogus and told Rather and Mapes of his opinion on Sept. 10. "This alleged confirmation by Major General Hodges started to march 60 Minutes Wednesday into dangerous and ultimately unsustainable territory: the notion that since the content of the documents was felt to be true, demonstrating the authenticity of the documents became less important." Mapes' telephone conversation with Hodges was part of a vetting process that the panel concluded was wholly inadequate, largely because it had to be done so quickly. The key executives vetting the piece were West, Howard, and Murphy. After rushing the piece to air, the panel said, CBS News compounded the error by blindly defending the story. In doing so, the news organization missed opportunities to set the record straight. "The panel finds that once serious questions were raised, the defense of the segment became more rigid and emphatic, and that virtually no attempt was made to determine whether the questions raised had merit," the report concluded. The panel believes a turning point came on Sept. 10, when CBS News President Andrew Heyward ordered West to review the opinions of document examiners who had seen the disputed documents and the confidential sources supporting the story. But no such investigation was undertaken at that time. "Had this directive been followed promptly, the panel does not believe that 60 Minutes Wednesday would have publicly defended the segment for another 10 days," the report said. The panel made a number of recommendations for changes, including: Appoint a senior Standards and Practices Executive, reporting directly to the President of CBS News, who would review all investigative reporting, use of confidential sources and authentication of documents. Personnel should feel comfortable going to this person confidentially and without fear of reprisal, with questions or concerns about particular reports. Foster an atmosphere in which competitive pressure is not allowed to prompt airing of reports before all investigation and vetting is done. Allow senior management to know the names of confidential sources as well as all relevant background about the person needed to make news judgments. \|\|\|\|\| Today's Top News Stories • Bush, Merkel seem off to a warm start - • Tornadoes, storms kill 1 in Ala., hurt 13 Fla. children - • Alito heads toward confirmation despite challenges - • Dec. producer prices jump 0.9%, but core PPI is tame - • Iran threatens to block inspections if referred to U.N. council - • Add USATODAY.com RSS feeds E-Mail Newsletters Sign up to receive our free Daily Briefing e-newsletter and get the top news of the day in your inbox. E-mail: Select one: HTML Text Breaking News E-Mail Alerts Get breaking news in your inbox as it happens CBS fires 4 over Bush Guard story By Peter Johnson, USA TODAY CBS News let four staffers go Monday for their role in last fall's disputed story about President Bush's National Guard service. CBS' 60 Minutes II questioned Bush's Vietnam War-era commitment to service in the Texas Air National Guard. George Bush Presidential Library, via AP The dismissals did not include anchor Dan Rather, who reported the story, or the executive who supervised all involved, CBS News President Andrew Heyward. An independent panel, led by former attorney general Richard Thornburgh and retired Associated Press chief Lou Boccardi, concluded that producers failed to follow basic journalistic principles in the preparation and reporting of the Sept. 8 piece. But the panel, in its report Monday, concluded that there was no sign of political or anti-Bush bias in the production of the story, as Bush supporters have charged. Republican National Committee Chairman Ed Gillespie praised CBS for issuing the report but said, "We should remember that today's report would not have come about without a vigilant public." Said White House spokesman Scott McClellan: "We appreciate the steps CBS has taken to hold people accountable, and we hope it will take further steps to prevent something like this from happening again." The panel, without naming names or handing out sanctions, also said CBS News compounded that failure with a "rigid and blind" defense of the 60 Minutes Wednesday report. Asked to resign were Betsy West, a CBS News senior vice president who supervised prime-time programs; and John Howard, executive producer of 60 Minutes Wednesday, and his senior producer, Mary Murphy. Rather's producer, Mary Mapes, was fired. (Rather announced in November that he'll step down as anchor of The CBS Evening News in March.) "We deeply regret the disservice this flawed 60 Minutes Wednesday report did to the American public, which has a right to count on CBS News for fairness and accuracy," CBS President Leslie Moonves said. At the root of the reporting fiasco, the panel said, was a "myopic zeal" to be the first news organization to break new ground about Bush's Guard service. That, the panel said, was key in explaining why CBS News had produced a story that was not fair or accurate and did not meet the organization's standards. The report said at least four factors that some observers described as a journalistic "perfect storm" had contributed to the decision to broadcast a piece that was seriously flawed. "The combination of a new60 Minutes Wednesday management team, great deference given to a highly respected producer and the network's news anchor, competitive pressures and a zealous belief in the truth of the segment seem to have led many to disregard some fundamental journalistic principles." The piece was aired at the height of the presidential race between Bush and Massachusetts Democratic Sen. John Kerry, prompting charges of political bias. But while the panel found that some actions taken by CBS News encouraged such suspicions, it "cannot conclude that a political agenda at 60 MinutesWednesday drove either the timing of the airing of the segment or its content." The story relied on four documents purportedly written by one of Bush's Texas Air National Guard commanders in the early 1970s by the late Lt. Col. Jerry Killian. Questions about the authenticity of the documents arose immediately. The panel said it could not prove that the documents were forged. But it said CBS failed to authenticate them and falsely claimed that an expert had done so. \|\|\|\|\| CBS fires 4 over Bush-Guard story NEW YORK (AP) -- Four CBS employees were fired Monday following the release of an independent investigation into a "60 Minutes Wednesday" story about President Bush's military service that relied on forged documents. The network fired Mary Mapes, producer of the report; Josh Howard, executive producer of "60 Minutes Wednesday" and his top deputy Mary Murphy; and senior vice president Betsy West. Dan Rather, the anchor of the "CBS Evening News" who served as the story's correspondent, announced in November he would be stepping down from his anchor position in March. Rather did not mention the controversy when he made his announcement. According to a CBS statement, an independent panel appointed by the network concluded that CBS News failed to follow basic journalistic principles in putting together the piece, which aired September 8. That failure was compounded with a "rigid and blind" defense of the report, the statement continued. "The combination of a new '60 Minutes Wednesday' management team, great deference given to a highly respected producer and the network's news anchor, competitive pressures, and a zealous belief in the truth of the segment seem to have led many to disregard some fundamental journalistic principles," the report said, according to the CBS statement. The panel, which was led by former Attorney General Richard Thornburgh and former Associated Press President Louis Boccardi, added that -- despite accusations of political bias against CBS -- "[the panel] cannot conclude that a political agenda at '60 Minutes Wednesday' drove either the timing of the airing of the segment or its content." Still, "the bottom line is that much of the September 8th broadcast was wrong, incomplete or unfair," Les Moonves, co-president of CBS parent Viacom, said in a statement announcing the firings.	CBS News dismissed four employees Tuesday, including three executives, in the aftermath of an investigation into a faulty news story about President George W. Bush. , who reported the story, is not included in these dismissals. The discharged employees were: Betsy West, senior vice president and overseer of CBS News primetime programs, Josh Howard, ''60 Minutes Wednesday'' executive producer, Mary Murphy, senior broadcast producer and Mary Mapes, program producer. On Sept. 8, 2004 CBS presented in 60 Minutes Wednesday program, a story about President George W. Bush service during the . The news questioned Bush's commitment to service, saying he refused an order to appear for a physical exam and that Bush family tried to favour him. The news relied on four documents apparently written by Lt. Col. Jerry Killian (already dead), Bush's Texas Air National Guard commanders in the early 1970s. Critics said the documents were fake. After standing its story for about 12 days CBS admitted they could not confirm the authenticity of the documents and asked former attorney General Dick Thornburgh and former President Louis Boccardi to start an independent investigation about it. The independent panel was not able to make any conclusions about the authenticity of the documents and found that political bias was not a factor, but it did criticize the producers for failing to follow basic journalistic principles when they made no attempt to verify their source's claims. CBS President said about the matter: ''We deeply regret the disservice this flawed 60 Minutes Wednesday report did to the American public, which has a right to count on CBS News for fairness and accuracy.''
Prince Charles pays his respects at the Cenotaph The service was the first of a series of events around Britain to commemorate VE Day - proclaimed on May 8, 1945. Parades, street parties and church ceremonies were also held and there will be a special BBC VE Day concert in Trafalgar Square this evening. At lunchtime, about 2,300 servicemen marched through Hyde Park. The prince was accompanied by the Duchess of Cornwall at the 81st annual parade and service of the Combined Cavalry Old Comrades Association at the park's Cavalry Memorial. He laid a wreath at the memorial before attending an open air service at the bandstand. Neville Gillman, 87, from Chesham, Bucks, a former Desert Rat, who is now president of the Sharp Shooters' Yeomanry Association, said it was a "moving occasion". "This lady came up to me and said 'I just want to take this opportunity to thank you'. What can you say. We just did what we had to do," he added. European tribute Ceremonies are also being held across Europe to mark the anniversary. US President George W Bush led commemorations at the US military cemetery in the Netherlands, where 8,000 American servicemen are buried. A service also took place at Berlin Cathedral in Germany and French President Jacques Chirac attended a ceremony on the Champs-Elysees in Paris, where he handed out medals to veterans. Around 265,000 British servicemen and women were killed in World War II, and tens of thousands of civilians died in the Blitz. The Royal Artillery Band played during the earlier Cenotaph service, which was led by Bishop to the Armed Forces David Conner, and attended by former servicemen. Every person in the United Kingdom who values their freedom should mark VE day James, UK VE Day: Your comments Some veterans, who travelled from all over the country to attend the event, were disappointed that the Queen and Tony Blair did not pay their respects at Whitehall. Jack Bruce, 85, of Edmonton, north London, a former glider pilot who served in the D-Day landings and in Arnhem, was expecting a large-scale national celebration. He said: "It's not good having something on such a small scale like this. If we don't have proper memorials the younger generation will never understand what we went through. "They'll have no idea of what it means to be at war." Peter Watson, 84, who fought for the Black Watch in France and Italy was disappointed at the small number of people present at the Cenotaph. "The word 'appreciation' keeps coming into my mind of the enormous effort that the whole country made to win that war," he said. "It has no impact on people's minds today, or very little, and that is a great loss." Better parade But a spokesman for the Royal British Legion said it was satisfied with the memorial plans and stressed that the Queen is due to lead further celebrations later in the year. "Even as late as the end of last year there weren't going to be events today, simply on 10 July," he said. "Veterans said that wasn't acceptable and that they wanted the day to be marked. " We will not repeat the mistakes of other generations - appeasing or excusing tyranny, and sacrificing freedom in the vain pursuit of stability President Bush, in Latvia Scots mark anniversary Welsh veterans remember Service held in NI At 2000 BST a Dakota DC3 will fly at 1,500 feet over Big Ben, Whitehall and Trafalgar Square. The flight by the plane, from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight based at RAF Coningsby, Lincolnshire, will signal the start of the concert, headlined by Will Young and Katie Melua. "Forces' sweetheart" Dame Vera Lynn will make a guest appearance. Up to 15,000 people are expected to gather in Trafalgar Square for the free event, called A Party to Remember. There will also be footage screened of the original Trafalgar Square VE Day celebrations from 8 May 1945. The concert, organised by the Royal British Legion, the BBC and London mayor Ken Livingstone, will also be shown live on giant screens in Birmingham, Liverpool, Manchester and Hull. Guernsey visit The Queen will also lead a day of national remembrance on 10 July - designated as the principal day of commemoration. There will also be ceremonies to mark VJ Day - Victory over Japan - to be staged on 21 August. The Queen and the Duke will visit Guernsey and Jersey on Monday to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Channel Islands' liberation from Nazi occupation. \|\|\|\|\| President Bush: "Freedom is the birthright of all mankind" More than 40 million people had lost their lives by the time World War II ended in Europe on 8 May 1945. President George W Bush laid a wreath at a US cemetery in the Netherlands, where 8,000 US servicemen are buried. Commemorations also took place in Germany, France and the UK, where the Prince of Wales laid a wreath at the Cenotaph in London. Germany was holding a two-day Festival of Democracy at Berlin's famous Brandenburg Gate, in a sign of reconciliation with past enemies and relief at the defeat of the Nazi dictatorship. Battles were fought by normal men who did outstanding things DW, Chicago, USA VE Day: Your comments In pictures: VE Day A planned march by neo-Nazis in Berlin was called off after thousands of anti-Fascist demonstrators gathered to try and stop them. In a speech to parliament, President Horst Koehler said neo-Nazis "have no chance" today because the vast majority of Germans do not support them. Victory's 'terrible price' At the Margraten cemetery near Maastricht, President Bush and Dutch Queen Beatrix laid wreaths after a salute fired by a guard of honour and the playing of the Last Post. "We commemorate a great victory for liberty. And the thousands of white marble crosses and Stars of David underscore the terrible price we paid for that victory," Mr Bush said. We should not forget the things that brought us together, that united us Russian President Vladimir Putin Tough diplomatic test How the Allies won "Americans and Europeans are continuing to work together and are bringing freedom and hope to places where it has long been denied. In Afghanistan, in Iraq, in Lebanon and across the broader Middle East," he said. Dutch Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende paid tribute to the fallen US soldiers, saying "they gave us the most precious gift - freedom". Military planes flew overhead in a "missing man" formation, where one plane breaks away from the group to signify a fallen comrade. Mr Bush later arrived in Moscow, where he and other heads of state will attend Russia's colourful victory celebrations on Monday. From Moscow, Mr Bush will travel on to Georgia. To mark Victory in Europe Day - or VE Day: Germany held a special service at the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church in Berlin and a ceremony at the main Soviet war memorial as well as a special session of the German parliament. In France, President Jacques Chirac attended ceremony on the Champs-Elysees in Paris, where he handed out medals to veterans and met school children. \|\|\|\|\| Prince Charles pays his respects at the Cenotaph Thousands of people across Britain have been commemorating the 60th anniversary of the Allied victory over Germany. More than 40 million people had lost their lives by the time World War II ended in Europe on 8 May 1945. Prince Charles marked VE Day by laying a wreath at the Cenotaph in London before meeting veterans in Hyde Park. Then up to 15,000 people gathered in Trafalgar Square for a special televised BBC VE Day concert, presented by Eamonn Holmes and Natasha Kaplinsky. Live concert At 2000 BST a Dakota DC3 flew at 1,500 feet over Big Ben, Whitehall and Trafalgar Square. The flight by the plane, from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight based at RAF Coningsby, Lincolnshire, signalled the start of the concert, headlined by Will Young and Katie Melua. "Forces' sweetheart" Dame Vera Lynn made a guest appearance. Every person in the United Kingdom who values their freedom should mark VE day James, UK Stars gather for concert VE Day: Your comments Anniversary in pictures "These boys gave their lives and some came home badly injured and for some families life would never be the same," Dame Vera said. "We should always remember, we should never forget and we should teach the children to remember." The free event, called A Party to Remember, also screened footage of the original Trafalgar Square VE Day celebrations from 8 May 1945. The concert, organised by the Royal British Legion, the BBC and London mayor Ken Livingstone, was shown live on giant screens in Birmingham, Liverpool, Manchester and Hull. 'Moving occasion' Prince Charles launched the first service of the day at the London Cenotaph. It was followed by a march of around 2,300 servicemen through Hyde Park. The prince was accompanied by the Duchess of Cornwall at the 81st annual parade and service of the Combined Cavalry Old Comrades Association at the park's Cavalry Memorial. Neville Gillman, 87, from Chesham, Bucks, a former Desert Rat, who is now president of the Sharp Shooters' Yeomanry Association, said it was a "moving occasion". "This lady came up to me and said 'I just want to take this opportunity to thank you'. What can you say. We just did what we had to do," he added. Better parade In Scotland, First Minister Jack McConnell attended a church service in St Andrew's Cathedral, before laying a wreath on behalf of the Scottish people. In Cardiff, veterans marked the day with a service at the cenotaph in Cathays Park and street parties were held in Birmingham, Liverpool and Manchester. Four Spitfire planes also flew low across Duxford near Cambridge - which was a fighter base during World Wars I and II. We will not repeat the mistakes of other generations - appeasing or excusing tyranny, and sacrificing freedom in the vain pursuit of stability President Bush, in Latvia Scots mark anniversary Welsh veterans remember Service held in NI There was some disappointment among veterans at the London Cenotaph that the Queen and Tony Blair did not pay their respects at Whitehall. Jack Bruce, 85, of Edmonton, north London, a former glider pilot who served in the D-Day landings and in Arnhem, was expecting a large-scale national celebration. He said: "It's not good having something on such a small scale like this. If we don't have proper memorials the younger generation will never understand what we went through." But a spokesman for the Royal British Legion said it was satisfied with the memorial plans and stressed that the Queen is due to lead further celebrations later in the year. On Monday the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh are due to visit Guernsey and Jersey to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Channel Islands' liberation from Nazi occupation. European tribute Ceremonies have been held across Europe to mark the anniversary. US President George W Bush led commemorations at the US military cemetery in the Netherlands, where 8,000 servicemen are buried. A service took place at Berlin Cathedral in Germany and French President Jacques Chirac attended a ceremony on the Champs-Elysees in Paris. Around 265,000 British servicemen and women were killed in World War II, and tens of thousands of civilians died in the Blitz. E-mail this to a friend Printable version \|\|\|\|\| Democracy on Bush's Russia agenda MOSCOW, Russia (CNN) -- U.S. President George W. Bush has arrived in Moscow to hold talks with President Vladimir Putin and attend a Red Square military parade marking 60 years since the end of World War II. Talk of democracy will be high on Bush's agenda with Putin, U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice told reporters Sunday aboard Air Force One. "While we need to acknowledge the painful history, it's now time also to honor the memories of those who sacrificed by moving on and building strong, free democracies," The Associated Press quoted Rice as saying. "This is not an issue of lecturing Russia. It is that the United States and Russia have a deep and broad relationship. We'd like it to get deeper and broader," she said. "And the issue of common values and how Russia's democracy progresses is one of the issues on the agenda, an important issue on the agenda." Bush's whirlwind European trip, which has included stops in the Netherlands and the ex-Soviet republic of Latvia, is a delicate diplomatic balancing act that has already led to Kremlin criticism. In the Latvian capital Riga on Saturday, Bush called the Cold War division of Europe after 1945 one of the "greatest wrongs of history" and referred to the "occupation and communist oppression" of the Baltic states. The Kremlin has expressed concern about Bush's visits to Latvia and Georgia, also set for this trip, because of Moscow's strained relationships with its former satellites. Russian officials also have objected to Bush's use of the word occupation in reference to the fate of the Baltics. (Full story) Rice said Bush will tell Putin that Russia should try to improve relations with the Baltic nations because they are neighbors and have a long history, AP reported. "The experience of the Baltics with the Soviet Union was an unhappy and tragic one," she said. "The experience of the Baltics with Russia does not have to be." Bush's private talks with Putin Sunday evening will touch on some of the most contentious issues spurring open disagreement between the two world leaders. While their public remarks are expected to be about the war, their behind-the-scenes discussions are likely to deal with more immediate issues. Those include Russia's moves away from democracy, Putin's recent comment expressing nostalgia for the Soviet Union, his plans to sell anti-aircraft missiles to Syria and Russia's assistance to Iran in building a nuclear-powered electricity plant. The two men have continued to openly express their friendship even amid the concerns over these and other issues, and Rice predicted Sunday's meeting would be no different. "I've watched them together and they are friendly," she said. "Their wives are going to be at this dinner." However, in an interview with CBS's "60 Minutes" to be aired Sunday, Putin said Washington should not criticize Russia's internal affairs because the U.S. system of electing presidents, including the Electoral College, has its own flaws, AP reported. "In the United States, you first elect the electors and then they vote for the presidential candidates. In Russia, the president is elected through the direct vote of the whole population. That might be even more democratic," he said. But he said he would appeal for unity at Monday's ceremonies. "We should not forget the things that brought us together, that united us," Putin said. "We have to look to the future to fight for the future of mankind and to fight especially against terrorism." Bush honors WWII dead Earlier Sunday, Bush paid tribute in the Netherlands to the Americans who died during World War II in the fight to free Europe from the tyranny of Nazi Germany. "On this peaceful May morning, we commemorate a great victory for liberty," Bush said Sunday at Europe's third-largest cemetery for America war dead in Margraten. "The thousands of white marble crosses and stars of David underscore the terrible price we paid for that victory." Bush compared the fight for freedom in Europe 60 years ago to his efforts to spread democracy today. "The world's tyrants learned a lesson -- there is no power like the power of freedom and no solider is as strong as the soldier that fights for that freedom," Bush said. "The free and peaceful world that we hope to leave to our own children is inspired by their example." Before his speech, Bush and Queen Beatrix laid wreaths in a light, chilly rain at the U.S. cemetery at Margraten near the southern city of Maastricht, where 8,301 U.S. war dead are buried. First lady Laura Bush laid flowers at the grave of a soldier, a Medal of Honor winner who served in the same division as her father. A bugler played taps, and military aircraft flew over the cemetery. Dutch Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende read from the diary of Anne Frank: "I feel the suffering of millions and yet when I look up into the skies I somehow feel everything will change for the better, that this cruelty will end, that peace will return again once more." "Freedom is a universal value," Balkenende said. "Faith, freedom and democracy unite us. Day after day we must work hard to cherish and promote our freedom. "Day after day we must remember we can freedom for granted. Day after day we must keep the bond between freedom and other values in mind." Bush held a working breakfast Sunday with Balkenende, while outside six people were arrested in a protest against Bush. The U.S. president is very unpopular in Netherlands, largely because of the Iraq war. CNN's Dana Bash, John King and Jill Dougherty contributed to this report. \|\|\|\|\| Europe marks 60 years since WWII In London, Charles and Defence Secretary Reid place wreaths at the Cenotaph war memorial. YOUR E-MAIL ALERTS Germany Great Britain Europe Prince Charles or or Create your own Manage alerts \| What is this? LONDON, England (AP) -- Solemn commemoration services and street parties drew huge crowds Sunday as Europe celebrated the 60th anniversary of Nazi Germany's defeat and the end of the continent's most devastating war. Prince Charles wore naval uniform as he laid a wreath before London's monument to the dead of both World Wars, while U.S. President George W. Bush paid tribute to American lives lost in the 1939-45 conflict at a cemetery in the Netherlands. "On this day, we celebrate the victory they won and we recommit ourselves to the great truth that they defended: that freedom is the birthright of all of mankind," Bush said at Margraten, Europe's third-largest cemetery for America's war dead. He was joined in the event by Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands. (Full story) French President Jacques Chirac and German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder also attended ceremonies in their countries to mark the close of World War II in Europe. Thousands of people, including Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, traveled to a former Nazi death camp in Austria to mark its liberation. Russian veterans gathered in Moscow to prepare for celebrations on Monday to be attended by dozens of foreign leaders, including Bush. Russia paid the heaviest price of any nation for Adolf Hitler's aggression, losing some 26 million soldiers and citizens. Around 6 million Jews were murdered during World War II, which cost some 50 million lives in total. China and Poland also suffered massive losses, as did Germany, Japan, Britain, France, the United States and many other countries. By comparison, some 10 million people perished in World War I, the previous most bloody conflict in Europe. In Berlin, Schroeder and German President Horst Koehler attended a cathedral service ahead of a wreath-laying ceremony at a memorial to victims of Nazism and war. Most Germans consider Hitler's defeat to have liberated them as well as the rest of Europe from the terrors of Nazism. But hundreds of supporters of an extreme-right party planned to protest the "cult of guilt" they say was imposed on the nation after Germany's surrender. Berlin police stepped up security ahead of the National Democratic Party march which gathered several hundred young men in black with shaven heads, some carrying flags in red, white and black -- the colors used by the Nazis and imperial Germany. Organizers said they expected up to 4,000 marchers. (Full story) In London, meanwhile, World War II veterans and hundreds of other spectators watched Prince Charles place a wreath of blood-red poppies at the Cenotaph memorial in honor of some 260,000 Britons who died fighting Nazi Germany and her allies -- mainly Japan and Italy. Queen Elizabeth II will lead national commemorations on July 10, which has been named Britain's main day of commemoration, and some veterans expressed disappointment at the modest scale of Sunday's Victory in Europe Day event at the Cenotaph. "We are all disappointed that the queen and the Prime Minister (Tony Blair) are not here, when we arrived we looked around and thought that this was a nonentity," said 83-year-old former Royal Air Force Cpl. Leonard Hamer. Further north, in the central city of Birmingham, people brought picnics to a street party, evoking memories of the massive street celebrations that broke out across Britain on May 8, 1945, the day an armistice was signed in Berlin. The Nazi capitulation was signed the day before in Reims, France, a week after Hitler committed suicide in his Berlin bunker. World War II raged on in the Pacific until Japan's surrender on Aug. 15. At the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, Chirac laid flowers at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier watched by troops from the many nations that united to crush Hitler. They included Australia, Belgium, Britain, Canada, the Czech Republic, Greece, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Russia, Slovakia and the United States. Jets flew over the graceful tree-lined Avenue des Champs-Elysees, streaking the sky with red, white and blue smoke -- the colors of the French flag. At the former Mauthausen death camp in Austria, thousands took part in a ceremony to remember some 100,000 inmates killed by the Nazis there. It was the last big Nazi death camp still operating when the U.S. Third Army's 11th Armored Division arrived in early May 1945. About 6,000 of the camp's victims were Spaniards, enemies of fascist Spanish leader Gen. Francisco Franco. Spain's Zapatero paid tribute to them at the camp Sunday. "As prime minister of the government of a democratic Spain, I want to pay homage, remember and express my admiration for all Spaniards who suffered in this concentration camp in its fight for freedom and dignity," Zapatero said. Poland's main V-E Day celebrations took place Saturday in the western city of Wroclaw. On Sunday, Prime Minister Marek Belka paid homage to soldiers who fought in WWII in a ceremony before Warsaw's Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Belka also referred to Monday's ceremonies in Moscow. For Poles, the end of Nazi oppression marked the start of decades of often brutal Soviet rule. "A ceremony in Moscow will pay homage to all soldiers of the anti-Hitler coalition," Belka said. "We want to believe that honest words of truth will be spoken there, about heroism during the war but also about betrayal and enslavement of the postwar years." \|\|\|\|\| WASHINGTON, May 8, 2005 The nation paid tribute to the "Greatest Generation" for the 60th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day today here at the World War II Memorial on the National Mall. World War II-decorated veteran and former Sen. Bob Dole participates in a wreath-laying ceremony with fellow veteran retired Army Gen. Frederick J. Kroesen at the World War II Memorial in Washington on May 8. The ceremony was in commemoration of the 60th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day. Photo by Samantha Quigley (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available. The focus was on the veterans present and the incredible sacrifices they made to protect freedom at home and abroad. Secretary of the Army Francis Harvey attributed the "blessings of liberty and the 60 years of prosperity that have followed to those who fought in World War II" in his address to the estimated crowd of more than 1,000 World War II and their families. "The United States today stands as the beacon of hope for the world because of what these Americans accomplished: victory over defeat, democracy over fascism, good over evil," Harvey said. Today the grandchildren of that generation also were held up as equals to their heroic grandparents, Harvey noted. They, like their grandparents before them, stepped forward when their country needed them and, like their grandparents, are making incredible sacrifices in the current terror war. "Just as Pearl Harbor was the call to arms for that generation, the attacks of Sept. 11 served as the call to duty for today's generation," Harvey said. "And just as America's soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines won the second World War, so too will today's generation, the grandsons and granddaughters of the greatest generation, win the global war on terrorism." Harvey told the group gathered that they had set the example for the today's servicemembers. He illustrated his point with stories of two servicemembers - one who lost his life to save those of his fellow soldiers and another who, despite losing both legs to a rocket-propelled grenade attack in Iraq, wants to return to duty as a Black Hawk helicopter pilot. "The courage and selfless service of (the two soldiers) and countless other soldiers serving today is a direct result of the values and influence of the greatest generation," Harvey said. "They answered the call to duty and set a shining example for today's generation." World War II-decorated veteran and former Sen. Bob Dole echoed the Army secretary's sentiments when he addressed the crowd. He said that President Bush's inaugural address had heartened him with its message of support for democracy and freedom for all people. "As he spoke," Dole said about the president's January speech, "I was reminded that for better or for worse, that commitment must constantly be renewed. "We're proud of what we achieved 60 years ago and what we have become," Dole noted. "We're also proud of the brave Americans who continue to renew our commitment to freedom and democracy." He asked the veterans present to stand, "so we can get an idea of who really won this war." He then asked the crowd gathered to look at those standing and imagine what life might be like had these "young men" not prevailed. What language would the nation be speaking? Dole inquired. Would U.S. citizens have the right to assemble on the National Mall for such a ceremony? "Then take another look at these young men and thank them for their service," Dole said. "There are five magic words: 'Thank you for your service.' It makes our whole day if you tell us that, maybe our whole week, maybe our whole month." Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs Gordon H. Mansfield commended the veterans not only for their courage and determination in war, but also because he said their attitudes didn't change upon their return home. "When they came home, those people in uniform, those men and women, took on the honor title of 'veteran,' rolled up their sleeves and went about the business of reinventing America," Mansfield said. "The change agent that made that reinvention possible was the G.I. Bill of Rights." The effects of that bill of rights can be felt in virtually every aspect of society, he noted. The G.I. Bill provided the opportunity for servicemembers to attend college, which created leaders of industry, doctors, scientists, city planners and statesmen, Mansfield said. "They were responsible for our space programs, for breakthroughs in medicine, the development of our suburbs and the rise of America as the world's most respected economy," he added. James Gillespie, of Christiansburg, Va., was among World War II veterans at the ceremony. He described himself as a former sailor who "brought the boys into the beaches." He came today because his daughters, who were also in attendance, thought he needed to be here. "My daughters brought me up here," he said. "I'll be 81 in June and they wanted me to see this. (The ceremony) is a great honor." Gillespie's view mirrored the overwhelming sentiment among attendees -- that the observance of the day they worked so hard for so long ago and so far away was indeed, an honor. "This ceremony was great," said former Navy radioman Avon R. Blevins. "I was glad to stand in for all my buddies who couldn't' be here."	The Arc de Triomphe during the May 8, 2005, celebrations Jacques Chirac and other officials The 60th anniversary of has been commemorated Sunday across Europe and the . * In Germany: and attended a service at the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church in and a wreath-laying ceremony at the main Soviet war memorial. VE Day is commemorated as Democracy Day in Germany, as Germans consider it to be the day when they, too, were liberated from . * In the United Kingdom: , wearing his uniform of in the , laid a commemorative wreath at the Cenotaph. is scheduled to attend the main commemorative ceremony to be held on July 10, 2005. At 19:00 UTC a Dakota DC3, from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight based at RAF Coningsby, flew over the Palace of Westminster, Whitehall, and Trafalgar Square to mark the beginning of a televised BBC VE Day concert. * In France: Jacques Chirac laid a memorial wreath at the at the . * In the Netherlands: and Queen attended a memorial ceremony at a United States military cemetery near , where the was sounded. * In : gave a controversial speech at a commemorative celebration of victory over fascism in , starting with "Comrades, ladies and gentlemen." He said that , a World War Two Croatian state, was "founded on crime" and is "a discrace and an insult to Croats." The role of and during the World War Two is still a point of debate in Croatia. * In the United States: Former Sen. spoke during a Sunday ceremony commemorating the anniversary of allied victory in Europe, May 8, 1945. The ceremony was held near the in . The 60th anniversary of is scheduled to be celebrated in , and other successor states of the , on May 9, 2005.
Ministers said their budget would get the economy moving again The Scottish Government has been continuing last-minute talks to win enough support to pass its budget. Labour and the Liberal Democrats intend to vote against the £33bn spending plans for 2009-10, after negotiations with ministers broke down. The minority government is hoping to get the budget approved in parliament, with help from the two Green MSPs and the Conservatives. Ministers said rejection of the budget could cost Scotland £1.8bn. Finance Secretary John Swinney told BBC Radio's Good Morning Scotland programme the budget would boost the Scottish economy. He said: "If people vote against the budget at 5 o'clock, they're voting against an increase in public expenditure of £1.8bn. "Members of parliament have to think how are they going to explain to their constituents that they've turned their back on investment in the Scottish economy, the creation of 5,000 jobs to support the construction sector. From a Green perspective, there is a lot of big, bad stuff in this budget Patrick Harvie Green MSP Brian Taylor blogs on the budget "The duty for me is to put forward a budget that convinces parliament and that's what I'm working to do." Scottish Labour, which wanted changes including more money for apprenticeships, said the concessions offered by the government were not enough. The party's leader, Iain Gray, said: "Despite a series of meetings, we regret the response from Finance Secretary John Swinney so far continues to fall short of what needs to be done. "Nonetheless our door remains open in the sincere hope that they will now consider their decision and act in the interests of the Scottish people and the economy." The Liberal Democrats' call for a 2p income tax cut has already been rejected by ministers. Meanwhile, talks have been on-going between ministers and the Greens, who have demanded a £100m-a-year free home insulation scheme. Mr Swinney has offered a lower-price pilot scheme, but Green MSP Patrick Harvie said he did not think his party's demand was unreasonable. He told BBC Scotland: "From a Green perspective, there is a lot of big, bad stuff in this budget. "I know that £100m is a substantial demand, or a substantial request, but there is a substantial amount in this budget we would be asked to overlook if we were to vote for it. "I really hope that John Swinney and others right across the spectrum will see the value of what we are proposing, and that we will see a budget pass this evening." Emergency measures It is thought the Conservatives, whose list of demands includes more action on hospital infections and a town centre regeneration fund, will vote for the budget. Ministers also hope they can secure support from independent MSP Margo Macdonald. The Scottish Government said its budget would support thousands of jobs and bring forward £230m worth of transport, health and education projects to get the economy moving again. It said that rejecting the spending plans would cost Scotland £1.8bn of spending in 2009-10, under emergency measures allowing ministers to spend at the latest version of the current year's budget. Bookmark with: Delicious Digg reddit Facebook StumbleUpon What are these? E-mail this to a friend Printable version \|\|\|\|\| Alex Salmond tonight put the Scottish National party on an election footing after his £33bn budget bill was dramatically defeated by the narrowest of margins after a revolt by three opposition parties. The first minister said he would present his budget for a second time next week, but warned that if it was again rejected by MSPs at Holyrood, his government would have to resign, forcing a major political crisis for the Scottish parliament. That would require Labour, which is the second largest party in Holyrood with one fewer seat than the SNP's 47, to try and form a ruling coalition. If Labour failed to do so, that would force a fresh election, mid-way through the Scottish parliament's normal four-year term. Salmond said: "We believe the budget is crucial to the people of Scotland. We believe it's our responsibility to place a budget back before the parliament. "If the budget can't get through then the government cannot remain in office. Under these circumstances, the normal thing would be to have an election and that's what I would welcome. Of course, other parties could have the option of forming another administration. "However, it's certainly my view that the people of Scotland would want the opportunity to comment and to elect a new parliament. For that reason, I'm putting the SNP on an election footing tonight." Salmond's warning was designed to rachet up the pressure on the Scottish Green party and Labour party, who voted with the Liberal Democrats to reject the SNP's budget for 2009-10, to agree a deal with his government on a revised budget. Salmond lost by only by the single casting vote of the presiding officer, Alex Fergusson, after the SNP secured 64 votes with the support of the Tories and independent MSP Margo MacDonald, tying with the 64 votes commanded by Labour, the Lib Dems and the two Greens. Protocol requires the presiding officer to vote for the status quo in a dead heat; on this occasion for the current £31bn budget. The defeat came after Salmond tried but failed to use his personal influence to persuade the Green party leader, Patrick Harvie, to back the budget, in a dramatic intervention outside the parliamentary chamber. The Greens had demanded an additional £11m to be spent on a free house insulation programme – extra spending that John Swinney, the finance secretary, refused to offer. Salmond's discomfort increased when Iain Gray, the Scottish Labour leader, raised the prospect of a vote of no confidence against the SNP government – a vote which Labour will demand if Salmond fails to get its revised budget bill passed next month. Tonight Gray immediately dismissed Salmond's threat of an election: it would require a two-thirds majority of the Scottish parliament to call one. "Alex Salmond is deluding himself if he thinks he can call an election. The Scottish parliament will call an election, surely he knows the rules." Swinney tonight tabled a new budget bill immediately after the defeat, and said ministers hoped to have a fresh vote by February 19 at the latest. Salmond insisted that he was determined to ensure Scotland's councils, health boards and other services had the £1.8bn in additional spending they needed next year. Swinney had stated his plans were "vital" for the Scottish economy, which was now slipping into recession. "At a time of serious economic difficulty, we need to get every penny into circulation as quickly as possible," he told MSPs. The latest official figures for Scotland's GDP showed yesterday that the economy shrank by 0.8% in the last quarter, and was now following the wider UK economy into a fully-fledged slump. His budget would include £230m in accelerated capital spending brought forward by 12 months from 2010, to invest in hospitals, roads and schools. That accelerated spending would protect 4,000 jobs, he said. Gray said: "They're in this position as a direct result of their own arrogance and incompetence. They've known for weeks and months what they needed to do in order to change the bill to get support from us potentially and the Greens. "They took it to a degree of ridiculous brinkmanship, to the extent that we've the first minister of Scotland skulking around the back of the chamber trying to broker a deal; that's pretty shocking." The collapse of the budget is a severe blow to the SNP. Earlier this month, Swinney and his senior advisers were optimistic they would be able to strike a deal with the Greens, whose two votes, along with the Tories' 16 votes, are essential for the SNP to get a one-vote majority at Holyrood. Over the last few days, it became clear the Greens believed Swinney's original offer to spend just £10m on a pilot project to provide free loft and cavity wall insulation fell far too short of their £100m-a-year proposals for a 10-year programme. During tonight's tense debate, MSPs noticed that Harvie was asked out of the chamber by Salmond, in breach of parliamentary protocols that MSPs must stay in the chamber if they want to speak in a debate. Harvie returned to the chamber and apologised for his absence, then delivered his bombshell: he would vote against the budget unless Swinney raised spending on the insulation programme to £33m - a 50% increase on Swinney's compromise offer of an initial £22m, one-year programme. "This isn't a last-minute, unrealistic or impossible or unwise demand," Harvie told MSPs. The Greens had sent ministers their very detailed proposals for a £1bn, 10-year free insulation programme on 1 November last year.	The debating chamber of the Scottish Parliament at Holyrood The Scottish Parliament has narrowly rejected the Scottish government's proposed £33 billion budget. The devolved parliament was tied 64-64 on the motion to approve the budget after two Green Party MSPs switched away from backing the minority Scottish National Party (SNP) administration. The Presiding Officer (speaker) of the parliament, Alex Fergusson, used his casting vote to reject the budget. Finance Secretary John Swinney of the SNP announced that he would immediately reintroduce it. The budget had the backing of the Scottish Conservatives. Green MSPs had sought a £100 million, 10-year home insulation scheme, whilst the Scottish government had offered a smaller pilot scheme. This offer was increased as the vote approached but failed to convince the Greens to back the budget. If a new budget is not in place by the start of the financial year in April, the current budget will rollover. However, Scottish ministers say this will cause a £1.8 billion cut in spending. Scotland's GDP fell by 0.8% in the last quarter.
NEWTOWN, Conn. (AP) — A former Connecticut death row inmate convicted of fatally stabbing a pregnant woman over a drug debt collapsed in prison Monday and died, according to prison officials. Robert Courchesne, 57, was walking inside the Garner Correctional Center at about 10:35 a.m. when he collapsed, the Correction Department said in a release. He was taken to Danbury Hospital and pronounced dead about an hour later. Courchesne was convicted in 2004 and sentenced to death for killing Demetris Rodgers in Waterbury in 1998. Rodgers was 8½ months pregnant when she was killed. Her baby, Antonia Rodgers, was delivered by emergency cesarean section minutes later, but the infant was pronounced dead after 42 days on life support. Prosecutors had charged Courchesne with capital felony under the section of the statute that allowed the state to seek a death sentence when there is more than one victim. The court upheld Courchesne’s conviction in the slaying of Demetris Rodgers but overturned his two capital felony convictions and his murder conviction for the baby’s death. The court ruled prosecutors failed to prove during the trial that the baby’s brain was functioning when she was born. Prosecutors decided to let Courchesne’s 60-year murder sentence stand rather than retry the capital case. The state has since abolished the death penalty, although it still applies to inmates already on death row when the law was passed in 2012. State police are investigating Courchesne’s death, but the Correction Department said it does not suspect he was the victim of foul play. Copyright 2015 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. \|\|\|\|\| The Connecticut Department of Correction is investigating the untimely death of an inmate at the Garner Correctional Center in Newtown, CT. At approximately 10:35 a.m. Monday, February 2, 2015, inmate Courchesne, Robert collapsed while walking inside the facility. Correctional and medical staff immediately initiated emergency and life saving measures. The inmate was transported via ambulance to Danbury Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 11:23 a.m. Courchesne, 57, was convicted in 2004 and originally sentenced to death for the murder of an 8 and ½ month pregnant woman in 1998. Courchesne stabbed the pregnant woman in a Waterbury bank parking lot over a $400 drug debt. The baby was delivered prematurely and died 42 days later. In 2010, the state Supreme Court ordered a new trial for Courchesne, saying the death penalty was improperly applied. Courchesne was spared the death penalty when then State’s Attorney John Connelly declined to continue his pursuit of the death penalty against him. Although Courchesne was taken off death row, he was serving 60 years for Murder. Even though no foul play is suspected, the Department of Correction and the Connecticut State Police are conducting an investigating of the incident. \|\|\|\|\| NEWTOWN, Conn. – A former Connecticut death row inmate convicted of fatally stabbing a pregnant woman over a drug debt has collapsed in prison and died. The Correction Department says 57-year-old Robert Courchesne (KOHR’-chayne) was walking inside the Garner Correctional Center at about 10:35 a.m. Monday when he collapsed. He was taken to Danbury Hospital and pronounced dead about an hour later. Courchesne was convicted in 2004 and sentenced to death for killing Demetris Rodgers in Waterbury in 1998. Rodgers was 8 1/2 months pregnant, and the baby didn’t survive. The death sentence was applied under a provision that allowed for capital punishment in cases where there were two or more victims. The Connecticut Supreme Court overturned Courchesne’s death penalty in 2010, finding the state hadn’t proved the baby had been born alive.	Connecticut murder convict Robert Courchesne, who had a death sentence overturned by the , collapsed in prison yesterday. He died in hospital an hour later. File photo of Newton, Connecticut. Courchesne was imprisoned at the town's prison. Courchesne, now 57, stabbed heavily pregnant Demetris Rodgers to death in 1998. In 2004 he was convicted of her murder and that of her unborn baby, delivered minutes after the murder by . Baby Antonia Rodgers spent over a month on life support before death was confirmed. Using legislation that provided the death penalty to multiple murderers the court sentenced Courchesne to death. Courchesne reached the Connecticut Supreme Court in 2010 and had the Antonia murder conviction overturned. The court ruled it was not proved the baby was alive at the time of the cesarean delivery. The death penalty was substituted with a 60-year sentence which prosecutors accepted instead of opting for a retrial. Yesterday's death at is being probed by police and prison officials, but is not considered suspicious. Courchesne collapsed while walking in the , at around 10:35 a.m. . Connecticut abolished the death penalty in 2012, but those already on death row remained sentenced to die. == Sources == * * *
Apple Launches iTunes & Online Apple Stores in New Zealand News : Apple, posted 6-DEC-2006 07:54 Apple has launched the iTunes Store in New Zealand, and at the same time started operating the online Apple Store New Zealand. The Apple Store will provide customers with Apple’s complete lineup of products, including the iPod digital music player, the Intel based Mac desktop and notebook computers, the iLife ‘06 suite of digital lifestyle applications, a vast assortment of iPod and Mac accessories from Apple and third parties and Mac OS X. Customers can custom engrave any iPod through the online Apple Store, and can custom configure their Mac to suit their individual needs. The online Apple Store offers special education pricing to teachers and university and college students. With a catalogue of over two million songs, the iTunes Store claims the title for the most music of any digital music store in New Zealand with songs priced at NZ$1.79, music videos at NZ$3.59 and most albums at NZ$17.99. Exclusive music featured on iTunes includes tracks from New Zealand artists Fat Freddy’s Drop, Brooke Fraser, Tim Finn, The Datsuns and Bic Runga as well as extensive catalogues from New Zealand greats including Shihad, Crowded House, The Black Seeds, Breaks Co-Op, Elemeno P and Dei Hamo. International exclusives on iTunes include albums from The Doors, Faithless, Incubus, Foo Fighters, George Michael and more. The iTunes Store features iTunes Originals from international stars Red Hot Chili Peppers, Ben Harper, Black Eyed Peas and Jack Johnson. The iTunes podcast directory currently features over 65,000 podcasts, including featured New Zealand podcasts from TVNZ, The Voice Booth and Radio NZ. Additionally, Apple announced that the iPod nano RED Special Edition is now available in New Zealand, only at the new online Apple Store. The iPod nano RED, available in 4GB and 8GB models, comes in a red aluminum enclosure and features up to 24 hours of battery life, Apple’s Click Wheel and an thin and light design. Apple will contribute a portion of proceeds from the sale of each iPod nano RED to the Global Fund to help fight HIV/AIDS in Africa. More information: http://www.apple.com/nz/itunes... Post or read comments to this article (scroll down). e-mail \| RSS \| del.icio.us \| Digg it! \| Seed at Newsvine \| Bookmark at Yahoo! \| Dot this Enter your email to subscribe to our daily email with news, reviews and articles: Web www.geekzone.co.nz Wi-Fi Hotspot Finder City or Zip/Postal Code: Country/Region: United States Europe Canada Australia Asia S. America S. Pacific Middle East With PriceGrabber you can easily compare prices: Search all Products Computers Photography Electronics Software Video Games Movies Music Books Toys Office Apparel Health & Beauty Home & Garden Babies & Kids Flowers & Gourmet Sporting Goods Musical Instruments for \|\|\|\|\| Renaissance won't handle iTunes or Apple Online Stores in New Zealand News : Apple, posted 6-DEC-2006 08:24, by Juha (website) Apple will look after the newly launched Online Stores in New Zealand for both products and iTunes music/video, its distributor Renaissance said today. The news comes after months of speculation over Apple's plans for the iTunes Store, and denials from Renaissance that it wouldn't be involved in it. The direct online presence for Apple in New Zealand doesn't mean Renaissance loses out on distributing Apple gear however. Renaissance says there are no changes in the contractual agreement between it and Apple; the company will continue as the New Zealand distributor for Apple. Without specifying details, Renaissance says "New Zealand will now come under Apple's worldwide pricing model." It hopes that this will lift demand for Apple products in the country. A quick look at the front pages of the Apple Online Stores in Australia and New Zealand show this sample pricing for the more popular hardware products: MacBook: From A$1,749 - NZ$2,079 MacBook Pro: From A$3,199 - NZ$3,799 Mac Mini: From A$949 - NZ$1,128 iMac: From A$1,549 - NZ$1,848 Mac Pro: From A$3,999 - NZ$4,699 iPod Shuffle: A$119 - NZ$149 iPod Nano: From A$219 - NZ$249 iPod: From A$380 - NZ$449 The figures above are taken from the website, but may not be directly comparable due to configuration differences and local taxes included or excluded. More information: http://www.apple.co.nz... Post or read comments to this article (scroll down). e-mail \| RSS \| del.icio.us \| Digg it! \| Seed at Newsvine \| Bookmark at Yahoo! \| Dot this Enter your email to subscribe to our daily email with news, reviews and articles: Web www.geekzone.co.nz Wi-Fi Hotspot Finder City or Zip/Postal Code: Country/Region: United States Europe Canada Australia Asia S. America S. Pacific Middle East With PriceGrabber you can easily compare prices: Search all Products Computers Photography Electronics Software Video Games Movies Music Books Toys Office Apparel Health & Beauty Home & Garden Babies & Kids Flowers & Gourmet Sporting Goods Musical Instruments for \|\|\|\|\| E N T E R T A I N M E N T S T O R Y RELATED LINKS Apple launches iTunes in NZ 06 December 2006 By REUBEN SCHWARZ Apple has finally launched the New Zealand version of its iTunes music store, letting Kiwis download music legally to their iPods. The iTunes store sells tracks from its two-million song catalogue for $1.79 each, with most albums costing $17.99. Music videos cost $3.59 and games cost $7.99. New Zealand bands on the site include Shihad, Fat Freddy's Drop and Elemeno P. It will also have free podcasts from TVNZ, Radio NZ and the Voice Booth, as well as international ones. Shoppers need a New Zealand credit card to buy from the site, or an iTunes gift card bought from the site by credit card. Many Kiwi music fans were feeling left out after Apple started up the Australian iTunes store last year. There have been sporadic rumours of an imminent launch since, rumours which reached a fever pitch earlier this week. Apple needs to negotiate separately with the recording industry in each country to sell music, which is believed to have delayed the New Zealand launch. The country is the 22nd where iTunes store has launched. Songs from the iTunes store will play on iPods, but not on other MP3 players without first converting the tracks to MP3 files, a process which is still technically illegal in New Zealand. Other music sites, such as Digirama, sell songs in the right format for these players, for $1.75 each. Other sites like Amplifier sell music as MP3s which can be played on any MP3 player, but these tend to be independent bands. It is the tenth digital music store in the country, but it will likely become the dominant player quite quickly, as it has in other markets. With two million songs in its catalogue, it will be the largest digital music store in New Zealand. Advertisement Advertisement www.apple.co.nz »EMAIL THIS STORY »PRINTABLE VERSION »SUBSCRIBE TO FREE HEADLINES »SUBSCRIBE TO ARCHIVESTUFF	Screenshot of Apple welcoming New Zealand to its online stores. Apple Computers announced today that it's long awaited iTunes store is available to New Zealanders. They also launched the online Apple Store New Zealand which provides Apple products, such as iPods, Mac minis, etc. New Zealand is number 22 on the number of countries who have the iTunes store and the tenth music download store in New Zealand. The launch means that New Zealanders can now download music to transfer to their iPods, legally. However the music is only available to iPod's as converting the music to the MP3 standard for other MP3 players is illegal in New Zealand. Some music download sites in New Zealand support MP3 formats, like Digirama which sell their music tracks for $1.75. The New Zealand iTunes store provides the most digital music tracks in New Zealand at around two million and each song costs NZ$1.79 or a music video costs $3.59 of which there around thousands, an album will usually cost about $17.99 and a game will cost $7.99. The music tracks also include New Zealand artists such as Brooke Fraser, Tim Finn, Fat Freddy's Drop, etc and also includes international exclusive albums such as Red Hot Chili Peppers, Ben Harper, etc. Eddy Cue, vice president of Apple, said: "We're thrilled to bring the iTunes Store and the online Apple Store to our customers in New Zealand just in time for the holidays." There were rumours surrounding the launch of a New Zealand iTunes store this week. The podcast section on iTunes also covers a wide range of podcasts, equalling over 65,000. The New Zealand podcasts include such companies as TVNZ (Television New Zealand), Radio New Zealand and The Voice Booth. It is commonly believed that the reason the store was halted until now was because Apple has to make separate contracts with each recording company in each country. iTunes is likely to become the dominant music download store in New Zealand, following the trend of other countries. The special edition iPod nano has also been released in New Zealand. The special edition is red in colour instead of the normal white and black colours. The special iPod is available only on the online store at the same price as the normal iPod nanos but some of the profit goes to help fight HIV/AIDS in Africa. Renaissance is New Zealand's distributor of Apple goods and will still keep its contract despite Renaissance not being directly involved in both of the new online stores. Renaissance said: "New Zealand will now come under Apple's worldwide pricing model."
Gaza blockade amounts to collective punishment: HRW NEW YORK (AFP) — Israel's blockade of Gaza denies 1.4 million Palestinians the food, fuel and medicine they need to survive, Human Rights Watch said on Thursday, calling it collective punishment and a violation of international law. The US-based international rights group also said in its annual report for 2007 that indiscriminate rocket attacks on Israel by Palestinian militants in Gaza also violate international law. HRW said that for the first time since the West Bank and Gaza Strip were occupied in 1967, more Palestinians were killed in inter-factional fighting than by Israeli attacks. "The Israeli and Western economic embargo of Gaza, Israel's almost total closure of Gaza's border crossings, ongoing lawlessness in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, and heightened Israeli restrictions on freedom of movement in the West Bank contributed to a serious human rights and humanitarian crisis," the report said. Israel, which has blockaded the Gaza Strip since the Islamist movement Hamas ousted forces loyal to Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas last June, on January 17 imposed a total lockdown on the impoverished territory, citing rocket fire. "The general population has borne the brunt of Israel's measure" in Gaza in 2007, HRW said. It said Israeli Defence Minister Ehud Barak's decision to cut fuel and electricity supplies to Gaza constituted "collective punishment of Gaza's civilian population in violation of international humanitarian law." The Israeli cabinet had in September declared the Gaza Strip a "hostile entity" because of continuing rocket attacks by Palestinian militants. Between January and October last year, 245 Palestinians -- "about half of whom were not participating in hostilities" -- were killed by Israeli security forces, the report said. "The Israeli army's continued failure to investigate civilian death and injury where there was evidence of a laws of war violation reinforces a culture of impunity in the army and robs victims of an effective remedy," HRW said. Israel also continued to restrict freedom of movement in the West Bank and annexed east Jerusalem and "to expand illegal settlements in the West Bank," the report said. "Settler violence against Palestinians and their property continues with virtual impunity." HRW also said: "Palestinian armed groups, rival security forces, and powerful clans continue armed attacks on one another." It said the worst violence was last June during fighting in Gaza between Hamas and Abbas's secular Fatah party, which saw the latter routed after an eight-day struggle in which more than 160 people were killed, among them 41 civilians. "Both sides engaged in serious violations of international humanitarian law, such as torturing and summarily executing captured and incapacitated fighters, including inside hospitals," the report said. It accused both sides of "unnecessarily endangering civilians by deploying in populated areas during the fighting" and "blocking the access of medical teams to injured persons." The rights group said neither Hamas nor the Ramallah-based Palestinian Authority in the West Bank made "efforts to investigate these crimes or hold anyone to account, further entrenching impunity." HRW said that despite Israel being by far the largest recipient of US aid, Washington had "not made the funding conditional on Israel improving its human rights record." \|\|\|\|\| Egypt police to shoot Gazans at Rafah The Egyptian security forces ordered to mind the Rafah border crossing Cairo orders a security cordon at the Rafah border crossing to open fire at the Palestinians fleeing to Egypt from Israeli raids on Gaza. The task force has been deployed to take a stance against the Gazans seeking refuge in Sinai amid continues Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip, Debka reported on Friday. This is while an increased number of Palestinians are on their way to the border crossing following reports that Tel Aviv is scheduling artillery bombardment. The blighted residents of the coastal sliver have sustained seven days of Israel's unabated incursion which have so far killed 430 Palestinians injuring nearly 2,250 others. The aggression started last Saturday with nearly 50 coordinated onslaughts. Meanwhile, security guards have suppressed and dispersed thousands of Egyptian protesters, who called on the country's authorities to reconsider their refusal to open the crossing point. On Tuesday, the Secretary General of the Lebanese Hezbollah Seyyed Hassan Nasrallah said that Cairo's cooperation was of utmost importance in defusing the crisis. "If you do not open the Rafah border crossing, if you do not come to the rescue of your brothers in Gaza, then you have a hand in the siege and the killing and in causing the Palestinian tragedy," he said. Thousands of demonstrators in Morocco, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Indonesia, Indian Kashmir, Jordan, Iran, Turkey, Australia, Vatican and the West Bank poured to streets on Friday to condemn the Israeli airstrikes on the Gaza Strip. HN/MMN E-mail this Story \| Print this Story Count of views : 1131 Share: Del.icio.us Digg Facebook Newsvine Reddit Technorati Translate this page by Google to French - to German - to Spanish - to Italian Comments Note: The views that are expressed and the links that are provided by contributors on our comment pages are the views of the general public and/or organizations and are not necessarily the views of Press TV or its associates. The views that are expressed and the links that are provided by contributors on our comment pages are the views of the general public and/or organizations and are not necessarily the views of Press TV or its associates. lana Tue, 06 Jan 2009 19:40:16 GMT Dear Mohsen, you and your brothers are blind people in the dark. What do you know about light of democracy and how people live in normal society without hatred for people with different views and religion? you and your "brothers" have no respect for human life, you are killing each other and even members of your own families if they disobey your "rules" and you talking about free and generous people of Israel - even now your palestinian "brothers" get treatment in Israelis hospitals. Mohsen Khaloudi Tue, 06 Jan 2009 11:33:53 GMT I`d like to say we Iranians always stand by our Palesinian brothers and sisters and won`t recognize a despotic regime called Israel . Wajahat Dewani Sat, 03 Jan 2009 18:58:34 GMT Dear fellow palestinian brothers, we kashmiris are with u always and we will be with u always... Name Email Address Enter the code shown Comments I agree with your terms of use \|\|\|\|\| Palestinian civilians are continuing to suffer as the Israeli military pushes deeper into the Gaza Strip. At least 548 people have been killed in the territory in the last 10 days, with at least 100 deaths reported since the Israeli ground offensive began on Saturday. Among the dead on Monday was a family of seven from Shati refugee camp, who were killed by Israeli navy shelling. Three siblings from one family, as well as a girl and her grandfather, also died in the Zeitoun neighbourhood of Gaza during artillery shelling. Emergency medical services have also come under attack with the al-Awda hospital in Jabaliya being hit by two Israeli shells, foreign human rights activists said. "Two consecutive shells just landed in the busy car park 15 metres from the entrance to the emergency room," Alberto Arce of the International Solidarity Movement said in a statement. "The entrance of the emergency room was damaged. At the time of the shelling ambulances were bringing in the wounded that keep pouring in." Medics killed On Sunday, an Israeli raid killed at least four paramedics as they tried to reach wounded Palestinians. Ambulances have also been hit in the attacks, Palestinian sources said. Israeli government officials say they are not targeting civilians, but only seeking to halt rocket fire from the Palestinian Hamas movement governing Gaza.There are also fears that the humanitarian situation will further deteriorate as the strip, home to 1.5 million people, is suffering from acute shortages of fuel, food and medical supplies.Iyad Nasr of the Red Cross in Gaza City said that the military operation has worsened the hardships created by the Israeli blockade over the last 18 months. "The size of the operations and the size of the misery we are seeing here on the ground is just overwhelming," he said. "We are trying our best to support the infrastructure that has been depleted ... and prevent the total collapse of the medical systems. Nasr also said that aid workers and emergency medical personnel were finding it increasingly difficult to move around the territory after the Israeli military effectively split it in two. "The ICRC has to contact the Israeli authorities for each single wounded to be evacuated with an ambulance," he said. Al Jazeera's Ayman Mohyeldin, reporting from Gaza City, said that many other Gazans have fled their homes taking refuge in schools converted into temporary shelters by UN agencies. "The United Nations says 13,000 people, over 2,000 families, have now been internally displaced because of the fighting, and that is just in the north of the strip," he said. 'People are suffering' Tzipi Livni, the Israeli foreign minister, has said that there is no crisis and that aid is getting through, but Christopher Gunness, the UN Relief and Works Agency (Unrwa) spokesman, said her denials were absurd. "The organisation for which I work - Unrwa - has approximately 9,000 to 10,000 workers on the ground. They are speaking with the ordinary civilians in Gaza... People are suffering," he said. Thousands of Palestinians have fled their homes and taken refuge in schools [EPA] "A quarter of all those being killed now are civilians. So when I hear people say we're doing our best to avoid civilian casualties that rings very hollow indeed." About 250,000 people in the northern part of Gaza are also reported to be without electricity. The main power plant has been shut down for lack of fuel due to Israel's blockade. The British-based Save The Children charity on Monday warned that newborn babies in the Gaza strip were at risk of hypothermia because of the power cuts and freezing winter temperatures. "We need to deliver more food and blankets to ensure that children do not die of hunger and cold," Dominic Nutt, a spokesman for the group, said. "People also must be able to move freely and safely so they can provide for their families when food does become available." Despite the crisis in Gaza, Mahmoud al-Zahar, a senior Hamas official, said the group was heading for "victory" against the Israeli military. He said that Hamas's armed wing, the Izz-e-din al-Qassam Brigades, had "given the most beautiful performances during its confrontation with the army that the world thought invincible". Palestinian factions have continued to launch rockets into southern Israel, despite more than a week of aerial bombardment by Israel and the ground offensive. One Israeli soldier has been confirmed killed in the Gaza assault so far, with at least 49 others wounded. Four Israelis have also been killed by Palestinian rockets.	Amidst ongoing Israeli bombings of Gaza, with the death toll of the bombardments up to 537 with another 2,500 people wounded, UN food agencies again warned that the people of Gaza are facing a heavy humanitarian crisis. "The current situation in Gaza is appalling, and many basic food items are no longer available on the market," Said Christine van Nieuwenhuyse, the World Food Program's (WFP) representative in the Palestinian territory, in a statement that was released on Friday. "This area ... is one of the poorest and most heavily affected by the recent conflict," she added. WFP officials said that they have begun to give bread to 15,000 new recipients, a number which added to the already large group of people that had been lining up for bread after two years of Israeli blockades of Gaza, the most recent of which began in early November. The blockades, surely a catalyst for violent Hamas attacks, have been condemned by Human Rights Watch as a "violation of international humanitarian law." Struggling Gazan hospitals say that they are completely out of even the most basic medical supplies and have little or no capacity to deal with further casualties. In addition, Israeli ground forces entered Gaza on Saturday causing an immediate spike in casualties and even attacks on the hospitals and paramedics themselves. As sewage runs through the streets, many Gazans are trying to flee the area by storming the border with Egypt, a move which Egyptian police blocked on Sunday and are planning to do so again today as Egyptian leaders ordered their policemen to open fire on Gazans trying to flee into Egypt. Hasan Khalaf, Gaza's assistant deputy health minister, described the ongoing assault on Gaza as "an Israeli massacre". "There is no comparison between what we have and what Israel are doing to us. The international community are standing unable to help us, and yet we know they have been helping Israel for tens of years."
Six die at Japanese hospital from suspected Hong Kong flu By BNO News AKITA, JAPAN (BNO NEWS) -- Six elderly people have died and dozens more are ill from a suspected outbreak of Hong Kong flu at a hospital in northwestern Japan, according to a local news report on Saturday. The Kyodo news agency reported that six people - four men in their 60s to 90s and two women in their 70s and 80s - have died between Sunday and Friday at a hospital in Kitaakita, in Akita Prefecture. They tested positive in simple flu test. A local health center confirmed through further tests on one patient that the person was infected with the Hong Kong A-type flu virus, which was responsible for a 1968 flu pandemic that killed more than one million people worldwide. Kyodo reported that a total of more than forty people are still suffering from flu-like systems, all whom are patients or staff at the hospital, and have been given influenza vaccinations. There were no immediate reports of infections outside the hospital. (Copyright 2010 by BNO News B.V. All rights reserved. Info: sales@bnonews.com.) \|\|\|\|\| EXCLUSIVE - Palin: Breitbart Is Here With the death of Breitbart, the conservative movement didn’t just lose a General – we lost an entire Special Forces Division. But he didn’t leave us without the tools and the knowledge we need to fight.	Six people have died after becoming infected with the virus in the city of located in the of northern Japan. Among the dead were four men and two women, aged 60 to 90 years old. All of them died between Monday November 1, and Friday November 5, while in a local hospital. Dozens more are suspected to be ill with the virus while another 30 others, mostly doctors and other hospital personnel, are being tested for the virus. Preliminary tests on the patients showed a positive result for the infection while further laboratory tests confirmed the presence of it. The virus killed nearly 1,000,000 people around the globe in 1968 and 1969. It was a form of the strain of . So far there are no reports of anyone infected outside hospital grounds.
It's fair to say that the people of Kasuya, a sleepy town in western Japan, had never given much thought to Japan's homeless problem. But that all changed this week when one of its residents noticed that food had been mysteriously disappearing from his fridge. Convinced that he was the victim of frequent burglaries, the 57-year-old resident installed security cameras that transmitted images from the inside of his house directly to his mobile phone. The culprit was not, as it turned out, a highly skilled and hungry burglar, but a middle-aged, homeless woman who had been living on the top shelf of his closet for several months. Police arrested the 58-year-old, identified as Tatsuko Horikawa, on suspicion of trespassing after she was captured on film taking advantage of the owner's absence to move from her tiny dwelling to the fridge in search of food. Police had arrived expecting to apprehend a burglar but found the front door securely locked and the windows closed. "We searched the house checking everywhere someone could possibly hide," a local police spokesman told the Associated Press, adding that the woman may have used the residence and other houses in the areas as makeshift sleeping quarters for the past year. "When we slid open the closet, there she was, nervously curled up on her side," he said. Police said they had yet to determine how the woman entered the property, where the owner lived alone, or how she managed to live undetected for so long. The owner, who has not been named, would not have been able to sniff out his uninvited guest: the woman took regular showers while he was out and, according to the spokesman, was unusually "neat and clean". \|\|\|\|\| By MARI YAMAGUCHI, Associated Press Writer Fri May 30, 3:21 PM ET Japan TOKYO - A homeless woman who sneaked into a man's house and lived undetected in his closet for a year was arrested inafter he became suspicious when food mysteriously began disappearing. Police found the 58-year-old woman Thursday hiding in the top compartment of the man's closet and arrested her for trespassing, police spokesman Hiroki Itakura from southern Kasuya town said Friday. The resident of the home installed security cameras that transmitted images to his mobile phone after becoming puzzled by food disappearing from his kitchen over the past several months. One of the cameras captured someone moving inside his home Thursday after he had left, and he called police believing it was a burglar. However, when they arrived they found the door locked and all windows closed. "We searched the house ... checking everywhere someone could possibly hide," Itakura said. "When we slid open the shelf closet, there she was, nervously curled up on her side." The woman told police she had no place to live and first sneaked into the man's house about a year ago when he left it unlocked. She had moved a mattress into the small closet space and even took showers, Itakura said, calling the woman "neat and clean."	In the town of Kasuya, Fukuoka, Japan, a 58-year-old woman was arrested after surveillance tape from inside an unnamed man's home showed her living in his closet. According to police, Tatsuko Horikawa had been living in his closet for over one year. One day when the man left, she walked through his front door which had been left unlocked. From then on, she would take small amounts of food from the kitchen and even take showers. When the man noticed food missing, he set up cameras to catch what he thought was someone robbing him. The woman had placed a small bed mattress into a enclosed shelf area inside the closet to sleep on and when police searched the apartment, they found her curled up in the closet. "We searched the house ... checking everywhere someone could possibly hide. When we slid open the shelf closet, there she was, nervously curled up on her side," said Hiroki Itakura, a police spokesman. The woman, who was described by police as "neat and clean", will be charged with trespassing.
Jurassic Park might yet come true: scientists have come up with a way of extracting sperm from frozen mice in such a way that it yields normal, healthy offspring. It raises the possibility that long-extinct species could one day be brought back to life. Sperm is often frozen for use in assisted reproduction for humans and other animals, as well as for conserving endangered species. Unfortunately, defrosted sperm are not always capable of fertilising an egg. Atsuo Ogura, of the Institute of Physical and Chemical Research Bioresource Centre in Japan, led a team which tried to overcome this problem by freezing the sex organs or a whole dead mouse for a week to a year at -80C. Sperm were then extracted from the mouse parts or bodies and injected into mature eggs. Mr Ogura's team froze the testes (where sperm are produced), the epididymis (where sperm are stored) or the whole mouse. Sperm were then extracted and injected into mature eggs. By freezing these larger parts of the mouse instead of just the sperm by itself, the DNA in the sperm survived intact and was able to fertilise eggs. "Obviously, those frozen [sperm] were all dead in the conventional sense," wrote the researchers in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. "Motionless sperm had no chance whatsoever of fertilising in vivo or in vitro. Nevertheless, some of these, if not all, were ... genomically intact, because they were able to produce apparently normal offspring." The researchers also found that sperm retrieved from mice frozen at -20C for 15 years were able to produce healthy offspring. They wrote: "If [sperm] of extinct mammalian species (eg woolly mammoth) can be retrieved from animal bodies that were kept frozen for millions of years in permanent frost, live animals might be restored by injecting them into [eggs] from females of closely related species." \|\|\|\|\| BODIES of extinct Ice Age mammals, such as woolly mammoths, that have been frozen in permafrost for thousands of years may contain viable sperm that could be used to bring them back from the dead, scientists said yesterday. Research has indicated that mammalian sperm can survive being frozen for much longer than was previously thought, suggesting that it could potentially be recovered from species that have died out. Several well-preserved mammoth carcasses have been found in the permafrost of Siberia, and scientists estimate that there could be millions more. Last year a Canadian team demonstrated that it was possible to extract DNA from the specimens, and announced the sequencing of about 1 per cent of the genome of a mammoth that died about 27,000 years ago. With access to the mammoths genetic code, and with frozen sperm recovered from testes, it may be possible to resurrect an animal that is very similar to a mammoth. The mammoth is a close genetic cousin of the modern Asian elephant, and scientists think that the two may be capable of interbreeding. The frozen mammoth sperm could be injected into elephant eggs, producing offspring that would be 50 per cent mammoth. The suggestion that it may be possible to recreate an animal that is at least part-mammoth has emerged from a study of mice by Japanese, British and American scientists. While many types of mammalian sperm, including that of humans, can be preserved by freezing, mouse sperm is vulnerable to damage that can limit its ability to fertilise eggs when it is thawed. A team led by Narumi Ogonuki of the Institute of Physical and Chemical Research Bioresource Centre in Tsukuba, central Japan, has demonstrated that sperm better survives freezing if testes, or whole mouse bodies, are frozen. Even sperm taken from mouse bodies that had been frozen 15 years ago was capable of fertilising mouse eggs and producing pups, the researchers found. The work has technical implications for the breeding of laboratory mice for medical research, but it also shows in principle that mammalian sperm can survive in a body that has been frozen for several years. This could mean that it is able to survive in similar fashion over much longer periods, as in mammoths frozen in permafrost. Restoration of extinct species could be possible if male individuals are found in permafrost, Dr Ogonuki said. If sperm of extinct mammalian species, for example the woolly mammoth, can be retrieved from animal bodies that were kept frozen for millions of years in permanent frost, live animals might be restored by injecting them into oocytes [eggs] from females of closely related species. \|\|\|\|\| Some of the mice were fathered by adults that died 15 years ago One in five female mice undergoing IVF with sperm extracted from the dead mice had healthy, fertile pups. It offers hope to those trying to bring extinct animals back from the dead, they report in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. One idea would be to inject frozen mammoth sperm recovered from the ice into the eggs of female elephants. The researchers wrote: "If spermatozoa of extinct mammalian species (eg woolly mammoths) can be retrieved from animal bodies that were kept frozen for millions of years in permanent frost, live animals might be restored by injecting them into oocytes from females of closely related species." Ice Age The team, led by Atsuo Ogura of the Institute of Physical and Chemical Research Bioresource Center in Tsukuba, Japan, harvested sperm from intact testes and, in some cases, the entire mouse, of specimens stored at -20C for up to 15 years. They did not use hi-tech cryo-protection techniques, simply storing whole testes or bodies in a freezer. The sperm appeared lifeless when thawed out but researchers were surprised to find that they produced viable offspring. However, the chances of being able to recreate a woolly mammoth - or at least, an elephant with a woolly mammoth father, are thought to be slim. Any mammoth recovered from the permafrost would have spent more than 10,000 years in a frozen state. It would also have been frozen relatively slowly, making it liable to damage from bacteria and other micro-organisms.	According to Japanese and American scientists, healthy offspring have resulted from the injection of sperm into female mice from male mice that have been in a deep freeze for 15 years. The mice, as a whole, were kept frozen in temperatures of -20 degrees celsius. Scientists at the Institute of Physical and Chemical Research Bioresource Center which is located in Tsukuba, Japan, say that cryogenic techniques were not used and that the mice were kept in a freezer. Scientists also say that the sperm was not alive when it was thawed out. At least one out of every five females that were injected with the sperm, gave birth to healthy offspring which are also fertile. "Obviously, those frozen sperm were all dead in the conventional sense. Motionless sperm had no chance whatsoever of fertilising in vivo or in vitro. Nevertheless, some of these, if not all, were ... genomically intact, because they were able to produce apparently normal offspring," said the researchers. The idea behind the experiment is that scientists say that the results now make it possible to bring back prehistoric animals or extinct animals such as the woolly mammoth, but because any fully intact body found would have been frozen for over 10,000 years and would likely be too damaged organisms and bacterias. Endangered species such as elephants could also be reproduced, but scientists also say that the chances of an experiment like that of being successful are still "slim." "Restoration of extinct species could be possible if male individuals are found in permafrost. If sperm of extinct mammalian species, for example the woolly mammoth, can be retrieved from animal bodies that were kept frozen for millions of years in permanent frost, live animals might be restored by injecting them into oocytes eggs from females of closely related species," said Dr. Narumi Ogonuki, head of the team who made the discovery.
The entry on Dolly the sheep was said to contain inaccuracies The report, published in December last year, compared the accuracy of online offerings from Encyclopaedia Britannica and Wikipedia. Nature found that both were about as accurate as each other on science. Encyclopaedia Britannica has hit back at the findings, calling for the paper to be retracted. In a document on its website, Encyclopaedia Britannica said that the Nature study contained "a pattern of sloppiness, indifference to basic scholarly standards, and flagrant errors so numerous they completely invalidated the results". The scholarly slanging match prompted an equally robust response from Nature. "We reject those accusations, and are confident our comparisons are fair," it said in a statement. Nature said it did not intend to retract the original article. Online collaboration The original study was conducted by the Nature news team. They asked a number of scientists to assess 50 pairs of articles from relative newcomer Wikipedia and from the well established encyclopaedia. Wikipedia was founded in 2001 and is based on wikis, open-source software which allows anyone to edit, add, delete, or replace an entry. It relies on volunteer contributors to update its pages. Topics in the Nature study were as diverse as the Archimedes Principle and Dolly the sheep. The reviewers were asked to check for errors, but were not told about the source of the information. The study found only eight serious errors, such as misinterpretations of important concepts, four from each encyclopaedia. However, Nature also claimed to have found other factual errors: 162 in Wikipedia and 123 in Britannica. Wikipedia criticisms Although the longer established encyclopaedia does not claim to be error free, it said that the research "grossly exaggerated Britannica's inaccuracies" and that according to the figures "Britannica was far more accurate than Wikipedia". In a lengthy document, it went on to rebut more than 50 specific points raised in the study. Following the Nature study, both Wikipedia and the Britannica made corrections to some of their entries. Late last year, Wikipedia came under fire for the accuracy of its articles. In particular, prominent US journalist John Seigenthaler attacked an entry that incorrectly named him as a suspect in the assassinations of President John F Kennedy and his brother, Robert. The false information was the work of Tennessean Brian Chase, who said he was trying to trick a co-worker. Wikipedia responded to the criticisms by tightening up procedures. \|\|\|\|\| Study by Nature was 'fatally flawed' says Britannica The Encyclopaedia Britannica has lashed out at a recent study by Nature which claimed that Wikipedia "comes close" to Britannica's accuracy in covering scientific topics. Nature compared 50 entries in the online versions of both encyclopaedias and counted 123 inaccuracies in Britannica and 162 in Wikipedia. The magazine used a panel of researchers who received texts from the publications without knowing the source and asked them to hunt for errors and omissions. While Britannica is compiled by a team of paid researchers, Wikipedia relies on the public to enter information and hunt for inaccuracies. Nature's study was published shortly after several reports emerged about inaccuracies in Wikipedia, which prompted the service to bolster its editing and reviewing guidelines. Claiming that the Nature study was "fatally flawed", Britannica has published a 20-page rebuttal (PDF download) in which it attempts to discredit the study. "The entire undertaking, from the study's methodology to the misleading way that Nature 'spun' the story, was misconceived," the document alleges. "The facts call for a complete retraction of the study and the article in which it was reported." The Britannica paper highlighted several inconsistencies. Reviewers claiming that Britannica omitted certain information did so because they were presented with excerpts rather than the full entry. In another case, Nature rearranged and re-edited Britannica articles. A third complaint pointed out that Nature used text from the more basic student edition of the encyclopaedia. Nature stated that it has no intention of retracting the study. "We feel this was a reasonable characterisation," the scientific publication claimed (PDF download). It admitted that some of Britannica's criticism was valid, but replied that both Britannica and Wikipedia were treated in the same way and that any procedural inaccuracies would have affected both publications equally. "Because the reviewers were blind to the source of the material there is absolutely no reason to think that any errors they made would have systematically altered the results of our inquiry," said the publication. \|\|\|\|\| Nature magazine has some tough questions to answer after it let its Wikipedia fetish get the better of its responsibilities to reporting science. The Encyclopedia Britannica has published a devastating response to Nature's December comparison of Wikipedia and Britannica, and accuses the journal of misrepresenting its own evidence. Where the evidence didn't fit, says Britannica, Nature's news team just made it up. Britannica has called on the journal to repudiate the report, which was put together by its news team. Independent experts were sent 50 unattributed articles from both Wikipedia and Britannica, and the journal claimed that Britannica turned up 123 "errors" to Wikipedia's 162. But Nature sent only misleading fragments of some Britannica articles to the reviewers, sent extracts of the children's version and Britannica's "book of the year" to others, and in one case, simply stitched together bits from different articles and inserted its own material, passing it off as a single Britannica entry. Nice "Mash-Up" - but bad science. "Almost everything about the journal's investigation, from the criteria for identifying inaccuracies to the discrepancy between the article text and its headline, was wrong and misleading," says Britannica. "Dozens of inaccuracies attributed to the Britannica were not inaccuracies at all, and a number of the articles Nature examined were not even in the Encyclopedia Britannica. The study was so poorly carried out and its findings so error-laden that it was completely without merit." In one case, for example. Nature's peer reviewer was sent only the 350 word introduction to a 6,000 word Britannica article on lipids - which was criticized for containing omissions. A pattern also emerges which raises questions about the choice of the domain experts picked by Nature's journalists. Several got their facts wrong, and in many other cases, simply offered differences of opinion. "Dozens of the so-called inaccuracies they attributed to us were nothing of the kind; they were the result of reviewers expressing opinions that differed from ours about what should be included in an encyclopedia article. In these cases Britannica's coverage was actually sound." Nature only published a summary of the errors its experts found some time after the initial story, and has yet to disclose all the reviewer's notes. So how could a respected science publication make such a grave series of errors? \|\|\|\|\| If you found this interesting or useful, please use the links to the services below to share it with other readers. You will need a free account with each service to share an item via that service. \|\|\|\|\| Britannica responds to Nature Three months after the prestigious science journal Nature published a comparison of the accuracy of 42 science articles in the online version of Encyclopædia Britannica and Wikipedia (see archived story), Encyclopædia Britannica Inc (EBI) has published a response to the study. The 20-page open letter, titled "Fatally Flawed", was published in PDF format and linked from the "EB News" box at http://www.britannica.com/ on March 22. (An HTML version is also available.) According to the Associated Press, an email from Patricia A. Ginnis (Senior Vice President at EBI) was sent to 5000 customers pointing towards the PDF file. The Wall Street Journal [1] said that EBI will also publish half-page-advertisements[2] defending their position on Monday 27 March in a group of English newspapers. Encyclopædia Britannica Inc. denounced the Nature study, stating that "almost everything about the journal’s investigation, from the criteria for identifying inaccuracies to the discrepancy between the article text and its headline, was wrong and misleading," and called for the journal to make a public retraction of the article. EBI criticized Nature for rearranging, reediting, and excerpting Britannica articles; mistakenly identifying inaccuracies; reviewing texts that were not part of the encyclopedia proper; failing to fact-check the inaccuracies its reviewers cited; and misrepresenting its findings in the article headline and in the editorial which accompanied the news article. EBI then went on to detail their disputes with about half of the errors found by Nature, in many cases simply rejecting the criticism outright. They indirectly acknowledged that the other half of the errors were correctly identified, and Tom Panelas, EBI spokesman, was quoted as stating that some of the errors were already known but so far had not been corrected. Neither Nature nor EBI identified how long these errors had been known at Britannica. The Associated Press story about the dispute was widely covered in the mass media (see further press coverage). Nature's response On March 23, the staff of Nature published a similar PDF document, responding to EBI's accusations of "misrepresentation, sloppiness and indifference to scholarly standards". Nature firmly rejected those accusations, and stood by their belief that the comparisons were fairly made; they do not plan to make any retractions. Nature says that EBI objected privately to the article when it was first published, but that after they (and Wikipedia) were given access to the reviewer's comments a few weeks after publication, the journal "did not receive any further correspondence until the publication of its open letter", and says it regrets the public and acrimonious nature of this exchange. One of EBI's most vigorous objections is that the reviewers were given short excerpts of longer Britannica articles, or versions taken from their Student Encyclopedia or from past editions of their Book of the Year (which, by design, includes more personal opinion and theory than the standard EB article). Nature countered that on each website, researchers compiled whatever material was presented to them upon searching for the scientific term in question, and that the student and yearbook editions appear prominently in Britannica's search results. EBI is correct that the study undertaken by Nature was not one of their usual, rigorously peer-reviewed scientific articles; it was a more informal survey made by journalists on their news staff, and published in their news section, separate from the articles at the heart of the journal. However, Nature says that while some editorial judgement was involved in turning reviewers' comments into numerical scores, that judgement was applied "diligently and fairly" to both encyclopedias, and that "because the reviewers were blind to the source of the material they were evaluating, and material from both sources was treated the same way, there is absolutely no reason to think that any errors they made would have systematically altered the results of our inquiry." Wikipedia's response Neither founder Jimmy Wales nor the collective staff of Wikipedia have made a public response to EBI's accusations. They have, however, gathered some reference information for Wikimedia Foundation volunteer press representatives to use in answering media questions. That document notes a project to correct all Wikipedia errors noted in the Nature study, created on December 22, the day Nature released the data. Thirty-four days later, on January 25, all errors were reported corrected (see archived story). The document also says, in part, "Wikipedia, and all Wikimedia Foundation projects, are not in competition with EBI or other companies in the business of reference works. Our goals differ significantly from other reference publishers, and only overlap in that we are all striving to create accurate and useful knowledge tools."	1913 advertisement for the Britannica ''Encyclopædia Britannica'' has strongly criticised the scientific journal ''Nature'' for last year's investigation into the encyclopedia's accuracy compared to that of the open-source online encyclopedia, Wikipedia. ''Britannica'' also called for a retraction of the article. ''Nature'' has rejected the accusations, saying that their comparison was fair and that they do not intend to retract their report. In a 20-page response (titled "Fatally Flawed") to the report's findings that there was not a significant difference in accuracy between the two encyclopædias, Britannica wrote that 'Almost everything about the journal's investigation ... was wrong and misleading.' The document goes on to call the investigation 'invalid', 'completely without merit' and 'careless'. Britannica also accused ''Nature'' of 'misrepresenting its own results'. The last 12 pages of this comprehensive rebuttal are responses to specific article criticisms, mainly consisting of differences of opinion on style and article composition, but some citing outright factual errors on ''Nature'''s part. In their response, ''Nature'' refused to reveal their original data for comparison, and commented that ''Britannica'' had raised their grievances in private some time ago, and then received no further correspondence until ''Britannica'''s open letter of 22 March 2006. ''Nature'' notes that ''Britannica'' criticised 'less than half the points their reviewers raised', and states that the two encyclopædias were subject to the same treatment. Wikipedia has been stigmatised as unreliable due to its open-source nature and a perceived problem with vandalism. The December 2005 study was seen at the time as a major boost to the credibility of Wikipedia. Jimmy Wales was notified by one of his team members, on 27 January 2006 that all corrections provided by ''Nature'' were in place. Recent changes to some of the Wikipedia editing policies have attempted to resolve some of the reliability issues raised. Wikipedia has yet to comment.
ISLAMABAD Heavy gunfire and explosions rocked Islamabad early on Saturday as Islamist students holed up in a mosque battled Pakistani security forces after the militants' leader defied government demands to surrender. The fortified Lal Masjid or Red Mosque compound has been under siege by hundreds of troops and police since Tuesday when months of tensions boiled over into clashes between Muslim clerics and religious students and security forces. At least 19 people have been killed. "We can die but we will not surrender. We're not terrorists," said Abdul Rashid Ghazi, chief cleric leading the militants told Reuters early on Saturday, speaking over the crack of rifle fire. Smoke and the orange glow of fire rose from the mosque early on Saturday as heavy gunfire and explosions rocked the city. It was not immediately clear what was burning. Water, gas and power to the mosque have been cut and food was said to be getting scarce. Tension between authorities and religious leaders at the mosque had been rising since January when students, most of whom in their 20s and 30s, launched a campaign to press for action against what they see as vice. They kidnapped people they accused of involvement in prostitution, intimidated shopkeepers selling Western videos and abducted policemen and threatened to unleash suicide bombers if they were suppressed. Moderate politicians and the media had urged President Pervez Musharraf to intervene to end the standoff. Musharraf has not commented publicly on the siege but has urged security agencies to allow time for parents to take children out of a madrasa, or school, in the compound. "ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT" On Friday, gunmen fired from a roof-top under the flight path from Islamabad's military airport as Musharraf was flying off to inspect flood damage in the south. An intelligence officer, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the shots were an unsuccessful attempt on the president's life. But the government said there appeared to be no link between the shooting and Musharraf's flight. U.S. ally Musharraf survived two assassination attempts by al Qaeda-linked militants in 2003. Adding to a sense of foreboding over risks posed to stability by militants in nuclear-armed Pakistan, a suicide bomber killed six soldiers on Friday in a northwest region where the Islamists in the mosque have allies. Many Pakistanis welcomed the government's move against a movement reminiscent of the Taliban in neighboring Afghanistan, and symptomatic of the religious extremism seeping into cities from tribal border areas. Interior Ministry Secretary Syed Kamal Shah appealed to Ghazi to give up and said he would be treated humanely. "There are many precious lives in his hands ... he should show courage and come out," Shah said. "If he is concerned about his safety, we are ready to give any guarantees." But Ghazi said he and the followers were willing to lay down guns but would never accept arrest: "That's final, I can't change it." He also said three student were killed on Friday but a paramilitary force commander denied that. About 1,200 students have left the mosque since Tuesday but only a trickle of about 20 came out on Friday. Most were whisked away but one boy said older students were forcing younger ones to stay. Food was running out and the stench from dead bodies hung in the air, Ashraf Swati, 15, told Reuters. Authorities say they have blasted holes in the compound's walls to enable people to flee. Ghazi rejected accusations he was keeping women and children as human shields. Ghazi's elder brother and chief cleric, Abdul Aziz, was caught on Wednesday trying to flee disguised in a burqa. He later called on followers to give up. Aziz said there were 850 students inside, Ghazi said 1,900. (Additional reporting by Faisal Aziz, Augustine Anthony, Zeeshan Haider) \|\|\|\|\| President Pervez Musharraf survived two attacks in 2003 Reports say the house was under the flight path of Gen Musharraf's plane. A photographer for the Reuters news agency said there were two large guns mounted on the roof of the house. A military spokesman denied any firing had taken place. Gen Musharraf's travel plans are highly secret. He has survived two assassination attempts. In addition, the authorities say they have foiled at least three other conspiracies to kill him. 'Sound of gunfire' The president was flying from the Chaklala air base in Rawalpindi, a garrison town close to the capital, Islamabad, to see flood damage in Balochistan province. Security officials examine an anti-aircraft gun on the house roof He arrived safely, officials say. People living near the house in Rawalpindi say they heard shots being fired. "We heard the sound of gunfire," Mohammed Ishraq told the BBC's Urdu service. "When we arrived here we heard that it was some sort of terrorism." Another man, Ishaq Ahmed, said: "Everyone heard a firing sound. The firing sound was like a bomb blast. It was that kind of sound." An anti-aircraft gun and a light machine gun, as well 100 rounds of ammunition and two satellite antennas from the residence have been recovered from the house, Deputy Inspector General of police Marwat Ali Shah told the BBC. Publicly officials flatly reject there was any attempt on Gen Musharraf's life. "There was no firing at the president's plane. He is in Turbat [in Balochistan]," an army spokesman said. The incident comes amid anger among many in Pakistan at Gen Musharraf's decision to take on Islamic radicals at the Red Mosque in Islamabad. The confrontation there has so far resulted in 19 deaths. Suicide attack Meanwhile, at least four soldiers have been killed in a suicide bomb attack in North West Frontier Province (NWFP), local officials say. Two of them were officers. The incident took place in the town of Chakdara, some 200 kilometres north of the NWFP capital, Peshawar. Reports say the attacker threw himself at an army jeep.	Map of Pakistan showing Rawalpindi (near Islamabad). During a flight Friday from Chaklala Airbase in Rawalpindi, Pakistan to Balochistan province, President Pervez Musharraf's plane was shot at from a rooftop near the flight path. Musharraf was flying to Balochistan province to observe the effects of recent flooding in the area. The Pakistani government has officially denied the plane came under fire, but a Paksitani intelligence officer indicated, off the record, that an attempt of Mushaffaf's life had occurred. Musharraf's plane arrived safely at its destination. However, sources say that Intelligence agencies in Pakistan are investigating into possible connection between attack on the plane and the siege of Lal Masjid. Police have cordoned off a house in Rawalpindi to investigate the incident. ''Reuters'' news agency had a photographer in the area at the time, and reported seeing two guns on the roof of the house, one of them an anti-aircraft gun, which had been mounted on the roof. The other gun was reported to be a machinegun. Deputy Inspector General of police Marwat Ali Shah confirmed that an anti-aircraft gun, a machine gun and ammunition had been recovered from the home. Local residents reported hearing the sound of gunfire. "Everyone heard a firing sound," Ishaq Ahmed told ''BBC News''. "The firing sound was like a bomb blast. It was that kind of sound." Some witnesses claimed that they saw a person along with a woman and two kids escaping on a motorbike after the incident. General Musharraf has survived two previous attempts on his life, carried out on December 14, 2003 by al-Qaeda-linked militants. There is no indication or claim of responsibility, as yet, as to who carried out the latest attack.
Jack St. Clair Kilby Died of Cancer at his Home in Dallas In 1958 Jack St. Clair Kilby had released a revolutionary idea to solve the problem of single block of semiconductor material containing an entire electronic circuit, taking the modern world into the Information Age. The microchip enabled the development of personal computers, mobile phones and many other electric household goods, that Mr. Kilby didnís even use. Jack St. Clair Kilby, winner of the Nobel prize for Physics in 2000 and of the National Medal of Science, has earned more than 60 patents in his career. The name of Jack St. Clair Kilby, was born in Jefferson City, Mo. in1923, can be also found at the National Inventors Hall of Fame. Texas Instruments Chairman Tom Engibous thinks that "if there was ever a seminal invention that transformed not only our industry but our world, it was Jack's invention of the first integrated circuit." According to Texas Instruments, the sales of integrated circuits reached $179 billion in 2004. Jack St. Clair Kilby and Robert Noyce, the co-founder of chip giant Intel have agreed to share credit for the invention of the integrated circuit after many years of claims. Mr. Kirby was even awarded the Robert N. Noyce Award, the Semiconductor Industry Association's highest honor, in 1995. 22nd of June 2005, 09:13 GMT \| Copyright (c) 2005 Softpedia \| Contact: \|\|\|\|\| Follow Slashdot on LinkedIn Automatically sync your GitHub releases to SourceForge quickly and easily withand take advantage of SourceForge's massive reach. Check out all of SourceForge’s \|\|\|\|\| Microchip Pioneer Jack Kilby Dies (Page 1 of 2) DALLAS, June 22, 2005 Jack Kilby, Nobel Prize winner and inventor of the integrated circuit, in April, 2001 file photo. (Photo: AP) "In my opinion, there are only a handful of people whose works have truly transformed the world and the way we live in it Henry Ford, Thomas Edison, the Wright Brothers and Jack Kilby." Tom Engibous TI chairman (AP) In his first year working at Texas Instruments in 1958, Jack Kilby borrowed some equipment and created a fingernail-size device that would revolutionize the way the world communicates. Kilby's invention of the integrated circuit opened the way for the microchips that are the brains of today's computers, video games, DVD players and cell phones. "In my opinion, there are only a handful of people whose works have truly transformed the world and the way we live in it Henry Ford, Thomas Edison, the Wright Brothers and Jack Kilby," TI chairman Tom Engibous said in a statement Tuesday. Kilby, who won the 2000 Nobel Prize in physics for his work, died Monday after a battle with cancer, according to Texas Instruments, where Kilby worked for many years. He was 81. The Nobel citation said Kilby's work "has laid the foundation of modern information technology, particularly through their invention of rapid transistors, laser diodes and integrated circuits." Kilby's integrated circuit, in which all the components were fabricated in a single piece of semiconductor material half the size of a paper clip, was a forerunner of the microchip used in today's computers. It replaced the bulky and unreliable switches and tubes that had been used in the first computing devices. Continued 1 \| 2 ©MMV, The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Dutch Teen's Dad Arrested In Aruba Natalee Holloway's Family Continued Search For Missing Alabama Student EBay Offers Web Store Service Auction Giant Encourages Small Sellers To Build Web Sites ©MMV, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. \| \| \| \| \| \| \| \| \|\|\|\|\| Advertisement REGISTER \| LOGIN PROFILE \| LOGOUT Sign Up / Sign In Forgot your password? Sign In Create Account {* #signInForm } { signInEmailAddress } { currentPassword }{ /signInForm } Sign In Welcome back, { welcomeName }! { loginWidget } Use another account { loginWidget } Sign In Welcome Back Sign In { /signInForm } Use another account { #signInForm } { signInEmailAddress } { currentPassword }{ /signInForm } Registration Please confirm the information below before signing in. Already have an account? 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Enter your email below, and we'll send you another email. { #resetPasswordForm } { signInEmailAddress } { /resetPasswordForm } { #resetPasswordForm } { signInEmailAddress } { /resetPasswordForm *} Create New Password We've sent you an email with instructions to create a new password. Your existing password has not been changed.	Winner of the Nobel Prize for Physics in 2000 for his work on developing the integrated circuit, Jack Kilby died after battling cancer on Monday, June 20, 2005, in Dallas at the age of 81. After years of claims, Kilby agreed to share credit for the invention with Robert Noyce, the co-founder of chip maker Intel. His contribution to the pioneering breakthrough of the integrated circuit was made by Kilby during his employment with Texas Instruments (TI) in 1958. He also is credited with co-inventing the handheld calculator which made TI the leader in early consumer electronics development. The integrated circuit paved the way in the development of the microchip used today in computers, DVD players, interactive video games and cell phones. Kilby's work includes the awarding of 60 patents. It was said of him in a statement by TI chairman Tom Engihous that, "In my opinion, there are only a handful of people whose works have truly transformed the world and the way we live in it — Henry Ford, Thomas Edison, the Wright Brothers and Jack Kilby." In his first year working with TI, Kilby's work on what became the forerunner to the microchip was an invention he fabricated by using a sliver of germanium on a glass slide. This invention was the predecessor to the semiconductor that ultimately replaced vacuum tubes and switching wires then in use as the transistor devices. The invention also led to solid state electronics able to withstand more shock and impact in handling. Kilby is recognised for his 'seminal thought' on the integrated circuit by being awarded the Robert N. Noyce Award in 1995, the Semiconductor Industry Association's highest honor. He is survived by two daughters and five grandchildren.
~ Governor says he fully supports state assistance for steel plant project on Iron Range ~ Saint Paul – Governor Tim Pawlenty said today that Essar Global has committed to fully comply with all U.S. and international law, including those prohibiting certain investments in Iran, and that he will support continued state assistance for Essar’s proposed steel project on the Iron Range. After discussions between Essar officials, the Governor’s Office and the U.S. State Department, Governor Pawlenty received a letter today from Essar’s Americas chief executive Madhu Vuppuluri stating that Essar “considers its investments in the State of Minnesota of strategic importance both to Essar and to the State and people of Minnesota.” The letter says that “no investment or firm commitment will be made in Iran, unless and until permitted to do so under the applicable U.S. or international laws.” “We’re pleased that Essar is making this commitment to ensure U.S. law is followed and to keep this important project on track in Minnesota,” Governor Pawlenty said. “When we learned of reports that Essar may have been considering a project in Iran, it was our hope they would set that aside and make assurances they would comply with U.S. law. Essar has now committed to do just that. I look forward to working with the legislature to secure appropriate state support for the project during the upcoming legislative session.” Last week, it was announced that Essar closed a deal to purchase Minnesota Steel and planned to construct a new $1.6 billion steel mine and mill in Nashwauk. As part of the project, Itasca County has been seeking approximately $60 million in state bonding for infrastructure and utility needs for projects in the area. After returning from the state’s first major trade mission to India on Saturday, Governor Pawlenty said that he had been contacted by a U.S. Department of Commerce official while in India regarding a Reuters report published Wednesday, October 24 that said Essar may have been considering construction of an oil refinery in Iran in partnership with the government of Iran. \|\|\|\|\| ~ Governor Pawlenty’s statement regarding Essar Global-Iran connection ~ Saint Paul – The following is a statement from Governor Tim Pawlenty regarding reports that Essar Global, who recently acquired Minnesota Steel, may be engaged in discussions, plans, or activities that may constitute or lead to prohibited business practices with Iran: "Earlier this week, Essar Global announced it closed a deal to purchase Minnesota Steel and that it planned to construct a new $1.6 billion plant in Northern Minnesota. "Since that time, I have learned that Essar companies may be engaged in discussions, plans, or activities that may constitute or lead to prohibited business practices with Iran. "The information available regarding these matters is somewhat murky. However, the information that is available raises serious questions and concerns. "Unless and until these matters are resolved to my full satisfaction and that of the United States government, I will strongly oppose any state assistance for the Essar Steel plant project. "Itasca County is seeking state bonding for utility infrastructure to support the project. "Iran is a terrorist state. Actions by Iranian groups or individuals have killed American soldiers and many other innocent people. "I will strongly oppose any effort to provide state financial assistance to companies or entities that engage in prohibited business practices with Iran." \|\|\|\|\| Reuters Singapore/New Delhi: Iran’s state oil refining firm and the Essar Group are expected to start building a 3,00,000 barrels per day refinery in southern Iran early next year, sources close to the deal said. The facility, estimated to cost $8-$10 billion (Rs32,000-40,000 crore) and which would be the first foreign-invested downstream project in sanctions-hit Iran, will boost the OPEC member’s stagnant refining sector that is struggling with petrol shortages. Once finalized, it will be Essar’s first overseas refinery development and will provide a foothold to the family-owned Indian business house in Tehran, where it is also trying to build a steel plant and acquire exploration assets. The proposed plant at the southern port town of Bandar Abbas, will process heavy crude such as Soroush and Iran Heavy to be allocated by the Iranian authorities. “We have completed the feasibility study and now we are working on the project financing, and we have targeted starting on the construction phase next year,” a Tehran-based source from the National Iranian Oil Refining and Distribution Company said. The refinery could take three to four years to build, the source added. Essar, owned by the Mumbai-based Ruias family, will take a 60% equity stake in the project with Iran taking the rest, said sources. “The priority of the new refinery will be to meet domestic gasoline and diesel requirements, and we will export the surplus products,” said an India-based source familiar with the deal. Ravi Ruia, Essar Group’s vice-president responsible for the firm’s overseas venture and his officials are now in Iran to take the issue forward. “If discussions are finalized, then work can begin early next year,” the Indian source said. An Essar spokesman declined to comment on Ruia’s visit and the company’s interest in Iran. \|\|\|\|\| Essar Steel Holdings Limited, part of Essar Global Limited, has, on receipt of regulatory and environmental approvals, completed the acquisition of Minnesota Steel LLC, a US based steel company with estimated reserves of over 1.4 billion tonnes of iron ore located on the Mesabi iron range in northeast Minnesota Minnesota Steel will commence the project activities soon upon achieving the financial closure. This is one of the largest acquisitions by an Indian group in Minnesota. Madhu Vuppuluri, President, Essar, North America, said “Together with Minnesota Steel and Algoma Steel, we are optimistic about creating a new and vibrant steel manufacturing capability in North America.” Commenting on the acquisition, Shashi Ruia, Chairman, Essar Global said “This acquisition follows our purchase of Canada’s Algoma Steel earlier this year. These acquisitions are in line with our strategy of having a geographical spread close to high value steelmarkets as well iron ore sources. Essar’s steel business is now poised to consolidate its position as a low cost, high value producer of carbon steel.” Essar recently acquired Algoma Steel, Canada which has capacity of 4 million tonnes per annum. Essar Steel also plans to set up set up steel making facilities in Trinidad & Tobago, Vietnam and Eastern India, besides enhancing its steel capacity at its plant in Hazira, India, where it is the largest producer of flat steel in western India. NOTES TO EDITORS: About Minnesota Steel Minnesota Steel is planning to develop, finance and construct a new steel production facility. The Company will combine a high-quality ore body with modern and commercially proven technology to develop a vertically integrated steel mill. It will be the first facility in North America to include iron ore mining, ore processing, direct reduction and steelmaking on a single site. For further information, please visit www.minnesotasteel.com In addition to the 2,000 construction jobs, Minnesota Steel will create up to 700 full-time jobs and generate 2,100 spin-off jobs. Earlier this month, the 45-day public comment period on the project’s draft environmental impact statement ended. Once the environmental impact statement is found to have addressed all potential impacts, Federal and State environmental officials can issue permits which are anticipated this summer. Construction will begin thereafter. In December, the State of Minnesota approved a 7,000-plus acre land swap to ensure Minnesota Steel will have enough acreage for its operation. In November, Minnesota Steel secured capacity to transport low-cost natural gas from Alberta, Canada, via the Great Lakes Gas Transmission Co.—locking in transport capacity, which is extremely limited, and saving up to 70% on transmission rates. About Essar Global Essar Global is an international conglomerate operating in six business areas – steel, oil & gas, power, communications, shipping & logistics and construction. It has offices world-wide and employs approximately 20,000 people, including over 3500 persons in the United States. The group has an enterprise value of approx. USD 20 billion. For further information, please visit: www.essar.com Essar Steel Holdings is a global producer of steel covering India, Canada, USA, the Middle East and Asia. It is a fully integrated flat carbon steel manufacturer - from iron ore to ready-to-market products - supplying highly discerning customers in the automotive, white goods, construction, engineering and shipbuilding industries. With a current capacity of 9 million tonnes, Essar’s expansion in India, Asia and North America will see capacity rise to 20 to 25 million tonnes by 2012. For further information, please contact:	Governor Tim Pawlenty. Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty said today that Essar Global has committed to fully comply with all U.S. and international law, including those prohibiting certain investments in Iran, and that he will support continued state assistance for Essar’s proposed steel project on the Iron Range. A few days after Indian company Essar Steel Holdings Limited acquired Minnesota Steel LLC, the governor of Minnesota announced that he "will strongly oppose any effort to provide state financial assistance to companies or entities that engage in prohibited business practices with Iran." Governor Pawlenty recently returned from a trip to India. He learned that Indian company Essar Global Limited is pursuing a project to build a refinery in southern Iran. There is no official word yet from Essar Group, but Iran's Petroenergy Information Network says Essar Group is expected to take a 60% stake in the project and that Essar's Ravi Ruia was negotiating for the project in Iran last week. The northern Minnesota project will be the first facility which includes all steps in steel production from iron mining to a US$1.65 billion steel mill. The Iranian refinery will have a capacity of 300,000 barrels per day and cost $8-10 billion.
Prices dip as President Bush taps emergency oil reserves, and Germany and Spain sent oil aid. Special Report full coverage Oil eases to $64 on slowing demand OPEC may boost output Europe: U.S. should ease oil use IRS raises auto mileage rate Gas crisis looms More on Katrina's fallout Five tips Video More video CNN's Andy Serwer takes a closer look at price gouging and refinery shortages. Play video LONDON (Reuters) - Oil prices fell by more than a dollar on Friday as the West's energy watchdog prepared to tap emergency reserves to help ease a fuel crisis threatening the United States. As the world's biggest consumer runs short of gasoline, President George W. Bush asked the International Energy Agency to release petrol reserves and urged Americans to conserve fuel. The Paris-based agency, coordinator of emergency reserves for 26 OECD countries, may decide soon to release up to two million barrels per day (bpd) of fuel from Europe. U.S. crude oil fell $1.90 to settle at $67.57 a barrel on Friday, having hit an all-time high of $70.85 on Tuesday. London Brent crude was down $1.15 to $66.57 a barrel. Hurricane Katrina killed thousands and knocked out U.S. rigs and refiners when it ripped through the Gulf of Mexico earlier this week. Oil prices soared to levels not seen in real terms since 1980, the year after the Iranian revolution. European allies sprang to the rescue. Germany and Spain said they would back the IEA if it asked them to dip into stocks. German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder said a release of two million bpd for 30 days was under consideration. It would take at least 10 days for European gasoline to reach the United States once a decision is taken. Europe has already booked up to 30 cargoes of petrol to move to the United States, prompting brokers to warn of an impending shortage. The Paris-based IEA says it is still consulting members and awaiting a report on the extent of Katrina's damage to U.S. Gulf refiners before deciding on a stock release. The IEA last ordered an emergency release in January 1991 as a U.S.-led coalition ejected invading Iraqi troops from Kuwait. Gasoline prices, which have led the market's gains on fears that already low stockpiles would be squeezed severely, traded 17.95 cents lower at $2.2295 a gallon. Washington loaned out emergency crude supplies, eased environmental regulations on motor fuels and waived a shipping law to allow better flow of oil into the Gulf region, where most oil output and eight refineries were idled for a fifth day. Some regional pipelines also started pumping supplies around the country and power was restored to a number of plants. But the U.S. government said it might take months to recover from the killer storm, which struck at the heart of an industry already running nearly flat-out to satisfy two years of exceptionally strong demand growth around the world. Gasoline Crisis President George W. Bush warned retailers about price gouging as New Orleans and the Gulf Coast struggled to recover from one of the nation's most savage storms. Soaring gasoline prices -- up more than 20 percent from just a week ago -- have attracted dozens of gasoline cargoes from Europe but most of those supplies will not arrive until October, leaving open the prospect of a month-long supply squeeze. Canada's oil companies could defer autumn maintenance at refineries to maximize gasoline exports south of the border. Gasoline supply fears have overshadowed the loss of nearly all Gulf of Mexico crude production, a quarter of the nation's total, which is more easily compensated with robust commercial stockpiles, strategic inventories or additional OPEC output. ___________________________ What's the outlook for prices at the pump? Click here. Click here for CNN/Money's special report 'Oil Crunch 2005'. \|\|\|\|\| This Week In Petroleum Text Released on January 30, 2002 (Next Release on February 6, 2002) Crude Oil Inputs Fall Substantially Last Week After averaging 14.8 million barrels per day from December through the first half of January, U.S. crude oil refinery inputs had fallen to 14.6 million barrels per day for the week ending January 18. Last week (the week ending January 25) crude oil inputs fell an additional 0.5 million barrels per day, averaging 14.1 million barrels per day (see U.S. Crude Oil Refinery Inputs table and chart on the crude oil page). With relatively high product inventories and low refinery margins, EIA had been expecting a decline in crude oil inputs, maybe even averaging somewhere between 14.0 and 14.5 million barrels per day in upcoming weeks. If so, a prolonged decline in crude oil inputs would reduce refinery production of major petroleum products, such as gasoline, heating oil, and diesel fuel. Last week's data showed declines in refinery production for all three of these major refined products, but the largest decline was seen for jet fuel, which was at the lowest level since the week ending November 23. If refinery production remains relatively low as a result of lower crude oil throughput at refineries, combined with strong demand for these products (more on this below), then a drawdown in product inventories over the next several weeks could be expected. Crude Oil Imports Decline; Gasoline Imports Remain High As we had expected, crude oil imports (excluding imports into the Strategic Petroleum Reserve) fell substantially (600,000 barrels per day) last week, averaging 8.5 million barrels per day (see U.S. Crude Oil Imports table and chart on the crude oil page). With Iraqi crude oil imports down since early December 2001, and OPEC, along with some major non-OPEC producing countries, agreeing to reduce crude oil production over the first half of the year, it remains unlikely that crude oil imports in the near-term will continue to average above 9 million barrels per day for any significant period. However, gasoline imports remained relatively high last week, averaging 736,000 barrels per day, bringing the average over the last 13 weeks (since the week ending November 2) to 714,000 barrels per day. With the number of cold weather days this winter dwindling, distillate fuel inventories are not likely to be drawn down to low levels this season. Therefore, some companies may be focusing on securing gasoline supplies, via imports at today’s relatively low prices, in order to have readily available gasoline supplies should prices rise over the next few months. U.S. Oil Demand Continues To Show Underlying Strength? How can we even argue that U.S. oil demand is showing strength when over the last 4 weeks demand has averaged 900,000 barrels per day lower than over the same period a year ago? The answer lies in last year's demand, which was extraordinarily high. Looking back 2 years to January 2000, we see that oil demand averaged 19.0 million barrels per day, or slightly less than has been averaged over the last 4 weeks ending January 25, 2002. This occurred despite an ongoing recession and a reduction in jet fuel demand as a result of reduced air traffic following the September 11 attacks. As we have mentioned before, comparisons to year-ago demand levels are misleading, as cold weather and high natural gas prices encouraged unusually high demand for distillate fuel and residual fuel. Even with motor gasoline demand over the last 4 weeks down considerably from that seen in December 2001, the 4-week average of 8.2 million barrels per day is 0.8 percent above the amount in the same period a year ago. If gasoline demand grows at a rate of about 1 percent or more, jet fuel demand gradually increases as more flights get added, and distillate fuel demand averages between 3.8 and 4.0 million barrels per day over the next several weeks (assuming the warm trend seen recently along the East Coast doesn't continue), then any decline in refinery production as described above could result in a drawdown in total product inventory levels. This could, in turn, put some upward pressure on retail product prices later this winter or, more likely, this spring. Crude Oil Stocks Increased Last Week, But Total Product Stocks Declined For the second week in a row, despite an increase in commercial crude oil inventories (2.1 million barrels), total product inventories declined (0.8 million barrels). The decline in product inventories was led by a 3.3 million barrel decline in "other oils", much of which can be attributed to a propane draw. Smaller declines were also seen in residual fuel oil (0.9 million barrels) and distillate fuel (0.2 million barrels). These declines more than made up for a large increase in gasoline inventories (2.6 million barrels) and a smaller increase in unfinished oils (0.7 million barrels). If both crude oil inputs and imports over the first quarter of 2002 remain lower than seen in the last quarter of 2001, it is possible that crude oil stocks will not increase significantly over this period while product inventories decline. Most Retail Petroleum Product Prices Fell Slightly Last Week The national average retail regular gasoline price dropped to 110.1 cents per gallon on January 28, 2002, down 0.4 cent per gallon from last week and 35.9 cents per gallon lower than a year ago. Following 3 weeks of declining prices, the national average retail diesel fuel price rose last week by 0.4 cent per gallon, reaching 114.4 cents per gallon on January 28, 2002, which is 39.5 cents per gallon less than it was a year ago. Residential heating oil prices were flat over the past week, as the average on January 28, 2002, remained unchanged at 116.2 cents per gallon, but was 36.3 cents lower than the same period last year. The residential average propane price was unchanged at 113.4 cents per gallon last week, but was 52.9 cents per gallon below the same year ago price.	Gas prices have shot up to over $3.50 per gallon, late Thursday morning in the Northeast US. People are rushing to fill their tanks as some stations are reporting shortages of gasoline, and many oil wells were forced to shut down after Hurricane Katrina. Meanwhile, gas prices dropped elsewhere and rose elsewhere. Saturday morning California had the highest reported price at GasPriceWatch.com. Another price service reported $3.05 as the U.S. average. The federal government's weekly petroleum price summary reported U.S. average retail price for regular gasoline decreased by 0.2 cent to 261.0 cents per gallon. But supply shocks are likely as the distribution systems respond to bottlenecks. On Tuesday, August 30, CNN reported the price of U.S. crude oil rose to a record high $70.85 a barrel. However, prices fell $3.28 to $67.57 a barrel on Friday. In contrast, the crude oil in Europe, which is usually more expensive than US oil, was actually cheaper than in America; as London Brent Crude oil was down $1.15 to $66.57 a barrel. But as CNN reports, "European allies sprang to the rescue."
A passenger leaves the first Eurostar train to arrive at St Pancras The high-speed train left the restored £800m station as scheduled at 1103 GMT on Wednesday. It arrived in Paris just over two hours later at 1317 GMT via the newly completed £5.8bn Channel Tunnel rail link, now known as High Speed 1. Protesters who are against the station's re-development demonstrated as the service pulled out. One group representing residents who live nearby claim London's poor are being "squeezed out" of the area. The London Cycling Campaign has also complained the access to the station for bicycles is sub-standard. And Greenpeace unfurled a banner on the front of St Pancras which supported the rail link but urged Prime Minister Gordon Brown not to expand Heathrow airport. The first departures from St Pancras coincided with the start of an open-ended strike by French rail unions in protest at President Nicolas Sarkozy's planned pension reforms. But Eurostar was confident it would not impact on services. Eurostar chief executive Richard Brown and Friends of the Earth executive director Tony Juniper named the first train Tread Lightly - after a Eurostar environmental campaign began earlier this year. The company has set a target of reducing its carbon dioxide emissions by 25% per passenger journey by 2012. Mr Brown said: "Today marks a new dawn for short-haul travel in Europe. "Our move to St Pancras makes Eurostar even more accessible to travellers across Britain. RAIL DESTINATIONS Fastest travel times London to Avignon: 5h 51m London to Inverness: 8h 08m Compare more times below The first commercial passenger train for Brussels departed six minutes before the first arrival from the same city pulled into St Pancras, at 1109 GMT. Work on the station began in 2001 to enable it to accommodate Eurostar trains as well as East Midlands Trains services, Thameslink and high-speed commuter services to Kent, due to start in 2009. The new route will cut journey times to Paris by 20 minutes to two hours and 15 minutes, and to Brussels by 25 minutes to one hour and 51 minutes. The last Eurostar train left London Waterloo at 1812 GMT on Tuesday. \|\|\|\|\| The journey time between central London and Paris was cut to two hours 15 minutes today as Eurostar services from St Pancras began. The train departed the station - which has been restored at a cost of £800m - on time just after 11am. It arrived in the French capital on time despite a national strike paralysing most public transport in France. It is the first passenger service to use the new £5.8bn Channel tunnel rail link, known as High Speed 1, which allows trains along the full stretch of the British section to travel as fast as those in France. A high-speed commuter service will also use the link from 2009. The Eurostar move to St Pancras follows 13 years of services to Paris and Brussels from Waterloo station. Journey times to Brussels become 25 minutes faster, lasting for one hour and 51 minutes. Richard Brown, the Eurostar chief executive, described the improved service as a "new dawn for short haul travel in Europe". "Our move to St Pancras makes Eurostar even more accessible to travellers across Britain," he said. "We will carry passengers with greater speed, ease and reliability than ever before, and our travellers will have the extra reassurance of knowing that they are making far less environmental impact compared with flying."	Interior of the newly refurbished station Eurostar train services which link the United Kingdom with Europe via the Channel Tunnel have moved to a new London terminal. The first services from St Pancras International launched today following the completion of the Channel Tunnel Rail Link which promises to reduce journey times to Europe by 20 minutes. The Channel Tunnel Rail Link, to be branded as High Speed 1, has been built in two phases; the first section was completed in 2003 and the second section was brought into use today. Eurostar chief executive Richard Brown said: "Today marks a new dawn for short-haul travel in Europe. Our move to St Pancras makes Eurostar even more accessible to travellers across Britain. We will carry passengers with greater speed, ease and reliability than ever before, and our travellers will have the extra reassurance of knowing that they are making far less environmental impact compared with flying." Waterloo railway station, the previous international London terminal, will be returned to domestic use following the move to St Pancras.
Paul Tucker, the Deputy Governor of Financial Stability at the Bank of England, will leave in the autumn after failing to land the top job The latest version of the combat jet whose success or otherwise will determine the future of thousands of British jobs is taking shape \|\|\|\|\| The Commons leader said he did not want to be "prescriptive" but he believed that covering people's faces could make community relations more difficult. Mr Straw has said he asks Muslim women at his Blackburn constituency surgeries if they would mind removing veils. Some Muslim women called his remarks insulting, but other Muslims said they understood his concerns. Mr Straw has dismissed suggestions that his remarks are designed to raise his profile ahead of Labour's deputy leadership election. He has yet to confirm whether he will join the race to succeed John Prescott but is widely expected to do so. Meeting strangers Mr Straw is Labour MP for Blackburn, where between 25% and 30% of residents are Muslim. He sparked controversy when he told his local paper he asked female constituents visiting his surgery if they would uncover their faces. Find out about different styles of Muslim veils and headscarves In graphics He said he made sure he had a female colleague in the room when asking someone to show their mouth and nose - and his constituents had so far always agreed to do so. Asked on BBC Radio 4's Today programme if he would rather the veils be discarded completely, Mr Straw replied: "Yes. It needs to be made clear I am not talking about being prescriptive but with all the caveats, yes, I would rather." Mr Straw explained the impact he thought veils could have in a society where watching facial expressions was important for contact between different people. "Communities are bound together partly by informal chance relations between strangers - people being able to acknowledge each other in the street or being able pass the time of day," he said. "That's made more difficult if people are wearing a veil. That's just a fact of life. "I understand the concerns but I hope, however, there can be a mature debate about this. "I come to this out of a profound commitment to equal rights for Muslim communities and an equal concern about adverse development about parallel communities." 'Separateness' fears Mr Straw stressed it was a choice for women and he was making a request and not a demand. "What I've been struck by when I've been talking to some of the ladies concerned is that they had not, I think, been fully aware of the potential in terms of community relations," he said. HAVE YOUR SAY Of course Jack Straw has a valid point... Communication isn't just verbal it is also to do with body language and facial expression Dave, Reading Send us your comments Why women wear veils "I mean, they'd thought of it just as a statement for themselves, in some cases they regard themselves as very religious - and I respect that - but as I say, I just wanted to put this issue on the table." He said he was worried the "implications of separateness" and the development of "parallel communities". Tony Blair's official spokesman said the prime minister "believes that it is right that people should be able to have a discussion and express their personal views on issues such as this". The spokesman said Mr Straw's comments were not government policy and he refused to reveal Mr Blair's views on the issue. 'Dangerous doctrine' Mr Straw's comments have provoked a mixed response from Muslim groups. The experience of visiting their MP is difficult enough for many people without having to consider a dress code Simon Hughes, Liberal Democrat president Reaction to Straw remarks Veil torn from Muslim woman The Islamic Human Rights Commission called Mr Straw's views "astonishing" and accused him of discrimination. The Protect-Hijab organisation said the "appalling" comments showed "a deep lack of understanding". But Dr Daud Abdullah, of the Muslim Council of Britain, said he could understand Mr Straw's discomfort adding that women could choose to remove the veil. Labour's Baroness Uddin said debate was needed but perhaps not in the way Mr Straw had framed it. She was worried he had talked about veils being a statement of separation - that acknowledged the government's failure to ensure Muslim women were "part and parcel" of British society, she argued. Conservative policy director Oliver Letwin said it would be "dangerous doctrine" to tell people how to dress. And Liberal Democrat president Simon Hughes: "The experience of visiting their MP is difficult enough for many people without having to consider a dress code." \|\|\|\|\| JACK STRAW IN THE LANCASHIRE EVENING TELEGRAPH "It was not the first time I had conducted an interview with someone in a full veil, but this particular encounter, though very polite and respectful on both sides, got me thinking. Jack Straw wrote about his concerns in his newspaper column "In part, this was because of the apparent incongruity between the signals which indicate common bonds - the entirely English accent, the couples' education (wholly in the UK) - and the fact of the veil. "Above all, it was because I felt uncomfortable about talking to someone 'face-to-face' who I could not see. "So I decided that I wouldn't just sit there the next time a lady turned up to see me in a full veil, and I haven't. "Now, I always ensure that a female member of my staff is with me. I explain that this is a country built on freedoms. I defend absolutely the right of any woman to wear a headscarf. As for the full veil, wearing it breaks no laws. "I go on to say that I think, however, that the conversation would be of greater value if the lady took the covering from her face. It was such a visible statement of separation and of difference Jack Straw "Indeed, the value of a meeting, as opposed to a letter or phone call, is so that you can - almost literally - see what the other person means, and not just hear what they say. "However, I can't recall a single occasion when a lady has refused to lift her veil; most seem relieved I have asked." After another interview with a constituent, Mr Straw said he had an interesting debate with her about veils. "Would she, however, think hard about what I said - in particular about my concern that wearing the full veil was bound to make better, positive relations between the two communities more difficult." "It was such a visible statement of separation and of difference." JACK STRAW INTERVIEWED ON BBC RADIO LANCASHIRE "This is an issue that needs to be discussed because, in our society, we are able to relate particularly to strangers by being able to read their faces and if you can't read people's faces, that does provide some separation. Mr Straw asks women to remove their veils when meeting him "Now I understand, of course, why some of these ladies decide to wear the veil. "In the case where I had a really good discussion with a lady last Friday - it was not because, contrary to myth, that she'd been required to do so by her husband, she'd come to her own decision about this. "She said she felt more comfortable when she was outside wearing the veil and she was less troubled by people. I understand that. "What I'm saying on the other side is: would those people who do wear the veil think about the implications for community relations?" JACK STRAW INTERVIEWED ON BBC RADIO 4 TODAY PROGRAMME "What I've been struck (by) when I've been talking to some of the ladies concerned is that they had not, I think, been fully aware of the potential in terms of community relations. I come to this out of a profound commitment to equal rights for Muslim communities and an equal concern about adverse development about parallel communities Jack Straw "They'd thought of it just as a statement for themselves, in some cases they regard themselves as very religious - and I respect that, but as I say, I just wanted to put this issue on the table. "Communities are bound together partly by informal chance relations between strangers, people acknowledging each other in the street, being able to pass the time of day, sharing just experiences in the street, and that is just made more difficult if people are wearing a veil...that's just a fact of life". Asked whether he would prefer veils to be abolished completely, Mr Straw said: "Yes. It needs to be made clear I am not talking about being prescriptive but with all the caveats, yes, I would rather." "You cannot force people where they live, that's a matter of choice and economics, but you can be concerned about the implications of separateness and I am." "I come to this out of a profound commitment to equal rights for Muslim communities and an equal concern about adverse development about parallel communities."	niqab. The Rt. Hon. Jack Straw, Leader of the British House of Commons, has urged Muslim women not to wear the full veil or Niqab. Initially, he said that, when meeting his constituents, he found it difficult to talk to anyone wearing a full veil because the expression on the face conveyed much of what a speaker meant. Later, he expanded his opinion saying that the wearing of the veil at any time tended to promote separation of peoples and the "formation of parallel communities". A 10 Downing Street statement said that this view was Straw's personal opinion and not an expression of the government's policy. Straw's remarks have elicited a range of responses from members of the Muslim community in the UK. While Daud Abdullah, from the Muslim Council of Britain, said that the choice of wearing a veil was up to individual women, Muslim Association of Britain said that Straw and the Conservative leader David Cameron, who expressed a similar view, were pandering to the "right-wing media". The British public appear to support his view with a number of media polls showing a vast majority in agreement. A telephone poll by the BBC also showed overwhelming public sympathy, with 93 per cent supporting his views.
Damage expected from the largest recorded storm to make it so far east in north Atlantic Ireland is bracing for strong winds, downed power lines and coastal flooding when Storm Lorenzo barrels in from the Atlantic before hitting Britain. Met Éireann, the national meteorological service, issued a status orange wind warning on Wednesday for six counties on the west coast and a yellow warning nationwide for Thursday night and Friday morning. “The main impacts will include disruptive winds, falling trees and flooding,” it said. “Storm Lorenzo will produce significant swell, high waves and sizeable storm surges. This will lead to wave overtopping, some coastal flooding and damage, especially along western and southern coasts.” Met Éireann (@MetEireann) Status Orange - Wind warning for Galway, Mayo, Clare, Cork, Kerry and Limerick Valid: Thursday 6 p.m. to Friday 3 a.m.https://t.co/ozrQHtoOkt pic.twitter.com/j2jnYIz085 Lorenzo is the largest recorded storm to have made it so far east in the north Atlantic. Authorities on Portugal’s Azores islands closed roads, schools and non-emergency public services on Wednesday morning in preparation for winds of up to 100mph (161km/h) and waves of up to 25 metres (82ft). “The situation will worsen in the next few hours,” the head of the regional government, Vasco Cordeiro, told the Portuguese broadcaster SIC. Lorenzo is expected to weaken to an extratropical storm as it moves north towards Ireland and the UK. At a meeting of Ireland’s National Emergency Co-ordination Group, Eoghan Harris, the housing and planning minister, expressed concern over the storm’s potential impact in coastal areas and the damage from falling trees. The orange warning for Galway, Mayo, Clare, Cork, Kerry and Limerick will be in place from 6pm on Thursday to 3am on Friday. South-westerly winds will reach mean speeds 40 to 50mph, with gusts of 60 to 80mph. A yellow rainfall warning for Ireland will be in place between 9am on Thursday and 9am on Friday. Dan Suri, the chief meteorologist at the UK’s Met Office, said rain and heavy winds would hit western parts of the UK from Thursday, with a risk of coastal gales in Northern Ireland and western Scotland on Thursday, and Wales and south-west England on Friday. In Ireland, a status red warning is the strongest alert, while orange is for conditions that can “impact significantly” on people in affected areas. Yellow is for conditions that do pose threats “only to those exposed to risk by nature of their location and/or activity”. Hurricane Lorenzo broke records over the weekend after being elevated to a category 5 storm, which the National Hurricane Center in the US said was the strongest for that far north and east in the Atlantic. \|\|\|\|\| Hurricane season's most intense period is winding down, but it isn't quite done with us yet. And the latest storm to watch is whipping things up much farther east than where powerful hurricanes are typically found. Lorenzo formed as a tropical storm on Sept. 23 in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, and it reached Category 5 strength on Sept. 28, with winds nearing 160 mph (260 km/h), the National Hurricane Center (NHC) reported . Since the 1920s, 35 Category 5 storms — hurricanes with winds of 157 mph (252 km/h) or higher — have formed in the Atlantic. But Lorenzo is the first hurricane of this strength to appear so far to the east — about 650 miles farther east than Hurricane Hugo, the former record-holder that pummeled the Caribbean with Category 5 winds in 1989, according to the Weather Channel . Lorenzo, now a Category 2 storm with maximum sustained winds of 105 mph (165 km/h), is barreling toward the Azores — an archipelago that lies 972 miles (1,564 km) off the coast of Portugal — and is expected to make landfall early Wednesday morning, according to an NHC advisory issued today (Sept. 30) at 5 a.m. AST. Related: Hurricane Season 2019: How Long It Lasts and What to Expect NHC hurricane data dating to 1851 show just how much of an outlier Lorenzo is. Most powerful storms that formed in the Atlantic reached their peak strength as they neared the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico. But lonely Lorenzo, all alone in the middle of the ocean, is in "a league of its own for this time of year," climate scientist and FEMA strategic planner Michael Lowry said in a tweet . With winds of 145 mph, Hurricane #Lorenzo really is in a league of its own for this time of year. pic.twitter.com/PDz6BCt1YKSeptember 27, 2019 "A Category 5 hurricane this far east this late in the season is almost unbelievable. Wow doesn't do this justice," Lowry said in another tweet . As Lorenzo travels on a northeast trajectory, its strong winds are sending powerful swells through the North Atlantic, creating rip currents and surf conditions that could be life-threatening, the NHC warned in the advisory. Waves building toward the Azores and Europe will be "enormous," with some nearing heights of 100 feet (31 meters), NHC scientist Eric Blake said in a tweet . #Lorenzo is forecast to send enormous waves toward the Azores and Western Europe- with a peak significant wave height of ~50 ft (15m), some individual waves will likely be near 100 feet! 👀 pic.twitter.com/n8s8cjypa0September 30, 2019 Although Lorenzo is expected to weaken somewhat over the next 48 hours, the reach of its winds will likely expand. With tropical storm force winds reaching hundreds of miles from its center, the storm will remain "a significant hurricane" as it nears the Azores, according to the NHC. Atlantic hurricane season typically winds down around the end of November, though the most powerful storms emerge between August and October, according to the NHC . Originally published on Live Science .	Five-day forecast as of 08:00 a.m. (1200 ) Today, as hit the Azores, , the national meteorological service for Ireland, issued weather alerts as the storm approached from the west. Yellow warnings were issued nationwide, while six counties on the coast received orange warnings. The warnings apply from tomorrow night into Friday morning. The Azores — autonomous islands of Portugal in the Atlantic Ocean — closed schools and non-essential public services. "The situation will worsen in the next few hours", said , the regional president, as the storm bore down on the Azores. Authorities expected winds of 100 (about 160 ) and high waves. The orange warning issued by Met Éireann applied to , , , , and and starts at 6 p.m. local time (1700 UTC) tomorrow. Though Lorenzo was forecast to diminish from a hurricane to a , gusts of wind were forecast to reach 60–80 mph (about 95–130 km/h). "Storm Lorenzo will produce significant swell, high waves and sizeable storm surges. This will lead to wave overtopping, some coastal flooding and damage, especially along western and southern coasts", read the warning. The warnings called for force winds and heavy rain. Hurricane Lorenzo reached Category 5 on the this past Saturday, but was downgraded to Category 1 as of this morning. According to reports, Lorenzo is the largest and strongest tropical cyclone to reach this far into the northeastern Atlantic in recorded history.
The Saudi supertanker seized by Somali pirates in the world's biggest ever hijacking has been freed following a reported ransom payment of $3m. Last night the US navy released a photo showing a small package apparently containing the ransom parachuting to the deck of the Sirius Star from a small aircraft. The Sirius Star, which was carrying 2m barrels of oil when it was captured on November 15, sailed from the pirate lair of Harardheere on Somalia's eastern coast today. Two Britons – chief engineer Peter French, from County Durham, and second officer James Grady, from Renfrewshire – are among the crew of 25 who were all reported to be unharmed. "All our people have now left the Sirius Star. The ship is free, the crew is free," Mohamed Said, one of the pirate leaders, told Agence France-Presse by telephone. "There were last-minute problems but now everything has been finalised." A regional maritime group confirmed the release. An associate of the pirates, who call themselves the Central Regional Coastguard (CRC), said the owner of the ship, the oil giant Saudi Aramco, had paid a ransom of $3m (£2m). The pirates had originally demanded $25m. There was no immediate comment from the company on the release of the ship or the ransom claim. The hijacking of the 330-metre long vessel was the culmination of a dramatic surge in piracy off Somalia this year. Both the $100m cargo and the daring nature of the attack, which took place 500 miles off the coast of Kenya, prompted numerous governments around the world to send warships to the region. The shipping lanes in the Gulf of Aden, to Somalia's north, and the Indian Ocean, to the east of the lawless country, are among the busiest in the world. With no effective government on land to stop them, at least five Somali pirate gangs equipped with speedboats, AK-47 machine guns and rocket-propelled grenades attacked more than 100 ships near the Horn of Africa in 2008, netting tens of millions of pounds in ransoms. More than a dozen ships, including the Faina, a Ukrainian vessel carrying 33 T-72 battle tanks, are still being held along Somalia's east coast. The Sirius Star, whose cargo represents a quarter of Saudi Arabia's daily oil production, was en route to the US when it was hijacked. Andrew Mwangura, the head of the East African Seafarers Association, said the supertanker was headed south-east this evening. It was too large to dock at Mombasa, Kenya, but could anchor in deep waters to allow the crew to come ashore in a smaller boat, he said. The pirate gang's income may increase in the coming days. The CRC is also believed to be holding the Faina, tugboats from Nigeria and Indonesia, and two Turkish cargo ships. Negotiations for the release of all the vessels were close to concluding, Mwangura said. "These pirates could get a lot more money in the next few days. Maybe they can now take a holiday." The number of successful attacks by Somali pirates dropped significantly in December, with only two vessels captured. Maritime analysts say merchant ships have been taking protective measures to avoid being boarded by gunmen, while the glut of international warships on patrol has been a deterrent. The EU now has a dedicated naval fleet escorting ships in the region, while the US navy announced that it had created a new international force specifically to deal with Somali pirates. Individual countries such as Russia, China and Iran have sent their own warships to patrol Somalia's coast. \|\|\|\|\| Photo: US NAVY Residents and pirates in the Somali port of Haradhere told the Associated Press that the boat, which was carrying eight men, overturned in a storm after dozens of pirates left the Sirius Star following a two-month standoff in the Gulf of Aden. Three of the eight pirates managed to swim to shore but five were believed to have drowned. Haradhere, which has been used by pirates to launch their attacks on international vessels off east Africa, is a Somali coastal town close to where the Saudi supertanker ship was anchored. Local sources said that the ransom payment held by the eight pirates on their get away boat had been lost at sea. Dozens of pirates were involved in the Nov 15 hijacking of the Sirius Star, which had a £60 million cargo of crude oil. The estimated £2 million paid to release it on behalf of the ship's owners was split between many members of the gang. The ransom was delivered on Friday by airdrop, parachuted close to the ship in a waterproof case for the pirates to collect. They were then allowed to make their escape. \|\|\|\|\| TEHRAN, Jan. 10 (Xinhua) -- An Iranian-chartered ship which wasseized in the Gulf of Aden by Somali pirates in November has been released, Iran's semi-official Fars News Agency reported on Saturday. The ship named "Delight," which was carrying 36,000 tons of wheat when it was hijacked, was released Friday night, Fars quoted the urgent reaction committee of the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines (IRISL) as saying. All 25 members of the crew are now in good health, said the report, adding that the Hong Kong-flagged Delight is sailing towards Iranian port. The report did not mention whether any ransom had been paid for the release of Delight. On Friday, Somali pirates also reportedly freed a Saudi-owned super-tanker carrying 2 million barrels of crude oil which was also hijacked in November.	The ransom money is delivered by a parachute dropped by a small aircraft. Somali pirates have released the MV ''Sirius Star'', the biggest ship ever hijacked, after a ransom payment was made. Five pirates drowned while leaving the 330 metre oil tanker. The vessel was hijacked 500 miles from the Kenyan coast on November 15 with two million barrels of crude oil, worth $100 million. It was then anchored off the coast of Somalia at Haradhere, a coastal town used by pirates. It was released yesterday after a ransom of $3 million was paid by owner Saudi Aramco, significantly less than the $25 million originally demanded. After the money was parachuted in the pirates left the vessel, with all 25 crew unharmed. However, one pirate boat carrying eight pirates and some of the money capsized on its way to shore due to rough weather, and five of the occupants drowned. The vessel at anchor a few days after it was hijacked The ''Sirius Star'', which had been taking oil from Saudi Arabia to the United States, headed to Kenya after release. It anchored in deep waters, and a smaller boat took the crew to shore at Mombasa. The pirate faction involved, one of at least five in the Gulf of Aden, is called the Central Regional Coastguard (CRC). The CRC is also holding Ukranian arms ship MV ''Faina'', with a cargo of 33 T-72 tanks, two cargo ships from Turkey and tugs from Indonesia and Nigeria. Negotiations for the release of all these ships are said to be near to completion. Also released Friday was the Hong Kong-registered MV ''Delight'', an Iranian-chartered vessel carrying 36,000 tons of wheat and a crew of 25. It is unclear if any ransom was paid for the ship, seized in November. The crew are in good health and the cargo ship is headed to a port in Iran.
Chelsea have started their search for a new manager after sacking Avram Grant on Saturday. Grant, who replaced Jose Mourinho last September, was expected to be removed from his post following Chelsea's failure to win a trophy for the first time in three seasons. The 52-year-old Israeli found it hard to come to terms with being thrust into the spotlight and although he guided Chelsea into their first Champions League final, the penalty shoot-out defeat in Moscow last Wednesday paved the way for his departure. After two days of meetings, Chelsea confirmed their decision in a statement. It read: 'Chelsea can confirm that Avram Grant has had his contract as manager terminated today. 'This follows meetings over the last two days. Everybody at Chelsea FC would like to thank Avram for his contribution since taking over as manager last September. 'We will now be concentrating all our efforts on identifying a new manager for Chelsea and there will be no further comment until that appointment is made.' Grant joined the club last summer from Portsmouth to take up the post of director of football.' Then manager Mourinho, whose relationship with the board was already fractious, was unhappy with the appointment. Mourinho was later dismissed after their 1-1 draw with Rosenborg at Stamford Bridge in their opening Champions League game. Grant, who had never managed a club in England, was asked to takeover and later given a four-year contract. A close friend of the club's billionaire owner Roman Abramovich, Grant's brief reign was tainted by reports of anti-Semitic abuse but remarkably he equalled a nine-match winning run set by Mourinho's side two years earlier. Grant brought in Henk ten Cate as his assistant as well as new fitness and goalkeeping staff. But his appointment was never really accepted by the fans, who steadfastly refused to chant his name until the final game of the season, and his sour-faced demeanour did him few favours. He was also criticised for being tactically inept but guided the club to the final of the Carling Cup in February only to lose 2-1 to Tottenham. But remarkably, Chelsea pushed Manchester United to the wire in the race for the Premier League and earned a place in their first Champions League final against Sir Alex Ferguson's side. But his entire spell in charge was littered with speculation that he was just a stop-gap appointment and that he would leave in the summer. Chelsea consistently denied they had plans to change their manager but the deafening silence from the club's board after Wednesday's defeat by United, told its own story. Both chief-executive Peter Kenyon and chairman Bruce Buck paved the way for change by insisting that Chelsea's performance this season was simply 'not good enough'. Buck said: 'We have very high expectations at Chelsea and a couple of second place finishes is just not good enough for us - so although we never would have thought in September when Jose Mourinho left that we would be able to make it into a Champions League Final as we did - and that is fantastic - Chelsea are here to win trophies. So although it was an excellent season, we are still disappointed.' A series of discussions finally resolved Grant's future and it is understood the Israeli said his farewells to the players on Friday - telling them it had been a 'privilege' to manage the team. \|\|\|\|\| Chelsea Football Club can confirm that Avram Grant has had his contract as manager terminated on Saturday. This follows meetings over the previous two days. Everybody at Chelsea FC would like to thank Avram for his contribution since taking over as manager last September. We will now be concentrating all our efforts on identifying a new manager for Chelsea and there will be no further comment until that appointment is made. \|\|\|\|\| The writing was on the wall for Grant after defeat in Moscow Chelsea have sacked manager Avram Grant after just eight months in charge. The decision followed two days of talks between Grant, 53, and the club's owner and chief executive Peter Kenyon. The Israeli coach's position had been subject to intense speculation after Chelsea finished runners-up in the Premier League and Champions League. Russia coach Guus Hiddink, fellow Dutchman Frank Rijkaard and Manchester City boss Sven-Goran Eriksson are among the early favourites to replace Grant. Chelsea said in a statement on their website that the search for a new coach would now begin and that the club will make no further comment. The statement said: "Chelsea Football Club can confirm that Avram Grant has had his contract as manager terminated today. This follows meetings over the last two days. Please turn on JavaScript. Media requires JavaScript to play. "Everybody at Chelsea FC would like to thank Avram for his contribution since taking over as manager last September. "We will now be concentrating all our efforts on identifying a new manager for Chelsea and there will be no further comment until that appointment is made." BBC Radio 5 Live football correspondent Jonathan Legard said Grant had faced a nigh impossible task in taking over from Jose Mourinho. "He was little more than a stop gap," Legard told BBC Radio 5 Live. "He never really had the CV, never really had the experience, never really had the clout to fill the boots of Jose Mourinho. "Have Chelsea got someone lined up? I don't think they have. They may have a few ideas but whether they will be able to pursue them is another matter." The future of Chelsea assistants Steve Clarke and Henk Ten Cate is unclear and no official word has yet been given on their positions. Grant, a close friend of Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich, took over on 20 September 2007 after Mourinho was sacked. 606: DEBATE Rijkaard, Eriksson and, most recently, Brian Laudrup and Roberto Mancini have all been linked with a possible move to Chelsea with the likes of Luiz Felipe Scolari and Mark Hughes in the running. Despite losing just two Premier League games while in charge, Grant attracted criticism from fans who claimed his team lacked style. He was also criticised for losing February's League Cup final against Tottenham. Grant joined Chelsea last summer from Portsmouth as director of football, a decision which apparently did not please Mourinho. Mourinho was later dismissed after their 1-1 draw with Rosenborg at Stamford Bridge in their opening Champions League game. Grant and Mourinho did not always see eye-to-eye Grant, who had never managed a club in England, was asked to take over and on 13 December 2007 signed a four-year contract. Both Kenyon and chairman Bruce Buck paved the way for change by insisting that Chelsea's performance this season was simply "not good enough". Buck said: "We have very high expectations at Chelsea and a couple of second place finishes is just not good enough for us. "So although we never would have thought in September when Jose Mourinho left that we would be able to make it into a Champions League final as we did - and that is fantastic - Chelsea are here to win trophies. "So although it was an excellent season, we are still disappointed." A series of discussions finally resolved Grant's future and it is understood the Israeli said his farewells to the players on Friday - telling them it had been a 'privilege' to manage the team. Ironically, Mourinho has yet to take up a new job since his dismissal by Chelsea but he said only this week that he expects to be back in football in June. His odds for a dramatic and unexpected return to Chelsea were cut from 20/1 down to 8/1 by English bookmakers late on Saturday. Bookmark with: Delicious Digg reddit Facebook StumbleUpon What are these?	Chelsea F.C. fired Manager Avram Grant today. This comes three days after Chelsea lost to Manchester United F.C. in the 2008 UEFA Champions League Final in Moscow. Grant's tenure has been scrutinized ever since he took over for Jose Mourinho last September. Despite the constant questioning of his appointment as Manager of the first team, he was able to guide Chelsea F.C. in taking Manchester United to the final day of the Premier League title race after going level on points and narrowly missing out on European glory on penalties. The club only lost two Premier League matches during his tenure, but he was criticised by fans who claimed that his teams lacked style. A statement on the club read: "'Chelsea Football Club can confirm that Avram Grant has had his contract as manager terminated today. This follows meetings over the last two days," "Everybody at Chelsea FC would like to thank Avram for his contribution since taking over as manager last September," and "We will now be concentrating all our efforts on identifying a new manager for Chelsea and there will be no further comment until that appointment is made." Former Barcelona Head Coach Frank Rijkaard, Inter Milan Head Coach Roberto Mancini and Russia Head Coach Guus Hiddink have all been linked to the position at Chelsea F.C.
Wikipedia is planning to place new restrictions on the open editing system that allows anyone to make changes to articles in the online encyclopedia, at least when it comes to items about living people. The changes are designed to protect the "high-profile people who have always been a target for pranksters and vandalism" on the site, said Jimmy Wales, a founder of the collective reference work, which numbers among the world's 10 most visited websites. \|\|\|\|\| Wikipedia testing new method to curb false info NEW YORK — Wikipedia, the online encyclopedia that has drawn some decidedly juvenile pranks, is looking to impose more discipline with new restrictions on the editing of articles. The latest changes come as Wikipedia tries to balance a need for credibility and a desire for openness. While anyone can still edit entries, the site is testing pages that won't register changes until they are approved by an experienced Wikipedia editor. If the site's users respond well to the test run, the new restrictions will apply to all entries for living people in the next few weeks. The idea is to block the kind of high-profile vandalism that has marred some pages. In one of the most recent embarrassments, Democratic Sens. Robert Byrd and Edward Kennedy were prematurely declared dead by rogue editors. Still, Wikipedia risks discouraging legitimate editing if restrictions on changes or additions become too burdensome, keeping articles from getting better or keeping up with events. That may be especially true on more obscure pages with fewer active volunteers to approve edits in a timely way. Aware of the risks, Wikipedia has set the criteria for "experienced editor" status relatively low. Users who are registered for a few days can give changes the OK, said Jay Walsh, a spokesman for the nonprofit Wikimedia Foundation, which runs the site. A more uniform system for filtering changes on Wikipedia represents a step back from the site's original philosophy, which called for harnessing the collective knowledge of volunteer editors without any major restrictions. But it is not the first time Wikipedia has attached some strings. The same flagging process, for example, has been imposed on all entries in the German-language Wikipedia for more than a year. On the English site, too, high-profile pages that are likely to be defaced, such as Michael Jackson's, have been tightly restricted. Some observers believe Wikipedia must continue tightening editing policies if it wants to gain credibility. "I'm just waiting for the other shoe to drop," said Eric Goldman, director of the High Tech Law Institute at the Santa Clara University School of Law. Goldman envisions a future Wikipedia curated by a relatively small group of dedicated editors. Under the current model, he said, there simply aren't enough volunteers to catch all errors. "My hope is that Wikipedia still exists and is still considered a useful site," Goldman said. "But it will be at that point a very tightly controlled site. It won't have that veneer of a site that anyone can contribute to. They haven't closed the drawbridge. People can still get in. But it keeps going up and up and up." Separately, the Omidyar Network, a philanthropic investment group started by eBay founder Pierre Omidyar, said Tuesday it is committing $2 million over two years to the Wikimedia Foundation. Omidyar Network's grant will support Wikimedia's goals of bringing free educational content to people around the world and supporting more people to help create that content. It follows last week's announcement of a $500,000 grant from The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation to make Wikipedia's software more user friendly and to develop training materials to engage new potential volunteer editors. Copyright © 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.	The English version of Wikipedia, the self-described free, online encyclopedia that anyone can edit, has planned to install new restrictions on its editing system on articles regarding biographies of living people. Under the new plan, anyone can edit the affected articles, but the changes would have to be approved by a more experienced user before they could be registered. The move is part of an effort to prevent vandalism and unconstructive edits being made to high-profile pages and increase content quality. The system is called "flagged revisions". Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales said that there would be a "very, very low threshold to entry" for those who desired editorial rights. "We're looking at anybody who has been around a very short period of time and hasn't been blocked banned," he said.
ISLAMABAD, Oct. 8 (Xinhua) -- At least four security officers of President General Pervez Musharraf were killed when an army helicopter crashed in Pakistan-controlled Kashmir on Monday, the army spokesman Major General Waheed Arshad said. The helicopter, carrying security and other staff officers of Musharraf, came down near the town of Gari Dupata in Pakistan-controlled Kashmir during a crash landing, Arshad said. Soldiers and residents participate in a rescue effort at the wreckage of a military helicopter after it crashed near Ghori village, in a valley 18 km (11 miles) south of Muzaffarabad, the capital of Pakistan-administered Kashmir, Oct. 8, 2007. Four Pakistani soldiers were killed when their helicopter crashed during a visit to Kashmir by President Pervez Musharraf on Monday to mark the second anniversary of an earthquake in the region, an army spokesman said.(Xinhua Photo) Photo Gallery>>> Presidential spokesman Major General Rashid Qureshi was among the four injured officers who were evacuated to hospital in Muzaffarabad, he said, adding that the pilot remained unhurt in the crash landing. Arshad disclosed that the ill-fated helicopter was following the helicopter of Musharraf who reached his destination eventually. Musharraf and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz were scheduled to visit the earthquake-hit Pakistan-controlled Kashmir and North West Frontier Province on the second anniversary of the devastating earthquake in October 2005. \|\|\|\|\| Soldiers and residents surround the wreckage of a military helicopter after it crashed south of Muzaffarabad, the capital of Pakistan-administered Kashmir Monday. (Amiruddin Mughal/Reuters) Army helicopter escorting Musharraf crashes in Kashmir, killing 4 soldiers MUJHOI, Pakistan: One of three helicopters escorting General Pervez Musharraf crashed in the Pakistan portion of Kashmir on Monday, killing four soldiers on board, but the president was unhurt, officials said. Major General Waheed Arshad, the army spokesman, blamed a "technical fault" for the crash of the military helicopter and said that Musharraf had already reached his destination when the accident occurred. The crash revives concern about the safety of the general, who has survived several assassination attempts. It happened two days after he secured a provisional victory in a controversial presidential election. Musharraf traveled to Kashmir on Monday to commemorate the second anniversary of the Oct. 8, 2005, earthquake that killed nearly 80,000 people. The helicopter crashed in Mujhoi, about 20 kilometers, or 12 miles, south of Muzaffarabad, the main town in the Pakistan portion of the Himalayan territory. The president's spokesman, Rashid Qureshi, was among several passengers who were injured. He suffered a burned right hand but was in stable condition, officials said. Hundreds of residents and scores of soldiers swarmed around the still-smoldering helicopter wreckage, 100 meters, or 328 feet, from the Jhelum River. Part of the chopper's tail jutted above the crowd. At least four ambulances, sirens wailing, left the scene carrying injured people. Abbas Gardezi, a local journalist, said he saw the helicopter hit the ground and then explode into flames. The weather was sunny and clear. Arshad said only that an army helicopter made a crash landing in the Jhelum Valley due to a technical fault while en route to Muzaffarabad. "Four troops died and some were injured," he said. Arshad said that the president had reached some other area when the chopper went down. He declined to say how close Musharraf had been to the crash. "The president was in some other chopper and he safely reached where he had to go," he said. Two suspected Al Qaeda fighters and a dozen villagers were among about 80 people killed in fierce fighting between soldiers and militants in northwest Pakistan, an official said Monday, according to The Associated Press in Miran Shah, Pakistan. Waheed Arshad, the army spokesman, said that about 60 suspected militants and 20 soldiers died in two major clashes on Sunday in the North Waziristan region, a militant stronghold near the Afghan border. A security official in Miran Shah, the main town in North Waziristan, said on Monday that two Arabs who were low-ranking Al Qaeda men, and an Uzbek, died in the second battle in an area called Malagam. \|\|\|\|\| Helicopter escorting Musharraf crashes; four killed Islamabad (PTI): A helicopter carrying officials accompanying President Pervez Musharraf crashed in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir on Monday, killing four persons, including three armymen, onboard and injuring his spokesman. Musharraf, who was in another helicopter flying ahead, reached his destination safely, military spokesman Maj Gen Waheed Arshad said. The medium-lift Puma helicopter, which was carrying the President's spokesman, Maj Gen (retired) Rashid Qureshi, and other officials, crashlanded at Majohi near Garhi Dupatta in the Jhelum valley after catching fire. An army brigadier, two soldiers and a PTV cameraman were killed, while Qureshi received some injuries, officials said. Qureshi and four others who were injured were taken to a hospital in Muzaffarabad in PoK. Arshad, who blamed a "technical fault" for the crash, said the presidential spokesman is out of danger. The President and his team were leaving Muzaffarabad when a fire broke out in one of the three helicopters escorting Musharraf, forcing the pilot to make an emergency landing. Musharraf and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz are both visiting parts of PoK and the North Western Frontier Province that were hit by the devastating earthquake two years ago. The temblor killed over 75,000 people. Top Stories	Pervez Musharraf in 2002. An AS-332L2 Super Puma. At least four people have died after one of three military escort helicopters accompanying Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf crashed in Kashmir. The medium-lift Super Puma helicopter was shadowing one carrying the president when the rear of the rotorcraft burst into flame, forcing an emergency crash landing. An army brigadier, two soldiers and a PTV cameraman were killed, and four more were injured, including presidential spokesman Major General Rashid Qureshi. The injured are being treated at a hospital in Muzaffarabad. The pilot walked away unharmed. It is thought to be an accident caused by a technical fault. The helicopters were visiting the scene of a devastating 2005 earthquake to mark the anniversary of the disaster. The president ultimately reached his destination.
General News of Tuesday, 10 July 2007 Italian President Napolitano departs Accra, July 10, GNA - The President of Italy, Mr. Giorgio Napolitano, left Accra on Tuesday after a three-day state visit. Before his departure, President Napolitano was escorted to the dais where the national anthems of Ghana and Italy were played accompanied by a 21-gun salute. At the airport to see him off were President John Agyekum Kufuor, Ministers of State, Members of the Diplomatic Corps, Chief of Defence Staff, Lieutenant General J.B. Danquah and Deputy IGP, Mrs. Elisabeth Mills- Robertson. During the visit, President Napolitano held talks with President Kufuor, inspected construction work at the Accra Sports Stadium and was guest of honour at a state banquet. 10 July 07 Source: GNA Comments: View All (2) Comments Send Your Comment \|\|\|\|\| He said many of the students after registering for the exams stopped attending school to engage in illegal mining activities popularly called galamsey in the district. \|\|\|\|\| General News of Tuesday, 10 July 2007 Source: GNA Italian President commends role of GAF Accra, July 10, GNA - Italy has commended the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) for its benchmark of consolidating peace and stability in strife-torn regions across the world, with an assurance that it would continue to support Ghana's international role in solving regional crisis. "Italy appreciates the level of troop contribution to and for works done by Ghana's contingents to peacekeeping operations worldwide", visiting Italian President Giorgio Napolitano said on Tuesday in Accra. "We are pleased with your sense of mission and the high level of professionalism being exhibited by your troops on peace missions, and we would continue to support you in your role", he said. Napolitano was addressing staff of the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC) in Accra as part of his official visit to Ghana. Italy was a major contributor to the construction of the second phase of the KAIPTC- conference centre, student accommodation and dining facility- which was completed late 2005. Italy also sponsors a training course for correction officers through partnership with the Legon Centre for International Affairs (LECIA) at the University of Ghana. President Napolitano, who was briefed on the purpose and function of the KAIPTC, said he was pleased to visit the Centre, which has succeeded in formulating high level programmes to enhance the skills of African peacekeepers as well as the international community. He expressed the hope that the KAIPTC would become a key benchmark for Ghana to consolidate its position on the African continent. The Italian President stated that his country further develop cooperation's between the centre and relevant Italian institutions to enhance the activities of the KAIPTC. Defence Minister, Dr. Kwame Addo-Kufuor extolled the relations between Ghana and Italy, which dated back to Ghana's independence era, with a number of Italian companies assisting in the nation's infrastructural development, notably the Akosombo Dam and the Tema Oil Refinery. On the defence arena, cooperation between Italy and GAF has been significant, as Ghana purchased the Augusta Bell Helicopters and the Aermacchi fighter jets in use by the Air Force from Italy. Dr. Addo-Kufuor expressed government's appreciation to Italy for cancelling all bilateral debts and for the support for establishing the KAIPTC, a milestone in the existing cordial relationship between both countries, adding that government was committed to peacekeeping operations, and to the programmes organized at the Centre President Napolitano later planted a tree to symbolise his visit to the centre. In a related development, the President of the Swiss Confederation, Mrs Micheline Calmy-Rey also called at the KAIPTC on Tuesday as part of her visit to Ghana. Switzerland contributed to the establishment of the Centre. \|\|\|\|\| General News of Monday, 9 July 2007 Source: GNA Ghana-Italy to deepen bilateral relations Accra, July 9, GNA - Ghana and Italy on Monday renewed their resolve to deepen economic and political co-operation between the two countries for the mutual benefit of their peoples. Speaking to journalists after bilateral talks at the Castle, Osu, President John Agyekum Kufuor, and visiting Italian President Giorgio Napolitano, were unanimous in their assessment of the great prospects for increased partnership. Relations between the two countries have always been good with Italy playing key role in Ghana's development, particularly in the energy sector. The Akosombo Hydro-Electric Dam, was constructed by an Italian Company, the Osagyefo Barge, although financed with a Japanese facility was built in Italy, while AGIP, an Italian oil giant, has had a strong presence in the country. President Kufuor said Ghana wanted a further strengthening of relations with the European country in the business front, to push the private sector of the economy. He therefore called on the Italian Government to use its institutions to provide the necessary guarantees for its businesses that were ready to invest in the country. Additionally, capacity building, technology transfer and exchange programmes between Ghanaian and Italian tertiary institutions were areas that needed to engage priority attention. President Kufuor said this had become even more important, given Ghana's recent discovery of oil and the Italians vast experience and technological know-how in the energy sector. He said in the area of agriculture, there were a lot the country could learn from its European counterpart, especially with regard to the development and packaging of tomatoes, oil-palm and shea-butter. President Kufuor conveyed to the Italian Government and people, Ghana's gratefulness for the cancellation of 42 million Euros debt owed that country following the attainment of the HIPC completion point. President Napolitano, who is in the country for a three-day state visit, said his presence was a sign of the attention and respect for Ghana's role in the international arena. He said they used the bilateral talks to take stock of their political co-operation as both countries were members of the United Nations (UN) Security Council. They also reviewed the situations in trouble spots like the Sudan's Darfur region and Somalia and the impact on Africa's stability. President Napolitano said the two leaders expressed their deepest concern for the humanitarian crises in those areas. There was an affirmation of joint commitment to the training of civilian personnel attached to peacekeeping missions. The Italian President would visit Ghana's Parliament, the Ohene Djan Sports Stadium and the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park later in the day. 09 July 07 Send your news stories to and via WhatsApp on +233 55 2699 625. Join our Newsletter \|\|\|\|\| General News of Monday, 9 July 2007 Source: GNA Italian President calls on Parliament Accra, July 9, GNA - His Excellency, Mr. Giorgio Napolitano, President of the Republic of Italy, on Monday said the European Union (EU) had a role to play in ensuring the unity and integration of Africa. He has, therefore, called for greater cooperation between the EU and the African Union, saying the EU has to make some financial commitment to enable Africa move towards unity. Mr Napolitano said these when he paid a courtesy call on Mr Ebenezer Sekyi Hughes, the Speaker, and a section of Members of the Parliament. The Italian President, on a state visit to Ghana, said he had been an MP before, both in Italy and the European Union, adding that parliament should be a place where all political forces could meet, dialogue and listen to each other. He said it should be possible for the parliament of Ghana and Italy to form a friendship association to exchange ideas. Touching on relations between the two countries, he said Ghanaian immigrants in Italy were doing well and contributing to Italy's economy, and extended a welcome to them in Italy. Mr Sekyi Hughes, in his response, said it was significant that the Italian President had used his visit, to interact with the representatives of the people by visiting the Ghanaian Parliament. "It shows his belief in parliamentary democracy and Ghana's young democracy," he said. He said Ghana had, over the years, benefited from Italian assistance in various fields, including technical support and the cancellation of debts running into millions of dollars under the Highly Indebted Poor Countries initiative, which has benefited Ghana tremendously. The Speaker said a number of African parliaments, including Ghana, had also benefited from Italy under an information communication technology package, which has facilitated the work of legislatures across the continent. He proposed the established of an association between Ghana and Italy's Parliament. \|\|\|\|\| General News of Sunday, 8 July 2007 Source: GNA Italian President arrives in Ghana Accra, July 08, GNA - Mr Giorgio Napolitano, President of Italy arrives in Ghana on Sunday, 8th July 2007 to begin a three-day official visit. While in Ghana he and his delegation will hold bilateral talks with President Kufuor at the Castle and address Parliament on Monday. He will also visit the Kwame Nkrumah Mausoleum and tour the Ohene Djan Sports Stadium to interact with the Italian workers at the construction site. On Tuesday, Mr. Napolitano will visit the Kofi Annan International Peace-keeping Training Centre and interact with the staff before returning to his country. The departure of the Italian President's will be followed with the arrival of the President of the Switzerland, Mrs. Micheline Calmey-Rey, for a two-day official visit for bilateral talks with President Kufuor and the government at the Castle, Osu. She returns on Wednesday. Join our Newsletter	Mr. Giorgio Napolitano, the President of Italy has completed a three day visit to Ghana. During his visit, he met President John Kufuor at the Osu Castle. They highlighted the bonds between Ghana and Italy and past cooperation such as the building of the Akosombo Hydroelectric Dam and AGIP's involvement in Ghana's petroleum business. Napolitano also visited the Parliament of Ghana, where he paid a courtesy call on the Speaker, Ebenezer Sekyi-Hughes. Napolitano said the European Union had a role to play in the integration of Africa. Sekyi-Hughes was pleased that the Italian president had shown confidence in Ghana's parliament and its young democracy. Later, he visited the Kwame Nkrumah mausoleum in Accra and inspected work on the Ohene Djan Sports Stadium where Italian workers are engaged in construction work to prepare the stadium for the 2008 African Cup of Nations tournament. The next day, he visited the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre near Accra. Ghana and Italy affirmed their commitment to the training of civilian personnel attached to various peacekeeping missions. While there, he said "Italy appreciates the level of troop contribution to and for works done by Ghana's contingents to peacekeeping operations worldwide". He continued, "We are pleased with your sense of mission and the high level of professionalism being exhibited by your troops on peace missions, and we would continue to support you in your role". He was the guest of honour at a state banquet held before his departure.
(CNN) -- Bail was set at $50,000 Friday night for a GOP campaign worker who made up a story about being attacked by a man angered by a John McCain bumper sticker on her car. Police say Ashley Todd admitted making up the report that she was attacked because of a McCain sticker. Ashley Todd, 20, of College Station, Texas, has been charged with filing a false police report, a misdemeanor, a police report said. Todd, who is being held at the Allegheny County Jail in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, did not enter a plea when she appeared in court Friday night. She did not post bail. She is scheduled to appear in court again October 30, when she is expected to enter a plea. If she posts bail, Todd must be evaluated at a behavioral clinic. "This has wasted so much time. ... It's just a lot of wasted man hours," Assistant Police Chief Maurita Bryant said at a briefing. Todd was a volunteer for a John McCain phone bank in Pittsburgh, the campaign said. The woman told investigators a man approached her Wednesday night at an ATM in Pittsburgh's East End, put a blade to her neck and demanded money, said Pittsburgh police spokeswoman Diane Richard. Police said they found "several inconsistencies" in Todd's statement and she was not seen in surveillance videos taken at the ATM. She was asked to take a polygraph test Friday morning, Richard said. The results were not made public. Later, Todd came to the police station to help work on a composite sketch of the alleged attacker. When she arrived, Todd "told them she just wanted to tell the truth" -- that she was not robbed, and there was no attacker, Bryant said. Todd originally told police a man "punched her in the back of the head, knocking her to the ground, and he continued to punch and kick her while threatening to teach her a lesson for being a McCain supporter," according to a police statement. The woman also told police her attacker "called her a lot of names and stated that 'You are going to be a Barack supporter,' at which time she states he sat on her chest, pinning both her hands down with his knees, and scratched into her face a backward letter 'B' on the right side of her face using what she believed to be a very dull knife." Bryant described Todd as "very cordial, polite, cooperating," and said the woman was surprised by all the media attention. Asked whether the false report was politically motivated, Bryant replied, "It's difficult to say." "She is stating that she was in her vehicle driving around, and she came up with this idea," she said. "She said she has prior mental problems and doesn't know how the backward letter 'B' got on her face." However, Todd was the only one in the vehicle, and "when she saw the 'B' she thought she must have been the one who did it," Bryant said. "We're talking with the district attorney's office and conferring on just how we're going to handle it," she said. "It's been different stories through the night and this morning." She said there was no indication that anyone else was involved. Richard said the woman had described her alleged attacker as an African-American, 6 feet 4 inches tall with a medium build and short dark hair, wearing dark clothing and shiny shoes. Before the revelation that the report was false, McCain spokeswoman Jill Hazelbaker said that McCain and running mate Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin "spoke to the victim and her family after learning about the incident." The Obama campaign also had issued a statement wishing the woman a "speedy recovery." All About John McCain • Sarah Palin • Pittsburgh \|\|\|\|\| (CNSNews.com) – The McCain campaign worker who told Pittsburgh, Pa., police she was mugged by an attacker who scrawled the letter “B” on her face with a knife has admitted she lied about the attack, according to a local television station. Twenty-year-old Ashley Todd of Texas claimed she was robbed at an ATM in Bloomfield and that the robber punched and kicked her, then carved a “B” on her face after he saw a McCain bumper sticker on her car. After police noticed some inconsistencies in her story, they gave her a lie detector test, but they did not release the results. “Because of the inconsistencies in her statements, Ms. Todd was asked to submit to a polygraph examination which she agreed to do," Pittsburgh Police spokesperson Diane Richard said in a statement on Friday. On Friday afternoon, Todd admitted she made the story up, according to WTAE-TV.	Ashley Todd, a campaign volunteer for John McCain, who on Wednesday reported that she was attacked by an Obama supporter while using an ATM in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, admitted on Friday that she had made up the story. Todd had described her attacker as a tall, "dark-skinned African-American," who pressed a knife against her neck while she was using an ATM. She claimed that after she gave him $60, he noticed a McCain sticker on her car and proceeded to beat her before pinning her down and scratching a backwards "B" for "Barack" into her cheek with the knife. He then fled the scene, she said, though later she could not recall to which direction he fled. He wanted to teach her a lesson, she said, and make her a Barack Obama supporter. "It’s not like her cheek was carved out," a police spokeswoman said of the mutilation, referring to it as a "scratch" or "scrape." Todd did not seek medical attention, instead leaving for a friend's apartment and calling police almost an hour after the time she said she had been attacked. The Pittsburgh Police Department administered a polygraph test on Todd after spotting several inconsistencies in her story and finding that bank and video records showed she had not used the ATM machine. Police Commander Larry Ross said Todd's story began to change with subsequent interviews. "She added other things to it that we didn’t have at first, that she didn’t tell the initial officer," he said. Todd had added that the alleged attacker had "fondled" her in a follow-up interview, and later changed her story to say that she had been unconscious during the attack. Police say that Todd has suffered "mental problems" in the past. They do not believe anyone made her pull this hoax. The story received widespread attention across the internet and mass media outlets, and was featured in a massive headline on conservative news aggregation website Drudge Report. The McCain campaign said McCain and Palin had both spoken to her over the phone, offering their condolences. Obama later condemned the attack and called for the attacker to be brought to justice.
Rove fight escalates The partisan fight over Karl Rove exploded onto the Senate floor yesterday, with Democrats trying to strip him of his security clearance and Republicans retaliating by trying to strip the chamber's two top Democrats of theirs. The moves, which came as amendments to a spending bill, both failed, but not before each side blamed the other for "juvenile" behavior and for poisoning a well of good feelings they said had existed in the past few weeks. Some senators said the entire exercise was wrong. "There might be a contest between which of these amendments is more poorly drafted," said Sen. Jeff Sessions, Alabama Republican, who voted against both amendments. "We should not be doing this. This is exactly why the American public holds Congress in such low esteem right now," said Sen. Susan Collins, Maine Republican, who also opposed both. Meanwhile, former Ambassador Joseph C. Wilson IV, whose wife, Valerie Plame, and her identity as a cover CIA employee is the central issue, came to the Capitol to call for President Bush to fire Mr. Rove. "I believe it is time for Karl Rove to go and time for this president to live up to his promises that anyone involved in this leak would be fired," Mr. Wilson said during a press conference with Sen. Charles E. Schumer, New York Democrat, steps away from the Senate floor. Mr. Bush said in 2003 that he would fire whoever leaked the information about Mrs. Plame's identity. Mr. Rove spoke to Time magazine's Matt Cooper about Mr. Wilson's wife, warning the reporter about Mr. Wilson's false claim that he was sent to Niger by Vice President Dick Cheney. Democrats have since called repeatedly for Mr. Rove to be fired or at least lose his security clearance as White House deputy chief of staff. But Republicans said to wait for results from a special prosecutor who is investigating the case and could be considering charges of obstruction of justice or perjury. A former CIA covert agent who supervised Mrs. Plame early in her career yesterday took issue with her identification as an "undercover agent," saying that she worked for more than five years at the agency's headquarters in Langley and that most of her neighbors and friends knew that she was a CIA employee. "She made no bones about the fact that she was an agency employee and her husband was a diplomat," Fred Rustmann, a covert agent from 1966 to 1990, told The Washington Times. advertisement Copyright © 1999 - 2005 News World Communications, Inc. http://www.washingtontimes.com/national/20050715-121257-9887r.htm \|\|\|\|\| Use this guide to help you find the full text of recent bills and resolutions on the Web, or order them from the Senate or House Document Rooms, or you can find them in a library. You can access legislative information, by bill number or key words, from the THOMAS Web site. Information from the present back to the 93rd Congress (1973) is available on THOMAS. \|\|\|\|\| VOTE ALERT: GOP supports national security leaks The Senate just finished up voting on the Democratic amendment to crackdown on high government officials who leak classified information and compromise U.S. national security. Incredibly, the self-described "pro-national security" Republican Party voted down the legislation, apparently ignoring all of their previous claims to despise leaks. The GOP also voted down their own amendment , apparently realizing how ridiculous it really was. See the final roll call vote on the Democratic amendment here , and the GOP amendment here To understand how outrageous this is, re-read the text of the Democratic amendment. This is not an exaggeration: the GOP is now on record voting in support of preserving the security clearance of a "federal employee who discloses or has disclosed classified information, including the identity of a covert agent of the Central Intelligence Agency." Unbelievable. \|\|\|\|\| NY Times, Wash. Post revised White House pledge to fire Plame leakers Responding to the July 2003 outing of CIA operative Valerie Plame, the White House made an unqualified pledge to fire any administration official involved in leaking Plame's identity. But following allegations that White House senior adviser Karl Rove was involved in the Plame leak, The New York Times and The Washington Post presented this pledge more narrowly, writing that President Bush promised to fire only those administration officials who "knowingly" or "illegally" disclosed Plame's identity. The distinction between what Bush actually pledged and what the Post and the Times reported that he pledged is significant. By pledging unequivocally to dismiss anyone who leaked classified information, Bush is now in a bind; recent reports reveal that Rove told Time magazine reporter Matthew Cooper that former ambassador Joseph C. Wilson IV's wife worked at the CIA. If the perception takes hold that Bush had pledged only to fire anyone found to have "illegally" or "knowingly" leaked, then he could retain Rove, barring a criminal conviction, and claim that he kept his promise. The Times reported on July 14: "Mr. Bush's comment came nearly two years after he suggested that he would fire anyone in his administration who had knowingly leaked the identity of the operative, Valerie Wilson." The Post reported on July 14: "The White House had declared that Rove was not involved in Plame's unmasking, and, when the controversy broke in the summer of 2003, Bush said he would fire anyone who illegally outed a CIA official." But as Media Matters for America documented, White House press secretary Scott McClellan explicitly stated in a September 29, 2003, press conference that Bush would fire anyone involved in outing an undercover CIA operative. McClellan did not hinge dismissal on criminal or intentional action: Q: Scott, has anyone -- has the president tried to find out who outed the CIA agent? And has he fired anyone in the White House yet? McCLELLAN: Well, Helen, that's assuming a lot of things. First of all, that is not the way this White House operates. The president expects everyone in his administration to adhere to the highest standards of conduct. No one would be authorized to do such a thing. [...] McCLELLAN: The president has set high standards, the highest of standards for people in his administration. He's made it very clear to people in his administration that he expects them to adhere to the highest standards of conduct. If anyone in this administration was involved in it, they would no longer be in this administration. Bush himself stated on September 30, 2003, that he would "take appropriate action" against "anybody in my administration who leaked classified information." By retroactively amending Bush's words, the Post and the Times asserted that Bush said something even some Republicans reportedly think he wasn't sufficiently clear about. According to a July 14 San Francisco Chronicle article by Washington reporter Carolyn Lochhead, "Privately, Republicans concede the controversy hurts and wonder why Bush does not simply say Rove did not break the law and clarify that when he said he'd fire anyone in his administration for revealing classified information, he specifically meant someone who broke the law." If as the Post said, Bush's pledge was already limited to those who acted illegally, why would his supporters hope he would amend it now? Posted to the web on Thursday July 14, 2005 at 3:32 PM EST Subscribe to our newsletters to receive items via e-mail \|\|\|\|\| WASHINGTON, July 13 - President Bush said Wednesday that he would withhold judgment on whether Karl Rove, his senior adviser and political strategist, had identified an undercover C.I.A. operative in a conversation with a reporter for Time magazine. Mr. Bush's comment came nearly two years after he suggested that he would fire anyone in his administration who had knowingly leaked the identity of the operative, Valerie Wilson. Her naming has led to a federal grand jury investigation. On Wednesday, in his first remarks on the matter since the disclosure that Mr. Rove had alluded to the Central Intelligence Agency officer in a background interview in July 2003 with Matthew Cooper, a White House correspondent for Time, Mr. Bush held that it would be wrong to discuss the case while the investigation was under way. "I have instructed every member of my staff to fully cooperate in this investigation," Mr. Bush told reporters after a cabinet meeting. "I also will not prejudge the investigation based on media reports."	Senators voted down an amendment "To protect classified information and to protect our servicemen and women.", attached to a "Department of Homeland Security Appropriations" Bill. The amendment would have revoked access to classified information from federal employees who disclose the information to unauthorized sources. This followed an attempt by Senators to strip Karl Rove of his security clearance. The amendment comes as George W. Bush declined to reaffirm his pledge to fire any official involved in the leaking of covert CIA agent Valerie Plame after documents by the named his chief advisor Karl Rove as a source of the leak. In a press briefing on September 29th, 2004, White House spokesman , in response to the question "Scott, has anyone — has the president tried to find out who outed the CIA agent? And has he fired anyone in the White House yet?", stated that "The president has set high standards, the highest of standards for people in his administration. He's made it very clear to people in his administration that he expects them to adhere to the highest standards of conduct. If anyone in this administration was involved in it, they would no longer be in this administration." The next day, in a meeting with business people, George W. Bush said that "If somebody did leak classified information, I'd like to know it, and we'll take the appropriate action." The and The however, misrepresented Bush's promise as a promise to fire only those administration officials who "knowingly" or "illegally" disclosed Plame's identity. In a press conference this Monday, White House spokesman Scott McClellan was asked if the president stood by his statements made in September 2003, in light of recent evidence that Karl Rove was involved in the leak. Scott McClellan declined to reaffirm this policy, citing an ongoing investigation. Pressed to explain its statements of two years ago that Rove wasn't involved in the leak, the White House refused to do so. "If I were to get into discussing this, I would be getting into discussing an investigation that continues and could be prejudging the outcome of the investigation," White House spokesman Scott McClellan said. The statements made by Scott McClellan two years ago were made during the investigation that continues and may have prejudiced the outcome of the investigation. When reporters asked McClellan to explain this inconsistency, McClellan gave the same response. When asked if the Administration was told not to discuss the investigation while it was ongoing ''after'' he claimed that Karl Rove was not involved in the leak, and not before, Scott McClellan gave the same response. Senate leader Harry Reid of added this amendment to the Bill: :''"No federal employee who discloses or has disclosed classified information, including the identity of a covert agent of the Central Intelligence Agency, to a person not authorized to receive such information shall be entitled to hold a security clearance for access to such information." Senate Majority Leader , -., amended the amendment: :''"...or any federal officeholder who makes reference to a classified Federal Bureau of Investigation report on the floor of the United States Senate, or any federal officeholder that makes a statement based on a FBI agent¹s comments which is used as propaganda by terrorist organizations thereby putting our servicemen and women at risk, shall not be permitted access to such information or to hold a security clearance for access to such information." The first part of this amendment was in response to Joe Wilson's correction of George W. Bush's representation of his and his associates' intelligence assessment regarding . The second was in response to recent criticism of the treatment of prisoners in detention facilities operated by the United States, most notably at by officials including Senator . The Republican-controlled Senate ultimately voted down both amendments on July 14th. Representative , , has introduced legislation for an investigation that would compel senior administration officials to turn over records relating to the Plame disclosure.
A sign on the downtown civic plaza directs citizens who need to file unemployment information to a satellite location in Elkhart, Ind. Wednesday Feb. 4, 2009. The U.S. Labor Department says that the Elkhart-Goshen area posted the largest jobless rate in the nation from, at 15.3 percent (AP Photo/Joe Raymond) Jobless rate 7.6 pct; 598K job cuts most since '74 WASHINGTON (AP) — Recession-battered employers eliminated 598,000 jobs in January, the most since the end of 1974, and catapulted the unemployment rate to 7.6 percent. The grim figures were further proof that the nation's job climate is deteriorating at an alarming clip with no end in sight. The Labor Department's report, released Friday, showed the terrible toll the drawn-out recession is having on workers and companies. It also puts even more pressure on Congress and President Barack Obama's administration to revive the economy through a stimulus package and a revamped financial bailout plan, both of which are nearing completion. Obama decried as "inexcusable and irresponsible" the delay of his economic recovery legislation in Congress with an estimated 3.6 million Americans losing their jobs since the recession began in December 2007. About half of them have lost jobs in only the past three months. Obama acknowledged the $900-billion-plus stimulus plan was not perfect and pledged to work with lawmakers to refine the measure, which he called "absolutely necessary." "These numbers demand action. It is time for Congress to act," Obama said bluntly. "That's 3.6 million Americans who need our help." The latest net total of job losses was far worse than the 524,000 that economists expected. Job reductions in November and December also were deeper than previously reported. With cost-cutting employers in no mood to hire, the unemployment rate bolted to 7.6 percent in January, the highest since September 1992. The increase in the jobless rate from 7.2 percent in December also was worse than the 7.5 percent rate economists expected. Vanishing jobs and evaporating wealth from tanking home values, 401(k)s and other investments have forced consumers to retrench, which has required companies to pull back. It's a vicious cycle where the economy's problems feed on each other, perpetuating a downward spiral. "Companies are in survival mode and are really cutting to the bone," said economist Ken Mayland, president of ClearView Economics. "They are cutting and cutting hard now out of fear of an uncertain future." If part-time employees, discouraged workers and others are factored in, the unemployment rate would have been 13.9 percent in January, the highest on record. Many economists said the job losses for February are likely to be just as bad, and they don't expect the labor market to return to decent health until 2011 at the earliest. But on Wall Street, investors pushed up stock prices on hopes that the miserable jobs report would get Congress to move quickly on the economic revival package. The Dow Jones industrials gained about 225 points in afternoon trading and broader stock indicators also rose. Factories slashed 207,000 jobs in January, the largest one-month drop since October 1982, partly reflecting heavy losses at plants making autos and related parts. Construction companies got rid of 111,000 jobs. Professional and business services chopped 121,000 positions. Retailers eliminated 45,000 jobs. Leisure and hospitality axed 28,000 slots. Those reductions swamped employment gains in education and health services, as well as in the government. Employers are slashing payrolls and turning to other ways to cut costs — including trimming workers' hours, freezing wages or cutting pay — to cope with shrinking appetites from customers in the U.S. and overseas, who are struggling with their own economic troubles. The average work week in January stayed at 33.3 hours, matching the record low set in December. With no place to go, the number of unemployed workers climbed to 11.6 million. In addition, 7.8 million people were working part time — a category that includes those who would like to work full time but whose hours were cut back, or those who were unable to find full-time work. For example, more than 200,000 state government employees were expected to stay home without pay Friday in California, which began its first-ever furlough to save money during the ongoing fiscal crisis. Job hunters also are facing longer searches for work. The average time it took for an unemployed person to find any job — full or part time — rose to 19.8 weeks in January, compared with 17.5 weeks a year ago, underscoring the increasing difficulty the out-of-work are having in finding a new job. Workers with jobs saw modest wage gains. Average hourly earnings rose to $18.46 in January, up 0.3 percent from the previous month. Over the year, wages have risen 3.9 percent. An avalanche of layoffs is slamming the nation from a wide swath of employers. Caterpillar Inc., Pfizer Inc., Microsoft Corp., Estee Lauder Cos., Time Warner Cable Inc., and Sprint Nextel Corp. are among the companies slicing payrolls. Manufacturers — especially car makers — construction companies and retailers have been particularly hard hit by the recession. Talbots Inc., Liz Claiborne Inc., Macy's Inc. and Home Depot Inc. are all cutting jobs. So are Detroit's General Motors Corp. and Ford Motor Co. For all of 2008, the economy lost a net total of 2.9 million jobs, according to revised figures. That marked the biggest annual loss on record and was worse than the 2.6 million initially estimated last month. Americans cut back sharply on spending at the end of last year, thrusting the economy into its worst backslide in a quarter-century. The tailspin could well accelerate in the current January-March quarter to a rate of 5 percent or more as the recession drags on into a second year, and consumers and businesses burrow deeper. Many economists predict the current quarter — in terms of lost economic growth — will be the worst of the recession. With fallout from the housing, credit and financial crises — the worst since the 1930s — ripping through the economy, analysts predict 3 million or more jobs will vanish this year even if lawmakers quickly approve Obama's stimulus plan. Obama has repeatedly pressed Congress to swiftly enact a package of increased government spending, including big public works projects and tax cuts, to revive the economy and create jobs. He says his plan will save or create more than 3 million jobs in the next two years. But the recession has proven stubborn. Despite record low interest rates ordered by the Federal Reserve and a raft of radical programs, including a $700 billion financial bailout, consumers and businesses face high hurdles to borrow money. Foreclosures are skyrocketing, home prices are sinking and Wall Street remains on edge. \|\|\|\|\| WASHINGTON — Though job losses accelerated last month, the United States has not yet hit bottom. In a bleak report on Friday, the Labor Department said that almost 600,000 jobs disappeared in January and that a total of 3.6 million jobs had been lost since the beginning of the recession in December 2007. The unemployment rate, meanwhile, rose to 7.6 percent, from 7.2 percent a month earlier. Losing more than a half million jobs in each of the last three months, the country is trapped in a vortex of plunging consumer demand, rising joblessness and a deepening crisis in the banking system. The contraction in jobs is already steeper than in any recession since at least the early 1980s. But economists warn that several more shoes are about to drop. The first is the growing severity of the global recession, which has already started to choke off exports from the United States. Growth in China has slowed to a fraction of its usually brisk pace, leading to brutal downturns in South Korea, Japan and other Asian nations. Much of Europe has slipped into a recession, too. \|\|\|\|\| Conditions for the nation's workers deteriorated last month at an unrelenting pace, new data showed yesterday, adding urgency to the Obama administration's calls for aggressive action to curb job losses and bolster the economy. The White House has been working on parallel tracks to arrest the economic free fall. While building support for a massive stimulus package, which cleared a crucial hurdle in the Senate last night, the administration has also been cobbling together a rescue plan for the financial system, which the Treasury Department is scheduled to unveil Monday. Both efforts are designed to improve the nation's employment outlook, by directly creating jobs in the case of stimulus and, in the case of the financial rescue, by steadying the banks that would ordinarily lend to employers seeking to expand. The need for progress on those fronts seemed more important than ever yesterday, as the Labor Department announced that conditions worsened more than expected last month. The nation's employers shed 598,000 jobs, the most since 1974, driving the unemployment rate to 7.6 percent from 7.2 percent. If the jobless rate keeps rising at the pace it has for the past two months, it will hit double digits in summer and reach its highest rate since the Great Depression by the fall. Despite the grim data, the Dow Jones industrial average climbed 2.7 percent, or 217.52 points, on anticipation that the Senate would pass the economic stimulus package. Since the recession began in December 2007, the nation has lost more jobs as a percentage of the labor force than it had at a comparable point in the early 1980s downturn, the worst recession of the post-World War II era. The number of unemployed Americans over the past year has risen by about 4.1 million, equivalent to the entire labor force of Virginia. "It is almost set in stone now that this will be the worst job market we've seen in the postwar period," said Scott Anderson, a senior economist at Wells Fargo. Companies in nearly every sector of the economy have cut jobs or announced that they would take other steps to save on costs, including freezing or reducing pay or eliminating contributions to employee retirement programs. Yesterday, Emerson Electric, a global manufacturing and technology company based in St. Louis, became the latest firm to disclose cutbacks, saying it would slash up to 14,000 jobs this year because of lower demand. President Obama seized on yesterday's dismal news, as he has with other bleak data lately, to press for passage of the economic stimulus package. "This is not some abstract debate," Obama said at the White House. "It is an urgent and growing crisis that can only be fully understood through the unseen stories that lie underneath each and every one of those 600,000 jobs that were lost this month." The financial rescue package that Treasury Secretary Timothy F. Geithner plans to lay out next week would aim to save or create jobs by propping up banks and other troubled financial institutions, which in turn should make them able to lend money to businesses that seek to expand or consumers who wish to make purchases. The stimulus package, a mix of tax cuts and new spending, seeks to save or create jobs directly by encouraging retail sales and business investment. Many of those jobs would probably be concentrated in the manufacturing industry. According to an estimate by economist Mark Zandi of Moody's Economy.com, who has been advising congressional Democrats, an earlier version of the stimulus similar to the package that passed the House of Representatives last month would generate 590,000 manufacturing jobs by the end of 2012. Last month alone, the nation lost 207,000 manufacturing jobs, the largest one-month decline since 1982. Most of those losses were concentrated in companies that make vehicles or related parts and machinery.	As a result of the ongoing global financial crisis of 2008–2009, American employers have cut 598,000 jobs over the past month, the most in one month since December 1974. The unemployment rate also rose approximately 0.4 percent, bringing the rate up to 7.6 percent (11.6 million people), the highest since January 1992. This is according to the United States Labor Department's monthly unemployment report released last week. US President Barack Obama asked Congress today to support and quickly pass a $900 billion economic stimulus package that would, according to some, help create more jobs and decrease the unemployment rate. "All of us in Washington must remember that we’re here to work for the American people. And if we drag our feet and fail to act, this crisis will turn into a catastrophe," said Obama in a statement this morning. Obama warned that the rate could grow to double digits if Congress did not act fast and pass the bill allowing the package, and stated that the report was "very troubling." "These numbers demand action. It is time for Congress to act," he also said, "That's 3.6 million Americans who need our help," he stated, referring to the number of American workers that had been laid off since the United States officially entered economic recession in December 2007. Factories have been hit the hardest in the past month, laying off 207,000 workers, approximately 20 percent of the month's layoffs and the most by the industry since 1982. The next highest was the construction industry, which cut an estimated 110,000 workers last month. Other hard-hit industries include the financial industries, cutting 42,000 jobs, the retail industry, which cut 46,000, and leisure and hospitality, losing 28,000 workers. "This is a horror show we’re watching. By every measure available - loss of employment and hours, rise of unemployment, shrinkage of the employment to population rate - this recession is steeper than any recession of the last 40 years, including the harsh recession of the early 1980s," stated Lawrence Mishel, an economist and president of the Economic Policy Institute, a US-based research organization focused on the economy. Economic forecasters reported that their predictions had actually been less severe than the report stated. The United States Congress is currently debating a $900 billion economic stimulus bill that will attempt to halt the recession, and will continue to do so until a measure has been reached.
--Provinces--- Alberta British Columbia Manitoba New Brunswick Newfoundland and Labrador N.W.T Nova Scotia Nunavut Ontario --- NCR-Ottawa P.E.I. Quebec Saskatchewan --- Training Academy Yukon Iqaluit RCMP Lay Charges in Death of Cst. Scott Iqaluit, Nunavut – November 7, 2007 – RCMP today charged Pingoatuk (Ping) Kolola of Kimmirut, Nunavut, with first degree murder in the shooting death Monday of RCMP Cst. Douglas Scott. Kolola, 37, a resident of Kimmirut, was taken into police custody without incident at 4:10 a.m. Tuesday and transported by RCMP aircraft to Iqaluit where he remains in custody. The investigation is ongoing. A news conference will be held today at 3:30 p.m. in the Baffin Room of the Frobisher Inn in Iqaluit to provide updates. For further information contact (867) 975-4422 or (867) 975-4787. -30- \|\|\|\|\| People in Nunavut reacted with shock and grief Tuesday to news that an RCMP officer was shot and killed in the Baffin Island hamlet of Kimmirut. RCMP Const. Douglas Scott, 20, is shown in this RCMP photo. (RCMP/Canadian Press) A man was arrested by Kimmirut RCMP several hours after Const. Douglas Scott, 20, was fatally shot while on duty late Monday night. Police have yet to identify the man who was taken into custody in Iqaluit on Tuesday. Charges have not been laid as of Tuesday. Scott, who was originally from the Brockville, Ont., area, is the second Mountie to be shot and killed in Canada's North in the past month. "The death of any of our members is deeply felt," Chief Supt. Martin Cheliak, the RCMP's commanding officer in Nunavut, told a news conference Tuesday. "But when, once again, it occurs in one of our close-knit communities in the North, the pain of that loss seems even greater." Much of Kimmirut — a hamlet of about 400 located 120 kilometres south of Iqaluit on Baffin Island — was very quiet on Tuesday, as residents reacted with shock to Scott's death. Local schools were closed for the day. CBC News reporter John Main, who travelled to Kimmirut on Tuesday, said a "large number" of RCMP investigators were at the scene of the shooting and subsequent standoff. That area has been off-limits since the incident took place. Scott was responding alone to a complaint of an impaired driver shortly before 11 p.m. ET. He radioed in six minutes later to say he was following up on the call. His fellow officer in the two-person detachment tried to reach him at about 11:30 p.m., but received no response. Local residents told the officer that Scott had responded to the report of an impaired driver and that the driver had crashed into a residence. Scott was found and later pronounced dead at 11:45 p.m. "Upon arrival at the scene, it was found that our member had been shot," Cheliak said. Kimmirut is located 120 kilometres south of Iqaluit on Baffin Island (CBC) Shortly afterward, a standoff ensued at a residence nearby and ended at about 4:10 a.m. with the man surrendering without incident. Cheliak expressed his sympathies to the officer's parents, Doug and Marla Scott, who live near Brockville. The RCMP said Scott had only been posted in the North, including in Kimmirut, about six months ago. Mayor Joe Arlooktoo said Scott was supposed to be in the hamlet for two years. Police expect the investigation to take a number of days. At a separate news conference in Ottawa, RCMP Chief Supt. Fraser Macaulay said they are doing a "very in-depth and comprehensive review" of the force's backup policy and other policies relating to "incidents such as these." He added that "every call for service has potential inherent danger. In this case, it starts as an impaired driver." Iqaluit residents join hands in protective circle In the territorial capital of Iqaluit, roughly 300 residents gathered at the local RCMP detachment Tuesday afternoon for a hastily arranged service to grieve Scott's death and show their support for the Mounties. About 300 people circled the Iqaluit RCMP detachment in a public show of support Tuesday afternoon. (Odile Nelson/CBC) CBC News reporter Fiona Christensen described people joining hands, forming a "human chain" around the detachment building to "symbolically protect" the RCMP members inside. They sang Amazing Grace when the circle was formed. Residents also gave moving speeches and prayers in the Inuktitut language during the afternoon service. Speaking in Inuktitut, Nunavut Commissioner Ann Meekitjuk Hanson said when such a tragedy happens, it can be too much to bear. Iqaluit Deputy Mayor Al Hayward described Scott as "a proud member of the RCMP, who paid the ultimate price in service of self-sacrifice, selflessness and an act of duty to Nunavut, our communities and our country. "We share in the shock and grief of the RCMP, and we're here today to show our unity," Hayward said. Scott, who was born on Dec. 21, 1986, hailed from Lyn, Ont., eight kilometres north of Brockville. His family learned of what happened around 6 a.m. ET Tuesday. His uncle, Staff Sgt. Chris Scott of the Kingston Police Force, told CBC News that his nephew had graduated from the RCMP training academy in the spring. He was initially posted to a larger centre in Nunavut before being transferred to Kimmirut, Scott said. "Dougie," the oldest of three boys, was just getting ready to see his family in what would have been his first visit home in a long time, his uncle said. 220 Mounties killed in line of duty The shooting comes almost one month after RCMP Const. Christopher Worden was shot to death while responding to a house call in Hay River, N.W.T. Police launched a search for the suspected shooter a day after the Oct. 6 shooting, and five days later, Emrah Bulatci surrendered to police following a standoff. He has been charged with first-degree murder. Including Monday's shooting, a total of 220 RCMP officers have been killed in the line of duty since the 1870s. Some have been high-profile deaths, such as the shootings of four young officers in Rochfort Bridge, Alta., in March 2005, and the deaths of two Mounties shot near Mildred, Sask., in July 2006. Const. Jurgen Ziegfried Seewald, 47, was shot and killed in Nunavut in March 2001 after responding to a domestic dispute in the community of Cape Dorset. \|\|\|\|\| Statement by Prime Minister Stephen Harper on the death of Constable Douglas Scott Ottawa, Ontario Prime Minister Stephen Harper today issued the following statement on the death of Constable Douglas Scott of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP): “I wish to pay tribute to Constable Doug Scott, who died tragically in the line of duty in Kimmirut, Nunavut. Constable Scott was in the early days of his career as an RCMP officer with strong ideals and a commitment to help his fellow Canadians. He tragically lost his life while protecting the people of his community and will be remembered for his courage, bravery and dedication. On behalf of Canadians, I extend my sincere sympathy to the family, friends and fellow colleagues of Constable Scott. We are forever grateful that young men and women like Constable Scott continue to respond to the call of duty often working under extreme circumstances, and in conditions of great danger. All News	RCMP Constable Douglas Allen Scott. Constable Douglas Scott, 20, of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) was shot to death late Monday night while answering a call about an impaired driver. The incident took place in the community of Kimmirut in Canada's northern territory of Nunavut. Constable Scott, who had been on the job for six months, is the second northern Canadian RCMP officer killed on duty in just under a month. On October 6, Constable Christopher Worden was shot and killed while responding to a call in Hay River, in the Northwest Territories. Scott is survived by his parents, Doug and Marla, as well as his siblings and grandparents. His parents live near Brockville, Ontario. RCMP Commanding Officer "V" (Nunavut) Division Marty Cheliak expressed the police force's shock and sadness at the shooting. "The death of any of our members is deeply felt, but when once again it occurs in one of our close-knit northern communities, the pain of that loss seems even greater," said Cheliak in a statement. "Our hearts also go out to the community of Kimmirut and to everyone who knew Doug." Cheliak provided the following timeline of events: Baffin Island, Nunavut, showing location of Kimmirut. "At 10:56 p.m., Cst. Scott was called to respond to a complaint of a possible impaired driver. At 11:02 p.m. Cst. Scott radioed “V” (Nunavut) Division telecoms to say that he was following up on the call for service. Shortly thereafter, “V” Division telecoms attempted to contact Cst. Scott, but received no response. At 11:31 a second member from the detachment was advised by local residents that the officer had responded to a report of an impaired driver and that the driver had crashed into a residence. Upon arrival at the scene, it was found that Constable Scott had been shot. At 11:45 p.m. “V” division’s Emergency Response Team was mobilized. At 11:56 p.m. it was confirmed that the suspect had entered his own residence. *At 4:10 a.m. the suspect surrendered to police without incident and was taken into custody." Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper issued a statement on the death of Scott on Tuesday. “I wish to pay tribute to Constable Doug Scott, who died tragically in the line of duty in Kimmirut, Nunavut," said Harper. "On behalf of Canadians, I extend my sincere sympathy to the family, friends and fellow colleagues of Constable Scott. We are forever grateful that young men and women like Constable Scott continue to respond to the call of duty often working under extreme circumstances, and in conditions of great danger." The suspect in the shooting, Pingoatuk (Ping) Kolola of Kimmirut, Nunavut, has since been transported via RCMP aircraft to Iqaluit where he remains in custody. He has been charged with first degree murder.
Benoit left trail of calls, online messages The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Two days before Chris Benoit and his family were found dead in what Fayette County authorities said was a murder-suicide, the wrestling superstar left voice mails with co-workers saying that his wife and young son were suffering from food poisoning. According to a timeline posted Wednesday on the World Wrestling Entertainment Web site, Benoit first left phone messages saying he would be late for a WWE event in Beaumont, Texas. Later, he sent cellphone text messages that appeared to be attempts to have someone go to the house where the bodies of Benoit, his wife Nancy, and his 7-year-old son Daniel were eventually found on Monday afternoon. At 3:30 p.m. Saturday, a co-worker received a voice message from Benoit stating he missed his flight and overslept and would be late for the Texas event. According to the WWE Web site, the co-worker called Benoit back and Benoit sounded tired and groggy as he confirmed everyting he said in his voice message. A 3:42 p.m., the same co-worker, "concerned about Benoit's tone and demeanor," called him back again, according to the Web site. Benoit did not answer the call and the co-worker left a message stating, "just call me back." Two minutes later, Benoit called the co-worker back, stating he didn't answer the call because he was on the phone with Delta Air Lines changing his flight. "Benoit stated he had a real stressful day due to Nancy and Daniel being sick with food poisoning," the WWE Web site said. At 4:30 p.m., according to the Web site, a co-worker who often travels with Benoit called him from outside the Houston airport and Benoit answered. "Benoit told the co-worker that Nancy was throwing up blood and that Daniel was also throwing up." At 5:35 p.m., Benoit called WWE's "Talent Relations" office, stating that his son was throwing up and that he and Nancy were in the hospital with their son, and that he would be taking a later flight into Houston, but would make the live event in Beaumont. The WWE also released the content of text messages sent on Sunday from Benoit and his wife's cellphones: Text message 1, sent at 3:53 a.m. to the two co-workers Benoit had spoken with on Saturday, read, "My physical address is 130 Green Meadow Lane, Fayetteville Georgia. 30215." Text message 2, also sent at 3:53 a.m. to the two co-workers, read, "The dogs are in the enclosed pool area. Garage side door is open." Text message 3, sent to the two co-workers from Nancy Benoit's cell phone at 3:54 a.m., read, "My physical address is 130 Green Meadow Lane. Fayetteville Georgia 30215." The same message was sent to the same two co-workers from Nancy Beloit's cell phone at 3:55 a.m. Another co-worker received the same text message, sent from Nancy Beloit's cell phone at 3:58 a.m. Sunday. \|\|\|\|\| Professional wrestler Chris Benoit strangled his wife and smothered his 7-year-old son, placing bibles at their sides, before hanging himself from a pulley in his weight room, authorities said Tuesday. Police ruled the death a double homicide-suicide and are investigating whether steroids may have been a factor in the deaths. Authorities said they found prescription anabolic steroids in the home among other legal prescriptions. Steroid abuse has been linked to depression, paranoia, and aggressive behavior or angry outbursts known as "roid rage." "There was a lot of prescription medication that he had received from doctors with what we believed to be at this time legal prescriptions," said Lt. Tommy Pope of the Fayette County Sheriff's Department. • Click here to view video report from MyFoxAtlanta.com. Police said that Nancy Benoit died of asphyxiation on Friday, said Fayette County District Attorney Scott Ballard. She was found in an upstairs family room with her legs and wrists bound and blood under her head, perhaps indicating a struggle, he said. (Story continues below) Advertise Here Advertisements Advertisements The Benoits' son, Daniel, died of asphyxiation sometime Saturday morning, Ballard said. He was found in his bed upstairs. Both mother and son had bibles placed at their sides. Authorities found the pro wrestler dead in the basement, hanging from the pulley of a weight machine. He died sometime late Saturday or Sunday, Ballard said. "In a community like this, it's bizarre just to have a murder suicide -- certainly involving the death of a 7-year-old child," Ballard said. Nancy Benoit filed for a divorce in May 2003, saying their three-year union was irrevocably broken and alleging "cruel treatment." But she later dropped the complaint, as well as a request for a restraining order in which she charged that Benoit had threatened her and had broken furniture in their home. In the divorce filing, she said Benoit made more than $500,000 a year as a professional wrestler and asked for permanent custody of Daniel and child support. In his response, Benoit sought joint custody. "He was like the dad you always wanted to have," Bill Apter, a pro-wresting writer and friend of Benoit, told FOX News. "I just don't get this." Apter called Benoit pensive and quiet, adding: "Chris Benoit was not the type of guy that you would profile to do anything of what is being alleged to have happened." • Click here to view video report from MyFoxAtlanta.com. The World Wrestling Entertainment wrestler canceled a pay-per-view appearance at the "Vengeance" event in Houston because of "personal reasons" a day before the trio were found dead. The bodies were found Monday afternoon in three separate rooms of the house, off a gravel road about two miles from the Whitewater Country Club. • Click here for full coverage on the WWE Web site. Neighbors said the Benoits led a low-key lifestyle. "We would see Chris walking in his yard from time to time. He wasn't rude, but he wasn't really outwardly warm," said Alaina Jones, who lives across the street. Jimmy Baswell, who was Benoit's driver for more than five years, placed a white wreath at the Benoits' gate. "They always seemed like they were the happiest people," he said. Whiteside said toxicology tests could take up to a week or longer to complete. Text messages from the wrestler seem to have prompted the police to visit the home. "The sheriff's department will only confirm that he sent one text message sometime around 4:30 a.m. Saturday, and I know that the WWE is saying that he sent several others, which is what prompted them to contact the sheriff's office to go do a welfare check at the house," Saeed Ahmed of the Journal-Constitution told FOX News. World Wrestling Entertainment said on its Web site that it asked authorities to check on Benoit and his family after being alerted by friends who received "several curious text messages sent by Benoit early Sunday morning." The WWE, based in Stamford, Conn., said it had been asked by authorities not to release further information on the deaths. Benoit was born in Montreal. He was a former world heavyweight champion, Intercontinental champion and held several tag-team titles over his career. He was known by several names including "The Canadian Crippler." "WWE extends its sincerest thoughts and prayers to the Benoit family's relatives and loved ones in this time of tragedy," the company said in a statement on its Web site. Benoit had maintained a home in metro Atlanta from the time he wrestled for the defunct World Championship Wrestling. The Fayette County Tax Assessors Office lists the value of the house, situated on more than 8.5 acres, at nearly $900,000. The WWE canceled its live "Monday Night RAW" card in Corpus Christi, Texas, and USA Network aired a three-hour tribute to Benoit in place of the scheduled wrestling telecast on June 25. Benoit's wife managed several wrestlers and went by the stage name "Woman," The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported. They met when her then-husband, Kevin Sullivan, drew up a script that had them involved in a relationship as part of an ongoing story line on World Championship Wrestling. Sullivan spoke to FOXNews.com late Tuesday and expressed shock and sadness over the death of his ex-wife, who he married in 1985. From his home in Tavernier, Fla., Sullivan said he had not spoken to his ex-wife since their split. “It’s surreal,” said Sullivan, who did not have children with Nancy Benoit. “She was a nice person. We just went our separate ways. She was nice and very loving and I’m sure she was a good mother.” Sullivan said he did not know Benoit well outside the ring. “I never associated with him, so I really don’t know his personality,” he said. … “[But] I’m sad for all three, especially the child.” Benoit, who has two other children from a prior relationship, became a standout at an early age among wrestling prospects who trained in the dungeon basement of the house where fellow Canadians and professional wrestlers Owen and Bret Hart trained. Owen Hart was killed during a wrestling event in 1999. "He was like a family member to me, and everyone in my family is taking it real hard," said Bret Hart, a five-time champion with the now-defunct World Wrestling Federation. Blane Bachelor and The Associated Press contributed to this report. \|\|\|\|\| Canadian pro wrestler Chris Benoit, his wife, and son were found dead Monday and police said they were investigating the deaths as a murder-suicide. Det. Bo Turner told television station WAGA in Atlanta that the case was being treated as a murder-suicide, but said that couldn't be confirmed until evidence was examined by a crime lab. Chris Benoit and his family were found dead Monday at their Atlanta-area home. (Darryl Dyck/Canadian Press) The station said that investigators believe the 40-year-old Benoit killed his wife, Nancy, and seven-year-old son, Daniel, over the weekend, then himself on Monday at their Fayetteville, Ga., home. A neighbour called police, and the bodies were found in three rooms. Lead investigator Lieut. Tommy Pope, of the Fayette County Sheriff's Department, told the Associated Press the deaths were being investigated as homicide, and that the causes of death awaited autopsy results on Tuesday. Pope said the bodies were discovered about 2:30 p.m., but refused to release details. The house is in a secluded neighborhood set back more than 50 metres off a gravel road, surrounded by stacked stone wall and a double-iron gate. Benoit wrestled for World Wrestling Entertainment, which cancelled its live Raw wrestling card Monday night in Corpus Christi, Texas. Canadian television network The Score aired a three-hour tribute to Benoit in place of the scheduled telecast. "I am deeply saddened over the loss of Chris Benoit," WWE Canada president Carl DeMarco said on the WWE website. "My heartfelt thoughts and sympathy go out to his parents and family. My relationship with Chris has extended many years and I consider him a great friend. "Chris was always first class — warm, friendly, caring and professional — one of the best in our business." Benoit, 40, was born in Montreal and also lived in Edmonton. He maintained a home in the Atlanta area from the time he wrestled for the defunct World Championship Wrestling. Benoit was scheduled to wrestle at the Vengeance pay-per-view event Sunday night in Houston, but was replaced at the last minute because of what announcer Jim Ross called "personal reasons." The Canadian Crippler Benoit, a five-foot-11, 220-pounder, was often described as a rabid wolverine in the ring. Known as "The Canadian Crippler," he had a chiseled physique and superior technical skills. The "Crippler Crossface" was one of his signature moves, along with a flying head butt from the top rope and triple German suplex. "Chris was beloved among his fellow superstars and was a favourite among WWE fans for his unbelievable athleticism and wrestling ability," the WWE said on its website. "He always took great pride in his performance and always showed respect for the business he loved, for his peers and towards his fans. This is a terrible tragedy and an unbearable loss." Benoit began his career in 1985 after training with Stu Hart and family in Calgary. Won championship in 2004 He competed for Hart's Stampede Wrestling promotion in the late 1980s and later wrestled in Japan and for the National Wrestling Alliance, WCW and Extreme Championship Wrestling. He joined WWE in 2000. Benoit held several titles over his career but realized his dream at Wrestlemania 20 in 2004, defeating Shawn Michaels and champion Triple H in a triple threat match at Madison Square Garden to win the WWE world heavyweight championship for the first time. "He was a man of few words, but his passion for the sports-entertainment business was almost unrivalled," the WWE said. "Whether loved or hated, Benoit was always well-respected by our fans and his peers for his in-ring ability, his trademark toothless grin and his no-nonsense attitude. "The sports-entertainment world has truly suffered a loss with his passing, as one of the all-time greats was taken well before his time." With files from the Canadian Press	Baghdad, Iraq. ''Wikinews'' has learned through an investigation that anonymous edits on the Wikipedia article Chris Benoit were added about the death of his wife Nancy Benoit 14 hours before police entered the Benoit home to find the former professional World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) Canadian wrestler and his family dead. An anonymous edit from IP address 69.120.111.23 using the Internet service provider ''Optimum Online'' was made at 04:01 UTC on Chris Benoit's Wikipedia article. On a paragraph about an earlier fight: "However, Chris Benoit was replaced… due to personal issues,…", the anonymous editor added " ''stemming from the death of his wife Nancy.''" The edit was reversed just under one hour later with the comment: "Need a reliable source. Saying that his wife died is a pretty big statement, you need to back it up with something." Then just one hour later after the first edit reversion, another anonymous edit by 125.63.148.173 using ''unwiredAustralia.com.au,'' a wireless Internet service provider, was made adding about the aforementioned personal issues: "''which according to several pro wrestling websites is attributed to the passing of Benoit's wife, Nancy.''" That edit was reverted just under 20 minutes later, with the comment: "Saying 'several pro wrestling websites' is still not reliable information." Further investigation shows that the IP address used to make the first edit is located in Connecticut, but the IP address is not linked to any computers or servers used by the WWE, but according to Cary Bass, Volunteer Coordinator for the Wikimedia Foundation, the IP address matches a location in Stamford, Connecticut where the WWE headquarters is located. Bass also informed the local authorities in Atlanta about the unusual edits, but it is not known if the edits were investigated by the police. The second edit was made by a computer in Australia from a wireless network. "It didn't become apparent until someone put the pieces together and realized that the comment was made by someone who apparently knew about the murders," added Bass. Fayette County Sheriff deputy Lt. Tommy Pope stated that police found the family at about 2:30 p.m. ET, which is 18:30 UTC, on Monday when the WWE called police and asked them to do a "welfare check" after employees of WWE received calls and text messages from Chris Benoit. Early Sunday, Benoit sent repeated text messages that read "My physical address is 130 Green Meadow Lane, Fayetteville Georgia. 30215." Another text message reportedly said "The dogs are in the enclosed pool area. Garage side door is open." The messages were sent around 4:00 a.m. ET. Earlier, on Saturday afternoon, Chris Benoit placed a series of calls that explained why he missed his flight to Houston. The stories he told were mostly about his wife and son being sick with food poisoning and vomiting. Although, in one call he said that he and Nancy were at the hospital to be with Daniel who was hospitalized. Throughout he insisted that he would attend that live event in Houston. When he missed the live event on Sunday, and the WWE couldn't get hold of him, they contacted authorities. Police say that Benoit strangled his wife on Friday, smothered his son on late Friday or early Saturday, and then hanged himself inside his weight room on Sunday or Monday. The Wikinews investigation is unable to conclude whether the anonymous editors had inside information about the death of Nancy Benoit. This is not the first time Benoit's article has been edited to show false or unsourced information, as the article's edit history indicates a long history of promotional spam and vandalism. Around the time of the edits, the article contained a hidden warning to editors of the section mentioned, warning against adding rumours and speculations. For the time being, Benoit's article has been protected in an attempt to stop the addition of fraudulent information.
Washington, May 12 : Zahi Hawwas, the Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA), Egypt, has said that a Greek archeological mission under Calliope Papacosta discovered a rare statue made of white marble in Alexandria. "The 80 cm long, 23 cm wide statue has been discovered eight meters deep under the earth surface," Hawwas said. "A ribbon around the head of the statue proves that it belongs to an important person for such ribbon was used only be rulers," he added. The facial features of the statue are much similar to that of Alexander the Great especially the nose and hair style, he further added. (ANI) \|\|\|\|\| Back Monday, May 11, 2009 Culture Minister: 132 archaeological sites in Egypt not excavated Culture Minister Farouk Hosni said that the researches conducted via satellites have confirmed the existence of 132 archaeological sites in Egypt that witnessed no excavations until now. Farouk Hosni said Egypt's shows full cooperation with the research teams to explore the archaeological sites, and has recently issued a number of laws seeking to stop the illegal digging in areas likely to contain the buried monuments. He is pointing out that project of monuments photography via satellite is being implemented in collaboration with the National Authority for Remote Sensing, Space Sciences and Mubarak City for Scientific Research for the aerial photography and ground laser. Meanwhile, Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA) Zahi Hawas pointed out that satellites took photos for many archeological sites including Habu city. \|\|\|\|\| Minister of Culture Farouk Hosni announced today that an Egyptian mission has discovered that an area to the north of Lake Qarun in the Faiyum region is rich in archaeological and paleontological remains dating back as far as 40 million years. Dr. Zahi Hawass, Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA), said that the 10- kilometer-wide area is currently being explored to prevent valuable information from being lost to planned touristic development in the area. Following a preliminary survey that began about a year ago, full-scale excavations have been underway since March 10, 2009. SCA archaeologists have found many artifacts in the area dating to the prehistoric period, including arrowheads and other finely crafted stone artifacts of Mousterian, Levallois, and Aterian type. They have also uncovered pottery and stone beads dating to the same era, along with the remains of shelters used by prehistoric hunters. Archaeological remains from later periods are also present in the area. A cemetery that most probably dates to the Greco-Roman period has yielded coins and other small artifacts. The team has explored a tomb in this cemetery consisting of a deep shaft ending in two chambers, but further excavation is hampered by constantly shifting sands. In addition to the prehistoric and Greco-Roman remains found in the area, the archaeologists have discovered pottery, pipes, coins, and glassware dating to the Fatimid and Mamluk periods. Other finds include medical and cosmetic tools, as well as stone shot used in hunting animals during the Islamic era. Fossils of whales and other marine life dating back to around 40 million years ago have been found in the area. In addition to cetaceans like those found in the famous Valley of the Whales to the west of the Faiyum, the SCA team has uncovered the remains of sea cows and sawfish. These fossils are the remnants of a time when much of northern Egypt was submerged under an ancient sea. SCA archaeologist Khaled Saad, who is supervising the excavations under the direction of Zahi Hawass, said that archaeological importance of the area was very great. Hawass added that the excavation was initiated in response to a plan by the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism to build hotels and resorts on the northern shore of Lake Qarun. The ongoing SCA excavations will ensure that valuable archaeological evidence is not lost to development, while reinforcing the need to protect all of Egypt’s ancient monuments for the future. \|\|\|\|\| Prehistoric fishing tackle found in Egypt CAIRO (AFP) — An Egyptian archaeological team has found prehistoric fishing gear, sewing equipment and jewellery all made from animal bones, as well as pottery and coins, near an oasis south of Cairo, officials said on Tuesday. Culture Minister Faruk Hosni said in a statement: "An Egyptian archaeological mission working near El-Karn island on Lake Qarun in Fayoum has found a large amount of fishing tackle, sewing equipment and jewellery made from animal bone dating back to prehistoric time." "The mission also found caves used by prehistoric man," he said. "The most important item is an awl made of animal bone and granite, which shows that prehistoric man devised many ways to sew leather," Khaled Saad, who headed the mission, was quoted as saying. The team also found ancient pottery, coins, whale vertebrae and fossils of seals, sawfish as well as crocodile and turtle parts, Saad said. Medical equipment and weapons made of animal bone were also unearthed, he said. The site was used by many civilisations, antiquities chief Zahi Hawass was quoted as saying in the statement. "During excavation, the mission found antiquities from the Pharaonic, Greek, Roman and Islamic periods," Hawass said. The team also found a rare block which dates back to 3150 BC depicting the mythical leader known as the Scorpion King, as well as colourful mosaic plates with engravings of the Fatimid caliph Al-Zafir. Copyright © 2010 AFP. All rights reserved. More » \|\|\|\|\| Tehran, May 12 (ANI): Iran’s four saltmen, unique salt mummies, have been placed in one of the most advanced display cases in the world, in an attempt to maintain and preserve them. According to Payvand Iran News, the vacuum chamber in Zanjan, where the mummies have been kept, can precisely control humidity and airflow and is provided with a nitrogen-rich mixture deadly to known bacteria and mold. Iranian, British, German and Austrian researchers declared air and humidity the main enemies of salt mummies at the 2nd International Seminar on the Archeology and Pathology of Saltmen in October, 2007. The experts examined the saltmen’s condition to make the final decision on carrying out further studies on the Chehrabad salt mine, where the saltmen were found. The Chehrabad Salt Mine is located in the Hamzehlou region of Zanjan province in northwestern Iran. The saltmen, also known as the Iranian salt mummies, were accidentally discovered by miners in 1993. Three of the saltmen date to the Parthian (247 BCE - 224 CE) and the Sassanid (224 - 651 CE) eras, while all other human remains discovered at the site go back to the Achaemenid Dynasty (550 - 330 BCE). Artifacts have been discovered alongside the skeletons, including leather shoes, a leather bag, a terracotta lamp and two cow horns, most of which remain intact. Salt at the mine worked to preserve the artifacts, as well as the internal organs of the salt men themselves. Fingernails and hair have also been found undamaged, which will enable scientific testing to be carried out that could reveal further clues about these ancient people. (ANI) [NF] More from World \|\|\|\|\| The first step has been taken by making cases for four of them being kept at Zanjan’s Zolfaqari Museum in a critical condition. Six salt men, known as Iranian mummies, were discovered over the past 12 years at the Chehrabad Salt Mine around a place, which is surmised to be a collapsed tunnel built by the Achaemenids and was also in use during the Sassanid era. The salt mine is located in the Hamzehlu region near Zanjan. The Fourth Salt Man, which dates back to the Achaemenid era, is on display at Zanjan’s Zolfaqari Museum. “A contract has been signed with a private company to make four cases, which will be equipped with an anti-moisture system,” director of the archaeological exactions at the Chehrabad Salt Mine Abolfazl Aali said. The company is currently making the cases, he added. “The cases, which are being made of glass and metal, will be very rigid. They will also be equipped with devices to control the vacuity of the space,” he explained. The salt men are currently kept in plexiglass cases, which are not hermetically sealed. Changes in air temperature and pressure have created cracks in the cases, allowing bacteria and insects to enter and damage the mummies. The First Salt Man, which is kept at the National Museum of Iran, was discovered 12 years ago. No change can be seen on it. The Sixth Salt Man was left in-situ due to the dearth of equipment necessary for its preservation in Iran.	Zahi Hawass, Egypt's pre-eminent archaeologist, and Secretary General of the The Supreme Council of Antiquities, has announced that a rare statue constructed of white marble whose features resemble Alexander the Great has been discovered in Egypt. Hawass also stated that there are satellite photographs identifying many archeological sites which may also reveal buried monuments. Alexander the Great Calliope Papacosta was leading the Greek archaeological excavation in Alexandria when the white marble statue was found. "A ribbon around the head of the statue proves that it belongs to an important person for such ribbon was used only be''sic'' rulers," said Hawass, "The 80 cm long, 23 cm wide statue has been discovered eight meters deep under the earth surface." Salt Man Head in the Iran Bastan Museum Farouk Hosni, Egypt’s Culture Minister, is supporting archaeological dig sites and has set into place laws restricting illegal digging in confirmed archaeological sites which may contain historical monuments. The monument photography project, National Authority for Remote Sensing, Space Sciences (NARRS) and Mubarak City for Scientific Research (MuCSAT) combined Satellites technology, aerial photography and ground laser to locate 132 sites which have not yet been excavated. One of these sites is north of Lake Qarun in the Faiyum area, and another at Habu city. Archaeologists are presently being sent out by the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism to areas before construction and building excavations to preserve invaluable archaeological treasures. At the Faiyum site near Cairo artifacts dating to diverse time periods have been found amongst these, an awl for stitching leather, fishing tackle, weapons, jewellery, pottery, coins, sawfish, whale fossils, and a 3150 BC block portraying one of the two leaders named King Scorpion. Meanwhile, in other archaeological news, Iran's three salt mummies found in the Chehrabad Salt Mine in 1993 will be moved to a technologically advanced vacuum chamber display case in Zanjan for better preservation. These mummies or ''Salt Men'' have been dated as being from the Parthian 237 BCE - 224 CE and Sassanid era, 224 - 651 CE.
Shinji Okazaki's ninth-minute goal in Tashkent on Saturday put Japan on 14 points on top of Asian qualifying zone Group A to assure them of a top two finish and direct qualification to South Africa. "The first Asian FIFA World Cup revolutionised the game on the Asian continent and we are hoping that the first FIFA World Cup in Africa next year will do the same for football on the African continent," said Danny Jordaan, the 2010 organising committee chief in South Africa. Japan are an exciting team to watch with a unique brand of football, Jordaan said, adding that he was confident that South Africa would receive similar numbers of Japanese fans as the 35,000 seen in Germany in 2006. "Japan are a big team - both on and off the field - who have become a major force in world football. We are delighted that they today became the first team to qualify for the 2010 FIFA World Cup," Jordaan said. 2010 will be the fourth World Cup for Japan, a co-host of the tournament with South Korea in 2002. \|\|\|\|\| Related Links The Socceroos have created history, making a second-straight World Cup for the first time after a 0-0 draw with Qatar in Doha on Sunday morning (AEST). As has been the case for much of Pim Verbeek's reign, the Socceroos may not have looked at their very best, but this was all about getting the job done, and a 14th point for the campaign, albeit in a goalless match, was enough to secure Australia as one of 32 nations at next year's showpiece in South Africa. Earlier, Japan became the first team to qualify courtesy of a 1-0 win over Uzbekistan in Tashkent. The game may have lacked the drama of the penalty shootout success over Uruguay four years ago which secured Australia passage to its first World Cup in 32 years, but the result was just as sweet. Solid efforts by star players Tim Cahill and Harry Kewell were the highlights of a match which never reached great heights. Australia was the dominant side, but never created anything to seriously worry the home side. After a somewhat ragged start, Australia took firm control of the game in the middle of the first half and could have easily had the lead on 27 minutes. Cahill had been given too much space in the box and after flipping the ball up in the air, was able to execute a close to perfect bicycle kick which hit the post, with Qatari keeper Qusam Burhan completely stranded. Three minutes later Kewell could have scored but his shot from a tight angle went over the bar, while Carl Valeri's goal-bound effort from long range on 32 minutes was deflected over by a Qatari defender. Australia also had several chances from set pieces, but the Socceroos were unable to breach the home side's defence. Qatar's best first-half chances both fell to Sebastian Quintana. The Uruguayan striker was left alone in the box on 18 minutes but fired wide, while it took Cahill's intervention on 37 minutes to deflect his powerful shot over the bar. Early in the second half Ali Afif popped a free kick over the bar, while Cahill's tame shot was cleared off the line. On 57 minutes, Cahill latched onto a loose ball forcing a strong save from Qusam, before heading over from the subsequent corner. Josh Kennedy then almost lobbed the Qatari keeper a minute later. Australia's momentum was building and when a clever long pass from Vince Grella allowed Harry Kewell a shot on goal just after the hour, it was clear the Socceroos were well on top. Kewell continued to be heavily involved for the remainder of the match, but couldn’t manage to find the net. He forced a defensive error, but then couldn't score, while a one-two with Cahill came to nothing. Qatar's chances were few and far between in the final 45 minutes and Australia kept a clean sheet for the sixth straight match. Mark Schwarzer was untroubled and a spot in South Africa 2010 was secured with ease. Australia now plays Bahrain in Sydney on Wednesday night before a final qualifying match against Japan in Melbourne on June 17. Qatar 0 Australia 0 in Doha \|\|\|\|\| Japan became the first country to qualify for the 2010 World Cup, clinching a place with a 1–0 win in Uzbekistan in the Asian zone Group One qualifier. A goal in the ninth minute by Shinji Okazaki proved enough for Japan, who qualified with two games to spare. Uzbekistan must win their final qualifier and rely on Bahrain losing their two remaining matches if they are to have a chance of progressing. Australia followed Japan by qualifying for South Africa with a 0–0 draw away to Qatar. The Netherlands became the first European nation to qualify, with a 2-1 win in Iceland. Goals from Nigel de Jong and Mark van Bommel left the Dutch uncatchable at the top of qualifying Group Nine with a maximum 18 points, 11 clear of second-placed Scotland. Serbia piled the pressure on France in Group Seven, opening up a five-point lead at the top thanks to a 1-0 home victory over Austria, while Denmark beat Sweden 1-0 in Stockholm to remain in control of Group One. Stuttering Portugal kept alive their hopes of qualifying with a last-gasp 2-1 victory in Albania. They have nine points, seven behind Denmark and four shy of second-placed Hungary with four matches remaining. Only the winners of the nine European qualifying groups automatically qualify for South Africa, with the best eight runners-up having to come through a two-legged play-off. In England's group, Group Six, Croatia had to rely on an equaliser from Luka Modric to secure a 2-2 draw at home to Ukraine. Croatia are seven points behind England. South Korea qualified for their seventh successive World Cup finals when they beat the United Arab Emirates 2-0. North Korea spurned the chance of an early place in the qualifying play-off when they were held to a goalless draw by Iran. The draw did Iran no good either, and they face an uphill struggle to reach the finals. In Africa, Burkina Faso and Gabon kept up their unlikely march on World Cup places with key wins. Both kept their 100 per cent records in the final phase of Africa's qualifiers, as did Tunisia, who beat Mozambique 2-0. Gabon, who scored an upset victory in Morocco in their opening Group A match, disposed of Togo 3-0 while Burkina Faso won 1-0 away in Malawi. \|\|\|\|\| Okazaki: Scored decisive goal Asian 2010 World Cup qualifying results: Qatar 0 Australia 0 Uzbekistan 0 Japan 1 North Korea 0 Iran 0 UAE 0 South Korea 2 Also see Football on Sky Sky Sports experts Transfer Centre Japan, South Korea and Australia have become the first teams to qualify for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. 2002 co-hosts Japan and South Korea clinched their places in the finals with wins over Uzbekistan and United Arab Emirates respectively, while Australia drew with Qatar. In Group A, Japan's Shinji Okazaki scored the only goal of the game in Uzbekistan after just nine minutes. Takeshi Okada's side finished the match with 10 men after Makoto Hasebe was sent off a minute from time, but Japan hung on to book their ticket. Australia joined Japan in guaranteeing qualification for the World Cup next year after playing out a 0-0 draw away to Qatar. Uzbekistan's prospects of finishing third in Group A to claim a play-off spot hinge on them winning their final game and hoping Bahrain slip up. In Group B, South Korea made it through to the finals again after scoring twice in the first half to claim a 2-0 win away to UAE. Park Chu-young opened the scoring after just five minutes and Ki Sung-yueng netted on 37 minutes, while UAE had Hilal Saeed sent off in the last minute. North Korea had briefly moved level on points with their neighbours after a 0-0 home draw with Iran. The visitors came closest to scoring in the first half when Fulham midfielder Andranik Teymourian struck the post. North Korea were the stronger team in the second period and Iran keeper Seyed Rehmati had to pull off fine saves to deny Hong Yong-jo and Pak Nam-chol. \|\|\|\|\| World Cup Qualification Another First For Australia - Ben Buckley FFA CEO Ben Buckley has praised Pim Verbeek's history-making squad. 6 Jun 2009 19:45:32 Photo Gallery Zoom Australia coach Pim Verbeek (PA) Teams Australia Qatar Australia became the second team to qualify for the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa on Sunday morning (Australian time) when they held Qatar to a 0-0 draw in Doha.Speaking from Doha, Football Federation Australia (FFA) CEO, Ben Buckley, said that qualifying for the second consecutive FIFA World Cup was a fantastic achievement."It's another first for Australian football, and it's come off the back of a comprehensive qualification pathway which began in February last year."Qualifying this time around, with the travel and match conditions the team has experienced, is a true measure of the progress football has made."While 'do or die' results, such as the famous Uruguay game four years ago are exciting, a qualifying campaign such as this one through the Asian zone is a tough test."We could not be more delighted," Buckley said."I am sure everyone joins us in congratulating Pim Verbeek, his staff and the Qantas Socceroos for this wonderful outcome."I urge Australian fans to show their appreciation of the squad in our final two matches of the qualifying campaign."Australia meets Bahrain at Stadium Australia on Wednesday 10 June and Japan at the MCG on 17 June.Earlier in the evening Japan also qualified for the 2010 FIFA World Cup when they defeated Uzbekistan 0-1 in Tashkent.	Australia, Japan, South Korea and the Netherlands have all qualified for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Australia drew 0–0 with Qatar, Japan defeated Uzbekistan 1–0, South Korea qualified by defeating the United Arab Emirates 2–0 and a 2–1 win over Iceland saw the Netherlands qualify. All four countries have two games to play in qualifying. Mark Schwarzer, Australian goalkeeper. "They put us under pressure," Australia coach Pim Verbeek said of his team's games. "We thought they could only do that for 20 minutes and they did it for almost 90 so I have to congratulate the young players from Qatar. They made it very difficult for us." In a statement emailed out to the media, Football Federation Australia CEO Ben Buckley said, "It's another first for Australian football, and it's come off the back of a comprehensive qualification pathway which began in February last year. Qualifying this time around, with the travel and match conditions the team has experienced, is a true measure of the progress football has made. While 'do or die' results, such as the famous Uruguay game four years ago are exciting, a qualifying campaign such as this one through the Asian zone is a tough test." FIFA named the Japan-Uzbekistan game as match of the day. Japanese forward Shinji Okazaki scored the only goal of that match, securing Japan's place at the World Cup. "This away game was really tough but I'm really happy, because I'd only scored in friendly games previously," Okazaki said. "This time, I feel like I did very well for the Japanese team. "Japan are a big team — both on and off the field — who have become a major force in world football. We are delighted that they today became the first team to qualify for the 2010 FIFA World Cup," Danny Jordaan, World Cup organising committee chief, said. South Korea opened the scoring in there match with the UAE through Park Chu-young after five minutes. Ki Sung-yueng sealed qualification for the Koreans on 37 minutes. The Netherlands scored their two goals in the first ten minutes. Nigel de Jong scored after eight minutes and Mark van Bommel scored on 15 minutes.
::: Home > Search Search News UN effort 'shows Taiwan sovereignty,' says president 10/24/2007 (Taiwan News) President Chen Shui-bian declared Wednesday morning that the drive by the Democratic Progressive Party administration to join the United Nations as a new member under the name of "Taiwan" instead of the nation's official name was "a symbol that manifests Taiwan's national sovereignty" and that "Taiwan and China are different countries across the Taiwan Strait." Chen made the remarks in a brief address in front of the Office of the President to launch the 1,200 - kilometer "All People's Torch Relay to Advance into the United Nations." Over 1,000 administration and DPP party officials, runners, bicyclists and ordinary citizens participated in the opening ceremony and first stage of the 11- day relay run that will encompass all of Taiwan's 25 counties and cities, including the offshore island counties of Kinmen, Matsu and Penghu before finishing on the evening of November 3 in front of the presidential complex. A small crowd had assembled in front of the Office of the President by 6:30 am when the daily flag raising ceremony took place, as persons of all ages gathered with United Nations flags, "UN for Taiwan" air batons, placards accusing the opposition Kuomintang for "obstructing" the DPP's UN entry effort and "Yes, Taiwan" banners in support of DPP presidential candidate Frank Hsieh. After an artificial "sacred flame" was lit while dancers in white togas performed a Greek dance to the tune of "Amazing Grace" followed by a lion dance, Chen expressed his "heartfelt gratitude" to the several thousand participants for "getting out of bed so early to participate in this highly significant 'All People's Torch Relay to Advance into the United Nations." Dressed in a T-shirt issued for the relay, Chen observed that sacred fire ceremonies were held to begin the ancient Olympic Games in Greece as "an eternal symbol of peace and reason." Chen claimed that the torch relay "showed that the 23 million Taiwanese people desired to use the most peaceful and reasonable method to clearly communicate our intense desire to join the United Nations under the name of 'Taiwan' to international society and especially urge the world democratic and freedom camp to respect the free choice of the Taiwanese people and assist us in entering the UN under the name of 'Taiwan' as a new member." The president related that this year marked the first time that the administration had officially applied to join the UN under the name of "Taiwan" and observed that even though the final result was "not satisfactory," he claimed that the controversial effort had successfully attracted considerable attention from international society and the world media. Chen said the DPP-led administration had designated October 24, the anniversary of the date on which the UN Charter took effect, as "Taiwan UN Day" and stated that a new "United Nations Research Center" under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs would also begin operation Wednesday. The president insisted that "using the name of 'Taiwan' to enter the UN" is the will of the mainstream of Taiwanese public opinion and a multipartisan consensus and "is a manifestation of Taiwan's national sovereignty" and also stressed that Taiwan "has never been part of the People's Republic of China" and that "Taiwan and China are two countries on each side of the Taiwan Strait." Chen also said that the holding of the torch relay was "a loud protest" against the PRC's "denigration of Taiwan's national status" in the unsuccessful negotiations for the passage of the Olympic torch for the Beijing 2008 Summer Olympic Games. Finally, the president said that "the support of international society is extremely vital" for Taiwan's effort to join the UN, but emphasized that "even more important is that we must be united internally" and expressed the hope that the participation of as many citizens as possible in the torch relay would "deepen the consensus" in support of the UN drive. After delivering his remarks, Chen lit his torch with the "sacred fire" symbolizing "peace and reason" and light the torch of Vice President Annette Lu and also of two runners, who in turn lit the torches of 25 relay runners before he and Lu led the assembled runners to jog on Ketagalan Boulevard toward Jingfu Gate at the intersection of Zhongshan South Road in what quickly turned into something of a mob scene with television cameramen slowing the advance of President Chen and the runners. After reaching Gongyuan Road, Chen left the event after lighting a torch borne by DPP presidential nominee Frank Hsieh, who was accompanied by DPP vice presidential candidate Su Tseng-chang, Presidential Secretary - General Yeh Chu-lan and other campaign staffers. Hsieh and Su passed their torches onto other runners after reaching the east side of the Jingfu Gate traffic circle shortly after 7:30 am and the runners proceeded through Taipei and Xizhi and were scheduled to end the first day's run in Yilan Wednesday evening. Speaking to reporters in front of the former KMT headquarters, Hsieh said that the event showed the support for the effort to enter international society under the name of "Taiwan." "Many people were excited and I was as well," related Hsieh, who said he got up at 5:00 am to engage in "warm-up" exercises. The former DPP premier thanked media cameramen for slowing the pace and acknowledged that his recently injured foot had given him some pain, but said that "since so many people are participating my heart is happy." The event mainly proceeded somewhat chaotically, and there were a few disturbances on the sidelines, when police prevented members of the KMT Youth Corps from rushing into the restricted area with a large ROC flag. Moreover, joggers in the torch relay found their road blocked at the Control Yuan by over 30 members of the "Chinese Unificationist Party," a right-wing organization including several known gangland figures and former legislator Lin Cheng-chieh. At least one CUP member was slightly injured in a scuffle before the rival crowds were separated by police. Executive Yuan Secretary-General Chen Chin-jun expressed regret over the "unfortunate" clashes and urged all sides to "maintain calm." Chen said that "it felt very comfortable" to jog from the presidential office to the Executive Yuan and "this exercise is good and since this exercise can promote our national dignity manifest to the world is even better." "Everyone should remain calm and rational," urged the Cabinet chief-of-staff, who said that "entering the UN is a national consensus across all parties." "If we do not enter the United Nations, we will continue to suffer from being excluded from all kinds of UN peripheral international organizations in social, economic, education, culture, air traffic control and environmental protection so everyone hope to enter the UN," he said. "But entering the UN should not become an ideological struggle and we hope that through the passage of 25 cities and counties everyone can mutually encourage and not inappropriately include party flags or other banners or symbols that confuse the issue or engage in deliberate provocations." "Everyone should jog peacefully and joyfully so that the relay can be completed smoothly and happily," Chen said. http://www.taiwannews.com.tw/etn/news_content.php?id=545661〈=eng_news&cate;_img=83.jpg&cate;_rss=news_Politics_TAIWAN This story has been viewed 146 times. Top \|\|\|\|\| Gain a global perspective on the US and go beyond with curated news and analysis from 600 journalists in 50+ countries covering politics, business, innovation, trends and more.	The UN"FAIR" at Taoyuan Airport. The torch line of the 11-day "Taiwan Run For UN" relay returned to Ketagalan Boulevard in Taipei City yesterday. Taiwan’s president, Chen Shui-bian, launched the event as publicity and support for Taiwan's application to join the United Nations as a new member under the name of "Taiwan", alongside China. In a statement prior to the relay, Chen declared that "Taiwan and China are different countries across the Taiwan Strait." The relay covered more than 1,200 km through 25 cities and counties since its start on October 24. The organizer of the event, the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) held night-time parties in the cities of Ilan, Hualien, Taitung, Pingtung, Kaohsiung, Tainan, Yunlin, Taichung, Miaoli, and Hsinchu as the relay progressed, and finally in Taipei City to welcome the torch relay team. Shui-bian Chen, Annette Lu, Frank Hsieh (Taiwan's 2008 presidential candidate), and Cheng-chang Su wore "UN for Taiwan" T-Shirts to the Ketagalan Boulevard rally, lit a flame and led people in a formation of "VT" (abbreviation for Victory Taiwan) line. The rally was met with protesters from the Red Shirts, which complain of corruption in the Chen government. In addition, the China Unification Promotion Party attempted several aggressive actions but ultimately carried out a peaceful protest. Protesters had demonstrated previously, on October 24 at the start of the relay. Even though the premier of Taiwan, Frank Hsieh insisted on the use of products made in Taiwan during the celebration party in Taipei, mini torch lights held by supporters were "Made in China" and featured the "MIC" mark, according to Eastern Television in Taiwan. These were eventually removed by the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP). The use of Made in China products was criticized by DPP legislator Kuo-ching Lin after the television reports. The party ended with a queue of "VT" lines and a historical collection of two million signatures of support. The issue of Taiwan's application to the UN may become a variable in the upcoming 2008 Taiwan Presidential Election.
Sign up to FREE email alerts from Mirror - daily news Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email FA DISCIPLINARY chiefs set themselves up for another backlash last night after ruling West Ham defender Paul Konchesky and Sunderland's Andy Welsh should not have been sent off - but admitted the cards still stand. The successful appeals mean Konchesky, dismissed at Newcastle, and Welsh, shown red at Liverpool, avoided an automatic one-match ban. But with neither of the referees involved, Barry Knight and Dermot Gallagher, prepared to accept their errors, the cards will not be withdrawn. That means if either player is sent off again this season, they will receive an extra match ban for a second dismissal, even though the FA conceded the first red cards were wrong. The means three of the six sendings-off in the first two weeks of the Premiership season have now been overturned. But Southend striker Freddy Eastwood had his automatic three-match ban for a violent conduct sending off against Huddersfield extended by an extra game for a "frivolous appeal", the first time the FA used powers to increase bans brought in as part of the fast-track policy 12 months ago. \|\|\|\|\| This article is more than 14 years old This article is more than 14 years old Paul Konchesky and Andy Welsh have appealed successfully against the red cards they received on Saturday but the Football Association have also sent out a strong warning to appeal claimants by extending the punishment of Southend's Freddy Eastwood. Eastwood's initial three-match ban was extended by one game because the FA panel deemed Southend's appeal to be "frivolous". "I'm delighted they considered our appeal and am grateful the matter was dealt with so swiftly," said Sunderland's manager Mick McCarthy. "Justice has been done and it's great to have Andy available." The FA's disciplinary procedures have come under scrutiny recently. Newcastle's Jermaine Jenas appealed successfully against his red card at Arsenal, prompting Fifa to write to express its displeasure with the English authority for not adhering to Fifa's code, which states that any player dismissed is automatically suspended. Despite this admonition Welsh and West Ham's Konchesky have been spared, and the FA has now overturned three of the Premiership's six red cards this season. The Internazionale coach Roberto Mancini fears the effect of an empty San Siro Stadium will have on his players, despite a 2-0 lead going into the second leg of their Champions League qualifier against Shakhtar Donetsk today. Inter are playing the first of four matches behind closed doors, a punishment by Uefa following crowd trouble during their Champions League quarter-final against Milan in April. "I've never experienced anything like it before and I don't think it will be pretty," Mancini said yesterday. \|\|\|\|\| DISCIPLINARY NEWS Sunderland's Andrew Welsh has had his claim for wrongful dismissal upheld READ ALOUD Welsh/Konchesky latest A Disciplinary Commission today heard the following claims for wrongful dismissal: Sunderland’s Andrew Welsh has had his claim for wrongful dismissal upheld and will therefore not serve any suspension. He was sent off for violent conduct during the match at Liverpool on Saturday, 20 August. West Ham United's Paul Konchesky has today had his claim for wrongful dismissal upheld by a Disciplinary Commission. He will therefore not serve any suspension. Konchesky was sent off for denying a an obvious goal scoring opportunity against Newcastle United on Saturday, 20 August. Steve Howard of Luton Town’s claim for wrongful dismissal was rejected and he will therefore serve a three-match suspension with immediate effect. Howard was sent off for spitting during the match at Stoke City on Saturday, 20 August. Southend United's Freddy Eastwood has had his wrongful dismissal claim rejected. He was sent off for violent conduct against Huddersfield Town on Saturday. Eastwood will serve a three-match suspension plus an additional one-match suspension as the Commission were of the opinion that the claim was frivolous. It is the first time that an extra suspension has been imposed for this reason. \|\|\|\|\| Welsh was sent off by referee Barry Knight for shoving Luis Garcia in Sunderland's defeat at Liverpool. Konchesky was dismissed by referee Dermot Gallagher who ruled his foul on Jermaine Jenas denied the Newcastle midfielder a goalscoring opportunity. The Football Association overturned both dismissals after reviewing video evidence of the incidents. Welsh will be available for Sunderland's home game against Manchester City on Tuesday night. Sunderland boss Mick McCarthy said: "I'm delighted they considered our appeal and am grateful the matter was dealt with so swiftly. "Justice has been done and it's great to have Andy available for tonight's game."	The Football Association of England risked a backlash and possible disciplinary action from football's world governing body FIFA on Tuesday when it rescinded the suspensions due from red cards that had been given during the past weekend's matches to FA Premier League players Andrew Welsh of Sunderland and Paul Konchesky of West Ham United. The FA's decision permitted Welsh to play for the Black Cats in their 2-1 loss at home to Manchester City Tuesday evening. Konchesky will also be available for the Hammers' next game on Saturday when West Ham host Bolton Wanderers. However, the FA's actions contravene FIFA regulations, which demand that any player sent off be suspended for his team's next match, with no right of appeal except for mistaken identity. FIFA House had already been in contact with Soho Square over the past week after the FA downgraded a red card that had been given to Newcastle United's Jermaine Jenas to a yellow card on the advice of referee Steve Bennett. The FA had indicated it would eventually issue a reply to FIFA, but the decision to overturn two more cards less than a week after the FIFA communication is likely to displease FIFA president Sepp Blatter. For the past three years especially, Blatter has been adamant that a red card in a football match must result in the player who was sent off missing his team's next game in the same competition. Blatter has clashed with the FA on this issue during that time, going so far as to threaten the English association with expulsion from FIFA. As a result, the FA agreed in 2004 to change their disciplinary process, in particular ensuring the process was expedited so that a player who was sent off did indeed miss his next match. However, it is now apparent that the FA has chosen to also allow for expedited appeals of red cards on grounds other than mistaken identity, which is not provided for in the FIFA regulations. Although the FA has now permitted Jenas, Welsh and Konchesky to play after being sent off in a previous match, it also extended an automatic three-match ban imposed on Southend United's Freddy Eastwood by one additional match after its disciplinary panel deemed his appeal of a red card received the previous weekend to be "frivolous." The FA also rejected the appeal of Luton Town's Steve Howard, but did not extend his three-match suspension. Unlike with Jenas, the red cards issued to Welsh and Konchesky will remain on their disciplinary records because the referees involved did not agree that they made mistakes. This means they will still receive an additional one-match ban should they be sent off again this season. Following Tuesday's decisions, half of the six red cards shown in the Premiership this season have been overturned. And in an interesting footnote, it was Jenas who Konchesky was sent off for fouling this past weekend.
Please turn on JavaScript. Media requires JavaScript to play. Advertisement Flooding in southern China has killed at least 55 people and forced more than one million to flee their homes, the government says. Torrential downpours have affected nine provinces, China's civil affairs ministry says. More rain is expected in the coming days, forecasters warn. Among those provinces badly hit is Sichuan, which is still reeling from last month's massive earthquake. Some 87,000 people were killed or missing after the 12 May earthquake. Farm land submerged China's civil affairs ministry says nearly 1.3 million people have now fled their homes in the hardest hit regions as the bad weather continues. Television showed boats cruising city streets, homeowners trying to bail out their homes and rescuers handing out supplies of bottled water. The flooding has submerged large areas of farm land and destroyed 6,600 homes in Guangdong and Jiangxi provinces, the official Xinhua news agency reports. It says that many roads throughout the affected areas have been covered by landslides. The flooding in the Pearl river delta is the worst for 50 years, forcing the Guangdong government to issue an emergency flood alert throughout the province, Xinhua says. China 's rainy season causes chaos every year, often leaving many dead and forcing millions to leave their homes. In the past, the Chinese authorities have warned that climate change may make the problem worse, the BBC's Daniel Griffiths in Beijing says. \|\|\|\|\| In this photo released by China's Xinhua News Agency, residents use rafts to sail through flooded streets in Yangshuo County, southwest China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Friday, June 13, 2008. Heavy rains in southern China triggered floods that killed six people and forced the evacuation of 150,000 residents, state media reported Saturday. (AP Photo/Xinhua, Cheng Ruihua) Flooding in China kills 55; 1 million flee BEIJING (AP) — At least 55 people have died and seven are missing in flooding across a broad stretch of southern China, state media reported Sunday. More than 1.2 million people have been forced to flee their homes across nine provinces, including Sichuan, which is still reeling from last month's earthquake that killed almost 70,000 people, the official Xinhua News Agency said. Heavy rain in Sichuan, Guizhou and Yunnan provinces will further raise water levels downstream, especially in the coastal manufacturing powerhouse of Guangdong, Xinhua says. Most of those areas are expected to receive more heavy rain over the next 10 days. Just to the south, communities with tens of thousands of people were threatened by the swollen Xijiang River in the Guangxi region, where a 130-foot crack had opened in an embankment near Changzhou, Xinhua said. Nearly 120,000 people fled to high ground in the nearby town of Longhua when river water began to pour through the gap, it said. "If the crack widened and the dike collapsed, the flood would directly threaten the safety" of the city of Wuzhou on Guangxi's border with Guangdong, Zhang Jinshen, a regional flood control official, was quoted as saying by Xinhua.	The Chinese provinces hit by the flooding are highlighted in red on the above mapOver 50 people have been confirmed dead and at least one million people have fled from their homes as a result of heavy flooding across much of southern China. In the Guangdong and Jiangxi provinces alone, at least 6,000 homes have been submerged and destroyed by the flood. Further rainfall is expected to occur throughout the next ten days. The China Meteorological Administration (CMA) has issued a warning on the situation. "Faced with the increasingly severe rain and flood situation, at 16 o’clock of June 12, Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters of Guangxi urgently started level 2 flood control emergency response and required the relevant departments and places to prepare immediately so as to ensure the work of flood control and drought relief," the CMA said in a statement released on Friday.
MORE than 3000 black-clad protesters marched through Launceston yesterday as part of a rally against construction of the Gunns pulp mill. The Tasmanian Greens told the protesters they would try to block the mill project in State Parliament. Greens leader Nick McKim, who described the mill as a white elephant, said the Greens would introduce a Bill to revoke the Pulp Mill Assessment Act 2007 and the Pulp Mill permit, which was established by the Act. "Many thousands in the community want the looming shadow of this controversial and divisive project gone," Mr McKim said. "Gunns' financial imperatives were used to justify Labor ramming its pulp mill legislation through the State Parliament in a shonky and undemocratic manner, an excuse that has been exposed as a sham now that years later Gunns still do not have the finances to build the mill. "Critical issues such as air quality, water capacity, effects on native forests and catchments, road safety and infrastructure damage were not assessed, and nor was there an independent risk assessment of any potential economic damage to other vital industries such as tourism." Greens MP Kim Booth urged the crowd to attend the Parliamentary debate on May 25. Also speaking at the rally were Dr Frank Nicklason and Peter Cundall. \|\|\|\|\| Tasmanian pulp mill gets green light Updated The Federal Government has given final environmental approval for a new pulp mill in northern Tasmania. Timber company Gunns will be allowed to build the controversial $2.5 billion project in the Tamar Valley, but with tougher environmental conditions. Approving the final permits, Environment Minister Tony Burke said the level of chlorine discharge has been set at a lower level than Gunns applied for and the mill will only be allowed to use plantation timber. "No native forestry will be allowed to be legally used through this mill," Mr Burke said. "This is a substantial variation and these two changes make the proposal a very different one that was first presented to my department back in 2007." Mr Burke said a standard provision that would have allowed the company to apply to have the conditions changed has been struck out. "There will now be a condition that any variation will only be considered if an equivalent or better environmental outcome." "From today, there are no steps backwards." He said there are now tougher environmental conditions which are not just a "matter of trust". "They are conditions for the development to go ahead". The tougher rules were imposed after an request from Gunns for the Government to lay down stricter conditions. "The officials in my department know of no occasion where this has occurred before," Mr Burke said. "They sought tougher environmental conditions and I gave them tougher environmental conditions. "Don't come back wanting to soften those tougher environmental conditions. They are now the only way the project goes ahead." "Given the circumstances and the history, and some of the community concerns as well, I wanted to make sure that putting in what was regarded as a standard clause did not allow anyone to believe that there could be backwards steps in the environmental footprint from today." "Whereas the standard clause allows companies to come back at certain times to seek a variation under the Act, there will now be a condition, condition 49, that any variation will only be considered if it involves an equivalent or better environmental outcome." Discharge condition Mr Burke has also included tougher limits on any discharge from the mill. "It will now be a condition of the project as a whole that the discharge can only occur through what's known as elemental chlorine-free light technology," he said. "This is a much tougher environmental condition on the discharge. It one that has been demanded by environment groups. "It is something which Gunns has been saying they were willing to do. They will now have to do it as a condition of the development." Gunns still has one more major hurdle to clear; the company is yet to announce a financial backer for the mill. First posted	Over 3000 protesters, dressed in black, marched the streets of , Australia on Saturday to show their opposition to the construction of a pulp mill by . This follows the release of a survey, which showed that 40 percent of Tasmanians oppose the project. The mill has previously been opposed by the Launceston Environment Centre LEC and the Tasmanian branch of the Australian Medical Association AMA, due to concerns about negative environmental and social impacts of liquid waste and air pollution. The LEC claims that there will be eight deaths per year from increased air pollution, and the AMA has already expressed concerns about Launcestons' current air quality, "Launceston has one of the worst air qualities within Australia," according to a written statement the AMA made in 2006. The statement also attacks the quality of modelling conducted by Gunns during the assessment of the mill. It says that scale particulates are "closely associated with the adverse health effects of particle air pollution", but were not measured in the assessment process. The pulp mill was green-lighted by environment minister in March, although no reassessments of air quality have been undertaken by Gunns. The company has stated that more work needs to be done to convince Tasmanians that air quality will not be reduced by the project.
Onlookers were left stunned by the suicide attack Fifteen people have been killed and 39 wounded by a female suicide bomber in the northern Iraqi city of Baquba. The bomber detonated the device in front of a group of policemen at the entrance to a local government and law courts complex. A number of civilians are said to be among the casualties. Previous bomb attacks in the Baquba area have been blamed on Sunni insurgents said to have links with the al-Qaeda network. Doctor Ahmed Fuad, at Baquba's hospital, was quoted by AFP news agency as saying that among those killed in the latest bombing were eight policemen, two women and one child. Several vehicles caught fire as a result of the explosion, while some nearby buildings were damaged by the impact. Women recruits Baquba is the capital of the restive Diyala province - one of the most dangerous parts of Iraq. It has seen a series of suicide bombings by women over the past year. Security officials say al-Qaeda has recruited women bombers because they are often subjected to lighter security checks than men. Last Tuesday more than 60 people were killed in a car bomb attack in Baghdad. The Americans blamed what they termed renegade Shia militiamen trying to incite inter-communal violence. It was the deadliest bombing in Iraq's capital for weeks, following a security drive by Iraqi and US forces. Despite such attacks, overall levels of violence in Iraq are at a four-year low. \|\|\|\|\| An Iraqi soldier and civilians carry a body as others lay on the ground at the scene where a female suicide bomber detonated her explosives in Baqouba, 60 kilometers (35 miles) northeast of Baghdad, Iraq, on Sunday, June 22, 2008. A female suicide bomber struck near a government compound on Sunday, killing at least 15 people and wounding 40, the police said. (AP Photo) Female suicide bomber in Iraq kills 15, wounds 40 BAGHDAD (AP) — A female suicide bomber concealing explosives beneath her black robe struck outside a government complex northeast of Baghdad on Sunday, killing at least 15 people and wounding more than 40, U.S. and Iraqi officials said. It was the 21st suicide mission carried out by a woman in Iraq this year, the U.S. military said, as al-Qaida and other Sunni militant groups try to regroup from major losses suffered at the hands of U.S. and Iraqi forces. The blast occurred about 1 p.m. as dozens of people were leaving a walled compound that includes a courthouse and the provincial governor's office in Baqouba, capital of Diyala province and a former al-Qaida in Iraq stronghold 35 miles northeast of Baghdad. A car bomb across the street from the same compound killed at least 40 people in April. It appeared that the latest attack was timed to maximize casualties since many people were leaving the compound because the government offices there were to close soon for the day. A U.S. military statement said the dead included seven Iraqi police and eight civilians. Ten police were among the wounded. Iraqi authorities said 16 people were killed and 42 wounded. "I was trying to leave the court when the explosion took place," said one witness, who was wounded by shrapnel but refused to give his name because of fears for his own safety. "I heard some of the injured people saying they saw a woman wearing a black robe blow herself up." Al-Qaida has been increasingly using women because their black, billowing abaya robes easily conceal explosives. Iraqi police often lack enough policewomen to search women carefully. The number of female suicide attacks has risen from eight in 2007 to 21 so far this year, according to U.S. military figures. Eight of the attacks were in Diyala province. Last year, U.S. soldiers regained control of Baqouba, which had been declared the capital of the Islamic State of Iraq, an al-Qaida front organization. But the terror movement has been trying to regroup in the strategic Diyala province, which extends from the Iranian border to the eastern gates of Baghdad. To the north, a roadside bomb Sunday apparently targeting a police patrol struck a civilian vehicle instead, killing four people, near Kirkuk, police reported. A suicide car bomber attacked a police checkpoint Sunday in the northwestern city of Mosul, wounding 14 people, including four policemen, provincial police said. The violence occurred as U.S. and Iraqi authorities are trying to meet a July target date for completing a security agreement that would allow American troops to remain in the country after the U.N. mandate expires at the end of this year. Talks bogged down over several key issues, which Iraqi lawmakers said violated the nation's sovereignty. Last week, however, Iraqi authorities said prospects for a deal had brightened after the Americans submitted new, unspecified proposals. In Lebanon, however, the country's top Shiite cleric called Sunday on Iraqis to reject any deal that would allow the U.S. "to continue its occupation" and hijack the country's sovereignty. "We specifically warn Iraqis not to submit to American temptation or pressures to sign an agreement with the Americans that will enable them to continue their occupation of Iraq under new slogans," Grand Ayatollah Mohammed Hussein Fadlallah said. Fadlallah's remarks are significant because he is one of the founders of Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki's Dawa party and serves as the spiritual guide for many key Iraqi Shiite leaders. Elsewhere Sunday, police said they have arrested six men suspected in the killing of the head of Saddam Hussein's tribe this month. Sheik Ali al-Nida, the head of Iraq's Albu Nasir tribe, and one of his guards were killed on June 10 when a bomb planted on their car exploded in Tikrit. Police said three of those arrested were related to the sheik. Another was his longtime personal driver and trusted family employee, who police said accepted money to stick a bomb on the undercarriage of the victim's car. Last year, al-Nida founded a so-called Awakening Council in Saddam's home village of Ouja, partnering with U.S. forces to fight Sunni militants in the area. A police officer, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he wasn't authorized to release the information, said investigators suspected al-Qaida in Iraq was behind the attack as part of its campaign of violence against Sunni tribal leaders who have joined forces with the Americans. Associated Press writers Sameer N. Yacoub and Hamid Ahmed in Baghdad and Bassem Mroue in Beirut, Lebanon, contributed to this report. \|\|\|\|\| “This is simply an evil act,” he said. In the bombing, some victims burned to death or died from smoke inhalation in the apartment building, according to an Interior Ministry official. Bystanders climbed onto rooftops 20 to 30 yards away to gather flesh strewn by the force of the blast. Iraqi policemen stacked bodies several feet high in a pickup truck, but some fell out of the truckbed when they drove away. Other people rushed to the street to drape the bodies with sheets. Interior Ministry officials said the death toll, which was expected to grow, was the worst for any attack in Baghdad since March 6, when two bombs in the Karada shopping district killed more than 60 people. At Kadhimiya Hospital, frantic relatives unable to find out what happened to family members cursed the Iraqi government for allowing the blast and called on God for revenge. At the hospital morgue, victims were placed in two rooms: one for bodies that were recognizable and could be examined by relatives, and one for charred and unidentifiable remains. Huriya once had a large population of Sunnis, but after the American-led invasion, Shiite militias and death squads in the neighborhood killed or drove out thousands of Sunnis. The raw and unresolved emotions from the bloodshed and convulsions that swept the district during those years poured out after Tuesday’s attack. But even amid the rage and anger, some residents said the solution was not vengeance, but for the neighborhood to go back to the way it was before the death squads when Iraqis lived together regardless of sect. “Don’t think we like the Mahdi Army,” said Jassim Abbas, a resident. “I want the Sunnis to come back, so we won’t be an easy target for the terrorists.” The blast site was at the heart of the market that was the scene of two huge explosions in 2005 and 2006 that killed a total of more than 100 people.	A photo of a previous bombing in Iraq A bombing in the Iraqi province of Diyala has killed 15 people, according to local officials. The suicide bomb exploded at the entrance to a local government centre in the city of Baquba, which is one of the most deadly areas in Iraq. 39 people were also wounded by the attack. An anonymous witness of the blast described the bomber. "I heard some of the injured people saying they saw a woman wearing a black robe blow herself up." This attack comes after a bombing on Tuesday killed 51 people, according to local police. That bomb exploded near a bus stop in the Hurriya area, which is mainly populated with Shia Muslims. 75 people were also wounded in Tuesday's attack, which was the deadliest in the area for three months.
COMETH the hour, cometh the man. Just as he did in Kaiserslautern last June, Tim Cahill came off the bench and ran to Australia's rescue with a dramatic equalising goal. Thirteen months ago it was the World Cup. This time it was the Asian Cup. Both times the Everton midfielder's intervention was as magical as it was timely, even though it was barely deserved in a match in which a toothless Australia looked to be heading for a 1-0 loss to outsiders Oman in Bangkok's Rajamangala Stadium. Cahill struck in stoppage time after Oman goalkeeper Ali Al Habsi had deflected a shot into his path in a crowded penalty area. The 26-year-old Sydneysider once again showed his composure, and his ability to be in the right place at the right time. The final scoreline looked unlikely for much of the game. Mark Schwarzer twice came to the rescue to deny Oman clear-cut scoring opportunities. In contrast, Australia created little, even though coach Graham Arnold fielded virtually his strongest attacking line-up, with Harry Kewell, Mark Viduka and Mark Bresciano deployed up front. Oman, who came into this tournament after winning a four-team competition in Singapore a week ago, certainly did not look overawed against their highly credentialled opponents. They began the game in lively fashion, forcing the first corner of the match in the eighth minute when Ismail Al Ajmi headed over the bar. Immediately afterwards, Australia fashioned one of the best of their two early chances, also from a corner. However, Patrick Kisnorbo's header from Luke Wilkshire's delivery flew wide of the post. The Omanis grew in confidence, retaining possession and playing the ball on the ground in the manner of a team enjoying the big occasion. Ahmed Al Mahaijri, Ismail and overlapping fullback Hassan Al Gheilani combined well down the left to deliver a troubling cross in the 14th minute. For much of the half, that trio continued to cause Australia problems with their close interpassing. However, the Socceroos looked lacklustre and dreadfully out of rhythm in the cloying heat. Before the tournament, Lucas Neill had talked of a stylistic realignment in the Socceroos play, suggesting that because of the sapping heat Australia would have to abandon its hard-running, pressing game. Unfortunately, the Socceroos passing game was sadly awry as too often balls missed targets and passes went astray, giving the Omanis time to regroup or start dangerous counterattacks. \|\|\|\|\| 7/9/2007 2:53 AM Vietnam Shock UAE In Asian Cup Vietnam achieved the first shock, and indeed the first victory of the 2007 Asian Cup, with a 2-0 win over United Arab Emirates in Hanoi. The co-hosts are the group outsiders and were fully expected to struggle against the Gulf Cup champions. It started out that way initially as the visitors enjoyed the better of the first half that started nervously before coming into life in the latter stages. The talented Faisal Khalil and Ismail Matar caused problems for Alfred Reidl’s team. Vietnamese goalkeeper Son Duong frustrated those attempts and in the second half he watched as his team-mates moved into the lead. It came after 64 minutes. Nguyen Minh Phuong chipped the ball into the area and Hyunh Quang Thanh slotted home from close range past goalkeeper Majed Naser. Nine minutes later, Vietnam made it two. Nguyen Vu Phong lifted the ball over the UAE defence and 21 year-old striker Le Cong Vinh showed why he is one of the most sought after players in the region by coolly sealing the win to the delight of a healthy crowd at My Dinh National Stadium. Bruno Metsu’s team threw everything forward in a bid to get something out of the game but it was all in vain as the hosts took the win and an unlikely top spot in Group B. The other two members of the group are in action on Monday as defending champions Japan take on Qatar at the same stadium. \|\|\|\|\| 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. \|\|\|\|\| Striker Le Cong Vinh lobbed the ball into the net, sealing a historic victory for co-hosts Vietnam. (Photo: VTC) Nhan Dan Online - Vietnam started their AFC Asian Cup campaign with a thrilling 2-0 victory over the United Arab Emirates (UAE) through second half goals by Huynh Quang Thanh and Le Cong Vinh. Quang Thanh, who returned to the team after missing the team’s final friendly against Bahrain, broke the deadlock for the hosts after the hour mark. Striker Cong Vinh Cong Vinh wrapped up the co-hosts’ first win at the Asian Cup, leaving Group B, which also features defending champions Japan and Qatar, wide open. The UAE’s Faisal Khalil came closest to scoring but his finish to the far corner in the first half was tipped away by Vietnamese goalie Duong Hong Son. Talking at a post-match conference, Vietnam coach Alfred Riedl said: “It was an exciting match. I think the team who score first would be the winners. We scored two goals and deserved to win.” The Vietnamese team played a fantastic game just before President Nguyen Minh Triet and AFC President Mohammed Bin Hamman also were seen at the My Dinh stadium, especially in the second half after both sides failed to score in the first half. The game began at a frantic pace in a fantastic atmosphere created by a nearly full crowd at the My Dinh national stadium. Vietnam’s chance went to Phan Thanh Binh, who headed a good freekick from Quang Thanh just wide. At the other end Ismaeil Matar curled a free-kick from the edge of the area just wide of the post. Duong Hong Son made a full length diving save after 30 minutes to keep the score level after Khalil rounded Huy Hoang and broke into the area, looking to find the far bottom corner with a low shot. After the break, the home side started their game in an aggressive fashion. Nguyen Vu Phong forced a diving save from UAE goalkeeper Majed Naser with a stinging low shot from the edge of the area. The goalie was then quick to comfortably save Thanh Binh’s follow-up shot. The UAE replied almost immediately with Basheer Saeed powering a freekick, which was saved by Hong Son. Vietnam delighted the home crowd four minutes after the hour mark as Quang Thanh powered on captain Nguyen Minh Phuong’s chipped pass into the area, which gave a Majed Naser no chance. Explaining the reason of his side’s defeat to the co-hosts afterward, Bruno Metsu said his team, after going 1-0 down, wanted to come back immediately, so they played open, giving the hosts space and time to play. The co-hosts side almost doubled the lead a minute later as Naser parried Thanh Binh’s powerful close range strike and Minh Phuong scooped the rebound over the bar. The crucial second goal came 10 minutes later as Cong Vinh beat the UAE’s offside trap to lob Vu Phong’s through ball over the advancing Naser from the edge of the area. The victory put Vietnam on top of Group B for at least one day, just before champions Japan and Qatar play each other on July 9. Vietnam: Duong Hong Son, Phung Van Nhien, Nguyen Huy Hoang, Vu Nhu Thanh, Huynh Quang Thanh, Nguyen Vu Phong, Phan Van Tai Em, Nguyen Minh Phuong (Nguyen Minh Chuyen – 78’), Le Tan Tai, Le Cong Vinh (Huynh Phuc Hiep – 90’)and Phan Thanh Binh (Nguyen Anh Duc - 84’); and UAE: Majed Nasser, Rashid Abdulrahman, Haydar Alo-Ali, Yousef Jaber, Bashir Saeed, Abdulsalam Juma, Ahmed Mubarek (Ahmed Mohamed - 64’), Hilal Saeed, F Khalil, Ismail Matar and Mohamed Saeed (Amir Mubarak – 81’) Ngoc Tuan \|\|\|\|\| Vietnam defeats UAE 2-0 in Asian Cup's Group B HANOI, Vietnam: Two second half goals gave Vietnam a 2-0 win Sunday over United Arab Emirates in the opening match of the Asian Cup's Group B. The win gave Vietnamese fans hope after their team entered the tournament as the underdog in the group, which includes two-time defending champions Japan and Asian Games gold medalists Qatar. The My Dinh National Stadium exploded with cheers when defender Huynh Quang Thanh opened the scoring with a powerful shot from 6 meters out at the 63rd minute. Striker Le Cong Vinh sealed the victory for Vietnam 10 minutes later when he lobbed the ball over UAE's goal keeper Majed Nasser from 20 meters. The Gulf Cup champions had their best chance to score in the 30th minute when striker Faisal Khalil's shot touched Vietnam's goal keeper Duong Hong Son and narrowly went wide. UAE had a few other chances but their shots were blocked by Son or went wide. Vietnam coach Alfred Riedl said luck was on his team's side. "A team needs luck to win a match like this," he told a press conference. "We are luckier." UAE coach Bruno Metsu said his team had to pay a price for failing to capitalize on their chances. "Today we missed many good opportunities to open the score," he said. "It's difficult to play with the fans." One of those fans was Nguyen Duc Thien, 24, a soldier who waved a Vietnamese flag and wore a red headband. "It's beyond fans' expectation," he said. "I will go down to the streets to celebrate this win all night." \|\|\|\|\| Unfancied Vietnam pulled off a stunning 2-0 upset over Gulf Cup champions United Arab Emirates in their Asian Cup opener before a roaring home crowd at the My Dinh National Stadium in Hanoi last night. Playing at Asian Cup level for the first time in nearly 50 years, the hosts opened the scoring on a three-man counter-attack from the halfway line in the 63rd minute. Defender Huynh Quang Thanh ran up the right side, weaved into the box and slapped the ball into the left corner of the net. Striker Le Cong Vinh, the Vietnamese player of the year, added another goal 10 minutes later as he controlled a long ball in front of the penalty area and lobbed it into an open goal. -AFP	Australia playing Oman in their Group A fixture at Rajamangala Stadium, Bangkok. Tournament favourites and debutants Australia have drawn 1-1 with a skillful Oman in the second match in Group A of the 2007 AFC Asian Cup. Oman shocked the Socceroos when they scored on thirty-two minutes, after some enterprising play on their left-hand flank. A ball cut back made its' way through the Australian defence to Omani striker Badar Mubarak, who slotted the ball low into the left-hand corner of the goal. Oman very nearly had a second goal on three separate occasions in the second half. They were only denied by three world-class saves by Australian goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer, including a low save from a driving volley by Ahmed Mubarak, a reflex save to stop a point-blank header in the seventieth minute, and then another low-down save minutes later from Fawi Bashir's driving shot. A heavy downpour began ten minutes prior to the final whistle, and it appeared to reinvigorate Australia. They pressed forward in numbers, and were rewarded in injury time with a goal to Everton midfielder Tim Cahill, after a low volley by Marco Bresciano was well-saved by Omani keeper Suleiman Al Mazroui. Cahill achieved the remarkable double of scoring both Australia's first Asian Cup and World Cup goals, after he scored in the eighty-third minute of their match against Japan at the 2006 FIFA World Cup. He and John Aloisi capped off the comeback by scoring twice late to defeat Japan 3-1. The Australian players were visibly frustrated by Oman's play-acting tactics, which saw the stretcher used four times in the first half alone. British match commentator Simon Hill described the tactics as "a blight to the game" and "absolutely rubbish", the latter in relation to one incident where no contact was made whatsoever. When queried about it after the game, Arnold said cynically "welcome to Asia". Australian coach Graham Arnold at the post-match media conference. The Australians were flat and their defending was poor, said coach Graham Arnold at the post-match media conference. He also commented on goalkeeper Schwarzer's three fantastic saves, saying "Mark Schwarzer's got us out of jail. Schwarzer's made two unbelievable saves, otherwise it's 2-0 and all over". The draw leaves all four Group A teams equal on the table on one point, with one goal for and one against, following Iraq 1-1 draw with hosts Thailand yesterday. In the other game played yesterday (UTC), co-hosts Vietnam caused a major shock by defeating United Arab Emirates in their Group B fixture. The Emirates are the current Gulf Cup champions, and the hosts were expected to struggle to win this match, or progress from Group B which includes two-time Asian champions Japan and Asian Games gold medallists Qatar. Vietnam is playing at Asian Cup level for the first time in nearly half a century. UAE had the better of the chances in an otherwise-even first half, with the best Faisal Khalil's shot in the thirtieth minute, which was well-saved by Vietnamese goalkeeper Duong Hong Son who managed to turn the ball around the post for a corner. However, they scored two second half goals to take the three points from the My Dinh National Stadium. On sixty-three minutes, a counter-attack from the half-way line involving three Vietnamese players resulted in defender Huynh Quang Thanh putting the ball in the back of the net. Vietnamese player of the year Le Cong Vinh made it 2-0 nine minutes later when he chased down a long ball and calmly lobbed it over Emirates goalkeeper Majed Nasser, who had come off his line to try and avert the danger. Bruno Metsu, coach of the United Arab Emirates, substituted players and launched an all-out attack to try and salvage something, but failed to find the goals he needed.
Missile Strike in Northwest Pakistan Kills 10 Militants Pakistani officials say a suspected missile strike by a U.S. drone aircraft has killed up to 10 militants in a tribal region near the Afghan border. The attack late Tuesday in North Waziristan followed a similar strike a day earlier that killed five people in the same region. U.S. unmanned aircraft are believed to have fired more than 40 missiles at suspected al-Qaida and Taliban strongholds in northwest Pakistan in recent months. American officials rarely discuss the missile strikes, which Pakistan has publicly criticized as counterproductive and a violation of its sovereignty. Meanwhile, the Pakistani military says its forces killed 24 militants during an operation in the Khyber region targeting the Taliban-affiliated group Lashkar-e-Islam. The offensive was launched last week following a suicide bombing at a border checkpoint that killed at least 21 people, most of them police. The military has reported killing more than 100 militants in the region over the past week, but the toll cannot be independently verified. Earlier Tuesday, officials in northwestern Pakistan said militant gunfire killed four high-school students in Orakzai tribal region, a stronghold of the Pakistani Taliban's new chief, Hakimullah Mehsud. Some local officials suggest the students were targeted because they were minority Shi'ite Muslims, but a Pakistani television report (ARY News) says the young students were caught in an exchange of gunfire between two rival groups. In other violence, police officials say gunmen in southwestern Pakistan set fire to eight container trucks carrying supplies for U.S. and NATO troops in neighboring Afghanistan. Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters. Pakistani officials say a suspected missile strike by a U.S. drone aircraft has killed up to 10 militants in a tribal region near the Afghan border.The attack late Tuesday in North Waziristan followed a similar strike a day earlier that killed five people in the same region.U.S. unmanned aircraft are believed to have fired more than 40 missiles at suspected al-Qaida and Taliban strongholds in northwest Pakistan in recent months. American officials rarely discuss the missile strikes, which Pakistan has publicly criticized as counterproductive and a violation of its sovereignty.Meanwhile, the Pakistani military says its forces killed 24 militants during an operation in the Khyber region targeting the Taliban-affiliated group Lashkar-e-Islam.The offensive was launched last week following a suicide bombing at a border checkpoint that killed at least 21 people, most of them police.The military has reported killing more than 100 militants in the region over the past week, but the toll cannot be independently verified.Earlier Tuesday, officials in northwestern Pakistan said militant gunfire killed four high-school students in Orakzai tribal region, a stronghold of the Pakistani Taliban's new chief, Hakimullah Mehsud.Some local officials suggest the students were targeted because they were minority Shi'ite Muslims, but a Pakistani television report (ARY News) says the young students were caught in an exchange of gunfire between two rival groups.In other violence, police officials say gunmen in southwestern Pakistan set fire to eight container trucks carrying supplies for U.S. and NATO troops in neighboring Afghanistan. E-mail Print Digg Yahoo Buzz Facebook del.icio.us StumbleUpon \|\|\|\|\| The attack late on Tuesday targeted a Taliban residential compound in Dargamandi village in a tribal area bordering Afghanistan. At least 10 people have been killed after a suspected US drone fired missiles into Pakistan’s North Waziristan region, Pakistani intelligence has said. It was not immediately clear whether any Taliban fighters were present in the area at the time. The United States has fired scores of missiles from unmanned drones into the tribal regions since last year in a campaign targeting al-Qaeda and Taliban commanders. Al Jazeera's Kamal Hyder reporting from Islamabad, the Pakistani capital, said: "No one is clear under what mandate the Americans are carrying out such strikes because this is the month of Ramadan and there is going to be a considerable backlash not just in those areas, but from across Pakistan. "People are angered by the way the Americans are conducting their affairs in this particular conflict . This is an infringement of sovereignty. "Aircraft with no pilots onboard are constantly flying into Pakistani aerospace and attacking targets within Pakistan ... it creates a very complex situation for the Pakistani military itself. "The signal the Pakistanis want to send across is that they want to be able to work within their territory without outside interference." Tuesday's attack was the second in the North Waziristan tribal region in less than 24 hours. A similar strike targeting a madrassa (Islamic school) and an adjoining house in Machikhel village killed at least five people on Monday. Residents on Tuesday said they had seen the drone hovering in the sky and had been expecting the missile attack. Washington alleges Al-Qaeda and Taliban rebels who fled Afghanistan after the 2001 US-led invasion are holed up in the semi-autonomous tribal belt.	Pakistani officials have stated that a missile strike — suspected to have been launched from an American (UAV) — killed at least ten militants in , a tribal area near Pakistan's border with Afghanistan on Tuesday. The attack targeted a Taliban-operated compound in the village of Dargamandi. It was the second attack in the vicinity within 24 hours. On Monday, five people were killed following a similar attack targeting a Islamic school in the Machikhel village. Unmanned aircraft operated by the US are believed to have launched over forty missiles into northwestern Pakistan, a stronghold of the Taliban in the past few months. The strikes were initiated after a suicide bomber killed at least 21 people at a border checkpoint last week.
Sumner Lemon The English version of Wikipedia now contains over one million articles, according to the Wikimedia Foundation, the group behind the free online encyclopedia. Wikipedia is comprised of articles largely written by a community of users. However, any visitor can contribute an article or modify an existing one on the website. There are currently versions of Wikipedia in 125 languages, containing a total of 3.3 million articles. The millionth article is about Jordanhill railway station in Scotland and was created on March 1 by Ewan Macdonald, a Wikipedia contributor who also goes by the name Nach0king. "While I am, of course, delighted at being the one to hit this milestone, I must confess that, along with many others, I timed my contributions tonight to give me a chance at being the lucky one," Macdonald wrote on his Wikipedia homepage. After crossing the million-article mark, the English version of Wikipedia continues to grow, adding an estimated 1,700 new articles every day, according to the Wikimedia Foundation. \|\|\|\|\| From the Wikimedia Foundation This release in other languages: English \| العربية (Arabic) \| Español (Spanish) \| Suomi (Finnish) \| Nederlands (Dutch) \| Português (Portuguese) \| Slovenščina \| Tiếng Việt (Vietnamese) \| 中文(正) (Chinese, trad) (+/-) English Wikipedia Publishes Millionth Article ST. PETERSBURG, FLORIDA, UNITED STATES, March 1, 2006 The Wikimedia Foundation announced today the creation of the 1,000,000th article in the English language edition of Wikipedia. The article is about the Jordanhill railway station in Scotland, and it was started by Wikipedia contributor Ewan MacDonald, whose username is Nach0king. Wikipedia is a free, multilingual, online encyclopedia with 3.3 million articles under development in more than 125 languages. Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales commented, "We are thrilled that our millionth article in English is about the Jordanhill railway station. This is not something which would appear in a traditional encyclopedia, and it shows how Wikipedia reflects the needs and interests of people everywhere, and not just the dictates of what academics and cultural mavens claim is worthy of an encyclopedia." The full text of the English Wikipedia is located at en.wikipedia.org. In addition to articles, the English Wikipedia offers dozens of graphical timelines and subject-specific portals. Its media repository includes four hundred thousand images and hundreds of full-length songs, videos, and animations, many of which are available for free distribution. Although its method of editing is new and controversial, Wikipedia has already won acclaim and awards for its detailed coverage of current events, popular culture, and scientific topics; its usability; and its international community of contributors. BBC News has called Wikipedia "One of the most reliably useful sources of information around, on or off-line." Daniel Pink, author and WIRED Magazine columnist, has described Wikipedia as "the self-organizing, self-repairing, hyperaddictive library of the future," and Tim Berners-Lee, father of the Web, has called it "The Font of All Knowledge." Wikipedia is among the world's most popular websites, receiving tens of millions of visitors every day. It is a project of the Wikimedia Foundation, and has spawned sister projects, including a dictionary, a library of textbooks, a compendium of quotations, a news site, and a media repository. These projects are all run using the open source MediaWiki software. Other articles created literally seconds later include an overview of the Tennessee Commissioner of Financial Institutions, biography of professional baseball player Aaron Ledesma, and a look at cellular architecture. In all, over one hundred articles were contributed in the same second as Jordanhill railway station, as many editors waited anxiously for the opportunity to post the millionth article. In response to the landmark in the English Wikipedia's history, brief translations had been included in Wikipedia's Alemannisch German, Arabic, Chinese, Danish, French, German, Greek, Italian, Japanese, Latin, Polish, Romanian, Russian, Spanish, Swedish, Thai and Welsh versions. The original goal for Wikipedia was to create 100,000 articles. This number was reached on 23 January 2003. About Wikipedia Imagine a world in which every single person on the planet is given free access to the sum of all human knowledge. That's what we're doing. -- Jimmy Wales, founder of Wikipedia and Chair of the Wikimedia Foundation Started in January 2001, Wikipedia is the world's most current, fastest-growing, and largest encyclopedia. It is created entirely by volunteers who contribute, update, and revise articles in a collaborative process. The English language edition contains 20 million internal links, and incorporates 65,000 edits and 1,700 new articles each day. Wikipedia's content is written for a general audience, and is continually revised for clarity, readability, and accuracy. Original text, images and sounds contributed to Wikipedia are licensed under the GNU Free Documentation Licence (GFDL), which lets users copy and modify each other's work based on a principle known as "copyleft." The entire database can be freely downloaded in full. Though the project faced criticism in 2005 for factual inaccuracies in some articles, the science journal Nature published a study in December which found Wikipedia's science content to have only slightly more errors per article than that of the Encyclopedia Britannica. Other, less formal external peer reviews have been generally positive. About Wikimedia The Wikimedia Foundation, Inc. is an international non-profit organization dedicated to encouraging the growth, development and distribution of free, multilingual content, and to providing the full content of these wiki-based projects to the public free of charge. The Wikimedia Foundation operates some of the largest collaboratively-edited reference projects in the world, including Wikipedia, one of the 25 most visited websites. Wikipedia and Wikimedia's awards include the Webby Award, the Prix Ars Electronica Golden Nica, the Japan Advertisers Association's Web Creation Award, and the World Technology Award in Communications Technology. The Wikimedia Foundation was created in 2003 to manage the operation of existing projects, and is based in St. Petersburg, Florida, USA. Wikimedia has local chapters in the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, Serbia and Montenegro, and Poland. Chapters in Canada, India, China, Australia and the Netherlands are among those currently in development. Most of the Foundation's operations are funded by reader and contributor donations, usually of USD$50 or less. Its 2005 budget was USD$739,200, and based on traffic growth, the 2006 budget is expected to be significantly higher. Further information Contact For questions and interviews, please email press@wikimedia.org , or (in English only) contact directly: Jimmy Wales, Chair, Board of Trustees, Wikimedia Foundation Phone: +1-310-474-3223 Email: jwales@wikia.com Angela Beesley, Board of Trustees, Wikimedia Foundation Phone: (+44)-208-816-7308 Email: abeesley@wikimedia.org Suggested media Click for enlargements.	Wikipedia Logo Today, at 23:09 UTC, the internet encyclopedia Wikipedia reached the point of having over one million articles written in English. In comparison, the largest traditional English-language encyclopedia, ''Encyclopædia Britannica'', has 120,000 articles. This milestone marks an important point in Wikipedia's short history. There was minor confusion over the millionth article; it was first held to be Jordanhill Railway Station, then a brief biography of baseball player Aaron Ledesma. The millionth article was later confirmed to be the former, started by Wikipedia contributor Nach0king (Ewan Macdonald). "While I am, of course, delighted at being the one to hit this milestone, I must confess, along with many others I timed my contributions tonight to give me a chance at being the lucky one," he wrote on his Wikipedia user page. Jimmy Wales commented that "We are thrilled that our millionth article in English is about the Jordanhill railway station. This is not something which would appear in a traditional encyclopedia, and it shows how Wikipedia reflects the needs and interests of people everywhere, and not just the dictates of what academics and cultural mavens claim is worthy of an encyclopedia." === Celebrations === The milestone was celebrated by a party on the Freenode IRC network, where Wikimedia's official IRC channels can be found. The milestone was preceded by an announcement to all 30,000 Freenode users, that a separate channel, #wikipedia-countdown, was being set aside for a celebration. In that channel, an IRC script, ran by Wikipedian ems, called off the article numbers as they passed by. A total of 733 different people joined the channel over the course of the afternoon. The tension was high when the millionth article was reached; in the first 40 seconds afterwards, chatting was briefly enabled in the channel, and over 3,000 lines of celebratory chat filled the room; chatting had to be disabled until everyone had calmed down. === About Wikipedia === Wikipedia was founded in 2001 by Jimmy Wales, the CEO and co-founder of Bomis, Inc., and Larry Sanger, an employee of Bomis. Wikipedia began as a complementary project to Nupedia, which was created by Wales to be a free internet encyclopedia. Nupedia was open like Wikipedia but had a much more complex editing system. One day, Sanger made a proposal on the Nupedia mailing list exploring the possibility of a Wiki-based encyclopedia. Out of this proposal, Wikipedia was born. Sanger was appointed editor-in-chief of Wikipedia by Wales, and the project was underwritten by Bomis. Nupedia was eventually scrapped. Wikipedia has grown immensely in five short years and is no longer under the control of Bomis. The success of Wikipedia and some of the earlier sister projects lead Wales to create a non-profit organization to run them, called the Wikimedia Foundation. Wikipedia has a user base of around one million registered users and contains over three million pages altogether. It has become one of the world's top 25 websites, as ranked by Alexa Internet, and has come to the attention of the media worldwide. A source of negative publicity for Wikipedia in November 2005 was the John Seigenthaler Sr. controversy, in which a then-unknown vandal created a biographical article about Seigenthaler on Wikipedia that contained numerous false and defamatory statements. This article went unnoticed for several months until it was discovered by Victor S. Johnson, Jr., a friend of Seigenthaler's, who brought it to his attention. Another friend corrected the erroneous information. Seigenthaler contacted Wales about the problem and later wrote an op-ed column for ''USA Today'' about the incident, which led to much unfavorable coverage of Wikipedia. However Wikipedia also experienced some of its strongest growth in usage shortly after his op-ed. In December 2005, a more positive story about Wikipedia appeared in Nature magazine, describing a study that reported Wikipedia's science articles to be slightly less accurate as those in the Encyclopaedia Britannica. Since many Wikipedia pages are not articles, the number of articles in Wikipedia depends on how an article is defined. To be counted as an article, a Wikipedia page must be in the article namespace and contain at least one internal link. This definition will include some stub articles. The number of articles would be about 8% smaller under the alternative definition that an article must also contain at least 200 characters of text. The next largest Wikipedia is the German version, which contains over 350,000 articles. Currently there are Wikipedias in 125 different languages, containing 3.3 million articles in total.
Cate Long: The analyst dubbed a "professional scary person" has made some useful comments about the size of unfunded pension liabilities and the need for elected officials to address revenue shortfalls. But she doesn’t seem willing to come out and defend her claims in a public forum. \|\|\|\|\| Tuesday, 23 January, 2007 @ 9:07 PM Beirut- Lebanon's Prime Minister Fouad Siniora called today for an urgent parliamentary session to discuss the deteriorating security situation after mushrooming riots between anti and pro-government factions claimed three lives and at least 133 injured. Siniora told a news conference "I demand an immediate extraordinary meeting by the parliament to settle issues within the constitutional institutions." Siniora said the general strike called by the opposition has developed into "provocations that went beyond all limits." "Blocking roads... is an aggression on the people and their freedoms. It is an attack on social order and it involves risks that are hidden to nobody." However, he stressed that "our hands remain stretched to facilitate dialogue and settle problems and renew confidence between the Lebanese." The premier said the March 14 parliamentary majority that supports his government "will not fail to listen to the opinions of others." He urged for "quick treatment that would take differences away from the street to be discussed within the framework of legitimate institutions, topped by the parliament." Siniora concluded by stressing that "we will always remain together against intimidation. We will be together against internal disputes to safeguard Lebanon." Siniora's news conference followed daylong confrontations between anti and pro-government factions throughout Lebanon which security sources said killed three people and wounded at least 133. "Two people were killed in clashes in the northern city of Tripoli, and a third person was killed in Batroun," also in the north, a senior police official said. Security sources told Naharnet most of the casualties suffered bullet wounds in the running confrontations that spread across most of the country after the army and security forces failed to re-open roads blocked by the Hezbollah-led opposition. The casualties included two of former MP Fares Soaid's bodyguards who tried to cover him when his car came under fire in the northern village of Mistita, near the town of Byblos. Soaid, a prominent member of the March 14 majority alliance, was not hit in the attack, police reported. Tongues of flame shot up into the sky and thick-black smoke billowed from thousands of blazing rubber tires that blocked roads in Beirut, north, east, central and south Lebanon. Meanwhile, trucks flying Hezbollah flags unloaded tons of debris, dirt and stones in at least 12 spots along the highway leading to Rafik Hariri International airport as army troops watched without trying to prevent them. Hezbollah -run bulldozers moved to erect earth mounds along the highway, to prevent citizens from reaching the airport. A statement by the civil aviation authority said the airport remains operational, but passengers have not been able to make it to the facility. In Beirut's Mar Elias commercial thoroughfare, hooded supporters of Hezbollah and the Shiite Amal movement also blocked traffic by blazing rubber tires and rocks. However, some motorists insisted on driving through the blockade. A lady, driving a dark blue Mercedes, was attacked by protestors who tried to smash her vehicle's wind shield. The apparently determined lady sped-on hitting three of the protestors, who were evacuated later by an Amal ambulance. In Beirut's Corniche Mazraa commercial thoroughfare, a two-hour confrontation raged between Hezbollah -Amal elements, on the one hand, and Sunni supporters of al-Mustaqbal movement, headed by parliamentary majority leader Saad Hariri. The confrontation started when the Hezbollah -Amal elements erected a barrier made up of blazing rubber tires along the main highway and blocked traffic. A crowd from the predominantly Sunni Tariq Jedideh residential district took to the street, equipped with sticks, stones and iron rods, and engaged the Amal- Hezbollah elements. Both factions hurled rocks at each other and all of a sudden staccato bursts of automatic rifle fire echoed across the area. At least six people were wounded before an army patrol intervened and managed to re-open the road. Cautious calm prevailed, but groups of young men were seen staking it out at street corners, which indicates that the confrontation could break out again. In north and Mount Lebanon, members of Samir Geagea's Lebanese Forces took to the streets to reopen roads blocked by followers of Michel Aoun's Free Patriotic Movement and Suleiman Franjieh's Marada faction, the two Christian groups allied with Hezbollah. Violence broke out nearly three hours after the opposition blocked roads and the army refrained from intervening to reopening them. In the Northern Akkar province, seven members of Hariri's Mustaqbal movement were wounded when armed elements of the Syrian Social National Party (SSNP) opened fire at them as they arrived at the town of Halba on their way to work, security sources reported. They said one of the wounded was in a critical condition. In the Sofar mountain resort east of Beirut, three SSNP members were wounded when unidentified assailants opened fire at their car, the sources added. The opposition has been trying in vain since Dec. 1 to topple the Siniora government. The confrontation Tuesday pushed the nation a step further towards the threat of civil unrest that the majority alliance has been trying to avoid Picture: Beirut , the capital of Lebanon known for its beautiful blue skies , looked like this at 7: 30 am today Sources: Naharnet, Ya Libnan	-led protesters took to the streets to block all major highways throughout Lebanon. This was a result of the country's not meeting his opposition's demand to abdicate. They burnt tires and cars in and around the capital, enforcing a general strike called for by . Thousands of police and were deployed across the country. They worked together in opening roads, negotiating with some of the protesters, but refrained from using force. The riots and clashes left three dead, including two bodyguards for former Member of Parliament, Fares Soaid, who is also a member of Lebanon's . Over a hundred and thirty other people were injured. Clean up operations were on their way, while the Internal Security Forces (ISF) imposed a curfew.
LOWELL -- Members of US Representative Martin Meehan's staff have acknowledged that they deleted unflattering information about a broken campaign promise from an online encyclopedia, according to a published report. Content on Wikipedia, an encyclopedia that relies on volunteers to post information, was replaced to remove references to Meehan's broken term limit pledge, the Sun of Lowell reported. Meehan's chief of staff Matt Vogel told the newspaper that he oversaw the removal last July of information, which was replaced with a staff-written biography. Meehan, a Lowell Democrat, pledged to serve just four terms -- eight years -- but he later broke that campaign promise. He's currently serving his seventh term. ''Meehan first ran for Congress in 1992 on a platform of reform," the pre-edited entry said, according to the Sun. ''As part of that platform Meehan made a pledge to not serve more than four terms, a central part of his campaign. This breaking of the pledge has been a controversial issue in the 5th Congressional District of Massachusetts." The new entry read in part: ''Meehan was elected to Congress in 1992 on a plan to eliminate the deficit. His fiscally responsible voting record since then has earned him praise from citizen watchdog groups." Vogel said some errors and ''sloppy" writing were replaced. One error included a reference to Meehan attending Harvard. ''Let the outside world edit it," Vogel said. ''It seemed right to start with greater depth than a paragraph with incorrect data from the '80s." Yesterday, a note was displayed on Meehan's page that said ''as a result of recent vandalism, editing of this page by new or anonymous users is temporarily disabled." It also noted on the page that there's ''admitted Wikipedia vandalism by Meehan's staff." Wikipedia's founder, Jimmy Wales, said removal of facts is wrong. ''You don't delete it," Wales said. ''If they wanted to put in their side of things, that would seem ethically relevant, rather than just omitting it." A new reference to Meehan's term limit pledge was reinserted in the Wikipedia entry in November, the Sun reported. © Copyright 2006 Globe Newspaper Company. \|\|\|\|\| '''Attention:''' This IP_address , '''{{PAGENAME}}''', is registered to '''Information Systems, U.S. House of Representatives''' and is shared by multiple users. Comments left on this page may be received by other users of this IP and appear to be irrelevant. Caution should be used when blocking this IP or reverting its contributions without checking. If you are an unregistered user operating from this address, note that this need not necessarily be the IP address of your machine. In many cases, it turns out to be the IP address of a Proxy_server that communicates between your browser and the Wikimedia servers. Such proxies are shared among a huge number of users compared to the number of persons using your particular machine. If you are frustrated by irrelevant comments appearing here, you can avoid them by creating an account for yourself \|\|\|\|\| Commentators have speculated that Meehan may use his warchest in a future bid to run for the [[US Senate]] seat likely to be vacated by a retiring [[Ted Kennedy]]. Meehan has neither confirmed nor denied such assertions. Meehan and his wife, Ellen, a Vice President at Lawrence General Hospital, are the proud parents of two young sons, Robert Francis and Daniel Martin. In Congress, Meehan has been a tireless advocate for economic development in Massachusetts. Using public money to leverage private investment for smart, sustainable growth has been a winning formula through Marty’s district from Lowell to Lawrence to Haverhill. Marty spearheaded the redevelopment of the closed Fort Devens Army Base, obtained resources needed to help workers displaced by the Malden Mills fire in Lawrence, and helped obtain millions in federal grants for the redevelopment efforts in Lowell. Meehan has been a vocal critic of the Bush Administration's handling of the war in Iraq. After traveling to Iraq in January of 2005, Meehan published a 20-page white paper proposing a responsible exit strategy for U.S. forces, a position he continues to advocate. Meehan is also known nationally as one of the tobacco industry’s toughest critics. In December of 1994, he authored a 111-page prosecution memorandum outlining, for the first time, criminal violations by tobacco companies and their executives. His memo served as the foundation for many of the U.S. Justice Department’s investigations into and litigation against Big Tobacco. Meehan earned a national reputation as a champion of campaign finance reform and one of the principal authors of the Shays-Meehan-McCain-Feingold [[Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act]]. With Senators John McCain and Russ Feingold and Congressman Christopher Shays, Meehan led a seven year fight to ban unlimited donations, commonly known as soft money. The legislation, called the “Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act,” has been endorsed by Common Cause, the League of Women Voters, the American Association of Retired Persons, and other public interest organizations, as well as newspaper editorial boards across the country. Meehan was elected to Congress in 1992 on a plan to eliminate the deficit. His fiscally responsible voting record since then has earned him praise from citizen watchdog groups. He was re-elected by a large margin in 2004. Congressman Meehan is a champion of campaign finance reform, in fact being one of the lead sponsors of the Shays-Meehan-McCain-Feingold [[Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act]]. Interestingly Congressman Meehan has one of the largest war-chests of all sitting Congressman. Some believe that this war-chest has become an obstacle to those wishing to challenge the sitting Congressman. Subsequently, Meehan was the First Assistant District Attorney of Middlesex County, supervising an office widely respected for aggressive prosecution of child abuse, domestic violence and other violent crimes. Marty supervised more than 150 people, including 80 prosecutors, and he established an innovative "priority prosecution" policy targeting hardened criminals. Meehan first ran for Congress in 1992 on a platform of reform. As part of that platform Meehan made a pledge to not serve more than four terms a central part of his campaign. He won the 1992 election and was re-elected to Congress every two years since, including the latest election (2004). In the year 2000 when the Congressman ran for Congress, breaking his 1992 pledge, he called it a disservice to his constituents who continued to want him to be their Congressman. This breaking of the pledge has been a controversial issue in the 5th Congressional district of Massachusetts. Marty earned his reputation as a tough law enforcer as the Massachusetts Deputy Secretary of State for Securities and Corporations from 1986 to 1990. The Boston Globe reported, "During Meehan's four years as Deputy Secretary, the Securities Division [went] from being a frequent embarrassment to gaining a national reputation as hard-hitting and activist." The Boston Herald credited him with "changing the state securities and corporations division from what some called a nest of political influence into one of the nation's leading state securities investigators." was educated at the [[University of Massachusetts, Lowell\| University of Massachusetts at Lowell]] and [[Suffolk University]] and was a lawyer, a staff member for Representative [[James M. Shannon]], head research analyst, joint committee on election laws, [[Massachusetts Senate]], director, public affairs for the Massachusetts Secretary of State, and Massachusetts Deputy Secretary of State before entering the House. [[Lowell, Massachusetts]], the oldest son in a family of seven children. He grew up in a working class neighborhood and attended Lowell public schools. He attended college at the [[University of Massachusetts, Lowell\| University of Massachusetts at Lowell]] and earned J.D. and M.P.A. degrees from [[Suffolk University]]. Meehan celebrates gaining enough votes to bring his campaign finance reform bill to the floor. Martin Thomas Meehan (born December 30 1956), American politician, has been a Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives since 1993, representing the 5th District of Massachusetts (map). He was born in Lowell, Massachusetts, the oldest son in a family of seven children. He grew up in a working class neighborhood and attended Lowell public schools. He attended college at the University of Massachusetts at Lowell and earned J.D. and M.P.A. degrees from Suffolk University. Marty earned his reputation as a tough law enforcer as the Massachusetts Deputy Secretary of State for Securities and Corporations from 1986 to 1990. The Boston Globe reported, "During Meehan's four years as Deputy Secretary, the Securities Division [went] from being a frequent embarrassment to gaining a national reputation as hard-hitting and activist." The Boston Herald credited him with "changing the state securities and corporations division from what some called a nest of political influence into one of the nation's leading state securities investigators." Subsequently, Meehan was the First Assistant District Attorney of Middlesex County, supervising an office widely respected for aggressive prosecution of child abuse, domestic violence and other violent crimes. Marty supervised more than 150 people, including 80 prosecutors, and he established an innovative "priority prosecution" policy targeting hardened criminals. Meehan was elected to Congress in 1992 on a plan to eliminate the deficit. His fiscally responsible voting record since then has earned him praise from citizen watchdog groups. He was re-elected by a large margin in 2004. Meehan earned a national reputation as a champion of campaign finance reform and one of the principal authors of the Shays-Meehan-McCain-Feingold Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act. With Senators John McCain and Russ Feingold and Congressman Christopher Shays, Meehan led a seven year fight to ban unlimited donations, commonly known as soft money. The legislation, called the “Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act,” has been endorsed by Common Cause, the League of Women Voters, the American Association of Retired Persons, and other public interest organizations, as well as newspaper editorial boards across the country. Meehan is also known nationally as one of the tobacco industry’s toughest critics. In December of 1994, he authored a 111-page prosecution memorandum outlining, for the first time, criminal violations by tobacco companies and their executives. His memo served as the foundation for many of the U.S. Justice Department’s investigations into and litigation against Big Tobacco. Meehan has been a vocal critic of the Bush Administration's handling of the war in Iraq. After traveling to Iraq in January of 2005, Meehan published a 20-page white paper proposing a responsible exit strategy for U.S. forces, a position he continues to advocate. In Congress, Meehan has been a tireless advocate for economic development in Massachusetts. Using public money to leverage private investment for smart, sustainable growth has been a winning formula through Marty’s district from Lowell to Lawrence to Haverhill. Marty spearheaded the redevelopment of the closed Fort Devens Army Base, obtained resources needed to help workers displaced by the Malden Mills fire in Lawrence, and helped obtain millions in federal grants for the redevelopment efforts in Lowell. Meehan and his wife, Ellen, a Vice President at Lawrence General Hospital, are the proud parents of two young sons, Robert Francis and Daniel Martin. \|\|\|\|\| Meehan has also earned the reputation of being staunchly Pro-Abortion rights/Pro-Choice. He voted against the Ban on Partial Birth Abortions, and has earned a 100% approval rating from [[NARAL]]. He also recived an F from the [[NRA]] in his support for stringent Gun control. Meehan has also earned the reputation of being staunchly Pro-Abortion rights/Pro-Choice. He voted against the Ban on Partial Birth Abortions, and has earned a 100% approval rating from [[NARAL]]. He also recived an F from the [[NRA]] in his support for stringent Gun control. Meehan was elected to Congress in [[US House election, 1992\|1992]] on a plan to eliminate the [[budget deficit]]. His fiscally responsible voting record since then has earned him praise from citizen watchdog groups. He was re-elected by a large margin in [[US House election, 2004\|2004]]. Meehan was elected to Congress in [[US House election, 1992\|1992]] on a plan to eliminate the [[budget deficit]]. His fiscally responsible voting record since then has earned him praise from citizen watchdog groups . He also ran on a platform of [[term limits]]. However, after serving four terms as US Congressman, the number of terms he pledged that he and no other congressman should serve out, he has since gone back on his word and now is adamently against the idea of term limits for Congressmen . He was re-elected by a large margin in [[US House election, 2004\|2004]]. Subsequently, Meehan was the First Assistant [[District Attorney]] of [[Middlesex County, Massachusetts]], supervising an office widely respected for aggressive prosecution of child abuse, domestic violence and other violent crimes. Meehan supervised more than 150 people, including 80 prosecutors, and he established an innovative "priority prosecution" policy targeting hardened criminals. Subsequently, Meehan was the First Assistant [[District Attorney]] of [[Middlesex County, Massachusetts]], supervising an office widely respected for aggressive prosecution of child abuse, domestic violence and other violent crimes. Meehan supervised more than 150 people, including 80 prosecutors, and he established an innovative "priority prosecution" policy targeting hardened criminals. Meehan celebrates gaining enough votes to bring his campaign finance reform to the floor. Martin Thomas Meehan (born December 30 1956), American politician, has been a Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives since 1993, representing the Fifth District of Massachusetts. He was born in Lowell, Massachusetts, the oldest son in a family of seven children. He grew up in a working class neighborhood and attended Lowell public schools. He attended college at the University of Massachusetts at Lowell and earned J.D. and M.P.A. degrees from Suffolk University. Meehan developed a reputation as a tough law enforcer as the Massachusetts Deputy Secretary of State for Securities and Corporations from 1986 to 1990. The Boston Globe reported, "During Meehan's four years as Deputy Secretary, the Securities Division went from being a frequent embarrassment to gaining a national reputation as hard-hitting and activist." The Boston Herald credited him with "changing the state securities and corporations division from what some called a nest of political influence into one of the nation's leading state securities investigators." Subsequently, Meehan was the First Assistant District Attorney of Middlesex County, Massachusetts, supervising an office widely respected for aggressive prosecution of child abuse, domestic violence and other violent crimes. Meehan supervised more than 150 people, including 80 prosecutors, and he established an innovative "priority prosecution" policy targeting hardened criminals. Meehan was elected to Congress in 1992 on a plan to eliminate the budget deficit. His fiscally responsible voting record since then has earned him praise from citizen watchdog groups. He was re-elected by a large margin in 2004. Meehan has also earned the reputation of being staunchly Pro-Abortion rights/Pro-Choice. He voted against the Ban on Partial Birth Abortions, and has earned a 100% approval rating from NARAL. He also recived an F from the NRA in his support for stringent Gun control. Meehan earned a national attention as a champion of campaign finance reform and one of the principal authors of the Shays-Meehan-McCain-Feingold Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act. With Senators John McCain and Russ Feingold and Congressman Christopher Shays, Meehan led a seven year fight to ban unlimited donations, commonly known as soft money. The legislation, called the “Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act,” has been endorsed by Common Cause, the League of Women Voters, the American Association of Retired Persons, and other public interest organizations, as well as newspaper editorial boards across the country. Meehan is also known nationally as one of the tobacco industry’s toughest critics. In December 1994, he authored a 111-page prosecution memorandum outlining, for the first time, criminal violations by tobacco companies and their executives. His memo served as the foundation for many of the U.S. Justice Department’s investigations into and litigation against "Big Tobacco". Meehan has been a vocal critic of the Bush Administration's handling of the war in Iraq. After traveling to Iraq in January 2005, Meehan published a 20-page white paper proposing a responsible exit strategy for U.S. forces, a position he continues to advocate. In Congress, Meehan has been a tireless advocate for economic development in Massachusetts. Using public money to leverage private investment for smart, sustainable growth has been a winning formula through Meehan's district from Lowell to Lawrence to Haverhill. Meehan spearheaded the redevelopment of the closed Fort Devens Army Base, obtained resources needed to help workers displaced by the Malden Mills fire in Lawrence, and helped obtain millions in federal grants for the redevelopment efforts in Lowell. Meehan and his wife, Ellen, a Vice President at Lawrence General Hospital, are the parents of two sons, Robert Francis and Daniel Martin. Template:U.S. Representative box \|\|\|\|\| WASHINGTON -- The staff of U.S. Rep Marty Meehan wiped out references to his broken term-limits pledge as well as information about his huge campaign war chest in an independent biography of the Lowell Democrat on a Web site that bills itself as the "world's largest encyclopedia," The Sun has learned. The Meehan alterations on Wikipedia.com represent just two of more than 1,000 changes made by congressional staffers at the U.S. House of Representatives in the past six month. Wikipedia is a global reference that relies on its Internet users to add credible information to entries on millions of topics. Matt Vogel, Meehan's chief of staff, said he authorized an intern in July to replace existing Wikipedia content with a staff-written biography of the lawmaker. The change deleted a reference to Meehan's campaign promise to surrender his seat after serving eight years, a pledge Meehan later eschewed. It also deleted a reference to the size of Meehan's campaign account, the largest of any House member at $4.8 million, according to the latest data available from the Federal Election Commission. "Meehan first ran for Congress in 1992 on a platform of reform," the pre-edited entry said. "As part of that platform Meehan made a pledge to not serve more than four terms, a central part of his campaign. This breaking of the pledge has been a controversial issue in the 5th Congressional District of Massachusetts." The new entry reads in part: "Meehan was elected to Congress in 1992 on a plan to eliminate the deficit. His fiscally responsible voting record since then has earned him praise from citizen watchdog groups. He was re-elected by a large margin in 2004." Vogel said, "It makes sense to me the biography we submit would be the biography we write." The change doubled the length of the entry on Meehan, corrected errors and replaced "sloppy" writing, Vogel said. "Let the outside world edit it. It seemed right to start with greater depth than a paragraph with incorrect data from the '80s." Wikipedia's online honor system has made it ripe for abuse by vandals. Recently, a user wrote in a Wikipedia bio that Virginia Congressman Eric Cantor "smells of cow dung." Another wrote that Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist is "ineffective." These statements were traced to the House Internet-protocol (IP) address. In November and December, The Sun has learned, users of the House's IP address were temporarily blocked from changing content because of violations described by the site as a "deliberate attempt to compromise the integrity of the encyclopedia." "I'm not denying it," Jon Brandt, a spokesman for the Committee on House Administration, which oversees the House computer network, said when asked to confirm House ownership of the address. For security reasons, Brandt declined to say to whom the address is assigned. While vandalism is a problem, deleting factual information raises ethical concerns, said Geoffrey Bowker, director of the Center for Science, Technology, and Society at Santa Clara University. "The vandalism is just plain childish," Bowker said. "The term-limit pledge (that was changed by Meehan's staff) is a much more serious case. That's someone trying to alter the public record. "To knowingly remove a truthful statement is just wrong," he added. "It's not the place of any special-interest group to tamper with the facts available to the public." Most of the 1,000 House changes were meant to enhance various encyclopedia entries. Slurs against Cantor and Frist, which have been removed, are the first examples of abuse that Wikipedia's founder Jimmy Wales has seen derived directly from the legislative branch of the U.S. government. Wikipedia records every change to its site and who made it. The encyclopedia prefers that editors log in with a user name, but it's not necessary. Many editors make changes anonymously; Wikipedia identifies these users by tracking the number assigned to their Internet entry point, called an IP address. But Wales said the deletion of factual information goes against the principles of Wikipedia, which promotes a "neutral point of view" policy. "You don't delete it," Wales said. "If they wanted to put in their side of things, that would seem ethically relevant, rather than just omitting it." Mistakes were inserted into the Meehan entry at different points of its evolution, according to an examination of the edits. One editor erroneously said Meehan attended Harvard College; another indicated it is likely that Meehan would run for Sen. Edward Kennedy's seat. Wikipedia reaches around the globe, having 3.1 million articles published in more than 200 languages. The English-language version is the largest category, with more than 910,000 articles and 856 million words. That's more than six times larger than Encyclopedia Britannica -- the largest reference printed in English. And people read it. Yesterday, Wikipedia was ranked the 19th- busiest site on the Internet, according to alexa.com, a subsidiary of Amazon.com that tracks Webtraffic. A new reference to Meehan's term-limit pledge was inserted in the Wikipedia entry in November by a person not using the House address. On Dec. 27, someone using the House IP address reduced the reference to a single sentence: "(Meehan) also supported term limits, pledging to serve no more than four terms." Vogel said he did not authorize the change. No reference to Meehan's top-rated campaign account has been reintroduced. The changes by Meehan's staff are not as "reprehensible" as inserting derogatory comments in someone else's entry, said Stephen Potts, former director of the federal Office of Government Ethics, which establishes conduct standards for the executive branch. But the sheer breadth of changes emanating from the House reflects an abuse of public time and equipment, said Potter, now chairman of the Ethics Resource Center. "That kind of usage, plus the fact that they're changing one person's material, is certainly wrong and ought to be at a minimum the focus of some disciplinary action," he said. Evan Lehmann's e-mail address is elehmann.com. \|\|\|\|\| I can confirm that the above was contributed by someone from Congressman Wilson's office. I think they did a wonderful thing by asking me first how they might improve the bio we have. I suggested they post to the talk page, and they did. Let's return the goodwill and improve the article! :-)--[[User:Jimbo Wales\|Jimbo Wales]] 22:31, 27 January 2006 (UTC) Joe and his wife Roxanne are the proud parents of four sons, three of whom serve in the U.S. military. Alan, his oldest son, is a Captain in the Army National Guard; Add is a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy and is now an Ensign attending Uniform Services Medical School; Julian is a recent graduate of Clemson University and is a Second Lieutenant in the Army National Guard, and Hunter currently attends Airport High School. He also has two grandsons. Throughout his life, Wilson has strongly supported the U.S. military. From 1972 – 1975, he served in the United States Army Reserves. After serving as a Staff Judge Advocate in the South Carolina Army National Guard for over 31 years, he retired from military service in 2003. From participating as a teenage republican to serving in the halls of the U.S. House of Representatives, Wilson has dedicated much of his life to public service. He began his career as a member on the staffs of South Carolina legends Senator Strom Thurmond and Congressman Floyd Spence. He also worked in the visionary Ronald Reagan administration as Deputy General Counsel for the United States Department of Energy Secretary and served under former South Carolina Governor, Jim Edwards. Wilson was proud to serve in the South Carolina State Senate with perfect attendance for 17 years. Since being elected to Congress in December 2001, Wilson has worked hard to promoting peace through a strong national defense, ensuring that every child in America receives a high-quality education, and urging personal responsibility through limited government. He currently serves on the House Armed Services Committee, Education & Workforce Committee, Policy Committee and International Relations Committee. Addtionally, he is the co-chair of the Congressional Caucuses on Bulgaria and Mongolia. In the 108th Congress, he served as the co-chair of the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian Americans, the largest country caucus on Capitol Hill. Born and raised in Charleston, Addison (Joe) Graves Wilson considers it a great honor to represent the Second Congressional District of South Carolina. He is a graduate of the High School of Charleston, Washington & Lee University, and the University of South Carolina School of Law. After settling down in West Columbia, Wilson became a founding partner of the law firm Kirkland, Wilson, Moore, Taylor & Thomas. I work for Congressman Joe Wilson (listed as Addison Graves Wilson). Could you update his bio with information from the following official bio too? HI. I work for Congressman Joe Wilson (listed as Addison Graves Wilson). Could you update his bio with information from the following official bio too? Thanks, Emily Lawrimore Communications Director Congressman Joe Wilson emily.lawrimore@mail.house.gov Born and raised in Charleston, Addison (Joe) Graves Wilson considers it a great honor to represent the Second Congressional District of South Carolina. He is a graduate of the High School of Charleston, Washington & Lee University, and the University of South Carolina School of Law. After settling down in West Columbia, Wilson became a founding partner of the law firm Kirkland, Wilson, Moore, Taylor & Thomas. Since being elected to Congress in December 2001, Wilson has worked hard to promoting peace through a strong national defense, ensuring that every child in America receives a high-quality education, and urging personal responsibility through limited government. He currently serves on the House Armed Services Committee, Education & Workforce Committee, Policy Committee and International Relations Committee. Addtionally, he is the co-chair of the Congressional Caucuses on Bulgaria and Mongolia. In the 108th Congress, he served as the co-chair of the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian Americans, the largest country caucus on Capitol Hill. From participating as a teenage republican to serving in the halls of the U.S. House of Representatives, Wilson has dedicated much of his life to public service. He began his career as a member on the staffs of South Carolina legends Senator Strom Thurmond and Congressman Floyd Spence. He also worked in the visionary Ronald Reagan administration as Deputy General Counsel for the United States Department of Energy Secretary and served under former South Carolina Governor, Jim Edwards. Wilson was proud to serve in the South Carolina State Senate with perfect attendance for 17 years. Throughout his life, Wilson has strongly supported the U.S. military. From 1972 – 1975, he served in the United States Army Reserves. After serving as a Staff Judge Advocate in the South Carolina Army National Guard for over 31 years, he retired from military service in 2003. Joe and his wife Roxanne are the proud parents of four sons, three of whom serve in the U.S. military. Alan, his oldest son, is a Captain in the Army National Guard; Add is a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy and is now an Ensign attending Uniform Services Medical School; Julian is a recent graduate of Clemson University and is a Second Lieutenant in the Army National Guard, and Hunter currently attends Airport High School. He also has two grandsons. I can confirm that the above was contributed by someone from Congressman Wilson's office. I think they did a wonderful thing by asking me first how they might improve the bio we have. I suggested they post to the talk page, and they did. Let's return the goodwill and improve the article! :-)--Jimbo Wales 22:31, 27 January 2006 (UTC)	Edits by Massachusetts congressman Marty Meehan's staff on his Wikipedia article spurred a Lowell Sun story and a subsequent Wikipedia investigation of all Internet addresses assigned to the Congress of the United States. __NOTOC__ While edits from the Capitol are not generally news, the biographical article for Mr. Meehan was carefully edited, removing negative comments while expanding with content from the congressman's political flyer. The IP address which made these edits has an extensive editing history on Wikipedia, and has been repeatedly blocked in past months for article vandalism and violation of Wikipedia policies ( Wikipedia's log of 143.231.249.141 being blocked from editing). Wikipedia administrators, alerted to the Marty Meehan article edits, realized that many edits to politically-sensitive articles had been made from IP addresses assigned to the US Capitol building, and have begun an investigation into all edits from such addresses.
An American student who was barred entry into Israel under a law against foreign activists who support boycotts of the state because of its policies towards the Palestinians has been given permission to stay in the country by the supreme court. In its ruling on Thursday, the court criticised Israeli authorities for denying entry to Lara Alqasem, 22, and said their decision gave “the unavoidable impression” that she was barred for her political opinions. US student barred from Israel over alleged BDS to fight case in court Read more If so, the justices said, it represented “a radical and dangerous step that could lead to the crumbling of the foundations upon which Israel’s democracy is built”. Alqasem was refused entry when she flew to Israel on a study visa on 2 October. Security officials cited her role as president of a small local chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine at the University of Florida. Her case touched off a debate in Israel over whether democratic values had been compromised by a 2017 law that bars the entry of foreigners who publicly support boycotts over Israel’s policies towards the Palestinians. Thursday’s ruling, seen by Reuters, overturned a lower court decision that initially backed the decision by Israeli authorities. “The supreme court’s decision is a victory for free speech, academic freedom, and the rule of law,” Alqasem’s lawyers said in a statement. But Israeli tourism minister Yariv Levin called the court decision “shameful” and said that with their decision, the justices “were continuing to act against Israeli democracy and the clear lawmaking of the Knesset”. Members of Israel’s rightwing government have long criticized the court for being, in their eyes, too liberal in its interventions regarding its policy towards Palestinians. The supreme court accepted Alqasem’s lawyers’ argument that she had ceased her pro-boycott activity in April 2017, and noted that since then she had engaged in Holocaust studies and had been accepted to a post graduate programme at Jerusalem’s Hebrew University, which supported her petition. “Since the petitioner’s actions do not sufficiently warrant banning her entry to Israel, the unavoidable impression is that her political opinions were the reason behind the cancellation of the visa that was granted to her,” the ruling said. “If that is indeed the case, we are talking about a radical and dangerous step.” The court cited in its decision the Hebrew University’s contention that barring the entry, at the airport, of a foreign student accepted into an international programme damaged the university’s international ties. However, one justice wrote that if Alqasem “returns to her old ways” and promoted a boycott while she was in Israel her stay could be cancelled and she could be expelled. It was not immediately clear whether the Israeli authorities would appeal the ruling. \|\|\|\|\| American Lara Alqasem was denied entry to Israel because of her suspected support for a boycott campaign. (Sebastian Scheiner/AP) An American student held for two weeks at an Israeli border detention facility, on the basis of a law barring foreign nationals actively involved in promoting a boycott of Israel, was permitted to enter the country Thursday after the Supreme Court ruled in her favor. “The inevitable impression is that invalidating the visa given to her was due to the political opinions she holds,” the judges wrote. “If this is truly the case, then we are talking about an extreme and dangerous step, which could lead to the crumbling of the pillars upon which democracy in Israel stands.” The case of Lara Alqasem, a 22-year-old Florida native who argued against her deportation order in three court hearings, leaves a question mark over the law, passed in 2017, that takes aim at the international BDS movement — a loose affiliation of groups that call to boycott, divest from and sanction Israel because of its treatment of Palestinians. Israel sees BDS as a strategic threat that singles out the Jewish state unfairly, and it sought to prevent those actively involved in the boycott from entering Israel and causing further havoc. But critics say the law amounts to little more than policing people’s thoughts. They also say that applying it too broadly could end up playing into the hands of BDS advocates, who often depict Israel as a hard-line, fascist state. So far, 15 people have been denied entry because of the law. Alqasem, whose father is of Palestinian heritage, is the first person to appeal the ban. She was accepted to a master’s degree program at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and received a year-long student visa from the Israeli Consulate in Florida. The government revoked her visa based on the law. Ruling on her case Thursday, the Supreme Court of Israel said there was not satisfactory cause to bar her entry. Minister of Strategic Affairs Gilad Erdan, whose ministry is charged with implementing and monitoring the law, said in a statement that the Supreme Court had “granted BDS a great victory.” “I deeply regret the Supreme Court’s decision today, which indicates a basic lack of understanding of the nature and methods of the BDS campaign. It has compromised the power of the state to fight back against the boycott activists that harm us,” he said. It was Erdan’s ministry that flagged Alqasem’s previous position as president of Students for Justice in Palestine, a U.S. campus group that advocates a boycott, and highlighted her presence at a protest of an Israeli hummus brand. The ministry compiles profiles of activists based on public information online, including that published by Canary Mission, an anonymous website that documents “individuals and organizations that promote hatred of the USA, Israel and Jews on North American college campuses.” Alqasem’s attorneys argued that her activities in Students for Justice in Palestine did not meet the legal test for the boycott law and that, in her role as president, she did not actively promote a boycott. They also argued that she was no longer involved in the group. “The Supreme Court’s decision is a victory for free speech, academic freedom and the rule of law,” said Alqasem attorney Leora Bechor. “Israel has the right to control its borders, but that right does not give it unchecked power to turn away anyone it deems unwanted.” Bechor said the ruling set a precedent that would “ensure no one else is denied the right to enter Israel based on sloppy Google searches and dossiers by shadowy smear groups.” “Lara’s case proves that thought-policing has no place in a democracy,” she said. Read more Today’s coverage from Post correspondents around the world Like Washington Post World on Facebook and stay updated on foreign news \|\|\|\|\| A U.S. graduate student on Wednesday asked Israel's Supreme Court to overturn an expulsion order over her alleged involvement in the boycott movement against Israel. Lara Alqasem, 22, has been held in detention since arriving in the country on Oct. 2 with a valid student visa. Alqasem, whose father is Palestinian, is a former president of the University of Florida chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine. The group is a branch of the BDS movement, named for its support of boycotts, divestment and sanctions against Israel. BDS supporters say they are using non-violent means to resist unjust policies toward Palestinians. Israel says the movement masks its motives to delegitimize or destroy the Jewish state. Last year, Israel passed a law banning entry for any foreigner who "knowingly issues a public call for boycotting Israel." Alqasem, a Florida native, says she is no longer active in the boycott movement. But Israel's Strategic Affairs Ministry, which spearheads the government's efforts against the boycott campaign, is unconvinced and believes she remains a threat. She turned to the high court after a lower court last week rejected her appeal to stay in the country. Alqasem's attorney, Leora Bechor, said Wednesday's hearing went well, with Supreme Court justices pressing state lawyers about whether Alqasem truly met the definition of being a boycott leader. "We're surprised the court was so friendly to us, and very optimistic that we will receive a decision in our favor," Bechor said. Alqasem had been registered to pursue a master's degree in human rights at Israel's Hebrew University. The university has thrown its support behind Alqasem, joining her appeal on Wednesday and calling her case a serious blow to academic freedom in Israel. It was not immediately clear when the Supreme Court would issue its verdict. \|\|\|\|\| Lara Alqasem was denied entry to study at Hebrew University of Jerusalem due to alleged support for pro-Palestinian movement A US student refused entry to Israel over alleged support of a pro-Palestinian boycott movement has chosen to stay and fight the ban in court, an Israel official said on Tuesday. Immigration authority spokeswoman Sabine Haddad told AFP late on Tuesday that Lara Alqasem was being held at an immigration facility but was not under arrest. “She can fly back to the United States whenever she likes,” Haddad said. “She decided to appeal and is being held in the facility for those refused entry,” the spokeswoman said. “She is not under arrest, she is refused entry.” Haddad said the appeal would be heard in the Tel Aviv district court but gave no date for the hearing. Israelis experience Palestinian home life in virtual reality Read more She added that judge Kobi Vardi issued a ruling on Tuesday saying that Alqasem was not obliged to remain in the airport holding facility and was free to return home and have the Tel Aviv hearing held in her absence. In March 2017, Israel’s parliament passed a law banning the entry of supporters of the pro-Palestinian Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement, inspired by measures against South Africa before the fall of apartheid. Alqasem, reportedly of Palestinian descent, was stopped at Israel’s main international Ben Gurion airport on Tuesday last week and denied entry under that act. The Jerusalem Post has reported that during her undergraduate studies at the University of Florida she was president of a chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine, which often leads boycott campaigns against Israel. It quoted her mother, Karen Alqasem, as saying she had enrolled for a one-year master’s course in human rights at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, for which she had an Israeli visa. The university has applied to the Tel Aviv court for leave to join her appeal against deportation. “This student wants to come here and study at the Hebrew University for one year,” its president, Professor Asher Cohen, told Israeli army radio on Tuesday. He argued her treatment was actually strengthening the BDS campaign to boycott goods from Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank. “There is a difference of opinion with the state on the interpretation of the law. In our opinion in this instance the law does not apply to this student,” he said. “It is for the court to decide.” Earlier, Israeli internal security minister Gilad Erdan said he would consider allowing Alqasem to take up her university place if she publicly denounced BDS. “If Lara Alqasem states in her own voice, not by all kinds of evasions by lawyers, that she doesn’t think now that support for BDS is something legitimate and she regrets what she has done on this subject, we shall certainly re-evaluate our petition,” he told army radio. \|\|\|\|\| JERUSALEM — As a student at the University of Florida, Lara Alqasem served a stint several years ago as president of the tiny local chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine. The group typically had a single-digit membership, and one of its more notable political activities appears to have been a campaign to boycott an Israeli brand of hummus. A Facebook event post indicated that all of 19 people showed up for the campaign’s launch. But that seems to have been enough for the Israeli government to bar Ms. Alqasem from entering the country under a 2017 law intended to combat the boycott, divestment and sanctions movement, a loose network whose goals include pressuring Israel into ending the occupation of the West Bank. Israeli officials consider the B.D.S. movement to be anti-Semitic and bent on Israel’s destruction, since it also promotes the right of return for millions of Palestinian refugees to their former homes. Ms. Alqasem arrived at Ben Gurion Airport last week with plans to enroll at an Israeli university, and has been has been held there since while she appeals a deportation order. On Tuesday, the Israeli government presented her with a choice: Apologize and renounce her support for the boycott movement, or give up on her plan to study in Israel and be placed on a plane back to the United States. \|\|\|\|\| JERUSALEM — In a groundbreaking case, Israel has detained an American graduate student at its international airport for the past week, accusing her of supporting a Palestinian-led boycott campaign against the Jewish state. The case highlights Israel’s concerns about the boycott movement and the great efforts it has made to stop it. The grassroots campaign has made significant inroads in recent years, particularly among university students and millennials. Lara Alqasem, a 22-year-old U.S. citizen with Palestinian grandparents, landed at Ben-Gurion Airport last Tuesday with a valid student visa. But she was barred from entering the country and ordered deported, based on suspicions she is a boycott supporter. An Israeli court has ordered that she remain in custody while she appeals. The weeklong detention is the longest anyone has been held in a boycott-related case, and it was not immediately clear on Tuesday when a final decision would be made. In the meantime, she has been spending her days in a closed area with little access to a telephone, no internet and a bed that was infested with bedbugs, according to people who have spoken to her. Alqasem, from the Fort Lauderdale suburb of Southwest Ranches, Florida, is a former president of the University of Florida chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine. The group is a branch of the BDS movement, whose name comes from its calls for boycotts, divestment and sanctions against Israel. BDS supporters say that in urging businesses, artists and universities to sever ties with Israel, they are using nonviolent means to resist unjust policies toward Palestinians. Israel says the movement masks its motives to delegitimize or destroy the Jewish state. “Lara served as president of a chapter of one of the most extreme and hate-filled anti-IsraelBDS groups in the U.S.,” said Strategic Affairs Minister Gilad Erdan, who spearheads the Israeli government’s efforts against the boycott movement. “Israel will not allow entry to those who work to harm the country, whatever their excuse.” The ministry said that during Alqasem’s involvement with Students for Justice in Palestine, the club advocated a boycott against Sabra hummus, an Israeli-owned brand of chickpea dip. On Tuesday, Erdan floated a possible compromise, saying in a radio interview that he would rethink his decision to expel her if she apologizes and renounces her support for BDS. “If Lara Alqasem will tomorrow in her own voice, not through all kinds of lawyers or statements that can be misconstrued, say that support for BDS is not legitimate and she regrets what she did, we will certainly reconsider our position,” he said. Israel enacted a law last year banning any foreigner who “knowingly issues a public call for boycotting Israel” from entering the country. It also has identified 20 activist groups from around the world whose members can be denied entry upon arrival. It so far has blocked 15 people from entering, according to Erdan’s ministry. The ministry uses a variety of sources to identify BDS activists, including tips from informants and social media posts. The ministry says its suspicions were deepened after learning that Alqasem recently deleted all of her social media accounts. In her appeal, Alqasem has argued that she never actively participated in boycott campaigns, and promised the court that she would not promote them in the future. “We’re talking about someone who simply wants to study in Israel, who is not boycotting anything,” said her lawyer, Yotam Ben-Hillel. “She’s not even part of the student organization anymore.” Alqasem is registered to study human rights at Israel’s Hebrew University in Jerusalem. The university has thrown its support behind her, announcing on Monday it would join Alqasem’s appeal. She also received a boost from her former Hebrew professor at the University of Florida, who described her as an exceptional and curious student. In a letter to the Israeli newspaper Haaretz, Dror Abend-David said she had an “open and positive attitude toward Judaism, Jews, and the State of Israel.” In an interview from Florida, her mother, Karen Alqasem, affirmed her daughter’s tolerance and intellectual drive. “Studying and getting to know the country was Lara’s dream for as long as I can remember,” she told The Associated Press. “She may have been critical of some of Israel’s policies in the past but she respects Israeli society and culture. To her, this isn’t a contradiction.” Karen Alqasem said her daughter graduated from the University of Florida in May with degrees in Arabic and international studies and studied Hebrew with hopes of becoming a lawyer. She said the Israeli government is exaggerating her daughter’s involvement in the university student group, saying she only belonged to it for a semester. She said her daughter has never made any threats against Israel and is not religious. “She is being treated like a criminal but she is not a criminal,” she said. Her lawyer and a group of opposition lawmakers have visited Alqasem and say she is in safe, but subpar, conditions. In a conversation with her daughter last Friday, Alqasem said Lara complained of a bedbug infestation in her cell. With her phone confiscated and communication mostly restricted to calls with her lawyer, Lara has felt “completely cut off from the world,” she said. The United States Embassy said it has visited Alqasem in detention to ensure that she has food and water. In Washington, State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said the government is aware of the case, but “ultimately, it is up to the government of Israel to decide who it wants to let into the country.” Mossi Raz, an opposition lawmaker who visited her, said she told him that without books or any forms of entertainment, she spends her time talking with other women being held in the same cell for various visa-related issues. In addition to the anti-BDS campaign, Israel has detained or interrogated a number of vocal Jewish critics, both Israeli and foreign, about their political views while entering the country in recent months. These tactics, along with legislation curbing the influence of anti-occupation advocacy groups, have raised concerns that the nationalist government is trying to stifle dissent. The Strategic Affairs Ministry says it deals only with BDS cases. The Shin Bet, which oversees security procedures at border crossings, says it stops people only over security matters, not their political views. ___ Susannah George in Washington and Terry Spence in Fort Lauderdale, Florida contributed reporting.	On Thursday, the Israeli ruled in favor of Lara Alqasem, a 22-year-old student who appealed an expulsion order, allowing her to remain in the country. She was refused entry upon arrival in Israel on October 2 at and threatened with deportation; Israeli authorities alleged that Alqasem supported a pro-Palestinian boycott against the state. The student was held in custody as she appealed the order. On entry at Ben Gurion, Alqasem had a valid student visa to enrol in the . According to reports recounted by ''The New York Times'', the student recently served as president to a small chapter of (SJP). Israel enacted a law in 2017 granting the state the authority to deport individuals supporting the movement. An Israeli lawyer representing the student called the allegation "egregious"; Alqasem studied in Florida. The Hebrew University asked to join her during the appeal process, in defence of Israel's academic freedom. The director of the university, Barak Medina, stated: "To be clear, we strongly oppose the boycott campaign against Israel, and Israel has to fight it... But to deny entry to every person who has expressed support for a boycott is counterproductive". Alqasem appealed to the Israeli High Court after being rejected by a lower court. The ruling allows her to pursue further education in the country.
Trained police negotiators spent three hours talking to Shaun Dykes Seventeen-year-old Shaun Dykes killed himself by leaping from a multi-story car park in Derby city centre. Tragically, teenage suicides are not unusual, but what made the case of Shaun Dykes so shocking was that he was allegedly heckled and even goaded by members of a crowd gathered at the scene during the three-hour ordeal on Saturday, 27 September. The crowd comprised a wide range of ages. Today Programme reporter Andrew Hosken visited Derby to try and piece together events which led to Shaun's death. 'Public execution' Alasdair Kay, director of the Derby City Mission, witnessed much of what happened that day and told Today: "I was shopping with my family and couldn't work out why it was taking so long to get out of the car park... (but) as soon as I came out I saw a young lad at the top of the parapet at the shopping centre." He likened the scene to that of a "public execution". "People were filming… we could hear people shouting "jump you…" followed by a stream of expletives. They weren't all just young people, some were middle-aged. To be honest with you I was sickened." Also in the multi-story car park was Haley Mackay and her team of valets washing cars. She said: "I saw him up there but didn't see him fall." Please turn on JavaScript. Media requires JavaScript to play. It has since been claimed onlookers took photographs of Shaun's body after he had thrown himself off the building. Mysterious motive But who was Shaun Dykes, the vulnerable young lad who faced such goading? He was raised in a village not far from Derby, his parents had long separated and his mother had recently split from her boyfriend. After dropping out of a recent business course he had returned to school to study his AS levels and dreamt of becoming an accountant or a pilot. He also worked part-time at his local pub in his home village of Kilburn. On the night before he died he did his usual shift alongside Craig Doxey, a fellow waiter and his best friend. People were filming… we could hear people shouting "jump you…" followed by a stream of expletives Alasdair Kay - Derby City Mission Craig found time during another shift to speak about his friend. "He was always smiling and laughing about stuff. I think if it wasn't for the crowd, Shaun would have got down and got some help from all his mates, work colleagues and the police." One of Shaun's school friends, Rebkha Minkley, added: "He was the best person anyone could have asked to meet. He always came in, in the morning with a smile on his face." Not only can Rebkha not come to terms with the death of her friend, but she does not understand how people could have got a thrill over watching him die. "To be up there in the state he was in, and then for people to tell him to jump, it made me feel sick... I can't cope with it." Suicide note Shaun went to school at Heanor Gate Science College, eight miles from Derby, situated in a largely white, working-class area. He was openly gay and considered to be a "breath of fresh air", despite a troubled home life. Rob Howard, the school's head teacher, said: "I feel very angry that there are people out there who are so desensitised to life that they just see it as a film or a soap opera. I don't think they realise what the consequences of their actions are going to be, but it is clearly disturbing." Apparently Shaun Dykes left a suicide note. It is likely that he was badly affected by the breakdown of an important relationship. But perhaps the reasons for his death are less important than what it revealed about the nature of a handful of ordinary men and women on a bright Saturday afternoon in England. E-mail this to a friend Printable version Bookmark with: Delicious Digg reddit Facebook StumbleUpon What are these? \|\|\|\|\| Content Area You are here: Home > News, Appeals & Features > Chief Constable speaks out after media speculation Chief Constable speaks out after media speculation Derbyshire's Chief Constable Mick Creedon has spoken out about the public comment and media speculation that followed the death of Shaun Dykes. Shaun died after falling from a tall building in Derby city centre. Mr Creedon said: "The tragic death of Shaun Dykes at Derby on 27th September has attracted much comment and media speculation. The pain that Shaun's family and friends are suffering must be unimaginable and they have my deepest sympathy. The primary responsibility of the police is the protection of life, and the Derbyshire Constabulary will always have this responsibility at the forefront of our response to such tragic events as Shaun's death last Saturday. We have very well trained and experienced staff, well practiced in dealing with such incidents and I have no doubt that the officers involved in talking to Shaun on Saturday did their best with the situation they were presented with. The fact that they were unsuccessful in negotiating Shaun to safety will have been very painful for them, particularly for the two officers who spent two hours talking directly to him. They have my sincere thanks for their efforts as, I'm sure, they have the thanks of the vast majority of those reading this. Whilst we are very used to dealing with incidents like this, this was unusual with members of the public videoing, taking photographs and even shouting for Shaun to jump; pictures have even been posted on the Internet after the event. All my experience and belief in the good in people tells me that the vast majority of the crowd who watched the events unfold were wishing for the best result, hoping that Shaun remained safe and well. However, all of us associated with the Force see the actions of that small minority who were encouraging Shaun to take his own life as totally abhorrent - it disgusts me to think of their motivation and their lack of compassion towards a fellow human being obviously in distress. I know people are asking why these irresponsible idiots weren't arrested at the time, but I ask the public to understand that the few available officers at the scene were doing their best to manage a difficult situation so as to allow trained staff to talk to Shaun. They should not have to deal with the extra distraction of the deviant and ghoulish behaviour of a few, and if arrests had been made this would have necessitated perhaps two officers leaving the scene for every person arrested. Very quickly we might have had no staff available to provide the necessary security and safety cordon, placing even more people at potential risk. The police were not the only agency involved in trying to bring about a peaceful resolution and I give my thanks to the other emergency services and the staff of the Westfield Centre. We all worked together to try and support Shaun, and this collective effort makes the behaviour of the few so distasteful. I know I speak for the huge majority in again condemning their behaviour and I would ask them to examine their consciences and consider what impact they might have had on what was a very traumatic situation for a vulnerable young member of our society. I hope this is never repeated and am in no doubt that the people of Derby and Derbyshire join me in extending our heartfelt condolences to Shaun's family and friends." [Back to top of page]	It has recently been made public that on September 27, seventeen year old Shaun Dykes jumped off a multistory building following encouragement from the crowd. According to the BBC's Today programme, a variety of different people, including youths and middle aged citizens, were telling the teenager to jump. Alasdair Kay, director of the Derby City Mission, saw the incident unfold. He expressed his shock and disgust at the incident. "People were filming… we could hear people shouting 'Jump, you,'" she said. "They weren't all just young people, some were middle-aged. To be honest with you I was sickened." Derbyshire's Chief Constable Mick Creedon, also yesterday commented on the indent. "The tragic death of Shaun Dykes at Derby on 27th September has attracted much comment and media speculation," he started. "The pain that Shaun's family and friends are suffering must be unimaginable and they have my deepest sympathy." "The primary responsibility of the police is the protection of life, and the Derbyshire Constabulary will always have this responsibility at the forefront of our response to such tragic events as Shaun's death last Saturday," he continued. "We have very well trained and experienced staff, well practiced in dealing with such incidents and I have no doubt that the officers involved in talking to Shaun on Saturday did their best with the situation they were presented with." "The fact that they were unsuccessful in negotiating Shaun to safety will have been very painful for them, particularly for the two officers who spent two hours talking directly to him. They have my sincere thanks for their efforts as, I'm sure, they have the thanks of the vast majority of those reading this." Shaun Dykes, had been raised in a single parent family in a village near Derbyshire and he recently returned from a business course to study to become an accountant or a pilot. Before his death, he was working part time in a local pub. Craig Doxey, his best friend, described Dykes. "He was always smiling and laughing about stuff. I think if it wasn't for the crowd, Shaun would have got down and got some help from all his mates, work colleagues and the police." He went to Heanor Gate Science College, and he was openly gay. According to one of his friends from that school, Rebkha Minkley, "he always came in, in the morning with a smile on his face." According to the Today program, Dykes is believed to have left a suicide note before jumping off the building.
Robert Menard spoke to reporters in Tunis via a mobile phone Reporters Without Frontiers (RSF) head Robert Menard said Tunisian security officials had not allowed him to leave the plane after his arrival from Paris. Tunisia said it had acted because of pending legal action against him. Delegates at the summit also accused the Tunisian hosts of sending hecklers to a debate on freedom of speech. The Tunisian government denies the accusations. The North African country has been condemned for the way it filters websites in an academic study released to coincide with the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS), which opened on Wednesday. The conference is looking at ways of combating poverty through increased use of information and communication technologies. But the UN has tried to overcome widespread criticism of its choice of venue, saying the summit will shed light on the situation in Tunisia and may even improve it, the BBC's Pascal Harter in Tunis reports. 'Internet's enemies' Mr Menard said that he had been prevented by Tunisian security officials from leaving his aircraft seat. The RSF blacklisted 15 countries on its map "I have all my papers in order to enter the country, a passport and an accreditation number for the WSIS, and they are telling me I can't come in," Mr Menard was quoted as saying in a phone call to reporters. Tunisia have repeatedly said that Mr Menard was "subject to a legal injunction" in France under which he can enter the country only with the permission of a magistrate. The UN International Telecommunications Union, which is organising the summit, said pending legal action following incidents in Paris in 2002 meant that Mr Menard could not benefit from the immunity granted to summit participants. At the summit, the RSF unrolled a banner condemning 15 countries it called "enemies of the internet" because they filtered out access to websites. The group listed Belarus, China, Cuba, Iran, Libya, the Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, North Korea, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Turkmenistan, Tunisia, Uzbekistan and Vietnam. The government of President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali rejects any suggestion that it violates human rights or limits legitimate access to traditional or electronic media. 'Focused filtering' But a study by the OpenNet Initiative found that nearly 10% of the 2,000 sites it had tested from within the country were blocked. They were mostly sites devoted to political opposition, human rights, pornography and tools to circumvent the country's controls. The OpenNet Initiative is university collaboration between Toronto, Harvard and Cambridge. "Tunisia's internet filtering is focused, effective, and deceptive," said the report's co-author Derek Bambauer, who is a fellow at Harvard Law School's Berkman Center for Internet and Society. \|\|\|\|\| Welcome to the website of the the Tunisia Monitoring Group (TMG), a coalition of 12 organisations that belong to the International Freedom of Expression eXchange (IFEX) network. The TMG monitors free expression violations in Tunisia to focus attention on the country's need to improve its human rights record as the host of the November 2005 World Summit on the Information Society. CANADIAN CIVIL SOCIETY AFFIRMS IMPORTANCE OF FREE EXPRESSION AT WSIS 22 June 2005 - Canadian civil society organisations have called on participants at the upcoming World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) in Tunisia to respect the right to freedom of expression and apply that principle to the summit itself. TUNISIA: SERIOUS HUMAN RIGHTS CONCERNS REMAIN, SAY WATCHDOGS 10 May 2005 - The Tunisian government is failing to take effective action to stop human rights abuses in the country, putting its status as host of the November 2005 World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) in question, says the Tunisia Monitoring Group (TMG), a coalition of 13 IFEX members that monitors free expression violations in the North African country. IFEX MEMBERS SPOTLIGHT TUNISIA AT UN HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION 29 March 2005 - On 31 March 2005, members of the IFEX Tunisia Monitoring Group (TMG) will highlight the worrying state of freedom of expression in Tunisia at a panel discussion in Geneva during the annual session of the UN Commission on Human Rights. \|\|\|\|\| Ben Ali (L) and Swiss President Schmid listen to UN Secretary-General Annan during the closing session. (Reuters) TUNIS, November 19, 2005 (IslamOnline.net & News Agencies) – The World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS), which ended Friday, November 18, with a pledge to expand the availability of the Internet, has turned the spotlight onto a dispute about censorship. "The objective of this summit is to have an equitable information society where everybody can have access to information, can create information" and also disseminate it, said Yoshio Utsumi, head of the UN's International Telecommunications Union (ITU), reported Agence France-Presse (AFP). Chinese vice premier Huang Ju told the summit that some Internet restrictions were warranted to protect the state, although China wanted to "guarantee freedom of speech." "For the Internet, we need effective measures to fight against criminal acts using this technology as well as economic fraud, violence, terrorism and anything that harms state security," he said. China recently obliged Internet search engine Yahoo to hand over data that would allow it to track down a journalist who was critical of the authorities. The summit drew to a close Friday with a pledge to drive the IT revolution into poor countries and promote the expansion of the Internet. After attracting 176 countries and more than 17,000 participants, the three-day event endorsed a "Tunis Commitment", and a "Tunis Agenda for the Information Society". The three-day event also saw an agreement to broaden discussions about control of the Internet over the next five years. National Security Guise Ebadi attends a meeting with human rights activists in Tunis, who went on hunger strike. (Reuters) Tunisian President Zine el Abidine Ben Ali also denounced the use of the Internet in a manner that "destabilized national security, shook confidence and created a credibility problem." But Nobel peace prize laureate Shirin Ebadi, who was invited to the summit as a representative for civil society groups, used her keynote speech to launch a warning about the dangers of censorship. "Certain governments in the name of national security, combating moral corruption... install filters to the Internet... preventing people from having access to the information they need and to have their voice heard outside," the Iranian lawyer and activist said. "Even worse, they tend to suppress authors who express any kind of criticism of their governments," she added, calling for a UN-supervised committee to monitor such suppression. The French press freedom group Reporters sans Frontiers (RSF) unfurled a banner at the summit condemning 15 countries labelled "enemies of the Internet". "We wanted to show the black holes of the Web," said RSF spokesman Jean-Francois Julliard, underlining the power that authorities have over Internet access providers. The group listed Belarus, China, Cuba, Iran, Libya, the Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, North Korea, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Turkmenistan, Tunisia, Uzbekistan and Vietnam. 'Illegitimate Summit' Ben Ali came under harsh criticism over his country's poor rights record. (Reuters) The Tunisian leader faced a vitriol from rights groups like Amnesty International for his country's poor rights record, saying that Tunis was an "unlikely sitting" for the UN summit. \|\|\|\|\| TUNIS, Tunisia--A civil liberties watchdog made headlines three years ago when it named Tunisian President Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali a "predator of press freedom." described After Tunisia was chosen to host a high-profile Internet summit, though, Ben Ali pledged to halt practicesby Human Rights Watch as "constant and credible reports of torture" used on Tunisians who publicly criticize the government. Ben Ali's administration distributed brochures to all attendees of the United Nations' World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) here this week stressing that press freedom is respected. An official government history says "Ben Ali made Tunisia a pioneer country in the protection of human rights." That hasn't exactly happened. French journalist Christophe Boltanski, who had arrived early to write about Ben Ali's civil-liberties record, was stabbed in an assault by four men and not aided by nearby police. On Thursday, Tunisian police barred the head of Reporters Without Borders from exiting the plane to attend WSIS. Political and sex-themed Web sites continue to be blocked. Yezzi.org , created last month as an online demonstration against Ben Ali's regime, says it was blocked 18 hours after its launch. Human Rights Watch said in a new report that e-mail accounts and Internet cafes are strictly controlled and encryption is banned. CNET News.com interviewed Sean O'Siochru, coordinator of a non-profit called Communication Rights in the Information Society based in Dublin, Ireland. Q: You've followed this situation closely. Would you call President Ben Ali a " predator of press freedom ?" O'Siochru: I've worked in Turkmenistan. If you want to see the worst press predators, go there. Tunisia isn't even the worst Arab country. But there is no question that the human rights situation here is very bad. It became worse in the time leading up to the summit. We had hoped that the country would have made a serious effort in advance. How has the WSIS summit addressed online civil liberties? O'Siochru: We would have hoped that a world summit on the information society would underline and strengthen those human rights that specially relate to the dissemination of information. We have not found--in fact you will find no instance of where the existing human rights that relate to the Internet have been strengthened thanks to WSIS. At least they haven't been weakened. One would have hoped that you could bring United Nations' Universal Declaration of Human Rights into the Information Age. Freedom of information applies to the Internet. Access to information applies. So you were trying to get the WSIS delegates to mention that the Declaration applies to the Internet, and you couldn't? O'Siochru: There was opposition to reaffirming it. The human rights language that was included in the declaration has not been translated into the "action plan" that has been emerging. That would ensure that in cyberspace, human rights are (included in the declaration). Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe yesterday told delegates, to much applause, that there was too much free speech on the Internet. Is this symptomatic of the WSIS summit? I don't think it translated on the practical level. This is only fluff. It's rhetoric. It's to be expected. That wasn't followed up with specific action. What's the mood been like here for civil liberties groups? O'Siochru: There have been incidents inside and outside (WSIS). Probably the most important thing	The World Summit on the Information Society, organized by the International Telecommunication Union, concluded on Friday evening, November 18th, in Tunis, the capital of the north African nation of Tunisia. The event's organizers intended for the event to "put into motion" the plan for Internet financing and governance developed at the 2003 WSIS summit in Geneva, Switzerland. The summit was marred by criticism of Tunisia for allowing attacks on journalists and human rights defenders to occur in the days leading up to the event. A French journalist for "Libération" was stabbed and beaten by unidentified men after he reported on local human rights protesters. A Belgian television crew was harassed and forced to hand over footage of Tunisian dissidents, while local human rights defenders were roughed up and prevented from organising a meeting with international civil society groups. A representative from the French media watchdog Reporters Without Borders, Robert Menard, was prevented from disembarking from his Air France flight to Tunis to attend the summit. ''Expression Under Repression panel at WSIS in Tunis.Source: Rebecca MacKinnon'' During the event, representatives from the Global Voices project were menaced by the Tunisian police as they held their session on "Expression Under Repression." Speaking at the session were Rebecca MacKinnon, Ethan Zuckerman, Nart Villeneuve, Taurai Maduna, Isaac Mao, and Hossein Derakshan, among others. The interaction with the Tunisian police is related by Amanda Michel of the Berkman Center with the description from an attendee as, "Before the break, a phalanx of secret police (ie scary guys in dark suits) showed up. They filled the hall outside the room, forcing cancellation of the break for fear that we'd not be allowed to re-start." Nicholas Negroponte demonstrated the first working prototype of his $100 laptop.
NEW YORK (BNO NEWS) — New York Governor David Paterson signed an executive order on Wednesday, declaring a state of emergency to further combat the spread of swine flu, health officials said on Thursday. “H1N1 flu is widespread and as a result we’ve had at least 75 known deaths,” said Claire Pospisil, a spokeswoman for the New York State Department of Health. Pospisil said the executive order also enables the state to increase the number of people who are allowed to administer vaccines, such as dentists. Asked if people should be more worried because of the state of emergency for swine flu, Pospisil said, “no, I don’t think so. It helps us to be more prepared.” At least 75 people in New York state have died from the virus, which the World Health Organization (WHO) declared a pandemic. In the last week, three more adult deaths were associated with the H1N1 flu in the state (excluding New York City). Of the fatalities, two were between the age of 50 and 64. The third person was 65 years or over. Pospisil said the virus continues to spread. \|\|\|\|\| Gov. David A. Paterson declared a state of emergency Thursday, in a move intended to combat a rising tide of swine flu in some parts of the state by expanding the ranks of health care professionals who can administer flu vaccines. In a six-page emergency proclamation, the governor declared “that a disaster has occurred throughout New York State, for which the affected local governments are unable to respond adequately.” The order is needed to suspend provisions of state law that determine who is authorized to administer vaccinations, and where they may be given. Citing a shortage of nurses, and the potential for the H1N1 virus to disrupt businesses and schools, the order expands the ranks of those authorized to give the vaccine to physician assistants, dentists, dental hygienists with anesthesia certificates, pharmacists, midwives and podiatrists. They would be permitted to give both the swine flu and the seasonal flu vaccine at state-approved locations after brief training. The order also allows school-based health centers that serve children to administer flu vaccines to adults, and it ensures that the vaccinations may be given during school hours if necessary. It also suspends strict rules requiring consent for the vaccine to be recorded in writing, which health care and hospital workers complained had slowed down the administration of the vaccine. The executive order attributes at least 75 deaths in New York State to swine flu since the virus was first detected last April. Tracking by the State Department of Health suggests that while some areas, like New York City, that had high rates of swine flu in the spring are showing very little sickness during the fall wave, others, like the north, central and western parts of the state, are showing a stronger second wave. The governor’s order comes on the heels of President Obama’s Oct. 23 declaration of a national emergency, which was required to permit hospital emergency rooms to treat flu patients outside the emergency room, and which was a response to widespread swine flu activity across 46 states. About 10 million New Yorkers fall into the priority groups — including pregnant women, children, people with chronic health conditions and caretakers of babies — for the vaccine, including 4.3 million in New York City, state health officials said. Officials said delivery of the vaccine, which has been hampered by manufacturing delays, continues to be slow, with 460,300 doses available so far to the state outside of New York City. New York City has 718,000 doses, city officials said. Nine other states have already taken or are about to take similar emergency action, New York officials said. \|\|\|\|\| The AP reported that New York Gov. David Paterson has "declared a state of emergency because of the rise in swine flu cases."The executive order released by Patterson allows more health care professionals to administer vaccines after getting only brief training. Dentists are included. The executive order was required in order to suspend provisions of state law.According to the AP, the executive order "says at least 75 deaths in the state have been attributed to the swine flu."Officials in the state indicate that the number of vaccine doses is being increased. Due to the federal government's making more vaccine doses available, New York is ordering twice as many doses as a week ago. This trend is expected to continue. \|\|\|\|\| New York Gov. David Paterson has declared a state of emergency because of the rise in swine flu cases. The executive order means that far more health care professionals - including dentists - will be permitted to administer vaccines with only brief training. The order is needed to suspend provisions of state law. State officials say the number of vaccine doses is also being increased. The federal government is ramping up availability of the vaccine, allowing the state to order twice as many doses as a week ago, a trend that's expected to continue. The executive order obtained by The Associated Press says at least 75 deaths in the state have been attributed to the swine flu.	According to US health officials, New York state governor David Paterson has declared a state of emergency in the state as a result of the H1N1 swine flu outbreak. The Associated Press news agency reports that the six-page declaration was issued because at least 75 people have died of H1N1 related illnesses in New York since April. Three have died from H1N1 related illnesses just this past week. The declaration also says that human cases of the virus are on the rise. Paterson says he issued the declaration because "a disaster has occurred throughout New York State, for which the affected local governments are unable to respond adequately." The declaration will allow health officials more access to the H1N1 vaccine and the seasonal flu shot. It will also allow for an increase in the number of vaccine doses available in the state and will allow more health care facilities to administer the vaccine, including dentists and pharmacists. Schools with health centers will also be allowed to administer both vaccines. Despite the declaration, officials stressed that there is no reason to worry. A spokeswoman for the New York State Department of Health, Claire Pospisil, said that "it the declaration helps us to be more prepared." The order came shortly after US president Barack Obama declared a national emergency last Saturday, a response to the spreading of the virus, which has now been circulated in 46 states.
* Technical talks centre on fine print of possible pact * Silence in Geneva, optimism in Moscow about "START 2" * Obama's visit to Russia could give push to accord By Robert Evans GENEVA, June 3 U.S. and Russian officials on Wednesday wrapped up three days of technical talks about a possible new pact on cutting stockpiles of ageing nuclear weapons left over from the Cold War. Although neither side in Geneva would comment on the discussions, the negotiations ended amid cautiously optimistic signs from Moscow that an accord replacing the cornerstone 1991 Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START 1) could be ready soon. "The current three-day round of talks on an agreement to replace the START treaty has concluded in Geneva," said a statement from the U.S. diplomatic mission. "The talks are over, that is all that can be said," said a Russian official. Russian sources said the five working sessions concentrated on ways to assess stockpiles of the weapons that once threatened to plunge the world into nuclear conflict but were partly mothballed after 1991. "The full-scale discussions will now go back to the major negotiators in Moscow and Washington," said one source. Kremlin spokeswoman Natalya Timakova told reporters in Moscow on Tuesday that it was not excluded that at least an outline deal could be wrapped up in time for a visit to Moscow by U.S. President Barack Obama on July 6-8. U.S. and Russian negotiators, who have been working on a new START accord for over a year with little sign of movement until Obama replaced former president George W. Bush in January, are working against a year-end deadline. START 1 -- which came as the culmination of the major thaw in U.S.-Soviet relations initiated by Kremlin leader Mikhail Gorbachev and President Ronald Reagan of the United States in the late 1980s -- runs out on December 5. Although diplomats say it is highly unlikely that either power would abandon its provisions, completion of a START 2 would be seen as heralding a warming of the frosty relations between them during much of the Bush presidency. In Moscow, Obama is to have his first face-to-face talks with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev. Both have said a new deal should provide for arsenal reductions to below the 1,700 to 2,200 warhead limit set for 2012 under an interim 2002 treaty. But Russia has warned that the United States must allay its concerns over Washington plans conceived under Bush to station elements of an anti-missile system in Poland and the Czech Republic, once part of the old Soviet empire. Bush officials said the system would provide a shield against rockets fired by what it saw as rogue states, like Iran, but Russia argues it could be used to underpin nuclear blackmail against Moscow by a more hard-line U.S. administration. (Editing by Richard Balmforth) \|\|\|\|\| This month provided plenty of food for thought for the Russian press. The most noise came from the long-awaited Eurovision contest, which was the most expensive in the history of the event. Emotions flared over its participants and political significance, particularly in Russia. Also, with Barack Obama’s Moscow visit imminent, many are questioning transatlantic relations in a security context. The tabloid Moskovsky Komsomolets notes that “the British people have never had great respect for politicians… People’s reaction to their elected representatives’ behaviour is not so much disappointment as blatant anger. There’s particular indignation at the fact that they’ve been ‘living it up’ during the dark days of a crisis.” The independent Kommersant quotes political observer John Ball: “When so many MPs turn out to be involved in something so unethical, people begin to doubt the integrity not just of individual MPs but of parliament as an institution.” The Russian papers are covering the British scandal without any sense of Schadenfreude, and indeed, probably with a touch of envy at the fact that the misdeeds are being widely publicised. As one Moskovsky Komsomolets reader ironically put it: “At last! They’ve got the same problem! What joy!” In the last few days Izvestia has been publishing extensive information about how freely Russian government officials spend taxpayers’ money: “Neither the crisis nor appeals for stringent economies by the President and the Prime Minister have taught our officials anything. Many of them continue to spend taxpayers’ money on luxury items or unnecessary purchases, laying on festivities and banquets costing up to 32m roubles ($1m).” Many examples are cited, including “three chandeliers costing a total of 1.2m roubles for the parliament of Kabardino-Balkaria, a Russian republic in the North Caucasus dependent from top to bottom on state subsidies. Staff of the head of the Republic of Kalmykia, in southern Russia, ordered curtains worth 721,000 roubles for themselves, and then a further 1.4m roubles’ worth last autumn.” Eurovision: worth its weight in gold The Moscow Eurovision was the most expensive in the history of the contest, says Novye Izvestia, pointing out this was at the height of the economic crisis. “Moscow splashed out in an unprecedented way on this contest,” the paper says. “In 2006 Greece spent 12m euros, and last year Serbia limited it to 9.3m euros. Russia’s hospitality exceeded all conceivable limits: we’re talking about as much as 30m [euros].” If we take into account the rouble’s recent substantial fall, it means the costs are another 50pc on top of that, Novye Izvestia calculates. Kommersant reckons Eurovision is a strange event. On the one hand the contest claims to be the biggest event in European cultural life, but on the other hand the number of winners who’ve gone on to become serious artists is not just low, but laughably so. In the 53 years the festival has been running, there have been just two: ABBA (35 years ago) and Celine Dion (21 years ago). The paper goes on to note: “With the possible exception of Ukraine, no country has taken hosting the Eurovision final as seriously as Russia. The event was virtually on a par with the Olympics or the Champions League final. The arrival of Prime Minister Vladimir Putin at Moscow’s Olympic stadium was unprecedented. Probably only the leadership of Ukraine has ever shown more serious interest in the contest: in 2005 in Kiev it was President Viktor Yushchenko himself who presented the prize to Greece’s Helena Paparizou.” The national security strategy gets everybody talking Russian newspapers have taken a close look at the Russia’s national security strategy to 2020 approved recently by President Dmitry Medvedev and come up with conflicting views. The state news agency RIA Novosti notes “the West’s reaction of near panic to the section dealing with strategic assessment of Russia’s place in the world and the threats facing it, which does not rule out using military force in possible future raw material conflicts on Russia’s borders.” “Despite the fact that the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs made it clear Russia does not plan to use military force in the Arctic shelf, Moscow stated it would defend its interests in the Arctic ‘to the end’,” wrote the independent newspaper Rossiya. Moskovsky Komsomolets has its own view: “The way it deals with Russia’s security is completely clear – but unintelligible.” The paper finds the document lacking specific detail: “Kremlin analysts have given a very accurate ‘diagnosis’: the list of risks threatening Russia could be called accurate. Where they are less successful is in ‘writing the prescription’: instead of specific ways of avoiding strategic misfortune, the document offers words that may be right and fine-sounding but nevertheless are only general. Major powers usually expect a national security strategy to include plans for the future: what the country specifically needs to do to avoid geopolitical snares. But this new document has nothing to say about that.” Start treaty talks A round of Russian-US disarmament talks – the first for seven years – took place in Moscow on May 19–20. The aim is to prepare a new Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (Start 2) to replace Start 1, which expires in December. Gazeta quotes the view of the political observer Sergey Karaganov, who believes that “reducing nuclear capacities does not really benefit Russia, since the USA is significantly ahead of it in conventional nonnuclear arms”. Izvestiya, quoting experts, says that under the future treaty “nuclear capacities are reduced to 1,500 or 1,300 warheads. Carrier systems will also go under the knife of these reduction talks, together with the ‘surplus’ nuclear warheads. An institute for joint monitoring of the treaty’s implementation will also be set up.” What might invalidate all the efforts of the negotiators is the American missile defence system in eastern Europe. Vremya Novostey is sure that “Moscow will try to link the Start treaty with the issue of the American missile defence system deployment in Europe. And if Barack Obama’s administration fails to reconsider the George Bush administration’s plans to deploy a third tier of missile defences in the Czech Republic and Poland, it will effectively become impossible to conclude a new Start treaty.”	The Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START I) between the Soviet Union and the United States was signed on July 31, 1991 and is due to expire at the end of this year. It aims at drastically reducing the amount of nuclear weapons left after the cold war. The two nuclear powers began their second round of technical discussions in Geneva, Switzerland, on Monday. After three days, the talks ended without any declarations. Between May 19 and 21, the first discussions were held in Moscow and, according to the Russian ITAR-TASS news agency, citing Russian officials, were "constructive and successful." The talks focused mainly on the U.S's proposed missile defense system which would place a large amount of nuclear weapons is Eastern Europe. For now, the U.S. has delayed the project. U.S. President Barack Obama and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev will meet in July to further discuss the matter and, according to a White House Official, try to sign a new treaty by December 5, 2009. However, Russia Now says, quoting ''Vremya Novostei'', that "Moscow will try to link the Start treaty with the issue of the American missile defense system deployment in Europe." If the Obama administration does not reconsider the deployment, "it will effectively become impossible to conclude a new Start treaty." Top Russian general Nikolai Makarov said that there would be no reduction in nuclear missiles until the proposed nuclear defense shield in Eastern Europe is clarified. The U.S claims that the proposed shield is meant to protect Europe from a nuclear attack by Iran. "As long as the situation in the world, including the U.S. missile shield plan, remains unclear, we will not alter our nuclear arsenal," Makarov said.
Famed East German actor, jailed by Nazis for communist sympathies, dies at 101 BERLIN: Erwin Geschonneck, a German actor who spent years in Nazi concentration camps for his communist sympathies and went on to star in scores of East German films, died Wednesday, the country's Academy of Arts said. He was 101. Geschonneck's "engaging artistic and political efforts were recognized with the highest international acclaim for decades," the organization said in a statement. It said that the biography of Geschonnek, who died at his Berlin apartment, "is a window into a century of German history." Geschonneck, the son of a cobbler, was born in East Prussia on Dec. 27, 1906 and grew up in Berlin. He joined the Communist party in 1919, and spent years with theater groups that performed agitprop, with workers' choirs and in a young people's theater. He made his big-screen debut in 1931 as an extra in Slatan Dudows' "Kuhle Wampe" — a film about unemployment in the Weimar Republic written by famed playwright and director Bertolt Brecht. After the Nazis came to power in 1933, Geschonneck went into exile in the Soviet Union, settling in Odessa — where he worked in a German-language collective theater until he was expelled in 1938. He ended up in Prague, where he was arrested by the SS in 1939 after the Nazis took over, then thrown into the Sachsenhausen concentration camp outside Berlin. During the war, he was also imprisoned in the Dachau and Neuengamme camps. Just days before the end of the war, he was being transported aboard the Cap Arcona — a prewar luxury liner that had been commandeered by the German navy — along with some 4,000 other concentration camp inmates when it was sunk by the Royal Air Force in the Baltic. Many of those who were not killed in the attack were gunned down by the SS as they tried to swim ashore. Geschonneck was one of 350 who survived, and his story would be later made into the 1982 East German television film "Der Mann von der Cap Arcona" — "The Man of the Cap Arcona" — in which he also acted. After the war, Geschonneck resumed acting in 1946 in Hamburg in the theater, and also took on several supporting film roles. In 1949, he moved to East Berlin and joined Brecht's Berliner Ensemble theater troupe, where he gained national attention starring as "Matti" in an acclaimed production of "Mr. Puntila and his Man Matti." He acted in his first film for DEFA — East Germany's state-run film agency — in 1950 and later that decade decided to concentrate all of his efforts on the screen, despite Brecht's objections. He rose to become one of East Germany's best-known actors with scores of films to his credit, and won several awards for his work. He also became vice president of the country's film and television federation. After the reunification of Germany, he was awarded with the national "Filmband in Gold" prize in 1993. He acted in his last film, "Matulla und Busch," in 1995 under the direction of his son, Matti Geschonneck. \|\|\|\|\| German actor survived camps, starred in scores of films Erwin Geschonneck, a German actor who spent years in Nazi concentration camps for his communist sympathies and went on to star in scores of East German films, died Wednesday, the country's Academy of Arts said. He was 101. Mr. Geschonneck's "engaging artistic and political efforts were recognized with the highest international acclaim for decades," the organization said in a statement. It said that the biography of Mr. Geschonneck, who died at his Berlin apartment, "is a window into a century of German history." Mr. Geschonneck, the son of a cobbler, was born in East Prussia on Dec. 27, 1906, and grew up in Berlin. He joined the Communist Party in 1919 and spent years with theater groups that performed agitprop, with workers' choirs and in a young people's theater. He made his big- screen debut in 1931 as an extra in Slatan Dudows' Kuhle Wampe, a film about unemployment in the Weimar Republic written by famed playwright and director Bertolt Brecht. After the Nazis rose to power in 1933, Geschonneck went into exile in the Soviet Union, settling in Odessa where he worked in a German-language collective theater until he was expelled in 1938. He ended up in Prague, where he was arrested by the SS in 1939 after the Nazis took over, then thrown into the Sachsenhausen concentration camp outside Berlin. During the war, he also was imprisoned in the Dachau and Neuengamme camps. Just days before the end of the war, he was being transported aboard the Cap Arcona - a prewar luxury liner that had been commandeered by the German navy - along with about 4,000 other concentration camp inmates when it was sunk by the Royal Air Force in the Baltic. Many of those who were not killed in the attack were gunned down by the SS as they tried to swim ashore. Mr. Geschonneck was one of 350 who survived, and his story later would be made into the 1982 East German television film Der Mann von der Cap Arcona - "The Man of the Cap Arcona" - in which he also acted. Mr. Geschonneck resumed acting in 1946 in Hamburg in the theater and also took on several supporting film roles. In 1949, he moved to East Berlin and joined Brecht's Berliner Ensemble theater troupe, where he gained national attention. He acted in his first film for DEFA - East Germany's state-run film agency - in 1950 and later decided to concentrate all of his efforts on the screen, rising to become one of East Germany's best-known actors with scores of films to his credit. He won several awards for his work.	Erwin Geschonneck, German actor died Wednesday. He was 101. His biggest success occurred in the German Democratic Republic, where he was considered one of the most famous actors of the time. He was born on December 27, 1906 in Bartenstein, Germany. In 1938, he was arrested in Prague and was imprisoned in several concentration camps. In 1945, Geschonneck was evacuated from the concentration camp Neuengamme on the boat Cap Arcona, which was subsequently attacked by the RAF and sunk. He was one of the few prisoners who survived. Immediately following the war, Geschonneck acted in theaters in Hamburg, Germany, and made his film debut in 1947 in ''In jenen Tagen''. His last movie, made in 1995 for the German television network ARD, was "Matulla und Busch", where he played alongside veteran actor Fred Delmare. Geschonneck's son, Matti Geschonneck, directed.
Sarah Telford United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) In a world awash with data, aid workers contend with gaps With nearly 168 million people in need of humanitarian assistance in 2020 -- the highest figure in decades -- there is no time, or data, to lose \|\|\|\|\| New York, July 27, 2005The National Communications Councilknown by its French acronym CNCauthorized independent radio station Radio Publique Africaine to resume broadcasting as of today, after police shuttered it on Friday in a standoff over news content. President Domitien Ndayizeye also named a new CNC, following the resignation yesterday of its former chairman Jean Pierre Manda. The new CNC will be headed by a former journalist and will include RPA's deputy director Jean-Marie Hicuburundi. Hicuburundi told the Committee to Protect Journalists that RPA wants an official inventory of equipment before it goes back on air, to ensure that there is no loss or damage to its property as a result of the forced closure. He said the station nevertheless expects to be back on air shortly. The CNC had ordered RPA closed indefinitely on July 15, due to allegations of biased election coverage and insulting the council. RPA director Alexis Sinduhije, a 2004 recipient of CPJ's International Press Freedom Award, initially defied the ban, saying it was unjust. The following week RPA agreed to close the station for 48 hours on the understanding that the CNC would lift the ban immediately afterwards. However, the CNC failed to lift the ban. RPA resumed broadcasting on Thursday, July 21, and police moved in the following day. \|\|\|\|\| Burundi 27 July 2005 Radio station allowed to resume broadcasting Reporters Without Borders hailed a decision today by the National Commission for Communication to allow the privately-owned radio station Radio Publique Africaine (RPA) to resume broadcasting. The head of the CNC, Jean-Pierre Manda, meanwhile submitted his resignation yesterday to President Domitien Ndayizeye in order to scotch rumours that he had been settling a personal score when he ordered RPA’s closure. RPA manager Alexis Sinduhije said the station would not resume broadcasting today because he needed to verify that all the equipment was there after several days of forced closure. He welcomed Manda’s resignation and said he hoped his successor would "really help the Burundian press to progress." 25. 07. 05 Police close radio station, briefly arrest eight journalists Reporters Without Borders today condemned the closure of a privately-owned radio station, Radio Publique Africaine (RPA), by police on 22 July and the arrest of eight of its journalists for several hours. The station had reopened the previous day after suspending its broadcasts on 19 and 20 July at the behest of the National Commission for Communication (CNC). "It is shocking that the authorities sent armed police to close the station’s premises and arrest journalists," the organisation said, deploring the CNC’s failure to respect its commitment to let the station reopen. Police said it was President Domitien Ndayizeye who gave the orders to close the station on 22 July. The day after the raid, the president received representatives of journalists’ associations who are trying to mediate between the CNC and RPA. The president’s spokesman subsequently said RPA would be able to reopen soon. The head of a local press watchdog, Abbot Emmanuel Muyehe, said the station would be able to resume broadcasting this week. The CNC ordered RPA’s indefinite closure on 14 July for failing to respect "pluralism"in its coverage of municipal and legislative elections on 3 and 4 July. The station was above all accused of failing to give live coverage of the meetings held by the president’s party, the Front for the Defence of Democracy in Burundi (FRODEBU). \|\|\|\|\| LES DESSOUS DU CONFLIT ENTRE LA RADIO RPA ET LA PRESIDENCE Par Gratien Rukindikiza Burundi news, le 23 juillet 2005 L’histoire est souvent mal expliquée. Les origines des conflits se trouvent là où les historiens n’explorent pas. Des conflits sanglants ont été déclenchés à la suite de désaccords entre deux individus. Le cours de l’histoire peut être modifié en raison de la jalousie entre deux hommes. Le conflit entre le Président Ndayizeye et Alexis Sinduhije, directeur de la RPA est un véritable roman. Tout part d’un coup de fil de Bujumbura à Kinshasa dont le contenu mène aux gendarmes commandés par le colonel Mushwabure qui enfoncent la porte de la radio RPA sans mandat de perquisition. Incroyable mais vrai, Alexis Sinduhije a un conflit personnel avec le Président Ndayizeye et ce dernier a juré de se venger. Pendant la campagne d’explication de la constitution, le Président Ndayizeye avait besoin des médias pour faire accepter au peuple l’idée de se faire élire. Il a compris que la RPA occupe une place importante et qu’elle est écoutée par la population. Il voulait avoir un autre mandat, d’une part pour être un Président élu et d’autre part pour bien finir son building. Il fallait contacter Alexis Sinduhije, directeur de la RPA pour lui faire la campagne. Or, Sinduhije était à Kinshasa au Congo. Le Président a pris l’affaire au sérieux et a téléphoné lui-même Alexis Sinduhije à Kinshasa. La conversation téléphonique a tourné au bras de fer. Le Président Ndayizeye demandait à Sinduhije de faire sa campagne pour que le peuple accepte d’avaler la pilule amère de violer la constitution en se faisant élire, contrairement aux accords d’Arusha. Alexis Sinduhije n’est pas passé par quatre chemins et lui a dit catégoriquement non, que les accords prévoient qu’il doit partir. Le Président Ndayizeye lui a dit, je le cite : « Tu refuses de m’ aider, je ne t’aiderai pas quand tu en auras besoin ». La suite a été comme un divorce. Tout projet de la RPA est bloqué sur ordre de la Présidence. C’est notamment le projet d’extension de la radio à Ngozi. Le Conseil National de la Communication dirigé par un homme qui n’a jamais fait le journalisme a toujours suivi à la lettre les instructions du Président. Outre ce refus de faire la campagne pour le Président Ndayizeye, Sinduhije est « accusé » par le Président et son entourage d’être proche du CNDD-FDD. Comme il a refusé de l’aider, il est considéré comme proche de ce parti qui vient de gagner. Il ne reste qu’à punir ce peuple burundais qui a voté pour le CNDD-FDD. La défaite du Frodebu qui a provoqué une dépression de notre cher dictateur Président n’a pas arrangé les choses. La faute est aux électeurs « qui ne savent pas voter », la faute est à la RPA qui a favorisé la victoire du CNDD-FDD pour avoir couvert en direct un ou deux meetings du CNDD-FDD, bref la faute est à tout le monde, vous et nous. La victime choisie est la RPA. Le Président a demandé à Jean Pierre Manda de fermer la radio et le CNC a pris la mesure de fermeture. La RPA a refusé de fermer la radio. Le Président a demandé à l’armée de couper le canal d’émission de la radio RPA. Par malheur, notre pauvre Président a essuyé un refus. L’armée lui a dit que la RPA a payé son utilisation de la fréquence et qu’elle n’a pas violé les secrets défense. Le matin du 22 juillet, le Président s’est alors adressé au directeur général de la police le général de brigade Bunyoni pour exécuter un ordre de fermeture de la RPA. Bunyoni a refusé, son adjoint a refusé aussi. Il s’est tourné vers le commissaire chargé des opérations de maintien de l’ordre. Ce dernier lui a dit qu’il doit recevoir des ordres de son hiérarchie. Le Président s’est retrouvé l’après-midi avec des refus de tout ce qu’il a comme forces de sécurité. Il a lors haussé le ton en menaçant qu’il ne sera pas Président si Bunyoni refuse de fermer la RPA. Le général de Brigade Bunyoni a finalement cédé en donnant l’ordre au colonel Mushwabure, commandant du district de Bujumbura. Ce dernier a accepté les ordres et s’est mis dans l’illégalité transmise en chaîne. Il a enfoncé la porte de la RPA sans aucun mandat de perquisition. Certains se demandent comment le Président s’est arrangé pour ordonner une intervention contre une radio sans un mandat d’un procureur. Aurait-il essuyé un refus du procureur aussi ? Du coup de fil du Président à Sinduhije à Kinshasa, nous en arrivons à un comportement digne des dictateurs du temps de Mobutu. A part la fermeture de la RPA, le Président avait dit à Sinduhije que si le Frodebu gagne les élections, Sinduhije sera obligé de se réfugier à l’étranger. Pour la première fois, un Président menace un citoyen de le faire quitter le pays. Du jamais vu !!! Heureusement, le Frodebu a perdu. Le peuple est conscient de la dangerosité du Frodebu. Le Frodebu a perdu et Sinduhije reste au Burundi. Vivement qu’il quitte le pouvoir ce dictateur Président ! \|\|\|\|\| 22 July 2005 “Burundi has shown how mature and vibrant its electoral system is, as it has enabled 3.2 million voters to make their choice very transparently and freely, with a high degree of responsibility,” the head of the electoral unit at the UN Operation in Burundi (ONUB), Seck Ahmedou El Becaye, told a news briefing in Bujumbura, the capital. “When I arrived in Burundi a year ago, things were very difficult as concerns election planning. Today, we can be genuinely satisfied with what has been achieved and I am very convinced that Burundi is teaching Central Africa a lesson. This is no exaggeration,” he added. Mr. Seck congratulated the Burundian media “which, through remarkable harmony, masterfully played its role of democratic watchdog by helping Burundians to allay their fears and go to the polls.” He noted the role of arbitrator played by the international community which unanimously praised the conduct of the recent legislative and communal elections and “has continually encouraged Burundi to build on and consolidate this achievement.” Presidential elections are to be held on 19 August. ONUB, which was set up last year, has some 5,500 military personnel in the country, which has some 6 million inhabitants, and a mandate that includes helping with electoral activities and institutional reforms. \|\|\|\|\| New York, July 22, 2005The Committee to Protect Journalists is deeply shocked about today's closure of independent radio station Radio Publique Africaine. The closure took place despite an earlier compromise deal between the authorities and RPA, local sources said. RPA fell silent around 5 p.m. local time as a large group of police broke into the station compound, padlocked its studios, and cut off its transmitter. It was not immediately clear if any RPA staff had been arrested, although one journalist told CPJ in a brief phone call, "they are taking us to the police station." The National Communications Councilknown by its French acronym CNCordered RPA indefinitely closed last Friday, July 15, alleging that its recent election coverage was biased and that it had insulted the council. RPA director Alexis Sinduhije, a 2004 recipient of the Committee to Protect Journalists' International Press Freedom Award, denied the council's allegation of bias and said the station would defy the ban. On Tuesday, however, RPA agreed to close for 48 hours, following a compromise deal mediated by the Association of Burundian Journalists (ABJ), the Association of Radio Broadcasters, and the Burundian Press Observatory, a self-regulatory body for the profession. Mediators said that as part of the compromise, the CNC had agreed to lift the ban at the end of the 48 hours. RPA resumed broadcasting Thursday morning and continued until police moved in. According to CPJ sources, orders to send in the police came from the office of President Domitien Ndayizeye, whose FRODEBU party lost to the former rebel movement CNDD-FDD in recent municipal and parliamentary elections. The CNC did not issue any statements on the matter, local sources said "CPJ is outraged at the Burundian authorities' failure to deliver on their promise," CPJ Executive Director Ann Cooper said. "We call on President Ndayizeye to ensure that RPA can resume broadcasting immediately, allowing journalists to work freely without fear of reprisal." Read more information about CPJ award winner Alexis Sinduhije. \|\|\|\|\| Turnout on Monday was not as high as last month, but "acceptable" The FDD won 58%, with President Domitien Ndayizeye's Frodebu party coming second with 22%, they say. The FDD has said it wants to tackle poverty and promote reconciliation after 12 years of ethnic conflict between the Tutsi-led army and rebels. The MPs choose a new president in August, tipped to be FDD leader Pierre Nkurunziza, an ex-university lecturer. Correspondents say the FDD has more Tutsi officials than other mainly Hutu parties and Burundians hope this will mean they can reduce tension between the two communities. NATIONAL ASSEMBLY FDD - 59 seats Frodebu - 24 seats Uprona - 10 seats Others - 7 seats The last time a Hutu won presidential elections, in 1993, the Tutsi-led army staged a coup but correspondents say this is not likely now, as African leaders would not tolerate a military takeover. No intimidation The polling was largely peaceful with turnout put at 65%. The main party representing the Tutsi minority, Uprona, came in third place. Former rebel leader Pierre Nkurunziza (l) is expected to be Burundi's next leader Reports of fraud were "not sufficient... to affect the overall result", she told a press conference. There had also been no complaints of intimidation, which was encouraging, she said. Astere Kana, a spokesman for Burundi's independent electoral commission, said the voting had "ended peacefully". Many voters had feared attacks by the FNL, Burundi's last active Hutu rebel group. During last month's polls, it was blamed for a series of shootings and grenade attacks. Power shared Polling stations were guarded on Monday by Burundian security forces and UN troops. A Burundian soldier was slightly injured when a hand grenade exploded in the capital, Bujumbura, as ballots were being counted, Burundi's deputy police chief Col Helmenegilde Mimenya told the AFP news agency. The BBC's Rob Walker in Bujumbura says the elections mark a fundamental shift of power in Burundi. For much of the time since independence, control of the state has been in the hands of a narrow Tutsi elite. Now, after a peace process lasting five years, Burundians are finally voting to a elect a new assembly in which power will be shared. Forty per cent of the seats in the 100-member assembly are reserved for the Tutsi minority and 60% for Hutus.	180px One of Burundi's most popular radio stations, "Radio Publique Africain", has been allowed to re-open. RPA was forcibly shut down on Friday July 22, allegedly on the orders of President Domitien Ndayizeye. The move came just a day after RPA resumed broadcasting, having observed an earlier two-day ban, following a disagreement with Burundi's "National Communications Council" (CNC). The CNC had accused RPA of giving disproportionate coverage to the opposition FDD party, who heavily defeated Ndayizeye's FRODEBU party in last month's national elections. Ndayizeye is due to relinquish power in August. The radio station's Director, Alexis Sinduhije, had denied the CNC's charges. President Ndayizeye was quoted by BBC monitoring as saying that he had decided to close the radio station to "safeguard the integrity of state institutions." The closure of RPA was condemned in Burundi, where the radio station, founded in 2001 to promote reconciliation between the Hutu and Tutsi ethnic groups, has a wide following. The US-based "Committee to Protect Journalists" led international condemnation of the ban, which Burundi's "Collectif des Professionels des Médias de la Diaspora Burundaise" described as an "abuse of power", setting up an online petition in protest. "The National Council of Communication judged that RPA has respected council sanctions, but we have also allowed the radio to reopen because a lot of people requested it," CNC chairman Jean Pierre Manda told Reuters, earlier this week. Manda has now resigned, although he denies that the move is connected with the row over RPA, and cites "personal reasons". The Committee to Protect Journalists reports that the CNC is to be reformed, with Radio Publique Africain's Deputy Director sitting on the board in future. There is some confusion over when the ban was lifted, with Reporters Sans Frontieres and the Committee to Protect Journalists reporting that it remained in place until Wednesday this week, while Reuters claims that the ban was lifted on Monday. RPA Director Alexis Sinduhije has told Reuters that some of the radio station's material has been destroyed by the Burundian police, and suggested that broadcasting will not resume until a damage inventory has been taken. This week's row is merely the latest manifestation of a long-running personal dispute between President Ndayizeye and the RPA Director Alexis Sinduhije, says journalist Gratien Rukindikiza, writing on the Burundian news website Burundi.news.free.fr. Rukindikiza traces the root of the affair to a telephone call last year in which Ndayizeye tried, unsuccessfully, to persuade Sinduhije to endorse his campaign, through Radio Publique Africain, to amend Burundi's constitution. The amendment would have allowed Ndayizeye to seek a second term in power, in contravention of a 2003 peace agreement.
The bodies of two Canadian soldiers killed earlier this week while serving in Afghanistan are on their way home to Canada. Chief Warrant Officer Robert Girouard was one of two Canadian soldiers killed in a suicide bombing Monday in Afghanistan. (DND-Sgt Ron Hartlen) Hundreds of Canadian, American, Dutch, and British soldiers stood on the Kandhar Airfield Thursday to bid farewell to Cpl. Albert Storm and Chief Warrant Officer Robert Girouard. The two men died Monday in a suicide bomb attack on the outskirts of Kandahar. Armoured vehicles, similar to what the soldiers were in when they died, served as makeshift hearses. A piper played Amazing Grace as the flag-covered coffins were carried onto a Hercules C-130 aircraft for the flight home. The soldiers were killed when their Bison armoured personnel carrier was struck by a car loaded with explosives. They were members of the Royal Canadian Regiment, based in CFB Petawawa, Ont. A number of soldiers offered remembrances of their comrades. Cpl. Albert Storm was killed in a suicide bombing Monday in Afghanistan. (Sgt Ron Hartlen/DND) Cpl. William Guse, a medic, says he's a better soldier for having had Girouard as his platoon warrant officer in battle school. Cpl. Victor Thibault, who served with Storm in Kosovo, says his friend was good-natured, a hard worker, an exceptional soldier and will be missed. The blast, the first deadly attack on Canadians in six weeks, happened in the Panjwaii district of Kandahar province. Most of the more than 2,000 Canadians in Afghanistan are deployed in Kandahar. Panjwaii is considered a Taliban stronghold and has been the scene of fierce fighting between NATO soldiers and Taliban militants in recent months. Forty-four Canadian soldiers and one diplomat have been killed in Afghanistan since the mission began in 2002. With files from the Canadian Press \|\|\|\|\| View larger image Soldiers carry a coffin of a Canadian soldier during a ramp ceremony at Kandahar Airfield for Chief Warrant Officer Bobby Girouard in Afghanistan on Thursday. (CP / Bill Graveland) View larger image Soldiers carry the coffins of Canadian soldiers during a ramp ceremony at Kandahar Airfield on Thursday. (CP / Bill Graveland) Chief Warrant Officer Bobby Girouard, his battalion's regimental sergeant major Cpl. Albert Storm, of the Royal Canadian Regiment based in CFB Petawawa (Canadian Forces / Department of National Defence) Bodies of killed Canadian soldiers returning home CTV.ca News Staff The bodies of two Canadian soldiers killed in a suicide attack last Monday are on their way home from Afghanistan. Hundreds of Canadian, U.S., Dutch and British soldiers attended the ramp ceremony at Kandahar Airfield to pay tribute to Chief Warrant Officer Robert Girouard and Cpl. Albert Storm. The flag of the Royal Canadian Regiment fluttered in the breeze as the two victims were loaded into the belly of a C-130 Hercules. A lone bagpiper played a mournful tune in the background. Both men were killed in a suicide car bombing attack on their Bison armoured personnel carrier near Kadahar. A number of soldiers reflected on the impact that the men had on their lives. Having served with Storm in Kosovo, Cpl. Victor Thibault, 38, of Digby, N.S., spoke to The Canadian Press about his feelings of sadness. "It's very hard for me to do it but I know my colleague, my friend and soldier, is going home to a restful place,'' said Thibault. "He's done what he had to do and I believe that's good... He was a good friend. I will miss him," he said. Both soldiers were members of the 1st Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment Battle Group, based in Petawawa, Ont. Storm was a native of Fort Erie, Ont. and Girouard was from Bathurst, N.B. Cpl. William Guse, a medic, spoke earlier in the week about his memories of Girouard from battle school. "He had a definite hand in shaping me as a soldier and a man. I can honestly say that,'' said Guse, who was born in Victoria. "I'm a better soldier for him having been my platoon warrant in battle school.'' For Canada, there had been no fatalities since Sgt. Darcy Tedford and Pte. Blake Williamson died in an ambush west of Kandahar City on Oct. 14. There are about 2,500 Canadian troops serving in Afghanistan. Including Monday's deaths, 44 have died since 2002, plus one diplomat. With files from The Canadian Press	The bodies of two Canadian soldiers killed by a suicide bomber in Kandahar, Afghanistan were brought back to Canada. Both were from CFB Petawawa located in Petawawa, Ontario. Their vehicle has intercepted on a road by a suicide bomber. A helicopter came helping all injured and possibly dead soldiers into it where they received medical attention somewhere safe. This time, their vehicle was blown up by a man's car when he drived into them and detonated his car. Two Canadians were killed, the rest were injured. Canadian, U.S., Dutch, and British soldiers stood at Kandhar Airfield Thursday to farewell Cpl. Albert Storm and Officer Robert Girouard. A piper played ''Amazing Grace'' as the Canadian flag-covered coffins were carried onto the C-130 Hercules aircraft for their flight home. "It's very hard for me to do it but I know my colleague, my friend and soldier, is going home to a restful place," Cpl. Victor Thibault, 38, of Digby, Nova Scotia said to the Canadian Press. "He's done what he had to do and I believe that's good... He was a good friend. I will miss him," he said. Forty-four Canadian soldiers as well as one diplomat have been killed in Afghanistan since 2002. About 2,500 Canadian troops are serving in Afghanistan.
9 June 2010 The Security Council voted today to impose a fourth round of United Nations sanctions against Iran, while demanding that the country suspend its enrichment activities and peacefully resolve outstanding concerns over the nature of its nuclear programme. The text which received the support of 12 Council members – Brazil and Turkey voted against and Lebanon abstained – cited the proliferation risks posed by Iran’s nuclear programme and its continued failure to cooperate with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has consistently stressed the importance for Iran to fully comply with all relevant Council resolutions and to cooperate fully with the IAEA to resolve all outstanding issues. “These are the essential steps to restore the international community’s confidence in the exclusively peaceful purpose of Iran’s nuclear programme,” Mr. Ban’s spokesperson said in a statement issued after the vote, adding that the Secretary-General continues to support a “comprehensive and negotiated” political solution to this issue. Iran’s nuclear programme, which its officials have stated is for peaceful purposes, but some other countries contend is driven by military ambitions, has been a matter of international concern since the discovery in 2003 that the country had concealed its nuclear activities for 18 years in breach of its obligations under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). The Council has imposed several rounds of sanctions on Iran since 2006, including a ban on all items which could contribute to the country’s enrichment of uranium, a necessary step for both peaceful and militaristic uses of nuclear energy, and arms sales and a freeze on assets. Last October, a draft agreement on fuel for a civilian nuclear research site in Tehran was put forward in which Iranian low-enriched uranium would be shipped for further enrichment to Russia and then to France to be fabricated into fuel, but Iran has yet to approve the deal. The latest text – resolution 1929 – builds on previous sanctions by deciding that Iran shall not acquire an interest in any commercial activity in another State involving uranium mining, production or use of nuclear materials and technology. The Council also decided that all States shall prevent the supply, sale or transfer to Iran of battle tanks, armoured combat vehicles, large calibre artillery systems, combat aircraft, attack helicopters, warships, missiles or missile systems. It also asks States to take all necessary measures to prevent the transfer to Iran of technology or technical assistance related to ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons. In addition, the resolution contains provisions to help block Iran’s use of the international financial system, particularly its banks when they may be used to fund proliferation and nuclear activities. Among other elements, the resolution also alerts States to the potential link between Iran’s energy sector revenues and energy-related technologies and proliferation, and establishes a UN panel of experts to help monitor and enforce sanctions implementation. Last month Mr. Ban said the initiative by Brazil and Turkey regarding nuclear fuel for an Iranian reactor could be a positive step, and underscored the need for bolstered transparency to help resolve concerns over Tehran’s nuclear programme. He has also personally urged Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to restore international trust in the peaceful nature of his country’s nuclear programme by adhering to the resolutions of the Security Council and the IAEA. In a related development, IAEA Director General Yukiya Amano today informed the Agency’s Board of Governors that he had received letters from France, Russia and the United States concerning the provision of nuclear fuel for the Tehran research reactor. The letters were in response to Iran’s 24 May letter officially agreeing to the Joint Declaration signed in Tehran last month by Iran, Brazil and Turkey. Mr. Amano said that he will continue to use his good offices to follow up on this new development with the concerned governments. \|\|\|\|\| Please turn on JavaScript. Media requires JavaScript to play. The UN Security Council has voted in favour of fresh sanctions against Iran over its nuclear programme. The council voted 12 to two, with one abstention, in favour of a fourth round of sanctions, including tighter finance curbs and an expanded arms embargo. US President Barack Obama said the sanctions were an unmistakable message on stopping the spread of nuclear arms. Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said the sanctions should be thrown in the dustbin like a "used handkerchief". The US and its allies fear Iran is secretly trying to build a nuclear bomb, but Tehran insists its programme is aimed solely at peaceful energy use. Heavy weapons The Security Council resolution was opposed by Turkey and Brazil. They had earlier brokered a deal with Iran on uranium enrichment. Lebanon abstained. Analysis Continue reading the main story The sanctions are tough but fall short of what Western nations wanted because of pressure from Iran's allies Russia and China. However, they do open the way for stronger measures by the US and European states. But council members Turkey and Brazil said any sanctions at this moment were counter-productive and insisted Iran had made concessions in a recent agreement they brokered. The two "no" votes were the strongest opposition yet in four rounds of sanctions, weakening international unity the Americans have tried to build to isolate Iran. Last resort or lost opportunity? The new sanctions were passed after being watered down during negotiations with Russia and China on Tuesday. There are no crippling economic sanctions and there is no oil embargo. Those passed include prohibiting Iran from buying heavy weapons such as attack helicopters and missiles. They also toughen rules on financial transactions with Iranian banks and increase the number of Iranian individuals and companies that are targeted with asset freezes and travel bans. There is also a new framework of cargo inspections to detect and stop Iran's acquisition of illicit materials. Mr Obama accused Iran's leaders of "hiding behind outlandish rhetoric". But he said the sanctions did "not close the door on diplomacy" and he urged Iran to "choose a different and better path". Mr Ahmadinejad was quoted by Iran's Isna news agency as saying: "I gave one of the [world powers] a message that the resolutions you issue are like a used handkerchief which should be thrown in the dustbin. They are not capable of hurting Iranians." UK Foreign Secretary William Hague said the decision sent a "strong statement of international resolve", increasing the pressure on Iran to meet its obligations. China's UN ambassador Zhang Yesui said the sanctions were trying to prevent nuclear proliferation and would not hurt "the normal life of the Iranian people". However, both Turkey and Brazil spoke out in opposition, saying the deal they brokered with Iran had not been given time. Brazilian ambassador to the UN Maria Luiza Ribeiro Viotti said: "We do not see sanctions as an effective instrument in this case. They will most probably lead to the suffering of the people of Iran and will play into the hands of people on all sides who do not want dialogue to prevail." Turkey's envoy Ertugrul Apakan said the Turkey-Brazil deal had created "a new reality" on Iran's nuclear programme and Turkey was "deeply concerned" that sanctions would have a negative impact. HOW THE COUNCIL VOTED Continue reading the main story FOR Permanent (with power of veto): China; France; Russia; UK; US Non-permanent (term ends 2010): Austria; Bosnia-Herzegovina; Gabon; Japan; Mexico; Nigeria; Uganda AGAINST Non-permanent: Brazil and Turkey. Had both brokered a deal with Iran in which Tehran would send low-enriched uranium to Turkey in return for reactor fuel ABSTAINED Non permanent: Lebanon. Had voiced opposition to the sanctions. Iran-backed Hezbollah is part of the government Prof Abbas Edalat, the founder of the Campaign against Sanctions and Military Intervention in Iran, told BBC Radio 4's PM programme that the sanctions would make "everything worse". He said: "What the US has done has proved conclusively beyond any doubt that it is not interested in negotiations with Iran... There has been massive hypocrisy here." The BBC News website's world affairs correspondent, Paul Reynolds, says this new round of sanctions is unlikely to have any more effect on Iranian policy than the first three. Iran's vital economic interests have not been targeted, he says, and Tehran has in any case developed systems of evasion. The deal Iran had earlier agreed with Turkey and Brazil would see Tehran deposit 1,200kg of low-enriched uranium with Turkey in return for reactor fuel. But the deal has not been accepted by world powers and on Wednesday, the US, Russia and France outlined their concerns in letters to the IAEA. The letters were not made public, but US envoy to the IAEA Glyn Davies said the deal "would still leave Iran with substantial stocks [of low-enriched uranium], decreasing the confidence-building value of the original proposal". Three earlier rounds of UN sanctions blocked trade of "sensitive nuclear material", froze the financial assets of those involved in Iran's nuclear activities, banned all of Iran's arms exports and encouraged scrutiny of the dealings of Iranian banks. \|\|\|\|\| David Cameron has delivered a firm rebuff to Mitt Romney over Britain’s readiness for the Olympics. Speaking at the Olympic Park, the Prime Minister made clear that there were no doubts over the preparations. After Mr Romney’s scepticism about security and the levels of British enthusiasm in a US interview, Mr Cameron told reporters: “You’re going to see beyond doubt that Britain can deliver.” He added: “We’ve delivered this incredible Olympic Park on time, on budget and in real style, 46,000 people have turned a wasteland the size of Hyde Park into an extraordinary city town within one of the world’s most exciting cities.” The Republican presidential candidate had earlier cast doubt on Britain’s readiness for the Olympics as he prepared to meet leaders from all three political parties in Westminster. The former Governor of Massachussets told US TV last night that there were “disconcerting” stories about Britain’s readiness and it was hard to know “just how well it ... will turn out”. Speaking from the Tower of London, the US anchor Brian Williams asked: “In the short time you’ve been here in London, do they look ready to your experienced eye?” Mr Romney replied: “You know, it’s hard to know just how well it will turn out. There are a few things that were disconcerting, the stories about the private security firm not having enough people, supposed strike of the immigration and customs officials, that obvious	New York The United Nations Security Council has passed imposing a fourth round of sanctions against Iran over its alleged . The Security Council voted 13 to 2 to impose new sanctions on Iran unless it reveals more details of its nuclear programme. Brazil and Turkey voted against the resolution, while Lebanon abstained. The sanctions do not include major blockades, but do include measures against Iranian banks abroad, a cargo inspection regime, and provisions that all countries shall prevent the supply, sale or transfer to Iran of battle tanks, armoured combat vehicles, large calibre artillery systems, combat aircraft, attack helicopters, warships, missiles, or missile systems. President Obama praised the Security Council vote and said, "This resolution will put in place the toughest sanctions ever faced by the Iranian government, and it sends an unmistakable message about the international community’s commitment to stopping the spread of nuclear weapons". Brazil and Turkey criticised the sanctions, saying they could undermine further diplomatic efforts. They had previously offered to mediate the dispute, an offer which was accepted by Iran. Iran recently reached a deal with them to ship most of its enriched uranium to Turkey in exchange for low-level nuclear fuel to run a medical reactor. Brazilian President : "Sadly, this time it was Iran who wanted to negotiate, and those who didn’t want to negotiate were those who think that force resolves everything. I think that taking this decision was a mistake. I think the Security Council threw out a historic opportunity to negotiate calmly on Iran’s nuclear program and also to discuss in a deeper way the deactivation in countries with nuclear bombs." Iran responded to the UN vote by threatening to reduce its ties to the (IAEA) and to continue its uranium enrichment program. Iran’s ambassador to the the IAEA, Ali Asghar Soltanieh, said "No matter how many resolutions are passed, Islamic Republic of Iran will not stop its enrichment activities, which is in full accordance with its right under the statute of IAEA and ".
News Update as at 17.00 hrs (IST) Markets Markets react as Budget keeps out tax cuts MUMBAI: Equities closed sharply lower on Tuesday after the Finance Minister, Mr Jaswant Singh's interim budget did not offer any of the major tax concessions which were expected by the market. Investors failed to be enthused by Mr Singh revising upward this fiscal year's gross domestic product target, and were cautious in buying shares ahead of the general elections in April. The BSE Sensex, fell 74.69 points or 1.3 pc to 5620.98. This was the fourth consecutive day it fell, with the Sensex down 6.2% from its close of 5993.06 on January 27, 2004. On the NSE, the S&P; CNX Nifty fell 40.75 points, or 2.3%, to 1769.00. The interim budget proposals failed to enthuse market players. Stocks fell for the fourth successive day with the sentiment turned negative as the budget did not carry any big sops. There is nothing positive to look forward to in the current market and if there is anything, it is only negative, said a dealer. The reason for the decline is the slowdown in foreign fund inflows due to elections. The turnover on the BSE was Rs 2,775 crore, lower than the average daily turnover of Rs 3,000 crore over the past month. The market is looking for more, and obviously has not got it. and the fall is very short term. The fundamentals of the economy are strong and expects the market to strengthen after the forthcoming large equity issues and the general elections, a dealer said. Dr. Reddy's Laboratories dropped by 9 pc after it reported a lower-than- expected third-quarter profit. Dr. Reddy's dropped Rs 128.40 or 9 per cent, to Rs 1,271 after its profit during the quarter ended December 31 declined to Rs 59.20 crore from Rs 66.10 crore made a year ago. ONGC fell after its said that its third-quarter profit declined 34 per cent because it absorbed some cooking-fuels subsidy costs borne by oil refiners. Tech heavyweight Infosys sheds 0.30 pc at Rs 5197. Satyam declined 8 pc at Rs 291, Wipro was down 2 pc at Rs 1,525. HCL Tech was down 1 pc at Rs 300. NIIT was down 10 pc at Rs 194. Old economy heavyweight Reliance quoted lower by 1.20 pc at Rs 553. SBI down 5 pc at Rs 567. FMCG giant HLL was firm by 1 pc at Rs 190. Tata Steel was down 5 pc at Rs 385. GAIL was down 9 pc at Rs 200, Tata Motors down 2 pc at Rs 509. SAIL was down 7 pc at Rs 41.40. GAIL was up 4.40 pc at Rs 225. Tata Power lost 5 pc at Rs 355. However, Cigarette major ITC lost 1.35 pc at Rs 1010. Among cement majors, ACC was down 5.25 pc at Rs 241, L&T; was down 1 pc at Rs 496 and Gujarat Ambuja Cement was down 4.20 pc at Rs 277. Among auto stocks, M&M; was up 0.60 pc at Rs 411, Bajaj Auto was up 0.50 pc at Rs 1,003 and Hero Honda declined 3 pc at Rs 438. Among pharma stocks, Dr Reddy's was down 7.75 pc at Rs 1,289, Ranbaxy was down 1 pc at Rs 980 and Cipla was down 5 pc at Rs 1,142. Maruti was down 6 pc at Rs 406.50 partly on absence of further tax cut on cars in the budget proposals. BHEL was up 6.3 pc at Rs 545.00 partly in anticipation of tax benefits. Though there is nothing material in today's speech for the company, the stock is likely to move ahead on strong fundamentals. Bank stocks were down on fears of fall in interest margins after the Finance Minister, Mr Jaswant Singh urges them to lower rates on agri-loans. SBI was down 5.2 pc at Rs 565, Canara Bank was down 8.3 pc at Rs 124.85, Bank of Baroda declined 6.2 pc at Rs 204.50. Prev: E-filing of customs documents extended to 23 formations Next: Treasury Bills Business Line \| NUS Index \| \|\|\|\|\| Day 1: Sensex ends at new high INDIATIMES NEWS NETWORK DEBIPRASAD NAYAK MUMBAI: The markets moved further up on the back of sustained buying across the board. The mood in the market remained positive on account of strong FII inflows and hopes of better corporate results. Apart from strong buying in index heavyweights, significant gains in sectors like aluminium, auto, energy, telecom, steel and aluminium also helped the indices to touch new all-time highs. After touching an all-time intra-day high of 6,684.77 points, the BSE Sensex ended at 6,679.20, gaining 76.51 points. The NSE Nifty also breached the 2,100-mark for the first time and closed the day with a gain of 34.50 points at 2,115. The BSE PSU index surged 79.42 points or 1.79% to end at 4,505.12 and the BSE Bankex also rose 32.29 points or 0.87% to close at 3,754.26. The undertone of the market remained extremely bullish amid expectations of strong corporate performances in a fast growing economy. The third quarter results will kickstart later this week and Infosys will be the first IT company to declare its results on January 12. A dip in global oil prices also supported the market sentiment. Crude oil futures fell below $43 in Asian trade on Monday. New York's main contract, light sweet crude for delivery in February was down 75 cents to $42.70 a barrel from $43.45 in New York Thursday. The market also hopes that foreign institutional investors will continue to be on a buying spree, after pumping in a record $8.5bn in ’04. India’s weightage in the Morgan Stanley Capital Index (MSCI) is expected to go up, which will help increase FII inflows on the Indian bourses, feel brokers. Reliance group stocks shrugged off the report that Anil Ambani has resigned as vice chairman and director of the Reliance group company IPCL. Reliance Energy surged 7.14% to end at Rs 561.85. Globeleq, an Actis group power-focused fund, is believed to have shown interest in acquiring a majority stake in three electricity generation facilities of REL. According to reports, Globeleq has submitted an expression of interest for the three facilities and the due diligence process is under way. The valuation of these facilities is pegged at a little over Rs 1,000 crore. Continued... 1 \| 2 \| Next >> Print this article Mail this article Comment on this article RATE THIS ARTICLE 1 2 3 4 5 1 =Poor, 3 =Average, 5 =Outstanding ............................................................ COMMENTS ON THIS ARTICLE COMMENTS ON THIS ARTICLE No comment has been posted for this article yet.	The 30-Stock index of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) of India today closed at a new All-time High of 6,679.20, gaining 76.51 points. Earlier, the index closed at an All-time high of 6602.69 points at the end of Last-week's trading on Friday. Also, the Delhi-based National Stock Exchange (NSE) Nifty also breached the 2,100-mark for the first time in its trading history and closed at 2,115, registering a gain of 34.50 points over the last week's close.
Please turn on JavaScript. Media requires JavaScript to play. Rival US companies Delta Air Lines and Northwest Airlines have agreed to merge in a $5bn (£2.5bn) deal that will create the world's biggest carrier. The new airline, to be called Delta, will have annual revenue of more than $35bn and employ about 75,000 staff. Analysts say the deal could prompt similar moves by other US airlines struggling with rising oil prices. But the deal, sealed a year after both carriers exited bankruptcy protection, could face resistance from unions. Pilots for Northwest and the union acting on behalf of most of the carrier's ground workers said they would oppose the merger. Airlines worldwide are suffering in the wake of a consumer slowdown in the US and Europe, making it harder to raise ticket prices to offset rising fuel-prices. "Merging Delta and Northwest is the most effective way to offset higher fuel prices and improve efficiencies, increase international presence and fund long-term investment in the business," said Delta chief executive Richard Anderson, who is also to lead the new airline. However, shares in both companies had fallen by market close on Tuesday. Northwest shares fell 94 cents, or 8.4%, to $10.28, while Delta lost $1.32, or 12.6%, to $9.16. 'Pro-merger' The merger agreed on Monday night will see Northwest shareholders receiving 1.25 Delta shares for each of their Northwest shares. The combined company will be based in Atlanta. An unspecified number of job cuts are expected to reduce overlap in corporate and administrative departments, Delta said. Before the merger, Delta had said it would eliminate 2,000 jobs this year. The deal still requires approval from competition authorities but it is not expected to face hurdles on that front. "We will look at the competitive effects of the transaction and how it would affect consumers," Justice Department spokeswoman Gina Talamona said on Tuesday afternoon. "This administration has taken a very pro-merger stance," said Diana Moss, an economist at the American Antitrust Institute. \|\|\|\|\| By Mark McSherry NEW YORK (Reuters) - Executives of Delta Air Lines Inc (DAL.N: Quote, Profile, Research) hope to win over Northwest Airlines Corp (NWA.N: Quote, Profile, Research) pilots, who oppose Delta's bid to buy Northwest for more than $3 billion to create the world's biggest airline by traffic. While Delta pilots would get a 3.5 percent equity stake in the new airline, and support the all-stock deal, the leaders of Northwest's pilots said Monday night the union will use "all resources available to aggressively oppose" it after the two unions could not agree on how to work under one seniority umbrella. Seniority determines when pilots work, what they fly and how much they get paid. Some analysts said the opposition of the Northwest pilots could pose a serious threat to the deal. The proposed deal comes as major U.S. carriers try to counter skyrocketing fuel prices and a weak domestic economy. Delta Chief Executive Richard Anderson said on Tuesday the carrier aims to fully integrate its two pilots' groups as soon as possible. At a press conference in New York, Delta executive vice president Mike Campbell said the airlines had eight or nine months to get the Northwest pilots on board. "If we succeed in that, it will be revolutionary, and it will be a game changer," said Campbell. In an interview on NBC television, Anderson said that before the deal closes, he wants to have an agreement with pilots from both airlines. Continued...	Logan International Airport Rival United States airlines Delta Air Lines and Northwest Airlines announced today that they have agreed to merge. The new airline, which will use the Delta name, will be the largest commercial airline in the world. Technically, Delta will be buying Northwest in a roughly US$3 billion deal. Northwest shareholders will receive 1.25 shares of Delta for each share of Northwest. Based on Monday's closing prices on the New York Stock Exhange this represents a 17% premium for Northwest shareholders. Richard Anderson, the Delta chief executive officer who will also head the new company, said: "We said we would only enter into a consolidation transaction if it was right for all of our constituencies; Delta and Northwest are a perfect fit. Today, we’re announcing a transaction that is about addition, not subtraction, and combines end-to-end networks that open a world of opportunities for our customers and employees. We believe by partnering with our employees, including providing equity to U.S.-based employees of Delta and Northwest, this combination is off to the right start." The combined company would have $35 billion in annual revenue and approximately 75,000 employees. The deal does have to receive regulatory approval. "We will look at the competitive effects of the transaction and how it would affect consumers," said Gina Talanoma, a spokesperson for the United States Department of Justice. Airline industry consultant Robert Mann told Reuters, "It's a very optimistic view on an industry that's been very dismal for the last couple of weeks."
This iTunes Charts, is a 'real-time' look at the Top 100 Songs on iTunes in the UK. Includes both Singles and Albums. This data is provided by Apple iTunes so you'll not find a more up to date iTunes Chart anywhere! You can bookmark this page on any of the popular browsers or bookmark services here , and/or subscribe to this feed in your prefered feed reader. See Also : Top 100 Songs on iTunes (USA) If you have Apple iTunes installed and running on your PC/MAC, clicking on a song title will allow you to hear a snippet of the song. Neat huh! A 'Top 10' version of this iTunes Chart is available for your own Blog, Myspace or Website - More info here. \|\|\|\|\| Television licence fee to be frozen for next six years The licence fee generates around £3.5bn a year The television licence fee, which funds the BBC, is to be frozen for the next six years at £145.50, it has emerged. The BBC will also take over the cost of the World Service, currently funded by the Foreign Office, as well as the Welsh language TV channel, S4C. There had been a proposal to make the BBC pay the cost of free TV licences for the over-75s, but it is understood this will now not happen. A formal announcement will be made on Wednesday during the Spending Review. The BBC is refusing to comment, but insiders say that this is a significantly better settlement than the proposal to force it to pay the cost of free TV licences. Continue reading the main story Related stories It will mean a 16% real terms cut in the BBC's funds over the next six years as opposed to a 25% cut over four years if they had been obliged to cover the licence fee costs. Ministers are expected to present the freeze as "reining in" the corporation's costs, but Gerry Morrissey, general secretary of broadcasting union Bectu, said he was "alarmed ". "It seems as if the BBC is now doing the government's dirty work. They have thrown in the towel, so they will now have to justify the cuts to staff," he said. "How can you cut 16% off your costs without affecting jobs or services? Morale at the BBC is already at rock bottom, but now there is little or no confidence in the management." The BBC has been embroiled in a row with staff and unions over changes to its pensions provision, and last week it announced that the post of deputy director-general was being axed to cut costs. The BBC Trust earlier warned the government it would fight any move to force the corporation to meet the cost of free television licences for the over-75s. A trust spokeswoman said it would be "unacceptable" for licence fee payers to foot the bill. 'Cavalier and short-termist' Last month, Foreign Secretary William Hague told MPs the World Service was of "huge importance" but could not expect to be immune from cost-cutting. Continue reading the main story “ Start Quote The freeze is welcome” End Quote Lorentz "Can the BBC World Service make itself more efficient and therefore contribute to the spending round? Yes, I think it can and it thinks it can," Mr Hague told the Commons Foreign Affairs Committee. But shadow foreign secretary Yvette Cooper said she was concerned about the announcement. "It is alarming that only 24 hours before the spending review, the funding of the World Service has been completely up in the air," she said. "Although editorially independent, the World Service is a key component of UK diplomacy and does important work promoting British values and open debate across the world. "Jettisoning it from the Foreign Office at this late stage, without serious consultation or a strategy for its future, is cavalier and short-termist." The Department for Culture, Media and Sport currently funds S4C to the tune of just under £100m a year. Along with the channel, the BBC will also take over the cost of BBC Monitoring, which monitors, translates and analyses media coverage from around the world. \|\|\|\|\| Video (2min 38sec), My Edinburgh: Nicholas Parsons The dapper Radio 4 favourite savours the frisson of the fringe at the Pleasance Courtyard and offers a brief history of the festival \|\|\|\|\| Nice to see someone sticking up for the BBC for a change, even if they have to draw a little too much inspiration from Bob Dylan's Subterranean Homesick Blues and Billy Joel's We Didn't Start The Fire to do it. Here is the frantically funny but nicely relevant YouTube viral from Radio 4 musical stalwart Mitch Benn. And if you like what you hear he's at the Bloomsbury Theatre on November 3rd. And if this doesn't get him a BBC TV slot then nothing will...	A song released yesterday in support of the BBC is making an impact on several UK music charts. Stand-up comic wrote ''I'm Proud of the BBC'' in response to the criticism the licence fee-funded corporation has received from its commercial competitors and the right-wing press. The -led announced two weeks ago that the licence fee is to be frozen for six years, and that the BBC will take over responsibility from the Foreign Office for funding the . The song, loosely inspired by Billy Joel, lists many of the BBC's achievements. Benn, a regular on BBC Radio 4's satirical programme '''', decided to release ''I'm Proud of the BBC'' as a single after realising that it was provoking emotional responses from audiences during his nationwide tour. He told that the song was receiving standing ovations, and people were wiping away tears. A video was filmed last month outside of , and with a cast of volunteers recruited from the social networking site Twitter. The song was officially released as a 'download-only' track on Monday. Yesterday's charts reveal that it has reached pole position on Amazon's rock chart, and is listed as the 14th most downloaded track overall. iTunes listed it as the 64th most downloaded song. Fans have created two Facebook groups to promote the single in an attempt to get it to a good position in the , which would force the BBC's commercial rivals to play the track. Benn says that he has always been a supporter of the BBC, and yesterday compared it to the emergency services. "You also pay for the Fire Brigade, whether or not your house burns down. Public service." He points out that he only receives a small percentage of his income from the corporation; last night he played with his band The Distractions at the in .
The Government's blueprint for tackling climate change could cost five times more than expected, a leaked United Nations report shows today. The report comes as Lord Lawson, the Conservative former chancellor, launches a scathing attack on "eco-fundamentalism" and says a costly new carbon tax could wreck the economy. The Stern review, commissioned by Gordon Brown, outlined plans this week to combat global warming by capping greenhouse gas emissions. advertisement It raised fears of floods from rising sea levels, water shortages from melting glaciers and extreme weather potentially causing up to 200 million people to flee their homes. Sir Nicholas Stern, head of the government economic service, estimated that the cost of keeping emissions at 550 parts per million was likely to be "around one per cent of GDP by 2050". He also said that the cost of not acting to combat climate change could be between five and 20 per cent of global GDP. The calculations were used to justify Sir Nicholas's calls for immediate action and extra taxes But a leaked draft UN report, quoted in today's edition of The Business, casts doubt on the basis for his conclusions. A report by the authoritative UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), due for publication next year, warns that the cost of achieving the same goal would be between "one per cent and five per cent loss of global GDP". The less ambitious target of stabilising emissions at 650ppm would cost less than two per cent of GDP, according to extracts from the UN report. Sir Nicholas has acknowledged that his review was partly based on the IPCC's 2001 report. Business: Page B3 \|\|\|\|\| The action recommended by the British Stern Review – keeping greenhouse gas levels at 550 parts per million – would cost up to 5% of global gross domestic product (GDP), according to the UN. This is in stark contrast with the Stern review, which says it will probably cost only 1%.This much lower number is used by Stern to make the case for immediate action and steep taxes to cut back on the emission of greenhouse gases. But the UN estimate undermine Stern's economic rationale.Stern also said the cost of not acting could be 5% to 20% of global GDP. If the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change figures are right, they open up the possibility that the British proposals would cost as much as they save, making them redundant.The new UN figures, exclusive to The Business, come from a draft copy of the 2007 review of the IPCC, which is the acknowledged global authority on climate change science. The Stern review itself was explicitly based on the IPCC’s last report, which didn’t calculate the cost of stabilising emissions.Embarrassingly for the British government, the IPCC has done its own sums on restricting greenhouse gas emission to various levels and has found each of the targets far more expensive than the Stern review claimed.The debate on what to do about global warming has focused on what target to set for greenhouse gas concentrations, now at 430 parts per million (ppm). On current economic trajectory, it is feared they could reach 700ppm by the end of the century.The Stern review directly links global warming scenarios to greenhouse gas concentration levels. At 550ppm, the studies quoted in the review claim the planet is likely to warm by 3°C. Stern considers this to be dangerous, but not catastrophic.The European Union has set a target of 450ppm but the Stern review said this is unlikely to be achieved because developing economies are growing so quickly. However, the 650ppm limit was shown by Stern as inviting catastrophic climate change.So the review looks closely at the case for keeping emissions to 550ppm, which it underplays. Stern’s executive summary states: “An upper bound for the expected annual cost of emissions consistent with a trajectory leading to stabilisation at 550ppm is likely to be 1% of GDP by 2050.”But the draft copy of the IPCC’s Fourth Annual Review, due for publication next year, finds the cost of achieving the same goal to be between “1% and 5% loss of global GDP”.The less-ambitious target of stabilising emissions at 650ppm would cost less than 2% of GDP.The Stern review team would not comment on the draft report as it has not been published. But The Business understands that the leaks were made available to its scientists at the time of compilation.Sir Nicholas Stern, a former World Bank economist now working for the British Treasury, has admitted from the offset that his report could only work if it was agreed on a global basis. Ministers are to travel to India and America to promote his findings.But being contradicted by IPCC research hardly helps Britain’s case, since the IPCC figures are the only ones used to frame the global debate. The leaked UN draft is circulating on the internet and will serve to undermine Stern’s authority.Though the Stern review was received to universal acclaim in London, it has been attacked in other parts of the world for being alarmist and, in some cases, incompetent.His nightmare scenario – global warming costing between 5% to 20% of GDP – was achieved by using an unusually low discount rate in his calculations. This is a standard device to justify investments with a long-term payoff.The 11-member Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (Opec) has already given the Stern Review a cold reception. Mohammed Barkindo, Secretary-General of Opec, attacked the report at an energy conference in Moscow.“We find some of the so-called initiatives of the rich industrialised countries, who are supposed to take the lead in combating climate change, rather alarming,” he said. Adaptation to climate change, he added, cannot be conducted by “scenarios that have no foundations in either science or economics (referring to the Stern report’s publication)”.In Washington, the Competitive Enterprise Institute (CEI) said the Stern review would have no traction internationally as its economic mistakes would be instantly recognised by experts in the field. “Stern’s costs are actually more expensive than doing nothing about climate change itself,” said Iain Murray,senior fellow at CEI specialising in climate change. “This is ‘Chicken Little’ stuff,” said Murray, “except Chicken Little wasn’t trying to scare the public in order to create Enron-style con games and line the pockets of Wall Street bankers at the expense of consumers.”This opprobrium sharply contrasts with the Stern review’s reception in London, where his conclusions were welcomed by business and accepted by all mainstream British political parties.The action recommended by the British Stern Review – keeping greenhouse gas levels at 550 parts per million – would cost up to 5% of global gross domestic product (GDP), according to the UN. This is in stark contrast with the Stern review, which says it will probably cost only 1%.This much lower number is used by Stern to make the case for immediate action and steep taxes to cut back on the emission of greenhouse gases. But the UN estimate undermine Stern's economic rationale.Stern also said the cost of not acting could be 5% to 20% of global GDP. If the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change figures are right, they open up the possibility that the British proposals would cost as much as they save, making them redundant.The new UN figures, exclusive to The Business, come from a draft copy of the 2007 review of the IPCC, which is the acknowledged global authority on climate change science. The Stern review itself was explicitly based on the IPCC’s last report, which didn’t calculate the cost of stabilising emissions.Embarrassingly for the British government, the IPCC has done its own sums on restricting greenhouse gas emission to various levels and has found each of the targets far more expensive than the Stern review claimed.The debate on what to do about global warming has focused on what target to set for greenhouse gas concentrations, now at 430 parts per million (ppm). On current economic trajectory, it is feared they could reach 700ppm by the end of the century.The Stern review directly links global warming scenarios to greenhouse gas concentration levels. At 550ppm, the studies quoted in the review claim the planet is likely to warm by 3°C. Stern considers this to be dangerous, but not catastrophic.The European Union has set a target of 450ppm but the Stern review said this is unlikely to be achieved because developing economies are growing so quickly. However, the 650ppm limit was shown by Stern as inviting catastrophic climate change.So the review looks closely at the case for keeping emissions to 550ppm, which it underplays. Stern’s executive summary states: “An upper bound for the expected annual cost of emissions consistent with a trajectory leading to stabilisation at 550ppm is likely to be 1% of GDP by 2050.”But the draft copy of the IPCC’s Fourth Annual Review, due for publication next year, finds the cost of achieving the same goal to be between “1% and 5% loss of global GDP”.The less-ambitious target of stabilising emissions at 650ppm would cost less than 2% of GDP.The Stern review team would not comment on the draft report as it has not been published. But The Business understands that the leaks were made available to its scientists at the time of compilation.Sir Nicholas Stern, a former World Bank economist now working for the British Treasury, has admitted from the offset that his report could only work if it was agreed on a global basis. Ministers are to travel to India and America to promote his findings.But being contradicted by IPCC research hardly helps Britain’s case, since the IPCC figures are the only ones used to frame the global debate. The leaked UN draft is circulating on the internet and will serve to undermine Stern’s authority.Though the Stern review was received to universal acclaim in London, it has been attacked in other parts of the world for being alarmist and, in some cases, incompetent.His nightmare scenario – global warming costing between 5% to 20% of GDP – was achieved by using an unusually low discount rate in his calculations. This is a standard device to justify investments with a long-term payoff.The 11-member Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (Opec) has already given the Stern Review a cold reception. Mohammed Barkindo, Secretary-General of Opec, attacked the report at an energy conference in Moscow.“We find some of the so-called initiatives of the rich industrialised countries, who are supposed to take the lead in combating climate change, rather alarming,” he said. Adaptation to climate change, he added, cannot be conducted by “scenarios that have no foundations in either science or economics (referring to the Stern report’s publication)”.In Washington, the Competitive Enterprise Institute (CEI) said the Stern review would have no traction internationally as its economic mistakes would be instantly recognised by experts in the field. “Stern’s costs are actually more expensive than doing nothing about climate change itself,” said Iain Murray,senior fellow at CEI specialising in climate change. “This is ‘Chicken Little’ stuff,” said Murray, “except Chicken Little wasn’t trying to scare the public in order to create Enron-style con games and line the pockets of Wall Street bankers at the expense of consumers.”This opprobrium sharply contrasts with the Stern review’s reception in London, where his conclusions were welcomed by business and accepted by all mainstream British political parties. \|\|\|\|\| Lead Stories Problems plague landfill gas projects A number of early landfill gas projects registered under the Clean Development Mechanism are dramatically underperforming in delivering carbon credits - casting doubts over what is expected to be one of the CDM's biggest sources of emissions reductions. CDM Under pressure The workings of the CDM's Executive Board are stifling emission reduction projects and creating unnecessary risks for developers - so the industry says. Christopher Cundy asks how the situation has arisen, and what can be done to improve relations between the regulator and the regulated The workings of the CDM's Executive Board are stifling emission reduction projects and creating unnecessary risks for developers - so the industry says. Christopher Cundy asks how the situation has arisen, and what can be done to improve relations between the regulator and the regulated	The Stern Review of the Economics of Climate Change put the cost of keeping emissions at 550 parts per million at one percent of global GDP A leaked draft report, by the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), due to be published next year, estimates this cost could be between one and five percent of global GDP. The Stern Review put the costs of not acting to resist climate change could be between 5 and 20 percent GDP. It is reported that UK Ministers are to travel to India and America to promote the Stern Review. Their task will not be eased by the leaked IPCC report which is now said to be available freely on the internet. Following the Stern Review, Chancellor Gordon Brown urged the member states of the European Union Emissions Trading Scheme to tighten their targets even further.
07-4080 : USA v. Black, Conrad Case Type: Criminal If the document you are looking for is not in the system, first check the docket to verify that the document was filed, then check with the Clerk's Office to see the hard-copy document. \|\|\|\|\| Conrad Black leaves the Derksen Federal Courthouse after his sentencing hearing in Chicago December 10, 2007. A federal appeals court on Wednesday upheld the conviction of former press baron Black and three ex-colleagues found guilty last year of defrauding shareholders of one-time newspaper publishing giant Hollinger International Inc. REUTERS/John Gress CHICAGO (Reuters) - A federal appeals court on Wednesday upheld the conviction of former press baron Conrad Black and three ex-colleagues found guilty last year of defrauding shareholders of one-time newspaper publishing giant Hollinger International Inc. The unanimous 16-page decision from a three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit rejected all of the points lawyers for Black and the others made and affirmed the trial court’s ruling. Black, a Canadian-born member of Britain’s House of Lords, has been in prison since March 3 when he began serving a 6-and-1/2 year sentence for fraud and obstructing justice. The court similarly upheld the convictions of three former Hollinger colleagues — Peter Atkinson, John Boultbee and Mark Kipnis — who were convicted along with Black. Black and the others were accused of swindling the company — once the world’s third largest publisher of English language newspapers — out of $6.1 million by giving themselves illegal bonuses. \|\|\|\|\| US court rejects Conrad Black's appeal against fraud conviction CHICAGO (AFP) — A US federal court on Wednesday rejected an appeal by disgraced media baron Conrad Black against his conviction for fraud and obstruction of justice. Black, who once ran the world's third largest media empire, is currently serving a six-and-a-half year jail term. The Canadian-born British lord, who once counted politicians and pop stars among his entourage, reported to a low security federal jail in Coleman, Florida on March 3. It marked the climax to a spectacular fall which began when Black was charged with raiding the coffers of his once mighty newspaper empire and trying to cover up his crime. Black continues to maintain his innocence and is reportedly teaching weekly history seminars as part of his duties in the prison library. "We're very disappointed with the decision and we're carefully reviewing our options to take the case forward," Andrew Frey, the lawyer who presented Black's appeal in Chicago earlier this month, told AFP. Frey said he has not yet had a chance to speak with his client. "As far as I know he's doing alright but I'm sure he was hoping for something different," he added. Black and three other Hollinger executives were found guilty in July of four counts of fraud for skimming millions from the sales of newspapers being offloaded by Hollinger International. In a 16-page opinion, Judge Richard Posner at the federal appeals court in Chicago wrote that there was "compelling evidence" of this fraud presented at trial. Black's conviction of obstruction of justice was based on a surveillance videotape that caught him loading 13 boxes of documents from his Toronto office into his car after the Securities and Exchange Commission notified him he was under investigation. "All that needed to be proved is that the document was concealed in order to make it unavailable in an official proceeding," Posner wrote. "The evidence of that was ample." Prosecutors applauded the court's decision. "The Court found clear evidence that all four defendants engaged in a brazen, multi-million dollar corporate fraud scheme and deprived the public shareholders of Hollinger International of their right to the executives' honest services," US Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald said in a statement. "This decision vindicates the rights of shareholders to expect that corporate officers will safeguard their assets, and put the shareholders' interests before their own." The son of a wealthy brewery executive, Black bought his first newspaper in his 20s and rapidly expanded his reach across the globe, buying such prestigious titles as London's Daily Telegraph, the Jerusalem Post and the Chicago Sun-Times. Hollinger has subsequently sold off nearly all its titles and been renamed the Sun-Times Media Group. It said in statement that it intends to proceed with its civil suits against Black and "we continue to be very confident that the Company will prevail." \|\|\|\|\| Appeals court upholds Black's fraud conviction CHICAGO: A federal appeals court on Wednesday upheld Conrad Black's convictions of fraud and obstruction of justice, brushing aside his claim that he and three other former Hollinger International media executives did no harm to the company he once headed. "They are making a no harm-no foul argument, and such arguments usually fare badly in criminal cases," a three-judge panel of the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said in its 16-page opinion. The appeals court rejected the request of the 62-year-old British baron, known as Lord Black of Crossharbour, and three other former Hollinger International executives for a new trial. Black is serving a 6 1/2-year sentence at a federal prison in Florida. He was convicted last July 13 of siphoning off millions of dollars belonging to Hollinger when he was chief executive officer of the company that once owned the Chicago Sun-Times, the Daily Telegraph of London, the Jerusalem Post and hundreds of community papers across this country and Canada. He also was convicted of obstruction of justice for hauling 13 boxes of documents out of his Toronto office while knowing they were being sought as part of an investigation of his financial dealings. The jury saw a videotape of Black carrying the boxes out of the offices, loading them into his car and driving away with them. Defense attorneys claimed he had no intention of thwarting the investigation and that he quickly returned the boxes. "There was evidence that Black knew that the alleged frauds were being investigated by the grand jury and by the Securities and Exchange Commission," the appeals panel said. The court rejected Black's appeal less than three weeks after it heard oral arguments in the case — an unusually quick turnaround time. U.S. Attorney Patrick J. Fitzgerald issued a statement expressing satisfaction that the appeals court acted "swiftly and conclusively." "The court found clear evidence that all four defendants engaged in a brazen, multi-million-dollar corporate fraud scheme and deprived the shareholders of Hollinger International of their right to the executives' honest services," Fitzgerald said. Black's attorney, Andrew Frey, recalled that at the June 6 oral argument, Judge Richard A. Posner had expressed sharp skepticism. Frey said he was not surprised at the adverse decision in view of "the court's apparent hostility." He also said he was disappointed and that the decision had reflected "a number of factual misunderstandings." "We are considering our options," said Frey, adding that it could include a request for a rehearing before the appeals court. In its opinion, the court also upheld the convictions of two Canadian executives of Hollinger, John A. Boultbee and Peter Y. Atkinson, and the company's former Chicago-based attorney, Mark S. Kipnis. The opinion, written by Posner, focused on a deal involving a Hollinger subsidiary, APC, which sold most of its newspapers and ended up owning just one weekly paper in Mammoth Lake, Calif. Black and other executives got $5.5 million for agreeing not to compete with APC for three years after leaving Hollinger's employment. "That Black and the others would start a newspaper in Mammoth Lake to compete with APC's tiny newspaper there was ridiculous," the court said. The court also scoffed at a defense claim that the $5.5 million actually represented management fees that APC owed to the executives. It said no company records were found to indicate that the money represented fees, even though "Hollinger is a large, sophisticated public corporation." It said the checks were backdated to the year when newspapers were being sold to make the deal "seem less preposterous." All of Hollinger's big papers except the Sun-Times have now been sold and the company that emerged changed its name to Sun-Times Media Group. \|\|\|\|\| A federal appeals court has upheld former media tycoon Conrad Black's convictions for fraud and obstruction of justice. The US 7th Circuit Court of Appeals in Chicago upheld a federal court jury's verdict Black cheated his Hollinger media empire of millions of dollars. It also upheld his obstruction conviction for removing 13 boxes of evidence from his office. Black is serving a six-and-a-half-year jail sentence at a Florida prison.	On Wednesday, a United States federal appeals court upheld convictions of fraud and obstruction of justice against media mogul , along with three other executives from his former press corporation, Hollinger International. Black, born in Canada and bearer of the title Baron Black of Crossharbour in the United Kingdom, was found guilty in July 2007 of three counts of wire and mail fraud for giving himself and others millions of dollars in illegal bonuses taken from Hollinger holdings, and for obstruction of justice based on surveillance footage of his moving 13 boxes of documents out of his Toronto office to his home the day after he was informed that he was being investigated. He was sentenced, and from March this year he began a 6 1/2-year prison term. Peter Atkinson and John Boultbee were convicted on the same fraud charges, and were sentenced to terms of 24 and 27 months respectively, while Mark Kipnis, who was implicated in the fraud, was given probation with 6 months of home detention. The appeals panel from the , who heard the defence attorneys' oral arguments, presented its opinion in a 16-page document in which they rejected arguments against the fraud and obstruction charges. They noted that while the defence had presented a "no harm-no foul argument", in which it was argued that the accused were owed the money appropriated, "such arguments usually fare badly in criminal cases". They also dismissed claims that instructions given to the jury by the judge had been incomplete, or unclear, stating that "the defendants proposed a misleading statement as an alternative", and that in such situations the judge is allowed to stay with the original instruction, and in particular is not required "that a submitted charge be technically perfect to alert the court to the need for a particular charge". The appeals judges also discounted arguments from the defence regarding the defendants being unaware of the illegality of the transactions, making reference to an "ostrich argument", based on the urban legend that sensing danger stick their heads in the sand. It was noted that choosing not to investigate the suspicious nature of the payments was equivalent to accepting their illegality. An argument from Black's defence regarding the obstruction charge, that in moving the documents he was not in fact escaping scrutiny, was similarly rejected, as "all that needed to be proved is that the document was concealed in order to make it unavailable in an official proceeding," according to the ruling as written by Judge Richard Posner. Andrew Frey, the defence attorney for Conrad Black, said that the court's decision was based on "a number of factual misunderstandings", and that the defendants were considering a request for a rehearing of the appeal.
Airbus A380 engine has serious manufacturing fault The engine explosion on one of the A380s sparked a global safety review Air safety investigators in Australia say they have identified a serious manufacturing fault with engines fitted to Airbus A380 passenger jets. A misaligned component of the Rolls-Royce Trent 900 engine used on a Qantas A380 which exploded last month thinned the wall of an oil pipe. This caused "fatigue cracking", which prompted leakage and ultimately a fire. The investigators warned that the critical safety issue could potentially lead to "catastrophic engine failure". They issued a directive urging Rolls-Royce to "address the safety issue and take actions necessary to ensure the safety of flight operations". Qantas said it would conduct further engine investigations as a precautionary measure, but stressed that there was "no immediate risk". "Qantas currently has two A380 aircraft in operational service, following the grounding of the fleet on 4 November. Both A380 aircraft will be inspected at the Qantas Jet Base in Sydney," the airline said. The pilots of the November flight made a successful emergency landing in Singapore after one of the engines exploded in mid-air. Not all A380s use Rolls-Royce Trent 900 engines. They are used on 20 aircraft owned by Qantas, Lufthansa and Singapore Airlines. The double-decker A380 is the world's largest passenger airliner, and can carry up to 800 people. The six Qantas A380s carry about 475. \|\|\|\|\| 'Critical safety issue' with Rolls A380 engine SYDNEY — Australian officials probing a Qantas A380 engine blast last month reported a "critical safety issue" with the Rolls-Royce unit on Thursday that they said could lead to "catastrophic engine failure". The Australian Transport Safety Bureau said a misaligned component had thinned the wall of an oil pipe in the exploded engine, causing "fatigue cracking" that prompted leakage and a fire "central to the engine failure". "This condition could lead to an elevated risk of fatigue crack initiation and growth, oil leakage and potential catastrophic engine failure from a resulting oil fire," the ATSB said, noting it was "understood to be related to the manufacturing process." The Bureau issued a directive urging Rolls-Royce to "address the safety issue and take actions necessary to ensure the safety of flight operations in transport aircraft equipped with Rolls-Royce Trent 900 series engines." Qantas said it would immediately conduct further engine investigations as a result of the findings, but stressed it was just a precautionary measure and "there is no immediate risk to flight safety." "Qantas currently has two A380 aircraft in operational service, following the grounding of the fleet on 4 November. Both A380 aircraft will be inspected at the Qantas Jet Base in Sydney," the airline said. "Inspections will commence this afternoon." The flagship carrier said it would determine whether further action would need to be taken after inspections were complete and it had consulted both Rolls-Royce and regulators. "Qantas does not anticipate at this stage that the inspections will have an impact on international services. However contingency arrangements will be in place, if needed," it said. The findings come just five days after Qantas resumed A380 flights, though the carrier has barred the superjumbo from trans-Pacific trips to Los Angeles due to the extra engine thrust required. It had grounded all six of its Airbus superjumbos after the November 4 blast over the Indonesian island of Batam, which forced an A380 to return to Singapore airport trailing smoke. Checks revealed problems with 16 of the total 24 Rolls-Royce Trent 900 engines powering Qantas's A380s -- four per plane -- meaning the turbines would have to be replaced or modified. Qantas chief Alan Joyce on Saturday said he was "100 percent comfortable" with the A380s' operation. Australia's national carrier, it has has never suffered a fatal crash in the jet age. Copyright © 2013 AFP. All rights reserved. More »	A engineer testing a engine. Australian transport investigators have announced they have identified a "critical safety issue" with engines fitted to the world's largest passenger airliner. Some engines, which power some Airbus A380 "superjumbos", may be prone to "fatigue cracking", which could lead to oil leakage and a fire. The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) said they think this was "central to the engine failure" which occurred on a Qantas A380 on November 4, shortly after take-off from Singapore. The airline grounded all six of its fleet of A380s so they could undergo safety checks before they were put back into service. Late last month, Qantas announced the aircraft were safe and began returning them to service. The ATSB said the manufacturing fault with the Trent 900 engines "could lead to an elevated risk of fatigue crack initiation and growth, oil leakage and potential from a resulting oil fire." The agency urged Rolls-Royce to "address the safety issue and take actions necessary to ensure the safety of flight operations in transport aircraft equipped with Rolls-Royce Trent 900 series engines." Qantas emphasised on Thursday that there was "no immediate risk to flight safety," but said they would conduct further investigations. A statement from the airline said: "Qantas currently has two A380 aircraft in operational service, following the grounding of the fleet on 4 November. Both A380 aircraft will be inspected at the Qantas Jet Base in Sydney. Inspections will commence this afternoon." Two other airlines use A380 aircraft with Trent engines, Lufthansa and Singapore Airlines; Singapore Airlines said they were checking the engines of their A380s "on a daily basis". They said: "The new checks advised by the ATSB will be carried out as quickly as possible." The incident in Singapore was embarrassing for Airbus. Aviation journalist Tom Ballantyne said the incident in Singapore was "certainly the most serious incident that the A380 has experienced since it entered operations." The A380 made its first commercial flight in 2007, and is now in service with several other airlines, including and . It is the largest commercial passenger airliner in the world, with an 840-passenger maximum capacity, though Qantas' can carry 450.
State Sen. Carole Migden revealed for the first time Wednesday that she has been battling leukemia for nearly 10 years and said the medication she takes could have been a factor in her erratic freeway driving last week that the California Highway Patrol is investigating. Migden was involved in as many as three accidents on Friday, twice hitting the center divider on Interstate 80 and then rear-ending a car that was slowing to make a stop near Fairfield, according to the CHP. The driver of the car Migden collided with suffered minor injuries. In an interview with The Chronicle, Migden said she remembers being distracted while using her cell phone immediately before the rear-end collision, but she said she does not remember hitting the freeway median. "My only explanation is that it is medically related in some way," said Migden, 56, who represents San Francisco and Marin County. Migden's announcement about the illness she had concealed for nearly a decade comes as CHP officials are widening their investigation into her driving. Officials have been reviewing 911 calls of motorists who saw Migden driving Friday and described her state-leased Toyota SUV as traveling erratically. Migden said that over the course of battling her illness, she has not experienced a similar sense of disorientation while driving. The medication Migden is taking, Gleevec, has not been associated with the kind of behavioral problems she described, but the disease itself can cause neurological symptoms, according to an independent oncologist interviewed by The Chronicle. The Democratic lawmaker, who showed a reporter medical records about her case, said she plans to get a full physical examination and neurological tests to determine what might have caused her erratic driving last week. "I owe an explanation to the public and myself and, in particular, the person I hurt," Migden said, referring to the driver of a Honda sedan injured in the rear-end collision. "I don't have a recollection of what happened. I can only conclude I had a medical event I can't explain. It's not an excuse; it may be an explanation." Barbara O'Connor, director of the Institute for the Study of Politics and the Media at Cal State Sacramento, said the public is "very forgiving of health-related issues. Knowing this makes her more human, more vulnerable." On the other hand, O'Connor said, "The timing is helpful to her politically because mea culpas work. It's convenient to bring it out as a reason for erratic behavior." Migden said she was diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukemia in October 1997. Doctors said a bone marrow transplant was the only cure. She and her partner, Cris Arguedas, searched for a match but found none. Migden was told she had three to five years to live. "You feel fine. You look fine, and you're told you will die," a sometimes tearful Migden said in an interview at her San Francisco home, accompanied by Arguedas. Migden's first two cancer treatments proved ineffective. The second treatment was made from the bark of a tree in China. It was infused through a hole bored in Migden's chest. She lost her hair and wore loose-fitting coats to mask the infusion box at her waist. She became part of one of the initial clinical trials for an experimental drug in 2000. In February of this year, her doctors at UCSF told her she was disease-free, but she still takes six chemotherapy pills a day. Migden told no one of her illness, in part out of fear that she would appear politically vulnerable. "I didn't want to be pitied. I didn't want to be seen as a goner. I believed I would live. I never lied, I just chose not to disclose," Migden said. Legislative colleagues defended her decision to keep her illness private. "It's remarkable she was able to do a job like this with that kind of condition," said Senate President Pro Tem Don Perata, D-Oakland. "There are very few things you can keep quiet, and your health is one of them. Only if the condition inhibits your work is a public explanation needed," Perata said. "When you can't remember what happened when you were driving, that's when it has begun to affect your public position, and it's time to disclose." Migden told CHP officers Friday that she had gotten lost while driving to Marin County for a meeting when she rear-ended a car driven by Ellen Butawan, 31, of Vallejo at Beck Avenue and Highway 12 in Solano County. Migden's office released a statement that day saying her cell phone had rung and, in reaching for the phone, she had taken her eyes off the road. After reviewing 911 tapes from motorists reporting an erratic driver in the area Friday, the CHP broadened its investigation. One motorist reported that he had seen the San Francisco Democrat driving erratically and striking a guardrail on I-80 near the Highway 37 exit in Vallejo on Friday. The CHP says it has another report of Migden striking the I-80 center divide near Emeryville. "I remember the drive. I remember talking on the phone. I remember brushing up somewhere, but not where it happened. I remember the accident. I have no recollection of hitting the median on I-80, let alone twice," Migden said Wednesday. "I don't have an explanation for that. I don't. I don't recall it, and I don't think that's a satisfactory answer, so I'm going to put myself in the hands of a doctor," said Migden, sitting cross-legged on a rocking chair. CHP Officer Marvin Williford said the agency had "five or six credible witnesses" who saw Migden's traffic incidents. Migden was examined after the rear-end accident by officers, who found no evidence of alcohol. Migden has not been cited for any traffic violations, and CHP officials said they will turn their findings over to the Solano County district attorney. Adrian Romo, a witness to the rear-ender, told KTVU News that Migden screamed to the driver of the vehicle she had hit that she was a senator. Another witness told officials that he believes he saw Migden traveling east on I-80 at 80 mph, reading and talking on the phone while driving. Last year, Migden voted for a bill which, starting July 1, will require drivers using cell phones to use hands-free devices. Dr. Tim Mulligan, an oncologist at St. Luke's Hospital in San Francisco, said Migden's type of leukemia is well known to cause neurological problems, although they tend to afflict only a small portion of leukemia patients. When the disease is not under control, the flood of cancerous cells can literally thicken the blood. "It doesn't flow through the capillaries very well. Sometimes that can induce a sleepiness or a stupor, " he said. Most leukemia patients do not suffer neurological symptoms, however. Mulligan said it is more common for patients to suffer from a swelling of the liver or spleen, and the medication Migden is taking has not been linked to the type of problems she described. Migden said she intends to run for re-election in 2008. She is being challenged by San Francisco Assemblyman Mark Leno. Leno is making an unusual bid to unseat an incumbent from his own party, and the contest has divided Democratic faithful in the Bay Area. "I'm heartened to learn that Sen. Migden is disease-free," said Leno. "I will be praying for her continued good health and well-being." How the illness will affect the race is unknown, but health issues have become central to some legislative races. State Sen. Jenny Oropeza, D-Long Beach, repeatedly stressed that she was a cancer survivor in her winning 2006 campaign. Chronicle staff writers Matthew Yi and Sabin Russell contributed to this report. E-mail Greg Lucas at glucas@sfchronicle.com. \|\|\|\|\| SACRAMENTO — A state senator who police say drove erratically for 16 miles before slamming into a stopped car revealed Wednesday that she may have been impaired by medication to combat leukemia. Sen. Carole Migden's disclosure of a decadelong battle with cancer was the latest surprise in a drama that began Friday after the San Francisco Democrat's state-leased SUV rear-ended a car stopped at a red light in Fairfield, between Sacramento and Oakland. California Highway Patrol Sgt. Wulf Corrington said the driver of the car suffered scrapes and bruises and that a 3-year-old in the back was slightly injured. "She screamed, 'I'm a senator,' " a witness, Adrian Romo, told KTVU-TV on Friday. "She didn't seem all there at the time." Migden's office originally attributed the accident to inattention when the senator reached for her cellphone. But police said they received six calls leading up to the accident from motorists reporting her car veering along Interstate 80 and other roads and twice striking the center divider.	Carole Migden California Senator Carole Migden has revealed that she is suffering from leukemia and that medication prescribed to her may have contributed to a car accident she caused on May 18. Earlier Migden said that she was driving her state-leased SUV while reaching for her cell phone. The announcement comes when witnesses called police to say that Migden was weaving along Highway 12 in Solano County, California. They also reported that she drove over the center median on several occasions and that after the accident she got out of her car and proceeded to yell, "I'm a senator!." Witnesses say that she "didn't seem all there at the time." According to Migden, doctors diagnosed her with leukemia in 1997, but did not reveal to the public her disease because she did not want "pity" from anyone. Migden also says that back in February, she was pronounced as "disease free." Migden says that she had an unexplained medical event and that her medication claim is not an excuse for her driving. "I owe an explanation to the public and myself and, in particular, the person I hurt. I don't have a recollection of what happened. I can only conclude I had a medical event I can't explain. It's not an excuse; it may be an explanation," said Migden. Authorities have stated that they recommended charges of "unsafe driving" be filed against Migden, but that the incident still be investigated.
Ellesmere island is about 800km (500 miles) from the North Pole It is said to be the largest break in 25 years, casting an ice floe with an area of 66 sq km (25 square miles). It occurred in August 2005 but was only recently detected on satellite images. The chunk of ice bigger than Manhattan could wreak havoc if it moves into oil drilling regions and shipping lanes next summer, scientists warned. For something that large to move that quickly is quite amazing Luke Copland, University of Ottawa "The Arctic is all frozen up for the winter and it's stuck in the sea ice about 50km (30 miles) off the coast," said Luke Copland, an assistant professor at the University of Ottawa. "The risk is that next summer, as that sea ice melts, this large ice island can then move itself around off the coast and one potential path for it is to make its way westward toward the Beaufort Sea where there is lots of oil and gas exploration, oil rigs and shipping." 'Quite amazing' The ice break was initially undetected due to the remoteness of the northern coast of Ellesmere island, which is about 800km (500 miles) from the North Pole. Satellite images showed the 15km (9mile) crack, then the ice floating about 1km (0.6 miles) from the coast within about an hour, said Mr Copland, a specialist in glaciers and ice masses. "You could stand at one edge and not see the other side, and for something that large to move that quickly is quite amazing," he said. Mr Copland said a combination of low accumulations of sea ice around the edges of the ice mass, as well as the Arctic's warmest temperatures on record, contributed to the break. The region was 3C (5.4F) above average in the summer of 2005, he said. Ice shelves in Canada's far north have shrunk by as much as 90% since 1906. "It's hard to tie one event to climate change, but when you look at the longer-term trend, the bigger picture, we've lost a lot of ice shelves on northern Ellesmere in the past century. "This is that continuing and this is the biggest one in the last 25 years," he said. \|\|\|\|\| An ancient ice shelf the size of 11,000 football fields that broke off Ellesmere Island could be dangerous when it starts to drift in the spring, a scientist says. The collapse of the ice island's northern coast represents the largest breakup of its kind in the Canadian Arctic in 30 years, the head of a new global ice lab at the University of Ottawa said on Thursday. The collapse of the ice island's northern coast represents the largest breakup of its kind in the Canadian Arctic in 30 years. Luke Copland, an assistant professor at the school's department of geography, said scientists are surprised at the speed of the collapse of the Ayles ice shelf, about 800 kilometres south of the North Pole. It took less than an hour. He said the new island formed by the 66-square-kilometre fragment, which could be up to 4,500 years old, could present a serious risk to oil platforms in its drift path in the spring. At the longest and widest spans, the remains of the Ayles shelf are about 15 kilometres long and five kilometres wide. The fragment is between 30 and 40 metres thick. Copland learned of the break after an official with the federal government's Canadian Ice Service noticed the change on satellite images and passed it on to him to determine what happened, according to a report by CanWest News Service. In June, Copland received nearly $206,000 in grant funding from the Canada Foundation for Innovation to create the Laboratory for Cryospheric Research, which will monitor the state of glaciers, climate change and study ice in all of its forms. A satellite image shows a 66-square-kilometre chunk of ice has broken off Ellesmere Island. (CBC) Warwick Vincent of Laval University in Quebec City, who travelled to the new segment, said in 10 years of working in the Arctic, he had never seen such a dramatic collapse. "It's like a cruise missile has come down and hit the ice shelf," he told CanWest News Service. Vincent is a professor at the university's biology department, where he does ecological research. The collapse of the Ayles shelf — one of six that still existed in Canada — occurred 16 months ago, on Aug. 13, 2005, but because it is so remote, no one saw it. Scientists have been combining seismic and satellite data to determine what happened and are now releasing details of the collapse. The researchers suspect climate change may have played a role in the collapse but said they cannot definitively say it is a result of global warming. With files from the Canadian Press \|\|\|\|\| This handout photo provided by the Universite Laval shows Universite Laval Technician Dennis Sarrazin standing next to the new ice island, the Ayles ice shelf, offshore, in the Arctic Ocean, on May 30, 2006. (AP PHOTO/Universite Laval, Warwick Vincent, HO) By ROB GILLIES TORONTO Dec 29, 2006 (AP) A giant ice shelf has snapped free from an island south of the North Pole, scientists said Thursday, citing climate change as a "major" reason for the event. The Ayles Ice Shelf all 41 square miles of it broke clear 16 months ago from the coast of Ellesmere Island, about 500 miles south of the North Pole in the Canadian Arctic. Scientists discovered the event by using satellite imagery. Within one hour of breaking free, the shelf had formed as a new ice island, leaving a trail of icy boulders floating in its wake. Warwick Vincent of Laval University, who studies Arctic conditions, traveled to the newly formed ice island and couldn't believe what he saw. "This is a dramatic and disturbing event. It shows that we are losing remarkable features of the Canadian North that have been in place for many thousands of years," Vincent said. "We are crossing climate thresholds, and these may signal the onset of accelerated change ahead." The ice shelf was one of six major shelves remaining in Canada's Arctic. They are packed with ancient ice that is more than 3,000 years old. They float on the sea but are connected to land. Some scientists say it is the largest event of its kind in Canada in 30 years and that climate change was a major element. "It is consistent with climate change," Vincent said, adding that the remaining ice shelves are 90 percent smaller than when they were first discovered in 1906. "We aren't able to connect all of the dots … but unusually warm temperatures definitely played a major role." Laurie Weir, who monitors ice conditions for the Canadian Ice Service, was poring over satellite images in 2005 when she noticed that the shelf had split and separated. Weir notified Luke Copland, head of the new global ice lab at the University of Ottawa, who initiated an effort to find out what happened. Using U.S. and Canadian satellite images, as well as seismic data the event registered on earthquake monitors 155 miles away Copland discovered that the ice shelf collapsed in the early afternoon of Aug. 13, 2005. \|\|\|\|\| Story Highlights • Scientist: "Disturbing event" shows "we are crossing climate thresholds" • Researchers using satellite images discovered 2005 event • Collapse picked up by earthquake monitors 155 miles away Adjust font size: TORONTO, Ontario (AP) -- A giant ice shelf the size of 11,000 football fields has snapped free from Canada's Arctic, scientists said. The mass of ice broke clear 16 months ago from the coast of Ellesmere Island, about 800 kilometers (497 miles) south of the North Pole, but no one was present to see it in Canada's remote north. Scientists using satellite images later noticed that it became a newly formed ice island in just an hour and left a trail of icy boulders floating in its wake. (Watch the satellite images that clued in ice watchers) Warwick Vincent of Laval University, who studies Arctic conditions, traveled to the newly formed ice island and could not believe what he saw. "This is a dramatic and disturbing event. It shows that we are losing remarkable features of the Canadian North that have been in place for many thousands of years. We are crossing climate thresholds, and these may signal the onset of accelerated change ahead," Vincent said Thursday. In 10 years of working in the region he has never seen such a dramatic loss of sea ice, he said. The collapse was so powerful that earthquake monitors 250 kilometers (155 miles) away picked up tremors from it. The Ayles Ice Shelf, roughly 66 square kilometers (41 square miles) in area, was one of six major ice shelves remaining in Canada's Arctic. Scientists say it is the largest event of its kind in Canada in 30 years and point their fingers at climate change as a major contributing factor. "It is consistent with climate change," Vincent said, adding that the remaining ice shelves are 90 percent smaller than when they were first discovered in 1906. "We aren't able to connect all of the dots ... but unusually warm temperatures definitely played a major role." Laurie Weir, who monitors ice conditions for the Canadian Ice Service, was poring over satellite images in 2005 when she noticed that the shelf had split and separated. Weir notified Luke Copland, head of the new global ice lab at the University of Ottawa, who initiated an effort to find out what happened. Using U.S. and Canadian satellite images, as well as data from seismic monitors, Copland discovered that the ice shelf collapsed in the early afternoon of August 13, 2005. "What surprised us was how quickly it happened," Copland said. "It's pretty alarming. "Even 10 years ago scientists assumed that when global warming changes occur that it would happen gradually so that perhaps we expected these ice shelves just to melt away quite slowly, but the big surprise is that for one they are going, but secondly that when they do go, they just go suddenly, it's all at once, in a span of an hour." Within days, the floating ice shelf had drifted a few miles (kilometers) offshore. It traveled west for 50 kilometers (31 miles) until it finally froze into the sea ice in the early winter. The Canadian ice shelves are packed with ancient ice that dates back over 3,000 years. They float on the sea but are connected to land. Derek Mueller, a polar researcher with Vincent's team, said the ice shelves get weaker and weaker as the temperature rises. He visited Ellesmere's Ward Hunt Ice Shelf in 2002 and noticed it had cracked in half. "We're losing our ice shelves, and this a feature of the landscape that is in danger of disappearing altogether from Canada," Mueller said. "In the global perspective Antarctica has many ice shelves bigger than this one, but then there is the idea that these are indicators of climate change." The spring thaw may bring another concern as the warming temperatures could release the ice shelf from its Arctic grip. Prevailing winds could then send the ice island southwards, deep into the Beaufort Sea. "Over the next few years this ice island could drift into populated shipping routes," Weir said. "There's significant oil and gas development in this region as well, so we'll have to keep monitoring its location over the next few years." Copyright 2006 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.	The Ayles ice shelf, which is more than 11,000 football fields in size and is located just south of the North Pole, has broken free in the Canadian Arctic. Scientists say that global warming has played a "major" role in the break. The entire 41 square miles of the shelf broke away from Ellesmere Island at least 16 months ago, and the break was discovered when a satellite took pictures of the region recently. "This is a dramatic and disturbing event. It shows that we are losing remarkable features of the Canadian North that have been in place for many thousands of years. We are crossing climate thresholds, and these may signal the onset of accelerated change ahead," said Warwick Vincent, a Laval University scientist who studies conditions in the Arctic. Higher temperatures are believed to have played a significant role in the break, and all 6 shelves in the Canadian Arctic have become at least 90% smaller since they were discovered in the early 1900's. "It the break is consistent with climate change. We aren't able to connect all of the dots, but unusually warm temperatures definitely played a major role," added Vincent. Seismographs detected the break and collapse of the shelf in August of 2005. The short amount of time it took for the event to occur has come as a surprise to scientists. "What surprised us was how quickly it happened. Even 10 years ago scientists assumed that when global warming changes occur that it would happen gradually, so that perhaps we expected these ice shelves just to melt away quite slowly. It's pretty alarming," said head of the University of Ottawa's global ice lab, Luke Copland.
Red Bulls Sebastian Vettel and seven-time Formula One world champion Michael Schumacher proved a winning combination during the first day of action at this years Race of Champions (ROC) event in Beijing on Tuesday. The duo clinched their third successive Nations Cup victory for Germany in the Chinese citys spectacular Birds Nest stadium, after beating the Team GB pairing of new Formula One world champion Jenson Button and three-time World Touring Car champion Andy Priaulx in the finals. Schumacher beat Button in the final's first heat, while Vettel was beaten by Priaulx in the second. However in the crucial tiebreak decider, crowd favourite Schumacher took victory driving the unique Race of Champions Car. We had a nice fight - I just come back to this event to use whatever there is left of a talent, said the former Ferrari driver. With this track, it's just a case of watching where the other guy is to know how hard to push. Of course, the racing is the highlight but the other stuff that goes on around that is part of the relaxed atmosphere of the Race of Champions that we all enjoy. Vettel and Schumacher had already defeated teams including China and Finland to reach the semi-finals. There, they competed against American rally drivers Tanner Foust and Travis Pastrana. But, despite a heroic effort by Foust to beat Schumacher, Vettel's two wins took Team Germany to the final once again. Vettel, who finished runner-up to Button in this year's F1 championship, was equally thrilled with Team Germanys success, saying: To win three times in a row is something that no one has done before, so it's a real reason to be proud. After his first taste of the ROC Nations Cup finals, Button was disappointed not to win: To be out there celebrating being the first loser is never best, I don't like finishing second. It was a lot of fun - I spent most of the evening trying to hang on to my team mate's coat tails. The Formula One drivers were less successful in Wednesday's individual Race of Champions contest. Schumacher beat Vettel in the semi-finals, but then lost in the final to former DTM champion Mattias Ekstrom, who had earlier knocked out Button in his semi-final showdown. \|\|\|\|\| By Nick Mulvenney BEIJING (Reuters) - Sebastian Vettel aims to end Britain's run of success and become Formula One's youngest champion next year. Two days after concluding a superb season with his fourth win of the year in Abu Dhabi, the 22-year-old German was still oozing the sort of confidence that took him to the overall runner-up spot behind champion Jenson Button. "There is only one step we can make for the team ranking, for the constructors, as well as for the drivers' championship, for myself. So there is no question about the target," the Red Bull driver told Reuters at the Race of Champions on Tuesday. "I think (we can do it). We have grown a lot already this year and it was the first time for us to be in a situation where we had a very competitive car. "Of course in the end, second place is good but we would like to be one step better for next year." Vettel will not be 23 until July next year whereas McLaren's Lewis Hamilton became the youngest champion in 2008 aged 23 and 301 days. The German already owns most of the other records in the book for youthful achievement: youngest to score points, youngest on the podium, youngest to take a pole position and youngest race winner. \|\|\|\|\| Red Bull finish season in style as Vettel shows mettle FORMULA ONE ABU:AFTER A stuttering season which saw them sway from dominant to desultory and in the process lose the title fight to Jenson Button and Brawn, Red Bull Racing’s Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber signed off their season in style with the team’s fourth one-two finish of the season at the inaugural Abu Dhabi Grand Prix yesterday. Both drivers had been solid championship contenders throughout the summer as Button’s own title bid wavered but in a miserable streak as the autumn set in which both suffered two retirements on days when Brawn continued to score, the chance of glory slipped away, Button eventually claiming the title in Brazil two weeks ago. \|\|\|\|\| Once a brake problem slowed McLarens Lewis Hamilton, Red Bulls Sebastian Vettel had no competition in Sunday evenings inaugural day/night Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. A brilliant win cemented his second place in the drivers world championship behind Brawn GPs Jenson Button, who enlivened the end of the race with a superb challenge to the second-placed Red Bull of Mark Webber in the closing stages. Hamilton led from pole and built a lead of 1.4s when he refuelled on the 17th lap. Vettel was able to run until the 20th, and emerged comfortably in the lead. Soon afterwards Hamiltons challenge ended when McLaren had to withdraw his car after the telemetry revealed a problem with the right rear brake pads which were suffering from excessive wear. Webber thus moved up to second, with Button at that stage a distant third ahead of Brawn GP team mate Rubens Barrichello. The Brazilian had run ahead of the Englishman on the opening lap but clipped Webbers left-rear wheel with the right-hand endplate of his front wing, causing understeer. Button overtook, and chased after Webber while, at one stage, unsuccessfully fending off impressive rookie Kamui Kobayashi, until the Toyota driver finally refuelled. In the closing stages Button found the softer Bridgestone option tyre cured the understeer hed had on the harder primes and homed in on Webber like a heat-seeking missile. On the final lap he drew alongside at the end of the 1.2km back straight, but Webber handled the situation beautifully, hogging the inside line and forcing Button to go to the outside where he didnt want to go. They ran side by side for a while, but the Australian was able to keep his second place by 0.6s. Behind them, the race was relatively uneventful. Nick Heidfeld signed off BMW Saubers tenure as a joint team with a solid fifth place ahead of Kobayashi, who proved to be the find of the second half of the season. Toyotas Jarno Trulli was seventh, two-stopping where Kobayashi stopped once, and Toro Rossos Sebastien Buemi survived a challenge and a brush with BMW Saubers Robert Kubica, which left the Pole spinning, to take the final point. Nico Rosberg was ninth for Williams with a recovered Kubica 10th. McLarens Heikki Kovalainen fought up from his 18th place start to take 11th, ahead of Kimi Raikkonens uncompetitive Ferrari, Kazuki Nakajimas Williams, Fernando Alonso who took his Renault until the 34th lap before his sole refuelling stop, and similarly single-stopping Vitantonio Liuzzi whose Force India was the last unlapped runner. Ferraris Giancarlo Fisichella jumped Romain Grosjeans Renault in the closing laps for 16th, and the Franco Swiss driver was so unsettled that Force Indias Adrian Sutil also sneaked by. Besides Hamilton, the only other retirement was Jaime Alguersuari. The Spaniard mistakenly tried to refuel in Vettels Red Bull pit instead of his own Toro Rosso camp and was frantically waved back round. He stopped soon after out on the track. n the constructors world championship, McLaren retained third place ahead of Ferrari, while Williams lost sixth at the last gasp by 1.5 points to BMW Sauber. \|\|\|\|\| Sebastian Vettel has won the final round of the 2009 season at the new Yas Marina circuit in Abu Dhabi, ahead of team-mate Mark Webber and world champion Jenson Button. McLaren's Lewis Hamilton, who started the inaugural twilight race from pole position and was favourite to win, retired in the first half of the race due to brake problems. Hamilton, who began in pole position, made an impressive start but soon came under pressure from Vettel, while Button overtook his team-mate Rubens Barrichello - who lost a front-wing endplate tagging Webber - for fourth on the opening lap. Hamilton set the pace on the opening laps, but Vettel began to reduce his advantage and stayed out later before his first pitstop, setting the race's fastest lap and allowing him to jump the McLaren and take the lead. Things got worse for Hamilton when he was told over the radio his car was suffering from a right-rear brake problem - and he was then forced to retire after just 21 laps. "I was struggling to stop the car," said Hamilton. "I do not know if it was a failure of some sort, but it was too dangerous to continue." The McLaren driver's retirement left Vettel leading from Webber, with Toyota substitute Kamui Kobayashi - replacing the injured Timo Glock - in third. Kobayashi had started from 12th place and was fuelled for just one stop. Button in fourth, had exited the pits ahead of the Toyota, but Kobayashi battled hard for position and got his car ahead. The Japanese driver later took his sole stop of the race, finishing in an impressive sixth position. At the halfway point of the race, Vettel looked set for a comfortable victory, with an advantage of over seven seconds on Webber, who ran wide while pushing hard to catch up, but rejoined the track. When the lead trio of Vettel, Webber and Button pitted for the second time they were able to maintain their positions. Button put on a late charge to challenge Webber, however, getting to within a second of the Red Bull. Adding a final flourish of drama to the season, Button was just centimetres away from Webber, who looked increasingly ragged, but the Brawn was unable to get past. Meanwhile Vettel, who had an 18-second lead, did not ease up, setting the fastest time of the race on the penultimate lap. The podium finishers were followed home at the flag by Barrichello in fourth and Heidfeld in fifth in what proved to be a largely uneventful grand prix at the new track. The result meant that Vettel held on to the runners-up position in the final drivers' standings, ahead of Barrichello. \|\|\|\|\| Sebastian Vettel scored his fourth victory of the season in Abu Dhabi to tie up second place in the drivers championship. The German finished out the season in style after inheriting the lead on lap 20 when Lewis Hamilton retired with brake problems. McLaren called him into the pits for safety reasons. Teammate Mark Webber followed Vettel home to record Red Bull's fourth clean sweep of the year. "You beauty Seb, you are fantastic. Thankyou," said team boss Christian Horner over the radio And the German shouted back in delight after securing runners-up spot in the driver’s championship. "Thankyou for a fantastic car guys, it was a pleasure." Despite a valiant effort to steal runners up spot on the very last lap new champion Jenson Button had to be content with third place. He ends the season with an 11 point lead, over VetteL second and teammate Rubens Barrichello, who was fourth on the track, third overall on 77 points. Advertisement - article continues below » There was next to no drama in one hour and 43 minutes of what only an ardent fan could call "action". Nick Heidfeld was fifth and Kamui Kobayashi one of the heros of the day as he handed Japan its only points of the year in sixth. This performance will have done a power of good for his chances of retaining his seat at Toyota, assuming they reappear in 2010. Jarno Trulli was seventh in the other Toyota and Sebastien Buemi eighth, both of them searching for drives next year. Hamilton was disappointed not to have teed up next year with victory that was easily within his grasp at the start, despite the hovering attentions of Vetel. "There was a problem with the brakes. I couldn't stop the car," said Hamilton. " I was locking and locking and locking it was harder than ever to drive the car. "It's a shame as the car felt so good these last couple of days, but we haven't had many brake problems this year so there you go. "But I still think the whole team should be really proud of how we have recovered this season." Win a Volkswagen Passat Saloon \|\|\|\|\| If you’re the proud owner of a cast-iron pan , then you already know what a good investment it is. Once well-seasoned, it can cook just about anything from pancakes to fried chicken, it can go from stovetop to oven with ease, it’s nearly indestructible, it’s inexpensive and it holds its heat like a dream. But if you’re just using your pan to cook the occasional burger, then you’re missing out; you really can cook pretty much anything in it.	File photo of Sebastian Vettel (2009) File photo of Michael Schumacher (2007) Seven-time Formula One world champion Michael Schumacher together with F1 racer Sebastian Vettel won the Nations Cup for Germany at the Race of Champions on Tuesday. The event was held at the Bird’s Nest stadium in Beijing, China. The winning duo beat the Brittish team of the new Formula One world champion Jenson Button and three-time World Touring Car champion Andy Priaulx. The individual contest was won by Mattias Ekstrom, former DTM champion, who defeated Schumacher on Wednesday. Red Bull driver Vettel also won the FIA Formula One 2009 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix earlier on November 1st at Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Pole-sitter Lewis Hamilton was overtaken by Vettel after his first pit stop and then was forced to return to the pits soon after and quit the race after suffering a brakes problem. Sebastian Vettel driving at 2009 Abu Dhabi GP Vettel's teammate and winner of the previous Grand Prix Mark Webber came second and the current season champion Jenson Button won the third place on the podium for Brawn GP after pushing Webber very hard on the dying laps of the race with a gap of about half a second at the finish line. Rubens Barrichello was able to mantain 4th place, having been overtaken only by his teammate Button. Nick Heidfeld took fifth in BMW 's final race. Both Toyota cars of Kamui Kobayashi and Jarno Trulli also drove the full race to finish on the back of Heidfeld. Sébastien Buemi closed the top eight for Toro Rosso. Thus, Sebastian Vettel took the second place in the championship from Barrichello at the finale of 2009 season. Vettel claimed he will aim to become a champion next year. "There is only one step we can make for the team ranking, for the constructors, as well as for the drivers' championship, for myself. So there is no question about the target," Vettel said after the race.
Weak results from Virgin Media last week, showing that the cable company continues to lose ground to rival Sky, has caused one of its more aggressive investors to demand a meeting with management. The move is part of a growing sense of unease among the company's shareholders at the firm's direction. Already confused after last year's abortive attempt by management to buy ITV, shareholders fear the company is losing its battle against competitors including Rupert Murdoch's satellite empire and Carphone Warehouse's TalkTalk. In a filing with the US markets regulator, New Jersey-based Franklin Mutual Advisers, which has a 9.4% stake in Virgin Media, said that in view of the results for the first quarter, it wanted discussions with Virgin about its "strategic direction, corporate governance and management". Last week the cable company admitted it lost 47,000 customers in the first three months of the year and warned that more are likely to defect after Sky removed its channels, including Sky One, from cable households two months ago. In the same period Sky added 51,000 customers. A spokeswoman for Franklin refused to comment further on exactly what the investment house wants to discuss with Virgin's management, but the company is well known for taking an active interest in the performance of the businesses in which it invests. It is the largest shareholder in the Franco-Spanish tobacco business Altadis, which is the subject of a bidding war. Another Virgin Media shareholder warned yesterday that a rebellion could be brewing. He said: "The company has underperformed expectations and shareholders are frustrated both by that underperformance but also by the undervaluation of the stock." \|\|\|\|\| '); //--> E-Mail \| Comments \| E-Mail Newsletters \| RSS AFX News Limited Virgin Media investor calls for talks after poor Q1 results - report LONDON (Thomson Financial) - Virgin Media investor Franklin Mutual Advisers is seeking talks with the cable group after it posted poor first-quarter results, according to newspaper reports which follow a filing by Franklin with the Securities Exchange Commission last week. Franklin said in its filing that it may want to talk to Virgin Media about its strategic direction, corporate governance and management. The investor now holds 9.4 pct of the group, making it the biggest investor behind Sir Richard Branson with 11 pct. Last week the group delivered an operating loss of 15.3 mln stg in the first three months of 2007, compared to a 9.2 mln stg profit in the fourth quarter of 2006, after spending some 25 mln stg on advertising after changing its name from NTL (nasdaq: NTLI - news - people ) in early February. kathy.sandler@thomson.com ks/hjp COPYRIGHT Copyright AFX News Limited 2007. All rights reserved. The copying, republication or redistribution of AFX News Content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of AFX News. Neither the Subscriber nor AFX News warrants the completeness or accuracy of the Service or the suitability of the Service as a trading aid and neither accepts any liability for losses howsoever incurred. The content on this site, including news, quotes, data and other information, is provided by AFX News and its third party content providers for your personal information only, and neither AFX News nor its third party content providers shall be liable for any errors, inaccuracies or delays in content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon. More On This Topic Companies: VMED \| NTLI Article Controls E-Mail \| Comments \| E-Mail Newsletters del.icio.us \| Digg It! \| My Yahoo! \| RSS Related Sections Home > News & Analysis '); //--> News Headlines \| More From Forbes.com \| Special Reports Subscriptions >	Virgin Media announced weak results last week, in part due to competition from Sky. Virgin Media lost 47,000 customers from January to March 2007, while Sky gained 51,000 customers in the same time period. Franklin Mutual Advisers, which has 9.4% of the Virgin Media shares (Sir Richard Branson owns 11%) wants to have a meeting with Virgin Media about its "strategic direction, corporate governance and management". Franklin Mutual Advisers is known to take great interest in the companies in which it invests. This has caused many of the other investors of Virgin Media to demanding meetings with the management of the company. The demands are due to confusion among shareholders at the direction in which the company is heading, ''The Guardian'' reports. After the attempt to buy ITV was stopped last year, the shareholders think that Virgin Media may lose its battle with Sky and TalkTalk. Another issue causing concerns amongst investors is the £25.2 million pay cheques for the top seven executives of Virgin Media. Virgin Media reported a £15.3 million loss last year.
Many of the victims were reported to be police officers At least 20 people, including eight policemen, were also wounded in the bombing, the interior ministry says. There has been an upsurge in violence in Algeria in recent months. About 40 people died in suicide attacks in Algiers in December. Al-Qaeda's North African wing said it carried out those twin bombings - whose victims included 17 UN staff. The Naciria attack occurred at 0700 (0600 GMT) on Wednesday. "A suicide bomber drove into the police station at the wheel of a booby-trapped car, causing major damage to the building," an eyewitness told AFP news agency. No group has so far said claimed the attack. Violence has increased in Algeria since the main Islamist rebel group, the Salafist Group for Preaching and Combat (GSPC), changed its name to al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb early last year. The group has its roots in the bitter Algerian civil war of the 1990s. Besides the 11 December bombing of UN offices, it said it carried out attacks that killed more than 50 people in early September, and blasts that killed at least 23 people in the capital in April. \|\|\|\|\| By Lamine Chikhi ALGIERS (Reuters) - A car rammed into a police station in Algeria on Wednesday and exploded, killing four policemen and injuring 20 people, state radio said. Al Qaeda's north African wing said the Toyota laden with at least 500 kg (1100 lbs) of explosives was driven by one of its members, according to a recorded statement aired by Al Arabiya television. The blast left a crater three meters (three yards) wide, wrecked the outside of the building and damaged nearby homes, shops and a cafe in the town of Naciria, about 120 km (75 miles) east of Algiers, witnesses said. "This morning at 7 a.m. one of the lions of the al Qaeda Organization in the Islamic Maghreb, martyrdom-seeker Abdullah, ... drove (his car) into the judicial police quarters," a man told the Arabic TV news station. He identified himself as Salah Abou Mohammad, a spokesman for the group. An earlier Interior Ministry statement did not specify whether it was a suicide car bomb. "We heard the loud thump of the blast at 7.15 a.m. (0615 GMT)," said one resident, who did not want to be named. "A Toyota car was used in the bombing which killed four policemen and injured 20 people," state radio said. Continued... \|\|\|\|\| January 02. 2008 6:01PM Algeria Car Bomb Kills 4 Police Officers By HASSANE MEFTAHI Associated Press Writer A man stands by a seriously damaged building in Naciria, in the Boumerdes region, 50 kilometers (31 miles) east of Algiers, Algeria Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2008. Three people were killed and 7 other injured when a large car sped toward a police station and exploded at its doors early Wednesday morning, according to witnesses in a town east of the Algerian capital. The building seen in the picture is not the Naciria police station. (AP Photo/Ouahab Hebbat) Advertisement ALGIERS, Algeria A car bomb exploded near a police station in a town east of the Algerian capital Wednesday, killing at least four officers and injuring 20 people, officials and witnesses said. The blast followed twin suicide bombings on Dec. 11 at U.N. offices and a government building that killed at least 37 people in the capital of Algiers. A journalist and another resident in the city of Naciria said the car sped toward the police station and exploded. The two, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they feared for their safety, said the attack appeared to be a suicide bombing. The Interior Ministry said the attack killed at least four police officers and injured 20, including eight police officers. The ministry provided no details other than to say that the bombing was near the police station in the town about 45 miles east of Algiers. The explosion tore off the front of the police station and damaged neighboring buildings. Security forces cordoned off the rubble-strewn ruins. Security forces have been on maximum alert since earlier this week, after three trucks were stolen in the Algiers region, the newspaper Liberte reported Wednesday. The vehicles included a fuel tanker, and officials fear they might be used in suicide attacks, the report said. Al-Arabiya satellite TV had reported that al-Qaida's North Africa branch claimed responsibility for the attack, but the claim couldn't immediately be confirmed with officials. The group, known as al-Qaida in Islamic North Africa, emerged from an alliance between Osama bin Laden's international terrorist network and an Algerian Islamist movement known as the Salafist Group for Call and Combat. The suicide bombings in December and others in April also were claimed by al-Qaida in Islamic North Africa. Al-Qaida in Islamic North Africa has increasing used vehicles packed with explosives to deliver its strikes. In July, a suicide bomber blew up a truck inside a military barracks southeast of Algiers, killing 10 soldiers. Two months later, at least 28 people died after an explosives-packed vehicle rammed into a coast guard barracks in the northern town of Dellys. Meanwhile Wednesday, Le Soir newspaper said security forces have detained the mastermind behind the April 11 attacks that hit the Algerian prime minister's office and a police station, killing 33 people. Police picked up the 28-year-old suspect at his Algiers home overnight Saturday, the report cited an unidentified security official as saying. The official said the suspect chose the targets, recruited the suicide bombers and bought the substances used to make the explosives. It was not clear whether he was implicated in any other attacks, the newspaper said. Officials with national security forces declined to comment on the report. Algeria's Islamic insurgency broke out in the early 1990s, when the army canceled the second round of the country's first multiparty elections to prevent likely victory by an Islamic fundamentalist party. Armed groups then turned to force to overthrow the government, and up to 200,000 people were killed in the ensuing violence. Until recently, the insurgency had been dying down, with militants' ranks dwindling after military crackdowns and amnesty offers. But in late 2006, the main Algerian militant group allied with al-Qaida and began to wage larger-scale bombings and target foreigners - signs that Islamic fighters were regrouping.	A map of Algeria, where the bombing took place. A police station has been hit by a bomb in , which is in the northern part of Algeria and is about 50 km east of the Algerian capital Algiers. According to reports, at least 4 people are dead and several are injured. Full details have not yet been released. The bomb went off at about 0600 UTC (7 AM local time) today. It is currently not clear whether the bombing was caused by a or a . The bombing, although less serious than the which killed 40 people, is likely to raise suspicions that violence has not ended in Algeria. It is the first bombing to hit Algeria since the bombings in early December. The bombing was announced in a statement by a spokesman for the Algerian Interior Ministry in which the following was said - "There has been an attack with explosives near a police station in Naciria. The attack left three dead and seven wounded." Frequent terrorism first hit Algeria after measures were carried out by the government to stop a party winning the elections. That party has now been banned. A witness of the event said that the majority of injuries hit police officers and not the general public.
Mr Osman was a well-respected elder statesman He was also the first African leader to voluntarily relinquish his post after he lost the 1967 presidential election - Somalia's last democratic poll. Siad Barre seized power two years later and since he was ousted in 1991 rival warlords have fought for control. Mr Osman was a well-respected leader and emerged as an elder statesman in attempts to establish lasting peace. His family says he was very unhappy with the current crisis and his dream was to see Somalia attain peace and stability. Mr Osman rose to prominence as a nationalist politician in the 1950s. He was elected head of state when the former British and Italian Somali colonies joined to form the Republic of Somalia in 1960. Some Somali leaders have remembered him as a simple, down-to-earth person. \|\|\|\|\| By Guled Mohamed MOGADISHU (Reuters) - The first post-independence African leader to peacefully hand over power, Somalia's first President Adan Abdulle Osman, has died aged 99, the interim Somali government said on Saturday. Osman, Somalia's only effective democratically elected leader, died in a hospital in the Kenyan capital Nairobi on Friday. "He played a crucial role in both domestic and foreign politics. He democratically led the country in a just way," government spokesman Abdi Haji Gobdon said. A nationalist politician during the colonial era, Osman was elected president in 1960, after the former Italian colony of Somalia and British Somaliland merged to form the modern state. He stepped down after his defeat at polls in 1967, becoming the first African leader in the post-colonial era to do so and the last in any effective Somali government since then. Two years later, dictator Mohamed Siad Barre seized power and ruled until 1991, when warlords toppled him and ushered in anarchy that the current interim government -- the 14th attempt at national rule since then -- is trying to end. Somalia's cabinet voted on Saturday to rename the Mogadishu international airport the Adan Abdulle Osman International Airport of Mogadishu, Gobdon said. The country will also observe a 21-day mourning period while the government plans a state funeral for him, he said. Osman is survived by eight children.	, the first President of Somalia died last week from natural causes in a Nairobi hospital. He was 99. Born in 1908 in Beledweyne, Hiiraan region in the , Osman was elected as the first President of Somalia in 1960 and served till 1967, when he was he was defeated by . He spent his later years in Janale in southern Somalia and in May 2007 it was erroneously reported that he died in a hospital in Nairobi, Kenya. It was later clarified, however, that he was on life support, in critical condition, but had not yet died. The declared 21 days of mourning and said that he would receive a state funeral. It also voted to rename after him. Osman is survived by eight children.
We are all profoundly happy at the arrival of our new and endearing cub here at San Diego. Already we have witnessed new and different aspects of this birth and cub compared with our previous two, pointing out that we still have much to learn. Another opportunity raised by this birth is to highlight the larger picture of captive breeding and conservation of pandas worldwide. Shortly after I witnessed the birth of the cub at 9:57 on Tuesday night I began to reflect on how much things have changed in the past ten years. In 1995 when I began my 10-year relationship with the Wolong Breeding Center in the mountains of Sichuan, China, the picture was a very different one. Each year the center produced at most a cub or two. Only two males would mate and only one reliably. Artificial insemination techniques were still being developed. Some mothers did not seem to know how to care for cubs. Globally, the captive population was shrinking, with deaths exceeding births. The famous giant panda scientist, George Schaller, had recently concluded in his book that the outlook for pandas both in the wild and captivity was bleak. Today, all that has changed. Beginning in 1995 the San Diego Zoo began to send a team of CRES (Conservation and Research for Endangered Species) researchers and animal care personnel to Wolong. I studied behavior and other CRES scientists worked on problems of nutrition, endocrinology, and veterinary science. Their staff also came to San Diego to work with us here extensively in various specialties. There we developed working relationships and binding friendships. For several years I spent every breeding and birth season in Wolong, studying behavior and working with the staff to come up with improved husbandry and management. I can’t count the hours I’ve spent standing in the cold sleet and rain watching and learning about this endearing animal. In between the work hours I dined with my Chinese coworkers, played games, and resurrected a childhood love of basketball—it was the first time in my life I was considered tall enough to play center! I remember some tragedies as well as successes. One cold September night in 1997 Ershiyi Hao gave birth to twins. From the get-go she was fearful. She approached and sniffed them, then ran away to a corner of the pen and paced around. “What are these crying, squirming things and what am I supposed to do with them?” she seemed to say. Both cubs had to be rescued and reared in the nursery. They made a heroic effort, even trying to return the cubs to the mother several times, but the end was certain. Without the mother the cubs would die. Ten days later they did. Even today there has only been a handful of cubs reared successfully without the mother, though twin swapping so that each cub is half mother-reared and half nursery-reared is almost always successful. Spurred by this tragedy we made plans for the next time. The following September we got our chance. Ershiyi Hao gave birth to a single cub and again reacted with fear and bewilderment. This time when we pulled the cub for nursery-rearing we began to work on the mother immediately. To habituate her to the sounds and smells of her cub, we recorded and played back the cub’s cries to her and gave her a stuffed panda toy rolled in the cub’s urine. And almost to our surprise she began to pick up, hold and “comfort” this surrogate cub, often spending most of her time cradling it. Eventually, we slowly gave the cub back to the mother, first allowing it to nurse for a while and returning it to the nursery, but finally giving the cub over to her completely. The cub survived and thrived and Ershiyi Hao is now a grandmother. The other success stories are numerous and compelling. Today at Wolong everything is different. The pandas live more enriched lives, often in semi-natural enclosures, and always exposed to lots of stimulating opportunities and “enrichment.” We have also found the recipe for success in getting pandas to do “what comes naturally.” Through careful management of social interactions—especially opportunities for olfactory communication through scent marking—we have figured how to get this species, solitary throughout most of the year, to come together for mating in the 2-3 day window of opportunity each spring. Today almost all pandas in Wolong mate naturally, and on the occasion that they don’t, artificial insemination is a highly successful backup. Today it is exceedingly rare to lose a cub and mothers routinely rear their own cubs without intervention, with the exception of twins, where they need help. These days I don’t spend so much time in Wolong. Our very capable staff, who write most of these blog entries, took my place for awhile, but mostly the Wolong staff carries out their highly successful business of producing more pandas. Since 1996,when they had about 25 pandas, they’ve produced 50-some cubs. They’ve also established a “reintroduction pen,” where they raise cubs intended for release back into the wild. Today the captive population is secure and stands ready to reinforce the wild population where necessary. Better still, the Chinese government has made tremendous efforts to set aside more land for pandas, establishing more than 30 new reserves to secure the remaining 1,600 or so wild pandas. With our newest addition to the panda family at the San Diego Zoo, I think this is an excellent time to reflect on these changes. The real message is that such a birth, while exciting and inspiring, is now commonplace. No longer enshrouded in mystery, the panda is now an animal that we understand, yet we still have more to learn. I am thankful for and indebted to our collaborators in Wolong. Without these experiences our panda team would not be so well prepared to breed pandas here in San Diego. Ron Swaisgood is a scientist with the San Diego Zoo’s Office of Giant Panda Conservation. View Bai Yun and her cub on Panda Cam. \|\|\|\|\| The suspect in the fatal shooting of eight people at day spas in and around Atlanta indicated he had issues with sexual addiction and the shootings may have not been motivated by racial hatred, law enforcement officials said. \|\|\|\|\| Wed Aug 3, 2:09 PM ET SAN DIEGO - A 13-year-old giant panda gave birth to a cub at San Diego Zoo, but a second fetus died in the womb, officials said Wednesday. Bai Yun gave birth shortly before 10 p.m. Tuesday after being in labor for three hours. The birth less than a month after another cub was born at the National Zoo in Washington was captured on closed-circuit television in the Giant Panda Research Station birthing den. However, hope of a third panda birth was dashed as Zoo Atlanta announced that tests showed its panda was not pregnant. There are only about 1,600 giant pandas in captivity and in the wild, zoo officials said. San Diego Zoo officials said the cub weighed 4 ounces, the size of a stick of butter. The gender will not be known for some time because zoo officials don't want to disrupt mother and child. "The birth of a giant panda cub is definitely something to celebrate," said Yadira Galindo, the zoo's spokeswoman. Breeding pandas in captivity is a particularly difficult process, in part because females are in heat for only a day or two a year, and many cubs do not survive infancy. It wasn't until 1999, when Bai Yun had a female cub, Hua Mei, that a panda born in a U.S. survived into adulthood. Bai Yun successfully gave birth to a second cub, a male, in 2003. Two fetuses were detected last month during a routine check of Bai Yun, who had mated with a male in April. However, on Monday the zoo's veterinary staff said one of the fetuses had died in the womb. Experts said it appears to be common for giant pandas to conceive twins and then lose one fetus; the same thing happened during Bai Yun's 2003 pregnancy. The panda born Tuesday joins a cub born July 9 at the National Zoo in Washington. Zoo officials there announced Tuesday that they had finally been able to examine the little creature while the panda's mother, 6-year-old Mei Xiang, left the den to eat, and determined it is male. Last month, Zoo Atlanta officials had said their 7-year-old giant panda, Lun Lun, was showing symptoms of a possible pregnancy. She had been artificially inseminated in March. But spokeswoman Jacqueline Petty said Wednesday that experts had determined this week that it was a false pregnancy. "We would have been ecstatic" if Lun Lun were pregnant, Petty said. The zoo had already set up a nursery and built a special bed for the giant panda to give birth on, she said. Lun Lun can't try for cubs again until mating season next spring, Petty said. However, Zoo Atlanta officials were thrilled by the births in San Diego and Washington. "A birth somewhere else is like a birth here," said Petty. Gestation in giant pandas has been estimated at 97 to 163 days, making it difficult to predict a birth date accurately. ___ On the Net: San Diego Zoo: http://www.sandiegozoo.org/zoo/ex_panda_station.html National Zoo: http://nationalzoo.si.edu/Animals/GiantPandas Zoo Atlanta: http://www.zooatlanta.com/animals(underscore)giant(underscore)panda.htm	File photo from 2001 of Hua Mei, a baby giant panda born at the San Diego Zoo on August 21, 1999. A new giant panda cub has been born at the San Diego Zoo. Bai Yun, a 13-year-old giant panda, gave birth at 9:57 p.m. on Tuesday to a cub weighing four ounces (113.5 grams). "Bai Yun immediately tended to her squawking infant," said Suzanne Hall, a panda research technician at the San Diego Zoo who observed the births of Bai Yun’s other cubs in 1999 and 2003. The cub is the second to be born in the United States this year. In Washington, Mei Xiang gave birth to a male panda cub at the National Zoo last month after artificial insemination. According to Hall, early ultrasound images indicated Bai Yun was pregnant with twins. However, zoo personnel became suspicious that one fetus was no longer viable after veterinarians failed to detect a heartbeat in one cub last week. Bai Yun failed to give birth to a second cub Tuesday evening. "It is likely that the second fetus died in utero and was reabsorbed by her body," Hall said. Panda behavioral researchers will be watching the pair 24 hours a day for three weeks to record and assess the mother-infant relationship. The new cub has not yet been named. The gender of the cub will be unknown until zoo staff can safely check.
ISN SECURITY WATCH (04/03/05) - China has announced plans to increase its military budget this year by a massive 12.6 per cent to modernize the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), the largest standing army in the world. The Chinese State Council has proposed to parliament a US$29.98 billion national defense budget for the current fiscal year, and parliament is scheduled to discuss the proposal on Saturday. The military budget hike comes as parliament is also set to debate an “anti-secession law” aimed at curbing any bid by Taiwan for formal independence from mainland China. Chinese parliamentary spokesman Jiang Enzhu was quoted by Agence France Presse as saying that the anti-secession law was not intended to “start hostilities with Taiwan”, nor did it represent a “war mobilization order”. But he warned the separatist activities of pro-independence forces in Taiwan. Chinese President Hu Jintao was quick to downplay the anti-secession law, saying: “We will continue efforts with utmost sincerity to seek the prospects of peaceful reunification with Taiwan,” Xinhua news agency reported. Parliament is expected to approve the anti-secession law during its 12-day session, which ends on 14 March. In the meantime, Taiwan's pro-independence President Chen Shui-bian has offered his own warnings, saying that Taipei would introduce an “anti-annexation” law in response, and would consider holding a referendum on independence to counter China’s anti-secession legislation. The increased military budget proposal has also sparked concern in the US, which fears a Chinese invasion of Taiwan. Washington has committed itself to defending Taiwan in the event of an attack by mainland China. Chinese officials have sought to downplay the budget increase, saying that the much of the funding would go to cover soldiers’ salaries and the social costs of retiring some 2 million military personnel, though some would also be earmarked for military training and modern weaponry. Jiang also pointed out that despite the proposed increase, China’s defense spending would still be relatively modest. “This is still a fairly small amount compared with the military spending of other major countries in the world,” Jiang said in a statement. China has announced large increases in military spending nearly every year for more than a decade, with defense spending rising by more than 17 per cent in 2001 and 2002, in the country’s bid to transform the military into a high-tech force. But in 2003, defense spending fell by 9.6 per cent - according to official figures - before rising to 11.6 per cent last year. Taiwan is also reportedly considering a US$15 billion arms budget to purchase submarines, anti-missile systems, and submarine-hunting aircraft to counter a possible offensive from China. Taiwan’s defense budget for 2005 is almost a third of Beijing's official budget. (By Animesh Roul in New Delhi) » Reference links » Current issues links » Earlier news \|\|\|\|\| China: No independence for Taiwan BEIJING, China -- Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao opened the annual session of the National People's Congress in Beijing by saying a planned anti-secession law would never permit independence for Taiwan. Addressing the gathering of almost 3,000 delegates in the vast Great Hall of the People on Saturday, Wen said the law reflects the "strong determination of the Chinese people to ... never allow secessionist forces working for `Taiwan independence' to separate Taiwan from China." But in his two-hour speech Wen gave few details of a law that could provide a legal basis for an attack on the island. China has considered Taiwan a renegade province since communist forces drove nationalists from the mainland in 1949, and has repeatedly threatened to use military power against the island if it declares independence. At the start of the 10-day meeting, Wen also mentioned efforts to rein in the country's red-hot economy, as well as the need to maintain social stability in China. The NPC is the highest organ of state power in China and meets to approve major new policy directions, laws, the budget, and major personnel changes. Although the congress is widely considered to be a "rubber stamp" for central government policy, active debate is becoming more common at the sessions, although still tightly controlled. Cross Strait tensions Ties have improved between Taipei and Beijing, at least on a commercial level, with special charter flights between the two for recent Lunar New Year holidays. But the proposed new law is worrying people in Taiwan, where more than 80 percent oppose it, according to an opinion poll conducted by the National Chengchi University in February. "A dark cloud now overshadows the atmosphere of reconciliation," Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian said Tuesday in a videoconference with European lawmakers and academics. But analysts are playing down concerns, which will likely be "fairly mild in its wording," according to Kenneth Lieberthal, an expert in China and Taiwan relations. Another analyst said the proposed law would not be a pretext for invasion. "Taiwan-China relations will be peaceful for a long time to come," Andy Xie, Chief Economist at Morgan Stanley, told CNN. Economy Wen also pledged to keep the world's seventh-largest economy growing but without letting it "overheat" by maintaining "stable and healthy" monetary and fiscal policies. China, which is trying to overhaul ailing banks and find jobs for millions of workers laid off from state firms, is aiming for slower growth of 8 percent in 2005. In past years, China has aimed for 7 percent, but usually topped that figure. China's gross domestic product grew 9.5 percent in 2004. Wen said he would keep a tight grip on economic controls and push ahead with reforms to its yuan currency, fixed at about 8.28 per dollar. The government is also aiming to close a widening income gap between China's rural hinterland and increasingly affluent coastal cities, which have sparked violent protests. Wen said all farm taxes will be eliminated next year and promised that by 2007 every Chinese child can receive nine years of schooling -- an extraordinary commitment in a country where incomes per person average just US$1,000 (euro700) a year. Children from poor families will be exempt from most fees and receive free textbooks, the premier said, although he didn't make clear whether they will still have to pay tuition. "Solving the problems facing agriculture, rural areas and farmers remains a top priority of our work," Wen said, according to the Associated Press. The session will also see power consolidated for China's new generation of leaders, headed by Chinese President Hu Jintao. Former President Jiang Zemin will give up his last post as chairman of the State Central Military Commission. The move is a largely symbolic gesture, as Jiang already stepped down from a more powerful military position in September. The session also coincides with reports that Hong Kong Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa plans to resign. Hong Kong newspapers reported this week the deeply unpopular leader was likely to cite ill health as a reason for quitting. (Full story) \|\|\|\|\| Taiwan Plans Protests in Response to Chinese Anti-Secession Law A group of Taiwanese students demonstrate their opposition to China's anti-secession law during a sit-in outside the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall in Taipei Politicians in Taiwan are bitterly denouncing a proposed Chinese law explicitly forbidding any Taiwanese moves toward independence and large protests are planned for Sunday. The response comes after China placed Taiwan at the top of its annual legislative agenda Saturday. Taiwanese of all political stripes are gearing up for mass protests against the proposed Chinese anti-secession law. Come Sunday, more than 50,000 people are expected to join a series of marches and demonstrations in Taipei and Kaohsiung. At issue is China's new anti-secession law, expected to pass at the current National People's Congress, which opened Saturday in Beijing. The exact contents of the law remain under wraps but the order is expected to authorize military action if Taiwan declares formal independence from the mainland. Although Beijing claims Taiwan as its own, the island has been self-governing since 1949 following the communist victory in China's civil war. Opening China's annual legislative session Saturday, Prime Minister Wen Jiabao made clear reunification with Taiwan is a priority. "The draft of the law we will review reflects our commitment to work for peaceful reunification, honestly and with great effort," said Wen Jiabao. But leaders in Taiwan have already rejected China's assurances this is not a prelude to possible aggression. Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council Friday issued a statement saying military intimidation is replacing goodwill and could have grave consequences for relations. Taiwan is apparently considering a host of responses depending on the final language of the law. Arthur Ding is a research fellow at Taiwan's National Chenchi University. "It all depends on the wording of the anti secession law if the wording is very strong, our response might also be very strong," said Arthur Ding. Even Taiwan's bitterly divided, political camps say they are united against the new Chinese policy. Ruling and opposition lawmakers came forward Friday with a rare joint resolution calling on Beijing to reconsider the anti-secession legislation.	China opposes independence for Taiwan. The People's Republic of China government plans to pass an anti-secession law, aimed at preventing a declaration of Taiwan independence. The law shows the "strong determination of the Chinese people" and will "never allow secessionist forces working for 'Taiwan independence' to succeed at breaking away from the mainland" according to an announcement made by China's Premier Wen Jiabao at the National People's Congress in Beijing. The Chinese State Council is also planning to increase the country's military budget by 12.6 percent, to US$29.98 billion, for the current fiscal year. Great Hall of the People The anti-secession law, as well as the military budget increase will both be discussed during the parliamentary meetings which begin today, and continue for the next 12 days. Over 3,000 delegates assembled in the Great Hall of the People today to listen to Wen's two hour speech and begin discussions. Taiwanese politicians reacted with disappointment to the planned anti-secession law, and promised protests in the streets of Taipei and Kaohsiung this Sunday. Taiwan's President Chen Shui-bian even threatened to introduce an "anti-annexation" law to oppose China's move.
By Nick Harris at Wimbledon Wednesday, 25 June 2008 There were ruffled feathers and no small amount of flapping at the world's most genteel tennis tournament yesterday after a threat of legal action from animal rights lobbyists over the culling of pigeons that had the temerity to bother some players. As The Independent revealed on Monday, marksmen armed with rifles and employed by The All England Club spent part of Sunday evening stalking the grounds. Several birds were killed. Wimbledon usually uses a hawk to scare away the troublesome creatures. But some players had complained that they were being dive-bombed and rapid action was deemed necessary before the gates opened to the public. Yesterday, the club was reported to the Metropolitan Police wildlife crime unit for alleged infringement of the Animal Welfare Act 2006. In a letter to the club's chairman, Tim Phillips, from Bruce Friedrich, the vice- president of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (Peta), which bills itself as "the world's largest animal rights organisation", the club was warned it could face court action for shooting pigeons. The letter says: "The wildlife crime unit of the Metropolitan Police has also advised us that in its view, pigeons qualify as protected animals under the Act." Peta has asked the club to "order an immediate halt to this cruel and illegal behaviour". The club has made no formal response but it is understood it will respond after the tournament. It is expected to say that guns were raised only as a last resort. The club is not expecting that police will swoop into action imminently. Mr Friedrich wrote in his letter: "What seems to have happened is that since you last updated your protocol for dealing with pigeons, a law was passed – the Animal Welfare Act 2006 – that you must not know about... Lethal control can only be used if the target species presents a demonstrable risk to public health and safety. [The club] will have to be able to present evidence in a court of law which confirms, beyond any reasonable doubt, that a real and severe risk to public health existed prior to using lethal controls." The club also took action on Sunday to eradicate a swarm of bees. They too were seen as a threat to players' welfare. \|\|\|\|\| Move over bullfighting hunting , and dogfighting —there's a new blood sport in town: Wimbledon Tennis . Yep, you read that correctly: The oldest tennis championship in the world—the home of manicured green grass courts and lily white uniforms—now has a blood-red body count. Don't go jumping to conclusions: It's not that PETA friend John McEnroe has unleashed his infamous temper on the court. No, the crime here is far more serious than a few choice expletives hurled at an intractable tournament official. Hold on to your strawberries and (vegan) cream for this one—it seems that Wimbledon has hired sharpshooters to kill pigeons. And what crime did these pigeons commit to merit capital punishment? They pooped. More specifically, they pooped on some tables in an open-air restaurant frequented by media folks who cover Wimbledon matches. Now, I'm no expert in the area of pigeon control, but here's an idea: How about getting a few patio umbrellas? Call me Einstein, but I'd guess that my solution is a whole lot cheaper—in terms of money and lives. And even if Wimbledon officials don't give a whit about compassion or public opinion, here's something else that they might consider: Their actions seem to be illegal, as in they're likely breaking the law. A U.K. law passed in 2006 prohibits "lethal control" of animals, except as a last resort. PETA Vice President Bruce Friedrich had more than a few choice words for Wimbledon, but here are a few that we can print: Since the use of marksmen to kill pigeons appears to have been carried out as a first, rather than a last resort, and not out of a concern for public health, but rather because the animals were deemed inconvenient by players, you appear to be in clear violation of the law. Posted by Grace Friedan	A pigeon Animal rights activists have complained after officials from the shot down , allegedly because they were an inconvenience to players. This move was possibly illegal under Animal Welfare Act 2006, which prevents using lethal force unless it is used as a last resort. ''Wikinews'' spoke to Bruce Friedrich, Vice President of , which has campaigned against the move. He said that "killing animals so quickly and for such frivolous reasons is cruel, illegal, and won’t work." ''Wikinews'' has also been told by Friedrich that "the should still be prosecuted for cruelty to animals, since they broke the law and should be held accountable."The Wimbledon championships is the most popular tennis event in the UK Violation of the Animal Welfare act carries a maximum sentence of "imprisonment for a term not exceeding 51 weeks" or a fine "not exceeding £20,000" Wikinews has also been given a copy of the letter sent to Wimbledon officials. Below is the text of the first paragraph: The All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club (which runs the Wimbledon Championships) has not yet released a statement regarding the incident, although '''' has reported that one will be made after the tournament.
Son of Indian immigrants sworn in as Louisiana governor BATON ROUGE, Louisiana (AFP) — Piyush "Bobby" Jindal, the son of Punjabi immigrants, was sworn in Monday as the governor of Louisiana, becoming the first Indian-American ever elected a state governor and the first non-white governor of Louisiana. A rising star nationally in Republican Party, at 36 Jindal also became the nation's youngest governor, succeeding the southern state's outgoing Democratic governor, Kathleen Babineaux Blanco. Since 2004 a Republican member of the House of Representatives, Jindal called for an end to the state's image of governmental corruption and ineptitude, and appealed for tens of thousands of residents displaced by two devastating hurricanes in 2005 to return to Louisiana. "We must win a war on corruption and incompetence in government," he said as he was sworn in in the state capital. "It must be the first thing that we do." Born in Baton Rouge in 1971 to recent immigrants from India's northern Punjab state, Jindal's career in the southern state once known for deep racial differences has been meteoric. His father, an engineer and one of nine children of a poor rural family, came to the United States so that his mother could continue her graduate work in nuclear physics. Jindal took easily to US culture. As a boy, he adopted his nickname "Bobby" from a character on "The Brady Bunch" television show. As a teenager, he converted to Roman Catholicism from Hinduism. He completed Baton Rouge High School at just 16, and then attended Brown University, where he graduated with honors in biology and public policy. From there he studied at Oxford University as a Rhodes scholar, graduating in 1994. The next year, he was appointed secretary of Louisiana's Department of Health and Hospitals, which employs 12,000 people, at just 24. In 1999 he became president of the University of Louisiana System, which educates some 80,000 student a year, before being named by President George W. Bush as a top policy advisor in the federal Department of Health and Human Services. In his first major political setback, Jindal was narrowly defeated by Blanco when ran for governor in 2003. But he was then elected to Congress in 2004 from a suburban New Orleans district, and won reelection in 2006, one year after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita devastated New Orleans and put a harsh spotlight on state and local government incompetence -- opening the door for his second quest for the governor's office. On Monday Jindal vowed to call the legislature into session next month to enact comprehensive ethics reform and promised a "fresh start" for a state that is both struggling to shed a legacy of political corruption and to rebuild from the 2005 hurricanes. The two issues are closely related. Skeptics in Washington have expressed misgivings about sending billions of dollars in federal aid to the state because of its reputation for mismanagement. He also vowed to continue improvements to the state's woeful education system. "As I have said before, we can change, we must change, we will change," Jindal said, repeating his campaign motto. He has some advantages on his side. Since his election, he and Blanco put aside party loyalties to secure billions of dollars in hurricane relief funds. Blanco opted not to seek a second four-year term as governor amid widespread criticism over her response to Hurricane Katrina. That means that Jindal takes office with the state enjoying an enviable budget surplus of 3.3 billion dollars, a sum which includes federal hurricane aid. Importantly, Jindal also is the first Louisiana governor in more than 30 years who does not inherit a state legislature controlled by allies of former governor Edwin Edwards, who is serving a prison sentence on corruption charges. "If you were going to script a play about Louisiana's best chances for reform, you couldn't line up the planets in a more favorable way than this," said Clancy DuBos, a political analyst for WWL-TV in New Orleans. Copyright © 2013 AFP. All rights reserved. More » \|\|\|\|\| Governor-elect Bobby Jindal and his wife Supriya walk to the podium Monday, Jan. 14, 2008 at the start of his inauguration ceremony on the steps of the Louisiana State Capitol in Baton Rouge, La. Jindal became the first elected Indian-American governor in the United States. (AP Photo/Tim Mueller) Jindal Pledges to End La. Corruption BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — Pledging to make a "clean break with the past" and root out corruption, Republican Bobby Jindal tried to separate himself from politics as usual as he was sworn in as Louisiana's governor Monday. Jindal, the nation's first elected Indian-American chief executive and the state's first non-white governor since Reconstruction, thanked past governors for their service — but said it was time to rid the state of its reputation for corrupt government. "We have the opportunity — born of tragedy but embraced still the same — to make right decades of failure in government," Jindal said. "In our past, too many politicians looked out for themselves. Too many arms of state and local government did not get results. And the world took note," the new governor said. Jindal's election puts a new public face on Louisiana politics, often stereotyped as a haven for backslapping good 'ol boys who hold office for decades. The 36-year-old son of Indian immigrants, Jindal is the nation's youngest sitting governor, and many of his top administrators are new to the halls of the Louisiana Capitol. He takes over from Democrat Kathleen Blanco, who had defeated him four years earlier but whose image was battered by the state's response to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. She did not seek re-election. Blanco attended the inaugural ceremonies with three other former Louisiana governors. The state's only other living ex-governor is Edwin Edwards, who could not attend because he is serving a federal prison sentence on corruption charges. Jindal, a second-term member of Congress when he was elected, said he will call the state Legislature into a special session beginning Feb. 10 to tackle the centerpiece of his campaign: strengthening Louisiana's ethics laws. He didn't provide details of what types of proposals he will seek lawmakers to enact in the first special session. "We will come to this Capitol to make a clean break with the past," he said. A conservative who has held a series of high-profile positions since heading the state health department at age 24, Jindal won 54 percent of the vote in October's primary election in a field of a dozen candidates. While he has focused on reputation and ethics reform, Jindal inherits an array of problems that have dogged his predecessors. Louisiana is among the nation's most unhealthy and poorest states, its students still perform below average on national educational tests, and its population is dwindling. Worsening the state's long-term history of problems, back-to-back blows from Katrina and Rita two years ago continue to plague the region. The pace of hurricane rebuilding has been sluggish, with thousands of homes left abandoned, residents displaced and basic government services destroyed. Jindal described the storms as an opportunity to rebuild a better state. "For reasons beyond our earthly comprehension, this opportunity, this mandate, has been placed on our generation. We must rise to this challenge," he said. "Our goal is a new Louisiana where success is shared by all Louisianians." Barry Erwin, head of the nonpartisan Council for a Better Louisiana, said though Jindal's speech lacked specifics, it gave people a sense of encouragement and optimism about the state's future. "It's really passing the torch to a whole group of new people," Erwin said. "I think there's a sense this is a real opportunity and not a rhetorical one." The country's first Indian governor was New Jersey's transportation commissioner, Kris Kolluri, who held the post for 24 hours in 2006 when his boss was out of town. New Jersey law requires an acting governor to be appointed when the elected governor is away from the state. Transportation commissioner ranks fourth in the line of succession, but the Senate president, the Assembly speaker and the attorney general also all were out of town — leaving Kolluri in charge for a day. \|\|\|\|\| BATON ROUGE, Louisiana (Reuters) - Republican Bobby Jindal was sworn in on Monday as governor of Louisiana to become the first Indian-American elected head of a U.S. state. Slideshow ( 4 images ) The Oxford-educated conservative vowed in a speech at the state capitol to clean up Louisiana’s notorious political corruption and to speed up the state’s recovery from hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005. “In our past, too many of our politicians looked out for themselves,” said Jindal, who is the state’s first non-white governor since Reconstruction in the 1870s. “We must win a war on corruption and incompetence in government.” Jindal, 36, was in his second term as a U.S. congressman when won the governorship in an October election in his second try for the office. Democrat Kathleen Blanco defeated Jindal in the 2003 gubernatorial race, but did not seek a second term when her support plummeted after the government’s stumbling rescue and recovery efforts following Hurricane Katrina. The storm flooded most of New Orleans, where hundreds died and chaos broke out as stranded flood victims waited days for help. Many residents who fled Katrina have not returned. Jindal urged storm exiles to return home and “make Louisiana’s rebirth your own priority.” He said the hurricanes provided a chance to build a better Louisiana. “Our economy was behind before the storms. And now, for reasons beyond our earthly comprehension, this opportunity, this mandate, has been placed on our generation.” Jindal is the first Indian-American elected governor of a U.S. state, but another, Kris Kolluri, served as governor for a day in New Jersey in 2006 when Gov. Jon Corzine was away. Jindal, who first name is Piyush, is the son of well-educated Indians who emigrated to Baton Rouge shortly before he was born. He converted to Catholicism from his parents’ Hindu faith and frequently cites his Christian beliefs. “Praise be to almighty God,” he said at the start of Monday’s speech. Jindal’s rise in state politics began at the age of 24 when he was selected by then-Gov. Mike Foster to head the state’s Department of Health and Hospitals. He served in several government positions and, after his unsuccessful run for governor, won a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives in 2004, taking over the office vacated when David Vitter was elected to the Senate.	Bobby Jindal: "We have the opportunity — born of tragedy but embraced still the same — to make right decades of failure in government." Piyush "Bobby" Jindal was inaugurated on Monday as governor of the U.S. state of Louisiana. He is the country's first Indian American elected governor and the first non-white governor of Louisiana since P. B. S. Pinchback in 1872. At 36 years old, he is currently the nation's youngest governor as well. Jindal succeeds Kathleen Blanco as the state governor. The inauguration ceremony was held at the state capitol in Baton Rouge. In a speech, Jindal vowed to put an end to political corruption in the state and speed up recovery from the 2005 Atlantic hurricane season. "We must win a war on corruption and incompetence in government," said Jindal. Jindal was serving a second term in the House of Representatives when he was elected last October. He previously served as the head of Louisiana's Department of Health and Hospitals, a post to which he was appointed at the age of 24. A year earlier, he had graduated from University of Oxford as a Rhodes scholar. Jindal is the son of Punjabi immigrants who came to Baton Rouge shortly before his birth. As a teenager, he converted from Hinduism to Catholicism. He takes his nickname from the character Bobby on television's ''The Brady Bunch''.
Zawodnik doznał kontuzji podczas pierwszego zgrupowania, ale kilka dni temu wrócił do treningów z drużyną. "Kuba powinien być gotowy na drugi mecz w grupie" - mówili wówczas lekarze reprezentacji. Niestety, pech prześladuje piłkarza Borussii Dortmund. Uraz odnowił się na porannym treningu. Błaszczykowski przeszedł jeszcze jedną serię badań. Okazało się, że nie ma szans na to, by piłkarz był gotowy do gry na którykolwiek z meczów w fazie grupowej Euro. Sztab szkoleniowy polskiej reprezentacji podjął decyzję o zwróceniu się do UEFA z prośbą o zgodę na powołanie w miejsce Jakuba Błaszczykowskiego Łukasza Piszczka. \|\|\|\|\| Kraj: AFGANISTAN ALBANIA ALGERIA AMERICAN SAMOA ANDORRA ANGOLA ANGUILLA ANTARCTICA ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA ARGENTINA ARMENIA ARUBA AUSTRALIA AUSTRIA AZERBAIJAN BAHAMAS BAHRAIN BANGLADESH BARBADOS BELARUS BELGIA BELIZE BENIN BERMUDA BHUTAN BOLIVIA BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA BOTSWANA BOUVET ISLAND BRAZIL BRITISH INDIAN OCEAN TERRITORY BRUNEI DARUSSALAM BUŁGARIA BURKINA FASO BURUNDI CAMBODIA CAMEROON CANADA CANARY ISLANDS CAPE VERDE CAYMAN ISLANDS CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC CHAD CHILE CHINA CHRISTMAS ISLAND COCOS (KEELING) ISLANDS COLOMBIA COMOROS CONGO CONGO, THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE COOK ISLANDS COSTA RICA COTE D'IVOIRE CROATIA CUBA CYPR CZECHY DANIA DJIBOUTI DOMINICA DOMINICAN REPUBLIC ECUADOR EGYPT EL SALVADOR EQUATORIAL GUINEA ERITREA ESTONIA ETHIOPIA FALKLAND ISLANDS (MALVINAS) FAROE ISLANDS FIJI FINLANDIA FRANCJA FRENCH GUIANA FRENCH POLYNESIA FRENCH SOUTHERN TERRITORIES GABON GAMBIA GEORGIA NIEMCY GHANA GIBRALTAR GRECJA GREENLAND GRENADA GUADELOUPE GUAM GUATEMALA GUINEA GUINEA-BISSAU GUERNSEY GUYANA HAITI HEARD ISLAND AND MCDONALD ISLANDS HOLY SEE (VATICAN CITY STATE) HONDURAS HONG KONG WĘGRY ICELAND INDIA INDONESIA IRAN, ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF IRAQ IRLANDIA ISRAEL WŁOCHY JAMAICA JAPAN JERSEY JORDAN KAZAKHSTAN KENYA KIRIBATI KOREA, DEMOCRATIC PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF KOREA, REPUBLIC OF KUWAIT KYRGYZSTAN LAO PEOPLE'S DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC ŁOTWA LEBANON LESOTHO LIBERIA LIBYAN ARAB JAMAHIRIYA LIECHTENSTEIN LITWA LUXEMBURG MACAO MACEDONIA, THE FORMER YUGOSLAV REPUBLIC OF MADAGASCAR MALAWI MALAYSIA MALDIVES MALI MALTA MARSHALL ISLANDS MARTINIQUE MAURITANIA MAURITIUS MAYOTTE MEXICO MICRONESIA, FEDERATED STATES OF MOLDOVA, REPUBLIC OF MONACO MONGOLIA MONTENEGRO MONTSERRAT MOROCCO MOZAMBIQUE MYANMAR NAMIBIA NAURU NEPAL HOLANDIA NETHERLANDS ANTILLES NEW CALEDONIA NEW ZEALAND NICARAGUA NIGER NIGERIA NIUE NORFOLK ISLAND NORTHERN MARIANA ISLANDS NORWAY OMAN PAKISTAN PALAU PALESTINIAN TERRITORY, OCCUPIED PANAMA PAPUA NEW GUINEA PARAGUAY PERU PHILIPPINES PITCAIRN POLSKA PORTUGALIA PUERTO RICO QATAR REUNION RUMUNIA RUSSIAN FEDERATION RWANDA SAINT HELENA SAINT KITTS AND NEVIS SAINT LUCIA SAINT PIERRE AND MIQUELON SAINT VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES SAMOA SAN MARINO SAO TOME AND PRINCIPE SAUDI ARABIA SERBIA SENEGAL SEYCHELLES SIERRA LEONE SINGAPORE SŁOWACJA SŁOWENIA SOLOMON ISLANDS SOMALIA SOUTH AFRICA SOUTH GEORGIA AND THE SOUTH SANDWICH ISLANDS HISZPANIA SRI LANKA SUDAN SURINAME SVALBARD AND JAN MAYEN SWAZILAND SZWECJA SZWAJCARIA SYRIAN ARAB REPUBLIC TAIWAN TAJIKISTAN TANZANIA, UNITED REPUBLIC OF THAILAND TIMOR-LESTE TOGO TOKELAU TONGA TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO TUNISIA TURKEY TURKMENISTAN TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS TUVALU UGANDA UKRAINE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES WIELKA BRYTANIA STANY ZJEDNOCZONE UNITED STATES MINOR OUTLYING ISLANDS URUGUAY UZBEKISTAN VANUATU VENEZUELA VIET NAM VIRGIN ISLANDS, BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS, U.S. WALLIS AND FUTUNA WESTERN SAHARA YEMEN ZAMBIA ZIMBABWE *	The Polish national team's right winger Jakub Błaszczykowski was ruled out of the Euro 2008 soccer championships late on June 5, less than three days before Poland is to take on Germany in its tournament opener. Błaszczykowski, who in his club career plays for Borussia Dortmund, renewed a hamstring strain he suffered in mid-season. His withdrawal leaves Poland's coach Leo Beenhakker with a serious selection headache to solve. So far he has not said how he would patch the resulting hole in his right wing.
He is very much in India, Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime) Rakesh Maria said today. We suspect he will never leave. A big reason for Mumbai Police suspecting Kumar has not moved base to Canada is it would be hard for him to set up such an extensive kidney racket there, Maria said. He will stay in India it wont be easy to conduct his illegal activities anywhere else, he said. In a country like Canada, it would almost be impossible to find (kidney) donors in large numbers. In Mumbai, and other Indian cities, he could pick up donors off the streets with the lure of fast money. When Mumbai Police had first raided Kumars Kaushalya Nursing Home at Khar, in the citys western suburb, they had found a donor from Andhra Pradesh and a Yemeni recipient. At the time, Raut promised Rs 2 lakh to a donor, and give them only Rs 40,000, Maria said. When we arrested him, he spoke Arabic and Turkish besides Hindi, Marathi and English. He also ran a taxi service that picked up these people from the airport. CBI to take over probe soon NEW DELHI: The CBI will soon take over probe of the kidney racket case. CBI director Vijay Shankar today confirmed receiving a copy of the request letter from the Haryana government to the Department of Personnel and Training. We havent yet received a final word to start investigations, Shankar said. We will begin working on the case as per legal process. Gurgoan, Moradabad, Mumbai and Rajasthan police are separately probing the case at present. \|\|\|\|\| TheStar.com \| GTA \| Patients blamed in kidney scam Patients blamed in kidney scam `Selfish' people seeking transplants bargain down price, medical tourism agent says Feb 05, 2008 04:30 AM Prithi Yelaja Staff Reporter Desperate transplant patients, who don't really care how a donor organ overseas is procured, are just as much to blame as Amit Kumar, kingpin of an underground kidney trafficking ring busted by police in India, says a Calgary-based medical tourism operator. Aruna Thurairajan, owner of Overseas Medical Services, gets a few calls every week from patients from as far away as Algeria needing kidney transplants. A growing global industry, medical tourism connects patients primarily in North America with health services overseas. "Money is a big factor for people to decide where to go. Often they want to bargain how much to pay the vendor (organ donor). Some of them can be quite selfish and mean. They think they can buy the kidney for peanuts. That's why the likes of (Kumar) can prosper. So the patient should also be blamed along with him, because the patient bargains down the price," said Thurairajan. "It's a big racket. There's big money involved, but the vendor gets only a fraction of that." A Brampton resident trained in Ayurvedic medicine, Kumar is wanted by Interpol for "crimes against life and health." He is on the run after police raided his clinic in Gurgaon, India, which illegally harvested kidneys from as many as 500 people, typically labourers who were duped. Kumar was allegedly charging patients wanting transplants $50,000. Thurairajan won't send patients to India because transplants between unrelated living donors are illegal there. Kumar's case "gives medical tourism a bad rap," she says. Wait lists of several years in North America drive the huge demand for overseas kidney transplants. That this is a straight market transaction is highlighted by the industry lingo used: the donor is referred to as the "vendor;" the person recruiting donors is the "broker," while "agents" like Thurairajan recruit patients. The Philippines is the only country in the world that allows living donor kidney transplants, according to Thurairajan. The all-inclusive cost, which includes airfare, a six-week hospital stay, surgery and follow-up medical services for the donor for one year is $120,000. Of that amount, the donor gets a fee of $10,000. Colombia also offers kidney transplants for $120,000, but only from cadavers and only after local citizens have rejected the organs, usually on the basis that they are "too old," said Thurairajan. "Cadavers older than 35 years of age are usually up for grabs for foreigners. One just needs to hang around and within a week or two one can get an organ. "It's a very lucrative market. In many pockets of India it has been going on for a long time. There are stories that in the fishing villages of south India almost everybody has sold a kidney." Some medical tourism operators, like Vancouver-based Timely Medical Alternatives, won't arrange transplants because of ethical concerns, said company president Rick Baker. \|\|\|\|\| PATIALA: The hunt for Dr Amit Kumar, the alleged kingpin of a multi-crore kidney racket, has spread to a quiet neighbourhood in Brampton in Canada after it was discovered that he had bought a $6,10,000 home there last year. A woman believed to be his wife and two young children live there now, neighbours told Toronto Star this weekend. According to the report, the Peel Region police have acknowledged that they were involved in the hunt for Kumar, as were other GTA forces and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Pali Drive residents, who once viewed Kumar as a friend, were shocked to discover that a man dubbed 'Dr Horror' lived among them. Some first heard the allegations while watching a TV broadcast from India last week. "I was shocked, blown away," a neighbour was quoted as saying. "We used to joke at parties that he must be loaded to get such a beautiful wife, but nothing prepared us for this." Added another: "It's very unusual for someone to come here from India and buy a big house like this and a Lexus. Doctors in India just don't make that kind of money." Kumar's house, number 14, is situated in Castlemore. According to Jagdish Grewal, a scribe in Toronto, houses 12 and 16 are occupied by Punjabi immigrants. "Kumar bought the house on February 2 last year through a local Indian real-estate agent. Usually, agents charge 2% of the total cost of property as commission, but he paid nearly 10%," said sources. Kumar apparently never mentioned "anything about kidney" to his neighbours. As Baltej Pannu, a scribe, said: "Kumar had told his neighbours that he was a cardiovascular surgeon in India and that he planned to open a hotel in Canada upon his return and was going to live and work here permanently." Documents obtained by the paper show that the couple bought the four-bedroom home on Pali Drive in April 2007 for $610,000. His wife Poonam Ameet, and their two boys, aged five and four, moved into the area last April and the children attend a local private school. Poonam, 28, had told friends on the street that her marriage to Kumar was arranged when she was 18. Kumar had also confided that his first wife left him after his arrest in 1994 on suspicion of running a kidney racket in Mumbai. With the Canadian police keeping an eye on his property, the phone installed in his house has reportedly been blocked, while his wife and children remain barricaded behind security doors at their Brampton home. No one came to Kumar's door when a Toronto Star reporter knocked this weekend, but "children could be seen peeking through the closed blinds". A glass security door was locked and a taped phone message said service "is temporarily disconnected". A Lexus SUV remained parked in the double garage. A neighbour was quoted as saying that Kumar was last seen there before Christmas when he drove around in a leased $65,000 Lexus 350 SUV. His cellular phone records also indicate that he returned to Gurgaon from Brampton on January 1. E-mails on computers seized in the raids suggest Kumar was getting transplant inquiries from Canada. (toireporter@timesgroup.com) \|\|\|\|\| A Muslim Orphanage student clears IAS exam from Kerala Mukkam: An orphan living in an orphanage is set to be among the top bureaucrats in the country. with Inter religious marriages on rise in India India is a country of diverse castes and many religions. Several religions have tens of millions of \|\|\|\|\| A man accused of masterminding an illegal transplant ring that allegedly harvested hundreds of kidneys from poor men and women in India has been linked to a southern Ontario home, according to published media reports. Amit Kumar is the subject of an Interpol arrest warrant for "crimes against life and health," according to the international police agency's website. (Interpol) Indian investigators allege Amit Kumar, dubbed Dr. Horror by Indian newspapers, had false passports for Nepal and Canada, and has escaped arrest numerous times. The Toronto Star reported on the weekend that Kumar was living in a home in a quiet suburb of Brampton, just north of Toronto, with his wife and two children. A security gate has been installed outside the home in the last few days, the CBC's Nil Koksal reported on Monday from the neighbourhood. Kumar is not a qualified doctor, but is alleged to have overseen the removal of kidneys from up to 500 poor labourers for sale to wealthy patients, Mohiner Lal, police commissioner for the New Delhi suburb of Gurgaon, told CBC News on Monday. The patients are believed to be among the many willing to pay high sums of money to receive needed organs immediately and avoid waiting lists for transplants in their home countries. Police broke up the alleged ring on Jan. 24 after they discovered a room fully equipped with surgical supplies in an upscale home in Gurgaon, Lal said. The clinic was set up without authorization and there are reports of at least three patients dying, he added. When asked about reports the victims were forced to give up their kidneys at gunpoint, the police commissioner replied: "Yes, maybe." A doctor and several other people were arrested and several computers were seized. But Kumar evaded capture, which has led to speculation in the Indian media that he was somehow tipped off to the raid ahead of time. Interpol has issued a worldwide "red notice" for Kumar calling for his immediate arrest for "crimes against life and health," according to the international police agency's website. Speaking on behalf of Interpol, RCMP Sgt. Sylvie Tremblay told CBCNews.ca on Monday that the agency's Ottawa bureau is working closely with its counterpart office in India and local agencies to "validate any information" on the case. But Tremblay would not comment on whether investigators believe Kumar is currently in Canada. Poor lured with promises of payment, jobs Indian officials do not know where Kumar is, but have information that he has family in Canada, Lal said. Other media reports in India have said police have recovered e-mails from Kumar's Gurgaon premises in which patients from Canada have inquired about the details of the operation. It is unclear if the poor people actually sold the organs or whether they were duped by dozens of doctors allegedly involved in the scheme. There are reports some were allegedly drawn into the clinic with the promise of high-paying work that required a physical examination, said Angie Seth, host of OMNI TV's South-Asian News, who has been following Indian media coverage of the case. "From what we understand, these men would be sedated, then they'd wake up later with a large scar and in a great deal of pain, minus a kidney," Seth told CBC News on Monday. Foreign clients were found waiting for transplants in the guest house, according to media reports. Investigators have said some of the people whose kidneys were taken were paid about $1,200. "You're looking for patients from around the world who are desperate because it's a life-or-death matter," Seth said. The Star quoted a neighbour in Brampton as saying Kumar told him last month that he was going back to India to wind up some business loose ends. The paper also reported Kumar starred in low-budget Bollywood films in the 1990s. Authorities have said this is not the first time Kumar, who has several aliases, has been accused of illegally selling kidneys. Police raided one of his clinics eight years ago, but he allegedly continued his activities. With files from the Canadian Press \|\|\|\|\| Police scour Brampton suburb for 'Dr. Horror' Chris Wattie , Canwest News Service Published: Monday, February 04, 2008 "I don't know how I will survive," he said from his hospital bed. "I am the only earner in the family and the doctors said I can't do heavy work." Kumar was arrested in 1994 on suspicion of running a kidney transplant racket in Mumbai, but police say he jumped bail, changed his name and set up shop again near New Delhi. A police spokesman said RCMP are heading the Canadian investigation into Kumar's whereabouts, with detectives from Toronto and Peel region also involved in the search. National Post © CanWest News Service 2008	Interpol handout. The hunt for alleged kidney harvester, Dr. Amit Kumar, has led investigators to Brampton, a city in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) of Ontario, Canada. Indian investigators allege that Kumar is the kingpin of a ring that removed kidneys of poor laborers in India for transplantation to the highest bidding patients, usually foreigners. After a request by Indian police via an Interpol "red notice", Canadian police located a house in Brampton owned by Kumar, who has been dubbed "Dr. Horror" by the Indian press. The house is occupied by a woman, presumed to be his wife, and two young children. Kumar purchased the 5,600 sq ft (~510 m²) home on February 2, 2007 for C$610,000. Reportedly, additional upgrades were performed at the home, including an in-ground pool, at a cost of C$100,000. The family drives an expensive SUV. The children, two boys aged 4 and 5, are said to be enrolled at private schools. Dr. Kumar, a nephrologist, born Santosh Rameshwar Raut, was known to his neighbors. He told them that he was a cardiovascular surgeon in India, but that he wanted to buy a hotel in Canada and, after one last trip to India to tie up loose ends, permanently relocate to Canada. "We are completely shocked," a neighbor told the ''Toronto Star''. "We used to joke at parties that he must be loaded to get such a beautiful wife, but nothing prepared us for this." Another neighbor told the paper, "It's very unusual for someone to come here from India and buy a big house like this and a Lexus. Doctors in India just don't make that kind of money." Meanwhile, investigators are no closer to Amit Kumar, than they were a few days ago. It is widely believed that he is trying to flee India for Canada via Nepal, a country for which he is alleged to have a passport. Police in Mumbai, however, believe he is still in India. "He is very much in India," commissioner Rakesh Maria said on Tuesday. "We suspect he will never leave." "He will stay in India — it won't be easy to conduct his illegal activities anywhere else," he said. "In a country like Canada, it would almost be impossible to find kidney donors in large numbers." However, after a request by the Haryana state government, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) will soon take lead in the investigation. "We haven't yet received a final word to start investigations," CBI Director Vijay Shankar said. "We will begin working on the case as per legal process." Thus far, police in Gurgoan, Moradabad, Mumbai and Rajasthan have been investigating the case separately. The case has called attention to medical tourism, the practice of traveling abroad for health care at more affordable rates. Kumar is alleged to have charged US$50,000 for a kidney transplant. The donors are said to have been paid the equivalent of US$1,200. Even so, the donors, according to widespread reports and testimonials, may not have realized what they were getting into when they went with a stranger for a well-paying job. The ''Toronto Star'' interviewed a medical tourism travel agent, who operates openly. Aruna Thurairajan, who runs Overseas Medical Services in Calgary, Alberta, says that she frequently gets calls from patients in need of a kidney. Thurairajan refuses to give referrals for transplants because it "gives medical tourism a bad rap." "Money is a big factor for people to decide where to go. Often they want to bargain how much to pay the vendor organ donor. Some of them can be quite selfish and mean. They think they can buy the kidney for peanuts. That's why the likes of Amit Kumar can prosper. So the patient should also be blamed along with him, because the patient bargains down the price," said Thurairajan. But the victims of this illegal trade are not exclusively the poor day laborers but sometimes the clients themselves, according to a report by ''Hindustan Times''. The investigation cited a driver for a close associate of Amit Kumar and claims that at least three foreigners died on Dr. Kumar's operating table. He was able to name three Turkish nationals who all died in India between 2003 and 2005, officially from cardiac arrest. The driver, Harpal, says that the bodies were brought to a hospital in Ballabgarh, Faridabad, where the local authorities colluded with the doctors to list the cause of death as heart failure.
Health officials in Kenya said a serious outbreak of cholera has killed 59 people in the past five months. More than 1,200 cases have been reported in Nyanza, Rift Valley, North Eastern and Western provinces, the Nation newspaper reported Friday. The hardest hit region was Nyanza Province, with 750 infections and 45 deaths. Dr. James Nyikal, the health ministry's director of Medical Services, said all health personnel have been told to be vigilant for early detection and management of patients suffering from diarrhea. Nyikal said the government has issued a ban on food hawking, as well as the preparation and eating of food in public gatherings. © 2008 United Press International. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be reproduced, redistributed, or manipulated in any form. NAIROBI, Kenya, April 12 (UPI) -- \|\|\|\|\| Society - East Africa - Kenya - Health - Governance Kenya : Cholera outbreak kills 59 A cholera outbreak in Kenya has killed 59 people and lef t 1,200 people hospitalised over the last two months, affecting 16 different districts across northern and western Kenya, medical authorities confirmed on Thursday. \|\|\|\|\| The government has set aside over 38 million shillings to contain the cholera outbreak in the country. Director of Medical Services Dr. James Nyikal says the outbreak has been reported and confirmed in sixteen districts. Nyikal said so far, there have been 1217 cases of the disease and 59 deaths noting that latest cases have been reported in Kisumu East and Naivasha districts. Speaking when giving the status of the cholera outbreak in the country, he cited poor personal hygiene and drinking of contaminated water as the main causes of the disease and appealed to the public to observe proper hygiene and seek medical care immediately they develop the symptoms. Cholera is an acute diarrheal disease characterized by diarrhoea ands vomiting. It's transmitted through eating food and water contaminated with human waste and cholera germs \|\|\|\|\| > Use our pull-down menus to find more stories -- Regions/Countries -- Africa Central Africa East Africa North Africa Southern Africa West Africa --- Algeria Angola Benin Botswana Burkina Faso Burundi Cameroon Cape Verde Central African Republic Chad Comoros Congo-Brazzaville Congo-Kinshasa Côte d'Ivoire Djibouti Egypt Equatorial Guinea Eritrea Ethiopia Gabon Gambia Ghana Guinea Guinea Bissau Kenya Lesotho Liberia Libya Madagascar Malawi Mali Mauritania Mauritius Morocco Mozambique Namibia Niger Nigeria Rwanda Senegal Seychelles Sierra Leone Somalia South Africa Sudan Swaziland São Tomé and Príncipe Tanzania Togo Tunisia Uganda Western Sahara Zambia Zimbabwe -- Topics -- AGOA AIDS Africa on the Move Agribusiness Aid and Assistance Arms and Armies Arts Athletics Banking Book Reviews Books Business Capital Flows Children Climate Commodities Company Conflict Construction Crime Currencies Debt Ecotourism Editorials Education Energy Environment Food and Agriculture From allAfrica's Reporters Game Parks Health Healthcare and Medical Human Rights ICT Infrastructure Investment Labour Land Issues Latest Legal Affairs Malaria Manufacturing Media Migration Mining Music Music Reviews NEPAD NGO Oceans Olympics Peacekeeping Petroleum Polio Pregnancy and Childbirth Privatization Refugees Religion Science Soccer Sport Stock Markets Sustainable Development Terrorism Trade Transport Travel Tuberculosis Urban Issues Water Wildlife Women --- Central Africa Business East Africa Business North Africa Business Southern Africa Business West Africa Business --- Asia, Australia, and Africa Europe and Africa International Organisations Latin America and Africa Middle East and Africa U.S., Canada and Africa --- From AllAfrica Photo Essays Special Reports web allafrica.com Enter your search terms Submit search form OR subscribers use AllAfrica's premium search engine Kenya: Cholera Kills 40 in Western Region Email This Page Print This Page Comment on this article Nairobi At least 42 people have died in western Kenya following an outbreak of Cholera, health officials said. "At least 701 cases of the disease have been reported in the western province of Nyanza," SK Sharif, the senior deputy director of the area's medical services, said on 2 April. The disease, which was initially reported in the districts of Rongo, Siaya and Suba in January, had spread to other districts in the region despite control measures. The most affected areas included the districts of Bondo, Homa Bay, Kisumu, Migori and Nyando. Cases had also been reported in Kisii and in the Bunyala area of Busia. "There has been an on and off recurrence of the disease," Sharif said. He said the outbreak had been caused by gaps in water and sanitation hygiene in the region and frequent outbreaks of the disease in neighbouring Uganda. Other risk factors included the use of untreated water and contaminated food. "The mass movement of people during the post-election crisis may also have contributed to the outbreak of the disease as people found themselves in areas with inadequate water and sanitation facilities," he said. Outbreak control measures, including targeted public health education campaigns and the strengthening of water treatment through chlorination, were put in place in the affected areas. "We are also encouraging awareness on personal hygiene, the safe disposal of human waste and on how to minimise family contact with affected members," Sharif said. The mass movement of people during the post-election crisis may also have contributed to the outbreak of the disease as people found themselves in areas with inadequate water and sanitation facilities Measures to strengthen disease surveillance and the updating of health workers on detection and case management are ongoing. "We are trying to contain the disease where it is," he added. Intervention efforts appeared to be succeeding, with the number of cases being reported reducing compared to mid-February when there had been a rapid spread of the disease. "We are also partnering with other organisations to control the spread of the disease," Sharif said, adding that there was a need to address the issue of water provision to reduce gaps in water sanitation hygiene through increased coordination with relevant ministries. "We also need to increase advocacy on public health awareness, water safety promotion and strengthen case management and disease control," he said. Cholera, which is caused by the Vibrio cholerae bacteria, is characterised by profuse watery diarrhoea, vomiting, muscle cramps and severe dehydration. Cholera cases were also reported in Northeastern Province in January and February in the districts of Mandera Central, Mandera East and Wajir, where there were at least 12 deaths and 448 cases. The outbreak followed similar outbreaks in Ethiopia and Somalia and was exacerbated by inadequate water and sanitation hygiene. [ This report does not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations ]	State health officials in Kenya issued an alert Thursday after an outbreak of cholera killed over 60 people in the last five months. All health personnel have been advised to actively monitor patients with diarrhea, and the government issued a ban on preparing and eating food in public gatherings. Nyanza Province has been the area hardest hit by the cholera outbreak in Kenya. Nyanza Province, with 750 infections and 45 deaths, has felt the brunt of the outbreak. Over 1,200 cases have been reported in the provinces of Nyanza, Rift Valley, North Eastern and Western. According to ''Agence France-Presse'', officials have reported 45 people dead in Nyanza Province, 12 in North Eastern Province and seven in Rift Valley Province. Health officials have stated that the actual number of deaths due to the outbreak could be higher due to under reporting. SK Sharif, senior deputy director of health services in Nyanza, commented on contributing factors to the outbreak: "The mass movement of people during the post-election crisis may also have contributed to the outbreak of the disease as people found themselves in areas with inadequate water and sanitation facilities". Health workers are working to contain the outbreak, and are focusing efforts on areas affected by violence related to the December elections. Suba, Migori, Homabay, Rongo, Siaya, Kisumu, Bondo, Nyando, Kisii, Wajir, Mandera, Naivasha, Nakuru and Bunyala are among the worst affected districts. The possibility of a disease outbreak in Kenya was previously raised by health officials, specifically in camps where hundreds of thousands of displaced people reside. Revenge killings, tribal fighting and upheaval following the December elections in Kenya has displaced many in the country. Titus Mung'ou, spokesman for Kenya Red Cross Society, told ''Agence France-Presse'' "We are trying to reduce the prevalence of the mix up that may happen by scrutinising food donations that are brought in the camps, but mostly we are ensuring that all the water is well treated". In a news conference Thursday in Nairobi, Director of Medical Service Dr. James Nyikal said that if urgent measures were not undertaken to control the outbreak, it could become much worse. "Most deaths occurred at home or on the way to hospital," said Dr. Nyikal. Medicines worth KSh17.3 million (GBP 2.4 million) and other equipment worth KSh700,000 (GBP 5,700) has been sent to the affected areas. The Kenyan government has allocated KSh38 million (GBP 11.75 million) to contain the outbreak. On Friday the Health Ministry requested aid from the United Nations Children's Fund, and Dr. Nyikal stated: "Health workers are a problem and we have written to Unicef, requesting assistance. Already some staff have been dispatched". Dr. Nyikal voiced concerns over high risk areas: "We are particularly concerned by risk areas such as eating premises and bus stops in major towns such as Busia, Kisumu, Kericho, Nakuru, Naivasha, Nairobi, Voi, Mtito Andei and Mombasa". World Health Organization Country Director Dr. David Okello emphasized the importance of hygiene, stating: "We need to emphasise the importance of water safety and the public needs to adopt the measures of keeping water safe." Dr. Okello stressed that "Boiling drinking water or treating water with chlorine and practising good toilet manners are necessary to avoid contamination". Cholera is a waterborne disease and causes serious diarrhea and vomiting. The disease can be fatal if it is not treated within 24 hours. Spread of the disease can be prevented by avoiding contaminated drinking water, and practicing proper hand washing before touching food. Southern Sudan also reported an increase in cholera cases recently.
Hundreds of schools in the Northern Italian province of Bolzano have migrated from Windows XP to Linux for the forthcoming academic year. All of the Italian-language schools in the province have adopted the software, according to Christopher Gabriel, chief technical officer with Truelite SRL, a Italian GNU/Linux consultancy company that is coordinating the deployment. Truelite managed the technical aspects of the migration, from software development to teaching the courses. The migration, known as the FUSS Project, means that 16,000 students will be using Linux from 12 September, when the new school terms starts. A 40-strong installation party installed the Debian flavour of Linux and the GNOME desktop environment on 2,460 PCs during July and August. The deployment was funded by the Italian Scholastic Intendancy of the Province of Bozen, the European Social Fund and the Centre for Professional Training in Italian CTS "Luigi Einaudi". Gabriel was upbeat about the deployment: "All the teachers will use this software, and the FUSS Project will print and distribute about 20,000 CDs to the students' families so they can install the software at home," he said. This is the first such project in Italy claimed Gabriel, who hopes more Italian provinces will follow suit. "There are some similar projects here in Italy, all in an embryonic phase. FUSS is the only project which has already installed software onto schools' computer systems." \|\|\|\|\| Use of this site is governed by our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy . Except where otherwise specified, the contents of this site are copyright © 1999-2005 Ziff Davis Publishing Holdings Inc. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. Linux is a registered trademark of Linus Torvalds. All other marks are the property of their respective owners. \|\|\|\|\| During the months of July and August 2005, all the computer infrastructure of all italian schools in the Autonomous Province of Bozen has been upgraded, using the free operating system FUSS Soledad GNU/Linux. This operating system is a customization, made by a team of experts for the South Tyrol's schools, of the most famous Debian GNU/Linux [1] distribution of the desktop environment GNOME[2]. The peculiarity of this upgrade and his strongness is the free license [3] used to redistribute the entire operating system and all the applications. This initiative, supported and funded by the Italian Scholastic Intendancy of the Province of Bozen [4], the European Social Fund [5] and the Center for Professional Formation in italian language CTS "Luigi Einaudi" [6], with the partecipation of all the public and private schools, will give to all the students, families, teachers and operators from the educational world, the opportunity to easily use a entirely free operating system, both at school and at home. Beside the accurate selection of the multi-language software added into the distribution, about 20 thousand live-cd will be delivered to students and teachers, with the collaboration of Alpikom [7]. All the students and families will have, for free, the same software environment and all the applications used in the computer classes at school. This process of introducing to this new operating system and to free software in general into the several educational activities will be supported by a specialized team during the whole academic year 2005/2006. The main task to be accomplished by this team will be to offer support and to develop reaserch tasks, both on the technical and the educational aspect, for all the educational units. The switch to the new operating system will be facilitated, starting September 2005, by several courses for all the schools operators, and almost 40 installation party, to have all the people involved in the education world to know this peculiar version of the GNU/Linux operating system. This occasion will let everyone to have their computer system installed, legally and for free, the FUSS Soledad operating system. The project, on top of the great didactic and pedagogical research effort made by the Intendacy, will offer to the schools an important choice towards knowledge freedom and share, free software solutions, to give a full-life right to learn, increasing freedom for all the users to use, copy, redistribute and modify the software and the operating system without any restrictions. The activity is coordinated by Paolo Zilotti and Antonio J. Russo, supported by the excellent technical staff guided by Christopher R. Gabriel of Truelite srl [8], which has completed the deployment of 2.460 PCs in 23 working days, guaranteeing an high quality standard defined in the analisys phase of the project. For the Province Council Member for italian schools Luisa Gnecchi and the Scholastic Intendant Prof. Bruna Rauzi Visintin, this project will introduce an higher quality level on the pedagogical aspect and a fundamental choice towards a more dynamic and distributed use of information technologies. Free Software is a cultural and professional enrichment that can't be excluded from the education world. A choice strongly supported also by the department director Dott. Barbara Repetto and the director of the CTS "Luigi Einaudi" Dott. Giandomenico Sbop. For more informations: http://www.fuss.bz.it mailto:info@fuss.bz.it [1] Debian Project: http://www.debian.org/ [2] Gnome Project: http://www.gnome.org [3] The free software: http://www.gnu.org/philosophy/free-sw.html [4] Intendenza Scolastica italiana: http://www.provincia.bz.it/intendenza-scolastica/ [5] Fondo Sociale Europeo: http://www.provincia.bz.it/europa/esf/index_i.asp [6] CTS "Luigi Einaudi": http://www.cts-einaudi.it/ [7] Alpikom Spa: http://www.alpikom.it [8] Truelite Srl: http://www.truelite.it \|\|\|\|\| :Community: Italian Province Schools Migrate to Linux Community: Italian Province Schools Migrate to Linux Aug 31, 2005, 16 :45 UTC ( Aug 31, 2005, 16 :45 UTC ( 0 Talkback[s] ) (2826 reads) (Other stories by Antonio J. Russo [ Thanks to Antonio J. Russo for this article. ] During the months of July and August 2005, the computer infrastructure of all public and private schools in the Autonomous Province of Bozen in Italy have been upgraded to the free operating system FUSS Soledad GNU/Linux. This operating system is a customization made by a team of experts for the South Tyrol schools, based on the wiodely-used Debian GNU/Linux distribution with a GNOME desktop environment. This initiative is supported and funded by the Italian Scholastic Intendancy of the Province of Bozen, the European Social Fund, and the Center for Professional Formation (CTS "Luigi Einaudi" in Italian). With the participation of all the public and private schools, all the students, families, teachers, and operators from the educational world will gain the opportunity to easily use a entirely free operating system, both at school and at home. Besides the the multi-language software added into the distribution, about 20,000 LiveCDs will be delivered to students and teachers, with the help of Alpikom. All students and families will have, free of charge, the same software environment and applications available in the computer classes at school. This process of migrating and training users about the new operating system--and to free software in general--within several educational programs will be supported by a specialized team during the entire academic year 2005/2006. The main task to be accomplished by this team will be to offer support and to develop reaserch tasks, both on the technical and the educational arenas for all the educational units. The switch to the new operating system will be facilitated, beginning in September 2005, by several courses for all the schools' operators, and almost 40 installfests. This approach will allow all educators in the schools learn about this peculiar version of the GNU/Linux operating system. The installfests will let everyone to have their computer system installed with the FUSS Soledad distribution. Along with the great didactic and pedagogical research effort made by the Intendacy, the project will offer schools an important choice towards knowledge freedom and sharing free software solutions. It also delivers a full-life right to learn and increased freedom for all the users to use, copy, redistribute, and modify the software and the operating system without any restrictions. The project is coordinated by Paolo Zilotti and Antonio J. Russo and supported by the excellent technical staff guided by Christopher R. Gabriel of Truelite srl, which completed the deployment of 2,460 PCs in 23 working days, guaranteeing a high-quality standard defined in the analsys phase of the project. For the Province Council Member for Italian schools Luisa Gnecchi and the Scholastic Intendant Prof. Bruna Rauzi Visintin, this project will introduce a higher level of pedagogical impact and a fundamental choice towards a more dynamic and distributed use of information technologies. Free Software is a cultural and professional enrichment that can't be excluded from the education world, a philosophy strongly supported by the department director Dott. Barbara Repetto and the director of the CTS "Luigi Einaudi" Dott. Giandomenico Sbop. For more information: http://www.fuss.bz.it info@fuss.bz.it Related Stories: Linux Journal: Linux in Italian Schools, Part 1(May 18, 2005) IDA: Italian Government Compares Office Suites(Sep 23, 2004) IDG.SG: Rome City Council Opts for Open Source(Feb 27, 2004)	Linux running on a desktop computer in an Italian school Over the summer a customized distribution of the Linux (or GNU/Linux) operating system was installed on 2,460 desktops in the Italian South Tyrol province of Bolzano. This deployment included all 70 of the province's private and public schools and affects more than 16,000 students. The distribution installed, FUSS Soledad GNU/Linux, is a customized version of the popular Debian GNU/Linux distribution. FUSS Soledad GNU/Linux has multi-language support and uses the GNOME desktop environment. In addition to the desktops in the schools, more than 20,000 LiveCDs are scheduled to be created and given free of charge to the students and their families. These LiveCDs allow students to use the same software on their home computers that they are going to use at school. Project co-director Antonio Russo said, "With the participation of all the public and private schools, this will give to all the students, families, teachers, and operators from the educational world the opportunity to use a entirely free operating system, both at school and at home." The switch was funded by the province of Bolzano, the European Social Fund, and the Center for Professional Formation in Italian Language.
But seriously... Wow. Just wow. Thank you all so much :) The whole situation is just breathtaking in many ways!! I have just saw the latest fundraising total http://t.co/uklmWvSmmO Teenage cancer patient Stephen Sutton posted on Twitter moments after learning he had raised £1 million for charity, thanking those who had donated to the "breathtaking" effort: about 1 hour ago Teenage cancer patient Stephen Sutton has succeeded in raising his charity target of £1 million after donations for the 19-year-old flooded in this morning. Donations to Stephen's chosen charity, the Teenage Cancer Trust, passed £750,000 overnight after he posted a message on his Facebook page revealing that his condition had deteriorated. Charity fundraising was top of Stephen Sutton's 'bucket list'. Credit: Stephen's Story/Facebook The next quarter of a million pounds was raised in just a few hours this morning, while Stephen remained in hospital fighting for his life, and funds continue to pour in on his Just Giving page. The teenager - who was diagnosed with bowel cancer aged 15 - initially wrote on his 'bucket list' last year that he aimed to raise £10,000 for the Teenage Cancer Trust. \|\|\|\|\| Cancer fundraiser Stephen Sutton dies aged 19 Please turn on JavaScript. Media requires JavaScript to play. Continue reading the main story Related Stories Teenage cancer fundraiser Stephen Sutton has died peacefully in his sleep, his mother said on his Facebook page. The 19-year-old, from Burntwood in Staffordshire, raised more than £3.2m ($5.36m) for charity after news of his plight spread on social media. In a post announcing Stephen's death, Jane Sutton said he was a "courageous, selfless, inspirational son". Stephen was diagnosed with terminal cancer aged 15. Rather than dwell on his misfortune, the teenager drew up a "bucket list" of things he wanted to achieve before he died. This led to him completing a skydive and playing drums in front of 90,000 people before the Uefa Champions League final at Wembley last May, among various achievements. Ms Sutton said in her statement: "My heart is bursting with pride but breaking with pain for my courageous, selfless, inspirational son. Stephen Sutton raised more than £3.2m for the Teenage Cancer Trust "The ongoing support and outpouring of love for Stephen will help greatly at this difficult time, in the same way as it helped Stephen throughout his journey. "We all know he will never be forgotten, his spirit will live on, in all that he achieved and shared with so many." The Facebook post announcing Stephen's death was shared more than 120,000 times within an hour of its publication. Donations to his online fundraising page, set up in aid of the Teenage Cancer Trust, began to climb once again as the news of the teenager's death spread. Justgiving, which hosts Stephen's online fundraising page, said its engineers had to "work quickly" to boost server capacity after a sharp increase in visitors to the site. It said the campaign total had risen by about £60,000 in just over two hours. 'Credit to humanity' Stephen was readmitted to hospital on Sunday after developing breathing difficulties caused by the regrowth of tumours. He had initially set out to raise just £10,000 ($16,800) for charity, but his fundraising campaign attracted huge attention last month after he posted a selfie online. The image went viral and attracted the support of celebrities including Jason Manford, who championed Stephen's charity efforts. Paying tribute, the comedian said Stephen "was the most inspiring person I've ever met and touched more lives than he will ever know". "He was an incredibly positive young man and a credit to his family, to Burntwood and to humanity itself. "The reason we took to him so passionately was because he was better than us, he did something that none of us could even imagine doing. "In his darkest hour he selflessly dedicated his final moments to raising millions of pounds for teenagers with cancer." Jason Manford staged comedy gigs to raise money for Stephen's campaign Stephen's bucket list included playing the drums in front of a huge crowd Skydiving was also one of the things he wanted to do before he died As well as for his fundraising, Stephen became well known for his bucket list. Along with skydiving and playing drums to a huge crowd, the list also included hugging an elephant and getting a tattoo. Stephen, who was diagnosed with metastatic bowel cancer aged 15, was visited earlier this month at Birmingham's Queen Elizabeth Hospital by Prime Minister David Cameron, who praised his "incredible" efforts to help others. Mr Cameron said: "I can hardly think of anyone I've met with such a zest for life, and such a belief that you can get things done, and who wanted to live every minute. "He was absolutely inspiring." Labour leader Ed Miliband also paid tribute and wrote: "Tragic news that Stephen Sutton has passed away. His bravery & determination to live life to the full was an inspiration to us all." A number of celebrities and public figures have also paid tribute to Stephen. Comedian Ricky Gervais tweeted: "RIP Stephen Sutton. A true hero & inspiration to us all." TV presenter Clare Balding tweeted: "Desperately sad to hear that Stephen Sutton has died. I feel privileged to have met him and heard him speak." Please turn on JavaScript. Media requires JavaScript to play. The Teenage Cancer Trust, to which Stephen made the largest ever single donation in its history, said: "We are humbled and hugely grateful for what Stephen achieved and continues to achieve for us." Deborah Alsina, chief executive of Bowel Cancer UK, said Stephen had "undoubtedly created greater awareness... that bowel cancer can affect younger people too and for this we owe him such gratitude". Staff at his former school, Chase Terrace Technology College in Burntwood, paid tribute to the "model student". Chair of governors Di Evans said he "made such a difference to people's lives - not just in Burntwood, not just in Birmingham, or England but worldwide". "He never ever stopped smiling despite that awful illness," she said. "He never, ever gave up and was fighting to the very end." \|\|\|\|\| Stephen Sutton's fundraising page earlier on Wednesday Donations have been pouring in to Stephen Sutton's fundraising page, with more than £30,000 being added to the total in an hour, after his death aged just 19 was announced. Sutton, from Burntwood, Staffordshire, died on Wednesday after being re-admitted to hospital at the weekend with breathing difficulties and his family said his condition was rapidly deteriorating. He had spent his last weeks raising more than £3million for the Teenage Cancer Trust charity. Over an hour on Wednesday afternoon, 2,310 people donated £31,000 to his page, taking the total above £3.3million and the donations showed no signs of stopping. The final photo posted on Stephen Sutton's Facebook Siobhan Dunn, chief executive of Teenage Cancer Trust which Sutton raised his money for, said: "Stephen was an exceptional young man and ambassador for Teenage Cancer Trust. He will be remembered for his incredible positivity by all who met or connected with him. "Stephen didn’t measure life in time, preferring instead to measure it by the difference someone makes. Stephen has made an enormous difference to Teenage Cancer Trust and the seven young people diagnosed with cancer every day who need our help.” Tributes poured in to the courageous teen who was first diagnosed with cancer aged 15. David Cameron, who had met Sutton and called him "inspirational" posted a tribute to Twitter. I'm deeply saddened to hear that Stephen Sutton has died. His spirit, bravery and fundraising for cancer research were all an inspiration. — David Cameron (@David_Cameron) May 14, 2014 Posting on the teenager's Facebook page, Stephen's mother Jane said: "My heart is bursting with pride but breaking with pain for my courageous, selfless, inspirational son who passed away peacefully in his sleep in the early hours of this morning, Wednesday 14th May. "The ongoing support and outpouring of love for Stephen will help greatly at this difficult time, in the same way as it helped Stephen throughout his journey. "We all know he will never be forgotten, his spirit will live on, in all that he achieved and shared with so many." Stephen Sutton died on Wednesday Labour leader Ed Miliband also paid tribute to Sutton, praising his "bravery and determination". Tragic news that Stephen Sutton has passed away. His bravery & determination to live life to the full was an inspiration to us all. — Ed Miliband (@Ed_Miliband) May 14, 2014 Publicity surrounding his battle with the disease saw the teenager smash his original £10,000 fundraising target. His fund-raising efforts have attracted support from celebrities including Simon Pegg, Russell Brand and Stephen Fry, as well as music mogul Simon Cowell. More than 135,000 individual donations have been made on his Just Giving page with support coming from around the world. Donations to the fundraising page, which he set up in January 2013 alongside a blog on Facebook, leaped last month after he posted a picture of himself in hospital with a "goodbye"message. But he made what he described as a remarkable recovery - coughing up a tumour and being discharged from hospital on May 2. He was attacked by internet trolls after his release, who claimed to feel "duped" and accused him of exaggerating the seriousness of his condition. The teenager was diagnosed with bowel cancer when he was 15. Despite treatment, his tumours spread and he was informed his condition was incurable in December 2012. Earlier this week, he spoke of his anger at how his cancer was misdiagnosed as constipation for six months. \|\|\|\|\| ... anymore, so as a result he needed a change of a direction. On the 13th January 2013 he created the Facebook page Stephen’s Story. In its original form, the page consisted of casual updates while the active teenager ticked off items from his bucket list of 46 things he wanted to do with the time he has left. Since then, the page has developed into a 'community' with a sole goal to help others - whether that be by the fundraising through activities that Stephens Story page promotes, the motivational quotes and statuses that are put out, or just by the humour and general positivity that Stephen integrated within every status. Stephen’s Story has since expanded to other forms of social media including Twitter (@_StephensStory) and Instagram. The much admired teenager, who would write every update himself, has now most impressively acquired over 1.3 million dedicated Facebook fans and nearly 170,000 avid followers on Twitter. Stephen’s Story has now evolved into all encompassing online platform that Stephens mum Jane Sutton is continuing to update to spread as much positivity as possible. Thus far he has inspired hundreds of thousands of people across the world with his passion for life and will continue to make a genuine difference for as long as Stephen's Legacy continues. Help me continue to tell Stephen's Story and assist me continue his inspirational legacy. Thank you all for you support x Following the shock of an incurable cancer diagnosis Stephen came to terms with the fact his long term goals of becoming a doctor were realistically not viable \|\|\|\|\| My name’s Stephen I’m pretty much an average 18 year old teenager - except for the last three years now I’ve been battling cancer. The current opinion voiced by my doctors now is that my cancer is incurable, and as a result I want to spend as much time as possible raising funds for a charity very close to my heart. More about myself and the fundraising activities I hope to do can be found on this page: http://www.facebook.com/StephensStory In the notes section I have wrote a list of things I would like to achieve in the near future. I will be updating the page as much as possible and any support is greatly appreciated! The charity I will be raising funds for is the Teenager Cancer Trust (TCT). TCT have helped me hugely throughout my journey and has helped shape who I am today. They offer hope and a sense of community to young people who have cancer, and directly help face the associated pragmatic and emotional issues. In my own words here is a brief summary of what TCT does: · They provide specialist wards and nurses that address specific needs me and other teenagers may have. Hospital can be an awful place, especially when receiving horrible chemotherapy drugs, but the TCT units are amazing and help make everything that bit more bearable. · TCT also offer educational talks to schools about cancer, which I think is very important considering 1 in 3 of us will get cancer at some point in our lives. When I first had symptoms the thought of cancer had never crossed my mind, and as a result this lead me to putting off seeing my doctors because I didn’t think it would be anything serious. I always wonder that if I knew what symptoms to look out for I could of diagnosed earlier, and perhaps then my prognosis would be different. · They also fund researchers with the aim of specifically addressing the issues faced within teenage and young adults (TYA) cancers. As I am now currently a patient and public involvement member on the TYA CSG within the NCRI, I have seen a clear underestimated need for research into TYA cancers, and how improvements can lead to better patient outcomes. · TCT also offer work experience programmes to help teenagers get back into work and contributing to society after their treatments have finished. · TCT also fund social evenings for teenagers and young adults with cancer. These events help boost morale and the friends you make form an invaluable support network. Joined together by a common experience I have met some of my now best friends at these events. · Finally, TCT host an annual ‘Find your sense of tumour’ conference, which was the most inspiring thing I have ever been to. So, please donate generously! :)	United Kingdom blogger and charity fundraiser has died today at the age of 19. Sutton, himself a cancer sufferer, gained media attention in the UK for his fundraising activities for , which have raised more than 3.3 million (5.5 million or 4 million) for the charity. Sutton's original goal was £10,000 (US$16,800 or €12,200) for the charity. His mother said he died in his sleep during the early hours of this morning. Sutton's mother broke the news in a post on 'Stephen's story', the Facebook page launched in January 2013 in which Sutton documented events in his life. "My heart is bursting with pride but breaking with pain for my courageous, selfless, inspirational son", she wrote. "The ongoing support and outpouring of love for Stephen will help greatly at this difficult time, in the same way as it helped Stephen throughout his journey. We all know he will never be forgotten, his spirit will live on, in all that he achieved and shared with so many." Previous posts on the Facebook page spoke of Sutton's deteriorating condition. Yesterday a post on the same Facebook page said: "Unfortunately in the last 24 hours Stephen's condition has deteriorated to where he can no longer communicate through this page himself. Unfortunately the breathlessness which had him re-admitted to hospital is due to the regrowth of tumours which are blocking his airways, and not just due to infection as we had all been hoping." However, the update also said he was "comfortable and stable". Sutton, from the town of in the of England, was told he was suffering from a at the age of 15. On a page, Sutton explained why he was raising money for his chosen charity. "Teenage Cancer Trust have helped me hugely throughout my own cancer battle and helped shape who I am and my positive attitude today", he said. "They offer hope and a sense of community to young people with cancer like myself, and directly help face associated pragmatic and emotional issues." His fundraising efforts received widespread media attention, part of which was due to a image of himself he posted on the Facebook page in April, which he then believed would be his last. Sutton's campaign received numerous celebrity endorsements, including from , and . Comedian also arranged comedy gigs to assist with Sutton's campaign. On Twitter today, the Teenage Cancer Trust said: "We are humbled and hugely grateful for what Stephen achieved and continues to achieve for us." British tweeted: "His spirit, bravery and fundraising for cancer research were all an inspiration." Meanwhile, Ed Miliband said on the social networking site: "His bravery & determination to live life to the full was an inspiration to us all." Jason Manford paid his own tribute to Sutton. "Stephen Sutton was the most inspiring person I've ever met and touched more lives than he will ever know", he said. "He was an incredibly positive young man and a credit to his family, to Burntwood and to humanity itself. The reason we took to him so passionately was because he was better than us, he did something that none of us could even imagine doing. In his darkest hour he selflessly dedicated his final moments to raising millions of pounds for teenagers with cancer. Some of Stephen's words will stay with me and others forever and they are words to live by — 'life isn't measured in time, it's measured in achievements'." == Sources == * * * * * * *
A freed South Korean hostage, right, meeting family members at a hospital in Anyang, southwest of Seoul, on Sunday. (Han Jae-Ho/Reuters) 19 South Koreans return home after Taliban captivity SEOUL: Nineteen South Korean Christians freed by Taliban insurgents after six weeks arrived here Sunday, carrying the portraits of two fellow church volunteers executed by their kidnappers and apologizing for putting their country through a wrenching, highly divisive hostage drama. They face a nation relieved that the hostage ordeal is finally over, but also increasingly angry at their decision to travel to Afghanistan despite government warnings, and at what many here consider overzealous proselytizing by South Korean churches. "We owe a big debt to the nation and people," Yoo Kyung Shik, who at 55 was the oldest of the freed hostages, said at Incheon airport outside Seoul, reading a prepared statement addressed to the South Korean people. While the other freed hostages stood behind him, many glancing downward and fighting back tears, Yoo likened his group's contrition to "seok go dae zoe," an ancient Korean practice in which criminals were forced to kneel down in public until the king punished or pardoned them. As Yoo read the statement before a phalanx of journalists, a few sign-carrying Christian fundamentalists shouted: "Brothers and sisters, you did nothing wrong. Keep your chin up." One man was reportedly stopped by the police as he attempted to hurl eggs at the church volunteers, most of whom looked pale and haggard after their ordeal. The group was then whisked to a hospital south of Seoul, where they embraced their loved ones in tears and joy. After Kim Yoon Young, 35, kissed her 6-year-old son, he promised to give his mother a "good massage." Until now, criticism of the church volunteers had been tempered by fears that highlighting the evangelical nature of their mission might threaten their lives. Now that they are free, a backlash is building, with people demanding an accounting of who is to blame for the crisis some feel damaged South Korea's reputation. "I expect cannonballs of criticism flying at churches for causing such a disturbance, for squandering national energy and money," said the Reverend Kim Myung Hyuk, president of the Korea Evangelical Fellowship. "This is a good opportunity for Christian-bashing in a society that has been frowning upon churches." The criticism of the hostages, and of missionary work in Islamic countries, has been especially vitriolic on the Internet. "Do they know what a tremendous humiliation and damage to our national credibility we suffered, as well as a monetary cost, just because they went to a place where they should not have gone?" said one posting Sunday on Naver.com, the largest Web portal in South Korea. Newspaper editorial pages have also expressed the feeling that the entire country has been, in a sense, held hostage since Taliban insurgents kidnapped 23 South Koreans on July 19. South Korea was bombarded for weeks by frightening news media reports about repeated Taliban promises to kill all of the hostages, and about the eventual execution of the two male ones. Two other hostages were released Aug. 13. Critics seem especially outraged that their government was put in what they called a no-win situation, forced to enter talks with a terrorist group despite international criticism. Debate on that issue is likely to intensify now that the Taliban are alleging that Seoul paid them more than $20 million, which they said would be used for more suicide attacks, according to a Reuters news report. The South Korean government has denied any such a deal. "How much national resources have been spent on these 23 crazy people?" said one typical posting on the popular Internet site dcinside.com. "Proselytizing in an Islamic country? They prayed for their own death. I wonder why the government negotiated for their sake to begin with." And Shin Yong Gug, secretary general of the People's Association of Religion Critics, said, "Most consider this a man-made disaster sown by Korean churches' indiscriminate zeal to proselytize and their disregard for safety." South Korea, which is about 30 percent Christian, has become the second-largest exporter of missionaries after the United States, with almost 17,000 in 170 countries. Although questions about missionary work in Muslim countries have been especially pronounced since the hostages were released, questions about South Korean churches' zeal to spread their faith in such places have been quietly growing in recent years. Critics have worried that attempts to spread Christianity in Muslim countries show disrespect, intentional or unintentional, for the local culture. Both Saemmul Presbyterian Church, to which the hostages belong, and the government insisted that the hostages had not been proselytizing, just providing aid. But many religious experts here consider such a distinction meaningless, since South Korean churches provide aid to gain converts. Saemmul Church once called the trip a "short-term evangelical mission." \|\|\|\|\| Seoul - A group of 19 South Korean Christians who spent six weeks held captive by the Taliban in Afghanistan were back home early Sunday - and apologising for the anguish they had caused. Speaking on behalf of the missionary group - which had gone to Afganistan against Korean government advice - Yu Kyong Sik said: 'We owe the country and people a lot,' and apologised 'for the worry and unrest we have caused.' They arrived at the airport in Incheon on a flight from Dubai, and were to be examined at a hospital, the Yonhap news agency reported. The hostages were released in batches on Wednesday and Thursday. They were among a group of 23 Christian aid workers abducted on July 19 while travelling overland. Two hostages were killed by the Taliban when deadlines for their demands were not met, while two women were freed about two weeks ago. The South Korean government on Saturday again dismissed speculation that it had paid ransom to Taliban rebels to secure the release of the hostages. 'No such thing was given,' foreign minister Song Min Soon said on his return from a trip to Moscow, according to a report by the Yonhap news agency. On Friday, a South Korean government spokesman had already denied any 'secret agreement' with the Taliban when asked whether the radical Islamist group had received a ransom in exchange for the kidnapped aid workers. Japan's Ashai Shimbun newspaper had reported that the kidnappers had received a ransom of 2 million dollars. The newspaper quoted sources in Afghanistan. A local mediator was convinced that there would have been no other way of ending the hostage drama, while observers in Afghanistan assumed that Seoul had paid a high ransom. The South Korean government on Thursday said it had agreed to withdraw its 200 soldiers from Afghanistan - which had already been decided before the kidnappings - by year's end. It said it had also promised to send no more 'Christian missionaries' into the country. © 2007 dpa - Deutsche Presse-Agentur	Taliban riding in a truck in Herat, Afghanistan.Nineteen South Korean Christians are released from after being held captive for six weeks. The 19 South Koreans return to a nation that is glad the situation has been resolved and is over. However, they also face a country that is angry with their decision to travel to Afghanistan despite the Afghan government advising them not to. One South Korean man was reportedly stopped by the police when he attempted to hurl eggs at the freed Christians. The South Korean people are demanding to know who is to blame for the crisis and damaging South Korea's reputation. The South Korean government promised to send no more Christian into the country.
Share \| \| Zardari gets nomination papers By Razzak Abro KARACHI: PPP co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari and six others obtained nomination forms on Monday for the presidential election scheduled for September 6. The forms were issued by Sindh Election Commissioner Chaudhry Qamaruz Zaman. According to him, representatives from Sindh Chief Minister House and the MQM received a form for Zardari. The provincial election commissioner told Daily Times that all aspirants could submit their nomination papers till 12:00 a.m. on Tuesday. The papers could be filed in any province or in Islamabad. In Sindh, the Chief Justice of the Sindh High Court, Justice Azizullah Memon, who is also the Returning Officer in Sindh, would receive the nomination papers. Others who received nomination forms were, Sakhawat Ali, Advocate Shakil Ahmed, Dr Mian Ehsan Bari, Ameer Ali Patti Walla and Mirza Asif Baig. None of them are prominent political personalities. Home \| National Share \| \| \|\|\|\|\| CNN Comment Policy: CNN encourages you to add a comment to this discussion. You may not post any unlawful, threatening, libelous, defamatory, obscene, pornographic or other material that would violate the law. Please note that CNN makes reasonable efforts to review all comments prior to posting and CNN may edit comments for clarity or to keep out questionable or off-topic material. All comments should be relevant to the post and remain respectful of other authors and commenters. By submitting your comment, you hereby give CNN the right, but not the obligation, to post, air, edit, exhibit, telecast, cablecast, webcast, re-use, publish, reproduce, use, license, print, distribute or otherwise use your comment(s) and accompanying personal identifying information via all forms of media now known or hereafter devised, worldwide, in perpetuity. CNN Privacy Statement \|\|\|\|\| Please turn on JavaScript. Media requires JavaScript to play. Advertisement Former Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has pulled his PML-N party - the country's second biggest - out of the multi-party governing coalition. He has been in dispute with the country's biggest party, the PPP, on the reinstatement of judges sacked by former President Pervez Musharraf. The two sides also disagree over who should be the next president. The move throws Pakistan into further turmoil at a time of economic gloom and growing threats from militants. The Pakistani rupee closed at a record low on Monday and shares fell a further two per cent. 'Constructive role' Mr Sharif told journalists in Islamabad that the PPP - led by Benazir Bhutto's widower Asif Zardari - had broken promises, in particular over the issue of the judges. "When written documents are repeatedly flouted, trust cannot remain," he said. "We cannot find a ray of hope." The PPP fears that if all the judges sacked by Mr Musharraf get their jobs back, they may invalidate an amnesty that paved the way for Mr Zardari and Ms Bhutto to return to the country last year. That would leave Mr Zardari open to prosecution on long-standing corruption charges. However, Mr Sharif said his party wanted to play a constructive role in opposition, indicating that he would not try to bring down the government for now. Uncomfortable Mr Sharif also said the PML-N was putting forward a 'non-partisan' name forward for the presidential election due on on 6 September, a former Supreme Court chief justice, Saeeduzzaman Siddiqui. Last week militants killed nearly 70 people in one attack alone The two party leaders had agreed to reduce the powers of the presidency in a country where the president has in the past dismissed democratically elected governments. Mr Sharif says as long as the presidency remains a powerful post, a non-partisan candidate acceptable to everyone, rather than Mr Zardari, should have been agreed on. The BBC's Charles Haviland in Islamabad says the PPP has other parties in coalition and the government will not fall. However, the PPP may find Mr Sharif to be an uncomfortably powerful figure to have in opposition at a time when the country lacks a sense of political direction. Mr Zardari and Mr Sharif worked together to threaten Mr Musharraf with impeachment which led him to resign last week. The United States gave huge financial backing to Mr Musharraf during his nine years as president as Pakistan became a front line nation in Washington's self-declared 'war on terror'. US administration officials are concerned that militants are gaining strength in Pakistan and that the coalition's current policy of negotiating with militants is not working. Last week a double suicide attack at a munitions attack in the town of Wah in Punjab province left nearly 70 people dead. The Pakistan Taleban claimed responsibility for what was the heaviest attack on a military installation by a militant group in the country's history. E-mail this to a friend Printable version Bookmark with: Delicious Digg reddit Facebook StumbleUpon What are these?	The governing coalition of Pakistan split on Monday after Nawaz Sharif, former Pakistani Prime Minister, pulled his party, the Pakistan Muslim League (N) (PML-N), out of the government. Nawaz Sharif, leader of Pakistan Muslim League (N). The coalition formed in March 2008 after the Pakistani general election failed to produce a party that had held a majority in Pakistan's parliament. The group consisted of the PML-N and the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP). The coalition controlled 50.2 percent of Pakistan's National Assembly and together held 15 of 100 seats in Pakistan's Senate. The PPP and the PML-N disagree on two main issues: the reinstatement of judges fired by former President Pervez Musharraf and a nominee for President of Pakistan in the Pakistani presidential election on September 6, 2008. Musharraf resigned last week. Muhammad Mian Soomro, as chairman of the Senate, became the interim President. The PPP opposes the restoration of judges, who they believe would invalidate the ruling which allowed PPP party leader Asif Zardari and his late wife Benazir Bhutto to return to the country. If the amnesty were to be nullified, Zardari could be indicted on corruption charges stemming from incidents as far back as 1990. Zardari was also accused of corruption in the United Kingdom but the case was dropped in March. For the presidential election, the PML-N nominated former Supreme Court chief justice, Saeeduzzaman Siddiqui, while the PPP nominated Zardari. Other people who have filed paperwork to stand in the elections are: Sakhawat Ali, Advocate Shakil Ahmed, Dr Mian Ehsan Bari, Ameer Ali Patti Walla and Mirza Asif Baig.
Japan earthquake: Emperor Akihito 'deeply worried' Please turn on JavaScript. Media requires JavaScript to play. Japan's Emperor Akihito has said he is "deeply worried" about the crisis his country is facing following last Friday's earthquake and tsunami. In an extremely rare appearance, the emperor went on live TV to make his first public comments on the disaster, and urged an all-out rescue effort. He spoke after technicians temporarily abandoned a quake-crippled nuclear plant as radiation briefly surged. Thousands of people were killed in the 9.0-magnitude quake and tsunami. Continue reading the main story Analysis The latest spike of radiation measured at Fukushima Daiichi is consistent with reports of damage to the containment system around reactor 3. It appears similar to Tuesday's incident in reactor 2, thought to be a crack that released steam containing some radioactive substances. In both cases, radioactivity levels soon fell. More worryingly, the latest spike was serious enough to force technicians off the site. Without workers on the ground, it is hard to see how the vital task of putting water into the hot reactors could be maintained. Reactor 4's situation is puzzling. A pool storing fuel rods from the shut-down reactor appears to have run dry, and officials spoke of a danger of "criticality" - the resumption of a nuclear reaction in the stored rods. Nuclear experts say this should not happen if the rods have been correctly arranged in the pool. Radioactivity levels continue to be an issue around the plant; but further away, they are not high enough at present to pose a hazard - especially with the wind blowing out to sea. The stricken Fukushima Daiichi power facility has sent low levels of radiation wafting into Tokyo, spreading alarm in the city and internationally. TV stations interrupted programming on Wednesday to show the emperor describing the crisis facing the nation as "unprecedented in scale". The 77-year-old - deeply respected by many Japanese - said: "I hope from the bottom of my heart that the people will, hand in hand, treat each other with compassion and overcome these difficult times." Japan's titular head of state - who acceded to the throne in 1989 after the death of his father Hirohito - said he prayed that every victim would be saved. He spoke as snow blanketed swathes of the disaster zone, where many survivors have little food, water or heat. About 450,000 people have been staying in temporary shelters, many sleeping on the floor of school gymnasiums. Nearly 3,700 people are listed as dead, but it is feared the total death toll will top 10,000 following the catastrophe, which pulverised the country's north-east coast. In other developments: France urged its nationals in Tokyo to leave the country or move south; two Air France planes were sent to begin evacuation Australia advised its citizens to consider leaving Tokyo and the most damaged prefectures; Turkey warned against travel to Japan After losing $620bn (£385bn) in the first two days of this week, Japan's stock market rebounded to finish Wednesday up by 5.7% Engineers are racing to avert a nuclear catastrophe at the Fukushima Daiichi power plant, 220km (140 miles) from Tokyo. Please turn on JavaScript. Media requires JavaScript to play. Helicopters deployed to dump water on the facility on Wednesday have been pulled out amid concerns over radiation. Earlier, the plant's operators evacuated its skeleton crew of 50 workers for about an hour as ground-level radiation spiked. And yet another fire broke out in a reactor, while smoke or steam billowed from another one. Winds from the facility are currently blowing north-west out into the Pacific Ocean. 'Boiling point' Levels of radiation outside the plant have now fallen from 1,000 millisieverts an hour to 600-800. A single dose of 1,000 millisieverts can cause temporary radiation sickness. Continue reading the main story Fukushima Daiichi crisis Reactor 1: Was first to be rocked an explosion on Saturday; fuel rods reportedly 70% damaged Was first to be rocked an explosion on Saturday; fuel rods reportedly 70% damaged Reactor 2: There are fears a blast on Tuesday breached a containment system; fuel rods reportedly 33% damaged There are fears a blast on Tuesday breached a containment system; fuel rods reportedly 33% damaged Reactor 3: Explosion on Monday; smoke or steam seen rising on Wednesday; damage to roof and possibly also to a containment system Explosion on Monday; smoke or steam seen rising on Wednesday; damage to roof and possibly also to a containment system Reactor 4: Hit by a major blaze on Tuesday and another fire on Wednesday The governor of Fukushima prefecture, Yuhei Sato, criticised official handling of the crisis, telling Japan's NHK TV: "The anxiety and anger being felt by people in Fukushima have reached a boiling point." Tokyo Electric Power Co, which runs the plant, said three-hour power cuts on Wednesday would affect nearly 11 million households. The government said it had no plans to extend a 20-km (12-mile) evacuation zone around the facility. Another 140,000 people living between 20-30km of the facility were told on Tuesday not to leave their homes. The atomic crisis has been caused by the tsunami breaking back-up diesel generators which kept the nuclear fuel cool. Workers have been dousing the reactors with seawater in a frantic effort to stabilise their temperatures, since the first in a series of explosions rocked the plant on Saturday. In Tokyo, there were as few people on the streets as there would be on a public holiday, and many shops and offices were shut. Many people have stocked up on food and water to stay indoors or have simply left the city. \|\|\|\|\| Japan's emperor has said he is "deeply concerned" about the worsening situation at a stricken nuclear power plant, and called on its people to work together to overcome the country's worst crisis since the second world war. In a rare public address, Akihito said events unfolding at the Fukushima Daiichi plant were "unpredictable", hours after a surge in radiation levels prompted the withdrawal of 70 workers who have been battling to make the facility safe. "I am deeply hurt by the grievous situation in the affected areas," Akihito said in his first public appearance since Japan's north-east coast was devastated by a powerful earthquake and tsunami in which more than 10,000 people may have died. Dressed in a dark suit, the sombre-looking 77-year-old said the disaster was on an "unprecedented scale". "I hope from the bottom of my heart that the people will, hand in hand, treat each other with compassion and overcome these difficult times." The country remains in a state of high anxiety over the nuclear emergency, but Akihito's appearance may go some way towards lifting people's spirits. He is widely respected as a thoughtful, intelligent man and his opinions continue to hold sway more than 65 years after his father, Hirohito, was forced to renounce his divine status after Japan's defeat in the second world war. As a symbolic figure, Akihito must be careful to refrain from involvement in political issues. His address carefully avoided any comment that could be construed as criticism of Japan's nuclear power industry or the official response to the crisis. It is unlikely that Akihito and Empress Michiko will travel to the disaster zone for as long as the threat persists of a serious nuclear accident. The imperial household agency said in a statement that the couple wanted to visit the area hit by the tsunami but felt that the focus should remain on the rescue operation for the time being. The imperial couple made similar visits in the wake of other disasters, including to the western city of Kobe, where 6,400 people died in an earthquake in January 1995. Akihito thanked emergency workers and the more than 100 countries that have offered aid and assistance with the rescue and recovery effort. "We don't know the number of victims, but I pray that every single person can be saved," he said. Akihito voiced hope that the engineers and technicians trying to avert disaster in Fukushima would be successful. "I am deeply concerned about the nuclear situation because it is unpredictable," he said in remarks broadcast on television. "With the help of those involved I hope things will not get worse."	Emperor Akihito said he was "deeply worried" , the emperor of Japan, has made a live appearance on national television saying he was "deeply worried" after the earthquake and tsunami that hit last Friday. The emperor made his announcement shortly after technicians working to stabilise a nuclear plant temporarily abandoned it as radiation started to surge. The emperor's appearance caused television stations to interrupt scheduled programming. During his appearance he said "I hope from the bottom of my heart that the people will, hand in hand, treat each other with compassion and overcome these difficult times." The 77 year-old is deeply respected in Japan. A statement by the Imperial household said Emperor Akihito and want to visit the area affected by the tsunami, but the important thing now is rescuing the victims. In 1995 the emperor and empress visited after an struck and killed 6,400 people. Around 10,000 people are feared to be dead after the earthquake and tsunami hit the north-east coast of the country. More than 100 countries have offered rescue services in an attempt to save as many people as possible.
LAS VEGAS, Nevada (CNN) -- Officers who found the deadly poison ricin in a Las Vegas, Nevada, extended-stay hotel room also discovered firearms and an "anarchist-type textbook" with an entry about ricin bookmarked, police said Friday. The deadly poison ricin and an "anarchist-type textbook" were found in a room in this Las Vegas hotel. Two tests had confirmed the substance found was ricin, and that a man who was staying there has been hospitalized for more than two weeks and is in critical condition, police said Friday. The 57-year-old man, whose name was not released, summoned authorities February 14 and asked to be transported to a hospital because of difficulty breathing, Kathy Suey, deputy chief of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, told reporters. But police were not aware of the ricin's existence until Thursday, when a second man, who identified himself as a relative of the victim, went to the Extended Stay America room to clear the victim's possessions out and found the substance. That man brought the poison, which was in vials in a plastic bag, to the manager's office, and police were notified. "He felt it was something that required police attention," said Las Vegas police Capt. Joe Lombardo. "He brought it to the management and said that 'I'm not comfortable with whatever this item is.'" Watch how ricin can be used to kill » Lombardo said police first were called to the room on Tuesday after weapons were discovered there. He said officers discovered "general firearms," which have been impounded, and an "anarchist-type textbook" marked at an entry on ricin. The room was tested for ricin at that time but none was found, Lombardo said. When officers returned Thursday, they found the ricin, but a test of the room showed it was not contaminated. Ricin Poison made from castor beans Can be inhaled, swallowed or injected Prevents cells of a person's body making proteins, can cause death No antidote Used in cancer treatment and bone marrow transplants Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Although seven people were checked as a precaution Thursday, all have been released, Suey said, and none is showing signs of ricin exposure. Suey said police do not know if the man staying in the room manufactured the ricin, as he has been unable to speak to investigators. "We don't know an awful lot" about the victim, Suey said. "For the last 12 hours, our efforts have been on the containment and cleanup of the area and areas where there could have been exposure. ... We are now going forward with an investigation." A report from the Washington Regional Threat and Analysis Center said the FBI considers the discovery "criminal in nature with no nexus to terrorism." The report was sent to law enforcement agencies and was obtained by CNN. Two Las Vegas labs confirmed the substance is ricin, Suey said. However, the hotel room and other areas tested negative for the poison, police said in a statement issued by the Threat and Analysis Center. Lombardo said a room at The Excalibur hotel was tested "as a precautionary measure" and found to be safe. "At this point we feel extremely positive we have all the ricin involved and there is no terrorist threat," Lombardo said. Pets were also in the hotel room, Suey said. Two of the animals were fine; the third, an ailing dog, was euthanized after having been without food and water in the room for a week, she said. Ricin is a toxin extracted from castor beans. Several of the beans were also found in the room, Suey told reporters. As little as 500 micrograms of ricin -- an amount the size of the head of a pin -- can kill an adult in three to five days, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The poison can come in the form of a mist or a pellet and can be dissolved in water or weak acid, according to the CDC. It has limited medical uses -- it can be used to kill cancer cells and destroy bone marrow cells. The discovery of ricin typically alarms law enforcement agencies because authorities in several countries have investigated links between suspected extremists and ricin. But Lombardo agreed with the assessment that the discovery is not considered a terror incident "at this point." He said ricin is not illegal to own, but is illegal if processed to be used for poisoning. "This is a continuing investigation," he told reporters Friday. "We don't know if the guy manufactured the ricin or not. That's our concern." CNN's chief medical correspondent, Dr. Sanjay Gupta, said although a small amount can kill somebody if injected, tons of the substance would be needed to make it a mass terrorism tool. He said there are three ways someone might be exposed to ricin: inhalation, ingestion and injection. If it is inhaled, a person may develop fever, a cough, nausea, fluid in the lungs and organ failure. There is no specific test for exposure and no antidote once exposed, Gupta said. E-mail to a friend CNN's Kevin Bohn contributed to this report. All About Poisoning • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention \|\|\|\|\| LAS VEGAS A man who stayed in a Las Vegas hotel room where ricin was discovered on Thursday has been hospitalized in critical condition since Feb. 14 with symptoms consistent with exposure to the deadly toxin, Las Vegas police said Friday. The man’s identity, age and hometown were being withheld on Friday as investigators tried to determine why ricin, as well as castor beans from which is it derived, were found in a room at an Extended Stay America hotel one mile west of the Las Vegas Strip. Deputy Chief Kathleen Suey said the man had been staying in the room where the ricin was found for an unknown length of time and was leasing the room when the substance was discovered. A man, said to be a relative or friend of the sick man, had gone into the room to retrieve the patient’s belongings when he found the vials of white powder and showed it to the hotel’s manager, Deputy Chief Suey said. Police were called by the hotel. The man had been hospitalized on Feb. 14 with respiratory distress but did not indicate to doctors that he may have been exposed to ricin, so the health district and police were not notified of the prospect, she said. \|\|\|\|\| By Ian Mylchreest LAS VEGAS (Reuters) - An unidentified man is in critical condition with suspected ricin poisoning after staying in a Las Vegas hotel room where the potentially deadly substance was found, police said on Friday. The FBI said the incident was not thought to be terrorism related. Police said the man, who they did not name, had last occupied the room two weeks ago and was taken to a local hospital on February 14 when he complained of breathing difficulties. A suspicious substance, which tests have confirmed to be ricin, was found in the sick man's room on Thursday after a relative or friend went to the hotel to collect his possessions, Las Vegas deputy police chief Kathy Suey told a news conference. No one else has reported symptoms and it was not clear where the ricin came from, or what is was doing in the room at the Extended Stay America Hotel in Las Vegas. Suey said the sick man, in his 40s, "is in critical condition and he is unable to speak with us right now. We have no indication why the ricin was in that room." Suey said castor beans, the basis for making ricin, were found in the hotel on Thursday and that the ricin was found in vials in the room. There is no definitive test for ricin, which in proper doses can be used to treat cancer. Continued... \|\|\|\|\| Toxic substance ricin is found in LV hotel room Investigators wearing hazardous materials suits work Thursday at the Extended Stay America on Valley View Boulevard after the toxin ricin was found in a room at the hotel. Lombardo did not elaborate on who the man was. The man, who told police the toxic agent did not belong to him, took the powdery substance to the manager's office, and the manager called police. Ricin, a substance used for cancer research that has "no other medical use," was discovered about 3 p.m. by a man who was cleaning out a suite at the Extended Stay America at 4270 S. Valley View Blvd., Joseph Lombardo, a Las Vegas police captain and Homeland Security Bureau chief, said at a news conference about 9:30 p.m. A toxic biological agent was found in a suite on Valley View Boulevard near Flamingo Road on Thursday afternoon, but Las Vegas police said they were not searching for a suspect and nobody was harmed by the substance. The man, along with three employees of the long-term stay hotel, were taken to a hospital as a precaution, although they had no signs of being affected by the substance, police said. Police were not sure about the origin of the substance or why it was in the room. The ricin and castor beans, from which ricin is derived, were found in the suite, although Lombardo did not say how much of the substance was found. Preliminary tests showed that the substance was ricin, a deadly toxin that can be a powder, a mist or a pellet, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Web site. It also can be dissolved in water. "Ricin is very serious," Lombardo said. "Something the size of the head of a pin can be deadly." Officials were downplaying the significance of the discovery late Thursday. Earlier, multiple agencies responded to the incident, including the Clark County Fire Department and the Nevada National Guard. "This is not a terror incident at this point," Lombardo said. "We don't know that there was any criminal intent on anybody's part," Las Vegas police Sgt. John Loretto said. "It could have been somebody that was reading a book who wanted to try to make something." Police cordoned off the area of Valley View between Flamingo Road and Harmon Avenue, and residents at the Extended Stay America were not being allowed back into the building late Thursday. Residents at an apartment complex north and east of the suites were allowed to come and go. The last time Las Vegas police dealt with ricin was in 2003, when a 60-year-old former gaming executive and chemist killed himself with the agent. The man, Tomoo Okada, told emergency responders that he had injected himself with the deadly poison, which prompted two hospital emergency rooms to be shut down for about three hours. On Thursday, 30-year-old Charlie Aitken, who was visiting Las Vegas from Nova Scotia, Canada, for the first time, said he was told by police to leave his room at the Extended Stay America about 3 p.m. As he walked out, he saw men suiting up in hazardous materials outfits. "It was like, 'Welcome to Vegas!,' " Aitken said. Contact reporter Lawrence Mower at lmower@reviewjournal.com or (702) 383-0440. \|\|\|\|\| LAS VEGAS, Nevada (CNN) -- A man who stayed in a Las Vegas hotel room where ricin was found is in critical condition at a hospital, where he has been since mid-February, said a Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department official. A man is in critical condition after exposure to ricin at a Las Vegas, Nevada, hotel. Deputy Chief Kathy Suey said the man called from the hotel asking for medical help on February 14, saying he was suffering from respiratory distress, and was transported to the hospital. Since he was gone from the extended-stay hotel and not paying his rent, managers began eviction procedures, Suey said at a news conference. A friend or relative of his who came to remove his belongings from the room found the ricin Thursday, she said. Watch Suey describe how the ricin was found » Tests confirm the substance found in the room was ricin, police said, but it remains a mystery how it got there. Suey said the man hospitalized was not a suspect and police don't know whether the ricin was his, or if he even knew it was there. The FBI said it was treating the matter as a criminal investigation and terrorism was not suspected. Pets were found in the room, Suey said. "Two of those pets are fine. One of the pets is deceased or was put down," she said. There was no evidence that the animal died from ricin exposure, Suey said. "The dog that was in there was without food and water for a week." She said the man was unable to speak to police, but a doctor at the briefing said he held out hope the man might recover enough to provide information. "Usually, if [ricin victims] survive the first three to five days, they usually do fine," said Dr. Lawrence Sands of the Southern Nevada Health District, emphasizing that he didn't know specifics of the case. As little as 500 micrograms of the toxin -- an amount the size of the head of a pin -- can kill an adult. Watch how ricin poisoning affects people » Suey said seven people -- including apartment management and police officers -- had been taken to the hospital to be checked out after the ricin was discovered. None showed signs of poisoning, and all had been released, she said. Symptoms of ricin poisoning can include anything from difficulty breathing, fever, cough, nausea and sweating to severe vomiting and dehydration. "We did have enough ricin to be of concern," said Capt. Joe Lombardo of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department. Ricin Poison made from castor beans Can be inhaled, swallowed or injected Prevents cells of a person's body making proteins, can cause death No antidote Used in cancer treatment and bone marrow transplants Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Lombardo said areas of the hotel exposed to the toxin have been decontaminated. The discovery of ricin alarms law-enforcement agencies because authorities in several countries have investigated links between suspect extremists and ricin. Ricin is a poison that can be made from waste left over after processing castor beans, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The toxin can come in the form of a mist or pellet and can be dissolved in water or weak acid, according to the CDC. The agency also said the toxin works by getting inside the cells of a person's body and preventing the cells from making the proteins they need. Lombardo said authorities found castor beans in the room and also powder in a small vial. He said ricin is not illegal to own, but it's illegal if processed to be used for poisoning someone. Ricin has limited medical uses -- it can be used to kill cancer cells and bone marrow transplants. CNN's chief medical correspondent, Dr. Sanjay Gupta, said that while a small amount can kill somebody if injected, tons of it would be needed to use as a mass terrorism tool. Gupta said there are three ways of exposure to ricin: inhalation, ingestion or injections. If inhaled, people may develop fever, a cough, nausea, fluid in the lungs and organ failure. There is no specific test for exposure and no antidote once exposed, he said. There have been other reported cases involving ricin in the United States. In January 2005, the FBI arrested an Ocala, Florida, man with no known ties to terrorists or extremists after agents found ricin in the home he lives in with his mother. Ricin was found in February 2004 in the mailroom of the Dirksen Senate Office Building in Washington. The mailroom handles correspondence addressed to U.S. lawmakers. E-mail to a friend CNN's Kevin Bohn contributed to this report. All About Poisoning • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention	The chemical structure of ricin On February 14, a man staying at the Valley View Extended Stay America hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada was hospitalized after experiencing respiratory distress. The man lapsed into unconsciousness and has been at the hospital ever since. Since the bills at the hotel were going unpaid, Extended Stay America began to evict the man from the room. Another man, described as either a friend or relative, went to the hotel on Thursday to collect the personal belongings of the hospitalized man. According to Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department Deputy Chief Kathy Suey, he found several vials of a white substance. He brought them to the attention of the hotel manager, who called police. Initial tests, which further tests confirmed on Friday, the substance was the deadly toxin ricin, an extremely dangerous biological agent. Ricin is extracted from castor beans through the waste produced in the manufacture of castor oil. It is currently being used in cancer treatment research. There has been research for its use as a chemical/biological warfare agent. An amount smaller than the point of a pin will kill a human being. It is estimated to be several thousand times more toxic than cyanide and there is no known antidote. Police cordoned off the area around Valley View between Flamingo Road and Harmon Avenue. Three employees and the man who made the discovery were taken to the hospital as a precaution. So were three police officers. They are all reported to show no signs of poisoning. Nevada National Guard and other emergency services responded to secure the area. Residents at the Extended Stay America were allowed back into the building late Thursday. The hotel reopened fully on Friday after the room and other areas of the hotel were decontaminated. Castor beans The man whose room it was "is in critical condition and he is unable to speak with us right now. We have no indication why the ricin was in that room," said Deputy Chief Suey. "Usually, if ricin victims survive the first three to five days, they usually do fine," Dr. Lawrence Sands told CNN. However, survivors often have long-term organ damage. At least three pets were found in the room. "Two of those pets are fine. One of the pets is deceased or was put down," Suey said. "The dog that was in there was without food and water for a week," she added that there was no reason to supect it was exposed to ricin. Castor beans were also found in the room. Officials have also recovered from the room a firearm, as well as an "anarchist" text containing an article on ricin. Federal Bureau of Investigation spokesperson Richard Kolko said the incident is being treated as a criminal matter and did not appear to be related to terrorism "based on the information gathered so far." Captain Joe Lombardo of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department said that ricin is not illegal to own unless it is intended for the poisoning of a person, adding that "We did have enough ricin to be of concern." In 2003, a man committed suicide in Las Vegas using ricin. There have also been a few incidents where ricin powder was found in the mail. Also in 2003, the United Kingdom had the Wood Green ricin plot which in the end found no ricin. In 1978, Bulgarian defector Georgi Markov was famously assassinated in London with ricin injected with the tip of an umbrella.
And Williams, who walked out on the group 15 years ago as he began to go off the rails, said: "It feels like coming home." The two sides have gradually settled their differences over the past few years, until revealing today that they were back - although time will tell if it is for good. Footage posted on the band's website this afternoon shows them together in the studio - laughing, joking and singing as they worked on an untitled album to be released in November. Last year Williams and his former bandmates shared a stage for a Children In Need concert, an event organised by Take That's Gary Barlow. However the quintet - completed by Jason Orange, Mark Owen and Howard Donald - had already begun to work together. Williams let slip during a radio interview late last year that they had been recording together. Take That disbanded in 1996 but reunited without Williams in 2005 to huge success, including three number one singles. The group's new album will be their first with the full line-up since 1995 release Nobody Else and has been produced by Stuart Price, who has worked with Madonna and Kylie Minogue. Williams spoke of his joy at rejoining his old colleagues. He said: "I get embarrassingly excited when the five of us are in a room." Bandmate Owen said: "Getting the five of us to be in a room together, although always a dream, never actually seemed like becoming a reality. "Now the reality of the five of us making a record together feels like a dream. It's been an absolute delight spending time with Rob again. But I'm still a better footballer," he joked. And Orange said: "I'm over the moon that Robbie's back with us, however long it lasts. I just want to enjoy our time with him. Life is beautifully strange sometimes." This year marks the 20th anniversary of the band's formation, making their TV debut on producer Pete Waterman's ITV show The Hitman And Her. By 1993 they had become huge and enjoyed a string of hits including Pray and Relight My Fire. However Williams, the youngest of the group, was beginning to pull in a different direction, particularly when engaging in a "lost weekend" with Oasis at the Glastonbury festival in 1995. After a difficult start he had a successful solo career, topping the chart with singles Millennium and Feel. But the reunion of his former Take That colleagues in 2005 for live dates began to overshadow his success. Despite Williams ridiculing Barlow during his early solo shows, the pair began to bury the hatchet in recent years and their friendship was renewed. Williams said last year: "You carry around all this resentment and bitterness for such a long time." After the five met up they embraced. "We had a hug up and what was left was what we had at the beginning - just five guys that love each other," Williams said. Williams had already revealed he was working with Barlow. Last month he announced the pair were to release a duet Shame which will feature on his greatest hits collection. The new album will be released on Take That's label Polydor, rather than Williams's company, EMI. \|\|\|\|\| Robbie Williams rejoins Take That on new album Please turn on JavaScript. Media requires JavaScript to play. Singer Robbie Williams and Take That have recorded a new album, the group has confirmed. It is the first time all five members have worked together since Williams quit 15 years ago. The singer said he was "embarrassingly excited" and reuniting with his former group felt like "coming home" while bandmate Mark Owen added that it "feels like a dream". All five singers have written the songs for the record, due out in November. Owen said: "Getting the five of us to be in a room together, although always a dream, never actually seemed like becoming a reality. Related stories "Now the reality of the five of us making a record together feels like a dream. It's been an absolute delight spending time with Rob again. But I'm still a better footballer." Jason Orange said it was "absolutely brilliant," adding, "I'm over the moon that Robbie's back with us, however long it lasts. I just want to enjoy our time with him. Life is beautifully strange sometimes." Outstanding contribution The reunion took place in New York last September, following Take That's The Circus Live tour. Speculation began that they might reform when it emerged that Williams had met up with the rest of the group during Owen's stag do. When Williams walked out of the band in 1995, he went on to launch a successful career. The remaining members disbanded a year later but reformed in 2005. Since then, they have had three number one singles and two sell-out tours. As a solo artist, Williams, who was presented with the outstanding contribution award at the Brits earlier this year, has had eight number one albums in the UK. Williams and Barlow recently put the past behind them Last month, he announced on his website that he was releasing a single with former bandmate Gary Barlow. Shame, co-written by the pair, is due out on 4 October and will also appear on Williams' greatest hits album, In And Out Of Consciousness. In a statement on his website, Williams said the album was "not only a celebration of my past but also a bridge to the future". "The fact that part of the future includes a name from my past makes it all the more poignant for me." The last album that the band worked on together was their number one record, Nobody Else in 1995. Exclusive footage of the band back together will be shown on the BBC News at Six later.	Robbie Williams in 2006. Singer has rejoined and recorded a new album with British musical group , having departed from the group in 1995. The four other members of Take That are , , and . Robbie Williams decided to leave Take That in 1995 to begin a solo music career; the group subsequently disbanded in 1996. In 2005, Take That was reformed as a four-piece band. Williams announced his return to Take That in November 2009. The last album the group released before the disbanding was entitled "", which was released in 1995. A single entitled "Shame", sung by Robbie Williams and Gary Barlow, is expected to be released on October 4, 2010. The new album from Take That, which has now been recorded, is anticipated to be available from November 2010. All five members of Take That have composed songs for the album, which has currently not yet been given a title and will be issued by . Take That member Mark Owen stated: "Getting the five of us to be in a room together, although always a dream, never actually seemed like becoming a reality. Now the reality of the five of us making a record together feels like a dream. It's been an absolute delight spending time with Rob again. But I'm still a better footballer." Jason Orange commented that he is "over the moon that Robbie's back with us, however long it lasts. I just want to enjoy our time with him. Life is beautifully strange sometimes." Robbie Williams stated that he gets "embarrassingly excited when the five of us are in a room."
JAKARTA, Indonesia (CNN) -- A powerful earthquake shook buildings and caused panic on the densely-populated Indonesian island of Java, but there have been no reports of injuries and no tsunami alert. Shaken residents stand outside an apartment building in Kunigan, South Jakarta The quake, measured at magnitude 7.5 by the U.S. Geological Survey, struck shortly after midnight in a part of the sea dotted with oil rig platforms, Financial Times journalist John Aglionby told CNN International. He described feeling the quake in his house in a suburb of the Indonesian capital. "I was just getting into bed on the second floor of my house. You rarely feel these things in Jakarta so I knew something was wrong immediately," he told CNN. Watch Aglionby describe what he felt » According to CNN's Kathy Quiano, the shaking caused many in the capital to flee their homes. "We felt the earthquake in Jakarta, it was pretty strong and went on for at least a minute," Quiano said. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said there was no threat of a tsunami, because the quake was too deep. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the quake was centered 100 kilometers (62 miles) east of Jakarta, at a depth of 289 kilometers (180 miles). It occurred about 32 kilometers (20 miles) from shore. "Earthquakes of 7.5 and over happen approximately 18 times a year," said John Bellini of the USGS, "and in the area around Indonesia that varies. You might see one or two a year, or you might not see any." About 15 minutes after the quake struck, Quiano drove through Jakarta, and said she saw no signs of damage. She said residents -- especially those living in high-rises, ran from their homes when they felt the quake, but returned fairly quickly. "The earthquake went on for at least a minute here. It was pretty strong and scary," Quiano said. "People are shaken, that's for certain." And Aglionby said there were still concerns for the many oil rigs exploiting the resource rich waters off the north coast of Java. E-mail to a friend All About Jakarta \|\|\|\|\| The magnitude 7.5 quake hit at 0005 on Thursday (1705 GMT Wednesday) at a depth of 289km (180 miles). No immediate casualties or damage were reported. Because of the depth, there was little risk of a tsunami, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said. A massive undersea earthquake sparked a tsunami that killed more than 130,000 people in Indonesia in December 2004. Thursday's quake hit 100km (60 miles) east of Jakarta. Residents panic Residents of the capital said buildings shook violently during the quake and its aftershocks. This [quake] was felt by people on the ground and it shook buildings, but it was too deep to cause the ocean bottom to move John Bellini USGS geophysicist Hundreds of people gathered in the courtyards of Jakarta's vast apartment blocks, too scared to go back inside, said the BBC's Lucy Williamson in Jakarta. One resident described being woken up on the 26th floor of her apartment by the swaying of her building. The tremor was felt as far away as Malaysia, according to the US Geological Survey (USGS). "The earthquake centre in 2004 was close enough that it actually ruptured the surface of the sea floor, which caused a tsunami," USGS geophysicist John Bellini told the Associated Press news agency. "This one was felt by people on the ground and it shook buildings, but it was too deep to cause the ocean bottom to move." Earthquakes and tsunamis are frequent in Indonesia, part of the seismically active Pacific "Ring of Fire". \|\|\|\|\| Versión en Español Earthquake Summary Earthquake Summary Poster The following is a release by the United States Geological Survey, National Earthquake Information Center: An earthquake occurred IN JAVA, INDONESIA, about 100 km (65 miles) E of JAKARTA or about 110 km (70 miles) N of Bandung at 11:04 AM MDT, Aug 8, 2007 (Aug 09 at 12:04 AM local time in Java, Indonesia). 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. Because this earthquake is located about 290 km below the surface of the earth, it will have been felt strongly over a wide area, but is not likely to cause severe damage. We have received reports that the earthquake was felt in much of Java and in parts of Malaysia. Felt Reports WP 7.4 (GS). Tectonic Summary The earthquake of August 8, 2007, occurred at a depth of about 290 km within the lithosphere of the Australia plate, which is subducting beneath the Sunda plate. In this region, the Australia plate moves to the north with respect to the Sunda plate with a velocity of about 58 mm/yr. The Australia plate is thrust beneath the Sunda plate at the Java trench, south of the island of Java, and is subducted to progressively greater depths with distance north of the trench. The subducted lithosphere beneath and north of Java is seismically active to a depth of about 650 km. Earthquakes that have focal-depths between 70 and 300 km are commonly termed “intermediate-depth” earthquakes, and earthquakes with focal-depths greater than 300 km are termed “deep-focus” earthquakes. Intermediate-depth and deep-focus earthquakes represent deformation within subducted plates, rather than deformation at plate boundaries. Intermediate-depth and deep-focus earthquakes typically cause less damage on the ground surface above their foci than is the case with similar magnitude shallow-focus earthquakes, but large intermediate-depth and deep-focus earthquakes may be felt at great distance from their epicenters. Earthquake Information for Asia Earthquake Information for Indonesia Tsunami Information \|\|\|\|\| Versión en Español Earthquake Summary Earthquake Summary Poster The following is a release by the United States Geological Survey, National Earthquake Information Center: An earthquake occurred IN JAVA, INDONESIA, about 100 km (65 miles) E of JAKARTA or about 110 km (70 miles) N of Bandung at 11:04 AM MDT, Aug 8, 2007 (Aug 09 at 12:04 AM local time in Java, Indonesia). 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. Because this earthquake is located about 290 km below the surface of the earth, it will have been felt strongly over a wide area, but is not likely to cause severe damage. We have received reports that the earthquake was felt in much of Java and in parts of Malaysia. Felt Reports WP 7.4 (GS). Tectonic Summary The earthquake of August 8, 2007, occurred at a depth of about 290 km within the lithosphere of the Australia plate, which is subducting beneath the Sunda plate. In this region, the Australia plate moves to the north with respect to the Sunda plate with a velocity of about 58 mm/yr. The Australia plate is thrust beneath the Sunda plate at the Java trench, south of the island of Java, and is subducted to progressively greater depths with distance north of the trench. The subducted lithosphere beneath and north of Java is seismically active to a depth of about 650 km. Earthquakes that have focal-depths between 70 and 300 km are commonly termed “intermediate-depth” earthquakes, and earthquakes with focal-depths greater than 300 km are termed “deep-focus” earthquakes. Intermediate-depth and deep-focus earthquakes represent deformation within subducted plates, rather than deformation at plate boundaries. Intermediate-depth and deep-focus earthquakes typically cause less damage on the ground surface above their foci than is the case with similar magnitude shallow-focus earthquakes, but large intermediate-depth and deep-focus earthquakes may be felt at great distance from their epicenters. Earthquake Information for Asia Earthquake Information for Indonesia Tsunami Information	Location of earthquake shown by blue star. According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS) a powerful magnitude 7.5 earthquake struck Indonesia's main island, Java, at 5:05 p.m. UTC, which is just after midnight locally. The epicenter was located 100 kilometers (65 miles) east of Jakarta and was at a depth of 289.2 km (179.7 miles). The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said that no tsunami is expected as the depth of the quake exceeded 280 km. There are no reports of damage, injuries or deaths. "No reports of damage or casualties have been received at this time. Because this earthquake is located about 290 km below the surface of the earth, it will have been felt strongly over a wide area, but is not likely to cause severe damage. We have received reports that the earthquake was felt in much of Java and in parts of Malaysia", said a statement posted on the USGS website.
Police: Girl was victim of gruesome plan 10-year-old's abused body found in neighbor's storage tub Members of Jamie Bolin's family grieve Saturday near the apartment where she lived. YOUR E-MAIL ALERTS Oklahoma Amber Alert or or Create Your Own PURCELL, Oklahoma (CNN) -- A 10-year-old Purcell, Oklahoma, girl was the victim of a horrific plan of kidnap, rape, torture and cannibalism, authorities said Saturday. Investigators late Friday found Jamie Rose Bolin's body in a plastic storage tub in the bedroom closet of 26-year-old Kevin Underwood, said Tim Kuykendall, the district attorney for McClain County. The medical examiner said the girl, who had been missing since Wednesday, died of asphyxiation and blunt blows to the head, Kuykendall told a news conference Saturday. The district attorney added that her injuries were also consistent with a "serious attempt to cut the head off the body." (Watch reaction of horrified neighbor -- 1:58) Underwood -- who is in custody but has not been formally charged -- and the girl lived in the same apartment complex. He does not have a felony criminal history or known mental illness. Evidence seized from Underwood's apartment included a decorative dagger authorities say was used to try to decapitate the girl, a hacksaw, a meat tenderizer, barbecue skewers and a wooden cutting board, Kuykendall said. Also found were a dismantled bicycle under a bed, a mug thought to have been carried by the girl into the apartment, a video of a cable television documentary on serial killers and a computer, Kuykendall said. Underwood purchased the hacksaw, skewers and meat tenderizer in the months before the girl died, Kuykendall said. The girl was struck on the head with the cutting board "three to four times," Kuykendall said, and Underwood suffocated her using duct tape and covering her mouth with his hand. Kuykendall said it was believed the girl screamed "numerous times." It was unclear how her cries apparently went unheard. "She pled for her life," he said. "The first thing out of her mouth when he first hit her was, 'I'm sorry.' " After the news conference, Kuykendall said authorities believe she did not die immediately. An autopsy report is being finalized. 'This was well planned out' Authorities believe the girl was molested after she had died, Kuykendall told CNN after the news conference. Her clothes had been removed and placed with her inside the tub, along with a towel to soak up blood, Kuykendall said. Authorities think she was killed before police were notified that she had disappeared. "This was well planned out," said said Purcell Police Chief David Tompkins. He added that other individuals, including an woman and a 5-year-old boy, also were targeted and considered. "But Rose was the one who was selected for this plan," he said. Police suspect she was selected simply because she walked past Underwood's apartment on Wednesday. The two were acquainted, authorities said. Underwood had a pet rat that would sit on his shoulder, Tompkins said, and the girl had previously seen and petted it. The night before her death, she had intended to use a pay phone in the apartment building to order pizza, according to Kuykendall. Underwood had offered his phone, but the girl responded that she would get in trouble if she went into his apartment because she was not allowed to enter strangers' homes, Kuykendall said. However, she apparently did use his phone to place the order, according to Kuykendall. The next day, she is believed to have gone into Underwood's apartment voluntarily, Kuykendall said. "Whether you term that 'lured in' or not, I believe she went into the apartment of her own free will," he said. Underwood is being held without bail at McClain County jail and is scheduled to appear before a judge Monday to face a charge of first-degree murder. Other charges are also possible, said Kuykendall, who added that he would seek the death penalty. Underwood did not have an attorney as of Saturday, according to Kuykendall. 'He was very quiet' Balloons, flowers and a teddy bear have been left outside the apartment building. "It's very hard to talk to a family about things like this," said Kuykendall, who informed the Bolin family of Underwood's alleged plan. "I kind of look at it in terms of, would I want to know what happened to my daughter, my child?" he said. Underwood had lived in the apartment for about a year and a half and, according to Tompkins, and had worked at a grocery store for a year and at a fast food restaurant before that. FBI investigators first identified Underwood as a person of interest when they stopped him at a roadside checkpoint near the apartment complex, Kuykendall said. After an interview, Underwood consented to a search of his apartment, during which investigators found the child's body, Kuykendall said. A search warrant was then obtained, he said. "He was very quiet ... comes from a nice family" and had a close relationship with relatives, Kuykendall told CNN describing Underwood. "Nothing in his background that we know of would have indicated that he could have done this. He was the guy next door." \|\|\|\|\| [E-mail this story to a friend...] [ 1 of 4 \| ] ``She had a giggle that you couldn't help but join in,'' said Jamie's grandmother, Rose Fox. ``She was the kind of girl who could just light up a room. ``She liked to wrestle with her little sisters and wrestle with her 'poppa,' which is my husband. She liked puppies and kittens and all the other things little 10-year-old girls like.'' On Friday, Jamie's body was discovered in her neighbor's apartment downstairs at the Purcell apartment complex where she lived. Police arrested Kevin Ray Underwood, 26, on a first-degree murder complaint and took him to the McClain County Jail, where he was being held without bail on Saturday. Prosecutors said they expect to file formal charges on Monday and that they intend to seek the death penalty. Purcell Police Chief David Tompkins said Underwood had no apparent criminal record. It was not immediately known whether Underwood had a lawyer. Underwood drew the suspicion of investigators when he pulled up to a check point set up in the area near the apartment complex OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ Smart and funny with bright red hair and freckles, 10-year-old Jamie Rose Bolin liked to pillow fight with her sisters and play with Barbie dolls.``She had a giggle that you couldn't help but join in,'' said Jamie's grandmother, Rose Fox. ``She was the kind of girl who could just light up a room.``She liked to wrestle with her little sisters and wrestle with her 'poppa,' which is my husband. She liked puppies and kittens and all the other things little 10-year-old girls like.''On Friday, Jamie's body was discovered in her neighbor's apartment downstairs at the Purcell apartment complex where she lived.Police arrested Kevin Ray Underwood, 26, on a first-degree murder complaint and took him to the McClain County Jail, where he was being held without bail on Saturday. Prosecutors said they expect to file formal charges on Monday and that they intend to seek the death penalty.Purcell Police Chief David Tompkins said Underwood had no apparent criminal record. It was not immediately known whether Underwood had a lawyer.Underwood drew the suspicion of investigators when he pulled up to a check point set up in the area near the apartment complex [ 1 of 4 \| ]	Police in Purcell, Oklahoma, about 40 miles (64 km) south of Oklahoma City, on Friday discovered the mutilated body of a ten-year-old girl in the apartment of a man who lived in the same apartment complex. The body of Jamie Rose Bolin was found in a storage bin in the bedroom closet of Kevin Underwood, 26, said Tim Kuykendall, district attorney for McClain County. Underwood has been arrested on suspicion of first-degree murder and is being held without bail. He has no criminal record or history of mental illness. The girl was last seen on Wednesday near the Purcell public library, and her family reported her missing that night. Officials waited until Thursday night to issue an Amber Alert because no abduction was reported. Underwood reportedly drew the suspicion of law enforcement at an information checkpoint set up at the apartment complex. Among the other items found in Underwood's apartment were a decorative dagger, a hacksaw, barbecue skewers, meat tenderizer, and a wooden cutting board, according to police. Preliminary autopsy reports find that the girl died of asphyxiation and blunt force trauma to the head. Deep saw marks found on the body indicate that the suspect attempted to decapitate the girl, say authorities. As the body was found unclothed, police also suspect that Bolin was molested after she died. "Regarding a potential motive, this appears to have been part of a plan to kidnap a person, rape them, torture them, kill them, cut off their head, drain the body of blood, rape the corpse, eat the corpse, then dispose of the organs and bones," Purcell police chief David Tompkins said. According to Kuykendall, Underwood said he began fantasizing about eating someone a year ago. The prosecutor added that authorities believe "that while she was ultimately chosen to be the victim of this horrific crime, that other people had been targeted and considered," including a woman and a 5-year-old boy. He added that this was one of the most atrocious crimes he had seen as district attorney, and that he intends to seek the death penalty.
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. \|\|\|\|\| LANDSDOWNE, Va. Oct. 21 — Vice President Dick Cheney, ratcheting up the administration’s warnings to Iran, today branded that country’s government “a growing obstacle to peace in the Middle East” and declared that United States and its allies “will not allow Iran to have a nuclear weapon.” The vice president’s remarks, coming just days after President Bush suggested that a nuclear-armed Iran could lead to “World War III,” amounted to a one-two punch from the administration. “The Iranian regime needs to know that if it stays on its present course, the international community is prepared to impose serious consequences,” Mr. Cheney said. He did not specify what those consequences might be, or whether they would include military action, but added, “We will not allow Iran to have a nuclear weapon.” Mr. Cheney made his remarks in a wide-ranging foreign policy speech during a conference on Middle East policy hosted by The Washington Institute, a research organization. During the 25-minute talk, he also took aim at Syria, accusing it of using “bribery and intimidation” to influence the upcoming elections in Lebanon, and made the case, as he has in the past, for the administration’s muscular approach in prosecuting terror suspects. But his most serious comments were aimed squarely at Iran, which he accused of being “the world’s most active sponsor of state terrorism.” Experts at the conference said the vice president’s language, while stopping short of threatening military action, seemed designed to prepare Americans for what the administration might do if Iran did not cooperate. “The language on Iran is quite significant,” said Dennis Ross, who served as a Middle East envoy for both the first President Bush and in the Clinton administration, and is now a scholar at The Washington Institute. Referring to Mr. Cheney’s remark about “serious consequences,” Mr. Ross said, adding that it was a strong statement and that “does have implications.” \|\|\|\|\| Cheney: Iran faces 'serious consequences' over nuclear drive LANSDOWNE, United States (AFP) — Vice President Dick Cheney said Sunday the United States would not permit Iran to get nuclear weapons and warned of "serious consequences" if it refuses to stop enriching uranium. Cheney, considered the US administration's toughest hardliner on Iran, did not mention the possibility of military action amid reports that President George W. Bush could be laying the stage for war with the Islamic republic. "The Iranian regime needs to know that if it stays on its present course, the international community is prepared to impose serious consequences," he said in a speech to the Washington Institute for Near East Policy. "The United States joins other nations in sending a clear message: We will not allow Iran to have a nuclear weapon," he said, after Bush warned last week that a nuclear-equipped Iran evoked the threat of "World War III." "Our country and the entire international community cannot stand by as a terror-supporting state fulfills its most aggressive ambitions," Cheney said, accusing Iran anew of abetting attacks on US troops in Iraq. Cheney's warning to Iran recalled UN Security Council resolutions in 2002 that Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein faced "serious consequences" if he failed to come clean on his alleged stockpiles of weapons of mass destruction. Speaking on CNN Sunday, Democratic Representative Jane Harman said the administration's threatening language against Iran was "very dangerous." "We heard about mushroom clouds and other images before the military action in Iraq. I wish the president would avoid that," she said, calling for tougher UN sanctions on Iran instead of "war-mongering threats." Unbowed by the morass faced now by the United States in Iraq, and by warnings that the US military is dangerously overstretched, the hawkish Cheney reportedly favors attacking Iran. In a New Yorker article last month, celebrated investigative reporter Seymour Hersh said there was US planning for "surgical" raids against Iran's Revolutionary Guards, which Washington accuses of targeting its forces in Iraq. On the campaign trail for next year's White House race, top Republicans and Democratic frontrunner Hillary Clinton also insist that they will never tolerate a nuclear-armed Iran menacing its neighbors and Israel. Clinton last month voted for a Senate resolution that declared the Revolutionary Guards a terror organization -- a step that her Democratic rival Barack Obama said represented a "blank check" for Bush to wage war on Iran. Iran, which insists it only wants peaceful nuclear energy, has brushed aside US warnings, and announced Saturday that its top nuclear negotiator Ali Larijani had resigned and was being replaced by an ally of hardline President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. In a gloomy speech that ranged over threats facing the United States from Islamic terrorism, and the need for Congress to renew controversial surveillance tactics, Cheney also said that Washington would not abandon Iraq. "We're going to complete the mission so that another generation of Americans does not need to go back and do it again," he said. Cheney also accused Syria of using "bribery and intimidation" to undermine Lebanon's upcoming presidential election and said the vote should go ahead "free of any foreign interference." In May Cheney declared, from the potent venue of a US aircraft carrier steaming in the Gulf, that the United States would not let Iran acquire nuclear arms. Middle East experts who spoke at the Washington Institute conference after Cheney's speech noted that US rhetoric against Iran was being sharply escalated. "The language on Iran is quite significant," former Middle East presidential envoy Dennis Ross said. "That's very strong words and it does have implications." Commenting on Bush's "World War III" warning, Jane's Information Group Alex Vatanka said: "The United States could take care of Iran militarily in short order. "But it's still not useful for policymakers to use this kind of alarmist talk, even if Bush feels that Iran is an urgent issue that needs to be dealt with in his remaining time in office," he told AFP.	Dick Cheney giving his speech. In a speech on Sunday, U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney warned that Iran will face "serious consequences" if it refuses to stop enriching uranium. In his speech, Cheney also accused Iran of being "the world’s most active sponsor of state terrorism," and called Iran's government "a growing obstacle to peace in the Middle East." "The Iranian regime needs to know that if it stays on its present course, the international community is prepared to impose serious consequences," Cheney said in a speech to the Washington Institute for Near East Studies, without specifying whether those consequences would include military action. "The United States joins other nations in sending a clear message: We will not allow Iran to have a nuclear weapon," he said. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Mohammad Ali Hosseini said today that Iran's nuclear policies are "unalterable" and that terminating Iran's nuclear program "isn't on the agenda and won't be." Iran maintains that it is developing nuclear energy for peaceful purposes, a position that has been backed by Russian President Vladimir Putin. In an interview with ''CNN'', U.S. Representative Jane Harman (D-Calif.) said the language being used by the Bush administration is "very dangerous" and recommended stronger U.N. sanctions as an alternative to "war-mongering threats." "We heard about mushroom clouds and other images before the military action in Iraq. I wish the president would avoid that," she said.
Nawang Gombu, the first man to scale Mt. Everest twice, died at his home in Darjeeling early on Sunday after a brief illness. He was 79. Awarded the Padma Bhusan in 1966, the Padma Shree in 1964, the Arjuna Award the following year and the Tenzing Norgay Lifetime Achievement Award in 2005, Nawang Gombu had also received the Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal. Altitude porter Following in the footsteps of his uncle Tenzing Norgay, he was first an altitude porter before becoming a climbing member in many subsequent expeditions, according to his family. Nawang Gombu was also a member of the team which saw Tenzing Norgay and Sir Edmund Hillary reach the summit of Mt. Everest in 1953, making him the youngest climbing Sherpa, at the age of 16. After a gap of 10 years, he climbed Mt. Everest with the American mountaineer Jim Whittaker in 1963, and then again two years later with Captain A.S. Cheema. The other mountains that Nawang Gombu climbed include Sakang Peak, Saser Kangri, Nanda Devi, Cho Oyu, Koktgang and Ratong. Not only did he climb these mountains, he played a great role in teaching mountaineering to many and in the setting up of the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute in Darjeeling, his brother-in-law Dorjee Lhatoo said. Funeral The funeral will be held in Darjeeling on Thursday, his family said. \|\|\|\|\| Gombu, 79, is survived by his wife, three daughters and a son. Besides being the youngest Sherpa to reach South Col during the first successful expedition in 1953, Gombu first climbed Mt Everest along with Jim Whittaker during American Everest Expedition in 1963. He then set a new record when he scaled the world's highest peak again in 1965 along with Capt Awarae Singh Cheema as members of Indian Everest Expedition. The South Col usually refers to the southern route between Mount Everest and Lhotse, the first and fourth highest mountains in the world. Other Himalayan peaks climbed by Gombu included Makalu, Sakang, Saser Kangri, Nanda Devi, Cho Oyu, Koktang and Ratong. Gombu was part of the first group of Sherpa mountaineers who along with Tenzing Norgay completed a guide course in Switzerland in 1954. They became the backbone of the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute (HMI), an idea pushed by Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru. He retired from HMI as its Director of Field Training after more than 40 years of service. For his climbing and teaching accomplishments, Gombu was awarded Padma Bhusan, Padma Shree, the Arjuna Award, the Indian Mountaineering Foundation Gold Medal and the Tenzing Norgay Lifetime Achievement Award. He also received the Queen Elizabeth II Coronation medal from Her Majesty and Hubbard medal from National Geographic Society. Former Director of Field Training of HMI, Dorjee Lahtoo said, "Gombu was the guiding force for the Sherpas as well as the mountaineering fraternity of the country. His death has left a big void in the adventure field of India." Born in southern Tibet near the famed Rongbuk monastery in Tibet, Gombu was the son of a former Tibetan monk Nawang Gyaltzen and former nun Lhamu Kipa. He briefly attended the Rongbuk monastery as a student but then moved to the village of Khumjung Solu Khumbu near Mt Everest in Nepal with his parents and sister Doma, where he spent his childhood. After coming to Darjeeling later with his uncle, he became a high altitude porter before becoming a climbing member in many expeditions. Gombu's funeral will be held in Darjeeling on April 28.	Mount Everest mountaineer , 79, the first person to reach the summit of twice, died Sunday morning at his home in , India, located at the base of the , his family reported. Gombu was born in Tibet but later moved with his family to a small village in Nepal near Mount Everest. When he was about 21, Gombu reached the as the youngest member of 's team in 1953. On that expedition, Hilary and , Gombu's uncle, were the first to successfully scale . Gombu set another record as the first person to reach the mountain's summit twice, first in 1963 with on an American expedition and again in 1965 with Captain on an Indian expedition. He scaled many other Himalayan peaks including , and , and is credited with discovering several new mountain routes. Gombu was one of the "Tigers of the Snow", Sherpa mountain climbers who brought recognition to their their ethnic community in the mountains of Tibet and Nepal. He was important in the formation of the (HMI), along with other Sherpas. The creation of the Institute was supported by . Gombu served as Director of Field Training there after Norgay retired from the role, eventually retiring from HMI himself after more than forty years of work for the Institute. "He was not only an outstanding climber, Gombu was a fine person who guided Indian mountaineering to a greater height," said , a retired Navy captain and leader of the 1965 Indian expedition. "Gombu’s death left a big void in the adventure field of the country." For his work, Gombu received many awards, including medals from Queen Elizabeth II and the , and was invited to the by .
Shuttle Discovery docks with space station Published: Feb. 26, 2011 at 11:02 PM HOUSTON, Feb. 26 (UPI) -- The U.S. space shuttle Discovery successfully docked with the International Space Station Saturday, NASA said. Commander Steve Lindsey performed the maneuver at 2:14 p.m. EST, while the two spacecraft were orbiting 220 miles above western Australia. It was Discovery's 13th and final hookup with the space station. The hatches were set to open about 4:18 p.m., NASA said, and Discovery's crew of Lindsey, pilot Eric Boe, and mission specialists Alvin Drew, Steve Bowen, Mike Barratt and Nicole Stott will join space station commander Scott Kelly, and crew members Oleg Skripochka, Alexander Kaleri, Dmitry Kondratyev, Paolo Nespoli and Cady Coleman. The rendezvous finishes the roundup of all the spacecraft that fly to the station, with Russia's Soyuz and Progress, Japan's HTV and Europe's ATV already docked there, Florida Today reported. Fittingly, the astronauts got "Woody's Roundup" by Riders in the Sky, a Western song from the movie "Toy Story," for their 6:53 a.m. wake-up call. \|\|\|\|\| Discovery arrives at space station Docking maneuver successfully completed in shuttle's final visit to orbiting laboratory Radar tracking of Space Shuttle Discovery as it approaches its rendezvous with the International Space Station, Feb. 26, 2011. (NASA TV) Space Shuttle Discovery as seen from the International Space Station during preparations for docking, Feb. 26, 2011. (NASA) (CBS News) Last updated 2:53 p.m. ET The shuttle Discovery glided to a picture-perfect docking with the International Space Station Saturday - the veteran spaceplane's 13th and final linkup with the orbiting outpost. With commander Steven Lindsey manually flying Discovery from the aft flight deck, the shuttle's payload bay docking system engaged its counterpart on the front end of the station's Harmony module at 2:14 p.m. EST (GMT-5), reports CBS News space consultant William Harwood. "Station and Houston, Discovery has capture confirmed," an astronaut radioed. The historic linkup marked the first time in the station's 12-year history that spacecraft from the United States, Russia, the European Space Agency and Japan were docked at the outpost at the same time. Final launch of Space Shuttle Discovery CBS News' Space Place (Harwood blog) NASA's Space Shuttle Mission Home Page Later in the mission, if all goes well and mission managers concur, three station crew members will undock in a Russian Soyuz spacecraft to photograph the lab complex and all the visiting vehicles from afar, capturing a unique moment that, with the shuttle's looming retirement, will never be repeated. But first, the combined crews have to accomplish the primary objectives of Discovery's mission, including attachment of a final U.S. module, loaded with critical supplies and equipment, and an external storage platform carrying a spare set of radiator panels. A few minutes after 1 p.m., Lindsey and pilot Eric Boe brought Discovery to a halt about 600 feet directly below the space station. At that point, Lindsey conducted a computer-assisted 360-degree back-flip maneuver, exposing the shuttle's belly and critical heat-shield tiles to the crew aboard the station. Expedition 26 flight engineers Catherine "Cady" Coleman and Paolo Nespoli filmed the maneuver, using 400 mm and 800 mm telephoto lenses respectively, to capture high-resolution photographs of Discovery's heat shield tiles. The images will be downlinked to analysts in mission control at the Johnson Space Center for detailed evaluation. During Discovery's launching Thursday, several pieces of foam insulation fell away from the ship's external tank, including some that appeared to contact the shuttle's heat shield. The foam shedding occurred well after the first two minutes and 15 seconds of flight when the dense lower atmosphere can cause debris to hit with a high relative velocity.Engineers do not believe the foam lost Thursday caused any significant damage, but the photos shot during final approach Saturday will be carefully scrutinized to make sure, and to look for anything else that might need attention. After the rendezvous pitch maneuver, Lindsey carefully guided Discovery to a docking at pressurize mating adapter No. 2 on the front end of the station's Harmony module. It was Discovery's 13th and final docking with the International Space Station. If all goes well, hatches between Discovery and the station will be opened shortly after 3:30 p.m. and Expedition 26 commander Scott Kelly, Alexander Kaleri, Oleg Skripochka, Dmitry Kondratyev, Catherine Coleman and Paolo Nespoli will welcome Lindsey and his shuttle crewmates - pilot Eric Boe, Al Drew, Stephen Bowen, Michael Barratt and Nicole Stott - into the space station. After a mandatory safety briefing, the shuttle astronauts will get to work transferring spacesuits and other gear to the station. Barratt and Stott, operating the station's robot arm, plan to pull a cargo pallet out of Discovery's cargo bay just before 5 p.m. The pallet, known as external logistics carrier No. 4, is loaded with a spare set of radiator panels for the station's ammonia cooling system. ELC-4 will be mounted on the underside of the station's right-side solar power truss. To get it there, Barratt and Stott will hand it off to the shuttle's robot arm, operated by Boe and Drew. The station arm then will be repositioned, inchworm fashion, moving from the Harmony module to its mobile base work station. When the move is complete, the shuttle arm will hand ELC-4 back to the station arm and the pallet will be mounted on the solar power truss for future use as needed. A mission status briefing is planned for 4:30 p.m. The crew will go to bed shortly before 11 p.m. \|\|\|\|\| There's a problem with your browser or settings. Your browser or your browser's settings are not supported. To get the best experience possible, please download a compatible browser. If you know your browser is up to date, you should check to ensure that javascript is enabled. › Learn How \|\|\|\|\| Mission Status Center By Justin Ray Welcome to Spaceflight Now's live coverage of space shuttle Discovery's STS-133 mission to the International Space Station. Text updates will appear automatically; there is no need to reload the page. Follow us on Twitter. \|\|\|\|\| Preparations Continue for Next Return to Flight Mission Discovery is towed into the Orbiter Processing Facility bay 3. Image credit: NASA/KSC + Click for Larger Image The crew of STS-121 is getting ready for the second Return to Flight mission aboard space shuttle Discovery, participating in proficiency training flights and rendezvous simulations. NASA is currently targeting no earlier than March 2006 for launch, and is evaluating how the impacts of Hurricane Katrina will affect the launch schedule. + Read more about STS-121 + NASA and Katrina The first Return to Flight mission, STS-114, wrapped up its successful flight on Aug 9 with a pre-dawn landing at Edwards Air Force Base in California. Discovery returned Aug. 21 to Kennedy Space Center atop a modified Boeing 747 called the Shuttle Carrier Aircraft. The shuttle is now in the Orbiter Processing Facility, where it will be readied for mission STS-121. + Read more about STS-114 \|\|\|\|\| The Space Shuttle Discovery is seen docked with the International Space Station with the earth in the background in this image from NASA TV February 26, 2011. CAPE CANAVERAL, Florida \| CAPE CANAVERAL, Florida (Reuters) - Space shuttle Discovery arrived at the International Space Station on Saturday on its final mission before the United States retires its three-ship shuttle fleet later this year. Carrying 10 tons of cargo and a crew of six to help get the orbital outpost ready for a future without shuttle support, Discovery blasted off Thursday on an 11-day mission that marks its 39th and last flight. Sister ships Endeavour and Atlantis are scheduled for their final voyages within six months. Before pulling into the shuttle's parking spot at 2:14 p.m. EST, commander Steven Lindsey back-flipped the ship so the station crew, headed by NASA astronaut Scott Kelly, could photograph Discovery's heat shield. NASA analyzes the images to check for damage from debris impacts during launch, a routine inspection since shuttle flights resumed after the 2003 Columbia accident. The U.S. space agency expects no issues with Discovery, the oldest surviving shuttle, despite evidence that four large pieces of foam popped off the ship's disposable fuel tank about halfway through Thursday's 8-1/2-minute ride to orbit. At that point, there is not enough force for flyaway foam to damage the shuttle on impact, unlike the chunk that fell off Columbia 82 seconds after launch, while the atmosphere was still thick. Originally, Kelly expected to meet his identical twin brother, astronaut Mark Kelly, in orbit. But technical delays launching Discovery on its final voyage bumped back Endeavour's mission -- which Mark Kelly is commanding -- to April. Mark Kelly is the husband of Gabrielle Giffords, the Arizona congresswoman who was critically wounded in an assassination attempt last month. ORBITAL PHOTO SHOOT Discovery's launch delay also cost the crew its lead spacewalker, Tim Kopra, who was sidelined last month after a bicycle crash. NASA tapped Stephen Bowen to replace Kopra. He and spacewalker Alvin Drew are scheduled for two outings to work on the station during Discovery's week-long stay. The Discovery crew, which also includes pilot Eric Boe and astronauts Michael Barratt and Nicole Stott, is delivering a new storage and research module, an external stowage platform, a spare radiator and a prototype humanoid robot named Robonaut 2, or R2, built in partnership with General Motors Co. NASA expects to decide Tuesday whether to extend the mission one day for an unprecedented photo shoot. With Discovery's arrival, six spaceships -- the shuttle, three cargo ships from Russia, Japan and Europe, and two Russian Soyuz capsules -- are parked at the international outpost, a $100 billion project of 16 nations. If approved, Kelly and two cosmonauts would board one of the Soyuz capsules for a 75-minute ride to photograph the station as it nears completion after 12 years of construction 220 miles above Earth. After landing and post-flight cleanups, Discovery, which first flew in 1984, will be prepared for its new life as a museum piece. (Editing by Tom Brown and Eric Beech)	The , flying the mission, has successfully rendezvoused and docked with the International Space Station (ISS) today at 18:14 UTC for what is scheduled to be the final time in its career. The ''(pictured docked to ISS)'' has docked with the International Space Station for what is scheduled to be the final time on the mission today. Official STS-133 crew portrait. From left to right: Alvin Drew, Nicole Stott, Eric Boe, Steven Lindsey, Michael Barratt and Steve Bowen ''Discovery'' is delivering six astronauts to the orbiting outpost, as well as station parts and supplies including the , the and , the first dexterous humanoid robot in space. The docking, ''Discovery'''s 13th and final scheduled docking, occurred two minutes ahead of schedule, having been originally scheduled for 19:16 GMT today. The hatch between the space shuttle and the ISS was opened at 20:16 UTC, after which the crew members of welcomed the crew of STS-133 aboard the station. The crew then participated in a safety briefing with Expedition 26 commander , while Shuttle Flight Director Bryan Lunney took part in a mission status briefing on the ground which began at 20:50 UTC. Later on today, crew members and are scheduled to move the ExPRESS Logistics Carrier-4 from the payload bay using the shuttle's robotic arm to the station's own robot arm for placement on the exterior of the orbital laboratory. There was a delay in the docking mechanism's ability to make a seal between the two spacecraft during docking operations, so activities occurring later on in the day, including the transfer of ELC-4, may be delayed. This was primarily because of a mis-alignment between the docking systems of the shuttle and station due to gravitational effects. The entire delay took up approximately 40 minutes. During ''Discovery'''s approach to the station earlier on today, the crew of Expedition 26 took pictures of the shuttle's underside from the station's windows in order to assist in analysis of the heat shield of the spacecraft. NASA officials are debating whether or not to extend the mission an additional day for a photo shoot of the International Space Station, as it is currently host to six docked spacecraft from the United States, Russia, Europe, and Japan. A decision regarding this possibility is expected on Tuesday. STS-133 is Space Shuttle ''Discovery'''s 39th and final scheduled mission into space and the program's 35th mission to the ISS, as well as the 133rd in the entire . There are two flights remaining before the retirement of the fleet that are still in planning: and .
Crimes and Other Legislation Amendment (Assault and Intoxication) Bill 2014 Assented on 31/01/2014 - Act No 2 of 2014 (GG No. 15, 07/02/2014). Motion moved 30/01/14 by Mr Hazzard 'That this House take note of the Crimes and Other Legislation Amendment (Assault and Intoxication) Bill and cognate bill'. Motion agreed to 6 March 2014 Long Title An Act to amend the Crimes Act 1900, the Law Enforcement (Powers and Responsibilities) Act 2002, the Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999 and other legislation relating to assaults and intoxication and to other matters Cognate Bills The following Bills are cognate with this Bill: Liquor Amendment Bill. Explanatory Notes This explanatory note relates to this Bill as introduced into Parliament. The Liquor Amendment Bill 2014 is cognate with this Bill.... Show full Explanatory Notes Second Reading Speeches To download, click the PDF icon(s) below. Amendments for Consideration Legislative Assembly Legislative Council c2014-005A Tracking through the Houses Initially introduced in the Legislative Assembly Legislative Assembly: Legislative Council: Member with Carriage: O'Farrell, Barry Introduced: Thu 30 Jan 2014 First Reading: Thu 30 Jan 2014 Minister's 2R Speech: Thu 30 Jan 2014 Second Reading: Thu 30 Jan 2014 Considered in Detail: Thu 30 Jan 2014 Third Reading: Thu 30 January 2014 Date Passed with amdts: Thu 30 Jan 2014 Member with Carriage: Gallacher, Michael Introduced: Thu 30 Jan 2014 First Reading: Thu 30 Jan 2014 Minister's 2R Speech: Thu 30 Jan 2014 Second Reading: Thu 30 Jan 2014 Date Committed: Thu 30 January 2014 Reported w'out amdt: 30/01/2014 Report Adopted: Thu 30 Jan 2014 Third Reading: Thu 30 Jan 2014 Date Passed w'out amdt: Thu 30 Jan 2014 Returned to LA: Thu 30 Jan 2014 Passed Parliament: Thu 30 Jan 2014 Text of Bill as passed by both Houses Assent \|\|\|\|\| One-punch alcohol laws pass in NSW Lower House and head to Legislative Council Updated Legislation to tackle alcohol-fuelled violence, including a controversial law for deadly one-punch assaults, has swiftly passed the New South Wales Parliament's Lower House. Debate has now begun in the Upper House. Among the initiatives is a plan for mandatory eight-year prison terms for anyone who fatally punches someone while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. The legislation also includes a new precinct in central Sydney where bars and clubs will be subject to strict new conditions, including lock-outs. The Government announced the measures last week, in response to pressure over the death of Daniel Christie from a single punch at Kings Cross. The measures include: Eight-year minimum sentencing for alcohol or drug-fuelled assaults ending in death. Serious assault maximum penalty increased by two years, with mandatory minimum sentences. On the spot fines for disorderly behaviour increased from $200 to $1,100. Police have powers to immediately ban 'troublemakers' from CBD/Kings Cross. Penalty for possession of steroids increased from two to 25 years. CBD/Kings Cross venues to have 1:30am lockouts with drinks stopping at 3:00am. Bottle shops across NSW to close at 10:00pm. Politicians were forced to cancel their holidays for the special sitting of State Parliament. Premier Barry O'Farrell told Parliament during the debate that action is needed because the courts have not been prepared to hand out the sentences that people expect. "Much of this is indeed pioneering legislation," he said. "It has to be to address an issue that, if the status quo was to remain, would continue to see too many innocent victims either killed or seriously injured. "If we have to come back and revisit this, if we have to fine tune, we will because we are determined to put in place an effective regime." Labor supports legislation, sight unseen The Opposition voted with the Government in the Lower House, despite several Labor MPs raising concerns about mandatory sentencing. Labor's support will also give the Government the required numbers in the Upper House. Before the debate began Opposition Leader John Robertson complained that he had not seen any details of the legislation. "We will support the Government's one-punch laws. The Government had to be dragged kicking and screaming to do something about alcohol-fuelled violence," Mr Robertson said. "We haven't seen the legislation on all those other issues. We're awaiting the detail of all that. "I have to say it's very disappointing that we're still waiting, on such an important issue, to see the legislation the Government will introduce." Greens MP John Kaye says the measures are a "knee-jerk" reaction and the party will vote against them. "We don't believe there's evidence to justify what they're doing," he said. "We don't believe we can justify imposing on responsible late night venue goers measures that are probably going to fail." The Greens believe the real issues are being ignored. "The dangerous promotions of deep discounting of alcohol, the failure to enforce responsible service of alcohol in venues and excessive liquor outlet density," Dr Kaye said. The Premier said yesterday that he wanted the legislation passed by Friday. "We're in the hands of the Legislative Council, but my message to all members of the Legislative Council is that the community's demanded tough action," Mr O'Farrell said. "These are tough measures and I would encourage them to give them the priority that they deserve. "We want to have, in particular, the one-punch, the death by assault legislation, in place and operational by this weekend." Other laws for serious violent assaults are set to be looked at next month. Meanwhile commercial television networks have begun broadcasting a campaign against one-punch assaults funded by professional boxer Danny Green. The State Government struck a deal with the seven networks to show the ad depicting Green intervening before one man punches another. It will air until the Government's own community awareness and media campaigns begin. Green paid for the advertisement out of his own pocket two years ago, after a fatal assault in his hometown of Perth. Topics: states-and-territories, state-parliament, alcohol, sydney-2000 First posted \|\|\|\|\| Ink still drying on Liberals’ liquor legislation and Labor’s rubber stamp 30th January 2014 The New South Wales Parliament passed sweeping legislative changes today, including controversial mandatory minimum sentences and CBD lock outs, in response to so called ‘alcohol-fuelled violence’. In related news, democracy in NSW sculled half a beer, before proceeding to pass out in a pool of its own vomit. The legislation, the Liquor Amendment Bill and Crimes and Other Legislation Amendment (Assault and Intoxication) Bill were first seen by Parliamentarians at 10 a.m. Thursday morning; the ink still drying from what could only have been an all-nighter in Parliamentary Council. The laws bring with them an eight year non-parole period for the new offence of an assault causing death under the influence of drugs or alcohol, as well as placing new conditions on over 900 venues in the Sydney CBD area, and restricting the sale of alcohol from bottle shops until 10 p.m. across New South Wales. While the latter is unlikely to affect preloading purchases from the bottle shops owned by the big supermarket chains, the provision will also extend to small specialty businesses. Tharunka spoke to Nathan Besser, co-owner of popular delivery service, Jimmy Brings, who said, “licensing legislation doesn’t adequately define our unique operation; we have been caught in the crossfire and will be forced to close at 10pm”. This will see their distribution hours cut by 30%, and a 50% loss in revenue. They have already written to the Premier to seek an exemption. Other controversial measures include increased penalties for offensive behaviour and language, which the Deputy Opposition Leader Linda Burney said would most negatively affect young and Indigenous people, as well as people suffering from mental illness or disadvantage. She said this while supporting the aforementioned changes. Notably, there is now an $1100 fine for disobeying a move-on order, and a $500 fine for swearing in public. Fuck. That. Shit. While the Greens put forward a few Hail Mary amendments in the last minutes of the debate to try to remove these increased penalties for summary offences, they were rejected by both the Government and Labor. The process wizardry was not limited to the Greens, with Lake Macquarie MP Greg Piper (IND), attempting a classic manoeuvre which would replace all the words of the legislation with a clause for a Parliamentary committee to review it instead. This too was sadly, yet predictably, rejected. All these changes occurred in less time than it takes me to book a domestic holiday. This is not so surprising, given that a) I get a bit lost on Expedia, and b) the Opposition announced they would be supporting the legislation even before they had seen it. While Labor were quick to take credit for the adoption of the ‘Newcastle solution’ of lock outs and last drinks within the legislative package as a part of their ‘Drink Smart, Home Safe’ policy, members of the public and press gallery could only watch on in a queasy mix of horror and giggles as every single Labor member used their time to find a new way to condemn mandatory minimum sentences, before agreeing to vote for them. “The Opposition believes that mandatory sentencing will have both unintended and adverse consequences” – The Honourable Adam Searle MLC “There is considerable evidence that mandatory sentencing is counterproductive and does not work. Mandatory sentencing has been tried before in New South Wales and failed… it was such an abject disaster that it was hurriedly repealed” – Mr Paul Lynch MP “No right-thinking person believes that mandatory sentencing is an appropriate response, particularly under these circumstances, because it produces injustice” – Mr Ron Hoening Even if they supported every sentence of the Liquor Amendment Bill, and felt politically wedged by the mandatory minimums package, they didn’t put forward a single amendment, or support any amendments. Though it is normal to end up compromising on issues and voting for things you don’t agree with completely, what happened today was not compromise – this was a rubber stamp. It’s not all Labor’s fault though; even the Attorney General Greg Smith is on record calling mandatory minimum sentences “an expensive and ineffective crime fighting tool”. He added a corollary however, saying that if community expectations did not match the sentences handed out by the judiciary, “we must have an informed debate about the issue”. And he’s right – we do need an informed debate about the issue. But we didn’t get one. Instead, we were given a Parliament dragged back from their summer break. We had legislation written by the Daily Telegraph, and changes to normal Parliamentary procedure which the Shadow Minister for Health and Liquor Regulation, Dr Andrew Macdonald criticised, saying “debate has been effectively gagged”. The Government was still making changes to the Bills after they’d been introduced. Protesters showed up not fully knowing what it was that they were protesting. When the MPs for Sydney and Balmain, Alex Greenwich (IND) and Jamie Parker (GRN) questioned the possibility of displacement of violent people from the CBD to other areas, the Premier accused them of “running a scare campaign”. The Premier mocked Greg Piper’s surprise at the scope of the Bill (of course he was surprised – he had only just read it because the Premier had only just finished writing it). This is a complex issue that deserved a real debate. As the Premier stated, the relationship between alcohol and violence is a “a problem that has existed here since the First Fleet arrived 226 years ago and celebrated their arrival with a drunken bacchanalia on the shores of Circular Quay”. In referencing cities like New York and Copenhagen, Greens MLC Dr Mehreen Faruqi said, “We have evidence from across the world that the provision of convenient and frequent late-night transport is a key factor in preventing violence and injury”. Labor’s Penny Sharpe insightfully commented on alcohol advertising around the city: “For example, a giant bottle of vodka with the words, “Arrive boldly”. If that is not an ad for preloading, I do not know what is.” Opposition Leader John Robertson thought businesses could be encouraged to be a larger part of the solution, with “risk-based licensing, providing hotels and bottle shops with a financial incentive to operate safe premises”. Rather than comprehensively addressing any of these issues, we had an intentionally rushed debate on legislation poorly considered. The phrase ‘unintended consequences’ worked its way in to Chambers 11 times, as in ‘I’m pretty sure these laws are going to have unintended consequences like locking up disproportionate amounts of young and Indigenous people, but it’s not like we can change the law, right?’ In an environment where we often lament at how long it takes governments to make changes already agreed upon by the public, it is shocking that NSW criminal law could undergo such a fundamental shift with such velocity. There is infrastructure in place for issues in crisis or flux that need a prompt response, but it is odd to think that a problem which has existed since the First Fleet was going to be resolved in an afternoon. As Alex Greenwich put it, “We need the right solution, not the right now solution.” Government is slow – at times painfully such – but this slowness is necessary; it is a reflection of health in an active democracy where everyone has a say, and everyone theoretically has an informed vote. Legislation is supposed to be built on consultation. MPs are supposed to take it to their electorates; the Legislative Council is supposed to engage with experts and interest groups. Democracies are more or less stable places precisely because we engage in protracted debates until 11 at night between these groups, rather than having dramatic overhauls in our laws overnight. And yet today, Legislators passed rushed laws in the same time as you allocate to your rushed gen ed essay. Today should make you angry (not ‘swear on the street’ angry though, because it’ll cost you $500). If you vote Liberal, you should be angry because they betrayed their core principles without asking you – you’re now the anti-business, big spending party. If you vote Labor, you should be angry because the party that backs the working class is apparently the party without a spine. If you vote Green or Independent, you should be angry – your representatives worked their arses off and they still couldn’t stop the big guys from taking a panic-induced dump on your democracy. And if you vote Shooters or CDP, you’re probably bonkers or racist or both. You’ll fit right in with the paper that’s running the country. Crystal Moran @manlycarrots \|\|\|\|\| Liquor Amendment Bill 2014 Assented on 05/02/2014 - Act No 3 of 2014 (GG No. 15, 07/02/2014). Long Title An Act to amend the Liquor Act 2007 and the Liquor Regulation 2008 to enable certain areas to be declared to be prescribed precincts in which licensed premises are subject to regulatory conditions; to enable periodic licence fees to be levied; and for other purposes Cognate Bills This Bill is cognate wth: Crimes and Other Legislation Amendment (Assault and Intoxication) Bill 2014 Explanatory Notes This explanatory note relates to this Bill as introduced into Parliament. This Bill is cognate with the Crimes and Other Legislation Amendment (Assault and Intoxication) Bill 2014.... Show full Explanatory Notes Second Reading Speeches To download, click the PDF icon(s) below. Amendments for Consideration Legislative Assembly Legislative Council c2014-002D Tracking through the Houses Initially introduced in the Legislative Assembly Legislative Assembly: Legislative Council: Member with Carriage: O'Farrell, Barry Introduced: Thu 30 Jan 2014 First Reading: Thu 30 Jan 2014 Minister's 2R Speech: Thu 30 Jan 2014 Second Reading: Thu 30 Jan 2014 Third Reading: Thu 30 January 2014 Date Passed w'out amdt: Thu 30 Jan 2014 Member with Carriage: Gallacher, Michael Introduced: Thu 30 Jan 2014 First Reading: Thu 30 Jan 2014 Minister's 2R Speech: Thu 30 Jan 2014 Second Reading: Thu 30 Jan 2014 Date Committed: Thu 30 January 2014 Reported w'out amdt: 30/01/2014 Report Adopted: Thu 30 Jan 2014 Third Reading: Thu 30 Jan 2014 Date Passed w'out amdt: Thu 30 Jan 2014 Returned to LA: Thu 30 Jan 2014 Passed Parliament: Thu 30 Jan 2014 Text of Bill as passed by both Houses Assent \|\|\|\|\| Sydney builder Shaun McNeil refused bail over Daniel Christie alleged murder Updated A Sydney builder has been refused bail on a fresh charge of murder over the one-punch death of teenager Daniel Christie. Twenty-five-year-old Shaun McNeil was at Central Local Court this morning but remained in the cells as his case was heard. Daniel Christie, 18, died in hospital on Saturday after the attack at Kings Cross on New Years Eve. Mr Christie had been in a critical condition for 11 days before his family made the decision to turn off his life support. Following his death, NSW Attorney-General Greg Smith had asked the acting director of public prosecutions to closely examine the case with a view to determining if murder charges were appropriate. Prosecutors will have to prove McNeil intended to kill Mr Christie or that he acted with reckless indifference to human life. He could face life in prison if the case is proven. McNeil is also accused of assaulting four other people that night. He did not apply for bail and it was formally refused. The case has been adjourned until March. Topics: courts-and-trials, murder-and-manslaughter, kings-cross-2011 First posted \|\|\|\|\| Quarter of a cow birthday treat HE'S mean, nasty and doesn't play well with others. But even 6m rogue saltwater crocodiles deserve something on their birthday. Sydney property prices soaring SYDNEY house prices jumped by more than 15 per cent in 2013, with a record-low cash rate responsible for the surge. Street Watch: Parolee on the run POLICE are urging the public to help them track down Jamie Sharpe, wanted for breaching the conditions of his parole. Sheet rope escape bid foiled TWO female prisoners went to extreme lengths in their bid to escape from one of state's minimum security jails on NYE	Thursday morning, members of the of New South Wales, Australia, discussed drafts of two bills relating to liquor intoxication assault crimes starting at 10 o'clock in the morning (; 2100 ), and approved them later during the day: the Lower House approved at midday and the Upper House at 7pm. The new legislation imposes harsher penalties on behaviour under alcohol influence, and a set of other restrictions in the Sydney central business district (CBD). The full formal names of the bills are ''Liquor Amendment Bill 2014'' and ''Crimes and Other Legislation Amendment (Assault and Intoxication) Bill 2014''. The latter was , while the former was still pending assent from the . The bills were . The latter formally commenced on Thursday except for Schedule 5, maximum fines changes, subject to commence on a day appointed by . Parliament House, Sydney, New South Wales. The said they would support the legislation before they saw it, citing support of any progress on such laws. The opposition leader, , said "We will support the Government's one-punch laws. The Government had to be dragged kicking and screaming to do something about alcohol-fuelled violence." The parties, while actively discussing the draft, did not support amendments raised during the discussion and the bill passed more quickly than usual, on the same day. However, (MP) didn't support the bills, naming some issues he didn't expect the bill to address but found more important, such as "the dangerous promotions of deep discounting of alcohol, the failure to enforce responsible service of alcohol in venues and excessive liquor outlet density". One provision defined a new offense, assault causing death while intoxicated — by alcohol or other drugs — with an eight-year . The fines for misconduct and swearing in public were raised from 200 and $150 to $500, while the maximum fine for "continuation of intoxicated and disorderly behaviour following move on direction" — direction "to leave a public place and not return for a specified period" — was increased from 6 ($660) to 15 penalty units ($1,650). The legislation also restricted sales of alcohol from bottle shops in the CBD until 10pm instead of midnight. The bill was drafted in response to death of 18-year-old teenager named Daniel Christie on January 11, following eleven days in hospital after allegedly being punched by drunk Shaun McNeil, 25, at . He allegedly also attacked Daniel's brother, Peter; McNeil's court case has been adjourned until March. == Sources == * * * * * * * * *
By Sarah Toms BBC News, Manila The death penalty was abolished in 1987, but reintroduced As a result the sentences of the 1,200 inmates on death row will be now be commuted to life imprisonment. Mrs Arroyo said she welcomed the change but insists she is not softening her stance on fighting crime or terrorism. Mrs Arroyo has been under pressure from the influential Roman Catholic church to scrap capital punishment. The signing comes as she prepares to head to Rome for an audience with Pope Benedict XVI. Earlier this month legislators in the Philippines, a mainly Catholic country, voted overwhelmingly to abolish capital punishment. By Philippine standards the bill was pushed through in record time. Violent crime wave In a speech Mrs Arroyo said "we yield to the high moral imperative dictated by God to walk away from capital punishment". Earlier she had assured the public that the end of the death penalty did not mean there would be a soft stance against criminals. The Philippines is plagued by violent crime with guns readily available and used in even minor disputes. Supporters of capital punishment say they fear the repeal will result in more crime. The repeal comes just days before Mrs Arroyo visits the Vatican for an audience with Pope Benedict XVI. Some analysts see the repeal of the death penalty as an attempt to win support from bishops for the president's plan to move to a parliamentary system of government. Others say Mrs Arroyo is trying to diffuse opposition from the church to the government's efforts to revive mining. The death penalty was abolished once before in 1987 but was re-imposed seven years later after a rise in crime. Under that law seven executions were carried out by lethal injection, but in 2000, the then president, Joseph Estrada, ordered a moratorium after strong lobbying by the church, the European Union and human rights groups. \|\|\|\|\| latest hi-tech news Medical lasers are normally used to create incisions, not heal them. But surgeons at one Israeli hospital are doing exactly that; they’ve developed a technique for sealing a cut with the heat from a…	President Arroyo has abolished the death penalty. Gloria Arroyo, President of the Philippines, has signed legislation abolishing the death penalty. This move comes on the eve of a visit to see Pope Benedict XVI and only two weeks after the legislation was confirmed by Congress. The change in sentencing law will lead to more than 1,200 prisoners having their sentences changed to life imprisonment. Arroyo has made assurances that "we shall continue to devote the increasing weight of our resources to the prevention and control of serious crimes, rather than take the lives of those who commit them". She was keen to emphasise that her country was not soft on terrorism. In the Philippines, the death penalty was originally abolished in 1987, but it was reintroduced in 1993. Since then seven people have been executed. Abolition of the death penalty has generally occurred in correlation with increasing democratisation in nation-states around the world. As of 2005, a majority of states (122) were abolitionist, and a minority (73) retained the death penalty.
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Mobile Downloads Text 67333 Article Tools Email this article Top emailed links Print this article Contact the editors Discuss this article Home > News > Report Delhi shop sealings to go on: SC Onkar Singh in New Delhi \| November 06, 2006 10:37 IST Last Updated: November 06, 2006 15:10 IST Related Articles More News: Delhi SC committee recommends putting sealing on hold Delhi turns into battlefield A two-judge bench of the Supreme Court headed by Chief Justice Y K Sabharwal on Monday¬†refused to give any reprieve to traders operating commercial establishments from residential premises and ordered the authorities to resume sealing operations against such traders. The apex court directed the Union government and the Delhi government to provide adequate security to the Municipal Corporation of Delhi to seal the unauthorised shops in residential areas. In his order, the Chief Justice at one stage said: "If the sanctity of the Constitution is to be saved, then such force, whether police or otherwise, shall be provided by the Central government and the Delhi government." "I am worried about what may happen to the orders of high courts and lower courts if Supreme Court's orders are not obeyed," he said. "Will the matters be decided on the streets than in the courts," he queried, adding that it was the duty of the government and not the court to maintain law and order. The bench stated that the sealing operations will continue under the supervision of the monitoring committee, which will submit a weekly report. The group of ministers headed by Home Minister Shivraj Patil is likely to meet in the evening to take stock of the Supreme Court order. PTI adds: The Delhi police has tightened security across the national capital to avoid any untoward incident. Delhi police deployed Rapid Action Force and increased presence of security personnel in all the sensitive areas to keep the situation under control. Earlier, Confederation of All India Traders general secretary Praveen Khandelwal had said: "Our future course of action will depend on the outcome of the Supreme Court hearing followed by a meeting of the Group of Ministers in the evening. The government will also deliberate on the issue in case of an adverse order." Share your comments What do you think about the story? Read what others have to say: Number of User Comments: 35 Sub: Pehle chori aur phir seena-jori? Bribe payer and giver, both are guilty, and both should be punished. SC is right for taking action on traders, and later, should take action ... Posted by Koushik Paul Sub: Its a shame..... Its a shame on our national parties to try legalise the unauthorised commercial establishments. That they do have an electricity connection or that they have ... Posted by sidhardhan Sub: Rule of Law Should Prevail If you want to see INIDA as a progressing and developing nation, all of us will have to be dutybound, responsible and accountable. The RULE ... Posted by BISHNU CHARAN PATRO Sub: why put a seal on traders fate For the last one year the traders community in Delhi is living a life in hell. What\\\'s their fault ? Why were they issued Sales ... Posted by atul gupta Sub: Excellent Decision: Nobody is above the law We can all see that the media and politicians are trying to rake up violence. Why did the traders build illegal shops by giving bribe ... Posted by shishir kumar Disclaimer Advertisement	The Indian Supreme Court has refused to grant any relief to the owners of unauthorised commercial establishments in New Delhi. A two judge bench of the Supreme Court, headed by Chief Justice Y K Sabharwal, said today that it found no grounds for modifying its previous order to seal commercial establishments violating zoning regulations. The Group of ministers had previously decided not to resume the sealing drive. The Delhi state government and the central government had filed an application to review the order on November 3, 2006 because of fear of violence in the city if the sealing would be resumed. But Supreme Court denied their request and ordered to resume the sealing drive. The apex court added that the government is not powerless to control the situation. According to article 141 and 144 of the constitution, authorities should follow the court's order. The court ordered the MCD to use police force, if required, to carry out the process. The MCD has decided to meet in the afternoon to discuss the consequences of the Supreme Court verdict. On the other hand, traders are very unhappy with the court order. Praveen Khandelwal, Secretary General of the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT), said that the traders were expecting the apex court to take a humanitarian decision. He added that if the sealing drive is not stopped traders would start a non-cooperation movement, a nationwide strike against the government.
At Least 58 Killed in Guinea Opposition Protest Witnesses and medical officials say at least 58 people have been killed in Guinea in clashes between security forces and opposition activists who defied a government ban on protests. The clashes took place Monday in the capital, Conakry. Captain Moussa Dadis Camara, attends a meeting at Camp Alpha Yaya Diallo military camp in Conakry, Guinea (File) Witnesses say Guinea's security forces opened fire on demonstrators who had gathered in a large stadium to protest against the possible presidential candidacy of Captain Moussa Dadis Camara, the country's military leader. They also say police charged protesters with batons and detained several opposition leaders. On Sunday, Captain Camara's government said all protests would be prohibited until national independence celebrations are held on October 2. However, opposition activists decided to proceed with the demonstration they had planned for Monday. Some carried signs that read "No to Dadis." Others set furniture on fire as they marched from the outskirts of the capital into the city. Captain Camara took power in a coup last December following the death of Guinea's longtime President Lansana Conte. When he took power, Captain Camara said no one in his ruling council would run for public office. However, the council has since said its members are eligible to be candidates. And Captain Camara has suggested he may run for president in elections scheduled for next year. The African Union says it may impose sanctions on Guinea if Captain Camara decides to run for president. The AU says it is concerned about what it calls a "deteriorating situation" in the country and the consequences of not returning to constitutional order. Opponents have also accused Mr. Camara and his ruling council of human rights abuses and limiting freedom of speech. Supporters of Guinea's military council are calling the threatened sanctions unfair. Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters. Witnesses say Guinea's security forces opened fire on demonstrators who had gathered in a large stadium to protest against the possible presidential candidacy of Captain Moussa Dadis Camara, the country's military leader.They also say police charged protesters with batons and detained several opposition leaders.On Sunday, Captain Camara's government said all protests would be prohibited until national independence celebrations are held on October 2.However, opposition activists decided to proceed with the demonstration they had planned for Monday.Some carried signs that read "No to Dadis." Others set furniture on fire as they marched from the outskirts of the capital into the city.Captain Camara took power in a coup last December following the death of Guinea's longtime President Lansana Conte.When he took power, Captain Camara said no one in his ruling council would run for public office. However, the council has since said its members are eligible to be candidates. And Captain Camara has suggested he may run for president in elections scheduled for next year.The African Union says it may impose sanctions on Guinea if Captain Camara decides to run for president.The AU says it is concerned about what it calls a "deteriorating situation" in the country and the consequences of not returning to constitutional order.Opponents have also accused Mr. Camara and his ruling council of human rights abuses and limiting freedom of speech.Supporters of Guinea's military council are calling the threatened sanctions unfair. E-mail Print Digg Yahoo Buzz Facebook del.icio.us StumbleUpon \|\|\|\|\| Photo: AFP/GETTY Opposition parties had organised the protest in the capital's main football stadium, which drew some 50,000 people. Demonstrators chanted "We want true democracy." But soldiers from the presidential guard entered the stadium and fired into the crowd, reportedly using tear gas, live ammunition and baton charges against the demonstrators. The number killed in the attack remains unclear, but witnesses reported seeing dozens of bodies. A doctor, speaking on condition of anonymity, told AFP that 58 people had been brought to a Conakry morgue on Monday. "We have counted 52 bodies and six more have just come in," said the doctor at the Donka university medical centre. But a member of the Red Cross told AFP that military commanders had issued instructions for all bodies to be taken to the Alpha Yaya Diallo military camp, rather than to morgues. Elsewhere, at Ignace Deen hospital, a medical source told AFP that an army truck had come by to pick up "dozens of bodies" to be taken to "an unknown destination". Tensions have risen amid rumours that military leader Capt Moussa "Dadis" Camara may run in presidential elections scheduled for Jan 31. Capt Camara came to power in a coup last December, hours after longtime dictator Lansana Conte died. He initially said he would not run in the election, but has recently said he has the right to run if he chooses. \|\|\|\|\| The unrest on Monday occurred near a stadium in Conakry, the capital, where demonstrators had massed to protest against the expected decision of Moussa Dadis Camara, the country's military leader, to stand in forthcoming elections. At least 58 people are reported to have been killed after security forces opened fire on opposition protesters in Guinea, a human rights group has said. "At one hospital alone, we have counted 58 bodies," Thierno Maadjou Sow, the president of the Guinean Human Rights Organisation, told the Reuters news agency. "It seems there are many more corpses in [the other hospital]." A doctor at the Donka university medical centre appeared to confirm the toll given by the human rights group telling the AFP news agency: We have counted 52 bodies and six more have just come in." Other medical officials were quoted as saying that "dozens of bodies" had been taken from another hospital by the military. 'Police state' The protesters, who had gathered outside the stadium, carried placards reading "No to Dadis" and "Down with the army in power" before police stopped them from gaining entry. Al Hassan Silah, a local journalist who visited the stadium shortly after the security forces had opened fire, said he and other journalists had seen bodies lying inside and outside the stadium. "People did not wish for a military regime in Guinea because for almost 25 years Guinea was led by a military man" Lansine Kaba, Guinean scholar "People who had gone to attend the protests have fled for dear life," Silah told Al Jazeera."But Conakry can be rightly described as a police state... All across town, military people at checkpoints are searching people and people have been forced back into their houses."The military government, which took power last December, plans to hold elections in January 2010.Lansine Kaba, a Guinean scholar at the Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar, said: "Many people don't want the president to stand for election. He promised when they had the coup that he would not stand for elections. "People did not wish for a military regime in Guinea because for almost 25 years Guinea was led by a military man," he told Al Jazeera The government had banned Monday's demonstration, but a coalition of political parties, trade unions and civic organisations vowed that the event would go ahead. Leaders arrested Police arrested at least 30 people who were driven away in lorries, witnesses said. Cellou Dalein Diallo, the leader of the opposition Union of Democratic Forces of Guinea (UFDG), and several other politicians were reportedly among those detained. Mouctar Bah, a correspondent for the AFP news agency who also works for Radio France Internationale (RFI), was manhandled by uniformed men who took his microphone and recorder before shoving him to the ground. Speaking on national television on Sunday, Frederic Kolie, the interior minister, declared that "all demonstrations on national territory are prohibited until the national holiday on October 2". News of the ban came a day after Camara - in his first visit outside the capital since he took power - went to Guinea's second city and opposition stronghold Labe. Camara seized power in the francophone West African nation after leading a bloodless coup within hours of the death of Guinea's president Lansana Conte, who had been in power since 1984.	Witnesses and medical officials say at least 50 people have been killed in Conakry, the capital of Guinea, in clashes between security forces and opposition activists who defied a government ban on protests. Conakry, the capital of Guinea (2007) Witnesses say Guinea's security forces opened fire on demonstrators who had gathered in a large stadium to protest against the possible presidential candidacy of Captain Moussa Dadis Camara, the country's military leader. They also say police charged protesters with batons, used tear gas, and detained several opposition leaders. "We have counted 52 bodies and six more have just come in," the city's university medical centre's doctor said. On Sunday, Captain Camara's government said all protests would be prohibited until national independence celebrations are held on October 2. "All demonstrations on national territory are prohibited until the national holiday on October 2," said Frederic Kolie, the interior minister, in a televised address on Sunday. However, opposition activists decided to proceed with the demonstration they had planned for Monday. Some carried signs that read "No to Dadis", and others chanted "We want true democracy." Some of the demonstrators set furniture on fire as they marched from the outskirts of the capital into the city. "... Conakry can be rightly described as a police state ... All across town, military people at checkpoints are searching people and people have been forced back into their houses," said Al Hassan Silah, a local journalist, to the Al Jazeera news agency. Moussa Dadis Camara. Captain Camara took power in a coup last December, following the death of Guinea's longtime President Lansana Conte. When he took power, Captain Camara said no one in his ruling council would run for public office. However, the council has since said its members are eligible to be candidates, and Captain Camara has suggested he may run for president in elections, which are scheduled for January 2010. The African Union said it may impose sanctions on Guinea if Captain Camara decides to run for president. It said it was concerned about what it called a "deteriorating situation" in the country and the consequences of not returning to constitutional order. Opponents have also accused Mr Camara and his ruling council of human rights abuses and limiting freedom of speech. Supporters of Guinea's military council are calling the threatened sanctions unfair.
Airline Bombing Suspect Spent Months in Yemen in 2009 Photo: AP Authorities in Yemen say the Nigerian man accused of trying to destroy a U.S. jetliner last week lived in Yemen for months, and was in the country as recently as this month. The Yemeni Foreign Ministry says 23-year-old Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab was in Yemen from early August to early December. The ministry says he was granted a visa to study Arabic at an institute in the capital, Sanaa, where he had previously studied. Abdulmutallab is charged with trying to destroy a Northwest Airlines jet traveling on Christmas Day from Amsterdam to Detroit. Authorities say he unsuccessfully tried to set off explosives hidden in his underwear as the plane was about to land in Detroit. The suspect says he was trained by al-Qaida operatives in Yemen. A group known as al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula claimed responsibility on Monday for the failed attack, saying it was in retaliation for U.S. support for operations against the group in Yemen. The claim could not be independently verified. U.S. President Barack Obama says the United States will use all resources to find and hold accountable those responsible. The president has ordered a full review of air safety regulations and the terrorist watch-list system, in an effort to prevent future attacks. Monday, Mr. Obama vowed to use every element of U.S. power "to disrupt, to dismantle and defeat" extremists in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Yemen, Somalia or elsewhere who might want to attack the United States. Abdulmutallab's name was listed in a U.S. government intelligence database, but he was not on the government's "no-fly list," which would have banned him from flying into the United States. His father Alhaji Umar Mutallab, a prominent banker and former Nigerian government minister, had warned the U.S. embassy in Nigeria about his son's extremist views. Some information for this report was provided by AFP and AP. \|\|\|\|\| Western counter-terrorism help 'not enough for Yemen' Mr Abdulmutallab studied at the Sana'a Institute for the Arabic Language Yemen has said it is not getting enough support from the West to tackle al-Qaeda, as details emerge of the suspected US jet bomber's time there. Foreign Minister Abu Bakr al-Qirbi told the BBC that Yemen had the will and ability to deal with al-Qaeda, but was undermined by a lack of support. He estimated that several hundred al-Qaeda members were operating in Yemen and could be planning more attacks. A Yemen-based branch of the network has claimed it planned the failed attack. Yemeni officials said Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, 23, the Nigerian man accused of trying to blow up the Detroit-bound jet on Christmas Day, was living in Yemen from August until the beginning of December, the official Saba news agency reported. US officials are said to be concerned there may be more al-Qaeda-trained young men in the country planning to bring down US planes. US FLIGHT ADVICE Only one item of hand luggage, including items bought airside BA and Virgin Atlantic not charging to check in extra hand luggage Check in wrapped presents Passengers subject to "pat-down" searches before boarding, on top of usual security checks Customers to remain seated during final hour of flight No access to hand luggage and a ban on leaving possessions or blankets on laps during this hour Dutch press EU to adopt scanners In pictures: Suspect's journey How are travellers screened? Q&A: 'Jet bomber' case In recent weeks, Yemen has launched several major operations against al-Qaeda with US backing, amid fears the troubled country is becoming a major training centre for militants. 'Exaggerated' danger In an interview for BBC Radio 4's World at One programme, Mr al-Qirbi said the conflict with al-Qaeda was a priority for his government despite wars with Shia rebels in the north and with separatists in the south. Yemen was getting some support in this conflict but it was inadequate, he added. "We need more training. We have to expand our counter terrorism units and this means providing them with the necessary training, military equipment, ways of transportation - we are very short of helicopters. Please turn on JavaScript. Media requires JavaScript to play. "The United States can do a lot, Britain can do a lot, the European Union can do a lot in that regard," he said. He said he thought that 200-300 al-Qaeda members were operating in Yemen, but that this was just a rough guess. "Of course there are a number in Yemen and they may actually plan for attacks as in Detroit," he said. But Mr al-Qirbi said warnings about the situation made by US officials like Gen David Petraeus, head of Central Command, were overstated and "exaggerated in some media". Guantanamo link Mr Abdulmutallab has been charged with attempting to blow up the Northwest Airlines Airbus A330 from Amsterdam, which had nearly 300 people on board, as it made its final descent into Detroit on Friday. The 23-year-old, who is being held at a federal prison in the US state of Michigan, was restrained by passengers and crew while allegedly trying to detonate a high-explosive device sewn inside his underwear. UMAR FAROUK ABDULMUTALLAB Son of a wealthy Nigerian businessman Attended a British school in Togo Studied mechanical engineering at University College London Spent time in Dubai, Yemen and Egypt Q&A: 'Jet bomber' case Profile: Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab Al-Qaeda group claims bomb plot He has reportedly told FBI investigators that al-Qaeda operatives in Yemen had supplied him with the bomb and that there were others like him who would strike soon. His family says it lost contact with him in October. On Monday a web posting by al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, including a photograph purportedly of Mr Abdulmutallab in front of its banner, said the attack had been a response to US attacks against its operatives. On Tuesday, an official at the Yemeni foreign ministry said that the Migration and Passport Authority had confirmed that Mr Abdulmutallab arrived in Yemen at the beginning of August to study at the Sanaa Institute for the Arabic Language (SIAL) and left for Ethiopia four months later. ABC News earlier reported that among the group who planned the alleged attack were two men who were released by the US from its Guantanamo Bay detention centre in November 2007. Mohammed Atiq al-Harbi, also known as Mohammed al-Awfi, and Said Ali al-Shihri were sent home to Saudi Arabia, where they were admitted to an "art therapy rehabilitation program" and later set free, US and Saudi officials said. Both men appeared in a video in January along with the man described as the leader of al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, Nasser Abdul Karim al-Wuhayshi. Bookmark with: Delicious Digg reddit Facebook StumbleUpon What are these? E-mail this to a friend Printable version	Authorities in Yemen say the Nigerian man accused of trying to destroy a U.S. airliner last week lived in Yemen during a four-month period earlier this year. The Yemeni Foreign Ministry and it's Minister, Abu Bakr al-Qirbi says 23-year-old Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab lived there between early August and early December. The ministry says the Nigerian was granted a visa to study Arabic at an institute in the capital Sana'a. Security officials say they approved the visa for Abdulmutallab because he was granted visas by several friendly countries, and still held a valid visa to the United States. Abdulmutallab is charged with trying to detonate a bomb while flying aboard Northwest Airlines Flight 253 traveling from Amsterdam to Detroit. Authorities say he unsuccessfully tried to set off explosives attached to his body as the plane was approaching Detroit. A group known as al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula claimed responsibility on Monday for the failed attack. In an Internet statement, the group says the attack was in retaliation for U.S. support for operations against the group in Yemen. The claim could not be independently verified. Yemen has recently begun operations with U.S. support against al-Qaeda due to concerns that the country is becoming a training ground for militants. al-Qirbi said to BBC's Radio 4, that al-Qeada remains a top priority despite the Yemeni government having to deal with two insurgencies, one in the north by Shi'a rebels and one in the south by separatists. al-Qirbi said the Yemeni government needs more support, "We need more training. We have to expand our counter terrorism units and this means providing them with the necessary training, military equipment, ways of transportation - we are very short of helicopters. The United States can do a lot, Britain can do a lot, the European Union can do a lot in that regard." He also believed there 200 to 300 members of al-Qaeda in Yemen, however, that is a rough estimate. He added, "Of course there are a number in Yemen and they may actually plan for attacks as in Detroit." However, he called some statements made by U.S. officials overstated and "exaggerated in some media." U.S. President Barack Obama says the United States will use all resources to find and hold accountable those responsible for the terrorist plot. The president on Monday ordered a full review of air safety regulations and the terrorist watch-list system, in an effort to prevent future attacks. He vowed to use every element of U.S. power "to disrupt, to dismantle and defeat" extremists in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Yemen, Somalia or elsewhere, who might want to attack the United States. Abdulmutallab's name was listed in a U.S. government intelligence database, but he was not on the government's so-called "no-fly list," which would have banned him from flying on a U.S. airline. His father, a prominent banker and former Nigerian government minister, had warned the U.S. embassy in Nigeria about his son's extremist views.
Sherwood Schwartz, who created “Gilligan’s Island” and “The Brady Bunch,” two of the most affectionately ridiculed and enduring television sitcoms of the 1960s and ’70s, died on Tuesday in Los Angeles. He was 94. His death was announced by the Archive of American Television. Mr. Schwartz weathered painfully dismissive reviews to see his shows prosper and live on for decades in syndication. Many critics suggested that they were successful because they ran counter to the tumultuous times in which they appeared: the era of the Vietnam War and sweeping social change. Give or take a month or so, the original network run of “The Brady Bunch” coincided with two major upheavals in American society. The show, about a squeaky-clean blended family in California, began in 1969, shortly after Woodstock, and ended in 1974, soon after President Richard M. Nixon’s resignation following the Watergate scandal. Mr. Schwartz’s work may have been seen as lighthearted entertainment, but some scholars of popular culture took it very seriously. David Marc and Robert J. Thompson, authors of “Prime Time, Prime Movers,” in which they advance an auteur theory of television, considered Mr. Schwartz an innovator who made a “surgical strike into the national psyche.” Describing the advent of “Gilligan’s Island,” which told the story of seven very different castaways stranded on a desert island, they wrote, “Schwartz was pioneering a dramatic matrix built upon the emerging cultural concept of the ‘support group’: a collection of demographically diverse characters thrown together by circumstance and forced to become an ersatz ‘family’ in order to survive.” Mr. Schwartz, in a 1996 interview, said that he had always planned the series as a social statement, the message being, “It’s one world, and we all have to learn to live with each other.” Once or twice a year, he added, he received word of an academic paper whose author claimed to have uncovered the “real meaning” of the series, also stating that its creator probably had no idea what he was really saying. Not so. Mr. Schwartz remembered describing the idea of “Gilligan’s Island” to William S. Paley, then chairman of CBS, as a microcosm. Mr. Paley, he recalled, blanched and replied, “Oh, God, I thought it was a comedy show,” to which Mr. Schwartz quickly answered, “But it’s a funny microcosm!” Mr. Schwartz was also largely responsible for his shows’ theme songs, which spelled out the premises in detail. “The Ballad of Gilligan’s Island,” which Mr. Schwartz wrote with George Wyle, told the story of those castaways and how they ended up on that island. The “Brady Bunch” theme, which Mr. Schwartz wrote by himself, told the story of a woman with three daughters and a man with three sons who met and married. Viewers who swore they had never been fans of either show somehow knew the lyrics, or at least couldn’t help associating phrases like a “three-hour tour” or “the youngest one in curls” with the series. Sherwood Charles Schwartz was born in Passaic, N.J., on Nov. 4, 1916. He grew up in Brooklyn and was a premed student at New York University. After receiving his bachelor’s degree, he moved to Los Angeles to attend graduate school at the University of Southern California, but the master’s he earned in biological sciences was never put to use. In 1938, while waiting for acceptance to medical school, he asked his brother Albert, who worked on Bob Hope’s radio show, if he could try writing a few jokes. Soon there were two Schwartzes on Hope’s payroll. After World War II, during which Sherwood Schwartz wrote for Armed Forces Radio, he became a writer for “The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet,” which was then on the radio. He made the transition to television in the 1950s with the sitcom “I Married Joan” and “The Red Skelton Show,” for which he became head writer. In 1961 he shared an Emmy Award with his brother, Skelton and two other writers for the show. Mr. Schwartz’s survivors include his wife, Mildred; three sons, Donald, Lloyd and Ross Schwartz; and a daughter, Hope Juber. “Gilligan’s Island” went on the air in September 1964, with a cast that included Bob Denver as Gilligan, a bumbling first mate; Alan Hale Jr. as the skipper of the shipwrecked boat; and Jim Backus as Thurston Howell III, a millionaire, who managed to practice elitism while living in a hut. Guest stars turned up on the island as British butterfly collectors, misguided aviators or headhunters in grass skirts, sometimes raising hope for the castaways’ rescue. But they were always left behind, even when the series ended in 1967. The castaways finally did leave the island in a 1978 reunion special, “Rescue From Gilligan’s Island.” There were other specials; then, in 2004, the show was the inspiration for a reality series, “The Real Gilligan’s Island,” starring contestants whose real-life identities (millionaire, skipper and so on) matched those of the characters. As early as 1995 and as recently as 2010, there was talk of a “Gilligan’s Island” feature film. “The Brady Bunch” had its premiere in September 1969. It starred Florence Henderson and Robert Reed as clean-cut newlyweds with children whose most serious problems were usually on the level of sibling rivalry or a student council election. The show lasted five seasons and, in a way, refused to die. After reruns proved enormously popular, there were three attempts at spinoff series (none lasted longer than half a season); a stage show, “The Real Live Brady Bunch,” in which original episodes of the series were re-enacted; and “The Brady Bunch Movie,” which had two sequels. In interviews Mr. Schwartz talked about having intercepted a script for the first movie in which the Brady children used four-letter words. He told Paramount that he would personally campaign against the film if the language remained. So when the first film, set in the 1990s, opened, the obliviously wholesome Bradys appeared to be living in a time warp, still dressing, talking and behaving as if it were the early ’70s. Apparently Mr. Schwartz had his way. \|\|\|\|\| Lloyd Schwartz (left) and his father Sherwood Schwartz, creator of "Gilligan's Island," arrive at Glenn Stearns' "Millionaire's Hut" to watch the finale episode of "The Real Gilligan's Island" in Newport Beach, California in this December 21, 2004 file photo. Schwartz died on July 12, 2011 at the age of 94. Photograph by: Robert Galbraith, Reuters LOS ANGELES — Sherwood Schwartz, the comedy writer and producer who created what have remained two of the most enduringly popular TV series in worldwide syndication, died Tuesday morning. He was 94. Schwartz, who began his more than six-decade career by writing gags for Bob Hope’s radio show in 1939, died of natural causes at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, said his son Lloyd. Schwartz once said he created Gilligan’s Island, which aired on CBS from 1964 to 1967, as an escape from his seven years on The Red Skelton Show, for which he served as head writer and won an Emmy in 1961. There was nothing quite as escapist as the wacky tale of seven people on a small charter boat, the SS Minnow, who set out on a “three-hour tour” and wound up shipwrecked on an uncharted South Pacific island. Starring Bob Denver in the title role of the boat’s bumbling crew member, Gilligan’s Island famously featured the exasperated skipper (Alan Hale Jr.), the millionaire and his wife (Jim Backus and Natalie Schafer), the professor (Russell Johnson), the naive country girl (Dawn Wells) and the sexy movie star (Tina Louise). Schwartz also wrote the lyrics for the show’s memorable theme song: “Sit right back and you’ll hear a tale, A tale of a fateful trip. It started from this tropic port aboard this tiny ship. The mate was a mighty sailing man, The skipper brave and sure, Five passengers set sail that day For a three-hour tour.” Critics had a field day lambasting Schwartz’s shipwreck saga when it debuted. “It is impossible that a more inept, moronic or humorless show has ever appeared on the home tube,” wrote UPI’s Rick DuBrow. “It is difficult for me to believe that Gilligan’s Island was written, directed and filmed by adults,” wrote Terrence O’Flaherty of the San Francisco Chronicle. It is “quite possibly the most preposterous situation comedy of the season,” wrote Jack Gould of The New York Times. But the show’s very preposterousness struck a chord with millions of viewers. For all its crude sight gags, low-brow humor and pratfalls, Schwartz viewed “Gilligan’s Island” as something more: It is, he proclaimed, “my version of a social microcosm, where seven people from various backgrounds had to learn to live together.” In a 1965 TV Guide interview, Schwartz said he was “not disheartened by the (negative) reviews — only a bit angry with the lack of understanding of what was being attempted. Here are the same men who are forever saying: ‘For heaven’s sake, won’t somebody give us something other than the wife and the husband and the two children?’ “ Four years later, Schwartz served up his own version of that television staple: the family sitcom. The story of the marriage between a “lovely lady” with three daughters and “a man named Brady” with three sons, The Brady Bunch became TV’s first sitcom to feature a blended family. And its theme song featured lyrics again written by Schwartz. The series, starring Robert Reed and Florence Henderson as Mike and Carol Brady, aired on ABC from 1969 to 1974. The Brady kids were played by Maureen McCormick, Barry Williams, Eve Plumb, Susan Olsen, Christopher Knight and Mike Lookinland. Ann B. Davis played Alice, the housekeeper. Like Gilligan’s Island, The Brady Bunch was dismissed by the critics, and it never did as well as Schwartz’s gang of castaways in the ratings. But the idyllic suburban tale of Marcia, Jan, Cindy, Greg, Peter, Bobby, Mike, Carol and Alice took on a life of its own in endless syndicated reruns around the world, watched by succeeding generations. The Brady Bunch also begat a 1972-74 Saturday morning animated series (The Brady Kids), a 1977 comedy-variety series (The Brady Bunch Hour), a 1981 TV-movie (The Brady Girls Get Married), a 1981 sitcom (The Brady Brides), a 1988 TV-movie (A Very Brady Christmas) and a 1990 hourlong dramatic series (The Bradys.) There was even a stage production in the early ‘90s, The Real Live Brady Bunch, which re-created episodes word-for-word, as well as “The Brady Bunch Movie” (1995), a hit spoof starring Shelley Long and Gary Cole that was followed by “A Very Brady Sequel” with Long and Cole (1996); and “The Brady Bunch in the White House,” a 2002 TV movie. “Gilligan’s Island” likewise continued to air in reruns around the world and spawned two animated series, three TV-movies and a 1992 stage musical, Gilligan: The Musical, for which Schwartz and his collaborator son, Lloyd, wrote the book. Schwartz, who practically made a career out of the two shows, put little stock in what the critics had to say about his creations. “I honestly think I could sit down and write a show tonight that the critics would love, and I know it would be canceled within four weeks,” Schwartz said in a 1990 interview with the Los Angeles Times. “I know what the critics love. We write and produce for people, not for critics.” Born on Nov. 14, 1916, in Passaic, N.J., Schwartz received a bachelor’s degree from New York University and was working on his master’s degree in biological sciences at the University of Southern California in 1939 when he unexpectedly abandoned his plan of becoming a doctor. At the time, he was living with his older brother, Al, a comedy writer for The Bob Hope Show, then in its first year on radio. In need of money, Schwartz told his brother, “If I write some jokes, would you show them to Bob?” As Schwartz told Jordan Young, author of the 1999 book The Laugh Crafters: Comedy Writing in Radio and TV’s Golden Age: So I wrote some jokes, and he showed them to Bob, who liked them — and the last month of The Bob Hope Show that first year, they used some of my material. And then (Hope) said to me, ‘Why don’t you come on the show?’ “ After four years writing for Hope’s radio show, Schwartz joined the Army and wound up writing for Armed Forces Radio Service in Hollywood, including the shows Command Performance, Mail Call and Jubilee. After the war, he returned to radio, putting in stints on The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet, The Alan Young Show and The Beulah Show. He made his move to television in 1952, spending two years writing for Joan Davis’ situation comedy I Married Joan. In addition to The Red Skelton Show, Schwartz also wrote for the sitcom My Favorite Martian in the early ‘60s. Schwartz conceived the idea for the Brady series in 1965 after reading a brief news report that said nearly one-third of American households included at least one child from a previous marriage. “I realized there was a sociological change going on in this country, and it prompted me to sit down to write a script about it,” he recalled in a 2000 interview with the Los Angeles Times. It took him more than three years to sell The Brady Bunch, a show whose cheery depiction of family life was, he said in another interview, “100 percent sincere.” “A lot of people say television holds up a mirror to life, and that’s why you see all the drug busts and the killings and the seamier side of life,” he said in the 1990 Times interview. “I personally take the view that as a responsible producer, it’s not sufficient to portray only negative role models. I think it’s better to give an alternative. It’s not enough to say ‘no’ to drugs. What do you say ‘yes’ to?” In addition to his son Lloyd, Schwartz is survived by his wife, Mildred; his two other sons, Dr. Donald Schwartz and Ross Schwartz; his daughter, Hope Juber; eight grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. Los Angeles Times © Copyright (c) The Montreal Gazette	Schwartz receiving his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2008 Television producer and creator of shows '''' and '''' has died at the age of 94. His daughter Hope Juber announced his death. The cause of death was announced by his son Lloyd as natural causes. Schwartz had a career that lasted six decades after he starting writing jokes for ’s radio show in 1939. After his brother got Schwartz a role on Hope's writing staff he went onto work for the and became a writer for the radio series ''''. He first entered television when he started to write for the show '''' in the 1950s. Schwartz got his big break when he became head writer for ''''. He won an Emmy award in 1961 for his work on the show. ''Gilligan's Island'' was first broadcast in 1964 and featured stars such as Bob Denver, Jim Backus, and Alan Hale Jr. The show ran until 1967 but did feature several run off specials. Schwartz's other big creation, ''The Brady Bunch'', was first shown in 1969. The series focused on a couple of newlyweds with children from previous relationships. The show ended in 1974. Schwartz is survived by Mildred, his wife, Ross, Lloyd and Dr. Donald Schwartz, his sons, Hope Juber, his daughter, and eight grandchildren, as well as four great-grandchildren.